Abstract: Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: An asymmetric article-carrying puck is driven by a linear star conveyor through an angular rotation orienting section to orient the pucks and articles therein irrespective of random initial orientation. In one embodiment, an upper puck plate carries the article while a separated lower puck plate defines a rotational orienting circular gear rack with a rotation-stopping bridge, separating ends of the rack and inclined from a base of one end tooth in the rack to a crest of another end tooth in the rack. The lower puck plate can be a combination of two circular plates with the circular gear rack interposed therebetween and within the periphery of the circular plates. Pucks can be accumulated in mutual engaged positions and separated by the linear star into preselected pitch while transported and turned. Integral pucks can be used. The structural details and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An asymmetric article-carrying puck is driven by a linear star conveyor through an angular rotation orienting section to orient the pucks and articles therein irrespective of random initial orientation. In one embodiment, an upper puck plate carries the article while a separated lower puck plate defines a rotational orienting circular gear rack with a rotation-stopping bridge, separating ends of the rack and inclined from a base of one end tooth in the rack to a crest of another end tooth in the rack. The lower puck plate can be a combination of two circular plates with the circular gear rack interposed therebetween and within the periphery of the circular plates. Pucks can be accumulated in mutual engaged positions and separated by the linear star into preselected pitch while transported and turned. Integral pucks can be used. The structural details and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: Trays are indexed at predetermined pitch on a tray conveyor. As the trays are conveyed, a turning guide engages a leading tray portion, turning the tray and urging it transversely downward and/or into buckets on an adjacent bucket conveyor or cartons on an adjacent carton conveyor. A cam is disposed rearward of each tray on the tray conveyors and the turning trays pivot about that cam. A hold-down prevents trays climbing over the turning guide. Pressure relief and tray indexing are provided upstream of the tray conveyor. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for operating on a package includes a housing having a portion adapted to be coupled to the package, and a fan coupled to the housing for generating a vacuum within the housing to selectively retain or release the package relative to the housing. A method of operating on the package includes decreasing a distance between the housing and the package, actuating the fan coupled to the housing to generate a vacuum therein, retaining the package relative to the housing using the vacuum generated by the fan, and releasing the vacuum in the housing to release the package relative to the housing.

Abstract: Trays are indexed at predetermined pitch on a tray conveyor. As the trays are conveyed, a turning guide engages a leading tray portion, turning the tray and urging it transversely downward and/or into buckets on an adjacent bucket conveyor or cartons on an adjacent carton conveyor. A cam is disposed rearward of each tray on the tray conveyors and the turning trays pivot about that cam. A hold-down prevents trays climbing over the turning guide. Pressure relief and tray indexing are provided upstream of the tray conveyor. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A cartoner has an intermediate transfer disposed between each article infeed area and an adjacent bucket conveyor to transfer separate rows of select article count into buckets on the adjacent bucket conveyor. The intermediate transfer runs only the length necessary to feed rows into a bucket for one tier or group of articles. Row selecting and forming devices on, or extending from, buckets or bucket walls are eliminated. A sheet feeder feeds partitions over the upstream end of a group receiving bucket conveyor for deposit on a lower group of articles on which an upper group is to be formed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus useful in feeding articles from a bulk supply through lanes confining articles into single file for metering and segregation from upstream articles. The apparatus includes a lane guide insert removably mounted on one of two opposed preferably fixed lane guides. The insert narrows or constricts the effective lane width through a selected length, and as a function of the diameter of the articles handled. The maximum width between the fixed lane guides of a lane is that which will permit passage of the smallest pre-determined diameter of articles to be handled without forming an “A” pattern orientation in the lane.