Factory layouts of packaging apparatus with clippers

Abstract

Factory layouts of packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations.

1 . A factory layout of side-by-side packaging apparatus, comprising:
 a first packaging apparatus with a clipper module having a frame and a clipper mechanism attached to left side of the frame for applying at least one clip to gathered covering material; and   a second packaging apparatus disposed side by side relative to the first packaging apparatus, the second packaging apparatus having a clipper module with a frame and a clipper mechanism attached to a right side of the frame for applying at least one clip to gathered covering material.   
     
     
         2 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first packaging apparatus further comprises a handle-maker attached to a right side of the clipper module frame. 
     
     
         3 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the second packaging apparatus further comprises a handle-maker attached to a left side of the clipper module frame. 
     
     
         4 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second packaging apparatus further comprises a handle-maker attached to a side of the clipper module frame that is across from the clipper mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . A factory layout according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second apparatus both include handle makers, each extending generally outwardly away from their respective frames in opposing directions. 
     
     
         6 . A factory layout according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second packaging apparatus comprise an axially extending product chute disposed upstream of the respective clipper modules, the product chutes having an interior cavity and an outer surface that is configured to dispense netting to wrap about a product as the product exits the product chute. 
     
     
         7 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second apparatus comprises a scale in communication with a printer module attached to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second apparatus comprises an automated pusher mechanism disposed upstream of the product chute that pushes product through the product chute. 
     
     
         9 . A factory layout according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second apparatus comprise an automated pusher mechanism disposed upstream of the product chute that pushes product through the product chute. 
     
     
         10 . A factory layout according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second apparatus clipper mechanisms are configured to attach closure clips to product held in the dispensed covering material, the respective clipper mechanisms comprising:
 a clipper body;   a curvilinear clip rail attached to the clipper body having opposing top and bottom end portions and defining a generally downwardly extending clip feed direction; and   a clip entry window in communication with the bottom end portion of the clip rail and a clip closure delivery path in communication with a punch mechanism that is adapted to wrap a clip from the clip rail about a target work piece;   wherein, in operation, the clipper mechanism pivots from a rest position to an active clipping position.   
     
     
         11 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apparatus frames have a substantially uniform size and configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A factory layout according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second apparatus frames are configured to allow right or left hand mounting of the respective clipper mechanism and handle maker. 
     
     
         13 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apparatus are spaced apart a distance to allow a common operator to attend to the discharge portion of each. 
     
     
         14 . A factory layout according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and second apparatus are synchronized to output product in a timed manner that allows a single operator to attend to the discharge and/or input of each apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A factory layout according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second apparatus are in communication with each other. 
     
     
         16 . A factory layout according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apparatus are configured with a computer program product for operating a clipper mechanism and handle maker, the computer program product comprising:
 a non-transient computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code comprising:   computer readable program code that allows an operator to select or deselect at least one of handle maker operation, left hand or right hand clipping mechanism, and/or handle maker operation.