GB894330A - Improvements in or relating to pallet loading machines - Google Patents

Abstract

894,330. Stacking cartons. MATHEWS CONVEYER CO. Ltd. April 16, 1958 [April 16, 1957], No. 12109/58. Class 94(1). Apparatus for loading cartons on to pallets includes a pallet lift for receiving and descending in steps with layers of cartons &c., and a pallet magazine from which pallets are removed and carried to a position adjacent the lift for transfer to the lift at its lowest position. Pallet loading. The cartons are fed by a belt 12 on to a ball transfer table 16 where they are assembled manually into groups and transferred by a manually operated pusher 20 on to a roller support 40. The support 40 is pivoted at 44, Fig. 8, adjacent the table 16 and its free end is lowered during assembly of a carton layer so that cartons may abut a stop 52. Adjacent the support 40 is an inclined roller platform 50 capable of being reciprocated substantially horizontally from a position above a pallet P on the lift 102 to a position clear of the pallet lift. The platform carries wheels running in tracks 60, Fig. 8, and as it moves to lie over the lift, it rises to engage members 48 fixed on the support 40 so that the latter is raised above the stop 52. The cartons then move by gravity on to the platform 50, the platform retracts and a stripper bar 26 sweeps the layer on to the pallet beneath. An arm 88 engages the rearmost cartons during movement of the platform, to prevent tilting. The lift 102 is now lowered, on arm 126, Figs. 3, 6, being released to rest on the carton layer and descend with it until the desired position is reached. It then closes switches to halt the lift and to initiate operation of a layer positioning and compacting device. The device consists of bars arranged one on each of the four layer sides Fig. 11 (not shown), which move inwards simultaneously against the layer in a manner similar to that described in Specification 811,354. Successive layers are built up until the lift reaches its lowermost position between chains 408 of a discharge conveyer which chains discharge the loaded pallet from the machine. Pallet supply. Pallets are stacked in a magazine 36 and normally supported by dogs 302, Fig. 5, which pivot about vertical axes. The removal means comprises a pair of bars 320 which rise to take the weight of the stack off the dogs. The dogs then pivot clear of the lowermost pallet and the bars descend. The dogs pivot inwards again to engage the second lowest pallet while the lowermost is deposited on chains 404 which feed it forward to a position adjacent the lift, the chain 404 being halted by its contacting switch means, Fig. 4 (not shown). A feeler 354, Fig. 5, detects depletion of the stack and renders the pallet feed mechanism inoperative. As a discharged loaded pallet leaves the machine it is followed by the empty pallet (chains 404 and 408 form part of a single conveyer) which is checked by a stop 424, Fig. 2, to lie above the lift. The lift rises and stacking recommences. Specification 894,353 also is referred to. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 821,189.