The disclosure provides an automated container resizing apparatus and system, an automated method of resizing a container, and a cutting tool that can be used for the resizing. In one example, the system includes the cutting tool, a controller, a conveyor, and a moveable support that can be a robotic arm. The controller can operate the conveyor to position a container in a cutting zone. The dimensions of the box and product fill height within the container are obtained and translated by the controller into a programmed cutting pattern. The controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cutting pattern on the box with the cutting tool. The cutting tool can be mounted on the robotic arm that rotates about its axis to cut side walls of the container for resizing.

This box assembling and packing system is provided: a first jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a side part of a body of a packing box is thrust; a second jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a flap part and a tuck part of the packing box are thrust; and a robot having two articulated arms. A first articulated arm of the two articulated arms holds and moves the packing box in a flatly collapsed form by a packing box holding mechanism, folds and raises the body of the flatly collapsed packing box into a rectangular tubular shape in cooperation with the first jig, and maintains the folded and raised body of the packing box in the rectangular tubular shape by a packing box rectangular tubular shape maintaining mechanism. The second articulated arm moves a folding member into contact with the flap part and the tuck part of the packing box being held by the packing box holding mechanism of the first articulated arm, forms each of a bottom and a lid of the packing box in cooperation with the second jig, and moves an object-to-be-packed being grasped by an object-to-be-packed grasping mechanism and inserts it into the body from an end portion at a timing between forming the bottom and forming the lid.

This box assembling and packing system is provided: a first jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a side part of a body of a packing box is thrust; a second jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a flap part and a tuck part of the packing box are thrust; and a robot having two articulated arms. A first articulated arm of the two articulated arms holds and moves the packing box in a flatly collapsed form by a packing box holding mechanism, folds and raises the body of the flatly collapsed packing box into a rectangular tubular shape in cooperation with the first jig, and maintains the folded and raised body of the packing box in the rectangular tubular shape by a packing box rectangular tubular shape maintaining mechanism. The second articulated arm moves a folding member into contact with the flap part and the tuck part of the packing box being held by the packing box holding mechanism of the first articulated arm, forms each of a bottom and a lid of the packing box in cooperation with the second jig, and moves an object-to-be-packed being grasped by an object-to-be-packed grasping mechanism and inserts it into the body from an end portion at a timing between forming the bottom and forming the lid.

A system for packing items into cases includes a computer system for receiving information regarding items to be packed into a case, the computer system configured to determine a needed case size for loading based upon physical information regarding the items to be packed. A case handling machine includes multiple components that are position-adjustable according to case size to be held, formed and sealed, the case handling machine including a control system including a memory storing a plurality of machine set ups, wherein each machine set up includes data corresponding to positions for the multiple components. The computer system is configured to communicate needed case size information to the case handling machine, wherein the control system of the case handling machine is configured to implement component position adjustment based upon the needed case size information.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium has an estimation model according to one aspect of the present invention recorded thereon, and the estimation model is included in a program to be executed by a computer and outputs output data estimated based on input data received. In response to receiving, as the input data, a change over time in an intensity of energy emitted from a sealing part of an object subjected to a sealing process through bonding, the estimation model estimates at least one of whether sealing of the object is good or whether the sealing of the object is defective and outputs an estimation result as the output data, the change over time being calculated based on an intensity of energy emitted at each of a first time point and a second time point that is later than the first time point.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium has an estimation model according to one aspect of the present invention recorded thereon, and the estimation model is included in a program to be executed by a computer and outputs output data estimated based on input data received. In response to receiving, as the input data, a change over time in an intensity of energy emitted from a sealing part of an object subjected to a sealing process through bonding, the estimation model estimates at least one of whether sealing of the object is good or whether the sealing of the object is defective and outputs an estimation result as the output data, the change over time being calculated based on an intensity of energy emitted at each of a first time point and a second time point that is later than the first time point.

Systems and methods for an automated paper cone closing machine are disclosed. A paper cone closing machine may comprise a plurality of tamping rods, a pair of plates, and a plurality of ejection rods arranged above a tray shuttle. The plurality of tamping rods for compacting a material contained in a plurality of paper rolls removeably received in the tray shuttle in a row. The pair of plates for pressing on the top of each paper roll to flatten the top of each paper roll into a flap. The plurality of ejection rods configured to press on the flap of each paper roll to press the flap into a top of each paper roll into a dimple thereby closing each paper roll.

Systems and methods for an automated paper cone closing machine are disclosed. A paper cone closing machine may comprise a plurality of tamping rods, a pair of plates, and a plurality of ejection rods arranged above a tray shuttle. The plurality of tamping rods for compacting a material contained in a plurality of paper rolls removeably received in the tray shuttle in a row. The pair of plates for pressing on the top of each paper roll to flatten the top of each paper roll into a flap. The plurality of ejection rods configured to press on the flap of each paper roll to press the flap into a top of each paper roll into a dimple thereby closing each paper roll.

An appliance is provided that is able to vacuum and heat seal plastic bag members containing liquids such as sauces and soups. The appliance may take on a uniquely shaped profile to allow the liquid to sit upright within a bag during the vacuuming process. The appliance also preferably includes a pressure sensor to constantly monitor pressure inside of the bag during the vacuum and sealing process. This may help to prevent liquid from being sucked up and into the appliance.

An appliance is provided that is able to vacuum and heat seal plastic bag members containing liquids such as sauces and soups. The appliance may take on a uniquely shaped profile to allow the liquid to sit upright within a bag during the vacuuming process. The appliance also preferably includes a pressure sensor to constantly monitor pressure inside of the bag during the vacuum and sealing process. This may help to prevent liquid from being sucked up and into the appliance.