Abstract: An apparatus for palletizing or cubing layers of articles such as cartons includes a palletizer subassembly for stacking multiple layers of articles, a loading subassembly for moving a prepared layer of articles to the palletizer subassembly and an ejection subassembly for ejecting stacked layers of articles. The ejection subassembly includes an open frame selectively engaged by the loading subassembly for movement into the article palletizer subassembly. A pusher plate is slidably mounted for vertical movement on the open frame. The pusher plate is movable to a first position above a layer of articles on a preparation area so that a prepared layer of articles may be moved through the open frame and into the palletizer subassembly. The pusher plate is movable to a second position at which it will engage the stacked layer of articles when the open frame is shifted towards the palletizer subassembly by the loading subassembly.

Abstract: A unit load of rectangular objects is provided including a plurality of breakaway modules. Each breakaway module comprises a parallel array of objects stacked in side-by-side relationship in successive layers. The breakaway modules are stacked in end-to-end relationship to form the unit load. A plurality of severable longitudinally extending angled corner braces interconnect the modules. A plurality of tension bands are provided, each tension band surrounding the corner braces and a single parallel array of objects to secure each parallel array of objects in modular form. A pull sheet may be provided for selectively longitudinally interconnecting the modules or a disposable pallet may be provided, the pallet being frangible between modules to facilitate breakaway of each module.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for palletizing or cubing layers of articles such as cartons. The apparatus includes a first subassembly for preparing a layer of articles and introducing the layer into a palletizer subassembly. The palletizer includes a fixed frame supporting a plurality of spaced, generally parallel rollers. A carriage support frame is carried by the fixed frame for vertical movement relative thereto. A pair of carriages are slidably supported by the support frame for movement towards and away from the rollers along the axis of rotation of the rollers. Each carriage includes a plurality of horizontally positioned, spaced tines or fingers which extend between the spaced rollers when the carriages are moved towards the rollers. Clamps supported on the carriage support frame engage a raised layer of articles as well as the successive layer positioned underneath the raised layer upon which the raised articles are placed in order to properly position the articles relative to each other.