Packaging machine and method

Abstract

The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

1 . A packaging machine for packaging a product in a case, the packaging machine comprising:
 a grid section adjacent to an infeed section;   means for continuously feeding the product to said grid section; and   a case feed section located beneath said grid section, said case feed section is configured to stop the case while the case is being packaged with the product.   
   
   
       2 . A method for packaging a case with a product, comprising:
 conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane;   supporting said first plurality of the product within said first lane;   conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane;   shifting said first lane and said second lane in a first direction; and   dropping said first plurality of the product into said case.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 shifting said first lane and said second lane in a second direction opposite said first direction;   supporting said second plurality of the product within said second lane; and   conveying a third plurality of the product to said first lane.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising counting a number of said first plurality of the product. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said supporting said first plurality of the product includes resting said first plurality of the product on a support strip disposed beneath said first lane. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said dropping said first plurality of the product includes maintaining said support strip in a fixed position relative to said first lane. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said supporting said first plurality of the product includes squeezing said first plurality of the product between a bladder pair, said bladder pair mounted to said first lane. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said shifting said first lane and said second lane includes shifting a lane guide in said first direction to contact said first plurality of the product, wherein said lane guide defines a side of said first lane. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , said shifting the first lane and said second lane in said first direction includes moving a conveyor, wherein said second plurality of the product is disposed on said conveyor. 
   
   
       10 . A method for packaging a case with a product, the method comprising:
 continuously feeding a grid section with the product; and   stopping the case at said grid section while the case is being packaged with the product.