A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.

A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.

Transferring stickpacks from a packaging machine to a conveyor for supply to a boxing machine entails continuously activating the conveyor in an advancement direction so that housings of the conveyor continuously transit beneath hoppers. Stickpacks fall from chute channels at an outlet of the packaging machine and collect in respective hoppers. Positions of the housings with respect to the hoppers are determined. Unloading hatches of the hoppers are sequentially opened so that the stickpacks present in the hoppers fall into respective housings beneath the hoppers during the continuous advancement of the conveyor in the advancement direction.

Transferring stickpacks from a packaging machine to a conveyor for supply to a boxing machine entails continuously activating the conveyor in an advancement direction so that housings of the conveyor continuously transit beneath hoppers. Stickpacks fall from chute channels at an outlet of the packaging machine and collect in respective hoppers. Positions of the housings with respect to the hoppers are determined. Unloading hatches of the hoppers are sequentially opened so that the stickpacks present in the hoppers fall into respective housings beneath the hoppers during the continuous advancement of the conveyor in the advancement direction.

A processing line for packaging coils has a first conveyor, a sortation table, a pallet loader for placing a pallet on the sortation table, a coil discharge apparatus to move a coil from a discharge of the first conveyor to the sortation table, and a control. The control is configured to control: (i) the sortation table to move to an open position adjacent the pallet loader; (ii) the pallet loader to place a pallet at the open position of the sortation table; (iii) the sortation table to move such that the pallet occupied position is adjacent the discharge of the first conveyor; (iv) the coil discharge apparatus to move a coil from the discharge of the first conveyor on to the pallet; and (v) the sortation table to move such that the pallet occupied position is away from the discharge of the first conveyor. A similar method is provided.

A processing line for packaging coils has a first conveyor, a sortation table, a pallet loader for placing a pallet on the sortation table, a coil discharge apparatus to move a coil from a discharge of the first conveyor to the sortation table, and a control. The control is configured to control: (i) the sortation table to move to an open position adjacent the pallet loader; (ii) the pallet loader to place a pallet at the open position of the sortation table; (iii) the sortation table to move such that the pallet occupied position is adjacent the discharge of the first conveyor; (iv) the coil discharge apparatus to move a coil from the discharge of the first conveyor on to the pallet; and (v) the sortation table to move such that the pallet occupied position is away from the discharge of the first conveyor. A similar method is provided.

A packing machine for packing articles into a packing box comprises a packing box conveyor for conveying packing boxes with the bottom side supported on the packing box conveyor and an open top side directed upward; and an article conveyor for conveying articles, which is arranged adjacent and alongside the packing box conveyor. A pick-and-place arrangement picks articles from the article conveyor to place the articles in a parallel orientation into a packing box that is conveyed on the packing box conveyor, wherein the parallel orientation is an orientation of an article within the packing box which is parallel to an orientation of an article conveyed on the article conveyor. A transverse packing arrangement of the packing machine comprises a cassette and is configured to present an open side of the cassette sideward for collecting articles from the article conveyor into the cassette in a stacked relationship of the articles in the parallel orientation, and subsequently provides the collected articles in a transverse orientation from the cassette into a packing box, wherein the transverse orientation is an orientation of an article which is transverse to an orientation of an article conveyed on the article conveyor.

A packing machine for packing articles into a packing box comprises a packing box conveyor for conveying packing boxes with the bottom side supported on the packing box conveyor and an open top side directed upward; and an article conveyor for conveying articles, which is arranged adjacent and alongside the packing box conveyor. A pick-and-place arrangement picks articles from the article conveyor to place the articles in a parallel orientation into a packing box that is conveyed on the packing box conveyor, wherein the parallel orientation is an orientation of an article within the packing box which is parallel to an orientation of an article conveyed on the article conveyor. A transverse packing arrangement of the packing machine comprises a cassette and is configured to present an open side of the cassette sideward for collecting articles from the article conveyor into the cassette in a stacked relationship of the articles in the parallel orientation, and subsequently provides the collected articles in a transverse orientation from the cassette into a packing box, wherein the transverse orientation is an orientation of an article which is transverse to an orientation of an article conveyed on the article conveyor.

An automated packing system, which may include a transfer station is described. In an example implementation, system may include an item-consolidation area that receives items, a carton receiving area that receives a carton, and a structure that holds the item-consolidation area vertically higher than the carton-receiving area. The system may also include a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area. The passage that may allow the items to pass from the item-consolidation area and the carton in the carton-receiving area. The system may include an actuation mechanism that controls movement of the items between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area.

An automated packing system, which may include a transfer station is described. In an example implementation, system may include an item-consolidation area that receives items, a carton receiving area that receives a carton, and a structure that holds the item-consolidation area vertically higher than the carton-receiving area. The system may also include a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area. The passage that may allow the items to pass from the item-consolidation area and the carton in the carton-receiving area. The system may include an actuation mechanism that controls movement of the items between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area.