A method for palletising books, magazines, sheets, packages and the like

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for palletisation for the graphics industry of books, magazines, sheets, packages and similar products, which are simply stacked, ie without elements of support, binding and the like, or for packages with different dimensions, which uses conveyor belts or roller conveyors to transport and order in rows the products to be palletised. The method is characterised by a specific sequence of steps of work, which can convey the products from a roller conveyor (6) to a palletisation support (7).

Description: The present invention relates to creation of a method of work for palletisation in the graphics field, for books, magazines, sheets, packages and similar products, which are simply stacked, ie. without elements for support, binding and the like, or for packages with different dimensions, which can be heat-shrunk or provided with straps, as well as a device which can implement this method. There have been known for some time in the graphics industry methods which are designed for palletisation of books, magazines, packages and other similar products, which are disposed loose or gathered into packages, comprising a first step, in which, by means of conveyor belts or roller conveyors, the products to be palletised are transported and ordered in rows; a second step in which a thrust unit thrusts a row of products horizontally until it brings them to a loading surface of a transport head; a third step in which, by means of anthropomorphic movements, the transport head is positioned above the palletisation support; and finally a last step, in which, by appropriate means, products are transferred from the loading surface to the palletisation surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a method which reduces as much as possible the length of the path which the transport head must travel in order to bring the products from the supply roller conveyor to the palletisation support. An example of such a method is described in EP-A-0794138 A further object is to provide a method for palletisation with high productivity, which reduces to a minimum the time which the transport head takes for transfer from the roller conveyor to the palletisation surface, and vice versa. A still further object is to provide a device, which, by functioning with the method according to the invention, can be used with different palletisation programmes, in relation with the various dimensions of the products to be processed, without needing to modify the structure of the device. A further object is to provide a device which, by functioning with the method according to the invention, is simple to construct, and consists of parts which are not excessively sophisticated, and can easily be replaced in the event of breakage, even by unskilled workers. The foregoing objects are achieved by means of a method for palletisation in which a transport head can be displaced from the supply roller conveyor to the palletisation support, and can be displaced above the products to be palletised, without ever having to pass completely beyond the palletisation surface, even during depositing of the row of products which is disposed furthest from the said roller conveyor. This is achieved by providing a transport device or head which comprises a loading surface which can be displaced horizontally on a support bar, and two opposite substantially vertical stop walls, which can also slide on the said bar in an autonomous manner, and can also be displaced vertically. By means of the combined movement of the loading surface, the two stop walls and the horizontal bar, the product is displaced from the roller conveyor until it is deposited on the palletisation surface, according to an order which is predetermined by the work programme of the machine. In operation, the steps of execution of the method for palletisation according to the invention take place in succession, in the manner described hereinafter: First step - the transport head is positioned such that the loading surface is taken to the same level as the roller conveyor or supply belt; Second step - a thrust unit thrusts horizontally the product, which, for example, consists of a row or of a package of books, from the roller conveyor to the loading surface, until the said product abuts at the front the first vertical stop wall, which is disposed externally relative to the roller conveyor, and is previously positioned in relation to the length of the product itself; Third step - lowering of the second vertical wall, which is disposed closest to the roller conveyor, and abuts the rear part of the products; Fourth step - horizontal displacement, by means of sliding on the bar, of the loading surface, until the latter is positioned above the palletisation surface, in a position which is predetermined on the basis of the area preselected for depositing of the product; Fifth step - horizontal displacement by means of sliding on the bar itself, of the two vertical stop walls and of the product contained between the latter, until the first wall, which is disposed outermost, is positioned in line with the end of the loading surface opposite that of intake of the product itself; Sixth step - vertical displacement of the horizontal bar, until the loading surface is supported on the palletisation surface; Seventh step - horizontal sliding, in a direction opposite the previous direction, of the loading surface, such as to release the product from beneath, and to allow the latter