Abstract: The invention relates to a method for order picking of items at a picking station, wherein the source containers (5) are transported to a retrieval position (33) in an arbitrary sequence, and the target containers (27) are provided in a sorting buffer (36) with buffer positions (39) ahead of a single loading position (35). A first target container is transported back into the sorting buffer for processing of different order lines after placement of an item for a first order line, and is temporarily buffered at a sorting position (42) until a source container with an item for a second order line is conveyed onward into a buffer track section (23) provided upstream of the retrieval position.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment, a lift includes at least one load handling device configured so as to reciprocate along a lift axis, the load handling device including a frame forming a payload section with a payload support surface having a common elevation configured to hold one or more pickfaces at the common elevation of the payload support surface, at least one transfer arm movably mounted to the frame, and a drive section connected to the load handling device and being configured to move the load handling device along the lift axis, wherein the one or more pickfaces carried in unison by the payload support surface of the at least one load handling device, define an order sequence of pickfaces on the at least one load handling device according to a predetermined case out order sequence of mixed cases.

Abstract: A hanging and parallel pushing lining-up device for a tubular material package which is a automatic packaging machine used for the pillow-type tubular material, comprises a hang-rail (10), a front propeller (40), a queuing means (20), a back propeller (42), a hang-rail (30) prepared for packaging, a hang-rail (21) for queuing and a hang-rail (33) for storage and waiting; a queuing means (20), comprising the hang-rail (21) for queuing and a movement synchronization module (24), the inlet section (22) of the hang-rail for queuing connects to the hang-rail (30) for storage and waiting, the outlet section (23) of the hang-rail for queuing connects to the exit end of the hang-rail (33) for storage and waiting; the front propeller (40) and the back propeller (42) both have a controlled pushing forward head (41, 43) which is able to extend out or shrink back horizontally. The hang-rail for storage and waiting comprises parallel hails, each width of which is the same as the length of the baffle grid (29).

Abstract: A dunnage inserter system has one or more storage containers for storage of a plurality of dunnage pieces. A trolley and lift assembly travels horizontally along a longitudinal axis of an overhead beam. A dunnage holder is mounted to the trolley and lift assembly and moves horizontally along the overhead beam and moves vertically via a lift assembly. The dunnage holder can lift and hold one or more dunnage pieces for installation onto a metal sheet in the metal sheet container.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing device including: a device body 3; a medicine containing unit 4 mounted in the device body 3 and including a plurality of medicine containers 9 configured to dispense medicines contained therein through a medicine ejecting portion; a medicine receiving unit 5 movably provided in the device body 3 and having at least two medicine receiving sections 26 that are moved to each of the medicine containers 9 of the medicine containing unit 4 to receive the medicine dispensed from the medicine ejecting portion and are moved to a discharging position to discharge the received medicines; a medicine collecting unit 6 having a plurality of medicine collecting sections 44 each collecting the medicines discharged from each of the medicine receiving sections 26 in the discharging position; and a control unit 7 configured to move each of the medicine receiving sections 26 to allow the medicine receiving section to receive the medicines dispensed from a corresponding medicine containing section and to di

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling a container with solid particles, the device having annular ducts for passing particles, which ducts are defined by a plurality of vertical nozzles arranged coaxially relative to one another, and a diaphragm arranged upstream from the annular ducts for regulating the flow rate of particles in the annular ducts, the diaphragm has a plurality of shutter flaps for shutting off the annular ducts, each flap shutting off an angular sector of a single annular duct and the diaphragm having control means for controlling movement of the shutter flaps that are configured to be capable of partially shutting off any one of duct independently of the other ducts. The invention also relates to a method of shutting off a filler device.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a carousel machine designed to slowly deliver a premeasured weighment of product to a receptacle (e.g., bag, box, sack, container, bin). The receptacle, such as a bag or a box, may be manually hung on pneumatic clamps as the carousel rotates. This may help eliminate the jamming of product that normally occurs on existing carousel baggers. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pushing device (2) for pushing piece goods (4) from a conveying device (3) with a reliable process, comprising a circulating track (14) and at least one driven moving unit (10) which can be moved on the track (14), wherein the moving unit (10) comprises a paddle (11) for bearing against the piece good (4) arriving on the conveying device (3), and wherein the moving unit (10) comprises a slide (12) which can be displaced perpendicularly with respect to the moving direction (17) of the moving unit (10) in order to push the piece good (4) from the conveying device (3).

Abstract: A sweet tea brewing product and system for brewing and sweetening tea in a brewing basket of a tea making machine is disclosed comprising at least one water permeable mesh pouch for placement in the brewing basket during brewing. The tea particles and sugar granules are contained in the mesh pouch. The mesh pouch has mesh openings being generally smaller than the size of said sugar granules and said tea particles for retention of said granules and particles. The tea particles and sugar granules are brewed and dissolved in the brewing basket during steeping of the tea particles and sugar granules in hot water to produce a concentrated sweet tea solution delivered from said basket for accurate and consistent brewing of sweat tea.

Abstract: An ice bagging system includes an ice maker unit, an ice bagger unit, and an ice storing unit. The ice bagger unit includes a sheet of ice bags disposed on a bag roll, the sheet of ice bags is threaded through a plurality of guide rollers, a pinch roller assembly, and a sealing jaw assembly. The pinch roller assembly includes first and second pinch roller wheels that are axially movable inwardly and outwardly to selectively open or close an individual ice bag in the sheet of ice bags.

Abstract: A device for filtering untreated air in an air supply of a clean room of a beverage treatment system, having more than one filter element and a pressure differential measuring assembly, in which the filter elements are connected to the pressure differential measuring assembly for pressure measurement such that a respective first pressure pick-up is arranged upstream of the respective filter element and a second pressure pick-up.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing and packing apparatus includes a powder supplying portion, a plurality of powder dividing portions, a dispensing and packing portion, a control portion, and an input portion. The input portion includes an input screen. In a case where a number of packets larger than a maximum number of divisions by which one powder dividing portion can divide powder and a dividing portion use instruction to perform dispensing and packing using the plurality of powder dividing portions are inputted to the control portion by a user's operation on the input screen, the control portion makes allocations of the inputted number of packets to the powder dividing portions within a range not exceeding the maximum number of divisions, and controls the powder supplying portion, the plurality of powder dividing portions, and the dispensing and packing portion on a basis of the allocations.

Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic system for replenishing display shelves in retail businesses. The display shelves each including a shelf board having a conveyor belt circulating around the respective shelf board. Each of the display shelves further including a stop bar and a removable fall-off guard at respective front and rear sides of the display shelves to prevent goods from falling off the display shelves and, wherein, the display shelf is designed to cooperate with a shelf-stocking vehicle such that the fall-off guard is automatically opened when the display shelves are refilled by the shelf-stocking vehicle.

Abstract: A mail piece insertion mechanism is provided and, more particularly, mail piece insertion mechanisms and methods used for inserting mail pieces such as, for example, residual mail, into individual mail piece folders or containers is provided. The method of inserting mail pieces into folders includes opening the folders and aligning a mechanism with the opened folders and inserting the mail pieces therein.

Abstract: An ice bagging system is described.

Abstract: A method for placing product packages into shipment containers (71,72) includes the steps of: selecting and marking a shipment container (71,72) of suitable size for a specific shipment order loading different product packages onto a conveyor system (2) assigning each one of the product packages a conveyance tracking clock information, forwarding the conveyance tracking clock information to a control system, conveying the product packages to a loading zone (4) comprising at least one loading station (5) having a pick-and-place robot, within the loading station (5) providing the shipment container (71, 72) in a loading position (7) in which the container is resting still, within the loading (5) station by means of the pick-and-place robot (51) picking the product packages from the conveyor system (2) and placing the product packages into the shipment container (71,72), and after completion of the shipment order removing the shipment container (71, 72) from the loading station (5).

