# US 12,110,196 B2 · Stack manipulating system and corresponding method

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- Number: US 12,110,196 B2
- Document ID: US12110196B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/022,200
- Filed: 2021-08-26
- Published: 2023-09-28
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-08-28
- Assignees: G.J. Hollestelle Beheer B.V.
- Applicants: G.J. Hollestelle Beheer B.V.
- Inventors: Gerard Jan Hollestelle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110196B2

## CPC

- B65G 59/02: De-stacking from the top of the stack
- B65G 61/00: Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
- H01M 10/06: Lead-acid accumulators (semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20)
- B65G 2201/022: Flat
- B65G 2207/40: Safety features of loads, equipment or persons
- H01M 10/0404: {Machines for assembling batteries}
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises: -a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone, -a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator, a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone, -at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone, wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly comprises a moveable manipulator, wherein the moveable manipulator comprises an engagement member which is configured to engage the stack of plates in the at least one arrival location, and wherein the moveable manipulator is configured to move the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location.

### Claim 2

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the at least one intermediate location is located at a first vertical distance from the at least one arrival location and at a second vertical distance from the at least one target location, wherein the moving assembly is configured to move a stack of plates over the first vertical distance to the at least one intermediate location, and wherein the at least one conveyor is configured to move the stack of plates over the second vertical distance to the at least one target location, wherein the moving assembly and the at least one conveyor work together to move the stack of plates past the separation and towards the machine.

### Claim 3

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
further comprising at least one plate loosening device, configured to loosen the plates of a stack, wherein the at least one plate loosening device comprises:
a bottom wall configured to support a stack of plates,
at least one guide body, wherein the guide body is moveably connected to the bottom wall, and being configured to abut against the stack of plates,
a guide body drive system being connected to the at least one guide body and comprising at least one actuator configured to move the at least one guide body,
wherein the guide body drive system is configured to move the at least one guide body to pivot the stack of plates over an angle with respect to a neutral position, wherein the movement of the at least one guide body pivots the plates of the stack of plates, shearing the plates with respect to each other, wherein the plate loosening device is located at the entrance or at the exit of the at least one conveyor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The stack manipulation system according to claim 2, comprising a plate loosening device comprising a wall, wherein an actuator and a guide body accelerate and/or decelerate the stack of plates against the wall, in particular the actuator and the guide body are configured to separate the plates of a stack by letting the stack fall freely on the wall.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The stack manipulation system according to claim 3, wherein the plate loosening device is located at the entrance or at the exit of the at least one conveyor.

### Claim 6

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly comprises a robot arm and the conveyor does not comprise a robot arm.

### Claim 7

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone, at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly comprises a crane.

### Claim 8

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the guide structure comprises one or more tracks or a conveyor belt.

### Claim 9

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly and/or the conveyor comprises at least one rotational manipulator which provides at least one rotary degree of freedom for the stack of plates, wherein the at least one rotational manipulator is rotatable to change the orientation of a stack of plates between the arrival location and the target location.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The stack manipulation system according to claim 1, further comprising a support body and a stack of plates located at the arrival location, wherein the support body defines a plurality of longitudinal and lateral slots in an upper surface to accommodate the moveable manipulator, allowing the manipulator to reach underneath a stack that is positioned on the body, wherein the width of the slots is larger than the width of the moveable manipulator.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The stack manipulation system according to claim 1, wherein the support body comprises at least one recess in the upper surface other than the longitudinal and lateral slots and the moveable manipulator comprises at least one extending member, wherein the length and width of the at least one recess are larger than the length and width of the at least one extending member, wherein the moveable manipulator is configured to engage the support body at least through the at least one recess to move the support body from an arrival position to a support body storage position.

### Claim 12

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the at least one conveyor comprises an elevator and the intermediate location is located at an upper extremity or at a lower extremity of the guide structure and the target location is located at an opposite extremity of the guide structure, wherein the elevator travels along the guide structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The stack manipulation system according to claim 12, wherein the elevator is driven by an elevator system to separate the plates of a stack by accelerating and/or decelerating the stack of plates against a fixed structure, in particular the elevator system being configured to separate the plates of a stack by letting the stack fall freely on a bottom wall.

### Claim 14

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the at least one conveyor comprises at least one actuator and at least one intermediate body, wherein the at least one actuator and the at least one intermediate body are configured to move a stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location into the at least one conveyor and/or to move the stack of plates out of the at least one conveyor.

### Claim 15

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the separation comprises a protection fence with overhang, wherein the protection fence with overhang creates an area below the overhang in the second zone to accommodate the operator, wherein the moving assembly and the conveyor are configured to move the stack of plates over the protection fence.

