Abstract: A quick-change cutting assembly includes a base having a support surface for supporting a cutting blade, a clamping arm having a clamping surface, a spring interposed between the base and the clamping arm, and a pivot defining a pivot axis between the spring and the clamping surface that couples the clamping arm to the base. The spring biases the clamping surface toward the support surface and a cutting blade therebetween. The clamping arm is pivotable between a closed position where the clamping surface is parallel to the support surface and an open position removed from the closed position where the clamping surface is spaced further from the support surface. The cutting assembly further includes a locking pin transverse the direction of biasing action of the spring that connects the clamping arm to the base to prevent the clamping arm from pivoting relative to the base when in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for closing a shipping container that has a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding side walls extending from the periphery of the bottom wall, and an open top end, includes a sled capable of moving the container between a first station and a second station spaced from the first station, and a flap-folding assembly movable with the sled. The flap-folding assembly is configured to inwardly fold flaps of the container while the sled moves the container between the first station and the second station.

Abstract: An apparatus for conforming a dunnage element about contents in a container includes an array of pushers having biased end portions that are movable relative to one another and having end faces for engaging the dunnage element. The end faces of the pushers are biased to an extended state and are movable against the bias in response to engagement of the end faces with the contents and with the dunnage element between the end faces and the contents. At least one of the pushers is movable against the bias separately from a remainder of the pushers to enable conformance of the array to the shape of the contents. The pushers are mounted to a carrier at respective mounts. A motive device is coupled to the carrier and is configured to collectively move the mounts vertically.

Abstract: A system for closing a shipping container that has a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding side walls extending from the periphery of the bottom wall, and an open top end, includes a sled capable of moving the container between a first station and a second station spaced from the first station, and a flap-folding assembly movable with the sled. The flap-folding assembly is configured to inwardly fold flaps of the container while the sled moves the container between the first station and the second station.

Abstract: An apparatus for conforming a dunnage element about contents in a container includes an array of pushers having biased end portions that are movable relative to one another and having end faces for engaging the dunnage element. The end faces of the pushers are biased to an extended state and are movable against the bias in response to engagement of the end faces with the contents and with the dunnage element between the end faces and the contents. At least one of the pushers is movable against the bias separately from a remainder of the pushers to enable conformance of the array to the shape of the contents. The pushers are mounted to a carrier at respective mounts. A motive device is coupled to the carrier and is configured to collectively move the mounts vertically.

Abstract: A quick-change cutting assembly includes a base having a support surface for supporting a cutting blade, a clamping arm having a clamping surface, a spring interposed between the base and the clamping arm, and a pivot defining a pivot axis between the spring and the clamping surface that couples the clamping arm to the base. The spring biases the clamping surface toward the support surface and a cutting blade therebetween. The clamping arm is pivotable between a closed position where the clamping surface is parallel to the support surface and an open position removed from the closed position where the clamping surface is spaced further from the support surface. The cutting assembly further includes a locking pin transverse the direction of biasing action of the spring that connects the clamping arm to the base to prevent the clamping arm from pivoting relative to the base when in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for closing a shipping container that has a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding side walls extending from the periphery of the bottom wall, and an open top end, includes a sled capable of moving the container between a first station and a second station spaced from the first station, and a flap-folding assembly movable with the sled. The flap-folding assembly is configured to inwardly fold flaps of the container while the sled moves the container between the first station and the second station.