Abstract: A fully-automated system suitable for use in a hospital setting for filling patient-specific liquid prescriptions to be administered by oral syringes on a just-in-time basis. The system enables hospital pharmacists to simplify and streamline their task, increasing the number of prescriptions that can be filled in a day, improving patient safety and care by minimizing medication errors and the consequences that ensue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for handling loose objects having different physical characteristics, such as pharmaceutical drugs including, without limitation, oral solids in the form of pills, tablets, capsules and the like. Loose objects are loaded into individual canisters. A tooling assembly, comprising at least one canister drive mechanism, imaging sensor and package handler is mounted to a gantry assembly, can be translated through the cabinet via the gantry assembly to engage with particular canisters in accordance with unique and dynamic control parameters. Objects are dispensed from a canister directly to the desired packaging, such as a vial or “blister pack.” Additionally, a beneficially stronger blister pack container is provided.

Abstract: A container treatment plant, with a discontinuously working container treatment machine and having a feed conveyor and/or a discharge conveyor each for individual containers, and in the feed conveyor and/or the discharge conveyor, at least two continuously driven, circulating conveyor means supplying each other with individual containers, and where the conveyor means being closer to the discontinuously working container treatment machine in the conveying direction exhibits a closer conveying pitch than the conveying pitch of the conveyor means which is further away. In this manner, a container acceptance and/or transfer interruption caused by the respective cycle standstill of the discontinuously working container treatment machine is compensated by the conveying pitch difference to be able to continuously supply individual containers for the discontinuously working machine or continuously discharge them from the discontinuously working container treatment machine.

Abstract: A system for packaging unit doses of medication. One pill packaging system comprises a feeding assembly, a pill packaging assembly, and a pill guide. The pill guide may be positioned between the feeding assembly and packaging assembly and comprise a body having inlet and outlet apertures, whereby a pill traveling through the pill guide exits the outlet aperture oriented such that a leading edge of the pill points toward one side of the pill package and the trailing edge of the pill is inclined toward an opposite side of the pill package. Another pill packaging system comprises a pill feeding assembly comprising a pill disk with circumferentially positioned pill slots, a pill packaging assembly, and a sensor, such as a camera, to determine whether more than one pill is positioned in a pill slot on the pill disk.

Abstract: A trolley for moving heavy objects such as wire coils from a machine to a container at a packaging table is provided. The trolley includes spring-loaded spaced arms movably mounted for vertical height adjustment so that the arms are just below the coil when it is on the machine and rotational movement to separate the spaced arms with the spaced arms retaining the heavy object during movement of the trolley apparatus, and locking arms engaging the spaced arms during movement of the trolley apparatus to prevent separation thereof. The spring-loaded arms permit the heavy object to be manually pushed downward therebetween, thereby forcing the arms apart enabling the object to fall from the trolley into a container on a packaging table. The table includes a platform for supporting the container, a motor for raising/lowering the platform, and a mechanism for retaining the container and aiding its alignment with the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing food products into a food tray are disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one sleeve at least one sleeve having a first end configured to singly receive food products and an at least partially closed second end opposite the first end. The at least one sleeve has a first position where the food products are singly receivable through the first end to form a stack having a predetermined orientation in the at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve is configured to rotate from the first position to a second position where the food products are positioned over the food tray and substantially simultaneously unloaded in the predetermined orientation through an opening positioned between the first and second ends into the food tray.

