Abstract: A device for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface such as a pallet includes a frame and a pin matrix movably attached to the frame. The pin matrix includes an array of pins and is housed in a plate having apertures for receiving the pins. The device further includes a pair of tracks that movably support the pin matrix. A method for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface includes the steps of moving the pin matrix over the objects, lowering the pin matrix, securing the objects within the pin matrix, moving the pin matrix and the objects relative to the surface, and raising the pin matrix.

Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.

Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping and transport clamp mounted at an end of a robotic arm. The clamp has a support member mounted at the end of the robotic arm and two lower pressing plates and one upper pressing plate mounted on the support member. A sensor is used to detect a reaction force being exerted on the first pressing plate upon displacement thereof. An actuator inserts the first lower pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to a detection of the reaction force by the sensor. The second lower pressing plate under the first pressing plate moves between a retracted position and an extended position by means of an actuator mounted between the second lower pressing plate and the support member. It is also inserted under the object to be gripped. An actuator moves the upper pressing plate towards the object for gripping it between the plates. A controller receives detection signals from the sensor and operates the actuators.

Abstract: A material table 39 supporting materials W is provided so as to be able to move between a plate material taking-in/out area 11 and material wait area 13, and when the material table 39 is positioned in the plate material taking-in/out area 11, the material table 39 is positioned in a lower position adjacent to an upper end portion of a slat conveyor 33.

Abstract: Wooden pallets are recycled by carrying out a first separation in a reception region (10) between pallets easily reparable and those which are not, in directing the separated items to conveyors: one conveyor (11) which brings them to a disassembly station (20), and a second conveyor which brings them toward a repair station (30). The layers of the pallets are separated from each other by sawing in the disassembly station, so that all the constituent elements of the pallet are separated from each other. Sorting and recalibration of the elements thus separated is carried out in separating, sawing and planing stations (21, 22). The elements thus sorted and recalibrated are stored in a storage station (40) which extends along the installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for palletizing packing drums (7) on a load platform (P), especially barrels, kegs or the like in substantially cylindrical or barrel-shaped receptacles, and/or for depalletizing the packing drums. The inventive method provides as high turnover speed as possible for a layer of, for instance, six or eight packing drums (7*) without causing problems related to the inertia of masses and oscillating phenomena limiting turnover speed. This is achieved by vertically lifting each respective layer (7*) of packing drums in relation to a direct or indirect carrier contact surface (A1, A2) to the packing drum layer during transfer to or from a palet (P). The packing drum layer and the pallet are placed separately from each other (palletizing) or together (depalletizing) in a continuously identical receiving and lift movement position (G) by displacing their contact surface on a plane on which the lift movement is vertically performed.

Abstract: A material table 39 supporting materials W is provided so as to be able to move between a plate material taking-in/out area 11 and material wait area 13, and when the material table 39 is positioned in the plate material taking-in/out area 11, the material table 39 is positioned in a lower position adjacent to an upper end portion of a slat conveyor 33.

Abstract: A palletizer/depalletizer system includes a palletizer assembly and depalletizer assembly stacked one beneath the other on a common frame assembly. Both assemblies are adapted to handle layers of articles and stacks of pallets. The palletizer loads articles on stacks of empty pallets by transferring layers of articles one at a time onto the uppermost pallet until the pallet is fully loaded, conveying the loaded pallet away from the system using a conventional automated storage and retrieval (ASR) machine, and then loading the next pallet on the stack. The depalletizer creates stacks of empty pallets by repeatedly unloading layers of articles from a pallet to empty the pallet and then accepting a loaded pallet on top of the recently-emptied pallet.

Abstract: A machine for stacking articles such as wooden pallets comprises a frame for supporting a carriage assembly that can be raised and lowered under control of a motor and where the carriage assembly supports an article grasping machine that is slidably mounted on the carriage assembly allowing horizontal movement of the article grasping assembly relative to the carriage. When using the machine to stack wooden pallets, a pallet may be picked up at a first location and elevated and translated so as to overlay a top pallet on a stack of pallets before the one being carried is released.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a robot and capable of removing cases from a stack of cases and emptying the selected case of substantially flat, folded articles. The end effector includes a main body designed to be coupled to the robot. A case gripper is mounted on the bottom of the main body. A flattened articles gripper is also coupled to the main body and includes a vacuum chamber with two blades. A dunnage gripper is mounted on one of the sides of the main body. In use, the case gripper picks a full case from a pallet of cases and moves that case to an unloading station. There, the end effector is rotated so that the blades of the flattened articles gripper can be inserted into the case. With the blades inserted, vacuum is supplied to the flattened articles gripper to hold the articles against the gripper. Then, the end effector with the articles is moved to a regripping station where the articles are temporarily placed and regripped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a sheet stack for automated processing in a sheet-fed machine; comprising manipulating a sheet stack and transportation pallet to a release position; removing the transportation pallet, and placing a system pallet adjacent the sheet stack so that it is ready for further processing. The apparatus includes structure performing these functions.

