Stack transfer device

• US 20020182050A1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FR Drake Company (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: FR Drake Company (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Hart, Colin R., Welborn, Kenneth M., Meyer, Jimmy L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,462,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/789.9
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/065 of meat
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/04 with buffer storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/50 Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/10 Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/101 by gravity B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/106 by pushers B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0202 Agricultural and processed food products
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0205 Biscuits
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/902 provided with drive systems incorporating rotary and rectilinear movements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 57/03 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 57/035 with a stepwise downward movement of the stack

Abstract

A transfer device is disclosed for transferring a plurality of stacks of disk-like objects such as frozen hamburger patties, from a plurality of first trays having bottom walls angled with respect to horizontal to a horizontal support platform spaced from the trays. The transfer device includes a support frame having wheels that is movable between first and second ends of a guide track and a pivotal frame pivotally attached to the support frame which pivotal frame supports upper and lower grippers for engaging the upper and lower sides of a plurality of stacks of objects and securely holding the stacks of objects as they are moved between first and second positions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring a plurality of stacks of discrete objects from a first holder to a second holder, comprising:

a frame having a top and a bottom;

a plurality of stack supports on said frame bottom;

a plurality of stack-engaging members supported by said frame top;

at least one first actuator for moving at least one of said plurality of stack-engaging members toward and away from said stack supports;

a second actuator for moving said frame between the first holder and the second holder; and

a controller for controlling said at least one first actuator and said second actuator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a third actuator for pivoting said frame about an axis parallel to said frame bottom.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a third actuator for pivoting a portion of said frame about an axis parallel to said frame bottom

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one first actuator comprises a plurality of actuators.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of first actuators move said stack-engaging members with respect to said frame top.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of first actuators is separately controllable.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of first actuators comprises a plurality of pneumatic cylinders.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including at least one third actuator for moving said plurality of stack supports relative to said frame top.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including a frame carrier supporting said frame and a track for guiding said frame carrier between said first holder and said second holder.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is rectangular and lies substantially in a single plane.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a support frame and a pivot frame pivotally connected to said support frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 including first and second guide tracks for guiding said frame between said first holder and said second holder.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 including at least one drive belt supported by said guide tracks.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said support frame is connected to said drive belt.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame top includes a strut having a length and wherein said plurality of first actuators is mounted on said strut.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said plurality of first actuators are independently positionable along the length of said strut.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said stack supports on said frame bottom is aligned with one of said plurality of stack engaging members on said frame top.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a first side and a second side and wherein the position of said plurality of stack supports on said frame bottom is adjustable relative to said first side.

20. The method of claim 19 including the additional step of providing a plurality of plates on said frame top aligned with each of said plurality of lower supports on said frame bottom.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of moving at least a portion of said frame top against said stacks to hold said stacks between said frame top and said frame bottom comprises the step of moving said plurality of plates against said stacks.

22. The method of claim 21 including the additional step of, at said second location, moving said frame bottom away from said frame top.

23. The method of claim 19 including the additional step of, at said first location, moving said frame bottom into engagement with the bottoms of said stacks.

19. A method of moving a plurality of stacks, each having a top and a bottom, of discrete objects from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of:

providing a movable frame having a top and a bottom;

providing a plurality of lower supports on said frame bottom;

positioning said frame at a first location around a plurality of stacks of discrete objects with one of said lower supports adjacent each of said stack bottoms and with said frame top adjacent the tops of said stacks;

moving at least a portion of said frame top against said stacks to hold said stacks between said frame top and said frame bottom;

moving said frame to said second location; and

moving said at least a portion of said frame top away from said stacks to release said stacks at said second location.

24. An apparatus for transferring a plurality of stacks of discrete objects from a first holder to a second holder comprising:

a frame having a top, a bottom, and two sides connecting said top and bottom and defining an opening;

a plurality of stack supports mounted on said frame bottom;

a plurality of first actuators connected to said frame top each supporting a plate member in alignment with one of said stack supports for moving each of said plate members toward and away from said stack supports;

a second actuator for moving said frame between said first holder and said second holder;

a third actuator for pivoting said frame about an axis parallel to said frame bottom;

a fourth actuator for moving said frame bottom with respect to said frame sides; and

a controller for controlling said plurality of first actuators, said second actuator, said third actuator and said fourth actuator.

25. A method of moving a plurality of parallel stacks of discrete objects from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of:

providing a movable frame having a top and a bottom and a center opening;

providing a plurality of lower supports on said frame bottom;

providing a plurality of actuators on said frame top each connected to a plate member and aligned with one of said plurality of lower supports;

positioning said frame at a first location around a plurality of stacks of discrete objects with one of said plurality of lower supports beneath each one of said plurality of stacks and one of said plate members above each of said stacks;

moving said plate members against said stacks to compress each of said stacks between one of the supports and one of the plate members;

pivoting said frame about an axis parallel to said bottom;

moving said frame to said second location; and

moving said lower supports away from said upper supports to release said stacks at said second location.