Thomas A Stafford, 47Clarksville, TN

2008021, Sep 11, 2008

Mar 6, 2008

12/043613

Thomas I. Stafford - Roswell GA, US
Benjamin C. Fordham - Savannah GA, US
Richard S. Schneider - Brewerton NY, US

GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP - Atlanta GA

B65B 59/00
B65B 5/00

53445, 53202, 53154, 53168

A case packing system concurrently accumulates a plurality of different product ensembles and sequentially packs cases thereof, generally by way of (a) concurrently accumulating a plurality of different product ensembles utilizing a plurality of product conveyer lines, each of which is adapted to separately convey distinct products to one or more transfer points; (b) sequentially transferring different accumulated product ensembles from the conveyer lines to a case-packer, the case-packer including a packing section as well as multiple magazines for receiving different case-blanks; (c) controlling transfer of the product ensembles to the case-packer and selection of the appropriate case-blank. Preferably, substantially continuous operation of the case-packer at a production rate higher than an accumulation rate of any individual product conveyer is maintained. A preferred construction employs a 4-axis robotic arm to select KDF cases and shuttle conveyers to transfer product from the conveyers to the case-packer.