A single robot of a two-lane bin packing system has an end of arm tool (EOAT) that interfaces with two infeed lines and two bins on an ongoing basis so that the robot can pick a group of bags from a first bag group staging area on the first infeed line while a group of bags is being formed in a second bag group staging area by the second infeed line. In addition, by interfacing with two separate bins, one bin can be filled while another, full bin is being replaced with an empty bin. The EOAT thus operates constantly. The bag groups can be formed in layers by discharging bags on a reciprocating shuttle of a pick table assembly.

A product packaging system comprises a plurality of product sources (2, 4, 6) delivering product to a final collating and packaging line (10). The output from each machine is delivered by separate conveying means (8) delivering the products directly into a collating conveyor (20) which in turn delivers the collated products to a packaging line. The collating conveyor comprising an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving from said conveying means products to be packaged. The compartments are configured to enable their sizes to be changed, and the endless conveyor comprises a track arranged in a vertical loop and a plurality of product supporting members mounted for movement along the track, each supporting member being driven along the track and controllable independently of the other supporting members.

A product packaging system comprises a plurality of product sources (2, 4, 6) delivering product to a final collating and packaging line (10). The output from each machine is delivered by separate conveying means (8) delivering the products directly into a collating conveyor (20) which in turn delivers the collated products to a packaging line. The collating conveyor comprising an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of compartments, each compartment receiving from said conveying means products to be packaged. The compartments are configured to enable their sizes to be changed, and the endless conveyor comprises a track arranged in a vertical loop and a plurality of product supporting members mounted for movement along the track, each supporting member being driven along the track and controllable independently of the other supporting members.

Device for distributing products to feed lines, comprising: a plurality of outfeed channels (1) each configured for feeding a succession of products (2) along a first feed direction (D1); the plurality of outfeed channels (1) is positioned at a first level (H1); a plurality of infeed channels (3), configured to receive single or lines of products (2) and feed products (2), along a second feed direction (D3); the plurality of infeed channels (3) is positioned at a higher second level (H3), a plurality of pairs of carriages (4) defining corresponding housing pockets (5); a track (6) configured in the form of a closed, ring-shaped path to define a lower operating section (6a) and an upper operating section (6b) and on which move the plurality of pairs of carriages (4) along a direction (D6) transversal to the first (D1) and second (D3) feed directions; the track (6) is interposed between the plurality of outfeed channels (1) and the plurality of infeed channels (3) in such a way as to position along a lower operating section (6a), and in predetermined sequences, a first number of pairs of carriages (4) which can be faced towards corresponding outfeed channels (3) for picking up at least one corresponding product (2) and, along an upper operating section (6b), a second number of pairs of carriages (4) which can be faced towards the plurality of infeed channels (3) for releasing at least one corresponding product (2).

A method and a device for filling containers with products, in which the products are successively conveyed horizontally to a filling installation in which the products, while being combined to form individual product groups, are grouped, and an offered-up container, which is conveyed horizontally to the filling installation, is filled in a single track with one or a plurality of product groups, wherein the filled containers subsequently are in particular horizontally transported away. The method includes conveying the products in multiple tracks to the filling installation, grouping the products to form product groups, feeding the product groups in multiple tracks to a common revolving vertical conveyor of the filling installation, conveying the product groups to an ejection position from which the product groups are conveyed onward in a single track to an offered-up container, and filling the offered-up container with at least one of the product groups.

A method and a device for filling containers with products, in which the products are successively conveyed horizontally to a filling installation in which the products, while being combined to form individual product groups, are grouped, and an offered-up container, which is conveyed horizontally to the filling installation, is filled in a single track with one or a plurality of product groups, wherein the filled containers subsequently are in particular horizontally transported away. The method includes conveying the products in multiple tracks to the filling installation, grouping the products to form product groups, feeding the product groups in multiple tracks to a common revolving vertical conveyor of the filling installation, conveying the product groups to an ejection position from which the product groups are conveyed onward in a single track to an offered-up container, and filling the offered-up container with at least one of the product groups.

An automatic packaging machine is provided and comprises a plurality of in-feed conveyors for separately conveying contents. The conveyors are at different heights. The machine includes means for placing the contents into a packaging article, or placing the packaging article around the contents, with the contents in a vertically stacked configuration.

An automatic packaging machine is provided and comprises a plurality of in-feed conveyors for separately conveying contents. The conveyors are at different heights. The machine includes means for placing the contents into a packaging article, or placing the packaging article around the contents, with the contents in a vertically stacked configuration.

A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.

A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.