to be supported on the palletisation surface; Eighth step - detachment from the product, and raising of the first stop wall, which is outermost, and subsequently, optionally also short horizontal displacement of the second stop wall, which is innermost, such as to displace the product which has just been deposited, such that it is in contact with the adjacent product, previously deposited on the palletisation surface, when it is required to produce a stack of palletised products which are adjacent to one another; and Ninth step - return, with movements in the opposite direction, of the entire loading head, and positioning of the latter for a new palletisation cycle. Advantageously, steps 4, 5 and 6 are carried out simultaneously, thus reducing substantially the operating time of the device, and consequently assisting increased productivity. The steps of execution of the method according to the invention, as well as a possible embodiment of a device which functions according to this method, are described, purely by way of non-limiting illustrative example, by means of the attached drawings, in which:- Figure 1 show a device according to one embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 to 5 show schematically the steps of palletisation of the first product on the palletisation support; and Figures 6 to 9 show schematically the steps of palletisation of the last product on the palletisation surface, consisting of a stack of products. As can be seen in Figure 1, the transport device or head 1 comprises a transverse bar 2, on which there can slide in both directions a loading surface 3, a vertical stop wall 4, which is disposed externally, ie furtherest from the roller conveyor 5 on which there is disposed the product 6 to be palletised on the palletisation support 7, and a vertical stop wall 8, which is disposed internally, ie closest to the said roller conveyor. Sliding on the bar 2 of the loading surface 3 and of the vertical stop walls 4 and 8 is preferably effected by means of three gear motors 9, 10' and 10", which are integral with the said bar. The motor 9 actuates the pulley 11, around which there is wound the cable 12, which is connected to both ends of the loading surface 3; whereas the motor 10' actuates the pulley 13, and the motor 10" (not shown) actuates the pulley 14. Around the pulleys, there are wound respectively the cables 15 and 16 which are connected one to the vertical stop wall 4, and the other to the vertical stop wall 8. The vertical walls 4 and 8 are raised and lowered by means of the pneumatic cylinders 17 and 18 which are fitted to the sliding cages of the said walls. The vertical displacement in both directions of the transverse bar 2 is obtained by means of systems of a known type, not shown. Figures 2-5 illustrate schematically the cycle of palletisation of the first product 6 to be deposited on the palletisation support 7, which is still empty. In Figure 2, a thrust unit, which is not shown for the sake of simplicity, positions the product 6 from the roller conveyor on the loading surface 3, until the product is brought into contact with the vertical stop wall 4, which has previously been lowered. Subsequently, the vertical stop wall 8 is also lowered, and thus restrains the product 6, as can be seen in Figure 3; these two walls slide on the bar 2, according to the arrow P, simultaneously with sliding on the bar itself of the loading surface 3, according to the arrow C, and again simultaneously, lowering takes place of the said bar 2 according to the arrow B. As can be seen in Figure 4, the movement of the units stops when the loading surface 3 is supported on the palletisation support 7, and the product 6 is positioned at the far end of this surface. Subsequently, as can be seen in Figure 5, the loading surface 3 slides in the opposite direction, according to the direction of the arrow C, the product 6 is released from beneath, and the stop wall 4 is detached slightly from the product itself, such that the latter can drop, and can be supported on the palletisation support 7, in the predetermined position. Figures 6-9 represent the cycle of palletisation of a product 6' to be deposited on the palletisation support 7, on which there is already present a stack 19 of products. As can easily be appreciated by comparing Figures 2-4 and the corresponding Figures 6-8, the first steps of palletisation are similar to those previously described, with the sole difference that the transverse bar 2 is displaced in a vertically ascending direction, according to the direction of the arow B1, since the product must be deposited on the upper part of the stack 19. The only operating difference consists in the last step where, as can be seen in Figure 9, the outer stop wall 4 is raised, in order to allow the product 6' to come into contact with the adjacent product 6" previously deposited, after the thrust which the latter has sustained, as a result of slightly forward displacement of the inner stop wall 8. It is apparent from the preceding description that the above-described objects are fully achieved, the foremost of which is automating the operations of palletisation, all by means of a device which is very simple, and can be adapted to the various types and dimensions of the products to be processed, and which reduces substantially the execution times. It will be appreciated that variants and/or modifications can be made both to the method and to the device according to the invention, without departing from the protective scope of the patent, as claimed hereinafter.

