Abstract: A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.

Abstract: An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.

Abstract: An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting and selectively voiding tickets. An input bin is provided wherein a stack of tickets are initially queued. Using a conveyor, each ticket is advanced from the input bin past a sensing device. The sensing device detects the presence of each ticket and produces a signal indicative of the passage of each ticket past the sensing device. This signal is conveyed to an electronic counting device that maintains a cumulative total count of the tickets. The apparatus may be set to continuously count any tickets placed in the input bin or set to stop after counting a predetermined number of tickets. The apparatus also includes a punch that is selectively controlled to enable the optional voiding of each ticket as it is counted.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling crates with packages is disclosed. The crates have hinged sides. The apparatus unfolds the sides of a crate and places the packages in the crate between the upright sides. The filled crates are transported on a conveyor to a bander. In the bander, a flexible band is applied around the outside of the upright sides. The banded crates are stacked by the apparatus with the bottom of the upper crate resting on the top edge of the upright sides of the lower crate. The banded and stacked crates may be transported horizontally while stacked.

Abstract: A machine for loading articles such as milk cartons in a crate and stacking the crates for transport is described. The crate has folding sides. A supply of crates stacked in folded condition is introduced into the machine. The crates are removed individually from the stack by the machine, the sides are raised, and the crates are arranged vertically on a conveyor in preparation to receive the filled cartons. Cartons are inserted into a crate, which is then banded by a plastic strip, and the crate is placed in a stack with other crates that have been filled with cartons. The stack of filled crates is then unloaded from the machine.