Abstract: A grouping system for grouping containers including a track oriented in a horizontal plane, a plurality of lugs coupled moveably to the track, and a plurality of grippers, wherein each gripper is coupled to a lug, wherein the grippers are configured to move a stream of containers about the track.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).

Abstract: A system includes a feeder apparatus to transfer a blank to each of the groups and an applicator apparatus to apply the blank to each of the groups as the articles move along a travel path. The feeder apparatus includes a plurality of grippers to engage the blank. The feeder apparatus includes a guide to position each of the grippers along an orbital path during rotation such that each of the grippers has at least two radial positions along the orbital path and that orbital motion of each of the grippers is momentary paused at a first radial position to engage the blank. The applicator apparatus includes first applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating first ones of the groups and second applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating second ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: A gripper for a packaging system includes a suction body forming a first vacuum cavity and a suction cup coupled to the suction body and forming a second vacuum cavity. The second vacuum cavity of the suction cup is in selective fluid communication with the first vacuum cavity of the suction body.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.