Patent ID: 8220229
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. An item handling and stacking system adapted to receive at least one item from an infeed system presented an infeed height, the item handling and stacking system comprising: a frame defining a generally vertical column of space; a layer assembly platform for receiving at least one item to build a layer, the layer assembly platform disposed within the vertical column of space operable between a first position and a second position within the vertical column, the layer assembly platform defining a selectively adjustable assembly platform layer-build height and further operable to receive at least one item at the assembly platform layer-build height, the assembly platform layer-build height being intermediate to the first and second positions, and the layer assembly platform further adapted to independently and selectively reciprocate vertically in the vertical column of space, the layer assembly platform further comprising a pallet-build position disposed within the vertical column of space and positioned under the layer assembly platform; a pick-and-place robot disposed adjacent to the vertical column of space, the robot adapted to transfer the at least one item from the infeed system at the infeed height to a predetermined position on the layer assembly platform at the assembly platform layer-build height; and a stretch wrapping device comprising