A palletizing machine (10) for positioning objects (24) onto a pallet (18), the machine (10) comprising:
- a. a frame (12) having a pallet plate (16) secured between posts (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) of the frame (12) for supporting the pallet (18), the frame including raising and lowering means (20) for selectively raising and lowering the pallet (18) within the frame (12);
- b. an object receiver (22) secured to the frame for receiving objects (24);
- c. a pusher bar assembly (26) secured to the frame (12) adjacent the object receiver (22), the pusher bar assembly (26) including;
- i. a pusher bar (28) for pushing objects (24) from the object receiver (22) onto the pallet (18) supported by the pallet plate (16);
- ii. at least one first pusher strut (30) secured between a first end (31) of the pusher bar (28) and a pusher bar drive means (32) secured to the frame (12) for moving the pusher bar (28) from adjacent the object receiver (22) over the pallet plate (16) and back to adjacent the object receiver (22);
- and,
- iii. at least one raised return rail (44) secured to the frame (12) adjacent the object receiver (22) and configured so that the pusher bar (28) passes under the at least one raised return rail (44) as the pusher drive means (32) moves the pusher bar (28) and objects (24) contacting the pusher bar (28) from adjacent the object receiver (22) over the pallet plate (16), and so that the pusher bar (28) passes along the at least one raised return rail (44) as the pusher drive means (32) moves the pusher bar (28) from over the pallet plate (16) back to adjacent the object receiver (22);
- and,
- iv. wherein the at least one raised return rail (44) includes an override segment (56) upon which the pusher bar (28) passes, and an override segment distance (60) defined between the override segment (56) and the object receiver (22) being sufficient to permit the pusher bar (28) to pass over the objects (24) upon the object receiver (22) as the pusher bar (28) is returned by the pusher drive means (32) to adjacent the object receiver (22);
- and,
- d. a stripper sheet positioning assembly means (80) for selectively passing a stripper sheet (82) parallel to a plane defined by the pallet (18) adjacent the object receiver (22) for facilitating sliding of objects (24) over the pallet plate (16), the stripper sheet positioning means (80) including;
- i. a first dead weight (86) extending between the frame posts (14D, 14A);
- ii. a second dead weight (90) extending between the frame posts (14C, 14D);
- iii. a stripper sheet drive axle (92) extending between the frame posts (14D, 14A) adjacent the object receiver (22);
- iv. the stripper sheet (82) being secured between the first and second dead weights (86, 90);
- and,
- v. a stripper sheet drive means (96) secured to the stripper sheet drive axle (92) for selectively positioning the stripper sheet (82) between a first position parallel to a plane defined by the pallet plate (16) and a second position away from the first position.