IE843123L - Apparatus for transferring bottles from a pallet to a¹conveyor - Google Patents

Description

BS860 The present invention relates to apparatus for transferring product and in particular, though not limited to apparatus for transferring bottles, for example, empty mineral bottles from a pallet onto a conveyor or the like.

In bottling plants, for example, milk bottling plants, mineral water bottling plants or the like, empty bottles are received on a pallet. Usually, the bottles are stacked in layers very often as high as five or ten layers high. Each layer is supported by the layer immediately below it on a 10 cardboard platform. Usually, the platform is in the form of a lid which extends downwardly over the bottles on which it is resting. It is necessary to transfer the bottles from these pallets onto a conveyor belt or the like for delivery into the bottle filling apparatus. Various depalletising 15 apparatus have been developed for this, however, all suffer from various disadvantages. In general, they tend to be relatively complex and accordingly usually difficult to operate, prone to breakdown, and also they tend to be 20 relatively expensive. There is therefore a need for apparatus for removing bottles, or indeed, any other product from a pallet or any other support member which overcomes the problems of apparatus known heretofore.

The present invention is directed towards providing such 25 apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for transferring a product from a pallet to a conveyor or other such device, the apparatus comprising a platform to support the pallet, a transfer arm extending over at least portion of the platform, and being movable 5 transversely over the platform to move product from the pallet, at least one side chain extending longitudinally in the direction of transverse motion of the transverse arm around a pair of side sprockets, namely a side drive sprocket at one end and a side 10 idler sprocket at the other end, connecting means for connecting the transfer arm to the side chain for moving the transfer arm, drive means to drive the side drive sprocket, the drive means comprising a main drive sprocket operatively connected to the side drive 15 sprocket, the main drive sprocket being driven by a piston of an hydraulic ram through a drive chain which passes around the main drive sprocket, so that movement of the piston in one direction rotates the main drive sprocket in one direction, and reverse movement of the piston reverses the main drive sprocket.

In one feature of the invention, the transfer arm , extends right across the platform preferably, the transfer arm is slidable on a pair of side runners extending on each side of the platform.

In another feature of the invention, the apparatus comprises a framework having a base and a top portion joined by upstanding side members. Preferably, the platform is raisable and lowerable within the framework. Advantageously, it is raisable and lowerable by a hydraulic ram. Preferably, the platform is raisable through a plurality of incremental positions.

In another feature of the invention, the platform is adapted to support a pallet, and preferably, it is adapted to support a pallet with layers of upstanding bottles stacked thereon.

In a still further feature of the invention a pair of opposing side members are mounted within the framework, the - K - side members being pivoted to the base of the framework and being movable inwardly by rams extending between the side members and the top of the framework to centre the product, In a still further feature , of the invention a rear member 5 is provided in the framework, the rear member extending upwardly, inwardly of the framework to centre the products therein.

Advantageously, a pair of doors pivotal on the framework are provided at the front of the framework and extend inwardly/ 1u outwardly enclosed to centre the product within the framework.

In a further . feature 0f the invention a feed conveyor is provided to feed pallets into the apparatus. Advantageously, the conveyor extends outwardly at the rear of the apparatus 15 to form an output conveyor to convey empty pallets therefrom.

Advantageously, the platform is recessed into the conveyor to receive pallets therefrom. Preferably, a pallet stacker is provided at the output end of the conveyor to stack empty pallets.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the 20 following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig 1 is perspective view of apparatus according to the invention, Fig 2 is perspective view of the apparatus of Fig 1 showing portions of the apparatus in a different position, Fig 3 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig k is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 5 is a perspective view of a further portion of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 6 is a perspective view of a still further portion of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 8 is a perspective view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 9 is a perspective view of a still further detail of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 10 is a perspective view of a still further detail of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 11 is a perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig 1, Fig 12 is a plan view of further detail of apparatus 5 according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is provided apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for transferring a product, in this case, bottles 2 from a pallet 3 on to a conveyor 4 at a higher 10 level, see fig 6. The bottles 2 are stacked in layers 5 on the pallet 3. Each layer 5 of bottles is supported by the layer beneath it on a cardboard platform 6 which is effectively in the form of a lid. Pallets 3 stacked with bottles 2 are fed into the apparatus 1 by a roller conveyor 7 15 with driven rollers 8 and idle rollers 9. The conveyor extends through the apparatus 1 to form an output conveyor 10 to deliver empty pallets from the apparatus 1. A stacker 12 as will be described below stacks the empty pallets.

