U.S. patent number RE35,066 [Application Number 08/292,397] was granted by the patent office on 1995-10-17 for load former-palletizer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Martin Family Trust. Invention is credited to Merrill D. Martin.
United States Patent |
RE35,066 |
Martin |
October 17, 1995 |
Load former-palletizer
Abstract
A machine receives packages in bundles and transports them over
a series of conveyors to arrange them in suitable layers for
stacking into solid stacks or loads of predetermined form or
arrangement for palletizing or .[.other conveying means.]. .Iadd.in
a stack for further transportation.Iaddend.. Each conveyor performs
related functions of rotating packages in a horizontal plane,
moving transversely and delivering in the predetermined pattern to
form layers of an eventual stack for further transportation.
Provision is made for insertion of sheets between layers as they
are formed.
Inventors: |
Martin; Merrill D. (Oakland,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Martin Family Trust (Oakland,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
24592197 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/292,397 |
Filed: |
August 18, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
646210 |
Jan 28, 1991 |
05139388 |
Aug 18, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/799;
414/791.6; 414/922; 414/927 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
47/086 (20130101); B65G 57/005 (20130101); B65G
57/245 (20130101); Y10S 414/106 (20130101); Y10S
414/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
47/04 (20060101); B65G 57/24 (20060101); B65G
57/02 (20060101); B65G 47/08 (20060101); B65G
057/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;198/374,367,369,415
;414/799,789.9,789.5,790.3,792,792.7,791.2,791.6,792.5,793.8,794.7,794.8,927,902 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1444118 |
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May 1966 |
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FR |
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2616135 |
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Sep 1988 |
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FR |
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1239241 |
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Apr 1967 |
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DE |
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3839616 |
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Jun 1990 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Huppert; Michael S.
Assistant Examiner: Krizek; Janice L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cypher; James R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A machine for positioning a number of individual packages into
an arrangement of layers and forming a stack thereof
comprising:
a plurality of power driven roller conveyors mounted in series on a
structure for successive handling a flow of said packages
thereon;
said conveyors interconnected to effect the successive flow of said
packages from one conveyor to another;
a first of said conveyors having a vertically moving control gate
operatively connected thereto to control a flow of packages thereon
and to
a second of said, conveyors connecting with said first of said
conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;
a rotator positioned .[.on.]. .Iadd.at .Iaddend. said second of
said conveyors for rotating said packages in a horizontal plane
about their vertical axes to a predetermined angular position on
said second of said conveyors, said rotator comprising:
a separate section of said second conveyor .[.rollers mounted for
movement in a vertical direction and.]. comprising a plurality of
separate rollers;
means operatively connected to said power driven rollers to drive
said separate section of rollers;
.Iadd.a rotatable table including an open frame for nesting between
said separate rollers; .Iaddend.
means for raising and lowering said .[.separate section of
rollers.]. .Iadd.rotatable table above and below said separate
rollers; .Iaddend.
means for rotating said .[.separate section of rollers.].
.Iadd.rotatable .Iaddend.in a horizontal plane while in a raised
position to a predetermined angular position;
means associated with said second conveyor for holding said
packages in position against said .[.separate section of rollers.].
.Iadd.rotatable table .Iaddend.while said rotator is in
operation;
a third of said conveyors connecting with said second of said
conveyors and arranged to receive a flow of packages therefrom;
a lateral positioner positioned on said third of said conveyors for
positioning said packages .[.trasversely.]. .Iadd.transversely
.Iaddend.across said third of said conveyors to a predetermined
transverse location thereon;
a fourth of said conveyors connecting with said third of said
conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;
a vertical stop positioned at one end of said fourth of said
conveyors positioned to arrest said flow of said packages thereon
thereby forming a plurality of layers of said packages in
succession on said fourth of said conveyors;
means for transporting said layers successively from said fourth of
said conveyors.
means for depositing said layers successively on the platform of a
descending elevator positioned at one end of said fourth of said
conveyors; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.
means for inserting separating sheets of paper between said layers
as they are being deposited on said platform of said elevator
.[.;.]. thereby forming a stack of said packages.
