Abstract: A test assembly is used to determine a characteristic of a separator sheet. The test assembly includes a source of light to illuminate at least a portion of the separator sheet. The test assembly also includes a vision inspection system to record at least one discrete image of the illuminated surface of the separator sheet and apply at least one test to the discrete image to determine the characteristic of the separator sheet.

Abstract: A wrap removal system for removing a film wrap from a load on a conveyor, the wrap removal system including an upright support member, a beam coupled to an upper extent of the support member for movement along a height of the support member, a gripper assembly coupled to the beam and operable to engage the film wrap to create a space between the load and the film wrap, and a cutter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a separator sheet handling assembly 10 that includes a lifting assembly 20 adapted to receive a pallet 12 containing a stack of separator sheets 14. The lifting assembly 20 positions the stack of separator sheets 14 into a predetermined location where a feed assembly 30 engages a separator sheet 16 positioned at the top of the stack of separator sheets 14. The feed assembly 30 removes the separator sheet 16 and transports it to a test assembly 50 where the separator sheet 16 is monitored for a particular characteristic such as cleanliness or structural integrity. The separator sheet 16 is delivered to a first storage assembly 60 if the separator sheet 16 has the particular characteristic, or a second storage assembly 70 if the separator sheet 16 does not include the particular characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a separator sheet handling assembly (10) that includes a lifting assembly (20) adapted to receive a pallet (12) containing a stack of separator sheets (14). The lifting assembly (20) positions the stack of separator sheets (14) into a predetermined location where a feed assembly (30) engages a separator sheet (16) positioned at the top of the stack of separator sheets (14). The feed assembly (30) removes the separator sheet (16) and transports it to a test assembly (50) where the separator sheet (16) is monitored for a particular characteristic such as cleanlines or structural integrity. The separator sheet (16) is delivered to a first storage assembly (60) if the separator sheet (16) has the particular characteristic, or a second storage assembly (70) if the separator sheet (16) does not include the particular characteristic.

Abstract: An article row former for arranging an unorganized stream of articles into a plurality of rows. The row former includes a conveyor for conveying articles in a flow direction and a frame. A support assembly is slideably coupled to the frame for movement above the conveyor substantially parallel to the flow direction, and a carriage assembly is slideably coupled to the frame for movement above the conveyor substantially perpendicular to the flow direction. Each of a plurality of elongated guides has an upstream end that is pivotally coupled to the support assembly, and a downstream end that is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly. The guides define a plurality of guide channels that receive the articles. Each of a plurality of starwheels is rotatably coupled to the downstream end of a respective guide, and rotate in timed relation with the movement of the carriage assembly to control the release of articles from the guide channels.

Abstract: A palletizer for stacking a series of items on a pallet, the palletizer including a pallet hoist for supporting a stack of pallets therein; a pallet lift mechanism mounted for vertical movement within the pallet hoist adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets, the pallet lift assembly including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members mounted on the pallet lift assembly for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support member and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein the pallet support member is in an interference position relative to the stack of pallets; a top frame dispenser for supporting a supply of top frames; and a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from the pallet hoist and the top frame dispenser, respectively.

Abstract: A palletizer assembly is comprised of a conveyor (14), a pattern-making apparatus (18) for arranging objects received from the conveyor into a pattern, a main hoist (26) for supporting a pallet in position to receive a layer of objects, a sweep apparatus (22) for moving a discrete number of objects from the pattern-making apparatus into a layer of objects on the pallet, and a separator sheet handler assembly (50) for delivering separator sheets to the main hoist for separating layers of objects on the pallet. The separator sheet handler assembly (50) includes a first stage handler (70) including a chute (86), for moving a single separator sheet into the chute. The separator sheet handle assembly (50) also includes a second stage handler (74) for moving the sheet from the chute (86) into position in the main hoist (26).

Abstract: A container handling system (10) comprises a first belt conveyor (14), an air bed conveyor (16) adjacent the outlet (34) of the first belt conveyor (14), a second belt conveyor (18) adjacent the outlet 54) of the air bed conveyor (16), a pattern forming apparatus (110) including first and second partitions (114) defining therebetween a lane (118), a top cover (154) slidably positionable over the air bed conveyor (16) and over a portion of the pattern forming apparatus (110), and an alignment mechanism (170). The lane (118) has an inlet (138) positioned over the air bed conveyor (16) and an outlet (142) positioned over the second belt conveyor (18). The top cover (154) is movable along the direction of flow of containers (C) between covered and uncovered positions. The top cover includes a solid portion (158), and a perforated portion (162) allowing air to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A palletizer for stacking a series of items on a pallet, the palletizer including a pallet hoist for supporting a stack of pallets therein; a pallet lift mechanism mounted for vertical movement within the pallet hoist adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets, the pallet lift assembly including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members mounted on the pallet lift assembly for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support member and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein the pallet support member is in an interference position relative to the stack of pallets; a top frame dispenser for supporting a supply of top frames; and a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from the pallet hoist and the top frame dispenser, respectively.

Abstract: A palletizer (10) for stacking a series of items on a pallet (P), the palletizer (10) including a pallet hoist (34) for supporting a stuck of pallets therein; a pallet lift mechanism (82) mounted for vertical movement within the pallet hoist (34) adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets (P), the pallet lift assembly (82) including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members (110) mounted on the pallet lift assembly (82) for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support member (110) and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein the pallet support member (110) is in an interference position relative to the stack of pallets; a top frame dispenser (38) for supporting a supply of top frames (T); and a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from the pallet hoist (34) and the top frame dispenser (38), respectively.

Abstract: A palletizer assembly including a sweep assembly including a frame having a pair of generally parallel side members and a pair of cross members extending between respective ends of the side members, the sweep assembly also including a pair of forward stanchions that extend vertically upward from respective side members, and a pair of rearward stanchions extending vertically upward from the upstream ends of the side members, a pair of generally vertically extending slides, each having a lower end connected to a side member and an upper end, plunger assemblies including a plunger support slidably supported by a respective slide between a lowered position and a raised position, each plunger assembly including a plurality of plungers which are fixed to, and extend downwardly from, the respective plunger support, and a container shift assembly supported by the frame and including a pair of shifter slide rails extending rearwardly of the rearward plunger support, the upstream ends of the shifter slide rails being o

Abstract: A palletizer comprising a main hoist for raising and lowering a pallet, a feed conveyor for moving a layer of patterned objects on to the pallet, a pallet dispenser including a base, a generally horizontally extending pallet supporting member, scissors structure for moving the supporting member vertically relative to the base, a motor having an output shaft, and structure for operably connecting the output shaft to the scissors structure such that the supporting member moves upward at a generally constant velocity in response to rotation of the output shaft at a generally constant rotational velocity, and structure for conveying pallets from the pallet dispenser to the main hoist.