Patent ID: 6402456
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A lifting device for lifting an ordered stack of articles, said lifting device cooperating with an unstacking device and with a stack-feeding conveyor, the lifting device comprising:first lifting means and second lifting means, said first lifting means and second lifting means cooperating such that the device continuously keeps an uppermost article of a stack located in the lifting device at a fixed, desired level, the first lifting means being constructed as a vertically adjustable lifting table, the lifting table engaging a first area of a lower side of a lowermost article of the stack, the second lifting means being constructed as lifting frames, the lifting frames in a folded-down position engaging a second area of the lower side of the lowermost article of the stack, while the first area and the second area do not coincide, and the lifting frames in a folded-up position being moveable from above a stack around the sides thereof to an operative position beneath a subsequent stack, the lifting table and the lifting frames being of a construction such that the first area is formed by a central part of the lower side of the lowermost article which part surrounds the central part, the lifting device comprising first drive means for adjusting height of the lifting table and second drive means for adjusting height of the lifting frames.