Pallet handling method and apparatus
AssigneeSsi Schaefer Limited
InventorsAlan Christopher John Worrel, Christopher Brian Watts, Gary Rogers-Mitchell, Simon Philip Scott, Brian Edward Newin
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Abstract
The specification discloses a pallet orienting apparatus for use in a return lane of a pallet live storage system, wherein one or more empty pallets may be placed in the pallet orienting means in a generally upright position, the pallet being rotated to a pallet delivery position in which the pallet lies in a generally horizontal plane. A plurality of pallets may be simultaneously handled by the orienting apparatus, which may be linked to a computerized control system for a live storage warehouse. The specification describes preferred methods for handling empty pallets, in a palletized live storage system.
Claims12
A pallet orienting apparatus for orienting planar pallets in a return lane of a live storage system, comprising:
- pallet receiving means for receiving a plurality of pallets;
- means for mounting said pallet receiving means for movement thereof between a pallet-receiving position in which a number of pallets oriented in substantially upright planes may be placed in the pallet receiving means to form a row of pallets, and a pallet-delivery position wherein the pallets are presented as a stack of pallets with each pallet in a generally horizontal plane;
- and a drive for moving the pallet-receiving means between the pallet-receiving position and the pallet-delivery position said drive being constructed and operated to place the pallet-receiving means in its pallet-delivery position by moving a guard into a position to prevent access to the apparatus.
A pallet orienting apparatus for orienting planar pallets in a return lane of a live storage system, comprising:
- pallet receiving means for receiving a plurality of pallets;
- means for mounting said pallet receiving means for movement thereof between a pallet-receiving position in which a number of pallets oriented in substantially upright planes may be placed in the pallet receiving means to form a row of pallets, and a pallet-delivery position wherein the pallets are presented as a stack of pallets with each pallet in a generally horizontal plane;
- and the pallet-receiving means being releasably retainable in the pallet-receiving position by a first latching arrangement and a second latching arrangement.
A pallet orienting apparatus for orienting planar pallets in a return lane of a live storage system, comprising:
- pallet receiving means for receiving a plurality of pallets;
- means for mounting said pallet receiving means for movement thereof between a pallet-receiving position in which a number of pallets oriented in substantially upright planes may be placed in the pallet receiving means to form a row of pallets, and a pallet-delivery position wherein the pallet are presented as a stack of pallets with each pallet in a generally horizontal plane;
- and the pallet-receiving means being mounted to a supporting structure for pivoting movement, and the movement between the pallet-receiving position and the pallet-delivery position comprises rotation about a horizontal axis the position of the axis being so selected that, when the pallet-receiving means is empty the pallet receiving means tends to rotate under its self-weight towards the pallet-receiving position and when the pallet-receiving means is loaded with pallets, the position of the combined center of gravity of the pallet receiving means and pallets causes the pallet-receiving means to rotate towards the pallet-delivery position.
A pallet live storage system comprising a supply lane for loaded pallets and a return lane for empty pallets, wherein the return lane is provided with pallet orienting apparatus comprising pallet-receiving means movable between a pallet-receiving position in which a number of pallets oriented in substantially upright planes may be placed in the receiving means to form a row of pallets, and a pallet-delivery position wherein the pallets are presented as a stack of pallets with each pallet in a generally horizontal plane;
- and ramps are provided in the return lane, the ramps being mounted to the pallet-receiving means and moving therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.