Abstract: An apparatus for packaging stacks of folded tissue products or the like with blanks of plastic film, comprising at least one pocket (58), insertion means (5), along an insertion direction, of a single stack in said pocket (58) with the interposition and consequent folding of a corresponding blank, said pocket (58) being operatively associated with stop means (24) of the stack completely inserted within said pocket. There are control means (22) adapted to operate the stop means (24) in a coordinated manner with respect to the operation of the insertion means (5), to provide an abutment to the stack during the whole insertion step in the pocket (58), the stop means (24) comprising suction means (72) adapted to keep the film in position and to disengage the same film at least in an extraction step of the stack from the pocket.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging products provides for initially, vertically stacking a plurality of products during production in a transfer canister, simultaneously removing a stack of the products from the transfer canister, reorienting the stack and horizontally loading the stack into a final product package cavity. The invention has applicability to a wide range of products, particularly food products, such as refrigerated dough products. In one embodiment of the invention, the product package cavity is thermoformed as part as an overall horizontal form, fill and seal system.

Abstract: Filling device (1) for filling packagings with counted bulk goods, comprising a dispenser (74) having several dispensing units (33) provided with a counter for counted dispensation of the bulk goods to the packagings and a conveying device (73) for transport of the packagings with respect to the dispensing units, wherein the conveying device is provided with several consecutive transport wheels (5) and a transport wheel drive for mutual opposite rotation of the immediately consecutive transport wheels, wherein the transport wheels each have a first axis of rotation and several packaging holders spread around the circumference, wherein the transport wheels with the axes of rotation parallel to each other and at the location of the packaging holders (51) are positioned in each other's vicinity for the transfer of packagings between packaging holders at a mutual transfer position between the immediately consecutive transport wheels during the opposite rotation for obtaining a meandering conveyance path of the pa

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping discrete laminar articles (hereinafter referred to as articles) into batches of predetermined count includes a feed conveyor, a left-hand screw and a right-hand screw combination (hereinafter referred to as screws), a means for synchronizing and automating starting and stopping rotation of the screws and a platform assembly. The platform assembly is connected to the feed conveyor and includes a hatch and a pusher mechanism. The feed conveyor supports articles disposed thereon. The screws are disposed along edges of and at either side of the feed conveyor and are adapted to rotate to facilitate counting and pushing of the articles. The screws stop rotating and thereby stop further pushing of the articles, when a predetermined count of articles has been pushed. The pusher mechanism receives the predetermined count of articles pushed by screws and moves them to the hatch from where they are dropped into delivery line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, in a bottling plant, for packing beverage bottles in cases with and without dividers and a method and apparatus for packing containers in cases with and without dividers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine packing device, which prevents a free end of a bottom plate of a tablet dispensing measure from tilting due to its own weight. A bottom plate 43 is provided at a lower opening of a tablet dispensing measure 42. The bottom plate 43 includes a pin 44 at its base end. A leading end of the bottom plate is a free end. When the tablet dispensing measure 42 reaches corresponding stepped portions 37a to 37d by a movement of a tablet dispensing member 36, an opening protrusion 144b of a fixed plate 37 is fitted to an opening recess 43c of the bottom plate 43 and thus the bottom plate 43 pivots about the pin 44 from a closed position to an open position. If the bottom plate 43 moves to the open position, then tablets in the tablet dispensing measure 42 drop.

Abstract: A method of transferring a contact lens from a first location to a primary package includes transferring the contact lens with an intermediate transfer member to the primary package, wherein the transfer member is sealed in the primary package with the contact lens. Additionally, according to another of many exemplary embodiments, a system for transferring a contact lens to a primary package includes a contact lens and a transfer member associated with the contact lens, wherein an automated lens transfer device is configured to couple the contact lens and the lens transfer member.

Abstract: In a conventional tablet packing device, a tablet discharged from a tablet case is supplied to a medicine packing unit through a common path such as a hopper. Thus, in the conventional tablet packing device, a large number of types of tablets are collected through the common path, so that a problem of cross contamination (the chipped pieces of the tablet of the type different from that of the tablet to be packed are mixed) occurs. The present invention provides a tablet packing device from which common path is eliminated. The present invention is characterized by including a conveyance unit for conveying a tablet case to a case arrangement section so that a tablet can directly be discharged from the tablet case to a tablet packing unit.

Abstract: A method of loading a plurality of articles in a container. The method can include providing a container having a body and defining an interior chamber, providing a stack of articles comprising snack pieces having a convex surface, inserting the stack of articles at least partially into the interior chamber, and reorienting the leading article by forcing the leading article against the inner surface such that the convex surface of the article cooperates with the inner surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drawing a tubular film (1) over a stack of goods (2), wherein the tubular film is first gathered on a gathering device (R/Ü). The gathered tubular film is then drawn over the stack of goods using a covering device, in that the covering device is moved along the stack of goods and the tubular film is thereby ungathered. After reaching an end region of the stack of goods, the covering device is moved along a segment of the stack of goods (A) opposite the covering direction, so that a first tubular film segment (15) is laid on the tubular film already contacting the stack of goods. The covering device is then moved along at least part of the segment of the stack of goods in the covering direction again, so that a second tubular film segment (16) is laid on the first tubular film segment.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a grouper section having changeable lane sizes and a dual servo grouper that separates product into product sets and allow the product sets to accelerate to the lane chain speed in a controlled manner. The grouper section further includes disappearing lugs that pivot into the lanes via a cam surface provided in the lanes. The product rides upon a raised surface of the cam surface as the lug pushes the product set together down the lane, thus ensuring that no gaps are provided between product set members. A gripper/grid section of the packaging machine includes a bars that travel about a carousel with a gripper head assembly and a grid assembly pair moving up and down the bars as defined by cam surfaces within the gripper/grid section. The grid section is presented below the product set such that the product set is fed through the grid section in a one-way trip into a case. The gripper head assembly cam device and the case feed section both include height adjustment assemblies.

Abstract: A plurality of flat tablets are held in containing holes (211) by pinching the circumferential edge of the flat tablet (t) at the lowermost position at the lower end of the containing hole, and then pinching state of the tablet (t) at the lowermost position is released thus dropping the plurality of flat tablets (t) under a flat state into a capsule body (m) arranged below. The capsule body can be surely filled with a predetermined number of flat tablets under a flat state by preventing occurrence of flat tablets under a standing state effectively.

Abstract: A packing installation having a handling head (10) with replaceable tulip-like gripping tools (11) connected by couplers (13). The installation has a magazine (15) with separate groups of tools (11) and a several presentation units (23) for the tools. The presentation units (23) have a spindle (25) to accommodate the tools (11). The spindle (25) is a floating type to give some flexibility and to engage the tools (11) not only during the depositing operation, but also during the gripping operation. The magazine (15) is mobile and is mounted on tracks (19) to move between its inactive position, away from the field of action of the bottle handling head (10), and its active position within the field of action of the head (10) and in particular at the station (5) where the bottles are picked up by the head (10).

Abstract: This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.

Abstract: An automatic system for orderly packaging of plastic preforms in carton boxes includes a manipulator unit (6) having a vacuum gripping head (23) and one or more units (10) for handling and inserting separators (12) in the carton box (13) to be filled. The head (23) includes a plurality of compartments (30) conforming to the shape of the preforms (2) whereas the separator (12) has a plurality of partitions (12a) parallel to one of its sides and equally spaced at a distance at least corresponding to the length of the preform (2).

