GB811353A - Improvements in or relating to pallet loading machines - Google Patents

Abstract

811,353. Stacking cartons. MATHEWS CONVEYER CO. Ltd. July 8, 1955, No. 19776/55. Class 94(1). A pallet loading machine comprises a lift platform 53, Fig. 4, for raising an empty pallet P to a position just below the path of movement of an apron 55, moving in steps from left to right across the top of the pallet P, and receiving at each step a line of cartons fed across its width by a carton transfer device 68 until the apron 55 is in a position in which it is fully loaded in a predetermined manner and in contact with a limit switch. The apron 55 then withdraws beneath a stripper beam 229 which slides the layer of cartons off the apron 55 on to the pallet P. The platform 53 then moves downwards a distance sufficient to enable the apron 55 to repeat its motion and deposit a second layer of cartons on the first. The process is repeated continually until the pallet is fully loaded whereupon the platform 53 is lowered completely and the stacked cartons C and their pallet P are moved away by a discharge conveyer 56. As the loaded pallet moves off the platform 53 an empty pallet P is conveyed from a magazine 50 to the empty platform 53 which then rises and comes to a stop at a level ready to receive a layer of cartons from the apron 55. The platform 53 is suspended by hoisting chains 215, 215, and is raised and lowered by the operation of a hydraulic cylinder 214. The operation of the cylinder is controlled by a 4-way spring-centred solenoid-operated hydraulic valve. Carried by the carriage is a striker 226, Fig. 3 (not shown), adapted to engage three normally open limit switches to control the operation of the lift. Feeding cartons on to apron. The cartons are brought to the machine by a belt conveyer 58, Fig. 6 (Fig 6 is a view at right angles to Fig. 4), in a direction normal to the direction of movements of the apron 55. A carton stop 63 is raised to arrest the motion of the cartons (the belt 58 sliding under the cartons) until the required number of cartons C have been assembled ready for transfer as a unit on to the apron 55. At this stage the stop 63 retracts and a pusher element 67, on the carton transfer device 68, pushes the cartons on to the apron 55 and against a carton locator stop 69. The pusher element 67 then returns to its original position and when the next row of cartons have been assembled against the stop 63, the apron 55 is indexed forward an increment sufficient to receive said next row and the pusher 67 transfers the second row on to the apron. This process is repeated with the exception that the cartons for one or more of the rows may have been turned through 90 degrees during their motion along the belt 58. Carton turning device. Along the path of the belt 58 are a pair of arms 96, 97, Fig. 10, pivoted at 102 and pneumatically operated by pistons 107, 110, such that, on receipt of an electrical signal, the arm 96 moves into the path of a single large carton, or a pair of smaller cartons as shown to cause them to be gripped by the clip 118. The two arms 96, 97, then rotate clockwise to turn the boxes or cartons through 90 degrees to the position shown in broken lines. The arms 96, 97, then return to their original position and the carton or cartons continue along the belt 58. Closing-in guides. When a layer of cartons C has been on a pallet P two guides 71, Fig. 6, along the side edges of the apron 55, and a third guide 70, Fig. 4, adjacent the end of the apron 55 remote from the stripper beam 229, move inwardly to compact the cartons in position and then retract. This operation is performed automatically through electrical and pneumatic means. Protection. A spring loaded arm 228, Fig. 3 (not shown), presses against one of the chains supporting the platform 53 and should the chain become slack as a result of the platform jamming on its downward movement the arm 228 deflects to open a switch and stop the machine. Specifications 811,354 and 811,355 [Group XXX] are referred to.