Patent ID: 9260256
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for handling layers of palletized goods comprising: a lift head including a suction face sized for a pallet, downwardly open suction chambers, and being movable against a top side of an upper layer of goods on the pallet and the downwardly open suction chambers being connected via individual valves to a vacuum source and the suction face being movable against a top side of an upper layer of goods on the pallet; and wherein the valves are closed when an associated suction chamber is contacting a top side of the goods on an uppermost pallet layer, a vertically adjustable skirt having four inner sides disposed along all outer sides of the suction face, the vertically adjustable skirt including inflatable squeezing pads located respectively on different inner sides which exert an inwardly directed pressure on sides of at least the upper layer of goods on the pallet, the flexible curtain including curtain parts comprising means for enhancing suction by the suction face and being disposed at opposed ends of the suction face, the curtain parts being connected with the vertically adjustable skirt and being movable inwardly along an underside of a pallet layer which has been lifted to a position under a part of the suction face and the flexible curtain is disposed at the underside of the pallet layer which has been lifted and providing support for the pallet layer.