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) comprising two or more packaging subsystems each capable of packaging articles (A) into a carton, wherein the packaging subsystems share a common source of articles (11) to be packaged and at least one transfer mechanism 5 (22) is provided for transferring articles (A) from the common source to any of the two or more packaging subsystems.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided, each of the plurality of platens having a machine-readable platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to move in both an X axis and a Y axis and adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens whereas the selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited and the machine-readable platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is the selected platen.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters, each having a machine-readable canister identifier. The device for dispensing pills further includes a reader adapted to read the machine-readable canister identifier and a selector interfaced to the reader. An active pill canister from the plurality of pill canisters is selected by the selector using data from the reader to determine which of the plurality of pill canisters is at a target location. A control is provided for releasing a desired quantity of pills from the selected pill canister at a target location into a target package.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine packing device, which prevents a free end of a bottom plate of a tablet dispensing measure from tilting due to its own weight. A bottom plate 43 is provided at a lower opening of a tablet dispensing measure 42. The bottom plate 43 includes a pin 44 at its base end. A leading end of the bottom plate is a free end. When the tablet dispensing measure 42 reaches corresponding stepped portions 37a to 37d by a movement of a tablet dispensing member 36, an opening protrusion 144b of a fixed plate 37 is fitted to an opening recess 43c of the bottom plate 43 and thus the bottom plate 43 pivots about the pin 44 from a closed position to an open position. If the bottom plate 43 moves to the open position, then tablets in the tablet dispensing measure 42 drop.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products into a container, comprising a first supply conveyor (10); reorientation means (60, 62), associated with said first supply conveyor and configured for selectively changing the orientation of products (74-76, 81) being transported thereon; a second supply conveyor (20), disposed downstream of the first supply conveyor and having a product-carrying surface (21) that is moveable in both a transport direction and a direction substantially perpendicular thereto; a collecting conveyor (30), disposed downstream of the second supply conveyor, whereby a portion of the third product-carrying surface is extendably and retractably arranged; and a suction pick up head (66) that is disposed in a substantially vertically moveable manner above the retractable portion of the collecting conveyor, the suction pick up head being configured for engaging a layer of products to be placed into the container (90).

Abstract: To quickly fill a bag with medicine containers without damaging the containers, a machine for filling a bag with medicine containers includes: a bag positioning member (4) for positioning and opening a bag (13); a first moving member (37) that reciprocates between a supply position inside the bag (13) and a waiting position outside the bag (13), the first moving member including a bottom surface portion for supporting medicine containers; a second moving member that reciprocates relative to the bag (13) and includes a guide surface (47) guiding medicine containers (11) to the bottom surface portion; and a drive-control means (59) that moves the first moving member (37) from the supply position to the waiting position while maintaining the second moving member (38) in a fixed position relative to the bag (13), thereby causing medicine containers (11) guided by the guide surface (47) to the bottom surface portion to remain in the bag (13).

Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens and to move the selected platen in both an X axis and a Y axis. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited.

Abstract: A method of dispensing pills includes (a) inputting a request and (b) loading a cassette having a first pill type into position then (c) positioning a target container beneath that cassette. (d) The cassette is energized to drop one pill. (f) If a pill dropped and there are still more of the current pill to drop, the method continues at step d. (g) If a pill dropped and the number of the current pill has satisfied the request, the method ends. (h) If a pill dropped and a number of the current pill already dispensed type has not satisfied the request, the method continues with step d. (i) If no pill dropped, an operator is informed. (k) If the operator indicates the cassette is empty and another cassette has a same pill, the other cassette is moved to the target location and the method continues from step d.

Abstract: Substantially triangular shaped container bottoms include a bottom wall with a concave surface. The container bottom can be used with a container body having an interior chamber for receiving at least one article. Exemplary embodiments include a container bottom attached to a container body wherein the container bottom includes a central surface area that is inwardly concave towards an interior chamber of the container body. Methods of loading a plurality of articles in a container are also provided.

Abstract: An article packaging machine includes a trailing article pusher assembly for pushing the trailing articles of a packaging production run down infeed conveyer lanes and through workstations of the packaging machine so that the trailing articles can be packaged. The pusher assembly comprises a pusher chain that is flexible in one direction to allow the chain to be coiled upon itself and generally inflexible in the other direction beyond a substantially straight configuration of the chain. A pusher block is attached to a free end of the pusher chain. The pusher chain is normally stowed on a take-up magazine beside its associated infeed lane during a packaging operation. When the trailing articles of a production run approach the workstations of the packaging machine, a gate opens to allow the pusher chain and its pusher block to be extended into the infeed lane behind the last trailing article.

