Automated packaging methods and related computer program products

Abstract

Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute, then applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the covering material.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of packaging a product in netting, comprising:
 weighing a product;   conveying the product on a first conveyor along a first travel direction;   conveying the product in a primary travel path on a second conveyor, the primary travel path being substantially orthogonal to the product first travel direction;   automatically wrapping the product in netting as it exits a netting product chute; and   clipping an end portion of the netting to enclose the product therein.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the product is a packaged whole bird having encased protruding legs, wherein the first conveying step comprises positioning the whole bird with the legs positioned substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction, and wherein the second conveying step comprises positioning the product on the second conveyor with its legs facing downstream and generally parallel to the primary travel path. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising transferring the product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor by directing the product to travel over a static ramp member extending between the first and second conveyors. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a stop alignment member in the primary travel path to guide the product into a center portion of the second conveyor. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein clipping the product comprises pivoting a clipping mechanism through a stroke cycle having a retracted home position, an extended full clipping position, and an intermediate dwell position. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising automatically making a handle in the netting before to clipping of the end portion, and wherein the clipping mechanism is advanced to the intermediate position during the handle making. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising automatically trapping the product in netting downstream of the product chute during the clipping and handle making steps. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the trapping step comprises sliding two spaced apart flaps toward the product chute and pivoting the flaps to travel closer together to trap the product between the product chute and the flaps. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , further comprising automatically pivoting the flaps apart after the trapping step to thereby release the clipped netting encased product to travel downstream. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product for operating a packaging apparatus, the packaging apparatus including a product chute and a clipping apparatus that applies at least one closure clip to target gathered covering material, the computer program product comprising:
 a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code comprising:   computer readable program code that automatically controllably actuates a clipper mechanism actuation cylinder to direct the clipper mechanism to travel through a retracted home position, a pre-clip dwell position and a full-clip position; and   computer readable program code that automatically controllably directs the clipper mechanism to apply at least one clip during a clipping operation when the clipper mechanism is in the full-clip position.   
     
     
         11 . A computer program product according to  claim 10 , further comprising computer readable program code that automatically controllably directs an automated handle maker to form a handle, and computer readable program code that directs the clipper mechanism to travel from the home to the pre-clip position during the handle making operation, then to the full clip position after the handle is formed. 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product according to  claim 10 , further comprising computer readable program code that automatically directs two spaced apart upwardly extending flaps on a discharge table, each flap having a free end, to move to bring the free ends of the flaps closer together and slide upstream toward the product chute during the handle making and/or clipping operation. 
     
     
         13 . A computer program product according to  claim 12 , further comprising computer readable program code that directs the free ends of the two spaced apart flaps to automatically move apart after the clipping operation such that the flaps are generally aligned with the axial direction of the travel path.