INTERMITTENT CASE PACKER ASSEMBLY & METHODS

A system for loading an accumulated article group into a case is provided. The system includes an article accumulation station, a grouped article loading station, and a pusher assembly. The accumulation station includes an article receiver assembly in furtherance of delimiting an accumulated article group, and a grouped article guide structure within which the accumulated article group is positionable by operation of the article receiver assembly. The grouped article loading station includes a gate assembly, having first and second operable configurations, and an actuatable gate through which the accumulated article group passes during loading of the group into a case presented for receipt of same. The pusher assembly includes an actuatable pusher for effectuating a transfer of the accumulated article group from the accumulation station to the loading station, flat packing operations effectuated via transfer of the grouped article guide structure over the actuatable gate of the first operably configured pivotable gate assembly by the pusher, vertical packing operations effectuated via transfer of the accumulated article group to the actuatable gate of the second operably configured pivotable gate assembly.