Abstract: When the articles dropping from above are received inside a hopper, at least a bottom portion of the hopper is allowed to move downwardly with the bottom portion of the hopper being closed. Therefore, the collision speed between the articles and the bottom portion of the hopper is reduced. In addition, by opening the bottom portion of the hopper while moving the bottom portion downwardly, the downward initial speed is added to the articles to be discharged.

Abstract: A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.

Abstract: A medicine delivering device permits additional medicine cassettes to be provided at low cost without greatly enlarging the installation space. The medicine delivering device includes a medicine storage and removal unit in which many medicine cassettes each containing a medicine are detachably provided to the outer surface of a drum whose upper and lower ends are rotatable supported by the device body and a medicine packaging unit that packages medicine removed through a collecting hopper from the medicine cassette of the medicine storage and removal unit. There is provided on the side surface of the device body a sub medicine storage and removal unit including: a body; a drawer body provided to be capable of being pulled out from the body and that is detachably provided with a plurality of medicine cassettes each containing the medicine; and a guide that guides the medicine taken out from the medicine cassette to the collecting hopper.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing individualized solid pharmaceutical product packaging solutions preferably utilize a plurality of filling stations preferably arranged proximate to a conveyor system. Each of the filling stations may be embodied as a version of a conventional flood fill type mechanism wherein a hopper is used to store a large number of a single type of solid pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic medicine packing machine having a cleaning device for automatically cleaning dust generated in the packing machine while packing successively various medicines dose by dose. An automatic medicine packing machine includes a plurality of cassettes arranged in an upper portion of a body to receive medicines of various sizes and shapes, a hopper assembly arranged in a lower portion of the body to collect medicines discharged from the cassettes, a hopper mounting unit for mounting the hopper assembly to a lower portion of a frame of the body to be openable, a packing device for packing the medicines collected by the hopper assembly, and a hopper cleaning device for sucking dust generated from the hopper assembly during a medicine packing process to clean an interior of the hopper assembly.

Abstract: A packaging system utilizes two sides of a loading carousel, which reduces both the height and footprint of the packaging system. Mass and inertia are also reduced, allowing higher operational speeds. The loading carousel receives opened cartons on a first side and lowers them over product groups on a second side.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading containers with bags, wherein the apparatus is provided with a feed conveyor assembly, a loading unit, and a control designed for, each time, forming a layer of bags in the loading unit, which layer has dimensions substantially corresponding to the bottom dimensions of a container to be filled, and wherein the control is designed such that, each time, the loading unit places a wholly formed layer in the container to be filled. In the method, the bags are oriented in a feed conveyor assembly and placed from the feed conveyor assembly onto a bottom of a holder of a loading unit, wherein, subsequently, when the whole bottom of the holder of the loading unit has been filled with bags, this holder is lowered into a container to be filled and the bottom is released when the bottom of the holder is just above the bottom of the container to be filled or a layer of bags present in this container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining units from among a plurality of packages are disclosed. In some embodiments, units are combined from a plurality of single-variety packages to provide one or more variety packs. For example, a plurality of single-variety packages arranged in repeating order of variety can be provided. The single-variety packages being so arranged can define at least two lanes extending among the plurality of single-variety packages. At least one single-variety group of units can be selected from at least one of the plurality of single-variety packages. Each of the selected at least one single-variety group of units can be positioned in one of the lanes. The selected at least one single-variety group of units can be repositioned to another package and within the one of the lanes.

Abstract: A packaging system utilizes two sides of a loading carousel, which reduces both the height and footprint of the packaging system. Mass and inertia are also reduced, allowing higher operational speeds. The loading carousel receives opened cartons on a first side and lowers them over product groups on a second side.

