Method and apparatus for handling extruded green bricks

US5417562A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hans Lingl GmbH & Co. · DE

Inventor

• Helmut Simon · Göppingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 1991
• Grant date: May 23, 1995
• Expiry date: Nov 20, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G61/00
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

After extrusion, cutting, and tilting 90.degree. alternate green bricks are rotated 180.degree. about a vertical axis to form brick pairs with the back (unfinished) sides of both bricks facing each other. These reoriented brick pairs are then gripped and stacked. Conventional grippers, such as a vacuum gripper, may be used to grip only the backs of each brick in the pair. In this way, all of the finished faces of the stacked bricks avoid damage while simultaneously being more uniformly exposed to the kiln drying and firing atmosphere and thus may achieve a more uniform appearance. No special tools are required to handle irregular or specially designed brick faces because the gripper grips only the back of each brick pair.