### Claim 16

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the separation comprises a floor of a building, wherein the first zone is located on the floor of the building and the second zone is located on a lower floor of the building, or wherein the separation comprises a floor of a building, wherein the second zone is located on the floor of the building and the first zone is located on a lower floor of the building.

### Claim 17

A stack manipulating system configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine where the plates are to be processed, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a non-static moving assembly having a range of motion, wherein the complete range of motion is located within the first zone,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the second zone from the first zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor traversing the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location located in the first zone and an exit located in the second zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts are configured to stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the machine is a battery plate arranging device, the battery plate arranging device comprising at least a first target location for a stack of battery plates of a first kind and a second target location for a stack of battery plates of a second kind, wherein the battery plate arranging device comprises a first positioning assembly and a second positioning assembly that alternatively position battery plates of the first kind and the second kind behind each other, creating a stack of alternating battery plates of the first kind and plates of the second kind, wherein the machine comprises a conveyor configured to move a stack of alternating battery plates out of the machine after having been arranged to be installed in a battery.

### Claim 18

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly,
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor,
wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly comprises a moveable manipulator, wherein the moveable manipulator comprises an engagement member which, during step a), engages the stack of plates in the at least one arrival location, and wherein, during step b), the moving assembly moves the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location.

### Claim 19

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the at least one intermediate location is located at a first vertical distance from the at least one arrival location and a second vertical distance from the at least one target location, wherein during step b) the moving assembly moves a stack of plates over the first vertical distance to the at least one intermediate location, and wherein during step c) the at least one conveyor moves the stack of plates over the second vertical distance to the at least one target location, wherein the moving assembly and the at least one conveyor work together to move the stack of plates past the separation and towards the machine.

### Claim 20

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the stack manipulation system comprises at least one plate loosening device, wherein the plate loosening device loosens the plates of a stack from each other before arriving at the at least one target location, wherein the at least one plate loosening device comprises a guide body drive system and at least one guide body.

### Claim 21

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly,
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor
wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly comprises a robot arm and the conveyor does not comprise a robot arm.

### Claim 22

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly,
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor,
wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the moving assembly and/or the conveyor comprises at least one rotational manipulator which provides at least one rotary degree of freedom, wherein the moving assembly and/or the conveyor changes the orientation of a stack of plates after engaging the stack of plates.

### Claim 23

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor, wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the at least one conveyor comprises an elevator and the intermediate location is located at a lower extremity of the guide structure and the target location is located at an upper extremity of the guide structure.

### Claim 24

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine, wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly,
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor,
wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the separation is an elongated structure creating a safe side in the second zone which is configured to accommodate an operator and to keep the operator safe from moving parts, the safe side corresponding to the second zone.

### Claim 25

A method for manipulating a stack of plates configured to move a stack of plates, in particular lead battery plates, from at least one arrival location to at least one target location at a machine, and wherein the stack manipulating system comprises:
a first zone comprising the at least one arrival location and a moving assembly and a complete range of motion of the moving assembly,
a second zone comprising the at least one target location and the machine wherein the second zone is configured to accommodate an operator,
a separation, separating the first zone from the second zone, the separation being configured for preventing the operator to move into the first zone,
at least one conveyor extending through or over the separation, the at least one conveyor comprising an entrance in at least one intermediate location and an exit located at the at least one target location, wherein the intermediate location is located in the first zone,
wherein the conveyor defines a trajectory between the entrance and the exit and comprises a guide structure which extends between the entrance and the exit along said trajectory and which guides the stack of plates along said trajectory, and wherein, at least in the second zone, the guide structure is a static structure,
the method comprising the steps:
a) engaging the stack of plates with the moving assembly in the at least one arrival location in the first zone,
b) moving the stack of plates from the at least one arrival location to the at least one intermediate location in the first zone with the moving assembly,
c) moving the stack of plates from the at least one intermediate location to the at least one target location in the second zone with the at least one conveyor,
wherein the moving assembly comprises moving parts, and wherein the moving parts stay outside the second zone, and
wherein the machine is a battery plate arranging device, the battery plate arranging device comprising at least a first target location for a stack of plates of a first kind and a second target location for a stack of plates of a second kind, wherein the battery plate arranging device comprises a first positioning assembly and a second positioning assembly that alternately position plates of the first kind and the second kind behind each other, creating a stack of alternating plates of the first kind and plates of the second kind, wherein the machine comprises a conveyor that moves the stack of alternating plates out of the machine after having been arranged to be installed in a battery.