US 5,961,275 A · Palletizer and palletizing methods

Abstract

Palletizers and methods of palletizing are disclosed. The palletizers are adapted to receive and arrange units of material and to concurrently fabricate first and second layers therefrom; or to place them in layers at either of first and second delivery support areas; or both. A plurality of layer forming stations can be vertically spaced, horizontally spaced, or both. Plural load forming stations can be horizontally spaced, vertically spaced, or both. Pallets can be sequenced into the load forming stations when empty or partially empty; and can be sequenced out of the load forming stations when empty, partially empty, or full. A given layer may be a hybrid layer comprised of the sum of partial layers fabricated separately. In some embodiments, the transfer apparatus can transfer layers to more than one of more than one load forming stations. In some embodiments, rows of units of material are advanced transversely onto and across an in-feed conveyor to thereby define, on the in-feed conveyor, the full width of the layer being formed.

Claims19

Dependent claims

Palletizing apparatus, said palletizing apparatus being adapted to receive units of material, to arrange the units of material in arrangements comprising layers of one or more loads to be built, and to transfer the layers to respective one or more pallets, said palletizing apparatus comprising:

(a) load support apparatus adapted to receive delivery of, and to support, a pallet, and to receive delivery of, and to support, one or more layers of material on the pallet when the pallet is positioned at said load support apparatus whereby loads are formed on the pallet;
(b) an accumulator on said palletizing apparatus, said accumulator receiving units of material and arranging said units of material into layers to be transported to said load support apparatus, said accumulator further receiving and arranging said units of material and forming a first such layer, and concurrently receiving and arranging units of material and forming at least a second such layer;
and
(c) transfer apparatus including a transfer plate, said transfer apparatus being adapted to utilize said transfer plate to receive material from said accumulator and to transfer the material to said load support apparatus.

1 more element

Palletizing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a layer forming station for forming a layer of units of material;
(b) a load support means, said load support means comprising a plurality of load forming stations, each said load forming station comprising means to support a pallet and a load thereon;
and
(c) a transfer means, said transfer means comprising (i) a support carriage, (ii) a transfer plate mounted on said carriage to receive the units of material on top of said transfer plate, (iii) means to move said transfer plate, along said carriage, from a layer receiving station to a location proximate any one of said load forming stations, and (iv) layer restraining means proximate each said load forming station, said layer restraining means being adapted to restrain a layer against substantial horizontal movement thereof while said transfer plate is withdrawn from under said layer.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Palletizer and palletizing methods

Life of this patent

Palletizer and palletizing methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19