Abstract: The folding side-wall container (10, 62, 66) provides for efficient loading and unloading of the containers appropriate for retail re-supply of goods (52, 64, 90). Use of the containers as a distribution container (62) and a wholesale goods container (66) within an automated system (60) for automated transfer by a robotic picker (68) of goods (64) from the wholesale container (66) to the distribution container (62) minimizes labor costs in distribution of the goods (64). The container (10) includes a folding wall (22) that is releasably secured in a closed position by a top lid (34) having an engagement lip (42) that secures a top edge (46) of the folding side or front wall (22). Opening the top lid (34) and then folding down the front wall (22) permits efficient loading and unloading of the container (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a harvesting device for facilitating harvesting of crops growing on a substrate or soil, the device comprising:—a harvesting conveyer comprising crop receiving members suitable for simple manual placing of the crops therein, wherein the conveyor is adapted to discharge the crops from a location within reach of the harvesting location,—transport means for transporting the harvesting conveyer relative to the substrate or the soil, wherein—the harvesting device is suitable for simultaneously harvesting from at least two seed-beds.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for picking-an-putting product are disclosed. Within a logistics and product fulfillment environment, such as in a warehouse or distribution center environment, for example, a picking zone is established having picking bays arranged in framed rows with each picking bay having pick module associated therewith. Multiple cartons are indexed into a carton train and an operator is directed to pick-by-light and put-by-voice. More particularly, the operator is directed to a pick by the light display informing the operator which products to pick. Within each pick, a voice indication directs the operator to one or more puts by directing the operator to select a number of product and corresponding carton from the picking bay associated with the pick.

Abstract: A tablet supply unit (2) of a medicine packing apparatus (1) has a tablet housing section (22c) including tablet housing chambers (21) for respectively housing the tablets for one dose fed from upper end openings thereof. The tablet housing chambers (21) are arranged in a plurality of rows in an anteroposterior direction and a plurality of columns in a lateral direction. A closing cover (25) opens upper end openings (21a) of all of the tablet housing chambers (21) at an open position and closes the upper end openings (21a) in one or more rows of the tablet housing chambers on a rear side among the tablet housing chambers at a closed position.

Abstract: A bagging assembly for bagging bales of fibrous material is disclosed. The bagging assembly incorporates a chute defining a channel for receiving a bale, which is pushed there between by a stuffing assembly. Aspects of the bagging assembly include raising a bale using a bale elevator to a higher elevation position so that the bale could be stuffed by the stuffing assembly and using a bag retrieving mechanism for retrieving a bag from a bag location for use in bagging the bale.

Abstract: A horn system for an automated loader has horns with upstanding and bottom walls. The horns move from a first, adjacent position in which the bottom walk of the horns completely or almost completely overlap to a second, remote position in which the bottom walls of the horns just barely overlap or do not overlap.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: An improved automated loader has a cone horn to prevent or minimize contact between the chicken and the bag. The loader has a loading tube and the tube has a cone horn comprising a plurality of plates configured to form a cone, each one of the plurality of plates attached to the proximal end of the loading tube by a spring-loaded hinge, each hinge biased radially inward.

Abstract: A ramming mechanism to move material from one location to another is described. The ramming mechanism comprises a belt assembly comprising a belt driven over a plurality of pulleys, a ram carriage connected to the belt, and a ram cylinder mounted on the ram carriage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray loading packaging machine that carries out a method for filling a multi-row packaging tray (Tray T) with piece-form products (P) at a high performance level, having the following steps: dividing up (100) a single-row stream (S1) of piece-form products (P) onto a plurality of lanes (SM; SM1, SM2, SM3) arranged substantially parallel to one another in order to convey the products (P) further; synchronizing (200) the individual streams of products (P) on the plurality or lanes (SM; SM1, SM2, SM3) with one another such that in each case one product (P) from one lane (SM1, SM2, SM3) can be transferred to the packaging tray (T) substantially at the same time as in each case one product (P) from the other lanes (SM1, SM2, SM3); and transferring (300) the produces (P) to the packaging tray (T), wherein in each case one product (P) from one lane (SM1, SM2, SM3) is transferred to one row of the packaging tray (T).

