A packaging system having a packaging machine and a feeding device for the packaging machine. Packaging elements for receiving products in a predetermined format can be supplied to the packaging machine for a packaging process running thereon. The packaging machine may comprise a machine frame, at least one work station attached to the machine frame; a transport device that comprises a grouping unit for receiving packaging elements supplied by the feeding device to the packaging machine; and/or a transfer unit for transporting packaging elements received thereon to the work station. The grouping unit and the transfer unit can be brought together by way of a relative motion so that the packaging elements positioned on the grouping unit can be received by way of the transfer unit. The transfer unit may be capable of gripping the packaging elements. A method for producing a packaging as described above is also provided.

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

The invention concerns an apparatus for automatic application of lids to containers, said apparatus comprising a rotatable device unit comprising a plurality of circumferentially distributed lid holding members, a lid feeding unit, a glue application unit and a lid application unit. The lid holding members can be directed to each of the units simultaneously by rotating the rotatable device unit. The rotatable device unit further comprises an item application unit configured to fit an individual additional item onto the lid before the lid is attached to the container. The item application unit comprises an item supply unit and at least one movable gripping device configured to grip an individual additional item from the item supply unit and fit the individual additional item onto the lid. The invention also concerns a method for automatic application of lids to containers.

The invention concerns an apparatus for automatic application of lids to containers, said apparatus comprising a rotatable device unit comprising a plurality of circumferentially distributed lid holding members, a lid feeding unit, a glue application unit and a lid application unit. The lid holding members can be directed to each of the units simultaneously by rotating the rotatable device unit. The rotatable device unit further comprises an item application unit configured to fit an individual additional item onto the lid before the lid is attached to the container. The item application unit comprises an item supply unit and at least one movable gripping device configured to grip an individual additional item from the item supply unit and fit the individual additional item onto the lid. The invention also concerns a method for automatic application of lids to containers.

A box packing apparatus is equipped with a first conveyor, a parallel link robot, and a flap folding mechanism. The first conveyor conveys an article. The parallel link robot takes hold of the article on the first conveyor and carries it into a cardboard box that has an upper opening. The flap folding mechanism folds open to the outside of the upper opening at least one of plural cover flaps of the cardboard box that are located around the upper opening.

A box packing apparatus is equipped with a first conveyor, a parallel link robot, and a flap folding mechanism. The first conveyor conveys an article. The parallel link robot takes hold of the article on the first conveyor and carries it into a cardboard box that has an upper opening. The flap folding mechanism folds open to the outside of the upper opening at least one of plural cover flaps of the cardboard box that are located around the upper opening.

An article boxing system includes an image processing apparatus, a first robot, and a first controller. The image processing apparatus detects edges of an article based on an image of the article. The image processing apparatus calculates information relating to a conveyance state. The first robot includes a hand unit and an arm adjusting three-dimensional coordinates and an inclination of the hand unit with respect to a conveyance direction. The first controller controls an operation of the arm to move the hand unit in correspondence with the information relating to the conveyance state and causes the hand unit to adsorb the article, when the article reaches an operation range of the first robot.

A robotically-operated gripping device is provided and includes a frame assembly, a vacuum device, a clamping device, and a robotic arm. The vacuum device is connected to the frame assembly and configured to selectively attach to and position at least a portion of an object. The clamping device is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively clamping the object attached to the vacuum device. The robotic arm is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively positioning the vacuum device and the gripping device.

In the present invention, an insertion object (300) and backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) are lined up in series along the insertion direction. An introduction guide body (120) comprises: a head part (121) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the a shrink film (220); and an air-blowing port (122) that blows air from the inside thereof toward the outer surface thereof. There are an insertion preparation means in which the introduction guide body (120) is gradually introduced into the shrink film (220) of the backing-equipped shrink film packaging (200) by the sliding movement of a slider device (130), and the shrink film (220) is inflated by air, and an insertion means in which the insertion object (300) is gradually inserted into the inflated shrink film (220), and the insertion object (300) is pulled or pushed to a prescribed position by the insertion means.