The apparatus 1 comprises a framework 14. having a base 20 portion 15, a top portion 16 Joined by side walls 17 and a rear wall 18. A platform 19 for receiving the pallets 3 is provided within the framework 14 and is raisable and lowerable by an hydraulic ram 20 mounted to the framework and steel cables 21. This is described below. A transfer arm 22 alidable on a pair of side runners 23 is connected to and driven by a pair of side chains 24 across the platform 19 for removing bottles from the pallet 1. The side chains 24 are driven by a hydraulic ram 26 which is also described in 5 detail below, mounted on the framework 14.

Front and rear uprights 36 and 37 respectively extend between the top and bottom of the framework 14. The front uprights are joined by a top cross member 38 while the rear uprights 37 are Joined by a top cross member 39. An intermediate cross 10 member 40 also joins the rear uprights 37. Side members 41 extend between the front and rear cross members 38 and 40 and are formed by a pair of parallel members 42 of box section joined by end members 43* The members 42 form a slot 44. to accommodate the transfer arm 22. The members 41 also extend 15 rearwardly of the machine to direct the bottles 2 onto the conveyor 4. The side runners 23 are supported on the front cross members 38 and the intermediate cross member 40 by brackets not show.

The transfer arm 22 comprises a central member 46 of plastics 20 material for engaging the bottles 2, supported on a transverse member 47 of solid section material see Fig 7. A pair of bearing housings 48 are secured to the transverse member 47 by screws 25. Linear bearings 49 mounted in the housing 48 are slldable on the side runners 23. A link 50 in 25 each side chain 24 is provided to secure the housing 48 and in turn the transverse arm 22 to side chain 24. A screw 51 through the link 50 secures the housing 48 to the link 50.

Referring in particular to Fig 3 each side chain 24 extends • around 2 pairs of sprockets, namely,driven Sprockets 55 and idler sprockets 56. The idler sprockets 56, are rotatable *, 5 on stubshafts 57 mounted on the framework 14, while the driven sprockets 55 are rotatable on a pair of stub shafts 58 ty means of insert bearings (not shown). The shafts 58 are mounted in the framework 14. A main drive sprocket 59 rigidly 10 connected to the sprockets 55 is rotatable on the shafts 58 and is driven by a chain 60 which is in turn driven by a sprocket 63 on an intermediate draft shaft 61 rotatable in plunmer block bearings 62 secured to the framework 14. The intermediate shaft 61 is driven by the ram 26 through a chain 15 64. One end of the chain 64 is anchored at 65 to the framework 14 and the other end is anchored at 66 also to the framework 14. From the anchorage point 65 the chain extends around a sprocket 68 rotatable on a shaft 69 at the end of the piston rod 70 of the ram 26. The chain 64 then 20 extends around a sprocket 73 fast on the intermediate shaft 61 and from there around the sprocket 74 rotatable on a shaft mounted on the framework 14. The chain 64 then extends around a second sprocket 78 on the shaft 69 of the piston rod 70 to the second anchorage point 66. As the piston 70 extends 25 outwards in the direction of the arrow A the intermediate 'i shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow B and thus the transfer on 22 is driven in the direction of the arrow C to sweep the bottles thereby transferring bottles from the pallet 3 onto the conveyor 4. When the piston is withdrawn into the ram in the direction of the arrow D the intermediate shaft rotates in the opposite direction thereby returning the transfer arm 22 to the front of the apparatus ready for its 5 next stroke. i Proximity switches 79 are mounted on the top of the framework 14 to sense the two extreme positions of the transfer arm 22.

A spud 80 on one of the mounting links 50 extends outwardly of the side chain 24 and is sensed by the proximity switches 79.