2. A machine for positioning a number of individual packages into
an arrangement of layers and forming a stack thereof
comprising:
a plurality of power driven roller conveyors mounted in series on a
structure for successive handling a flow of said packages
thereon;
said conveyors being interconnected to effect the successive flow
of said packages from one conveyor to another;
a first of said conveyors having a vertically moving control gate
operatively connected thereto to control a flow of packages thereon
and to
a second of said conveyors connecting with said first of said
conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;
a rotator positioned on said second of said conveyors for rotating
said packages in a horizontal plane about their vertical axes to a
predetermined angular position on said second of said
conveyors;
a third of said conveyors connecting with said second of said
conveyors and mounted to receive the flow of packages
therefrom;
a lateral positioner positioned on said third of said conveyors for
positioning said packages transversely across said third of said
conveyors to a predetermined transverse location thereon, said
lateral positioner comprising:
a pair of parallel vertical clamps positioned in opposite spaced
relation to each other transversely on said third of said
conveyors;
each of said clamps being mounted on a separate travel
carriage;
a sprocket mounted on each of said travel carriages;
a chain operatively engaging both of said sprockets;
an electric motor mounted on each of said travel carriages and
operatively connected to each of said sprockets;
means for operating said motors individually or simultaneously in
either direction of rotation;
whereby said clamps may be moved simultaneously towards or away
from each other transversely across said third of said
conveyors;
and whereby said clamps may be moved simultaneously in the same
direction transversely across said third of said conveyors;
said clamps being so positioned as to engage said packages;
thereby positioning said packages in a predetermined lateral
position transversely on said third of said conveyors;
a fourth of said conveyors connecting with said third of said
conveyors and mounted to receive the flow of packages
therefrom;
a vertical stop positioned at one end of said fourth of said
conveyors positioned to arrest said flow of said packages thereon
thereby forming a plurality of layers of said packages in
successtion on said fourth of said conveyors;
means for transporting said layers successively from said fourth of
said conveyors;
means for depositing said layers successively on the platform of a
descending elevator positioned at one end of said fourth of said
conveyors;
means for inserting separating sheets of paper between said layers
as they are being deposited on said platform of said elevator;
thereby forming a stack of said packages.
Description
FIELD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
In many production operations it is customary to load the products
of the operation usually upon pallets for transportation, sometimes
by forklift trucks to final points of disposition to warehouses or
other facilities.
It has been the accepted practice to pile the items up by hand upon
the pallets. The items are usually of rectangular cross-section
such as boxes or cartons or sometimes loose bundles of items such
as knocked-down flat corrugated paper cartons, as is common in that
industry. This involves considerable labor cost and time factor and
places a substantial burden on the efficiency of the overall
operation of the business.
The most relevant prior art known to applicant directed to this
problem is represented by the Pulda U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,425 which
is concerned primarily with manual operations and does not teach
any automation.
Applicant is not aware of any successful attempt to automatically
effect the load forming and palletizing of loads or stacks
described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicant has invented a machine which automatically forms a load
of boxes, bundles, containers, or cartons and delivers them for
final disposition. For our purposes here these items will be
referred to by the generic term "packages" whether they are
integral or loose bundles as described above.
I employ a combination of conveyors arranged in series with an
elevator and in combination with accompanying devices to form such
loads and deliver them to a pallet for other disposition
automatically.
I first select a desired pattern of arrangement of my rectangular
shaped packages for each layer of my load. This is fed into my
computerized central controller.
I then provide a gate to control the flow of my packages to the
conveyors. A rotator positions each package in a required angular
position to comply with my selected pattern. A positioner then
positions each package laterally also in the relative position
selected according to the pattern desired.
My packages are then conveyed to a further or sweep conveyor and
stripper plate where they are transferred to the platform of a
descending elevator by a novel combination of mechanisms. At this
point I provide also for inserting separation sheets between the
successive layers of packages as well as the bottom of the stack to
insure proper alignment and handling of the stacks or loads.
After the elevator has completed its descent with a complete load
or stack of successive layers of systematically arranged packages,
the roller conveyors comprising the platform of my elevator
discharges the load to a run-out conveyor, thence to pallets or
other disposition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric overall view of my machine showing the
general arrangement and relationship of the main individual
components comprising my machine.