Abstract: A method for filling cells of a heat-formed strip with corresponding articles, the strip being continuously advanced at a predetermined operating speed, comprising: collecting a plurality of articles which are in contact with each other and arranged in parallel rows; adjusting the position occupied by the collected articles in such a way that the articles are arranged in a same spatial arrangement as a same number of empty cells in a longitudinal region of the blister strip to be filled; transferring the articles to a position above the blister strip, the speed of advancement of the articles being gradually synchronized with the speed of advancement of the strip, in a centered position relative to corresponding underlying empty cells of the longitudinal region; releasing the articles into the empty cells of the longitudinal region; repeating these operating stages in order to fill at least a further longitudinal region, which is identical and adjacent to the longitudinal region, in such a way as to complete t

Abstract: A method of transferring a contact lens from a first location to a primary package includes transferring the contact lens with an intermediate transfer member to the primary package, wherein the transfer member is sealed in the primary package with the contact lens. Additionally, according to another of many exemplary embodiments, a system for transferring a contact lens to a primary package includes a contact lens and a transfer member associated with the contact lens, wherein an automated lens transfer device is configured to couple the contact lens and the lens transfer member.

Abstract: A device for picking up articles from a supply station and inserting the articles into a container, comprising: at least an operating head, provided with a group of depression-activated gripping units, each of which is shaped in a special format to pick up and retain a corresponding article; control devices, which verify a presence of an article at each of the gripping units; movement organs which cause the operating head to perform outward and return runs, respectively from a picking up station of the articles to a release station of the articles, situated nearby the container, and vice versa; a conveyor device, provided at the release station, above the opening of the container, and destined to be interposed between the opening and the operating head to guide insertion of the articles into the container; enabling organs, activated in a phase relation with the movement organs, for activating the gripping units at the supply station in order for a corresponding number of articles to be picked up by the use of

Abstract: A medicine dispensing/packaging apparatus is provided with a tablet feeder mechanism, a carrying mechanism, a supporting mechanism, and a dispensing/packaging mechanism. The tablet feeder mechanism further includes tablet accommodation parts, which contain tablets. The tablet accommodation parts are rotatably connected to each other. Each of the tablet accommodation parts further includes a rotatable bottom plate. The carrying mechanism carries the tablet feeder first in a horizontal direction and then in a vertical downward direction. The supporting mechanism provides support to the rotatable bottom plates for part of the time that the tablet feeder is carried in the horizontal direction, thus preventing the plates from opening. When the support to the bottom plate is removed, the bottom plates open, causing the tablets contained in the accommodation parts to be discharged. The discharged tablets are subsequently collected for packaging.

Abstract: A packaging system (10) and method for supplying and distributing dunnage products to multiple packing stations (14, 16) is characterized by a supply of dunnage products (12), a plurality of packing stations (14, 16), and a distribution assembly (20) that selectively distributes the dunnage products from the supply (12) to selected ones of the packing stations (14, 16). The supply of dunnage (12) may include a converter (22) that converts sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product. The distribution assembly (20) includes a conveyor (40), an alignment device (50) downstream of the conveyor (40), and a tiltable dunnage product support surface (60) below the alignment device (50). The alignment device (50) controls the descent of a dunnage product therethrough to the support surface (60). The support surface (60) is tiltable to selectively direct the dunnage product toward respective packing stations (14, 16).

Abstract: A device for picking up articles from a supply station and depositing the articles in corresponding blisters of a blister strip, comprising: at least a group of depression-activated gripping units, each of which units is shaped to a specific format for receiving and retaining a corresponding article having predetermined lie and orientation; connecting organs of the gripping units to an operating head whereby the gripping units are positioned in relation to a positioning of the corresponding blisters afforded in the blister strip; organs for moving the operating head in outward and return runs, respectively between the supply station of the articles and a release station of the articles in the corresponding blisters of the blister strip; enabling organs being activated in phase-relation with the movement organs, for activating the gripping units in the supply station, which gripping units collect a number of articles equal to a number of the gripping units, and for deactivating the gripping units in the releas

Abstract: A method of transferring a contact lens from a first location to a primary package includes transferring the contact lens with an intermediate transfer member to the primary package, wherein the transfer member is sealed in the primary package with the contact lens. Additionally, according to another of many exemplary embodiments, a system for transferring a contact lens to a primary package includes a contact lens and a transfer member associated with the contact lens, wherein an automated lens transfer device is configured to couple the contact lens and the lens transfer member.