The platform 19 comprises a pair of side members 84 of solid section material joined by a front and rear transverse member 85 and 86 and an intermediate transverse member 87. Angle members 89 are provided on each side of the front transverse 15 member 85 and the intermediate transverse member 87 and on one side of the rear transverse member 86. A plurality of ball transfer units 90 are mounted on the angle members 89 to allow the pallets to be freely slidable over the platform 19. The side members 84 terminate in a pair of 20 plate members 94 for releasably connecting the platform 19 to a pair of carriage members 95 see Figs 4 and 8. Each carriage member 95 is slidable vertically in a box section member 96 and is raisable and lowerable by the ram 20.

I The members 96 are welded to the near uprights 37. Each 1 carriage member 95 comprises a plate member 98 with a pair of bearing rollers 99 and 100 mounted on each side thereof.

The bearing rollers 99 bear on the front inner face of the box section member while the bearing rollers 100 bear on the rear inner face of the box section member 96. Thus, the • front and rear inner faces of the box section member 96 5 effectively form tracks on which the bearing rollers 99 and * 100 run. The plate member 98 extends through a slot 97 in the box section member 96 and terminates in a connecting plate 102 which in turn engages the corresponding plate 94 of the platform 19. Screws 103 secure the plates 94 and 102 10 together. A second connecting plate 104 on each carriage member 95 is provided to engage a corresponding connecting plate 105 on a strut 106 which extends outwardly and is secured to a corresponding side aember 84 of the platform 19. This further adds to the rigidity of the platform 19- The 15 steel cables 21 are anchored to the carriage members 95 by anchor brackets 107. The steel cables 21 extend through the box section members 96 and then extend around pulleys 108 and 109 rotatable on shafts (not shown) which are mounted on the framework 14* The cables 21 then in turn extend around 20 pulleys 111 rotatable on a shaft 112 on the piston rod 113 of the ram 20. The other end of the cables 21 are anchored at 114 to the ram 20 by an adjustable screw 115. Thus, when the piston rod 113 of the ram 20 extends outwardly in the direction of the arrow E see Fig 4, the carriage members 25 95 and in turn the platform 19 is raised. Retraction of the % piston 113 lowers the platform 19.

So that the pallet slides easily onto the platform 19 from -lithe roller conveyor 7, recesses 118 are cut in the frame 119 of the roller conveyor 7 to accommodate the transverse members 85, 86 and 87 thereby allowing the top of the platform 19 to sit Just below the top of the rollers 8 and 9 5 of the roller conveyor 7.

£ It will be appreciated that by virtue of the fact that the cables extend from the anchor screws 115 around the piston pulleys 111, that a mechanical advantage of two to one is achieved when driving the platform.

A proximity switch 121 is provided on the framework to indicate when the platform 19 is passing from its second last top position to the top position. A proximity switch 122 indicates when the platform 19 is at its bottom position, see Fig 3.

Sensing means to sense when the bottles have been raised a sufficient incremental distance so that they can be transferred onto the conveyor 4 is provided by a light source and photo cell unit 123 mounted on a bracket 124 at the top of the framework 14- The light source is directed towards a 20 reflector member 125 on a bracket 126 on the opposite side of the framework 14. Light is reflected from the reflector 125 back to the photo cell in the unit 123. The photo cell unit I 123 and the reflector 125 are set at such a distance that when the light beam is broken by a cardboard platform 6 the bottles are at the correct height for transfer by the transfer arm 22. On sensing the platform 6 control apparatus (not illustrated or described) stops the ram 20 thereby stopping the platform 19. Such control apparatus will be 5 well known to those skilled in the art. The light of the unit 123 and the reflector 125 are adjustable to accommodate different heights of bottles. Suitable photosensors (not shown) are provided In the apparatus to sense when a full pallet is fully entered in the apparatus.

