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: 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: 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 system for forming and moving an article array including a consolidation area having a support surface for receiving and arranging rows of articles to form an article array from an article row delivery device while the consolidation area continuously stabilizingly supports the periphery of the article rows positioned on the support surface as the article rows are arranged to form the article array that is moved onto a transfer support surface for moving the article array toward a collection area.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an article array including a head having at least one pair of opposed substantially planar gripping members, adapted for selectively securing a row of articles therebetween. Each pair of gripping members includes a first gripping member movable in a lateral direction parallel to a support surface and a second gripping member movable between extended and raised positions relative to the first gripping member. In response to the pair of gripping members at least partially laterally surrounding the row of articles, a movement of the second gripping member from the extended position to the raised position results in the second gripping member being sufficiently moved in a direction perpendicular to and away from the support surface, permitting the first gripping member to slidably move the row of articles in the lateral direction along the support surface without the second gripping member contacting the row of article.

Abstract: A system for forming and moving an article array including a consolidation area having a support surface for receiving and arranging rows of articles to form an article array from an article row delivery device while the consolidation area continuously stabilizingly supports the periphery of the article rows positioned on the support surface as the article rows are arranged to form the article array.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of arranging boxes containing components for transport (shipping units).

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.