Apparatus and method for automatic lid selection in a produce packing apparatus

An automatic lidding apparatus to place a lid on a shipping container, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly to transport the container;
• a plurality of lidding stations, the plurality of lidding stations each containing different lids corresponding to different products that may be in the container;
• a processor to track movement of the container and to control movement of the container to a selected one of the lidding stations containing lids corresponding to the contents of the container;
• and
• a selectively activated stop mechanism associated with each of the lidding stations to permit the movement of the container from the conveyor assembly to the selected lidding station when the stop mechanism associated with the selected lidding station is selectively activated by the processor.

A method for automatic lid selection on a shipping container, comprising:

• transporting the container to a lidding area on conveyor assembly;
• storing a different lid at each of a plurality of lidding stations for placement on the container with each lid corresponding to different contents that may be present in the container;
• tracking movement of the container along the conveyor assembly and controlling movement of the container to a selected one of the plurality of lidding stations having a lid corresponding to the contents of the container;
• and
• moving the container from the conveyor assembly to the selected lidding station to permit the application of the stored lid corresponding to the contents of the container.