Abstract: A parts supply apparatus includes a supply tray stacking portion where a supply tray containing parts is stacked; a tray raising/lowering unit for separating one of the supply trays from the supply tray stacking portion; a tray holding unit with which the tray raising/lowering unit is provided; and an empty tray stacking portion where an empty tray, which is the supply tray that is emptied after supply of the parts, is stacked. The empty tray stacking portion is disposed above the supply tray stacking portion in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An end-of-arm tool and corresponding system and method for automated de-palletization of a stack of totes include resilient guide arms that extend outwardly in a cascading relationship, with the lower guide arm extending farther than higher arms. The cascading relationship of the guide arms enables totes in a stack to be engaged and aligned sequentially from lowest to highest.

Abstract: A device for selectively picking up and depositing articles to an automatic warehouse, comprising: a support plane (2), for the temporary support of an article (A); a temporary support (3), for the temporary support of a tray (V) intended to contain a predetermined number of articles (A); a manipulator (4,5), structured to grasp and release an article (A) and to translate the article (A) between the support plane (2) and the temporary support (3). The manipulator (4,5) comprises a first pickup element (4) and a second pickup element (5), movable independently of each other along a transverse direction (Y).

Abstract: Multi-reference palletizing device comprising first displacement means (11) for moving a load (2) in a direction transverse to a pallet (6) and second displacement means (12) for moving the load (2) in a direction longitudinal to the depth of the pallet (6), comprising a surface (50) on which the load (2) rests, the surface (50) being movable in the longitudinal direction (6). The first displacement means (11) comprise a surface (40) on which the load (2) rests, movable in the transverse direction and suitable for positioning the load (2) in a final transverse position. It further comprises fastening means (20, 21) for fastening the load (2) to stabilize the load (2) during the movement thereof from the final transverse position to the final position in the longitudinal direction. The fastening means (20, 21) comprise members configured to laterally fasten the load (2).

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, a system and method for improving the stacking of containers on or in a transportation unit. In some implementations, a stacking configuration may be planned that identifies containers and a position for those containers in the stacking configuration. The stacking configuration may be planned based on dimension values of the containers such that when stacked the stacking configuration remains stable. In addition, to improve the efficiency at which containers may be stacked, the disclosure describes that containers and/or the picking of items for those containers may be sequenced so that the containers, when packed and routed, arrive in a manner that allows efficient stacking.

Abstract: A pallet for transporting products thereon, the pallet comprising a top with a product supporting surface and an opposing underside, four feet and at least four sides, wherein the four feet each extend away from the underside of the top, have a first opening facing out through the product supporting surface, and have an inner member extending from a further opening in the sole of the foot, the part of the sole surrounding the further opening connecting the inner member to an outer wall of the foot, and the inner member extending away from the sole towards the product supporting surface, the feet thus allowing stacking of a plurality of such pallets with the feet of a first such pallet extending into the first openings of a second such pallet, and with the inner member of the second such pallet extending into the second openings of the first such pallet.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, a system and method for improving the stacking of containers on or in a transportation unit. In some implementations, a stacking configuration may be planned that identifies containers and a position for those containers in the stacking configuration. The stacking configuration may be planned based on dimension values of the containers such that when stacked the stacking configuration remains stable. In addition, to improve the efficiency at which containers may be stacked, the disclosure describes that containers and/or the picking of items for those containers may be sequenced so that the containers, when packed and routed, arrive in a manner that allows efficient stacking.

