JP2001518429A - Method and apparatus for placing an elongated bag at the end of a container on a pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The palletizing mechanism (PP, WB, HB-1, HB-2) is a pallet and wrapping paper for receiving a continuous row of bags until the pallet load is fully prepared. Supply length. A palletizing device is associated with the bagging device and operated simultaneously therewith under the control of a common programmable controller. The palletizer device receives the sticks at each end in a predetermined orientation and maintains the facing orientation of all sticks in a pallet load. The sticks are arranged sequentially in a predetermined number of rows of sticks, the rows being stacked on top of a layer of wrapping, the first row being supported on a suitable empty pallet, The wrap is passed over the last row to be placed. This operation advances the wrap supply by continuing to move back and forth until the desired number of rows are automatically stacked on the pallet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(Related Applications) The present application is based on the application of Bagger & Palletizer for Can En.
ds (bagging machine and palletizer for metal container end) September 1997
US Provisional Patent Application S. N. No. 60 / 060,518 and to co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT / US98 / (Reference No. DSG006 P2) entitled Bagger filed on the same date as the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to packing end units such as discs having a metal container end, for example, a disc having a spare curl at the end and also having an attached tab which is easily opened. Method and apparatus. In practice, such a device is such that the preferred method of packing the ends places a stack of ends (usually called "sticks") of the ends of the tubular bag that are initially folded and closed at the open end. , Often referred to as bagging machines. The disclosed invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling and placing a stick on a pallet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the early 1970's, metal container ends were manually placed in bags, which were manually placed on pallets used in filling / closing machinery. In the mid 1970s,
A semi-automatic bagging machine was introduced to keep up with the output increase of the new conversion press, and its development led to the automatic bagging machine first introduced in the mid-1980s. Some momentum for this development has been the monotony of repetitive manual work that appears to be the cause of repetitive overwork on the hands of baggers.

[0004] These automatic machines form end "sticks" and then 1) wrap them with paper or plastic coils or reels, or 2).
They were packaged by placing the stick in a preformed bag.
Kraft paper can be recycled and used to remove end-stick sticky fumes from synthetic hermetic composites applied at the end of initial work or from water-based composites Kraft paper has been found to be the preferred wrapping material because it "breaches" to remove moisture.

In earlier patent prior art, US Pat. Nos. 3,337,064, 3,41
Nos. 7,853, 3,545,631 and 3,618,530 disclose:
Figure 2 illustrates a system that uses air or similar input delivery systems for individual metal container ends, and grooves or the like to gather the ends face-to-face in an on-edge stack. The machine feed mechanism engages the curl edge of the generally vertically disposed end and moves to the receiving end of the stack to form an input or groove, and that end is filled and closed (end curling) machine. Supplied to No wrapping of the stack is disclosed, and the filled channel serves as a reservoir for a smooth and stable end supply to the closure machine.

[0006] US Patent Nos. 3,722,741, 4,000,709 and 4,537,
In 550, 4,676,708 and 5,335,810, a more sophisticated shock absorber system for end stacks is disclosed, wherein the stacks are separated according to a stack end count. , These stacks are loaded on a continuous carrier arranged vertically on an endless carousel feeding the stacks to the closing machine.

US Pat. No. 3,878,945 and its various divisions of 3,962,845
Nos. 3,971,189, 4,051,965 and U.S. Pat.
No. 9,617 all describe automatic bagging systems that feed the ends to gathering and counting devices that separate the ends into stacks (or “sticks”), wrapping devices for loading the stacks into individual bags, And features such as a mechanism for placing the wrapped stack on a pallet.

[0008] US Pat. No. 4,364 relates to a transport improvement device for gathering the end to provide temporary spacing to promote the curing of a previously applied end seam component. U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,350 discloses an improved apparatus for detecting and removing inverted ends back-to-back (e.g., face up on the product side) in forming a stack. U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,669 disclosed and improved an end counting device in an end counting and stacking system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,340 discloses a system for inspecting end assembled stacks. US Patent No. 5,372
, 245 discloses an improved apparatus for an assembled end feed array. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,947 discloses an improved mechanism for picking and placing end stacks (also called "sticks") in a bagging and palletizing process.

US Pat. No. 4,537,010 processes an end bagged stack,
A further advanced device for placing them on a pallet is disclosed. Thus, the prior art automatic bagging machine allows the conversion press output to count the end lanes, separate into stacks or sticks, place the stacks into individual bags, and the bagged stacks It is mounted on a common palletizer, from which one or more filling and feeding devices are provided.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0010] A pallet-loading mechanism is provided for receiving a continuous row of bags until the pallet load is fully prepared. Supply. A palletizing device is associated with the bagging device described above and is operated simultaneously therewith under the control of a common programmable controller; Allen-Bradley model no. H-4030 is used in the actual embodiment. The palletizer device receives each stick in a predetermined orientation (a sealed bag at the end of a metal container of a predetermined count) and maintains all sticks facing in a pallet load. The stick is
A predetermined number of rows of sticks are placed in series, then the rows are loaded on top of the wrapping layer, the first row is supported on a suitable empty pallet, and then the wrap is finally Passed over the row to be arranged. This operation advances the wrap supply by continuing to move back and forth until the desired number of rows are automatically stacked on the pallet. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is directed to an improved palletizer device that is part of a bagging / palletizer system. To understand the following description, it is desirable to first include the definition of certain terms as follows: A "stick" is a bag that fills a predetermined number of metal container ends or lids or the like; "Skid" refers to a wooden structure in which pallets of sticks are stacked; pallets to be filled are formed in a palletizer device.