A pair of inner side (falls 130, see Fig 11 are provided on each side of the apparatus 1 within the framework 14* The side walls 130 are mounted on up standing members 131 which are pivotally connected at 132 to the base 15 of the framework H- The side walls 130 are pivoted Inwardly and 15 outwardly around the pivot 132 by means of hydraulic rams 133 mounted between the side walls 130 and the framework 15. Plvotting the side walls inwardly facilitates centring the pallet and In turn the bottles on the platform 19. An inner rear wall 135 is also mounted within the framework 14 and Is 20 slightly inclined inwardly, upwardly to further facilitate centring the pallet and in turn the bottle on the platform 19. A pair of doors 136 are mounted on a pair of pivot shafts 137 which are rotatably mounted in the top cross member 38 and the base 15 of the framework 14. An arm 138 25 extends from the pivot shaft 137 and is connected to a hydraulic ram 139 for opening and closing the doors 136.

The doors are also slightly inclined upwardly, inwardly to facilitate in centring the pallet and in turn the bottles 2. A safety guard 140 formed by a framework 141 and wire mesh 14.2 is provided to prevent any pallets falling over off the 5 conveyor 7 and injuring an operator.

Outer side panels 143 and rear panel 144 are secured to the framework 14 for safety. The rams 20 and 26 are mounted in a casing 145 with a door 146.

A portion 147 at the end of the rear panel 144 and rear wall 10 135 are removed to permit an empty pallet to exit on the output portion 10 of the roller conveyor 7. The output conveyor 10 extends for a sufficient distance so that the pallets progressing along the conveyor 10 clear the apparatus 1. Pallets on the output conveyor 10 are transferred into 15 the pallet stacker 12 by a pair of chains 150. Three pairs of dogs 151 on the chains 150 engage the pallets 3 and transfer them into the stacker 12. The chains 150 extend around sprockets 152 on an idler shaft 153 and the drive shaft 154. A drive shaft 154 is driven by an electric motor 20 156 through a chain and sprocket drive 157. A platform 158 in the stacker 12 receives and raises the pallets in the stacker 12. A scissors lift 159 raises the platform 158. A hydraulic ram (not shown) operates the scissors lift 159* Two members 160 which effectively form dogs on opposing sides 25 161 of the stacker 12 engage and retain the lower most pallet as it is raised t>y the platform 158. - u - In use, pallets 3 stacked with bottles 2 are fed Into the apparatus 1 by the roller conveyor 7. Prior to a pallet being transferred into the apparatus 1 the platform 19 is lowered so that it recesses into the conveyor 7. On being 5 transferred into the apparatus doors 136 close. The side walls 130 pivot inwardly and the platform 19 Is then raised the first incremental distance by the ram 20. A cardboard lid 6 on blocking the photo cell unit 123 the platform 19 is stopped having advanced its first incremental distance. An 10 operator removes the cardboard lid 6 from the bottles and the transfer arm 22 is then driven in the direction of the arrow C by the ram 26 thereby transferring bottles 2 from the pallet 3 to the conveyor U. At the end of its stroke the transfer arm 22 is then returned by the ram 26 to the front 15 of the apparatus and the platform is then raised through its next incremental distance to offer up the next layer of bottles 2 to the transfer arm 22 for transfer again on to the conveyor 4. When all the layers of bottles 2 have been transferred from the pallet 3 onto the conveyor 6 the 20 platform 19 is then lowered to recess into the roller conveyor 7. The side walls 130 are pivoted outwardly, and the rollers 8 of the conveyor 7 are activated, to convey a new pallet in and to convey the empty pallet out through the opening 147 into the output side of the conveyor 7. The 25 operation commences all over again. On activation of the conveyor 7 the stacker platform 158 raises a pallet in the stacker 12 from the previous cycle of the apparatus. When the platform 158 returns to its bottom position the chains 150 are activated and the dogs convey the last empty pallet into the stacker 12. Simultaneously with the platform 158 returning to its bottom position the next cycle of the apparatus commences.

It will be appreciated that while the apparatus has been described as having a platform driven by a hydraulic ram, any other means for driving the platform could be used, for example, the cables could be raised and lowered by an electric motor a pneumatic ram or the like. Indeed, in 10 certain cases it is envisaged that a pneumatic or hydraulic ram could be connected directly to the platform for raising and lowering. It will also of course be appreciated that while a particular arrangement of cables has been used in lowering the platform any other arrangement of cables, 15 indeed, chains or other flexible members could be used.

Needless to say, any other means of connecting the transfer arm to the side chains could be used. It will of course be appreciated that while the transfer arm has been described as extending across the 20 platform, this is not necessary, it need only extend over a portion of the platform In certain cases. Further, it wiI 1 be appreciated that the transfer arm could transfer the pallet from one aide of the apparatus to the other rather than front to back. Of course, this will 5 readily be apparent to those skilled in the art. Similarly, instead of delivering the bottles from front to back with the apparatus, they could be delivered from back to front.

It will also of course be appreciated that while particular shapes and configuration in construction of platform have 10 been described, platforms of any other shape or construction could be provided. Indeed, in certain cases it la envisaged that the ball bushes may be dispensed with, although needless to say, they do have considerable advantage in accommodating alignment of the pallet and bottles in the apparatus.

It will also of course be appreciated that in certain cases that the input and output roller conveyor could be dispensed with altogether and in which case the pallets would be fed manually into the apparatus. In certain cases, it is envisaged that conveyors other than roller conveyors could be 20 used for transferring the pallets. It will of course be appreciated in certain cases that the product could be mounted on other means besides a pallet, for example, solid base or the like. Needless to say, it will also be appreciated that the platform itself could be provided by a 25 solid base. It is also envisaged that in certain cases that the side walls which are pivoted inwardly aligning the product may be dispensed with. Similarly, in certain cases it la envisaged that the rear wall may be upright instead of slightly inclined and similarly the doors may be upright instead of slightly inclined.

It will of course be appreciated that in certain cases it is not necessary for the apparatus to have a platform which is raisable and in certain cases the platform may be fixed.

Needless to say, it is not necessary for the apparatus to deliver the bottles onto a conveyor, the bottles could be 10 delivered onto any other suitable means or device.

While the apparatus has been described with a stacker for stacking empty pallets, it will of course be appreciated in certain cases that this part of the apparatus may be dispensed with. Further, It will be appreciated that the 15 sensing means could be dispensed with altogether indeed, in certain cases all of the sensing means could be dispensed with and the operations of the apparatus could be manually controlled. In certain cases it is also envisaged that the front doors may be dispensed with.

While a particular shape and construction of the apparatus has been described it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many other constructions and shapes could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also of course be appreciated that the apparatus could be used for transferring any type of product from a pallet or the like.

In certain cases, it Is envisaged that the ends of the strokes of each of the hydraulic rams may be cushioned. Such cushioning may be provided by an external valvlng arrangement or alternately may be provided by an in-built valvlng arrangement.

Claims (39)

1. Apparatus for transferring a product from a pallet to a conveyor or other such device, the apparatus comprising; 5 a platform to support the pallet, a transfer arm extending over at least portion of the platform, and being movable transversely over the platform to move product from the pallet, at least one side chain extending longitudinally 10 in the direction of transverse motion of the trans verse arm around a pair of side sprockets, namely a side drive sprocket at one end and a side idler sprocket at the other end, connecting means for connecting the transfer arm 15 to the side chain for moving the transfer arm, drive means to drive the side drive sprocket, the drive means comprising a main drive sprocket oporatively connected to the side drive sprocket, the main drive sprocket being driven by a piston of an hydraulic ram 20 through a drive chain which passes round the main drive sprocket, so that movement of the piston in one direction rotates the main drive sprocket in one direction, and reverse movement of the piston reverses the main drive sprocket. - 20 -

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the free ends of the drive chain are connected to fixed anchoring points, the drive chain extending from one anchoring point about one of a pair of independently 5 rotatable idler sprockets on the piston shaft of the hydraulic ram, the drive chain then extending about an idler sprocket fixed in position relative to the ram, and then about the main drive sprocket., the drive chain then passing around the second of the pair of idler 10 sprockets on the piston shaft, from where it extends to the second anchoring point, so that as the ram extends in one direction the drive chain drives the main drive sprocket in one direction, and when the piston moves in the reverse direction, the main drive sprocket 15 is reversed.