Abstract: A device for engaging and aligning items moving along a conveyance line that are to be positioned on a pallet is provided. The device includes a robotic arm positioned adjacent the conveyance line and having a manipulator thereon. The manipulator includes a number of fingers that extend downwardly from the manipulator in order to engage the items on the conveyance line. The fingers operate to stop and align the items to form a well-defined stack in the shape defined by the position of the fingers on the manipulator. The manipulator can rotate while the fingers are in engagement with the stack of items in order to reposition the items as desired for placement on the pallet by sliding the items along the various surfaces of the system and without lifting the items off of the conveyance line, thereby limiting the cost and time associated with the operation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to a stacking mechanism having electrical actuators for stacking slabs of sod on a sod harvesting machine. The electrical actuators allow the stacking head to be driven in three axes. The stacking mechanism also includes position feedback sensors for reporting the position of the stacking head to enable precision when operating the stacking head at a fast rate. The stacking mechanism of the present invention also provides temporary pallet support wings to enable the continued stacking of slabs of sod on one pallet even while another pallet is being dropped from the sod harvesting machine.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The system includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: In a system, one or more robotic arms are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and one or more picking elements are connected to each of the robotic arms. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the robotic arms and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the robotic arms and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: A method for loading a pallet, including placing packages in layers on a first pallet disposed in a first pallet disposed in a first plane, providing a second pallet above the packed first pallet in a second plane, and transporting the packed first pallet away. Also, a method for unloading for unloading a pallet, including removing packages, particularly bottle crates, in layers from a first pallet disposed in a first plane, providing a second packed pallet below the first pallet in a second plane, and transporting the first pallet away. Also, a corresponding palletizer for loading or unloading a pallet in layers.

Abstract: An infeed station has a carriage that is supported on a machine frame of the infeed station in a way that allows it to be moved laterally and a stack conveyor mounted on the carriage for conveying stacks from an infeed position to a transfer position, from which the stacks can each be removed by the stack gripper. The stacks can be centered in two stack chambers, which are arranged side by side on the carriage. A stop element supported on the carriage is assigned to each stack chamber and can be moved between a working position and a retracted position, such that in their working position, the stop elements project into the associated stack chamber in such a way that the stacks can be moved by the stack gripper from a forward holding position of the transfer position towards the stop elements and placed against the stop elements. The stacks positioned on the stop elements are gripped by the stack gripper between a finger and pressing means and conveyed to a pallet.

Abstract: A method of forming layered stacks of bundles includes providing a gripping appliance comprising a first gripping assembly and a second gripping assembly. The first gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more first bundles and the second gripping assembly is configured for grasping one or more second bundles. The first and second gripping assemblies are configured such that first and second bundles grasped thereby may be reoriented relative to one another. The method further includes retrieving from a first location one or more first bundles with the first gripping assembly and one or more second bundles with the second gripping assembly and transporting the first and second bundles to a second location, During transport of the first and second bundles, the bundles are reoriented relative to one another. The bundles are deposited at a selected position in the second location to form at least a partial layer of a layered stack of bundles.

Abstract: An automatic stacker with a hydraulically operated pivoting fork assembly for receiving beams from a continuously moving production line using a fork assembly, a drive assembly that operates automatically, a pair of moving bidirectional members in strands using various sensors and a control assembly with computer instructions that can engage a remote control and other live decks and roll cases, to allow automatic stacking of beams into tiers and into bundles, including stacking from a remote location while allowing monitoring and management of multiple stackers from a remote location.

Abstract: Some embodiments concern an apparatus configured to label one or more boxes supported by a pallet. In various examples, the pallet can have a pallet label. The apparatus can include: (a) a reading mechanism configured to read first information from the pallet label; (b) a computing system configured to determine one or more markings to apply at one or more predetermined locations to the one or more boxes at least partially based on the first information; (c) a marking mechanism configured to apply the one or more markings to the one or more boxes at the one or more predetermined locations; and (d) a first movement mechanism configured to at least partially position the marking mechanism to apply the one or more markings at the one or more predetermined locations. The marking mechanism is configured to mark each of the one or more boxes without removing the one or more boxes from the pallet. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An array of objects stands on a flexible web on a horizontal support, and a frame at the accumulation region gathers the objects at the downstream end into a group having a plurality of transverse rows. A transport element formed as a blind has an end edge and is shifted shiftable atop the web upstream in the direction between a ready position with the end edge spaced from the group standing on the web and a pickup position underlying the entire group. A lifting element underneath the web moves jointly with the transport element such that the web is raised immediately upstream of the end edge of the transport element to raise downstream edges of the objects and the transport element is engageable between the objects in the group and the web so the transport element can slide underneath the objects in the group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a consignment system and method for loading a freight carrier (2) with freight units (4) forming a freight stack (3), either manually or on an automated basis. The consignment system comprises a device (1) with a positioning conveyor unit (16) which has conveyor tracks (50a, 50b) which can be adjusted by means of a displacement device (52) to a distance (53) determined on the basis of the conveying property of the freight unit (4) to be stacked and/or from a gap width (81) of a stack gap in a stack position of the freight stack (3).

