Package handling system and methods of use

A package chain equipment for in-line formation of a continuous sealed delivery package chain of designated delivery items for automated drone delivery, said equipment comprising:

• a conveyor transports a lower layer that forms a base web of the continuous sealed delivery package chain;
• a robotic arm positioned above said conveyor, said robotic arm configured to pick and place each of the designated delivery items onto said lower layer corresponding to a predetermined delivery-route sequence;
• position an upper layer over the delivery item-laden said lower layer;
• a seal station that joins said upper layer to said lower layer around each delivery item to form the continuous delivery package chain while the delivery package chain remains part of a continuous web;
• and
• said seal station joins said upper layer to said lower layer to form a first outer edge and a second outer edge of a package feed tape.

A method of forming a continuous sealed delivery package chain of designated delivery items for drone delivery using package chain equipment, said method comprising the steps of:

• advancing a lower layer along a conveyor, said lower layer serving as a base web of sealed delivery package chain;
• robotically placing each designated delivery item onto said lower layer in a delivery-route sequence;
• positioning an upper layer positioned over the item-laden lower layer;
• sealing said upper layer to said lower layer around each delivery item to form the delivery package chain while maintaining web continuity;
• and
• sealing said upper layer to said lower layer to form a first outer edge and a second outer edge of a package feed tape.