Layer formation table and process

A method of transferring articles comprising:

• supplying the articles to a layer formation table wherein at least one row of the articles is formed at a first end of the layer formation table;
• transferring the at least one row of the articles towards a second end of the layer formation table with an end of arm tool mounted on a programmable robot;
• forming a plurality of rows of the articles on the layer formation table with the programmable robot wherein each of the rows comprises a plurality of the articles in side by side contact creating a void between adjacent articles in each of the rows;
• nesting the articles of one of the rows in the voids of an adjacent row with the programmable robot;
• filling lanes formed by a multiplicity of guides of the end of arm tool with rows of the articles;
• and
• locking the rows of the articles in the guides with a clamping tool.

An apparatus for transferring articles comprising:

• a layer formation table;
• a conveyor for supplying the articles to said layer formation table wherein at least one row of the articles is formed at a first end of said layer formation table;
• a programmable robot including an end of arm tool for transferring the at least one row of the articles towards a second end of said layer formation table;
• wherein said programmable robot is configured to form a plurality of rows of the articles on said layer formation table wherein each of the rows comprises a plurality of the articles in side by side contact creating a void between adjacent articles in each of the rows;
• wherein said programmable robot is configured to nest the articles of one of the rows in the voids of an adjacent row while the articles are supported from respective bottoms of the articles;
• wherein said programmable robot is configured to build a tier of the articles on said layer formation table;
• wherein said end of arm tool includes a multiplicity of guides which form lanes wherein the at least one row of the articles fill said lanes;
• wherein said end of arm tool further comprises clamping tools which lock the rows of the articles between the guides;
• and
• wherein said programmable robot and said guides of said end of arm tool sweep the at least one row of the articles from said first end of said layer formation table towards said second end of said layer formation table.