An automated method and system for packaging flexible articles

Abstract

An automated method and system for packaging a stack of flexible articles (200) are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: loading, by a pair of end effectors (1a, 1b), the stack of flexible articles (200) into an erected box (100) having a first open end (101) and a second open end (102), wherein each open end (101, 102) has at least one flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) that is movable between an open configuration where the flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) is not covering an opening of the open end (101, 102) and a closed configuration where the flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) covers the opening of the open end (101, 102), whereby the stack of flexible articles (200) is loaded in an offset position away from the first open end (101), leaving a first gap therebetween; moving, by a first flap closing mechanism (4), the flap (103, 104, 105) of the first open end (101) from the open configuration to the closed configuration; pushing, by a pushing mechanism (16), the stack of flexible articles (200) towards the first gap, thereby forming a second gap between the second open end (102) and the stack of flexible articles (200); and moving, by a second flap closing mechanism (6), the flap (106, 107, 108) of the second open end (102) from the open configuration to the closed configuration, wherein the first and second gaps are configured to prevent the flaps (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) from being obstructed by the stack of flexible articles (200) while closing the flaps (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.