Automated packaging systems with associated automated pushers Number:7,386,966 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the 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; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.<H associated, automated, Automated, packa, 7386966.html, Patent, pto, 7386966

Title: Automated packaging systems with associated automated pushers

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the 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; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Patent Number: 7,386,966 Issued on 06/17/2008 to Griggs, et al.

Inventors: Griggs; Samuel D. (Raleigh, NC), May; Dennis J. (Pittsboro, NC), Poteat; William M. (Fuquay-Varina, NC), Brown; Derek L. (Apex, NC), Gupton; David R. (Wake Forest, NC)
Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc. (Apex, NC)

Appl. No.: 11/674,404

Filed: February 13, 2007

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
10951578	Sep., 2004	7313896
60508609	Oct., 2003

Current U.S. Class: 53/138.2 ; 452/48; 53/138.4; 53/258; 53/567; 53/576

Current International Class: B65B 51/04 (20060101)

Field of Search: 53/417,138.1-138.4,567,576,258 29/243.56,243.57 452/30,35,37,38,48

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Primary Examiner: Gerrity; Stephen F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Myers, Bigel, Sibley & Sajovec, P.A.

Parent Case Text

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/951,578, filed Sep. 28, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,313,896, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/508,609, filed Oct. 3, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein. The application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/738,315, filed Dec. 17, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,026, issued Apr. 4, 2006, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. A system for automatically enclosing a semi-solid or solid product in a covering material, comprising: a support frame; an elongate product chute mounted to the support frame having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough, wherein the product chute has a floor; a product pusher mechanism mounted to the support frame upstream of the product chute, the product pusher mechanism having a pusher head that is configured to controllably automatically advance into and retract from the product chute to thereby advance a product from a position upstream of the product chute, through the product chute and out of the discharge end portion of the product chute, wherein the product pusher mechanism causes the pusher head and an associated actuation rod to reciprocally travel in the product chute in an unsealed manner, wherein the product pusher mechanism is configured so that the pusher head and the associated actuation rod travel substantially horizontally above the floor of the chute, wherein the product pusher mechanism actuation rod is in communication with an actuator piston that extends longitudinally upstream of the support frame with centers of the actuation piston and the actuation rod being concentric, wherein the product pusher mechanism actuation piston and rod reside above and intermediate of two laterally spaced apart stabilizer rods, and wherein the at least two stabilizer rods move forward and rearward substantially in concert with the actuation rod during a reciprocating stroke cycle of the actuation piston; and a clipper mechanism disposed downstream of the product chute, the clipper mechanism configured to automatically apply at least one clip to a covering material that encloses the product from the product chute.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product pusher mechanism is configured to limit the forward travel of the pusher head so that at least a first portion of the pusher head remains inside the product chute while a second portion extends outside the product chute at a furthermost operative extension position of the product pusher mechanism, and wherein the product pusher mechanism has a retracted configuration whereby the pusher head resides outside and upstream of the product chute and exposes a product support floor sized and configured to receive a target product thereon residing between the product chute and the pusher head.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the elongate product chute has a solid continuous outer wall with an open axially extending cavity that includes a primary body and a larger upstream guide portion that narrows into the shape of the primary body, and wherein, during operation, the product chute is open to environmental conditions at both receiving and discharge ends thereof, and wherein the system is configured to automatically slidably serially introduce target products by pushing the target product into the product chute from the product support floor.

4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pre-encased products that are serially automatically introduced into the product chute using the product pusher mechanism, the system further comprising a supply of covering material arranged to surround the exterior surface of at least a portion of the product chute and extend in tension in the downstream direction to cover a respective pre-encased product as the product exits the discharge end portion of the product chute.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the supply of covering material comprises a sleeve of netting, and wherein the product support floor is sized and configured to receive a poultry or ham meat product.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the clipper mechanism is retractable and, in operation, the clipper mechanism is configured to travel toward the product to apply at least one clip and then travel away from the product so as to allow the product to move downstream thereof, and wherein the clipper mechanism defines a clip window for supplying at least one closure clip to an underlying product, and wherein the system comprises a controller and sensors that automatically causes the pusher mechanism to extend and retract in response to detection of a target product on the product support floor.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product support floor intermediate the product pusher head and the product chute is a moveable floor.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the pusher mechanism comprises a single piston attached to the pusher head actuation rod at a location that is axially aligned with and upstream of the receiving end portion of the product chute, with the product pusher mechanism being attached to the support frame via a cantilevered member that extends upstream of the support frame, the pusher head actuation rod and piston defining a straight actuation stroke length that is substantially greater than a length of the product chute with a continuous stroke movement that causes the pusher head to reciprocally travel into and out of the product chute.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product support floor intermediate the product pusher head and the product chute is configured to package bone-in meat products.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product support floor intermediate the product pusher head and the product chute is configured to package whole pre-sealed meat products.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product support floor intermediate the product pusher head and the product chute is configured to package bone-in turkeys.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the product support floor intermediate the product pusher head and the product chute is configured to package bone-in hams.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a housing that encloses a travel path extending between the pusher head in a retracted home position and an entry into the product chute, wherein the actuation piston is affixed to the support frame, wherein in the retracted home position at least a major portion of a length of the actuation piston and guide rods extend longitudinally substantially horizontally outside the housing.

14. A system for automatically enclosing a semi-solid or solid product in a covering material, comprising: an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough; a product pusher mechanism having a pusher head that is configured to controllably automatically advance into and retract from the product chute to thereby advance a product from a position upstream of the product chute, through the product chute and out of the discharge end portion of the product chute; a clipper mechanism disposed downstream of the product chute, the clipper mechanism configured to automatically apply at least one clip to a covering material that encloses the product from the product chute; and a product stop member positioned in communication with a product transfer zone residing upstream of the product chute and downstream of the pusher head when the pusher head is in a retracted home position, the product stop member being substantially longitudinally aligned with a wall of the product chute to thereby automatically align a product with the pusher mechanism and an entry into the product chute.

15. A system for automatically enclosing a semi-solid or solid product in a covering material, comprising: an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough, the product chute comprising a sleeve of netting material; a product pusher mechanism in communication with the product chute, the product pusher mechanism having an actuation cylinder and corresponding rod attached to a pusher head to controllably automatically advance the pusher head and actuation rod into and retract from the product chute to advance a product from a position upstream of the product chute, through the product chute and out of the discharge end portion of the product chute; an automated product transfer system comprising a controller and at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of a target semi-solid or solid slidable product therein, whereby the target product is synchronized to be automatically serially directed into a product transfer zone, wherein the product transfer zone has a product support floor that resides between the product chute and the pusher mechanism when the pusher mechanism is in a retracted configuration, wherein the product support floor terminates before the receiving end portion of the product chute, intermediate the product chute and the pusher mechanism when the pusher head is in a retracted configuration thereby allowing operator loading outside a travel path of the pusher mechanism, and wherein the system is configured to activate the product pusher mechanism stroke cycle proximate in time to when a respective target solid or semi-solid product slides into position on the product support floor; and a clipper mechanism disposed downstream of the product chute, the clipper mechanism configured to automatically apply at least one clip to a leading and/or trailing edge portion of the netting material that encloses the product exiting the product chute.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the support floor is a moveable floor, wherein at a forwardmost operative extension position of a stroke cycle of the pusher mechanism, at least a major portion of the pusher head exits the discharge end portion of the product chute, and wherein during forward and rearward actuation of the pusher head in a stroke cycle the pusher head remains at a forwardmost position on the pusher mechanism, the system further comprising a system support frame configured to reside on a floor, and a support member cantilevered between an upstream portion of the support frame and the product pusher mechanism.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein each end portion of the product chute is unsealed and open to environmental conditions during the stroke cycle such that air is untrapped between the chute cavity and the pusher mechanism, wherein the actuation cylinder and a pair of stabilizer rods extend horizontally in an upstream direction a length outside bounds of a system mounting frame that supports the product chute and the product pusher mechanism, and wherein the stabilizer rods and actuation rod reciprocate in concert during substantially all of a stroke cycle.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the pusher head is sized and configured to extend beyond a cross-sectional perimeter of the actuation rod and is statically affixed to the actuation rod and translates in concert with and responsive to translation of the actuation rod, and wherein the pusher head occupies only a portion of the interior of the product chute cavity.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein the product pusher mechanism further comprises at least one horizontally reciprocating ballast rod in close proximity to the actuation rod that travels substantially horizontally between an extended position and a retracted home position.