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing of portion packets of a product for oral use, includes a forming arrangement configured to form portion packets of a bulk material. The arrangement includes a device for placing the portion packets into a container, wherein the device includes a portion packet transporting unit and a portion packet positioning unit. The transporting unit is configured to transport individual portion packets to the positioning unit, and the positioning unit is configured to position the portion packets in a certain pattern during operation of the device. The transporting unit includes a product channel for transporting the portion packets, the product channel having an inlet and an outlet, the transporting unit further including a gas channel for connection to a source of pressurized gas, the gas channel arranged to, when connected to the source, guide pressurized gas into the product channel in a direction towards the product channel outlet.

Abstract: A device for placing portion packets of a product for oral use into a container includes a portion packet positioning unit configured to position the portion packets in relation to each other in the container, wherein the positioning unit includes a set of portion packet receiving compartments arranged in a certain pattern, each of the compartments having an entrance end allowing a portion packet to enter the compartment and, at an opposite side of the compartment, a retaining end preventing a portion packet from exiting the compartment in that direction. The positioning unit further includes a discharging member configured to discharge portion packets from the compartments to the container, wherein the compartments are associated with a supporting structure that retains the compartment pattern during operation of the device. A method an arrangement for placing portion packets of a product for oral use into a container using such device is described.

Abstract: A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.

Abstract: A method of recycling coins includes the acts of processing mixed coins received at a first business using a coin processing device, packaging coins into a deliverable currency package at the first business using a currency packaging device, and holding the deliverable currency package at the first business for pick-up by a requestor requesting the deliverable currency package.

Abstract: A pack comprising a block of personal cleansing composition cast in a receptacle, wherein: the personal cleansing composition is solid at an ambient temperature and liquid at an elevated temperature; the personal cleansing composition is in direct contact with the receptacle; the receptacle is resistant to the liquid form of the personal cleansing composition; and the receptacle is configurable into a collapsed form to free the block.

Abstract: An article inserting apparatus has a first thrust plate and a first abutting blade. A first straight guide is fixed to the frame. A first member has a second straight guide. A first linear motor moves a first rod bearing the first thrust plate in an alternating motion, with a second member slidable along the second straight guide. A second linear motor moves a second rod with the first abutting blade in an alternating motion. The apparatus has a third hinged member, a fourth hinged member, a fifth hinged member, and a sixth hinged member. The third and fifth hinged members rotate to move the first member and the second member in synchrony with the first conveyor and the second conveyor, the first thrust plate and the first abutting blade driven by the first and second linear motors to insert an article into a box.

Abstract: A bagging assembly for bagging bales of fibrous material is disclosed. The bagging assembly incorporates a chute defining a channel for receiving a bale, which is pushed there between by a stuffing assembly. Aspects of the bagging assembly include raising a bale using a bale elevator to a higher elevation position so that the bale could be stuffed by the stuffing assembly and using a bag retrieving mechanism for retrieving a bag from a bag location for use in bagging the bale.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting articles into boxes has a frame positionable by a side of a first conveyor, a first thrust plat, a first abutting blade, and a first hinged member. The apparatus has second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth hinged members. First and second linear motors are borne by the fifth hinged member. A first rod fixed to the first thrust plate is moved by the first linear motor a horizontal and perpendicular direction. A second rod fixed to the first abutting blade is moved by the second linear motor in a horizontal and perpendicular direction. The first hinged member and the third hinged member are rotated to move the fifth hinged member in synchrony with the first conveyor and with a second conveyor (6), to move the first thrust plate and the first abutting blade to introduce an article into a box.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting one or more goods into a moving cover has a cover transport and at least one movable flap holder configured to cover a flap of the cover and to maintain the flap of the cover and the one or more movable goods to be inserted into the cover separated, during at least a part of the movement of the cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for filling containers such as crates with products, such as glass objects, eggs etc. The device herein comprises a filling station with a setup position for placing the container with the bottom thereof. There is also a feed which during operation feeds at least one of the products at a time to the setup position and is adapted to place the at least one of the products in the container. The method comprises of corresponding operations. In order to achieve an optimum fill factor of the container and prevent breakage of and/or damage to the products as far as possible, the device and the method are respectively distinguished by a fluid flow generator adapted to generate a fluid flow during operation through the bottom of the container and by generating the fluid flow through the bottom of the container.

