GB988990A - Unstacking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

988,990. Unstacking from pallets. G. E. VON GAL. Dec. 3, 1963, No. 47612/63. Heading B8C. Pallets, each of which carries a stack of crated bottles, six crates to a layer, are fed to a machine which automatically raises each pallet to a position where slide plates 100, 100<SP>1</SP> enter below the top layer of the stack and rakes 165, 165<SP>1</SP> urge the layer from the plates on to driven discharge rollers, Fig. 4 (not shown), the unloading operation continuing until the empty pallet is lowered and stacked in a magazine. Loaded pallets are fed towards the machine on an inclined rollerway, Fig. 2 (not shown), leading to a section of endless belt conveyer, the leading pallet being delivered to a second endless conveyer 28 where it trips a lever to stop the section of endless belt and thereby hold up subsequent pallets. When in position to be lifted by a frame 70, 71, 82, 83 the loaded pallet trips a switch to raise the frame by means of motor-driven chains 72. One of two pre-set switches, Fig. 6 (not shown), stops the lift, the switch being selected according to the height of bottles carried, and the slide plates 100, 100<SP>1</SP> close pneumatically. Tines 118, 119 on the side plates pass between the bottle necks of the second layer from the top, the upper parts of the tines engaging the outer edges of the top layer of crates, compacting and raising them to bring the plates 100, 100<SP>1</SP> beneath them. When closed, the side plates actuate switches to start a ram mechanism which, by means of the rakes 165, 165<SP>1</SP>, urges the crates two at a time, into the control of driven rollers 192, 192<SP>1</SP> on to the discharge rollers. Further switches cause the rakes and side plates to return. The lowermost layer is removed from the pallet without the use of the side plates 100, 100<SP>1</SP> and tines, the pallet touching a switch controlling the drive to the rakes 165, 165<SP>1</SP>. The lift discharges the empty pallet, when lowered, to chains 59 carrying it to a magazine where it is automatically raised on skids 208a, 208b, Fig. 7. The rising pallet urges rocker arms 221a-221d outwards until it is held by fingers 220, 220<SP>1</SP>. When the magazine is filled, the uppermost pallet operates a switch to prevent the feed of further pallets either to the lift or to the magazine. U.S.A. Specification 3,056,513 is referred to.