“Bagging machines” form sticks by counting the ends from the leading (earliest) end of a stream of metal container ends fed to a bagging device along a feed rail. The ends of which are located at the edges and move face-to-face along such rails; the bagger counts a predetermined number of ends, from the following stream: Separate them, place them in a bag, fold the bag and seal the bag; as disclosed in the related International Application PCT / US98 / (Docket No. DSG006P2), the stick is formed in a bagging device. "Palletizer" refers to the part of the system that stacks layers of filled, sealed bags and places them on skids.

Palletizer The pick and place shown in FIG. 3 removes the filled and sealed bags from the stick release grippers of the bagging machine folding mechanism and places them on the moving mechanism WB (FIG. 4). The moving mechanism sequentially places each of the sticks at the appropriate locations in the staging area. First (or extraordinary) holdback device PH
-1 (FIG. 5) comprises three fingers PH-11 that prevent the first stick from rolling and hold the row until the primary holdback is reached. As each stick is placed, the stick pusher, further shown in FIG. 6, is used to ensure that each row of the pallet is properly packed in the bag against the stainless steel location. Press in the factory closed or closed end (where the end is pushed by the stick knit).

The primary holdback holds the rows in the stack while sticks 8-16 are deployed. For detachment, the primary holdback transfers the completed layer to the main table. The figure shows a pull-off that clamps the rows against the primary holdback and transfers the completed layers of the pallet from the staging area to the main table. The main table is a movable platform that extends beyond the pallet and places the completed layer of sticks. The skid storage lift is the empty skid loading point. X and Y
The skid positioning device is located on the top skid relative to the skid backstop.

FIG. 11 shows a skid shuttle with a skid gripper that clamps and aligns the top skid and transfers it to the pallet lift area. Pallet lifts are hydraulic lifts that fill skids with completed layers. The pallet lift has a motorized roller table to transfer the finished pallet to a pallet discharge roller table for removal by the operator. The row cutoff shown in FIG. 13 prevents the row of sticks from retracting along with the main table. The front and rear vertical tampers shown in FIGS. 2 and 22 compact the pallets as each new layer is placed. The upper side guide forces a row offset and holds the stick layer when it is placed on the pallet. The lower side guide holds the palletized layers and supports and compacts the new layers to be placed.

[0016] 1. The snake wrap carriage shown in FIG. 20 coats each completed layer with paper after the layers have been transferred to a pallet lift. 2. The paper stuffer (region 6 in FIG. 2) packs the paper into the first paper layer under the skid cardboard. 3. The snake wrap paper cutter cuts the wrap upon completion of the pallet. The pallet discharge roller table shown in FIG. 17 is a motorized roller table that moves completed pallets away from the pallet stacking area for removal by the operator. This section describes the steps required to prepare the system for operation. This is divided into two sections, a palletizer and a bagger; FIG. 20 is a schematic of the snake wrap carriage showing the proper continuation of the snake wrap roll from the advantageous position of the snake wrap catwalk.

During system setup, to load a snake wrap roll from the catwalk, referring to FIG. Open Snake Wrap Cat Door Guard. 2. Remove the split collar from the paper roll cylinder. 3. Align the paper roll so that the paper is fed counterclockwise from the top of the roll. 4. Slide a properly aligned paper roll into a paper roll cylinder. 5. Replace color. 6. Passing the paper through a pinch roll to ensure that the paper is sent under the stretching rod prior to the pinch roller.

[0018] 7. Feed the paper between the stainless steel paper guide and the roller guide. 8. Feed the paper between the spring loaded paper clamp and the roller guide. 9. Pass the paper through the slot under the roller guide. (Close all door guards) Feed the paper manually by pushing down and holding the snake wrap jog push button and feed enough paper to ensure that the snake wrap is properly dispensed Make sure. Snake wrap paper is cut with a double-edged, carpet knife blade.

The skid storage lift (FIG. 10) can hold up to 10 empty skids. To load skid into skid storage lift,
Open the door guard and place the skid stack to the left. The door guard is then closed by pushing the stack against the last rightmost stop. In order to get the palletizer home, it is necessary to ensure that the skid storage lift and the pallet lift are in the lowest position. In addition, it is necessary to select and position all sticks, remove temporary staging areas, main tables, etc., and remove any partial pallets or empty skids from the pallet lift.