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting a product to a manipulator, comprising a transfer location provided with a number of mutually parallel first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal first support edge, and a number of strip-shaped second support elements extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal second support edge, wherein the first support elements on the one hand and the second support elements on the other hand can move vertically up and down relative to each other. This way spaces can be made between the first support elements and between the second support elements respectively, in which spaces finger means of a manipulator can be inserted for picking up a product. The invention further provides a system and a method for automated loading of a carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking objects on a transport carrier. The apparatus is provided with a forming platform, a loading platform on which a transport carrier to be loaded, such as a pallet or a roller container, can be placed, and a gripper which is movable between the forming platform and the loading platform. The gripper comprises a support frame which is provided with at least one row of parallel forks, which forks comprise an upright to which a horizontal beam is attached at a distance beneath the support frame, wherein the beams can be moved backward and forward in their longitudinal direction, wherein each fork is individually adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame. The forks are independently adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame.

Abstract: In a method for automated palletizing of packages, in particular by means of a manipulator, packages are arranged on the edge of a loading area and, if possible, a virtual initial layer of multiple packages is initially generated and this layer is then centered relative to the loading area.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an arrangement for stacking timber packages in layer that uses a transfer arrangement comprising mobile carrier planes. The carrier planes in turn form a direct continuation of an input transporter in order to receive layers fed from this transporter by being caused to lift from below a complete layer from the input transporter and displacing the layer in over the stacking table. After that, the carrier planes are withdrawn from the stacking table while the layer of timber is scraped off from the carrier plane or, the stacking table is arranged to move downwards. The transfer arrangement uses a first, a second and a third carrier plane which are arranged to move mutually in a cycle in such a manner that one pair of two consecutive carrier planes is located at the same time at a position above the stacking table.

Abstract: A method and equipment to stack palletless and as to their size variable packages (1) on warehouse rack (15) and to retrieve them from the rack and to control the logistics of packages, in which the warehouse rack is furnished with an automatic packages stacking and retrieving robot, and in which the control of warehouse data and logistics takes place by a data system. Equipment (5) receives package (1), for instance, onto conveyor belt (2), equipment (5) carries out weighing of package (1), determination for the necessary space requirement, reading of remote code connected to package (1), as RFID code (20) in order to choose the rack space determined for it on basis of previous functions, and package (1) is retrieved from the rack steered either by the order of the user or of the data system, and the data from above mentioned stacking and retrieving functions are transmitted to the data system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compact palletizers that include a stretch-wrap operation as the pallet is built. A four-sided compaction mechanism compresses the rough-built load to the final pallet size and then the entire layer is released to the pallet. Individual items or group of items are picked and placed onto a layer support device in a loose orientation. The loose orientation enables a much faster palletizing operation because the robotic arm that pick-and-places the item, the items, or the row of items, can travel much faster as it does not have to precisely locate the item, items, or row of items. During the time that a layer is being loosely constructed on the layer support device concurrent wrapping can occur.

Abstract: In a method and system for depalletizing tires using a robot, wherein the tires are randomly located on a carrier, the position and orientation of outer tires on the carrier are detected using a sensor, and a processor, using a signal from the sensor, determines a tire that can be gripped by a gripping tool of an industrial robot, and calculates a movement path for the gripping tool for that tire. If the calculated path is not collision-free, another tire from among the outer tires is selected, and a movement path for depalletizing that tire is determined. The procedure is repeated until a collision-free movement path for a tire from among the outer tires is established. The gripping tool is then guided according to this collision-free movement path to depalletize the tire having the collision-free path associated therewith.