20. A system according to claim 15, wherein the system comprises a housing that encloses a travel path that includes the product transfer zone and product support floor, extending between the pusher head in a retracted home position and an entry into the product chute, wherein the housing defines an open region therein, the open region having a width and height that is greater than that of the product chute, that extends a distance upstream of the product chute to a portion of the product pusher mechanism, wherein the actuation cylinder is statically affixed to the support frame, and wherein at least a major portion of a length of the actuation cylinder extends longitudinally substantially horizontally outside the housing.

21. A system according to claim 15, wherein the product pusher mechanism further comprises a plurality of guide rods that are configured to move in concert with the pusher cylinder both in a forward and rearward stroke of a stroke cycle associated with the reciprocating movement of the product pusher mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus that can package and apply closure clips to materials that enclose products therein, and may be particularly suitable for clipping netting material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain types of commodity and/or industrial items can be packaged by placing the desired product(s) in a covering material and then applying a closure clip or clips to end portions of the covering material to secure the product(s) therein. For non-flowable piece goods, the piece goods can be held individually in a respective clipped package, or as a group of goods in a single package. The covering material can be any suitable material, typically a casing and/or netting material.

Generally described, when packaging a piece good product in netting, the product is manually pushed through a netting chute. The product can include, by way of example, a non-flowable semi-solid and/or solid object such as a meat product including whole or half hams, turkey, chicken, and the like. The netting chute holds a length of a netting sleeve over the exterior thereof. A first downstream end portion of the netting is typically closed using a first clip. As the product exits the netting chute, it is covered with the netting. An operator can then orient the product inside the netting between the discharge end of the chute and the clipped first end portion of the netting. The operator can then pull the netting so that the netting is held relatively tight (typically stretched or in tension) over the product. The operator then uses his/her hands to compress or gather the open end of the netting (upstream of the product) and then manually applies a clip to the netting, typically using a Tipper Tie.RTM. double clipper apparatus. A clip attachment apparatus or "clippers" are well known to those of skill in the art and include those available from Tipper Tie, Inc., of Apex, N.C., including product numbers Z3214, Z3202, and Z3200. Examples of clip attachment apparatus and/or packaging apparatus are descried in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,389,533; 3,499,259; 4,683,700; and 5,161,347, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.

The double clipper concurrently applies two clips to the netting proximate the open (upstream) end of the package. One clip defines the first end portion of the next package and the other defines the trailing or second end portion of the package then being closed. A cutting mechanism incorporated in the clipper apparatus can sever the two packages before the enclosed package is removed from the clipper apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,713 describes a double clipper apparatus used to apply two clips to a casing covering. U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,701 proposes a clipper with a clip attachment mechanism configured to selectively fasten a single clip or two clips simultaneously. The mechanism has two punches, one of which is driven directly by a pneumatic cylinder and the other of which is connected to the first punch using a pin and key assembly. The pin and key assembly allows the punches to be coupled or decoupled to the pneumatic cylinder drive to apply one single clip or two clips simultaneously. U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,424 proposes an apparatus for movement of U-shaped clips along a rail. The apparatus includes a clip feed for advancing clips on a guide rail and the arm is reciprocally driven by a piston and cylinder arrangement. The contents of each of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus, subassemblies and/or other devices, systems, methods and computer program products for automatically packaging a product in a covering material and/or applying clips thereto.

In certain embodiments, the product can be manipulated and packaged so that at least one clip is automatically applied to enclose the product in the covering material. Particular embodiments automatically package a discrete object or objects in netting.

Certain embodiments are directed toward systems for automatically enclosing a semi-solid or solid product in a covering material. The systems include: (a) an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough; (b) a product pusher mechanism having a pusher head that is configured to controllably automatically advance into and retract from the product chute to thereby advance a product from a position upstream of the product chute and through the product chute so as to exit out of the discharge end portion of the product chute; and (c) a clipper mechanism disposed downstream of the product chute, the clipper mechanism configured to automatically apply at least one clip to a covering material that encloses the product from the product chute.

Other embodiments are directed toward methods of automatically packaging an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting. The methods include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the 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; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

The pushing can include automatically extending a pusher head into the product chute to contact the object and force the object through the product chute and then retracting the pusher head from the product chute. The applying a clip may include automatically gathering the covering material together and applying at least one clip to the gathered covering material. In particular embodiments, the applying step can include applying two proximately positioned but spaced apart clips substantially concurrently to the gathered covering material.

Other embodiments area directed to pivotable dual clipper assemblies for attaching closure clips to a product held in netting. The clipper assemblies include: (a) a retractable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting; and (b) a pair of clipper gathering plates attached to the clipper body so that the clipper gathering plates retract with the clipper mechanism. In operation, the clipper gathering plates gather netting upstream of a product held therein prior to attachment of clips to the gathered netting by the clipper mechanism.

Still other embodiments are directed to automatic pivotable clipper mechanisms for attaching closure clips to product held in a covering material. The mechanisms include: (a) a clipper body; (b) 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; (c) 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 covering material; (d) a first clip pusher configured to selectively engage with clips held on the clip rail to force the clips in the feed direction; (e) a first clipper gathering plate attached to the clipper body on a first side of the clip entry window, the first clipper gathering plate configured to extend a distance below the clip rail and generally outwardly therefrom toward the covering material; and (f) a second clipper gathering plate attached to the clipper body on an opposing side of the clip entry window from that of the first clipper gathering plate so as to be spaced apart from the first clipper gathering plate. The second clipper gathering plate can be configured to extend a distance below the clip rail and generally outwardly therefrom toward the covering material. In operation, the clipper mechanism pivots from a rest position to an active clipping position and the first and second clipper gathering plates pivot in concert with the clipper mechanism.

Additional embodiments are directed toward brake assemblies for applying pressure to a covering material that is automatically fed over a product. The devices include a pair of spaced apart arms, each having respective gripping members. The arms are configured to move toward each other a distance sufficient to cause the gripping members to contact an outer surface of an intermediately positioned product chute with an interior cavity and to move away from each other a distance sufficient to cause the gripping members to avoid contact with the outer surface of the product chute. The braking assemblies thereby controllably selectively apply a braking force onto covering material held between the outer surface of the product chute and the gripping members.

In particular embodiments, the gripping members have a curvilinear profile when viewed from the side. The arms can be each pivotably attached to a common center frame member. The brake assembly can also include an actuation cylinder that is attached to each arm and extends between the arms so that the arms are configured to automatically controllably pivot in concert toward and away from each other. The brake assembly may be configured for braking netting. The device may, hence, further include a netting support roller positioned upstream of the arms so as to contact the underside of the product chute to tension the netting as the netting exits the product chute.

In particular embodiments, the brake assembly is used in combination with a product chute with netting held on the outer surface of the product chute. The product chute can have sidewalls that are substantially curved and the gripping members can have a side profile with a curved contour that substantially corresponds to that of the product chute sidewalls.

Yet other embodiments are directed toward methods of braking netting traveling over the outer surface of a product chute. The methods include: (a) selectively moving first and second arms with gripping members thereon toward and away from a product chute; and (b) applying a braking force to netting traveling over an exterior surface of the product chute when the arms move a sufficient distance toward the product chute to press the netting against the product chute.

Still other embodiments are directed toward automated netting gathering assemblies that include a pair of spaced apart laterally extendable and retractable netting gathering plates disposed downstream of a netting product chute, wherein in operation the netting gathering plates travel toward an axial line of netting to gather the netting material.

In particular embodiments, the assemblies can also include a pair of pivoting netting gathering plates positioned on an opposing side of the axial line of the netting. The pivoting netting gathering plates can be configured to cooperate with the laterally retractable and extendable gathering plates to converge the netting material and gather the netting material after a product held in the netting material passes by the netting gathering plates.

Still other embodiments are directed toward netting/product chutes having an interior cavity and an exterior surface adapted to hold netting thereon. The chute has a non-circular cross-sectional profile.

