Method and apparatus for packaging flexible containers

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging flexible-pouch packaged goods into cartons, trays, or the like is disclosed. An infeed section receives the packages from a source, orients the packages, and presents them to a picking device. The picking device has at least one picker head which contains a plurality of grabbers. The grabbers clutch the pouches, translate them to the tray or box loading station, then deposit the pouches in a composite motion which enables the pouches to be laid down in a space efficient and visually pleasing shingled manner. The process is controlled by a control unit programmable for a variety of product packaging configurations. The apparatus and process are especially suited for use with stand-up type or gussetted pouches.

1 . An apparatus for the placement of a plurality of packaged goods into a container, wherein the packaged good have at least one edge, comprising: 
 an orientation device which receives the packaged goods and orients them with the at least one edge facing upwardly;    a picking device which affixes itself to each of the packaged goods by the one edge,    a translation device connected to the picking device, which translation device has a three dimensional range of mobility, and    a control unit which coordinates the activities of the orientation device, the picking device, and the translation device.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the orientation device comprises: 
 a first infeed conveyor, and    a second infeed conveyor, wherein the second infeed conveyor has a plurality of vertical dividers thereon,    whereby the plurality of packaged goods is transferred from the first infeed conveyor to the second infeed conveyor via gravity and momentum, and one packaged good is placed between two vertical dividers.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the second infeed conveyor comprises a flexible belt mounted on end rollers, and as the belt passes over the end rollers, the angular distance between each vertical divider is increased, forming an enlarged space therebetween.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the second infeed conveyor has a plurality of groups of vertical dividers; and    the second conveyor is divided into as many separate parallel belts as there are groups of dividers.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the picking device comprises at least one picker head unit, and each picker head unit contains a plurality of individual grasping devices.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each individual grasping device comprises a pair of opposable fingers which are actuatable to clamp together.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the packaged goods are a plurality of stand-up pouches, gussetted pouches, Doyen packs, or Doy packs.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the edge is between a top and a bottom of the packaged goods.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the fingers have an outer surface outer surface coating of a resilient polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein there are at least two picker head units.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the picker head units are movable relative to each other in at least the horizontal plane.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the translation device comprises at least one rail upon which the picker head moves relative to the orientation device.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the translation device is translated horizontally by a effectuator.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the effectuator is a stepping motor.  
     
     
         15 . A process for the packaging of goods which are contained in flexible containers having at least one edge, comprising the steps of: 
 supplying a plurality of goods,    orienting the goods on a conveyor such that the at least one edge is facing in an upward direction,    dividing the goods into at least one discrete group on the conveyor,    grabbing each of the goods in said at least one discrete group while maintaining the orientation and grouped relationship of each of said at least one discrete group of goods,    translating the grabbed group of goods first upwardly in a vertical direction, then in a horizontal direction, then downwardly into a container for holding a plurality of goods, and    reorienting the goods in the container into their final arrangement.    
     
     
         16 . A process as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of supplying comprises placing the goods on a first conveyor belt and the goods are a stand-up or gussetted pouch.  
     
     
         17 . A process as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of orienting comprises: 
 transferring the goods from the first conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt located proximate to the end of said first conveyor belt by running the first conveyor belt at a speed sufficient to propel the goods to the second conveyor belt; and, receiving the goods on a second conveyor belt having receiving compartments thereon which hold the goods such that the goods are disposed with the at least one edge at the top.    
     
     
         18 . A process as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of dividing comprises: 
 providing a composite conveyor belt having a plurality of individual parallel belts, each belt having a plurality of goods compartments arranged in a group,    depositing a group of goods onto the composite conveyor belt, one good per compartment, and    individually moving the individual parallel belt containing the plurality of goods compartments with the deposited goods therein.    
     
     
         19 . A process as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of translating comprises: 
 first, elevating the grabbed group of goods in a vertical direction sufficient to clear the conveyor;    second, translating the grabbed group of goods in a horizontal direction in a direction sufficient to transport the grabbed group of goods to a cartoning station, and    third, lowering the grabbed goods into a carton.    
     
     
         20 . A process as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein, during the step of lowering the grabbed goods into a carton, the goods and boxes are translated horizontally relative to each other, whereby they form a shingled arrangement.