Abstract: A material handling storage, retrieval and load building system receives source pallets, bearing product loads in full or partial layers, stores them in a variety of locations depending on the frequency of demand for products thereon and builds homogeneous product or similar product full or partial layers on target or order pallets, in both single and multiple layer picks, from products on the source pallets, to order after retrieving the source pallets to a building pallet location. Pallets are transferred within the system on pallet stands which are selectively coupled to automatically guided vehicles, thus providing significant flexibility in the pallet storage locations and in the transfer distance within the system. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects of different sizes on a support to form a stacked support includes providing a support handler. A support is elevated with the support handler and objects of different sizes and shapes are stacked on the support to form a stacked support. A stacked support is removed and an empty support supplied with the support handler. A placeholder is provided above the support handler. The placeholder has a first mode for receiving objects on the placeholder. The placeholder has a second mode for providing access to a support on the support handler. The placeholder is put in the first mode while the support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support. The placeholder is put in the second mode when the support handler is elevating a support being stacked with articles.

Abstract: A sheet stacking and pallet loading system configured to stack sheets of material on a first pallet while holding a second pallet in a staging position above the first pallet. The system can include an elevator for supporting the first pallet in a loading position while the sheets are stacked on the first pallet. After a sufficient quantity of sheets has been stacked thereon, the elevator can lower the first pallet from its loading position. The second pallet can then be lowered from its staging position such that the sheets can be stacked thereon. The system can further include extendable pallet supports which can be extended to support the second pallet while the first pallet is being lowered by the elevator. The pallet loading system can further include a pallet-grasping assembly having, first, a frame movable along a track and, second, one or more end-effectors movable relative to the frame for engaging a pallet.

Abstract: A first layer of items is assembled on a movable conveyor belt on a support platform, and the conveyor belt advances to position the first layer of items above and in registration with a pallet while a second layer of items is assembled behind the first layer. The conveyor belt then stops, and part of the support platform and an associated portion of the conveyor belt retract from beneath the first layer of items, depositing the first layer of items on the pallet, after which the pallet is indexed downward. The retractable portion of the support platform and the associated portion of the conveyor belt then extend to the position above and in registration with the pallet, and the conveyor belt advances during this extension to position the second layer of items above and in registration with the pallet. Apparatus for placing slip sheets onto pallets is also described.

Abstract: A system (1), a method and an operating unit (62) for the creation of mixed layers for pallets (81, 82, 83, 84) are disclosed. A storage (10) is provided in which at least two different pack types are stored on a plurality of pallets (81, 82, 83, 84), including a plurality of layers of homogenous packs. The packs are intermediately stored in a plurality of individual, parallel conveyors (301, 302, . . . 30N) in a homogenous state. Based on the input of a user (5) on a touch panel (62), the packs are supplied to a grouping table (50) via a supply conveyor (40) in a predetermined sequence. A controller (60) is associated with the system (1) so that, in the grouping table (50), individual different pack types are allocated to the predefined positions of the different pack types as a function of predefined positions of the different pack types in a layer pattern (14) of a layer (24) of a production pallet (12).

Abstract: A method for automated commissioning of bundles includes providing different source palettes and palettizing at least one target palette, with bundle layers of different source palettes being individualized and/or magazined in alternation and/or with variable predetermination, and/or bundles or bundle groups being magazined and/or demagazined in stacks before palettizing of the target palette, and/or the target palette is selectively palettized with at least one non-individualized bundle layer of a source palette.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: The invention relates to facility including a robot (2) for supplying pallet preparation stations with products (3) of the crate type or different. The structure of the facility includes side walls (11) and doors (13, 14) for accessing the palletization stations A and B. The structure further includes a fixed wall (15) separating stations A and B, and a cowling (20) mobile from one station to the other and in the shape of a dihedron, for alternatively converting each palletization station A and B into a kind of pallet hatch, wherein said conversion is carried out automatically before the opening of the door for accessing a loaded pallet located in said hatch. The cowling (20) is directly actuated by the product handling robot (2).

Abstract: A package unit includes: a thin packaged product in which a thin display device is packed; an individual packaging pallet formed in a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to a shape of the packaged product loaded, the individual packaging pallet including fork insertion openings in a side surface in a long side direction thereof; and a loading pallet formed in a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to a shape of a plurality of package bodies including the packaged product and the individual packaging pallet, the package bodies loaded side by side, the loading pallet including fork insertion openings in both of a side surface in a long side direction thereof and a side surface in a short side direction thereof.

