System, method and operating unit for forming mixed layers for pallets

• US 8,442,671 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Original Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Inventors: Beck, Michael, Ludsteck, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOGAN, KYLE O
• Application Number:
  US12/660,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20100228385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 700/217
• US Class Current: 700/217
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1378 the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/086 cubiform articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 57/24 the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 60/00 Simultaneously or alternatively stacking and de-stacking of 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

Abstract

A system (1), a method and an operating unit (62) for the creation of mixed layers for pallets (8₁, 8₂, 8₃, 8₄) are disclosed. A storage (10) is provided in which at least two different pack types are stored on a plurality of pallets (8₁, 8₂, 8₃, 8₄), including a plurality of layers of homogenous packs. The packs are intermediately stored in a plurality of individual, parallel conveyors (30₁, 30₂, . . . 30_N) in a homogenous state. Based on the input of a user (5) on a touch panel (62), the packs are supplied to a grouping table (50) via a supply conveyor (40) in a predetermined sequence. A controller (60) is associated with the system (1) so that, in the grouping table (50), individual different pack types are allocated to the predefined positions of the different pack types as a function of predefined positions of the different pack types in a layer pattern (14) of a layer (24) of a production pallet (12).

Claims

1. A system for the formation of mixed layers for pallets, comprising:

a storage, at least two different pack types of the same size being stored in the storage on a plurality of pallets, each pallet having a plurality of layers of homogenous packs;

a depalletizer for lifting off one homogenous layer at a time from the homogenous pallet;

a plurality of individual parallel conveyors, wherein each conveyor receives and stores separated packs of the homogenous layers of a pack type;

a supply conveyor for a grouping table downstream of the parallel conveyors; and

a controller controlling the supply conveyor so the at least two different pack types are supplied to the grouping table as a function of predefined positions of the different pack types in a layer pattern of a layer of a production pallet, the grouping table positioning the different pack types on the basis of the predefined positions of the different pack types based on the layer pattern such that the layer is formed as a mixed layer and the predefined positions of the different pack types being distributed in the layer pattern of the layer of the production pallet according to a percentage distribution of each of the at least two pack types on the production pallet.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a palletizer is arranged downstream of the grouping table, the palletizer depositing the mixed layer of the at least two pack types on the production pallet.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the controller is provided with an input/output unit, by which an operator receives status information from the system and determines the positioning of the different pack types within the layer of different packs.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein the input/output unit is a touch panel or a display with an input system, wherein the input system is a keyboard or a computer mouse or a joystick or a voice input unit.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one image processor arranged in the system, the image processor checking the individual packs for damage and/or for membership in each production order and/or for the correct transporting sequence with respect to the positions of the different pack types in the layer pattern of the layer of a production pallet.

6. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one image processor is associated with the depalletizer to verify the pack types necessary for the order.

24. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one image processor is arranged in an area in which the separated packs of the homogenous layers of a pack type enter into the individual conveyors.

25. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one image processor is associated with the supply conveyor of the grouping table, to verify the different pack types conveyed from the plurality of conveyors on the basis of the layer pattern of a layer of a production pallet.

7. A method of forming mixed layers for pallets, comprising the steps of:

allocating positions of at least two different pack types of the same dimensions within a layer pattern of a production pallet, wherein the allocated positions of the different pack types are distributed in the layer pattern as a mixed layer of the production pallet in accordance with having a percentage distribution of each of the at least two pack types of the production pallet;

transporting out the packs from a plurality of parallel conveyors in accordance with their allocated positions within the layer pattern of the production pallet in a controlled manner, wherein each conveyor only contains homogenous packs; and

supplying the packs sequentially as a function of their positions within the layer pattern of the production pallet to a grouping table, the predefined layer pattern being collated by the grouping table.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the entire layer collated on the grouping table in accordance with the predefined layer pattern is deposited on the production pallet.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein each of a plurality of pallets has a plurality of layers of homogenous packs and wherein a homogenous layer is lifted off a respective one of the plurality of pallets, and the packs of the homogenous layer are separately received in one of the selected parallel conveyors.

10. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising providing a controller with an input/output unit, the positioning of the different pack types within the layer of different pack types being carried out by an operator at the input/output unit.

11. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising checking the individual packs with an image processor for damage and/or for membership in each production order and/or for the correct transporting sequence with respect to the positions of the different pack types in the layer pattern of the layer of a production pallet.

12. An operating unit for a system for the formation of mixed layers for production pallets of at least two different pack types of the same dimensions, comprising:

an input/output unit configured to display a layer pattern for each of a plurality of layers of a production pallet, the input/output unit configured to receive inputs from an operator and allocate a position in each layer pattern to each pack of a type on the basis of a predefined mixing ratio of the individual pack types based on inputs by the operator, wherein the mixing ratio is determined from a percentage distribution of each the at least two different pack types within a specific production pallet.

13. The operating unit as recited in claim 12 wherein, in the layer pattern on the input/output unit, a graphical, numerical and/or alphanumerical marking appears on the various pack types, after the operator has allocated the position to the pack within the layer.

14. The operating unit as recited in claim 12 wherein the operator uses the input/output unit further to select the number of different pack types, a maximum number of the layers on a production pallet, the pack type and/or the type of the production pallet.

15. The operating unit as recited in claim 12 wherein a plurality of card-index tabs are shown on the input/output unit for the operator to access further information and action levels on the input/output unit to start an order for the creation of a plurality of production pallets with layers containing at least two different pack types, to create a new palleting mode for a new order, or to change over to a different order.

16. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein in at least one of the information and/or action levels, the input/output unit displays a plurality of buttons, wherein one button is associated with each function of the system for creating mixed layers for production pallets and wherein the buttons allow the operator to centrally influence the operation of the system.

17. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein in one of the information and/or action levels, the input/output unit presents to the operator production data with reference to the creation of production pallets with at least two different pack types and the status of the homogenous pallets of the at least two pack types present in the system.

18. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein, in one of the information and/or action levels, the input/output unit passes on information to the operator on the state of distribution and/or the number of different pack types in the system for the creation of mixed layers for production pallets, and also gives a graphic overview of the pallets present in the production and each comprising one pack type.

19. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein, in one of the information and/or action levels on the input/output unit, the operator receives information on the pallets with homogenous packs processed by a depalletizer.

20. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein, in one of the information and/or action levels on the input/output unit, the operator receives information on a transport of pallets in the system.

21. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein, in one of the information and/or action levels on the input/output unit, the operator receives information on a pack transport of the various pack types in the system.

22. The operating unit as recited in claim 15 wherein, in one of the information and/or action levels on the input/output unit, the operator receives information on the loaded production pallets.

23. The operating unit as recited in claim 12 wherein the input/output unit is a touch panel or a display with an input system, wherein the input system is a keyboard or a computer mouse or a joystick or a voice input unit.