Abstract: A single robot of a two-lane bin packing system has an end of arm tool (EOAT) that interfaces with two infeed lines and two bins on an ongoing basis so that the robot can pick a group of bags from a first bag group staging area on the first infeed line while a group of bags is being formed in a second bag group staging area by the second infeed line. In addition, by interfacing with two separate bins, one bin can be filled while another, full bin is being replaced with an empty bin. The EOAT thus operates constantly. The bag groups can be formed in layers by discharging bags on a reciprocating shuttle of a pick table assembly.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for unloading cartons in a carton pile has a mobile body and a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body that has an end effector at a movable end thereof to unload cartons from the carton pile. A conveyor system is attached to the mobile body and extends from front to rear of the carton unloader to convey cartons received thereon by the moveable robotic arm. The conveyor system comprises a central portion carried on the mobile body and a front portion extending therefrom towards the carton pile. The front portion is configured to change width from narrow to wider to act as a shield to catch and then move falling cartons received thereon.

Abstract: A device for automatically stacking packages on an intermediate plate in a predetermined spatial arrangement for forming a stack, comprising at least one feed conveyor which arranges the individual packages in a predetermined order; a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering the intermediate plate; a sliding plate and a pusher, in order to transport the packages in the Z-direction to the predetermined position in the stack, and with the intermediate plate comprising two partially displaceable plates.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically stacking beams from a continuously moving live deck, wherein the method involves sequentially receiving a plurality of beams onto a stacking fork assembly, pivoting the stacking fork assembly from a receiving position to a stacking position forming a tier of beams, placing the tier on a pair of bidirectional moving members, moving the tier away from the stacking fork assembly, rotating the stacking fork assembly back to the receiving position to sequentially receive another plurality of beams, pivoting the plurality of beams forming a second tier, moving the first tier back to contact the second tier, moving the contacted first and second tier away from the stacking fork assembly enabling a third or fourth tier to be formed and contact the first and second tiers, forming a bundle.

Abstract: The device includes a stacking surface movable in a substantially vertical direction, on which layers of products to be packaged are superposed, and a pair of conveyors substantially superposed to feed the layers of products to the stacking surface. The device also includes a pair of walls substantially parallel, and substantially vertical, between which the layers of products are inserted by the conveyors when they are stacked on the stacking surface. The walls move reciprocally towards and away from each other to take a position of greater reciprocal distance, in which they do not interfere with the products deposited on the stacking surface, and a position of lesser reciprocal distance, in which they interfere with the products inserted therebetween.

Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.

Abstract: A palletizer machine and a method for palletizing layers, one on top of the other, of packs fed from an infeed transfer line includes a transfer unit for transferring single packs arriving from the line to a first operating position, a forming unit for feeding single packs from the operating position to a predefined forming position wherein a layer of packs is formed on a loading platform, a loading unit for transferring the layer of packs on the loading platform to a pick-up station, and a robot for picking up the layer from the pick-up station and forming a palletized load of layers one on top of the other.

Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in cyclically: transferring a first row of products (3) between the station for preparing said products (6) and the pre-assembly station (7), at a speed V; transferring similarly a second row of products (3) onto said pre-assembly table (7), and in order to manage the docking of said second row with the row of products already set on said pre-assembly table (7), moving said set row at a speed v selected between zero and V, depending on the type or products (3); transferring, as the case may be, another row of products (3) onto the table (7), and, when the number of rows is reached to obtain said layer, transferring said layer onto the setting table (13) of the palletizing station (14). The installation comprises transfer s consisting of pushers (25) and (26) mobile between different stations, driven at suitable speeds.

Abstract: A unit for forming packs of products for a packaging machine comprises at least three feed surfaces (3, 4, 5) for layers of products (2) and a receiving station (6) for the layers of products (2). The receiving station (6) comprises an elevator (7), mobile only between a position for loading the products (2) and a position for releasing the products (2), to transfer the layers of products (2) to a packaging machine (8). The three feed surfaces (3, 4, 5) comprise synchronization means so that they simultaneously release the respective layers of products (2) onto the elevator (7).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking horizontally conveyed individual flats into vertically extending stacks including a stacking housing with an upper station for receiving the flats singly and releasing them downwardly into an intermediate station wherein multiple flats are accumulated and the accumulated grouping is then released downwardly to form an overall vertically extending stack of twenty flats or more for exit conveying. A control system is further disclosed including control plates, link arms and retaining/releasing arms for controlling downward movement of the flats within the stacking housing.

Abstract: An improved process of stacking parts comprising thermoplastic plastic in an intermediate-storage cage, and the further transport of the stacks to subsequent devices. A pivotable stacking cage effects the transfer of the stacks onto a transverse conveyor belt, or directly to finishing devices, with the parts selectively standing up or lying down, so the apparatus is suited for both flat and tall parts. The method can be used with high cycle numbers, and allows for the mounting of devices that reliably prevent the parts from drifting apart in the intermediate-storage cage, which is particularly advantageous for flat parts.

Abstract: A sorting machine at the end of a sheet metal slitting and shearing line receives side-by-side stacks of sheet metal panels and separates and rearranges those stacks so that they are more easily wrapped, banded, or otherwise processed. The machine includes a roller conveyor which receives the side-by-side stacks and a platform located to one side of the conveyor. The platform has support beams which align with the rollers of the conveyor such that spaces exist between the succession of aligned rollers and support beams. Beneath the conveyor and platform a transfer carriage moves on tracks that extend transversely with respect to the conveyor. The carriage has transfer beams which occupy the spaces between successive aligned rollers and support beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling electronic devices in a system that assigns a category corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined categories to the electronic devices and sorts the electronic devices according to the categories is provided. A plurality of platforms, each for supporting one tray that carries one or more electronic devices, and each platform corresponding to one of the categories, are vertically stacked in a predetermined order according to the plurality of categories. A group of the stacked platforms are separated from a platform located at a first position corresponding to a particular category corresponding to the category of an electronic device to expose a tray and enable the electronic device to be placed on the tray. A method of handling electronic devices is also provided.