Abstract: A device for forming stacks of piece goods batches, includes a movable transport device for transporting the piece goods batch. A feed device feeds the piece goods batch to the transport device. The transport device includes a support device which at least intermittently supports the piece goods batch and relative to which the piece goods batch can move and which can be removed essentially completely from a region located below the piece goods batch. The transport device includes at least one controllable fixing device for temporarily fixing an intermediate layer, wherein the fixing device for fixing the intermediate layer moves below the piece goods batch.

Abstract: A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading drums into a drum container, in which a function of gripping a lid of the drum container is added to a gripper used when a drum filled with radioactive waste is loaded into the drum container, thereby considerably reducing loading time of the drums, risk of dropping the drum, and preventing a radiation exposure risk. The apparatus includes a drum feeder transferring a drum, a drum container into which the drums transferred through the drum feeder are sequentially loaded, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane having a gripper that selectively grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid. The gripper includes radial gripper arms, an arm hydraulic unit reciprocating the gripper arms, jaws on inner sides of the gripper arms and gripping an outer surface of the drum, and latches for latching the drum container lid.

Abstract: A process and associated apparatus (1) for picking up, transferring and depositing a whole layer of products to be palletized, the pickup apparatus (1) including a flexible loading surface (5) which is movable between two positions, a wound position for defining a bottom opening, and a deployed position for closing the opening to thereby define the loading surface, the motion being driven by an associated motor unit (17). In the pickup process, the layer of containers is reached by the flexible loading surface (5) in a wound position to be introduced in such configuration in the apparatus. The layer of containers therein introduced is transferred onto the flexible surface by retracting the pickup apparatus. Actuation occurs either after disconnecting the drive between the flexible loading surface (5) and the associated motor unit or by synchronizing the unit with the arms of the corresponding robot (2) associated to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically loading drums into a drum container, in which, when the drums filled with radioactive waste are loaded into the drum container, the drums are fed to a designated position, and placed at a fixed position, reducing loading time and manpower as well as minimizing radiation exposure risk associated with radioactive waste treatment. The apparatus includes a drum feeder having conveyor modules transferring the drums and a turntable rotating a drum transferred to an orientation where the drum can be gripped, for sequentially loading the drums, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane that grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid.

Abstract: A palletizing robot includes at least one rotatable pallet; a crane comprising a rotary base, a lifting frame fixed on the rotary base, and an extensible mechanical hand slidably engaged to the lifting frame to grasp a good; and a controller. The controller controls the crane and the at least one rotatable pallet to cooperatively stack the goods on the rotatable pallet, and control the at least one rotatable pallet to rotate itself to package the stacked goods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compact palletizers that include a stretch-wrap operation as the pallet is built. A four-sided compaction mechanism compresses the rough-built load to the final pallet size and then the entire layer is released to the pallet. Individual items or group of items are picked and placed onto a layer support device in a loose orientation. The loose orientation enables a much faster palletizing operation because the robotic arm that pick-and-places the item, the items, or the row of items, can travel much faster as it does not have to precisely locate the item, items, or row of items. During the time that a layer is being loosely constructed on the layer support device concurrent wrapping can occur.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting a product to a manipulator, comprising a transfer location provided with a number of mutually parallel first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal first support edge, and a number of strip-shaped second support elements extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal second support edge, wherein the first support elements on the one hand and the second support elements on the other hand can move vertically up and down relative to each other. This way spaces can be made between the first support elements and between the second support elements respectively, in which spaces finger means of a manipulator can be inserted for picking up a product. The invention further provides a system and a method for automated loading of a carrier.

