Patent ID: 7581919

Claim:
A method for the quick palletization of objects ( 100 ), comprising the steps of: arranging objects ( 100 ) to be palletized organized in a layer on a collection surface ( 400 ); loading said layer of objects ( 100 ) onto a first flexible support surface ( 31 ) by reciprocating the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) in a direction of transfer of the objects ( 100 ) between 1) a retracted position under the collection surface, and 2) an extended position substantially coplanar to the collection surface ( 400 ) and in continuation of the collection surface ( 400 ), so that the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) receives said objects without sliding; wherein said first flexible support surface ( 31 ) is configured to slide in a first pair of opposite parallel guides ( 32 ) consisting of a horizontal portion ( 32 a ) and a circumferential portion ( 32 b ) adjacent to each other; transferring said layer of objects ( 100 ) from the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) to a second flexible moving surface operable as a transfer surface ( 21 ), comprising sliding said second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) between 1) a retracted position, in which said second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) is coplanar with the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) and in continuation of the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) when said first flexible support surface ( 31 ) is in the extended position, and 2) an extended position, in which said second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) is in continuation of the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) when said first flexible support surface is in the retracted position, so as to replace the support surface ( 31 ) below the objects ( 100 ) when said objects remain stationary, wherein said transferring takes place by synchronously activating the harmonious sliding of the first flexible support surface ( 31 ) and the second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) arranged in contact with each other so as to be in continuation of one another; wherein said second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) is configured to slide in a second pair of opposite parallel guides ( 22 ) consisting of a horizontal portion ( 22 a ) and a circumferential portion ( 22 b ) adjacent to each other; and wherein said first flexible support surface and said second flexible moving surface each comprise a roll-up curtain comprising a plurality of rollers having interconnected ends, the rollers defining a layer support surface and said ends traversing the parallel guides, each of said opposite parallel guides having a linear portion defining said support surface and a circular track adjacent to said linear portion; transferring the second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) with the layer of objects ( 100 ) above a pallet; and making the second flexible moving surface ( 21 ) slide to the retracted position under the objects ( 100 ), kept stationary, to transfer said objects onto the pallet.