Abstract

In a method and system for automatically forming a plurality of packages of groups of articles, the articles move along a conveying path in a substantially continuous motion. The selected articles are transferred to selected buffer storage assemblies in response to selection control signals from a central processing unit. The central processing unit generates the control signals according to predetermined packaging criteria. The groups of articles are stored in the buffer assemblies in a layer corresponding to one layer of a plurality of layers to be assembled in one of the plurality of packages. The entire layer in the buffer assembly is then transferred into an associated package at one time after assembly of that layer is completed from the accumulation of individual articles transferred from the conveying path. The articles are selectively oriented in the conveying path upstream of the buffer assemblies so that individual articles within each group may be oriented according to the predetermined packaging criteria. In the first embodiment, the buffer assemblies transfer selected articles from the conveying path into elevated positions above the conveyor until a complete layer is assembled. Articles moving to other destinations are able to pass under the buffered articles in a substantially continuous motion.