Automatic packaging dispensing system

An automatic packaging dispensing system for automatically dispensing packaging, disposed at a pickup location, to be moved to a downstream location, the system comprising:

• a first set of packaging materials within which a first type of item can be packaged, said first set of packaging materials being disposed within a first vertically stacked array;
• a second set of packaging materials, different from said first set of packaging materials, within which a second type of item can be packaged, said second set of packaging materials being disposed within a second vertically stacked array;
• a pickup device, disposed at said pickup location, for picking up an uppermost one of said first set of packaging materials disposed within said first vertically stacked array or an uppermost one of said second set of packaging materials disposed within said second vertically stacked array,
• wherein said pickup device is operatively mounted upon at least one vertically oriented guide rod which is operatively associated with a first motor drive for moving said pickup device along with said at least one vertically oriented guide rod such that said pickup device can move vertically upwardly and downwardly, and wherein said at least one vertically oriented guide rod and said first motor drive are operatively mounted upon a horizontally oriented slide mechanism which is operatively associated with a second motor drive for moving said at least one vertically oriented guide rod, said first motor drive, and said pickup device along said horizontally oriented slide mechanism such that said pickup device can move horizontally forwardly and backwardly;
• and
• a control system for:
• moving said first set of packaging materials or said second set of packaging materials toward said pickup location such that said uppermost one of said first set of packaging materials or said uppermost one of said second set of packaging materials, disposed within said first or second vertically stacked array, is disposed at said pickup location;
• moving said pickup device downwardly along with said at least one vertically oriented guide rod and into a position to pick up said uppermost one of said first or second set of packaging materials disposed within said first or second vertically stacked array;
• moving said pickup device upwardly along with said at least one vertically oriented guide rod so as to remove said uppermost one of said first or second set of packaging materials, disposed within said first or second vertically stacked array, from remaining ones of said first or second set of packaging materials disposed within said first or second vertically stacked array;
• and moving said pickup device, said at least one vertically oriented guide rod, and said first motor drive horizontally away from said pickup location, and along said horizontally oriented slide mechanism, so as to transfer said uppermost one of said first or second set of packaging materials from said pickup location toward the downstream location.