In particular embodiments, the chute includes an entry portion that has a larger cross-sectional area than an intermediate portion thereof. For example, the chute can have an elongate funnel-like configuration. The chute can include a mounting bracket attached thereto. The mounting bracket may have a planar substantially horizontal mounting platform and a vertical segment with a support channel configured to snugly receive and hold a bottom portion of the product chute. The mounting bracket may be configured as a quick disconnect to allow changeover to a different product chute held on a similarly configured mounting bracket.

Yet other embodiments are directed toward a packaging apparatus for packaging at least one discrete object in a netting material. The apparatus includes a product table positioned downstream of a clipper mechanism and a vertically extendable and retractable product holding member disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism proximate an upstream portion of the product table. In operation, the product holding member can be configured to controllably travel down while the netting material is being clipped and then controllably rise to allow the enclosed netted product to travel downstream thereof onto the product table.

Additional embodiments are directed toward pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting. The clipper assemblies include: (a) a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting; and (b) a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes an actuation cylinder with a rod that advances and retracts a knife and an anti-rotation block attached to the rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and cylinder rod from rotating. In operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism.

In particular embodiments, the clipper assemblies may also include a proximity sensor mounted to the cartridge to provide data to control the timing of the actuation of the cylinder to automatically controllably advance the knife to sever the netting.

In still other embodiments, the clipper mechanism may include a groove formed therein. The first cartridge can include a cartridge platform configured to slide into the groove in the clipper mechanism to thereby releasably mount to the clipper mechanism. In addition, the clipper assembly can include a second cutting cartridge assembly releasably mountable to the clipper mechanism. The second cartridge can have a cartridge platform configured and sized to slide into the groove in the clipper mechanism. The second cutting cartridge can include a hot knife element and a heat source in communication therewith. The second hot knife element can be connected to a corresponding actuation cylinder to controllably advance and retract. The second cutting cartridge can also pivot with the clipper mechanism.

Yet additional embodiments are directed toward automated product pusher assemblies for pushing product through a product chute that dispenses covering material from an outer surface thereof so that the covering material receives a product discharged from the product chute. The assemblies include: (a) a pusher head having a forward portion and axially extending guidewalls disposed on opposing sides of the forward portion, the pusher head configured and sized to enter into the product chute and push an object undergoing packaging through the product chute; and (b) a pusher actuation cylinder attached to the pusher head assembly to direct the pusher head assembly to automatically and controllably linearly travel between a downstream position and an upstream position.

Other embodiments are directed toward computer program products for operating an automated clipped netting packaging apparatus. The automated packaging apparatus includes an automated product pusher mechanism that advances and retracts from a product chute and an automated clipping apparatus that applies at least one closure clip to netting thereat. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in the medium. The computer-readable program code includes: (a) computer readable program code that automatically controllably actuates a pusher actuation cylinder to push a product pusher in a downstream direction; and (b) computer readable program code that automatically controllably actuates a clipper mechanism to position a clipping apparatus in a clipping position in response to product pushed by the product pusher out of the product chute covered in netting.

In particular embodiments, the computer program product can also include code that: (a) automatically controllably actuates netting gathering plate actuation cylinders to laterally translate the plates toward the clipper mechanism; and/or (b) automatically controllably actuates a package holding member to raise the holding member above a product support floor to maintain a product held in netting in alignment with the clipper mechanism.

These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus/system used to automatically advance objects through a product chute and then automatically apply a clip(s) via a clipper mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is rear view of the device shown in FIG. 1 illustrated with the control enclosure door removed according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of a product transfer zone that can form a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a human interface station suitable for use with the device shown in FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1, similar to that shown in FIG. 5, but shown with certain screens or housing components removed for clarity according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a product infeed conveyor (with the conveyor belt removed) that may be suitable for use in the device of FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the conveyor shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A is a partial front perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the conveyor shown in FIG. 10 with an exemplary conveyor belt in place according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a top view of an exemplary flooring surface according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a product chute according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the chute shown in FIG. 13 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 illustrating a product pusher mechanism in a retracted position upstream of the product transfer zone and illustrates a pusher head having a flat product pusher plate according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the product pusher mechanism of FIG. 15 in an extended position downstream of the product transfer zone and illustrates a pusher head having a "V" shaped product pusher plate according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the product pusher mechanism of FIG. 15 in an extended position downstream of the product transfer zone according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a pusher head according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective