Package handling apparatus and method

• US 6,257,826 B1
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kisters Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kisters Kayat Incorporated
• Inventors: Marti, Jean, Neagle, Claud Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US09/156,983
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 414/799, 414/802, 414/788.9, 414/789.6, 414/789.3, 414/791.6, 414/792, 414/792.4, 414/922
• US Class Current: 414/799
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/086 cubiform articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 61/00 Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/10 Associated with forming or dispersing groups of intersupporting articles, e.g. stacking patterns

Abstract

A package handling apparatus. The layout of each layer of a palletized stack may be individually defined by an operator on a personal computer by graphically arranging packages into a desired layout on the computer. The personal computer communicates to a programmable logic controller which controls handlers. Packages from an exit conveyor of a packaging machine are positioned and oriented onto a pre-palletization conveyor by the handlers. The desired layout is achieved when the positioned and oriented packages reach a compression station and are compressed together. The layout of packages, forming a layer for a pallet, is then stacked onto the pallet for shipping. A related method for handling and assembling packages is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for handling packages comprising:

a pre-palletization conveyor;

at least one handler means receiving said packages from an infeed conveyor, said at least one handler means comprising a means for positioning each of said packages on said pre-palletization conveyor, wherein said handler means comprises flaps that receive said packages and said positioning means comprises means for driving said at least one handler means along an axis;

a means for controlling said handler means and said positioning means to assemble said packages into a user-defined layout, wherein said controlling means is programmable and sends signals to each of said at least one handler means to properly position each said package on said pre-palletization conveyor;

a means for compressing said packages on said pre-palletization conveyor into said user-defined layout;

means for orienting said packages on said pre-palletization conveyor wherein said programmable means for controlling further provides means for controlling said orienting means; and

wherein said orienting means comprises means for rotating a portion of said at least one handler means.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a means for graphically presenting said user-defined layout.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said graphically presenting means comprises a computer.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said computer provides a means for defining a layout of packages to form a layer of a palletized stack.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said programmable means for controlling comprises a programmable logic controller in communication with said computer.

6. A method for handling and assembling packages into a user defined layout comprising the steps of:

receiving packages with individual handlers from an infeed conveyor;

defining a desired layout of packages;

communicating the desired layout of packages to a device controlling the positioning and orienting of the packages;

positioning each of said packages onto a pre-palletization conveyor to conform with the desired layout;

orienting packages on a pre-palletization conveyor to conform with the desired layout;

conveying the positioned and oriented packages to a compression station;

compressing the packages into face-to-face engagement in the desired layout

placing the layer onto a pallet.