FIG. 2 is a front election view of metering gate "A" in position
between the rollers of conveyor 2.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of the gate "A" of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of rotator "B" positioned on conveyor 2a
FIG. 5 is a section along .[.3--3.]. .Iadd.5--5 .Iaddend.of FIG. 4
showing the method of driving for rotator "B".
FIG. 6 is a .[.front elevation.]. .Iadd.section .Iaddend.of the
rotator .Iadd.taken along line 6--6 .Iaddend.of FIG. .[.5.].
.Iadd.4.Iaddend..
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of one of the side plates of positioner
"C" positioned on conveyor 3.
FIG. 8 is an end elevation of positioner "C" showing both side
plates and method of drive
FIG. 9 is a plan view of sweep conveyor 4 and stripper plate
"G".
FIGS. 10 and 10A are side elevations of the mechanism of sweep "D"
in two positions showing the chain drive.
FIG. 11 is an end elevation of sweep "D".
FIG. 12 illustrates the operation of the pushing arm of sweep
"D".
FIG. 12a illustrates an improved embodiment of FIG. 12 with air
cylinder.
FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the elevator "E" and run-out
conveyor.
FIG. 14 is an end view of the elevator of FIG. 13 showing the
drive.
FIG. 15 is a side elevation showing the sheet feeders "F-1" and
"F-2".
FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the sheet feeders of FIG. 15 shown
in combination with the elevator "E".
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing typical patterns of combinations of
packages or bundles for load formation or the many that may be
used.
FIGS. 18-18B are control charts illustrating the controls of my
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
General Description
Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a basic structure 1 of
generally right angular configuration. This structure supports a
number of conveyors, namely a feed conveyor 2, a rotator conveyor
2a, connecting with a positioning conveyor 3 and thence to a sweep
conveyor 4 and elevator conveyor 5 and finally to run-out conveyor
6. Positioned in operative relation with the aforesaid conveyors
are the following principal components of my machine.
On conveyors 2 and 2a there are seen metering gate "A" and rotator
"B" respectively. On conveyor 3 there is seen positioner "C" thence
to transfer sweep "D" conveyor 4. Here there is sweep "D" leading
to conveyor 5 which forms a part of the platform of elevator "E"
and thence to run-out conveyor 6.
Interposed between sweep "D" and elevator "E" are lower or bottom
slip sheet feeder "F-1" and intermediate or tie sheet feeder "F-2".
Also interposed is stripper plate "G" in between conveyor 4 and
platform 5 of elevator "E".
OPERATION
FIG. 1
The above components form a novel combination which forms a load
comprising successive layers of packages or bundles 7 for delivery
to a pallet or other dispostion accomplishing the objects of my
invention as set forth above.
The construction, function, and operation of all of the above
individual components is set forth in more detail below.
First, a pattern for the desired arrangement of each of the
successive layers, depending on the sizes and the relative
positions desired for the packages, is selected from a chart such
as that shown on FIG. 17. From this the operation of the various
machine components to effect the selected arrangement is programmed
on a programmable logic controller as described herein below and
set forth on FIG. 18.
The packages 7 are fed one by one to the center line of feed
conveyor 2 which is of a conventional type comprising a plurality
of rollers 11 driven continuously at a predetermined speed by
chains and sprockets (not shown). Successive conveyors are of
identical construction except that rollers 11a of conveyor 3 may be
geared to run at somewhat higher speed to permit time for proper
operation of gate "A". Gate "A" is pneumatically solenoid operated
to control the rate of feed to the machine through operation of eye
sensor switch 12 and is shown in more detail on FIGS. 2 and 3.
When gate "A" drops, bundle 7 is conveyed to rotator "B" which
comprises a section of conveyor 2a arranged to operate as a
rotating table disposed to raise and turn packages 7 through the
desired number of degrees usually 90.degree. or 180.degree. while
being held in position by rotary clamp 13, all when activated by
optical sensor 14 and described in detail on FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
Package 7 then proceeds to positioner "C" on conveyor 3. This
comprises a pair of vertical clamps or position 15 and 16 disposed
to grasp package 7 by its parallel sides in the direction of travel
and position it at predetermined position laterally on conveyor 3
to effect its ultimate selected position in the layer when actuated
by optical switch 17. Its detailed construction of operation will
be understood from FIGS. 7 and 8.
After being placed in the pre-selected position, the positioners
are retracted and the package proceeds on to sweep and discharge
conveyor 4 until it contacts stop 18 at the side of sweep conveyor
4.
When a layer of packages has been completed the sweep component "D"
goes into operation to form the layer into a stack of successive
layers. The actual sweep "D" is shown on FIGS. 10, 10A, 11 or 12
and 12A. Before the movement of the layer can be made to form a
stack several auxiliary operations are performed. It is known that
a bottom or slip sheet of relatively heavy cardboard is desirable
for proper formation and transport of the stack. It is also known
that it is desirable to insert light weight tie sheets between
successive layers to preserve the integrity of the stack. These
sheets must be inserted during the time that the layers are being
transferred to form the stack. These operations are performed by
sheet feeder components "F-1" and "F-2" of the machine and are
shown on FIGS. 15 and 16.
The stack is formed on the platform 5 of elevator "E" which is a
component of the machine and is shown and described on FIGS. 13 and
14. The layers of packages are not packed directly onto the
elevator platform but onto a reciprocating stripper plate shown on
component "G" of the machine and shown and described in detail on
FIG. 9. When the layer of packages is being formed on sweep
conveyor 4, plate "G" is positioned at the discharge end of
conveyor 4 ready to receive a layer from sweep "D".
At the start of the stack forming operation, platform 5 of elevator
"E" is at the bottom of its travel. At a given signal at this point
sheet feeder component "F-1" feeds a slip sheet of stiff cardboard
19 onto the platform of elevator "E".
Platform 5 of elevator "E" then rises to the top of its travel just
below the elevation of sweep conveyor 4.
When the formation of the layer on conveyor 4 is complete, sweep
"D" pushes it onto stripper plate "G" until it strikes stop 20.
Plate "G" is then withdrawen and the layer drops onto the slip
sheet convering elevator platform 5. Sweep "D" is then withdrawn
and the formation of a succeeding layer on conveyor 4 is
commenced.
The process is repeated for the succeeding layers. A tie sheet of
paper may optionally be inserted after the stripper "G" has been
retracted and the elevator has stepped down so that the top of the
current load is below the stripper. After the tie sheet has been
inserted, the stripper "G" is inserted and the elevator is raised
so the load is slightly pressed against the under side of the
stripper "G". At this point a newly formed layer on the sweep
conveyor may be swept onto the .[.strippler.]. .Iadd.stripper
.Iaddend.plate.
When the stack or load is complete, elevator platform 5 is at the
end of its travel at the bottom. Live conveyor rollers 22 of a
conventional type, motor driven through chain drive as previously
described, and which comprise the platform 5, propel the stack to
run-out conveyor 6. This is comprised of similar rollers 23 and
delivers the stack to a waiting pallet or to other disposition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Gate "A" (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3)
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is seen first the gate
proper 25 which is essentially a flat plate positioned between
rollers 11 of conveyor 2. Structural member 26 which form a part of
principal structure 1 is shown below rollers 11. Support bar 27 for
plate 25 and support knob 28 connects with operating shaft 29 which
in turn connects with operating cylinder 30. Not shown but
positioned inside cylinder 30 is solenoid operated air piston which
is activated by optical electrical switch 12.
The electrical switch is actually tied into the central controller
which in turn controls the solenoid operated air piston using this
information along with other information. Guide shaft 31 controls
the movement of plate 25 to guides 32 as limited by stops 33.
Rotator "B" (FIGS. 4,5,and 6)
Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, there is seen a rotator which
essentially forms a part of the rollers 11 of conveyor 2a. The
rotator itself comprises what amounts to a .Iadd.rotatable
.Iaddend.table having .[.a.]. .Iadd.an open .Iaddend.frame41, a
drive motor 42, a transmission or drive 43 which may be a belt as
shown, and a shaft 44 supporting frame 41. Shaft 44 is operated by
s solenoid actuated pneumatic piston located within cylinder 45
which is disposed to raise the entire table including the frame
.[.and rollers.]. .Iadd.41 .Iaddend.up and down pursuant to the
control signals 14.
