Abstract: A system for forming an array of articles is provided. The system includes at least an infeed single lane conveyor moving a plurality of articles, an array forming conveyor for receiving the articles, a programmable robot for transferring the articles to the array forming conveyor, the programmable robot includes a pusher mounted at an end of the programmable robot that is configured to form and push a row of articles to the array forming conveyor, forming an array of articles, and an article metering device including a speed controller to control the flow of articles into a sweeping area of the infeed single lane conveyor. The programmable robot may include a conveyor tracking element to match a speed of the infeed conveyor to provide a continuous flow of articles.

Abstract: A system for forming an array of articles is provided. The system includes at least an infeed single lane conveyor moving a plurality of articles, an array forming conveyor for receiving the articles, a programmable robot for transferring the articles to the array forming conveyor, the programmable robot includes a pusher mounted at an end of the programmable robot that is configured to form and push a row of articles to the array forming conveyor, forming an array of articles, and an article metering device including a speed controller to control the flow of articles into a sweeping area of the infeed single lane conveyor. The programmable robot may include a conveyor tracking element to match a speed of the infeed conveyor to provide a continuous flow of articles.

Abstract: A mobile stacking apparatus for stacking an article array includes a stacker unit having a pair of stacker arms for containing at least one article array therebetween, each stacker arm includes a plurality of supports for supporting the at least one article array, the plurality of supports are configured to move in and out of the stacker arm caused by a movement of a movable handle attached on the stacker arm, and a vertical frame containing a lifting arrangement, the lifting arrangement includes at least a motor to move the stacker unit in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for removing a packing material of an article array including a staging area for receiving the article array packaged with the packing material, a transport device configured to transport the article array in a length direction extending from a first end to a second end of the system, a first cutter configured to cut the packing material in a direction perpendicular with respect to the length direction of the system, a debagging area configured to sequentially receive from the transport device the article array and to remove the packing material from the article array, the debagging area includes a first gripper and a second gripper configured to engage and remove the packing material, and a packing material collection area configured to receive the packing material from the first and second grippers and collect the packing material to be discarded.

Abstract: A mobile stacking apparatus for stacking an article array includes a stacker unit having a pair of stacker arms for containing at least one article array therebetween, each stacker arm includes a plurality of supports for supporting the at least one article array, the plurality of supports are configured to move in and out of the stacker arm caused by a movement of a movable handle attached on the stacker arm, and a vertical frame containing a lifting arrangement, the lifting arrangement includes at least a motor to move the stacker unit in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for sorting dunnage of an article array having a programmable robot including an arm for transferring a dunnage from a stack of dunnage of different types to a collection area. The programmable robot includes a head having a first griper assembly for engaging with a first type of dunnage, a second clamping griper for engaging with a second type of dunnage; and a third gripper assembly for engaging with a third type of dunnage. The first griper assembly, the second griper assembly and the third gripper assembly are independently operated and configured to engage the respective dunnage based on the type of dunnage.

Abstract: A system for removing a packing material of an article array including a staging area for receiving the article array packaged with the packing material, a transport device configured to transport the article array in a length direction extending from a first end to a second end of the system, a first cutter configured to cut the packing material in a direction perpendicular with respect to the length direction of the system, a debagging area configured to sequentially receive from the transport device the article array and to remove the packing material from the article array, the debagging area includes a first gripper and a second gripper configured to engage and remove the packing material, and a packing material collection area configured to receive the packing material from the first and second grippers and collect the packing material to be discarded.

Abstract: A method for building an article array comprised of (n) rows of articles, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: An adjustable conveyor rail having a curved portion includes a first conveyor rail positioned a first radial distance from a centerline of a conveyer, the first conveyor rail including a first rail member operatively connected to a first band. The adjustable conveyor rail further includes an opposed second conveyor rail positioned a second radial distance from the centerline of the conveyer, the second conveyor rail including a second rail member operatively connected to a second band. The first band and the second band do not contact articles conveyed between the first conveyor rail and the second conveyor rail.

Abstract: A head for use in forming an article array in a container cavity (“cavity”) by sequential placement of adjacent article rows in the cavity, including a gripper having a frame having a longitudinal axis, the gripper adapted to selectively engage and disengage an article row for permitting placement thereof; and a flexible layer connected to the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned to one side of the gripper. During formation of the article array in the cavity, the flexible layer preventing contact between a most recently positioned article row in the cavity and a corresponding article row being positioned in the cavity, including filling a remaining unfilled portion of the cavity between a penultimate article row and the container for receiving the final article row having a width approximately equal to or less than a width of the final article row.

Abstract: A head for use in forming an article array in a container cavity (“cavity”) by sequential placement of adjacent article rows in the cavity, including a gripper having a frame having a longitudinal axis, the gripper adapted to selectively engage and disengage an article row for permitting placement thereof; and a flexible layer connected to the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned to one side of the gripper. During formation of the article array in the cavity, the flexible layer preventing contact between a most recently positioned article row in the cavity and a corresponding article row being positioned in the cavity, including filling a remaining unfilled portion of the cavity between a penultimate article row and the container for receiving the final article row having a width approximately equal to or less than a width of the final article row.

Abstract: An adjustable conveyor rail having a curved portion includes a first conveyor rail positioned a first radial distance from a centerline of a conveyer, the first conveyor rail including a first rail member operatively connected to a first band. The adjustable conveyor rail further includes an opposed second conveyor rail positioned a second radial distance from the centerline of the conveyer, the second conveyor rail including a second rail member operatively connected to a second band. The first band and the second band do not contact articles conveyed between the first conveyor rail and the second conveyor rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for depalletizing a loaded pallet comprised of (n) vertically stacked article arrays, each article array separated from an adjacent article array by a dunnage layer, the loaded pallet including a top article array vertically supporting a top dunnage layer. The apparatus is adapted to remove all article arrays from the loaded pallet and to deposit all collected dunnage layers onto the empty pallet.

Abstract: A method for building an article array comprised of (n) rows of articles, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for depalletizing a loaded pallet comprised of (n) vertically stacked article arrays, each article array separated from an adjacent article array by a dunnage layer, the loaded pallet including a top article array vertically supporting a top dunnage layer. The apparatus is adapted to remove all article arrays from the loaded pallet and to deposit all collected dunnage layers onto the empty pallet.

Abstract: A sealing jaw for use with a bagging apparatus including a removable jaw having a guide/retention member selectively releasable from a jaw holder. The jaw holder including a modular retainer assembly having a release member movable between a first position for securing the guide/retention member therewith, and a second position for releasing the guide/retention member therefrom. Selective release of the guide/retention member from the jaw holder is achieved without tools.

Abstract: A cable tensioner is provided including a spring having a first position, the spring operatively connectable to a cable conveyor system, and visually apparent indicia corresponding to a force applied to a cable of the cable conveyor system as a result of a spring deflection away from the first position, the force placing the cable of the cable conveyor system in tension.

Abstract: A cable tensioner is provided including a spring having a first position, the spring operatively connectable to a cable conveyor system, and visually apparent indicia corresponding to a force applied to a cable of the cable conveyor system as a result of a spring deflection away from the first position, the force placing the cable of the cable conveyor system in tension.

Abstract: A bagging apparatus including a first jaw, a second jaw, at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw being movable. The first jaw and second jaw are movable relative to each other between a first position for joining at least a portion of two sheets together and a second position associated with release of the two sheets, the two sheets forming at least a portion of a bag. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw being removable from the apparatus without tools.