Patent ID: 7975454

Claim:
A method of packaging objects, comprising: temporarily holding at least one target object in a forward portion of an elongate loading chute using an automated stop member, the elongate loading chute having a primary body that is oriented in a non-vertical angle of inclination such that it angles generally downwardly with a substantially constant slope in a direction of product travel; then electronically directing the automated stop member to release the at least one target object from the loading chute; advancing the at least one target object through a product chute after the at least one target object is released from the loading chute using an automated pusher mechanism; and automatically clipping the at least one target object in covering material held on the product chute when the at least one target object exits the product chute to package the at least one target object, wherein the holding, directing, advancing and clipping steps are successively repeated a plurality of times to package a series of the at least one target object.