Patent · US Expired

Thru-flow palletizer/depalletizer

US5437533A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 1993
Grant dateAug 1, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G2201/0244
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Article diverting and storage system and method utilizing a thru-flow palletizer/depalletizer. Articles on an article conveyor are diverted from the article conveyor at a first location and moved along a first path toward a discharge end where a sweep unit of a palletizer/depalletizer urges and leads the diverted articles onto a pallet by groups for storage. When the stored articles are later needed, the articles are urged and led from the pallet by groups by the sweep unit and a retainer unit of the palletizer/depalletizer and moved along a second path separate from the first path to a second location of the article conveyor downstream from the first location where the articles are inserted onto the article conveyor. The system and method are particularly useful for storing cans diverted from a high speed can production and/or handling line, and for later supplying stored cans, when needed, to the line.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.