Patent ID: 6948901
Filing Date: 2005-09-27
Classification: B65G,B65H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A paper roll storage and handling installation comprising: a storage structure comprising a sequence of aligned first storage surfaces and at least one second storage surface, each of the storage surfaces extending horizontally along a longitudinal direction and providing a plurality of storage locations for paper rolls placed side by side with axes horizontally oriented in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, a plurality of load stations aligned with the sequence of first storage surfaces, each of them situated adjacent to one of the first storage surfaces in the longitudinal direction or between two consecutive first storage surfaces, for accommodating a transport device suitable for receiving a single paper roll with its axis oriented in the transverse direction, the transport device being movable away from the load station in the transverse direction to a first side of the first and second storage surfaces, an aisle extending alongside the sequence of first storage surfaces and the plurality of load stations in the longitudinal direction at a side of the first and second storage surfaces opposite said first side, a pick-up station situated adjacent the aisle in the transverse direction for receiving a single paper roll with its axis oriented in the transverse direction, a storage and retrieval device for transferring paper rolls between the pick-up station, the load stations and the storage locations, the storage and retrieval device comprising a base movable along the aisle in the longitudinal direction, a vertically movable platform mounted on the base and a support for carrying a single paper roll mounted on the platform, the support being transversely extendable from the aisle into the pick-up station, any of the load stations and any of the storage locations and retractable from the same, wherein the at least one second storage surface is situated above the first storage surfaces, wherein a plurality of storage locations of both at least one of the first storage surfaces and at least one of the at least one second storage surface are contained in a same contiguous handling space, the same contiguous handling space also including at least one load station that is situated adjacent a storage location of the first storage surfaces contained in the same contiguous handling space, and wherein the at least one second storage surface is bordered by at least one gap that is also within the same contiguous handling space such that the support is movable vertically, through the at least one gap, between a level of the at least one first storage surfaces and a level of the at least one second storage surface in its extended state whenever any load station or storage location of the at least one first storage surfaces that is vertically aligned with the gap is unoccupied.