US3844422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pallet loading machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-04
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A pallet loading machine having means for simultaneous delivery of a plurality of cartons or cases in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship for immediate, rapid layer formation, carriage means for effecting transfer of a formed layer to a pattern plate, means for delivering an empty pallet immediately beneath the pattern plate from the top of a stock of empty pallets to elevator arms, means for removing said pattern plate from beneath the formed layer for descent of the latter onto the pallet therebeneath, means for vertically descending said elevator arms during pallet loading operation, and means for retracting said elevator arms from a fully loaded pallet for returning said arms during discharge of the loaded pallet from the machine to uppermost position for receiving an empty pallet for subsequent loading.
Inventors
- 👤 T Tull
- 👤 F Fenton
- 👤 I Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/16; B65G57/20; B65G57/22; B65G57/24; B65G57/245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102; Y10S414/103; Y10S414/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
357 words
A pallet loading machine for the stacking of layers of units upon a storage pallet comprising a main frame, means provided on said frame for defining a discrete unit-accumulation zone for receiving a layer of units to be stacked, a pattern plate presented adjacent said accumulation zone, means for slidably transferring unitarily as a layer, a layer of units from said accumulation zone to said pattern plate, means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate, means for sliding said pattern plate from beneath a layer of units received thereon for depositing the latter upon a pallet supported by said pallet support means, said means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate comprising a plurality of horizontally aligned arms, lowering means for causing said arms to descend in pallet supporting condition from a position beneath said pattern plate to lowered position downwardly remote therefrom, means for retracting said arms from the supported pallet when said arms are in lowered position, conveying means for receiving said pallet from said arms and transferring same from the machine, elevating means for returning said arms upwardly while in retracted condition and during conveyance of the supported pallet from the machine, said main frame comprising means defining an empty pallet magazine, elevator means within said magazine for supporting a stack of empty pallets therein, means provided in said empty pallet magazine for receiving said pattern plate when the same is withdrawn from beneath a layer of units for depositing same upon a pallet, means for operating said elevator means to present the uppermost empty pallet for engagement by said pattern plate after a layer of units has been withdrawn therefrom, pallet engaging means on said pattern plate for transferring the uppermost empty pallet to said pallet support arms, timing means for effecting upward travel of said empty pallet magazine elevator while said pallet support arms are being moved upwardly so that when the same are returned to pallet support position said pattern plate will deliver the erstwhile empty pallet to said arms, and means for causing descent of said elevator means within said magazine when the same is depleted of pallets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
357 words
A pallet loading machine for the stacking of layers of units upon a storage pallet comprising a main frame, means provided on said frame for defining a discrete unit-accumulation zone for receiving a layer of units to be stacked, a pattern plate presented adjacent said accumulation zone, means for slidably transferring unitarily as a layer, a layer of units from said accumulation zone to said pattern plate, means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate, means for sliding said pattern plate from beneath a layer of units received thereon for depositing the latter upon a pallet supported by said pallet support means, said means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate comprising a plurality of horizontally aligned arms, lowering means for causing said arms to descend in pallet supporting condition from a position beneath said pattern plate to lowered position downwardly remote therefrom, means for retracting said arms from the supported pallet when said arms are in lowered position, conveying means for receiving said pallet from said arms and transferring same from the machine, elevating means for returning said arms upwardly while in retracted condition and during conveyance of the supported pallet from the machine, said main frame comprising means defining an empty pallet magazine, elevator means within said magazine for supporting a stack of empty pallets therein, means provided in said empty pallet magazine for receiving said pattern plate when the same is withdrawn from beneath a layer of units for depositing same upon a pallet, means for operating said elevator means to present the uppermost empty pallet for engagement by said pattern plate after a layer of units has been withdrawn therefrom, pallet engaging means on said pattern plate for transferring the uppermost empty pallet to said pallet support arms, timing means for effecting upward travel of said empty pallet magazine elevator while said pallet support arms are being moved upwardly so that when the same are returned to pallet support position said pattern plate will deliver the erstwhile empty pallet to said arms, and means for causing descent of said elevator means within said magazine when the same is depleted of pallets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
260 words
A pallet loading machine for the stacking of layers of units of rectangular configuration upon a storage pallet comprising a main frame, means provided on said frame for defining a discrete unit-accumulation zone for receiving a layer of units to be stacked, a pattern plate presented adjacent said accumulation zone, means for feeding simultaneously a plurality of units in side-by-side relationship to said accumulation zone comprising a conveyor, means for partitioning said conveyor to create a plurality of side-by-side channels, means for adjusting said partition means to create channels of different transverse extent whereby preselected channels may accommodate units turned at an angle of 90 degrees to units being conveyed through other channels, said conveyor channels communicating with said accumulation zone for delivering a locked layer of units thereto, means for limiting the feeding of said units to the accumulation zone when a layer thereof has been established comprising stop plates mounted on said main frame between the ends of said conveyor channels and said accumulation zone, means for effecting controlLed vertical movement of said stop plates between channel-closed and channel-opened condition whereby certain channels may remain open for a longer period than others commensurate with the pattern of the locked layer to be formed, means slidably transferring unitarily as a layer, a layer of units from said accumulation zone to said patterm plate, means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate, means for sliding said pattern plate from beneath a layer of units received thereon for depositing the latter upon a pallet supported by said pallet support means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
260 words
A pallet loading machine for the stacking of layers of units of rectangular configuration upon a storage pallet comprising a main frame, means provided on said frame for defining a discrete unit-accumulation zone for receiving a layer of units to be stacked, a pattern plate presented adjacent said accumulation zone, means for feeding simultaneously a plurality of units in side-by-side relationship to said accumulation zone comprising a conveyor, means for partitioning said conveyor to create a plurality of side-by-side channels, means for adjusting said partition means to create channels of different transverse extent whereby preselected channels may accommodate units turned at an angle of 90 degrees to units being conveyed through other channels, said conveyor channels communicating with said accumulation zone for delivering a locked layer of units thereto, means for limiting the feeding of said units to the accumulation zone when a layer thereof has been established comprising stop plates mounted on said main frame between the ends of said conveyor channels and said accumulation zone, means for effecting controlLed vertical movement of said stop plates between channel-closed and channel-opened condition whereby certain channels may remain open for a longer period than others commensurate with the pattern of the locked layer to be formed, means slidably transferring unitarily as a layer, a layer of units from said accumulation zone to said patterm plate, means for supporting a pallet beneath said pattern plate, means for sliding said pattern plate from beneath a layer of units received thereon for depositing the latter upon a pallet supported by said pallet support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A pallet loading machine as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by switch means provided in said accumulation zone engageable by units transferred thereto, said means for effecting a vertical movement of said stop plates being operatively connected to said switches whereby upon actuation of said switches said stop plates will be elevated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |