# US 2009/0260494 A1 · Method and apparatus for palletizing confectioned units of articles

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- Number: US 2009/0260494 A1
- Document ID: US20090260494A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/427,267
- Filed: 2009-04-21
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-22
- Assignees: Krones AG
- Inventors: Peter Zeiner; Kurt Perl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260494A1

## CPC

- B65G 57/005: {by using insertions or spacers between the stacked layers}
- Y10T 83/0448: With subsequent handling [i.e., of product]
- Y10T 83/2037: In stacked or packed relation
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method for palletizing confectioned units including the steps of grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device, providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material, cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer, moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device, moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device, transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station, and positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for palletizing confectioned units with at least two articles, comprising the steps of:
grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device;
providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material arranged on at least one roll;
cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer prior to or during provision of the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a loading station;
moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device;
moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device;
transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station; and,
positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method recited in claim 1 wherein the confectioned units consist of a plurality of liquid containers, which are configured to confectioned unit by a shrink foil.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method recited in claim 1 wherein the single sheet of the material for the intermediate layer is cut with a cutting device.

### Claim 4

An apparatus for palletizing confectioned units with at least two articles, the apparatus comprising:
at least one roll, wherein the at least one roll carries a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material;
a cutting unit arranged to provide a single sheet of the material for the intermediate layer which is positioned between two consecutive layers of confectioned units;
a grouping device for grouping the confectioned units to a layer;
a unit for providing the layers of confectioned units;
a unit for providing the single sheet of the intermediate layer; and,
at least one transport device for moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of material for the intermediate layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the confectioned units comprise a plurality of liquid containers configured to confectioned units by a shrink foil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the transport device comprises a loading station, and wherein the basement of the loading station is designed shutter-like.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein the basement of the loading station is provided with fixing elements for the single sheet of the intermediate layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one transport device is provided with a rotatable column.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one loading station is arranged height adjustably at the rotatable column.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

The apparatus recited in claim 4, further comprising a conveyor belt for pallets.