Feeder load automation system and method of use
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsRobert R. Ricci, J. Edward Roth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A feeder load automation system and method of use including a lifting device capable of lifting a pallet of bundled product from a lowered positioned to a raised position and a platform positioned on the lifting device which holds the pallet of bundled product. A head mechanism having a holding device lifts a top layer of bundled product from the pallet to provide a separation space between the top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product or the pallet. A conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet. An input and takeaway station are also provided.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a lifting device capable of lifting a pallet of bundled product from a lowered position to a raised position;
- a platform positioned on the lifting device holding the pallet of bundled product, the platform being rotatable to orient the bundled product into a first orientation from a second orientation;
- a hinged tilt head mechanism having a holding device for lifting a top layer of bundled product in the first orientation from the pallet to provide a separation space between the top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product on the pallet;
- and
- a conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, which conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet when the top layer of bundled product is lowered thereon.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a lifting device capable of lifting a pallet of bundled product from a lowered position to a raised position;
- a plafform positioned on the lifting device holding the pallet of bundled product;
- a head mechanism having a holding device for lifting a top layer of bundled product in a first orientation from the pallet to provide a separation space between the top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product on the pallet;
- and
- a conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, which conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet when the top layer of bundled product is lowered thereon,
- wherein the head mechanism is a tilt head mechanism and the holding device is one of a vacuum source to produce a suction force and a pair of opposing arms moveable between a first position and a second, closer position to lift and lower the top layer of bundled product.
An apparatus, comprising:
- means for lifting a pallet of bundled product between a lowered position and a raised position and rotating the bundled product into a first orientation from a second orientation prior to the separating;
- means for providing a separation space between a top layer of the bundled product and an adjacent lower layer of bundled product or the pallet;
- means for transporting the top layer of the bundled product, in a first orientation, separated from the adjacent lower layer of bundled product or the pallet, to at least one feeding device.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a lifting device;
- a rotatable platform positioned on the lifting device;
- a hinged tilt head mechanism having a holding device for lifting a top layer of bundled product in a first orientation from a pallet to provide a separation space between a top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product on the pallet;
- and
- a conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, which conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet when the top layer of bundled product is lowered thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.