Abstract: A beverage terminal for the automatic delivery of beverage crates including a delivery terminal for pallets charged with beverage crates, at least one high-shelf, an individualizing device, at least one depot, at least one customer conveyor, and at least one beverage supply point provided with a customer control panel. The individualizing device and a depalletizer include at least one horizontally arranged linear conveyor assigned to a storage surface of the depot. The linear conveyor has a gripping mechanism for gripping and lifting or lowering individual beverage crates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a sheet stack for automated processing, wherein a sheet stack and transportation pallet are deposited on a system pallet, the resulting stack is manipulated to a release position where the transportation pallet is freed, the freed transportation pallet is removed, and the sheet stack and system pallet are conveyed away for further processing. The apparatus includes structure for carrying out these steps.

Abstract: The depalletizing and dispensing apparatus and method is provided for unloading items stacked on a pallet. The apparatus includes a frame having a vertically reciprocable lift mounted at least partially within the frame. The lift has at least a pallet infeed position, a case dispensing position, and a pallet discharge position. The lift conveyor is located at least partially on the lift, and a device for securing the items stacked on the pallet also is provided. The securing device are located such that when the lift is at its pallet infeed position, the securing device can engage at least the lowermost layer of stacked items on the pallet, independent of the pallet. A pallet transport conveyor is located adjacent to the lift and arranged to receive and remove the pallet when the lift is in the pallet discharge position.

Abstract: A method of changing a load supported by a first pallet to a second pallet comprises placing the first pallet supporting the load adjacent a stop member rigidly mounted on a floor surface, the stop member having an opening at a lower end sufficient for the pallet to slide under the stop member and having an abutting surface above the opening for engaging a side of the load on the first pallet. The first pallet is first positioned so that it has a rear edge facing the stop member opening and a front edge on an opposite side facing away from the stop member. A spacer member is placed under the front edge of the first pallet to raise the front edge of the first pallet above the level of the second pallet, the spacer member being moveable inwardly toward the stop member along with the first pallet.

Abstract: A device for stacking and destacking a stream of imbricated, substantially planar, flexible units to form or destack a layered stack. The device is a stacker, adapted to receive a stream of units from a source thereof, and a plurality of transfer sheets. The feeder delivers the stream of units to the stacker.The stacker has staging belts which receive portions of the stream and deposit the units serially on one of the transfer sheets, as it is withdrawn from the sheet stack. This forms an imbricated layer of the units and the transfer sheet. The stacker deposits the imbricated layer on a removable support and repeats the cycle to deposit successive imbricated layers on the preceding layers. Destacking is carried out by simply reversing the process.

Abstract: Method for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit, including the transfer of pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material onto supporting plates, which are rotatably mounted on a fixed frame of the feeding unit and which are arranged in a raised receiving position; the actuation of the supporting plates, at the end of the step of feeding the stacks onto the unit, from the raised receiving position to a lowered position for releasing the emptied pallets into an underlying removal station; and the return of the supporting plates to the raised receiving position. The device for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit includes supporting plates for supporting pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material.

Abstract: From a packing case containing a plurality of reels in plural rows and lines and in plural stages with separators interposed between adjacent stages, the reels and separators are taken out one stage after another and transferred to different locations. The apparatus generally comprises a first conveyer for conveying the case, a second conveyer for conveying the reels provided on one side of said first conveyer, a third conveyer for conveying the separators provided on the other side of said first conveyer, a first carriage adapted to travel along overhead rails between the respective overhead positions of the first and second conveyers and having reel attracting devices free to descend and ascend and a second carriage adapted to travel along the overhead rails between the respective overhead positions of the first conveyer and third conveyer and having separator attracting devices free to ascend and descend.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spacer for spacing two adjacent glass plates which are stood parallel to each other on a pallet. The spacer has a spacing plate part to be inserted between the two glass plates and a head part which rests on the upper edges of the two glass plates. According to the invention the spacer has a magnetic part which is formed of an easily magnetizable magnetic material and fixed to the spacing plate part. In taking away a plurality of glass plates stood in a parallel arrangement on a pallet one after another, the glass plate in the forefront is held by a plurality of suction pads mounted on a frame which is attached to a robot arm, and each of the spacers on that glass plate is removed by attracting it by an electromagnetic holder movably mounted on the frame and swinging the electromagnetic holder to separate the spacer from the glass plate held by the suction pads and then disabling the electromagnetic holder to allow the spacer to fall.

Abstract: High speed printers with extended run capabilities are disclosed. A plurality of like containers are provided for carrying copy sheets to the printer and for receiving copy output from the printer. The containers are fed one after the other to supply input sheets or receive output sheets. Spent input trays or filled output trays are moved transversely to the exterior of the printer. Conveyors are utilized for the continuous feeding of copy sheet input containers or copy sheet receiving containers.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting can end members comprising multiple tray units having multiple parallel rows of elongated compartments for receiving and supporting stacks of end members. The tray units are nestable and stackable one upon another to provide palletized loads of both empty and filled tray units. End loading and unloading apparatus is provided to enable simultaneous loading and unloading full tray compartments by simultaneous lateral movement of all of the stacks of end members between the tray compartments and a shuttle tray unit whereat all the stacks of end members are stored prior to loading and unloading of the tray unit. The shuttle tray unit is loaded and unloaded by stacking units of a lesser number than the number of tray compartments.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting can end members comprising multiple tray units having multiple parallel rows of elongated compartment for receiving and supporting stacks of end members. The tray units are nestable and stackable one upon another to provide palletized loads of both empty and filled tray units. End loading and unloading apparatus is provided to enable simultaneous loading and unloading full tray compartments so simultaneous lateral movement of all of the stacks of end members between the tray compartments and a shuttle tray unit whereat all the stacks of end members are stored prior to loading and unloading of the tray unit. The shuttle tray unit is loaded and unloaded by stacking units of a lesser number than the number of tray compartments.

Abstract: On pallets loaded with several layers (tiers 11), relatively thin intermediate layers 13 made of cardboard or the like are usually located between the tiers 11. These intermediate layers have to be removed after a tier 11 has been unloaded. For this purpose, a suction lifter 16 with a suction plate 17 is provided, which lifts and discharges the free intermediate layer by means of a vacuum. To avoid undesirable relative displacements of the stacked articles (blank stacks 12), the suction lifter 16 is provided with holding-down devices 22. These devices 22 pass through openings 23 in the intermediate layer 13 and come to abut the blank stacks 12, such that the latter are fixed in place when the intermediate layer 13 is lifted. Profile members 31 are arranged on the suction lifter 16 for further securing the articles (blank stacks 12). These members 31 enter cavities 32 formed between adjacent articles (blank stacks 12) in a form-fitting positive manner.

Abstract: The claw (2) is made up of a front part (3), moved vertically by a jack (31) and comprising a horizontal pressing plate (30) and a rear pressing plate (34), and a rear part (4) moved horizontally via another jack (46) and comprising a lower pressing plate (40) suspended by a pivot pin (42) from a stirrup-piece (41), a further jack (47 l) acting upon the rearward end (40A) of the lower pressing plate in order to raise and lower the front end (40B) thereof. When the rear pressing plate is lowered opposite a stack of blanks to be grasped, a slight depression (52) is created, whereby it is then possible to slip the front end of the lower pressing plate under the stack in order grasp it by raising the lower pressing plate and pressing the stack against the upper pressing plate. The claw is intended to be integrated in a depalletizer feeding a packing machine, particularly a machine making packs in the tobacco industry, especially packs of cigarettes.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of cutouts includes a centering member for supporting members of a plurality of stacks of cutouts, the stacks being arranged mutually side by side so as to form parallel and mutually adjacent rows on the supporting members; a unit for removing and transferring individual rows, provided with a head fitted with pushers which are arranged vertically side by side and are adapted to move a single row of stacks in a horizontal transfer direction; a switching platform which is adapted to cooperate with the pushers so as to receive the row of stacks and allow its transfer to a belt for input to the packaging machine.

