Abstract: A robotic case packer is provided. The packer includes a case conveying apparatus, a case set up station, a case loading station, downstream of the case set up station, and a loaded case closure station, downstream of the case loading station, the case conveying apparatus receiving and conveying a case blank for case set up, case loading and loaded case closure operations, a process flow path as to case operations delimited by the case conveying apparatus. The case set up station, characterized by a case set up robot operable in a process flow path direction, secures a case blank from a source of case blanks and transfers the blank to the case conveying apparatus. The case loading station, characterized by a case loading robot operable across the process flow path direction, transfers an article group for case loading into a set up case conveyed by the case conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A robotic end of arm tool to effectuate loaded case closure is provided. The tool includes a loaded case flap folding assembly to effectuate folding of flaps extending from a first case panel of a loaded case and, advantageously, loaded case squaring assemblies. The folding assembly includes flap engaging elements, a linkage and an actuator, the flap engaging elements operatively united with the linkage, the linkage actuatable via the actuator in furtherance of causing the flap engaging elements to engage the flaps extending from the first case panel. Flap engaging elements include a first flap engaging element for engagement with a first flap extending from the first case panel of the loaded case, and second and third flap engaging elements for engagement with second and third flaps opposingly extending from the first case panel, each of the second and third flaps adjacent the first flap.