Operating Sequence The pick and place mechanism PP (FIG. 3) removes the stick from the stick discharge of the bagging device and places it on the mobile (FIG. 4). Next, the moving WB arranges the first stick in contact with the temporary holdback HB-1 (FIG. 5). These steps are repeated until the full layers (16 sticks) are stacked. During the stacking process, the temporary holdback HB-1 and the previously placed stick are pushed progressively farther from the moving WB when each of the sticks 1-is placed. After the seventh stick is placed, temporary holdback HB-
1 rotates below the level of the stick, returns to its home position, and the primary holdback HB-2 begins; holding the layers. Primary holdback HB-1
And previously placed sticks, when sticks 8-16 are placed,
It keeps pushing away from the moving WB (FIG. 7).

The row transfer RT descends into position and clamps the completed layer against the primary holdback HB-2. Row transfer RT and holdback HB-2 transfer completed layers from the layer stacking area to the main table MT. Offset cylinder OC
(FIG. 8) extends and column transfer RT at the appropriate location for column offset
To stop. The main table holder MTR (FIG. 9) clamps the deposited layers. Next, the row transfer RT and the holdback HB-2 return to their home positions.

Next, the main table MT extends on the pallet (FIG. 2), and the row cutoff R
CO falls. The row cutoff RCO holds the layer of sticks in place while the main table MT retracts. Effectively, the main table is turned over to the top of the load on the pallet. The column support RS (FIG. 14), after the layers have been placed,
The layers are restrained and a row tamping tool RT (FIG. 13) packs the layers tightly into the pallet as each layer is placed. The snake wrap carriage SWC places the layer of wrap on top of the completed layer and waits on the other side of the pallet for the next layer to be placed. The row tamping tool repacks the layers of the pallet. The above steps are repeated until the pallet is complete, typically up to 27 rows.

After completing the last layer of paper wrap, a snake paper cutter WRC cuts the wrap from the roll. The full pallet lift FPL then descends to the discharge position. The motorized roller table of the full pallet lift rotates,
The filled pallet is transferred to the pallet discharge roller table DRT. It is in turn transferred to a pallet away from the pallet stacking area to have the operator remove the completed pallet. The empty pallet shuttle EPS transfers the empty pallets from the empty pallet storage lift to the pallet lift PL to start stacking on the next pallet.

The methods and apparatus for carrying out these methods constitute preferred embodiments of the present invention, while the present invention is not limited to these specific methods and apparatus forms, and the appended claims It will be understood that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the main components of the system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the palletizer and its components.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a selection and arrangement mechanism in the palletizer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a moving mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first palletizer holdback device.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram of the stick pushing device.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram of a second palletizer holdback and a row transfer mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a column offset control cylinder.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main table of the palletizer.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an empty pallet storage lift.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an empty pallet shuttle.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial diagram of a full pallet lift.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a row cutoff and row tamping device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a column support.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a snake wrap carriage including a paper stuffer and a cardboard lift vacuum cup.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a snake wrap paper cutter.

FIG. 17 is a pictorial diagram of a full pallet lift and pallet discharge roller table.

FIG. 18 is a pictorial diagram of a partial pallet restart alignment arm.

FIG. 19 is a pictorial diagram of a manual stick insertion tray.

FIG. 20 is a schematic continuous side view for a snake wrap.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the snake wrap carriage viewed from the ground.

FIG. 22 is a process flowchart of the operation of the palletizer.

FIG. 23 is a process flowchart of the operation of the palletizer.

FIG. 24 is a process flowchart of the operation of the palletizer.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Clark, Brian W. Inventor, United States, 45338 Ohio, Louisburg, Douglas Drive 130 (72) Inventor Clacas, Stephen W., United States, 45520 Ohio, Dayton, Purcell Avenue 1319 ( 72) Inventor Moore, Dennis F. Junior United States, 45440 Ohio, Bee Berrec, Grand Vista Drive 251 (72) Inventor Schneberger, William E. United States, 45449 Ohio, West Carrollion, Overture Drive 6231 F-term (reference) 3E052 AA05 AA41 DB05 DB09 KA04 LA01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for loading a continuous row of sticks at the end of a metal container onto a pallet for loading the pallet, the means for receiving each of the series of sticks in a predetermined orientation; Means for arranging the sticks in a row of a number of ticks in succession; a wrapping supply roll; a moving support for said roll; and means for placing said row on top of a layer of wrapping, wherein Means supported on an empty pallet; and means for passing wrapping past the last row of rows, wherein the desired number of rows are automatically stacked on the pallet. A palletizing device, wherein the moving support comprises means for continuing a back and forth movement. 2. A method of placing a continuous row of metal container ends on a pallet, comprising: a) receiving each of a series of sticks in a predetermined orientation; and b) continuously receiving a predetermined number of rows of sticks. C) moving the wrapping supply roll back and forth on the pallet; and d) resting the row on top of the layer of wrapping, with the first row supported on an empty pallet. E) passing the wrapping past the last row of rows and continuing to move the moving support back and forth until the desired number of rows are automatically stacked on the pallet. And a method comprising: