PIECE COUNT AND COLLATION SYSTEM

摘要

A piece count and collation system (1) includes a cut-and-seal apparatus (4) including a pair of rotatable members (6, 8) positioned immediately adjacent each other for receiving a tube wrapping containing a plurality of sequentially spaced objects (2). The rotatable members (6, 8) rotate in opposite directions to one another and each includes a first cutting edge having a first bonding surface positioned immediately adjacent thereto a second cutting edge spaced apart from the first cutting edge and having a second bonding surface positioned immediately adjacent thereto. At least one of the rotatable members includes a vacuum grasping member (9) positioned between the first and the second cutting edges for grasping one of said plurality of sequentially spaced objects in the tube wrapping received by th e cut-and-seal apparatus while the tube-wrapping is cut and bonded on both end s to form a fully wrapped object. The piece count and collation system also includes a conveyor (14) and a hopper (24) for collecting a plurality of ful ly wrapped objects.