Computer controlled system for loading pallets in a confined cargo area
First Claim
1. A system for sequentially receiving stacks of boxes of product in multiple layers, each layer having at least two boxes, and effectively loading the maximum number of layers of boxes in an enclosed cargo space comprising:
- a first area for sequentially receiving stacks of boxes, each stack having layers of boxes of the same height, which height may or may not be the same height as the layer of boxes in the next sequentially received stack;
a programmable microprocessor for (1) storing a stack location and maximum height in given sequential locations in said enclosed cargo space and (2) determining how many layers of boxes of each sequentially received stack must be placed in a given stack location in said cargo space to provide the maximum height stack in said given stack location;
box delayering means coupled to said programmable microprocessor for sequentially receiving said stacks of boxes from said first area and removing as many layers of boxes from each received stack as determined by said programmable microprocessor to create said maximum height stack;
a stretch-wrap machine for sequentially receiving the delayered stacks of boxes stretch wrapping said delayered stacks into unitary stacks; and
a second area for sequentially receiving and temporarily storing said stretch-wrapped stacks of boxes; and
means for sequentially transporting said stretch-wrapped stacks of boxes to said enclosed cargo area in proper order and for stacking them in each given stack location to maximize use of said enclosed cargo area.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for configuring a stack of layers of boxes to fill an enclosed compartment or cargo space in sequential stack positions according to measurements of the compartment as stored by a computer and the box layer height as determined by the computer. The computer calculates the maximum height of the stack and each predetermined stack location within the cargo space necessary to fill the enclosed cargo space and, through a programmable logic controller, directs a delayering clamp to index itself relative to a stack of boxes, and then removes as many boxes as necessary from the stack. The remaining layers of boxes in the stack are then fed to a stretch-wrap station where the remaining layers of the stack are rotated while the stretch wrap is being applied. The stretch-wrapped stack is then transferred to a station for holding for a forklift or other device to take it into the enclosed cargo area and stack it. A novel slip sheet is placed under each stack as it is moved into place under the load delayering clamp. It has a front portion that acts as a tongue that can be gripped by a special fork loader. It also has two sides that are folded up and encompassed by the stretch wrap to form a solid base for the carton stack. The tongue on this slip sheet allows a special push-pull attachment for the forklift to stack and to unstack the pallets.
83 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for sequentially receiving stacks of boxes of product in multiple layers, each layer having at least two boxes, and effectively loading the maximum number of layers of boxes in an enclosed cargo space comprising:
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a first area for sequentially receiving stacks of boxes, each stack having layers of boxes of the same height, which height may or may not be the same height as the layer of boxes in the next sequentially received stack; a programmable microprocessor for (1) storing a stack location and maximum height in given sequential locations in said enclosed cargo space and (2) determining how many layers of boxes of each sequentially received stack must be placed in a given stack location in said cargo space to provide the maximum height stack in said given stack location; box delayering means coupled to said programmable microprocessor for sequentially receiving said stacks of boxes from said first area and removing as many layers of boxes from each received stack as determined by said programmable microprocessor to create said maximum height stack; a stretch-wrap machine for sequentially receiving the delayered stacks of boxes stretch wrapping said delayered stacks into unitary stacks; and a second area for sequentially receiving and temporarily storing said stretch-wrapped stacks of boxes; and means for sequentially transporting said stretch-wrapped stacks of boxes to said enclosed cargo area in proper order and for stacking them in each given stack location to maximize use of said enclosed cargo area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification