There are provided systems and methods relating to assembling unpacked merchandise in containers. In one form, the system includes an order of merchandise items to be assembled in containers, and a predetermined set of containers defining different sizes and including at least two different types of containers. The system also includes a control circuit configured to: receive notification of the order, select a first type of container, determine a first subset of the plurality of merchandise items to be received in the selected type of container, select a size of the selected type of container to receive the first subset of merchandise items, and instruct the disposition of the first subset of merchandise items within the selected type and size of container.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.

Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.

Control of a load wrapping apparatus may be based at least in part on packaging material grading and/or factory profiles.

A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

A vacuum sealing machine for automatically delivering and cutting packages includes a frame, a vacuum sealing mechanism arranged on the frame, a cutting and sealing mechanism arranged above the vacuum sealing mechanism, and a feeding mechanism arranged at a side of the vacuum sealing mechanism. The feeding mechanism pivots on the frame and a double layer plastic film winds on the feeding mechanism; the vacuum sealing mechanism includes a reservoir box and an overflow tank arranged a side of the vacuum sealing machine; the reservoir box is connected with the vacuum sealing mechanism. The feeding mechanism pivots on the frame, the double layer plastic film winds the feeding mechanism, the users can adjust the effective width of the feeding shaft according to the width of double layer plastic film. The cutting and sealing mechanism can automatically seal the double layer plastic film and cut a package with appropriate size.

The invention includes a method and apparatus to transfer and place articles (12) into outer packages (16), which are open at the top and which each receive at least one article group (18) composed of a plurality of articles (12). In the method, at least one article group (18) is seized by at least one handling device (46) and is placed from above into one of the outer packages (16). An article group (18), which has been seized by the handling device (46), already is compacted or will be compacted during placement of the article group into the outer package (16) by reducing the spacings between at least some of the individual articles (12) of the article group (18). The article group may also be subsequently spread out.

A machine for dispensing an aerosol precursor composition for use with aerosol delivery devices. The machine may include a plurality of sources of dispensable, liquid aerosol precursor components. The plurality of sources may differ in the liquid aerosol precursor components being dispensable therefrom. The machine may include a user interface configured to allow a user to select an amount of the liquid aerosol precursor components for dispensing. The machine may also include a dispenser for dispensing the aerosol precursor components in response to the selection made on the user interface.

A cartoner infeed bucket includes a bottom wall, a first end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and a second end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and spaced apart from the first end wall to define an item carrying space, the second end wall running substantially parallel to the first end wall. The second end wall is mounted for adjustable movement along the bottom wall so as to vary a spacing between the first end wall and the second end wall and/or the first end wall is mounted for pivotable movement relative to the bottom wall.

An actuator system for fabricating a cavity within thermoplastic material includes a plurality of actuators arranged in an array. When dimensions of an item are determined, the actuator system may be programmed with data regarding such dimensions to fabricate a cavity for the item. A subset of the actuators, and distances by which each of the actuators is to be extended, may be selected based on dimensions of the item, in order to fabricate a cavity within the thermoplastic material that may accommodate the item therein. Additionally, the actuators and the distances may be selected based on intrinsic or extrinsic data regarding the item, and a cavity fabricated within the thermoplastic material may include one or more buffer zones or protective regions that are specifically formed with respect to aspects of the item.