A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.

The method of the present invention removes at least a plurality of articles (02) arriving consecutively in a transport direction (FR) from an infeed (03), and subsequently, arranging and grouping the articles (02), while simultaneously lifting and collectively transferring the article (02) from the infeed (03) to a staging surface (04). At the staging area are one or more outer packagings (05), and into which the articles (02) are placed. Individually or groupwise, as seen in a direction in parallel to the transport direction (FR), the individual distances between the articles (02) corresponding to a defined arrangement (20) are increased and/or decreased, and finally, the articles (02) are simultaneously lowered and released into the one or a plurality of outer packagings (05). The apparatus of the present invention comprises an infeed (03) of articles (02) being transported, at least one staging surface (04) arranged next to the infeed (03). On the staging surface (04), outer packagings (05) are staged, and which will be filled with articles (02) removed from the infeed (03). From the staging surface (04), the filled outer packagings (05) are discharged. A gripping device (07) is used to simultaneously seize a plurality of articles (02) from the infeed (03). The gripping device (07) has one gripper head (70) per article. The gripping device (07) has at least one manipulator (71) with a horizontally and vertically movable manipulator head (72).

The method of the present invention removes at least a plurality of articles (02) arriving consecutively in a transport direction (FR) from an infeed (03), and subsequently, arranging and grouping the articles (02), while simultaneously lifting and collectively transferring the article (02) from the infeed (03) to a staging surface (04). At the staging area are one or more outer packagings (05), and into which the articles (02) are placed. Individually or groupwise, as seen in a direction in parallel to the transport direction (FR), the individual distances between the articles (02) corresponding to a defined arrangement (20) are increased and/or decreased, and finally, the articles (02) are simultaneously lowered and released into the one or a plurality of outer packagings (05). The apparatus of the present invention comprises an infeed (03) of articles (02) being transported, at least one staging surface (04) arranged next to the infeed (03). On the staging surface (04), outer packagings (05) are staged, and which will be filled with articles (02) removed from the infeed (03). From the staging surface (04), the filled outer packagings (05) are discharged. A gripping device (07) is used to simultaneously seize a plurality of articles (02) from the infeed (03). The gripping device (07) has one gripper head (70) per article. The gripping device (07) has at least one manipulator (71) with a horizontally and vertically movable manipulator head (72).

The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for picking up a set of articles from a first conveying line and releasing into a package at a second conveying line, simultaneously.

The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for picking up a set of articles from a first conveying line and releasing into a package at a second conveying line, simultaneously.

A handling head for handling objects in batches has a fixing member for fixing to a handling unit, a plurality of gripping heads, each intended to pick an object, and an operating member adapted to adjust a spacing between the gripping heads, the operating member having at least two beams parallel to each other, at least one linking arm pivotably connected to each beam so that pivoting of the linking arm with respect to each beam adjusts a transverse spacing between the beams, and a carriage fixed to each gripping head and connected in longitudinal translation to one of the beams. The operating member has, on the one hand, at least two transverse crosspieces to which the carriages are connected in transverse translation, each carriage being connected in translation to a beam and a crosspiece, and, on the other hand, a spacer comb for adjusting longitudinal spacing between the crosspieces.

A handling head for handling objects in batches has a fixing member for fixing to a handling unit, a plurality of gripping heads, each intended to pick an object, and an operating member adapted to adjust a spacing between the gripping heads, the operating member having at least two beams parallel to each other, at least one linking arm pivotably connected to each beam so that pivoting of the linking arm with respect to each beam adjusts a transverse spacing between the beams, and a carriage fixed to each gripping head and connected in longitudinal translation to one of the beams. The operating member has, on the one hand, at least two transverse crosspieces to which the carriages are connected in transverse translation, each carriage being connected in translation to a beam and a crosspiece, and, on the other hand, a spacer comb for adjusting longitudinal spacing between the crosspieces.

Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.

A method and system (1) for discharging beverage containers (6) continuously moved on a horizontal conveyor (10) and guided in parallel rows by one or more gripping heads (3a, 3b, 3c) are disclosed. The one or more gripping heads (3a, 3b, 3c) respectively form at least one pick-up position for the beverage containers (6) to be discharged. The beverage containers (6) are guided on the horizontal conveyor (10) at least approximately together. In the scope of the method, an actual position (IP), adopted in the conveying direction (FR), of one or more of the continuously moved beverage containers (6) is acquired. Moreover, a travelling movement, oriented in parallel to the conveying direction (FR) of the beverage containers (6), of the one or more gripping heads (3a, 3b, 3c) is adapted while taking into account the acquired actual position (IP). Also, a lowering motion of the one or more gripping heads (3a, 3b, 3c) for accepting respectively one beverage container (6) by respectively one of the at least one pick-up positions (A, B, C, D) thereof is performed. In addition, removal of the beverage containers (6) from the horizontal conveyor (10) is performed by means of a lifting motion of the respective one or more gripping heads (3a, 3b, 3c).