Patent ID: 6264421
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for palletizing containers, in particular drums, kegs, or other essentially cylindrical or barrel-shaped containers, on a load carrier, and/or depalletizing said containers, said apparatus comprising a first transport system for supplying or removing filled containers (7), a second transport system for removing or supplying loader carriers each loaded with a container layer (7*) of filled containers (7), and a third transport system for supplying or removing empty pallets (P), and comprising a stationary palletizer main frame (1) having vertical transfer means (2) whose height is adjustable for gripping and restraining the container layer (7*), whereinthe first, second and third transport systems are disposed parallel to each other, said second transport system disposed between said first and third transport systems,the second transport system (5) terminating in the main frame (1), the third transport system positioned adjacent to the second transport system (5) at the same height as the second transport system (5) and terminating outside the palletizer main frame (1), and the first transport system extending to the palletizer main frame (1) from the direction opposite that of the third transport system, and terminating outside the palletizer main frame (1) at a distance corresponding to that of the third transport system (6);a double shuttle carriage (3: 3.1, 3.2) movable transversely to said first, second and third transport systems (4, 5, 6) on conveyor rails (8) through the palletizer main frame (1), and said carriage having a first car (3.1) that has a first carrying surface (A1) and is alternately positioned either on a preparation station (B) upstream from the end of said first transport system (4), or otherwise in a gripping and lifting position (G) in the palletizer main frame (1), and the carriage having a second car (3.2) that is permanently connected to the first car (3.1) and is alternately and unavoidably positioned either in the gripping and lifting position (G) or otherwise in an empty-pallet position (L) upstream from the end of the second transport system (5), andwherein the vertical transfer means (2) lift and lower the given gripped and restrained container layer (7*).