Abstract: A gripping head (1) comprises a supporting element (11), e.g. a horizontal plate, adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis (&alpha,-) with which two or more grippers (12) are pivotally associated, so that each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (?) thereof, said rotation axes being parallel to each other, and being the rotation motion of each gripper independent from the others. Therefore, each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (?) thereof and revolve about the rotation axis (?) of the supporting element with which they are pivotally associated. A preferred plant, comprising said gripping head (1), comprises a belt conveyor and a mechanical limb (2) with which said gripping head (1) is pivotally associated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compact palletizers that include a stretch-wrap operation as the pallet is built. Specifically, the present invention uses a robot to place items from a fixed infeed elevation either above or, alternatively, below the height of the finished load. A four-sided compression mechanism compresses the rough-built load to the final pallet size and then the entire layer is released to the pallet. Individual items or group of items are picked and placed onto a layer support device in a loose orientation. The loose orientation enables a much faster palletizing operation because the robotic arm that pick-and-places the item, the items, or the row of items, can travel much faster as it does not have to precisely locate the item, items, or row of items. During the time that a layer is being loosely constructed on the layer support device concurrent wrapping can occur.

Abstract: System and apparatus for automatically stacking trays involve receiving trays on a receiving platform, detecting the arrival of the tray on the platform, and synchronously displacing the tray to a moveable tray cart located in a tray stacking area of a stacking tower. An automated tray sliding mechanism displaces the tray to the stacking area upon detection of the tray at the receiving platform. Trays displaced in the stacking area of a lower section of a stacking tower form a tray stack. A stack elevator of the tower engages and elevates the tray stack providing a space beneath the stack allowing the next incoming tray to be displaced into the stacking area and assume the provided space beneath the tray stack, the incoming tray thereby assuming the lowermost position in the tray stack. Trays are added to the lowermost position in the stack until the stack height reaches a predetermined height and is removed from the stacking area.

Abstract: A modular split palletizer for loading layers of articles on stackable pallets. The palletizer has a frame supporting first, second, and third sections. The first section includes a layer build area and a first portion of a stacker transfer track. The second section includes a tier sheet bin, a top frame bin, and a second portion of the track. The third section includes a pallet build area and a third portion of the track. Each of the first, second, and third sections can be disassembled, moved individually and independently, and re-assembled at a new location to form the complete palletizer. Also disclosed is a method of relocating the modular split palletizer. With the palletizer at one location, the utilities connected to the palletizer are disconnected, the fasteners holding the sections together are released, and the sections are separated. The disassembled sections are moved to the new location and reassembled.

Abstract: A handling apparatus can be used to transfer objects from a first location to a second location along a defined path, without the need for a conveyor along the path. Instead, the handling apparatus can be moved along the path by a controllable transport device, such as a robot arm. The handling apparatus can comprise a plurality of unpowered rollers which are selectively rotated by way of a transfer assist mechanism during loading and/or unloading of the objects to be transferred. The transfer assist mechanism can comprise a separate component that can power the rollers directly or indirectly. The transfer assist mechanism can comprise a belt which imparts rotational force to the support rollers via contact in some embodiments, with the amount of force controlled by varying the relative inclination of the support rollers and the transfer assist mechanism.

Abstract: A grabber for automatically grabbing and placing packing units of different dimensions and configurations includes a frame with a support, a hold-down device and a stripper attached to the frame. The support supports a bottom portion of a respective packing unit, and is generally horizontally movable with respect to the frame. The hold-down device is downwardly movable toward the support to clamp the respective packing unit between the support and the hold-down device. The stripper is disposed above the support and is generally horizontally movable. The respective packing unit is substantially immobilized by the hold-down device and the stripper as the support is retracted.

Abstract: A method of assembling pallets 14, 20, 28 containing first stock units 50 for use in the fulfillment of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of first pallets 14 each containing a quantity of the first stock units 50 and moving a portion of the first stock units 50 from at least one of the first pallets 14 onto one or more second pallets 20 in establishing desired quantities of the first stock units 50 in the first and second pallets 14, 20 for use in the fulfillment of the stock orders. In one form, the sequence of order fulfillment is controlled to increase the quantity of first stock units on the first pallets used in fulfilling the stock orders. A distribution system and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for handling packs or similar unit loads in a packaging plant where packs exiting from a packaging machine are distributed and in the process optionally rotated and palletized in a palletizer, wherein distribution, rotation and palletizing are performed essentially continuously and directly consecutively from the packaging machine to the palletizer.