Abstract: An overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs is mountable along a product packaging system for the application of cartons such as wrap-style cartons about sets or groups of products. The overhead packaging machine includes a lug conveyor having a series of articulating lug assemblies mounted thereto and which are moved along a path of travel for engaging the groups of products with their cartons applied thereto. Each of the articulating lug assemblies includes a pair of articulating lugs mounted to a carriage, which articulating lugs are moveable into engaging positions for engaging the cartons applied to the groups of products as the groups of products are moved along their path of travel for folding and locking of the cartons thereabout.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for inserting at least one sort of conveyed products (2) into containers (3) accommodating a specific number of products (2). The apparatus (1) has at least two placing robots (4a, 4b, 4c) defining a transfer area (15), at least one transport device (6) for transporting the products (2), and at least one transport device (7) for transporting the containers (3). The transport device (6) for the products (2) has at least one separation point (5) in the direction of travel (14) within the transfer area (15), said separation point dividing the transport device (6) for the products (2) into at least two transport portions (6a, 6b) that can be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: A packaging system and associated method for use with a pharmaceutical dispenser provides a turnkey solution for packaging pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings. An overall pharmacy system and methodology begins with bulk medications and supplements introduced into the work flow, individually packaged and assembled into medpass orders per patient and delivered to the LTC facility or other institution for patient consumption. The process begins by converting bulk medications and supplements to packaged unit doses and ultimately individually packaged medpass bags for each patient on a 24-hour schedule. The design of the overall system and its individual components allows for physical control of each unit dose package from start to finish without any unit dose package “free fall” in the system.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus and method for depositing pills into a series of containers is provided. A cylindrical rotary slat is rotatable about a first axis and comprises radially inward and outward portions, the radially outward portion defining pill apertures for receiving pills therein at a first angular position. A negative pressure system is configured to apply a negative pressure to the pill apertures to retain the pills therein. An ejection device is in communication with the pill apertures at a second angular position of the rotary slat to eject the respective pills outwardly from the pill apertures. A collection mechanism is disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion about the second angular position, and is configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein.

Abstract: A dust extraction system and method are provided to collect some of the dust generated during handling of tablets during a tablet packaging process. For example, a tablet packaging system may be provided that includes a vibrating tray configured to feed a plurality of tablets to respective packages. The tablet packaging system may also include a first gas nozzle configured to direct a first flow of gas across the vibrating tray with the first flow of gas having a spaced relationship from the vibrating tray. The tablet packaging system may also include a second gas nozzle configured to direct a second flow of gas toward the vibrating tray. Further, the tablet packaging system may include a receiving hood configured to collect at least a portion of the gas provided by the first and second gas nozzles and to collect dust from the plurality of tablets.

Abstract: A stand of a system for filling food pouches includes a first side support structure that includes a lower end portion and an upper end portion. The stand also includes a second side support structure that includes a lower end portion and an upper end portion. The stand further includes an upper support structure which extends between the upper end portion of the first side support structure and the upper end portion of the second side support structure. The upper support structure includes at least one mount receptacle that defines an aperture configured to receive a spout of a food pouch, to facilitate suspending a food pouch from the upper support structure. Systems and methods for filling food pouches are also described herein.

Abstract: A bag retrieval assembly and bag, which facilitates the covering of a bale of cotton or other fibrous material, are discussed. The bag is configured to be used with the bag retrieval assembly, which is configured to manipulate the bag from a stacked or stored configuration to an open configuration that may be raised and held into a position for further processing.