3.- Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the main drive sprocket is mounted on an intermediate shaft and the side drive sprocket is driven by a further chain and sprocket drive from tbe intermediate shaft. 20

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the transfer arm extends right across the platform. - 21 -

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the transfer arm is slidable on a pair of side runners extending on each side of the platform.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in 5 which a pair of side chains are provided, a side chain being provided adjacent each side runner.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which proximity switches are provided on the apparatus to detect extreme position of the transfer arm.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in 10 which the apparatus comprises a framework having a base portion and a top portion joined by upstanding side members. t> - 22 -

9. Apparatus as claimed In claim 8 in which the transfer arm is mounted adjacent the top of the framework.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9 In which the platform Is raisable and lowerable from a position adjacent the base of the framework to a position adjacent the top of the framework.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10in which the platform is raisable to a plurality of incremental position between the bottom and the top of the framework.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10or 1H;In which the platform is raisable and lowerable by a hydraulic ram.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 In which the ram is connected to the platform by steel cables.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13 in which the platform is fixed to at least one carriage member which is slidable vertically on a track. 1o.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which a pair of rotatable rollers are provided spaced apart on the carriage member one above the other to engage the track. 1G.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which a pair of tracks _ 23 _ are provided, one track to engage one roller and the other to engage the other roller.

17. Apparatus as claimed In claim 16 In which the tracks are formed by the inner faces of a pair of opposing sides of a box 5 section member.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which a longitudinal slot is provided in the box section member to permit the carriage member to extend there through.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 14 to 18 in which 10 the platform is releasably connected to the carriage member.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19 in which a pair of carriage members are provided one on each side of the framework.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20 in which 15 sensing means are provided to sense when the product on the platform has b®«n raised to a position so that the transfer arm can transfer the product.

22. Apparatus aa claimed in claim 21 in which the sensing means is provided by a light source and a photo cell. 20

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which proximity switches are provided on the framework to sense when the transfer arm has reached -24 - each end of its stroke.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 23 in vihich a pair of opposing side members are provided within the frame work, the side members being pivoted at their lover end to the base of 5 the framework and movable inwardly to centre the product within the framework.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 in which each side member is pivoted by a hydraulic ram extending between the side member and the framework adjacent the top thereof. 10

26. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 25 in which a rear wall member is provided in the framework, the rear wall member being Inclined inwardly upwardly of the framework for centring the product within the framework.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 26 in which a 15 pair of front doors are pivotally mounted on the front of the frameuork to permit access of the product into the apparatus, the front doors being slightly inclined inwardly, upwardly of the framework for centring the product in the apparatus.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a feed 20 conveyor is provided to convey pallets into the apparatus.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 in which the platform of the apparatus recesses into the feed conveyor to receive pallets _ 25 _ therefrom.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 in which the feed conveyor extends rearwardly out of the apparatus to deliver empty pallets therefrom. 5

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30 in which a pallet stacker is provided adjacent the apparatus to receive empty pallets from the output conveyor.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which the empty pallets are fed from the output conveyor by a pair of spaxiod apart, chains with 10 dogs thereon to engage and transfer the pallets onto the pallet stacker.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 or 32 in which the pallet stacker comprises a platform movable from a lower position to recoivca pallet from the chain to an upper position above the chain. 15

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 33 in which side dogs are provided in the pallet stacker to engage a pallet on upward transfer by the pallet stacker platform.

35. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which bal1 bushes are provided on the platform to permit a pallet to slide 20 freely over the platform.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which control -26 - apparatus ia provided to control the operation of the apparatus.

37. Apparatus aa claimed in any preceding claim in which the apparatus is adapted to receive a pallet with a plurality of bottles stacked in layers one on top of the other, each layer 5 being supported on the other layer by a cardboard platform resting on the layer immediately below it.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2T in which the sensing means senses the presence of a cardboard platform and on sensing said platform sends a signal to the control apparatus to stop the 10 platform.

39. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this 4th day of December 1985 F.F. GORMAN & CO. BY: EXECUTIVE Agents for the Applicants, Clifton Horse, Lower F-ltziyilliam Street, Dublin 2.