Combination Case Packing And Bundling Packaging System

Abstract

A packaging system includes a loading area configured to receive a product and a pusher assembly including a pusher arm and a support. The pusher assembly is switchable between a bundling orientation and a case packing orientation. In the bundling orientation, the support is disposed at a first end of the pusher arm. In the case packing orientation, the support is disposed at a second end of the pusher aim. The pusher assembly moves the product in a first direction from the loading area, along a bundling path, and to a bundler when in the bundling orientation. Conversely, the pusher assembly moves the product in a second direction from the loading area, along a case packing path, and into a case when in the case packing orientation.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A packaging system comprising:
 a loading area configured to receive a product; and   a pusher assembly switchable between a first orientation and a second orientation, the pusher assembly including a pusher arm;   wherein the pusher assembly is configured to move the product from the loading area in a first direction when in the first orientation, and   wherein the pusher assembly is configured to move the product from the loading area in a second direction when in the second orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the pusher assembly is configured, when it is the first orientation thereof, to move the product from the loading area to a bundler. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the pusher assembly is configured, when it is the second orientation thereof, to move the product from the loading area to a case packer. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the pusher assembly further comprises a support coupled to the pusher arm;
 wherein the support is disposed at a first end of the pusher arm in the first orientation; and   wherein the support is disposed at a second end of the pusher arm in the second orientation.   
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the pusher assembly is movably connected to a guide shaft extending along a top of the packaging system;
 wherein the pusher assembly is configured, in the first orientation thereof, to move in the first direction from a retracted position at a first end of the guide shaft to an extended position; and   wherein the pusher assembly is configured, in the second orientation thereof, to move in the second direction from a retracted position to an extended position.   
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein a push plate is coupled to the second end of the pusher arm in the first orientation of the pusher assembly, and wherein the push plate or another push plate is coupled to the first end of the pusher arm in the second orientation of the pusher assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the loading area is located on an elevator that is movable vertically to transfer the product from an infeed conveyor to an unloading position, and wherein the pusher assembly is configured to interact with the product when the product is in the unloading position. 
     
     
         8 . A product pusher assembly comprising:
 a pusher arm, wherein the pusher arm has first and second ends, each of the ends being configured to selectively support a support while the other ends remains free of a support;   a push plate disposed at the second end of the pusher arm in the first orientation and disposed at the first end of the pusher arm in the second orientation.   
     
     
         9 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pusher arm includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, and a plate disposed perpendicular to and extending between the first and second sidewalls;
 wherein the support is disposed on an upper surface of the plate and between the first and second sidewalls.   
     
     
         10 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the support and the pusher arm include a first indexing feature disposed at or adjacent to the first end of the pusher arm; and
 wherein the support and the pusher arm include a second indexing feature disposed at or adjacent to the second end of the pusher arm.   
     
     
         11 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first indexing feature aligns the support and the pusher arm in the first orientation; and
 wherein the second indexing feature align the support and the pusher arm in the second orientation.   
     
     
         12 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a securing device that is configured to secure the product pusher assembly in the first orientation or the second orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the product pusher assembly is configured to move in a first direction when in the first orientation; and
 wherein the product pusher assembly is configured to move in a second direction when in the second orientation.   
     
     
         14 . The product pusher assembly of  claim 12  wherein the product pusher assembly is configured to changeover from the first orientation and the second orientation by removing the push plate from the second end of the pusher arm and attaching the push plate or another push plate to the first end of the pusher arm;
 wherein the product pusher assembly is configured to changeover from the first orientation and the second orientation by removing the support from the first end of the pusher arm and attaching the support or another support to the second end of the pusher arm. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a packing system, comprising:
 delivering product to a loading area from an infeed conveyor;   using a pusher assembly, pushing the product from the loading area and along a case packing path toward a case packer;   delivering additional product onto the loading area from the infeed conveyor; and   using the pusher assembly, pushing the additional product from the loading area and along a bundling path toward a bundler.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein pushing the product along the case packing path includes moving the pusher assembly along a guide shaft in a first direction, and wherein pushing the product along the bundling path comprises moving the pusher assembly along the guide shaft in a second direction. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising changing over the pusher assembly between first and second orientations between pushing the product along the case packing path and pushing the additional product along the bundling path. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the changing over includes removing a push plate of the pusher assembly from a first end of a pusher arm of the pusher assembly and attaching the push plate or another push plate to a second end of the pusher arm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the changing over further includes removing a support from the second end of the pusher arm and attaching the support or another support at the first end of the pusher arm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the changing over further comprises locking the support to the first end or the second end of the pusher arm by extending a pin through either a first set of notches of the pusher arm and an opening in the support or a second set of notches of the pusher arm and the opening in the support, respectively.