Abstract: A frame includes a plate mounted thereon for driving movement along the frame. A captive pallet having a load thereon is staged onto the frame. The plate drives into an edge of the captive pallet thus driving the pallet from beneath the load and shifting the load to the plate. Continued plate movement transfers the load onto a shipping pallet beneath the plate. When the captive pallet includes a slip sheet, a gripping jaw holds the sheet while the plate drives the captive pallet from beneath the sheet thus providing transfer to a shipping pallet, or to the slip sheet only, in which the sides of the load are not touched.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a unit load from one pallet to another pallet or slip sheet without creasing the containers constituting the unit load. In one embodiment the unit load containing pallet and the empty pallet are aligned side-by-side on a platform. The platform is selectively moveable about an axis parallel to the adjacent sides of the pallets between a horizontal position and a tilted position in which the empty pallet is lowermost. A push plate moveable relative to the platform transfers the unit load onto the empty pallet or slip sheet while the platform is tilted. The force required to transfer the unit load is reduced, when contrasted to horizontal transfer, since the component forces of the unit load are changed by the tilting.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus and methods, especially for use with loose stacks of paper and the like in pallets. The invention includes depalletizing apparatus, distributing apparatus, and hopper loading apparatus; and material handling apparatus for transporting material between the depalletizing apparatus, the distributing apparatus, and the hopper loading apparatus. The depalletizing operation includes lateral sliding of layers of a pallet load onto a removal conveyor and then away from the pallet. Significant advantages are achieved by using a special spacing sheet in the pallet load instead of slip sheets and tie sheets. Fingers on the pusher extend below individual layers of the load and into the channels in a spacing sheet, effecting the removal of even the bottom layer of papers in a stack. Similar use of fingers and channels applies to operation of the hopper loader and its control of the bottom papers in the stack.

Abstract: A pallet inspection and stacking apparatus having a frame with an upper end. An elevator can index a stack of pallets upwardly in the frame as the uppermost pallet from the stack is subject to an automatic alignment mechanism and then is transferred from the stack to a transversely located inspection mechanism. The inspection mechanism grips the side edges of the pallet and rotates the pallet for inspection purposes. A rejected pallet can be released from the inspection mechanism and deposited on another elevator that is indexed downwardly as rejected pallets are stacked on it until the rejected stack is removed by a conveyor. Accepted pallets are transferred from the inspection mechanism to an outfeed bay where the pallets are gripped and sequentially deposited on an elevator which is indexed downwardly as the stack grows.

Abstract: The apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material comprises a unit for removing and transferring stacks of sheet material which are arranged mutually side by side on supports, so as to form superimposed layers separated by supporting trays which have, in an upward position, ridges which define, below each stack, a through opening. The removal and transfer unit has a head provided with a grip element which can laterally approach each stack through the opening, grip the stack in a clamp-like manner and transfer it to a station for feeding the material in sheets to the packaging machine. A device for removing the emptied supporting trays is provided.

Abstract: A pallet (4) bearing a load of objects (5) disposed in horizontal layers formed of parallel rows aligned in a certain direction (Y) is raised step by step on a frame (1) by a lift (2, 3). A transfer arrangement (7) provided with claws (31) is mounted on a carriage (8). A control causes the claws to engage under each of the objects of a row so that this row is secured to the transfer arrangement, after which the row is placed on a conveyor (10) which then transfers it to another conveyor (11). This latter conveyor moves in the aforementioned direction and brings each object to the entry station (14) of a machine (15).

Abstract: A destacking apparatus for stacked pallets has at the destacking station not only a raisable and lowerable destacking platform but at least a raisable and lowerable receiving platform upstream of the destacking platform so that, when the destacking platform is brought to its lowest position, a stacked pallet from the receiving platform can be transferred onto it. Because the receiving platform can receive the stacked pallets at a higher location or level, the time previously required for moving the stacked platform down from this higher level to a position in which destacking can begin from the top of the stack is eliminated and the entire operation is expedited.

Abstract: A device for lifting at least one material stack from a support, in particular a stack of blanks from an intermediate support or bottom support in the tobacco industry, comprises the following features: a gripper is guided freely movable in all directions by an industrial robot; the gripper comprises at least one clamping element which is displaceable in the vertical direction and adapted to be placed on the or each stack, at least one elastically deformable finger insertable between the stack and the intermediate or bottom support as well as sensors for detecting the distance between the gripper and the stack; a control circuit including at least one logic unit evaluates and processes the output signals of the sensors and controls the movement of the gripper from a predetermined starting position into the lifting position, the clamping of a stack between a finger and a clamping element, and the subsequent lifting and the carrying away of the or each stack.

Abstract: A slip sheet removal apparatus for removing a dunnage sheet disposed beneath a paperboard blank stack conveyed by a conveyor assembly, the slip sheet removal apparatus comprising a dunnage sheet removal assembly having a stationary subassembly with roller driven drive belts and a retractable subassembly with guide belts thereon. Fluid actuators selectively raise and lower the retractable subassembly to engage a leading edge of the dunnage sheet as it advances on the conveyor assembly to pull the dunnage sheet underneath the conveyor assembly for storage and later removal. Also, a pivot conveyor assembly receives the paperboard stack from the conveyor assembly to alter the direction of travel thereof if required.