Universal packaging system with vacuum lifter

An automated packaging system that can simultaneously process a single case or a plurality of cases and can be adjusted to accommodate packages and cases of various sizes. Individual packages are fed to the packaging system on the package conveyor. The packages are recognized by the system when they energize an electric eye which causes the package to be elevated above the conveying surface of the package conveyor and stopped below a pick and place mechanism. The individual packages are elevated by plates having upper surfaces that extend through slots in the conveying surface and are stopped by vacuum cups carried by the upper surfaces of the plates. The upper surfaces of the plates are inclined which causes the packages to climb the incline which functions to decelerate the movement of the package. A plurality of cases are stopped and then positioned longitudinally, by stops carried by a first chain on the case conveyor at locations aligned with the packages that have been stopped and elevated over the package conveyor. The pick and place head picks up the packages with vacuum heads. The pick and place heads can change the attitude of the package. The pick and place mechanism is then moved laterally over the case conveyor and the packages are lowered into the open cases. Empty cases are queued up on the case conveyor waiting to be moved into packaging position as soon as the filled cases are conveyed away. After the filled cases have been discharged from the case conveyor, a first chain is moved into position to stop the next group of empty cases to be moved into the packaging position. By handling one package at a time and by adjusting the case and the pick and place vacuum tube, each package can be placed in the case in any position desired. As a result, this invention is able to create any desired pattern in the case with packages facing any desired direction and overlapping each other by any degree desired.

Abstract

An automated packaging system that can simultaneously process a single case or a plurality of cases and can be adjusted to accommodate packages and cases of various sizes. Individual packages are fed to the packaging system on the package conveyor. The packages are recognized by the system when they energize an electric eye which causes the package to be elevated above the conveying surface of the package conveyor and stopped below a pick and place mechanism. The individual packages are elevated by plates having upper surfaces that extend through slots in the conveying surface and are stopped by vacuum cups carried by the upper surfaces of the plates. The upper surfaces of the plates are inclined which causes the packages to climb the incline which functions to decelerate the movement of the package. A plurality of cases are stopped and then positioned longitudinally, by stops carried by a first chain on the case conveyor at locations aligned with the packages that have been stopped and elevated over the package conveyor. The pick and place head picks up the packages with vacuum heads. The pick and place heads can change the attitude of the package. The pick and place mechanism is then moved laterally over the case conveyor and the packages are lowered into the open cases. Empty cases are queued up on the case conveyor waiting to be moved into packaging position as soon as the filled cases are conveyed away. After the filled cases have been discharged from the case conveyor, a first chain is moved into position to stop the next group of empty cases to be moved into the packaging position. By handling one package at a time and by adjusting the case and the pick and place vacuum tube, each package can be placed in the case in any position desired. As a result, this invention is able to create any desired pattern in the case with packages facing any desired direction and overlapping each other by any degree desired.

1. Drawings

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