A rotary cylindrically shaped flat clamp 46 held by shaft 47 which
connects with cylinder 48 in which there is located also a solenoid
operated pneumatic piston. This mechanism is disposed to hold a
package in position on the table while it is being rotated.
Table feed rollers 49 are belt driven from principal conveyor
rollers 11 by belts 50. .[.Table.]. .Iadd.Separate table
.Iaddend.rollers 51 serve to propel the package while it is on the
table and are driven by belts 52 which in turn receive their drive
from main conveyor rollers 11 as shown. Take-away rollers 53 driven
by belt 54 which in turn are powered from main conveyor rollers 11
serve to feed the packages from the rotator to successive
conveyors. .Iadd.Thus, open frame 41 nests between separate rollers
51 as shown in FIG. 4 and elements 42, 43, 44, and 45 provide means
for raising and lowering the rotatable table above and below the
separate rollers 51. .Iaddend.
It is thus seen that packages approaching on conveyor 2a are
delivered to rotator table 41 where they are raised vertically by
shaft 44 and then rotated in a horizontal plane by the action of
motor 42 while held in position by rotary clamp 46 and then
returned to the table 41 at the desired angle or position from
where they are delivered to successive conveyors. The operation is
controlled by operating control switch 14 which forms a part of the
general system as, described elsewhere herein.
Positioner "C" (FIGS. 7 and 8)
In FIGS. 7 and 8 there are seen positioning member 15 and
positioning member 16 located on conveyor 3 and the usual conveyor
rollers 11a. These are designated as left positioner plate and
right positioner plate respectively and comprise flat plates
disposed to grasp the sides of the package 7. The plates are held
in position on support member 60 and include stops 61 and operating
shaft 62. Rollers 63 provide for the transverse motion of the
plates on guides 64. Chain drive 65 provides for the movement of
the positioning plates and is driven by motors 66 which are the
gear head type.
At the start of the operation position plates 15 and 16 are wide
apart on opposite sides of conveyor 3. Package 7 enters and when
acuated by operational switch 17 plates converge and grasp the
package. This movement is effected by the operation of the first
motor 66 on plate 15. The movement of both plates and to obtain the
proper lateral position is effected through the action of second
motor 66 which then effects the motion of both plates which may be
seen from FIG. 8.
Sweep "D" (FIGS. 10, 10a, 11 and 12)
Following the positioner previously described the package moves on
conveyor 4. Package 7 moves across conveyor 4 until it strikes stop
18. Associated with conveyor 4 is pusher plate 70 with its
operating arm shown. Swivelling member 71 forms a part of pusher
plate 70 and engages chain 72. Chain 72 is driven by a motor 78
which engages teeth 73 forming a part of swivelling member 71.
Dashpots 74 control the swivelling motion of member 71 which pivots
on the structure of pusher arm 70. Idle rollers 75 positioned on
shaft 76 guide the motion of pusher plate 70 and its arms across
conveyor 4. Travel rail 80 serves to support the travel of pusher
plate 70 and carriage 80a and support is furnished by support
rollers 82 positioned on structure 1. Limit and control switch 81
is tied into the central control as mentioned hereinabove for the
driving motor 78.
Sweep "D" --Alternate Embodiment FIG. 12a
In this embodiment I attain improved operation of pusher plate 70
by introducing an air assist cylinder 83, mounted on travel
carriage 80a with an air operated piston and rod 84, operatively
connected to swivelling member 71 through fastening plate 85. An
air supply (not shown) is fed to air ports 86 on opposite ends of
cylinder 83 through air ports 86 and controlled by three-way valves
87. The action of the air cylinder has the effect of smoothing the
action of chain 72 on plate 70 and avoiding slamming.
Stripper Plate "G" (FIG. 9)
Stripper plate "G" serves to assist in depositing the layers of
packages upon elevator platform 5 after they are discharged by
sweep "D". This component forms a part of the main elevator
structure 90 which is basically a part of the machine structure 1.
Its principal element is a flat .[.preciprocating.].
.Iadd.reciprocating .Iaddend.aluminum plate 91 positioned on a pair
of racks 92 driven by pinions 93 through geared head motor 94 and
drive shaft 95. Rollers 96 support the travel of plate 91 in slides
98 against stops 97.
Plate 91 is positioned at the discharge end of conveyor 4 during
the formation of the layer of packages 7 upon it. After the
discharge of the layer by sweep upon plate "G" the latter is
retracted and causes the packages to drop upon the platform of
elevator 5 which at this point is in position to receive it. Plate
"G" then remains in this retracted position until the elevator
lowers the load below plate level. At this point a tie sheet may be
optionally added. Upon completion, the stripper plate is inserted
and the load is raised back up against plate "G".
Sheet Feeeders "F-1" and "F-2" (FIGS. 15 and 16)
These elements whose function is described above form a part of the
elevator frame 90 and in turn part of the main structure of the
machine. The bottom or slip sheet feeder is shown at 100 and the
top or tie sheet feeder is shown at 101. Heavy sheets are shown as
positioned at 102 and a vacuum cup transporting mechanism at 103.
The source of continuous vacuum is not shown. A solenoid operated
pneumatic lift is shown at 104 and the lift control at 105.
Retractor control is shown at 106 and feed rollers and belt at 107
with motor drive at 108. In regards to the central control system,
the vacuum cup mechanism raises a sheet and feeds it to feed
rollers and belt 107 driven by motor 108 all responsive to the
central control.
A stack of light weight tie sheets is shown at 110. Vacuum cups 111
are connected to a continuous source of vacuum. Vacuum cups 111 are
mounted on transport arm 112 which is likewise operated by solenoid
actuated pneumatic lift mechanism 113 and motor and chain driven
mechanism 114 for driving arm 112 horizontally. Responsive also to
the central control the vacuum cup raises individual sheets from
the stack 110 and transports them horizontally for deposit over a
layer of packages when they are positioned at the top of the stack
on elevator platform 5.
Elevator "E" FIGS, 13,14, and 16)
The elevator frame structure seen at 90 with rollers 22 are all
previously described. The bottom or slip sheet 102 is shown in
position. The elevator drive is seen at 200, the mechanical
transmission at 201, the sprockets at 202, the shaft at 203 and the
chains at 204. The counter-weights are shown at 205 and the
platform equalizing chains at 206. The drive for the platform
roller 22 is shown at 207. The previously described rollers 23 for
run-out conveyor and run-out conveyor itself is shown at 6, all
previously described. The drive for the .[.tun-out.]. .Iadd.run-out
.Iaddend.conveyor and transmission is shown at 208. Elevator
operating switches which are also part of the general control
system are shown at 209 and 210. Aside from the latter aspect most
of the elevator construction elements are of a conventional
type.
Machine Control (FIGS. 17 and 18)
On FIG. 17 a series of typical arrangements which the packages will
bear on the stacks and pallets when completed. The arrangements are
not all inclusive but many others may be utilized as desired. The
arrangements are fed into the computerized control shown in the
chart on FIG. 18 and labeled as "user interface". It may be
referred to also as "operating interface".
On FIG. 18 the logic of the principal components "A" through "F-2"
described in the figures and specification are indicated on the
central controller. The energizing elements or sensors 12, 14, 17,
81, 209, 115, and 210 shown elsewhere in the corresponding figures
and described in the specification are indicated as inputs to the
controller.
The actuating means for the components such as motors, pistons,
valves, etc., which are identified by their corresponding numbers
in the corresponding figures and specification are shown as output
from the central controller.
The operation of the invention is thus made clear.
An added feature of the machine's logic is that central controller
is programmed to permit gradually changing the speed of the release
time for each operation to accommodate different sizes of packages
and thus maintain proper timing. This proper control of the
admission of packages to the admission gate of the machine prevents
operations interefering with one another. This is a self-tuning
feature evident from the foregoing description.
* * * * *