This invention relates to an apparatus for packing products in cartons; the apparatus includes a first feed line for feeding cartons, a second feed line for feeding products, a plurality of pushing elements, each of which includes a first carriage configured to run on a first rail defining an active path and a second carriage configured to run on a second rail defining an inactive path; a diverting unit is provided which is configured to divert the pushing elements in transit towards the active path or the inactive path and which includes a first diverting rail and a second diverting rail; also provided are detection means for detecting the presence of the carton and/or of the product and switching means for switching the diverting unit.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for filling a central open space in a jar. The apparatus includes a base, an indexing station including a magazine, a blade, and a first actuator, a filling station including cartridges, and a second actuator. The magazine is rotatably mounted to the base. The platform of the cutting station is configured to receive a whole cucumber at a loading area and is incrementally indexed to reposition the whole cucumber from the loading area to a cutting area above the blade. The first actuator is configured to urge the whole cucumber through the blade and cut the whole cucumber into spears. The spears drop into and are held by one of the cartridges. The second actuator is configure to push at least one of the spears out from the cartridge into the central open space of the jar.

A device for organizing, conveying and placing ammunition cases consists of a module with an array of funnels on the top face. When cases are poured onto the top face the funnels direct the cases into bores below, generally with the heavy end (rim and extractor groove end) down. Edges of apertures in a plate which slides in a slot in the bottom of the module engage the extractor groove in each case and secure the cases between the plate and module with spring pressure. After securing the cases they may be conveyed to another location at which point the spring may be compressed to release the cases leaving them arranged neatly. A tray is used to contain and interface with a plurality of modules. By adjusting wedges in the tray, the plates in the module assemblies engaged by the wedges are caused to operate as described previously.

A device for organizing, conveying and placing ammunition cases consists of a module with an array of funnels on the top face. When cases are poured onto the top face the funnels direct the cases into bores below, generally with the heavy end (rim and extractor groove end) down. Edges of apertures in a plate which slides in a slot in the bottom of the module engage the extractor groove in each case and secure the cases between the plate and module with spring pressure. After securing the cases they may be conveyed to another location at which point the spring may be compressed to release the cases leaving them arranged neatly. A tray is used to contain and interface with a plurality of modules. By adjusting wedges in the tray, the plates in the module assemblies engaged by the wedges are caused to operate as described previously.

A cartoning machine for packaging one or more products in a respective carton includes a product conveyor for conveying the products along an advancement direction, a transport device for transporting the carton along a transport path, an insertion zone wherein the products face an aperture of the carton and are inserted into the carton. The product conveyor includes a first belt on which first edges are mounted and a second belt on which second edges are mounted, each first edge defining with a respective second edge a pair of containment edges of the products. A mutual position of the first belt and of the second belt is adjustable so as to adjust accordingly a distance between the first edges and the second edges to adapt the pair of containment edges to a dimension of the products. The product conveyor further includes a first cam path and a second cam path, each first edge including a first cam follower engaging the first cam path and each second edge including a second cam follower engaging the second cam path, such that the first edges and the second edges are movable transversely to the advancement direction towards the carton at the insertion zone.

A bread slice delivery device for an automatic sandwich packaging machine. The device consists of a base plate (1), a bread receptacle base (2), a bread receptacle (3), three ball screw-type linear slide platforms, three L-shaped brackets, a rectangular push plate, two flat carrier plates, one photoelectric switch, and six proximity switches. The bread slice delivery device for an automatic sandwich packaging machine ensures that bread slices land on point accurately and that sandwich layers do not become misaligned during the delivery process; moreover, the bread storage receptacle can be swapped out easily.

A bread slice delivery device for an automatic sandwich packaging machine. The device consists of a base plate (1), a bread receptacle base (2), a bread receptacle (3), three ball screw-type linear slide platforms, three L-shaped brackets, a rectangular push plate, two flat carrier plates, one photoelectric switch, and six proximity switches. The bread slice delivery device for an automatic sandwich packaging machine ensures that bread slices land on point accurately and that sandwich layers do not become misaligned during the delivery process; moreover, the bread storage receptacle can be swapped out easily.

An automation or robotics application to wrap objects that are cuboid-shaped and may have an arbitrary size. The machine includes a first module for advertising, dimensioning, and user interfacing. A second module is provided for wrapping paper handling. A third module provides a platform and object alignment assembly. A fourth module provides a gift wrapping chamber. A fifth module provides a taping and dispensing area. A sixth module provides a waste management area. The wrapping machine is configured to autonomously wrap the object and to deliver the fully wrapped object back to original position of the platform.

A bale bagging apparatus and method are provided. The bale bagging apparatus includes a bale feeding station, a bale chute, a bale bagging station, and a transportation system that transports a bale to be bagged from the bale feeding station through the bale chute and into the bale bagging station. The bale bagging station includes a bag receptacle, a first opening, and a bag retrieval assembly. The bag receptacle is positioned on a side opposite of the first opening from the side of the first opening on which the bale to be bagged is to be transported. The bag retrieval assembly retrieves a bag from the bag receptacle through the first opening. The bag retrieval assembly positions a first end of said bag around at least a portion of the bale chute before the bale to be bagged is transported through the bale chute by the transportation system.

A bale bagging apparatus and method are provided. The bale bagging apparatus includes a bale feeding station, a bale chute, a bale bagging station, and a transportation system that transports a bale to be bagged from the bale feeding station through the bale chute and into the bale bagging station. The bale bagging station includes a bag receptacle, a first opening, and a bag retrieval assembly. The bag receptacle is positioned on a side opposite of the first opening from the side of the first opening on which the bale to be bagged is to be transported. The bag retrieval assembly retrieves a bag from the bag receptacle through the first opening. The bag retrieval assembly positions a first end of said bag around at least a portion of the bale chute before the bale to be bagged is transported through the bale chute by the transportation system.