Claims: A method for palletisation for the graphics industry of books, magazines, sheets, packages and similar products, which are simply stacked, ie without elements of support, binding and the like, or for packages with different dimensions, which can be heat-shrunk or provided with straps, which uses conveyor belts or roller conveyors (5) in order to transport and order in rows the products to be palletised, a thrust unit which thrusts a row of products on a loading surface, which, by means of anthropomorphic movements, is positioned above the palletisation support, where appropriate known means transfer products from the loading surface to,the palletisation surface, the said method being characterised by the work cycle, which specifically comprises the following steps: first step: in which the transport head (1) is positioned such that the loading surface (3) is taken to the same level as the roller conveyor (5) or supply belt; second step: in which a thrust unit thrusts horizontally the product (6), which, for example, consists of a row or of a package of books, from the roller conveyor to the loading surface (3), until the said product abuts at the front the first vertical stop wall (4), which is disposed externally relative to the roller conveyor, and is previously positioned in relation to the length of the product itself; third step: in which there is lowering of the second vertical wall (8), which is disposed closest to the roller conveyor (5), and abuts the rear part of the product (6); fourth step: in which there is horizontal displacement, by means of sliding on the bar, of the loading surface, until the latter is positioned above the palletisation surface, in a position which is predetermined on the basis of the area preselected for depositing of the product; fifth step: in which there is horizontal displacement by means of sliding on the bar itself, of the two vertical stop walls (4, 8) and of the product (6) contained between the latter, until the first wall (4), which is disposed outermost, is positioned in line with the end of the loading surface opposite that of intake of the product itself; sixth step: in which there is vertical displacement of the horizontal bar, until the loading surface is supported on the palletisation surface; seventh step: in which there is horizontal sliding, in a direction opposite the previous direction, of the loading surface, such as to release the product from beneath, and to allow the latter to be supported on the palletisation surface; eighth step: in which there is detachment from the product, and raising of the first stop wall (4), which is outermost, and subsequently, optionally also short horizontal displacement of the second stop wall (8), which is innermost, such as to displace the product which has just been deposited, such that it is in contact with the adjacent product, previously deposited on the palletisation surface, when it is required to produce a stack (19) of palletised products which are adjacent to one another; and ninth step: in which there is return, with movements in the opposite direction, of the entire loading head, and positioning of the latter for a new palletisation cycle. A method for the palletisation of products according to claim 1, the method comprising removing the product from a conveyor (e.g. a roller conveyor (5) or supply belt) and depositing the product (6) on a palletisation surface by a palletisation cycle comprising the steps: (a) positioning a transport head (1) such that a loading surface thereof is at the same level as the conveyor; (b) thrusting (e.g. by means of a thrust unit) the product substantially horizontally from the conveyor onto the loading surface, until the said product abuts a first substantially vertical stop wall (4), which is disposed externally relative to the conveyor, and is positioned in relation to the length of the product; (c) lowering a second substantially vertical wall (8), which is disposed closest to the conveyor, and abuts a rear part of the product; (d) effecting substantially horizontal displacement of the loading surface until it is positioned above the palletisation surface, in a position which is predetermined on the basis of the area preselected for depositing of the product; (e) effecting substantially horizontal displacement of the two substantially vertical stop walls (4, 8) and of the product (6) disposed therebetween until the first wall (4), which is disposed outermost, is positioned substantially in line with the end of the loading surface opposite that of intake of the product itself); (f) effecting substantially vertical displacement of the horizontal bar, until the loading surface is supported on the palletisation surface; (g) sliding the loading surface in a substantially horizontal reverse direction so as to release the product from beneath, and to allow the latter to be supported on the palletisation surface; (h) raising the first stop wall (4), and subsequently, optionally effecting also short horizontal displacement of the second stop wall (8), so as to displace the product which has just been deposited, such that it is in contact with an adjacent product, previously deposited on the palletisation surface; and (i) re-positioning the transport head for a new palletisation cycle. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that steps 4, 5 and 6 or claims (d), (e) and (f) are carried out simultaneously. A method according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transport head (1) can be displaced from the conveyor to the palletisation support (7), and can deposit on the latter from above the products to be palletised, without ever having to pass completely beyond the palletisation surface, even during depositing of the row of products which is disposed furthest from the said conveyor. A device for use in the method of palletisation of any one or more of the preceding claims for palletisation, characterised in that it comprises a transport head having a loading surface, the transport head being displaceable in a horizontal direction along on a support bar; a pair of opposing vertical stop walls (4, 8), which are independently slidable on the said bar, and are displaceable vertically, wherein, by means of the combined movement of the said loading surface, the two stop walls (4, 8) and the horizontal bar, the product is displaced from the roller conveyor (5), until it is deposited on the palletisation surface, according to the method of any of the claims 1 to 4 predefined by the work programme of the device. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the transport head (1) comprises a transverse bar (2) on which there can slide in both directions a loading surface (3), a vertical stop wall (4), which is disposed externally, ie furthest from the roller conveyor (5) on which there is disposed the product (6) to be palletised on the palletisation support (7), and a vertical stop wall (8), which is disposed internally, ie closest to the said roller conveyor, sliding on the bar (2) of the loading surface (3) and of the vertical stop walls (4, 8) being effected by means of motor units, preferably by means of three gear motors (9, 10', 10"), which are integral with the said bar, wherein a motor (9) actuates a pulley (11), around which there is wound the cable (12), which is connected at both ends to the loading surface (3), whereas the motor (10') actuates a pulley (13) and the motor (10") actuates a pulley (14), around which there are wound respectively the cables (15, 16), one of which is connected to the vertical stop wall (4) and the other is connected to the vertical stop wall (8), raising and lowering of the vertical stop walls (4, 8) being carried out by means of the actuators, preferably pneumatic cylinders (17, 18), which are fitted to the sliding cages of the said walls.

Inventors: DAL ZOTTO GIOVANNI, MARIANI PAOLO, DAL ZOTTO, GIOVANNI, MARIANI, PAOLO
Applicants: MARIANI S A S DI MARIANI FEDER, MARIANI S.A.S. DI MARIANI FEDERICO & C.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65G61
IPC codes: B65G57, B65G61