An item packaging system can position and prepare a package for receiving one or more items. The package can be received by the system in a storage orientation and stored in a storage container. A picking assembly can be positioned above the storage container in a picking orientation and pick and rotate the package to a loading orientation. A gripper can grip the package in the loading orientation and transport the package to a loading station for loading the one or more items into the interior of the shipping receptacle.

A method for producing a package comprising a formed part having at least one product cavity, and a lidding film covering the at least one product cavity, comprises the steps of: (a) defining a seam; (b) dividing the seam into a plurality of sections; (c) determining a pull-off force for pulling the lidding film from the formed part at least for a first section; and (d) sealing the lidding film to the formed part by means of a sealing device, wherein at least one first sealing temperature is selected for the first section based on the pull-off force determined according to step (c).

A method for producing and inspecting a package comprising at least one product cavity of a formed part sealed by a lidding film comprises the steps of: (a) sealing the lidding film to the formed part along a seam by means of a sealing device, which comprises a sealing contour with a plurality of segments; (b) detecting, by means of the sealing device, a parameter characteristic of the sealing quality of the seam in each segment; and (c) detecting a problem with the sealing according to step (a) based on the parameter detected according to step (b) in each segment.

The invention relates to a robotic method for loading cases on a packaging line from cases contained in a closed parallelepiped container and wherein it is proceeded with the loading of the packaging line, after opening of the container (Ca) by: /d/ insertion of a first jaw (30) of the clamp between the first face (F1) of the container and the first case (Et1) of the row of cases and, insertion of a second jaw (31) of the clamp between the last case (Etd) of the row of cases and the second face (F2) of the container, and approach of the jaws until seizing up the row of cases, /e/ piloting of the robotic arm so as to extract the row of cases from the container grasped by the motor-driven clamp (3) and load the packaging line (Lg) with the row of cases.

The invention relates to a robotic method for loading cases on a packaging line from cases contained in a closed parallelepiped container and wherein it is proceeded with the loading of the packaging line, after opening of the container (Ca) by: /d/ insertion of a first jaw (30) of the clamp between the first face (F1) of the container and the first case (Et1) of the row of cases and, insertion of a second jaw (31) of the clamp between the last case (Etd) of the row of cases and the second face (F2) of the container, and approach of the jaws until seizing up the row of cases, /e/ piloting of the robotic arm so as to extract the row of cases from the container grasped by the motor-driven clamp (3) and load the packaging line (Lg) with the row of cases.

A displacement device for a handling device, including an articulation mechanism on which the handling device is accommodated, wherein the handling device is displaceable by the articulation mechanism between a first position and a second position. The articulation mechanism has a four-pivot arrangement with a first link and a second link, wherein the first link is connected to the second link via a coupler. The coupler has a receiving section for receiving the handling device, wherein the first link, the second link and the coupler are matched to one another so that a substantially rectilinear displacement of the handling device takes place from the first position into the second position. In a method for displacement of a handling device by such a displacement device, the handling device is displaced substantially rectilinearly by the articulation mechanism between the first position and the second position. A packaging machine includes the displacement device.

A modular packaging facility has independent packaging units configured to receive one or more product loaded supports. The upper tool and the lower tool of each unit are relatively movable the one with respect to the other between at least a first position, allowing placement of the supports in the respective seats of the lower tool, and a second position, allowing coupling of a film portion of said film to said one or more product loaded supports received by the lower tool. Each unit has a vacuum arrangement and/or a controlled atmosphere arrangement and is configured to execute a packaging cycle wherein gas is removed and/or injected via holes in the supports and/or via nozzles placed between the support and the respective film portion. The process and the infrastructure may be used to contemporaneously process and pack supports of different types.

A machine for forming bags with infusion or extraction products includes a station for forming and feeding single sheets; a U-shaped folding station for folding the sheet; a unit for sealing the two lateral edges the sheet to create a bag with a closed bottom and side and an open end opposite the bottom. A second carousel includes radial grippers each configured to receive a bag. A dosing station includes a first device for dosing a first product along a dosing trajectory towards the opening and a second dosing device for dosing a second product. A transporting element positioned between the dosing devices includes a container for receiving the second product. The transporting element moves the container from a second product dosing position to a position for unloading the second product coinciding with the dosing trajectory from where the container discharges the dose of the second product into the bag.

System for handling packaging units, comprising: —a pallet supporter (2) configured for supporting at least one pallet (1); —a package feeding track (8) for feeding the packaging units (4) towards a first area near the pallet supporter (2); —a box feeding track (7) for feeding empty packaging boxes (6) towards a second area near the pallet supporter (2); —a manipulator unit (3) configured to move an empty box (6) from the box feeding track (7) onto a pallet (1) supported by the pallet supporter (2), wherein the manipulator unit (3) is also configured to move packaging units (4) into a box (6) supported on a pallet (1) supported by the pallet supporter (2). The invention also provides an innovative method for handling packaging units.

System for handling packaging units, comprising: —a pallet supporter (2) configured for supporting at least one pallet (1); —a package feeding track (8) for feeding the packaging units (4) towards a first area near the pallet supporter (2); —a box feeding track (7) for feeding empty packaging boxes (6) towards a second area near the pallet supporter (2); —a manipulator unit (3) configured to move an empty box (6) from the box feeding track (7) onto a pallet (1) supported by the pallet supporter (2), wherein the manipulator unit (3) is also configured to move packaging units (4) into a box (6) supported on a pallet (1) supported by the pallet supporter (2). The invention also provides an innovative method for handling packaging units.