Systems and processes for packing articles of footwear

A method of aligning complementary articles of footwear for packing, the method comprising:

• placing first and second complementary articles of footwear on a conveyance apparatus so that an outsole of each of the first and second complementary articles of footwear contacts the conveyance apparatus;
• directing a light source onto each of the first and second complementary articles of footwear to identify the desired location of an apex position of a toe end or a heel end of each of the first and second complementary articles of footwear on the conveyance apparatus;
• and
• contacting each of the first and second complementary articles of footwear with one or more moveable alignment members to align each of the first and second complementary articles of footwear so that an axis extending from the toe end to the heel end of the first complementary article of footwear is substantially parallel to an axis extending from the toe end to the heel end of the second complementary article of footwear.

A system for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container, the system comprising:

• a first conveyance apparatus sized to transport first and second complementary articles of footwear;
• one or more moveable alignment members, each of the one or more moveable alignment members having first and second contacting components positioned on opposing sides of the first conveyance apparatus, wherein the first and second contacting components are moveable towards or away from one another, for contacting or releasing from contact one of the first and second complementary articles of footwear;
• first and second transfer members that are vertically and laterally shiftable, wherein each of the first and second transfer members comprises first and second contacting components that are rotatable about an axis that is transverse to a lateral movement direction of the first and second transfer members;
• a packing sheet source comprising a reusable packing sheet;
• first and second guiding members laterally spaced apart from the packing sheet source at fixed positions so that the first guiding member is positioned between the packing sheet source and the second guiding member;
• and
• one or more sheet extension members, the one or more sheet extension members shiftable from a first position where the one or more extension members are positioned between the packing sheet source and the first guiding member to a second position where the first and second guiding members are positioned between the packing sheet source and the one or more sheet extension members.