Patent GB-1259200-A (GB)
IPC: B65G57/00
Filed: 1969-03-24
Abstract: 1,259,200. Stacking on pallets. M. BERGHGRACHT. 24 March, 1969 [27 March, 1968], No. 15376/69. Heading B8C. Each layer of a stacked plurality is formed by successive deposition of four objects each having a rectangular configuration, from a depositing means on to a horizontal support which rotates through 360 degrees to form the layer, in 90 degree increments effected after each deposition, relative vertical displacement being effected between each layer and the depositing means, corresponding to the thickness of a layer, and a relative horizontal displacement being effected between successive layers in a direction parallel to one of the axes of an object, but which is opposed for successive layers, over a distance equal to the length of the other axis of the object, so that each object in a layer rests on adjacent portions of two objects in the preceding layer. In the Fig. 1 embodiment, a plate 14, which supports a pallet 15 and is incrementally rotated through 90 degrees by hydraulic or pneumatic means or by an electric motor drive to a toothed plate rim 17, is supported by a bearing rim 16 on a platform 4 which effects the relative vertical displacement from a hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical drive, e.g. a jack 12 and pump 13, via two pairs of articulated arms 5, 6 which at one end are pivoted at 8 and 10 to a carriage 1 and the platform 4, and at the other end have rollers 9, 11 engaging rails on the platform 4 and carriage 1. The platform 4 is automatically lowered by the thickness of a layer by a photoelectric cell 50 the beam whereof it interrupts and which is actuated only after the layer has been formed by a 360 degree rotation of the plate 14, and which cell 50 also initiates an electric motor reduction drive 20 which rotates a pair of wheels 2 of the carriage 1 to effect the relative horizontal displacements, which are limited by adjustably positioned reversing switches 21, 22. The objects comprise flattened tubes 24, a plurality whereof are deposited on to the pallet 15 from a hopper 27 supplied from a tube making machine, via conveyers 25 and 26 between which vacuum suckers 44 are periodically extended by a pneumatic jack 45 to arrest the delivery from conveyer 25 until the required number of tubes have accumulated for release on to the conveyer 26, the time of actuation of the suckers 44 being automatically controlled from the cutter of the tube making machine to permit passage of a predetermined number of the tubes. The suckers 44 may alternatively be replaced by shoes actuated by the jack 46 and which press the leading tubes 24 against a stop 44<SP>1</SP>. A pressure wheel 47 is provided at the entrance to the hopper 27, which comprises adjustable side walls, and adjustable tube end stops 28, 29. The base of the hopper 27 comprises a pair of trap doors, each comprising a parallel series of adjacent rotatable rollers 41 between which extend lugs 27<SP>1</SP> of each hopper side wall, and which are horizontally separable, to discharge the tubes on to the pallet 15, by jacks actuated by a signal from a hopper photo-electric cell 49, when the beam therefrom is restored after the last tube has entered the hopper. The cell 49 may comprise part of a programmed control mechanism initiating rotation of the pallet bearing plate 14 which is halted when stops thereon actuate a switch. The plate 14 is supported on the carriage 1 via bearings, Fig. 7 (not printed), which are adjustably positionable along the axes of the carriage wheels 2, whereby the vertical axis of plate 14 is adjustable transversely of rails 3 on which run the wheels 2. The loaded pallet 15 is automatically unloaded from the plate 14, over rollers 66 thereon on to a rollerway 65, upon delivery of an empty pallet, by lugs 64 on a pair of endless chains 63, through a window 58 of a pallet carriage 56, a hook 59 of which carriage is engaged by a pin 60 on the platform 4 when this is lowered in the 1<SP>1</SP> position prior to formation of the last pallet layer. The operation of the chains 63 is controlled, through a time delay mechanism permitting formation of the last pallet layer, from a carriage contact 62 actuated by platform 4 upon the last lowering thereof in the l<SP>1</SP> position, the mechanism simultaneously slowing down the tube making machine and conveyer 25, and halting the operation of the jack 46 and suckers 44, and which actions are reversed upon the delivery of a fresh pallet on to the plate 14 actuating a switch. For the delivery of single objects, the hopper 27 may be omitted or may comprise an open bottom. In the Fig. 11 embodiment (not printed) the hopper (27) together with the conveyer (26), effects the vertical displacement instead of the plate (14), and the carriages (56 and 1) are electromagnetically coupled instead of by the hook and pin (59, 60).  In the Fig. 12 embodiment, a hopper 90 is supplied by belt conveyers 98, 101, the belts of the latter overlapping these of the former and being supported with the hopper 90 by a carriage 104 which is intermittently reciprocable, via driven pinions 105 engaging racks 106, to effect the relative horizontal displacement of the hopper 90 (between adjustable stops 110, 111) with respect to an assembly 76 on which a layer is formed and which assembly 76 incrementally rotates through 90 degrees, after the deposition thereon of an object to form a layer. The racks 106 are also transversely displaceable along beams 107. The hopper 90 comprises adjustable side cheeks and an adjustable end wall, and a bottom comprising a pair of doors which are pivotably openable, by a jack, and each comprise freely rotatable rollers. The assembly 76 comprises a pair of grids 78, 78a which are horizontally separable to deposit a layer on to a pallet 72, by means of jacks 85, 85a acting via rack and pinion drives e.g. 86, 88, 87 when hooks 89, 89a on the respective grid engage the ends of the appropriate rack 87 or 87a, after a 360 degrees rotation of the assembly 76 to form the layer. The layer is prevented from movement with the grids 78, 78a by stops provided on the assembly 76. The opening of the hopper bottom, of the grids 78, 78a, and the rotation of assembly 76, are controlled by a photo-electric cell 114  actuated when an object has entered the hopper 90. Each layer is deposited from the assembly 76 on to a pallet 72, which is then downwardly displaced, to effect the relative vertical movement, by an elevator 74 actuated by a photoelectric cell. The pallet 72 rests upon rollers 73 of a support 71 which, prior to the deposition of the last layer but one on the pallet 72, abuts a contact 116 which terminates lowering of the elevator 74 after deposition of the final layer with the roller conveyer 73 in alignment with roller conveyers 117 and 118 and in which position the support 71 abuts contact 119 to drive the roller conveyers 73, 117 and 118 to transfer an unloaded pallet from a magazine 120 to the support 71 and a loaded pallet therefrom. The relative horizontal displacement may be effected along the beams 107, instead of by the carriage 104.