Abstract: The device places filled and sealed collapsible containers. The device has a gripping unit with a number of finger pairs that correspond to the number of containers in a packing state. The gripping unit has a gripping state in which each finger is arranged to make a squeezing motion such that the contents of the container forms an inner counter-pressure structure to provide a well-defined grip.

Abstract: A device for receiving and transporting articles, in particular syringes and the like, of a type comprising a transfer carousel destined to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis peripherally bearing a series of seatings for receiving single articles from a supply station and for transferring the articles to a receiving station. The seatings are fashioned from respective shaped and recessed surfaces realized on respective appendages peripherally associated to the carousel and elastically deformable such as to absorb any variations in size of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging small identical objects in respective blisters of a package strip has at least two separate but substantially identical plates each formed with an array of pockets. An upper conveyor shifts the plates one behind the other horizontally at an upper level from an upstream loading station where objects are fed to the pockets to a downstream transfer station where the objects are transferred to a package strip. A lower conveyor has a single drive motor for dropping the plates at the transfer station from the upper level to a lower return level, then shifting the lowered plates upstream at the lower level against the travel direction to the loading station, and then shifting the plates back up to the upper level.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying donor articles (22) to be packaged on a packaging machine which apparatus comprises a transfer mechanism (10) which receives sequential donor articles from a supply located in a position remote from a target location, a conditioning assembly (12) for conditioning receptor articles (14) in preparation for receiving the donor articles, wherein said transfer mechanism comprises engaging means coupled to a conveyor for transferring the donor articles from said remote location characterised in that the transfer mechanism (10) is shaped and configured such that its output end is in close proximity to the conditioning assembly (12) in order that the donor articles (22) are applied to respective receptor articles (14) sufficiently quickly subsequent to the receptor articles departure from the conditioning assembly to take benefit from the conditioning carried out upon the receptor article whereby the donor articles and the receptor articles are bonded together.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a grouper section having changeable lane sizes and a dual servo grouper that separates product into product sets and allow the product sets to accelerate to the lane chain speed in a controlled manner. The grouper section further includes disappearing lugs that pivot into the lanes via a cam surface provided in the lanes. The product rides upon a raised surface of the cam surface as the lug pushes the product set together down the lane, thus ensuring that no gaps are provided between product set members. A gripper/grid section of the packaging machine includes a bars that travel about a carousel with a gripper head assembly and a grid assembly pair moving up and down the bars as defined by cam surfaces within the gripper/grid section. The grid section is presented below the product set such that the product set is fed through the grid section in a one-way trip into a case. The gripper head assembly cam device and the case feed section both include height adjustment assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling lens module (10) includes a firs tray (122), a second tray (142), and a robotic arm (16) with an optical element pick-up device (18). The first tray is configured for supporting a plurality of barrels thereon. The second tray is configured for supporting a plurality of optical elements thereon. The robotic arm with an optical element pick-up device is configured for picking up the optical elements from the second tray and assembling the optical elements into the barrels. The optical element pick-up device includes a plurality of suction mouths configured for picking up the plurality of optical elements at the same time.

Abstract: A system and process for packaging sheet materials is disclosed. In particular, the system and process of the present invention is configured to receive clips of a sheet material and to load the clips into a dispenser. During the process, the clips can be folded and loaded into vertical buckets that are positioned over a stream of moving dispensers. A vertical pushing device then pushes the clip from the vertical buckets down into the dispensers. In this manner, the dispensers are loaded from the top. Since the dispensers are loaded from the top, the system is capable of placing clips of a material into dispensers having a complex configuration, such as dispensers having curved side walls.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.