US3853670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pallet manufacturing machine
Assignee: J&J Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1972-11-17
•
Granted: 1974-12-10
•
Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A machine for manufacturing disposable recyclable pallets according to the present invention comprises a machine framework adapted for supporting a stack of pallet sheets composed of a recyclable material and for supporting a plurality of stacks of pallet blocks which may be composed of wood or other recyclable material. The machine also includes an adhesive system providing adhesive material that is utilized to secure the pallet blocks in assembly with the pallet sheets. The machine incorporates a mechanism for transporting pallet sheets one at a time to a pallet assembly section defined by the framework. The pallet blocks, after being conveyed through the adhesive system for application of adhesive to the upper surface thereof, are positioned by a conveyor mechanism beneath and in sapced relation to the pallet sheet. A mechanism is then manipulated to move the pallet sheet downwardly into assembly with the pallet blocks and to apply sufficient mechanical pressure to the assembly for a predetermined period of time to allow curing of the adhesive material. The pallets manufactured by the machine may have a single pallet sheet or may have double pallet sheets sandwiched about the pallet blocks and may be adjustable to manufacture pallets of differing size.
Inventors
- 👤 T Cox
- 👤 D Rodriquez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:57
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27M; B27M3/00; B27M3/0013; B27M3/0086; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/1092; Y10T156/1093; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1754; Y10T156/1759; Y10T156/1768; Y10T156/1776; Y10T156/1778; Y10T156/1783; Y10T156/1798
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
359 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable, recyclable pallets comprising: a pallet sheet feed section adapted to retain a generally vertically oriented stack of pallet sheets disposed therein; a pallet assembly section being provided in said machine; a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means urging said pallet sheet support rails to a first position for support for said single pallet sheet and being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks; means passing beneath said pallet sheet feed section for conveying single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section to said pallet sheet support rails; a pallet block magazine being provided on said machine and being adapted to receive a plurality of pallet blocks oriented in generally vertically stacked relation; conveyor means for transporting a plurality of pallet blocks from said pallet block magazine, said conveyor means passing adjacent said pallet block magazine and carrying spaced flight pusher means, said flight pusher means extracting blocks from said magazine and positioning the same in spaced relation relative to one another and in spaced and oriented relation to the position of a single pallet sheet on said pallet sheet rails; means for applying adhesive material to one surface of each of said pallet blocks as said pallet blocks are conveyed from said pallet block magazine; means at said pallet assembly section for moving said single pallet sheet from said pallet sheet support rails and said one surface of each of said pallet blocks into engagement and for applying mechanical pressure therebetween to cause adhesive material to adhere said pallet blocks to said pallet sheet and retracting from the completed pallet after said pallet blocks have been adhered to said pallet sheets; and means for conveying completed pallets from said pallet assembly section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
359 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable, recyclable pallets comprising: a pallet sheet feed section adapted to retain a generally vertically oriented stack of pallet sheets disposed therein; a pallet assembly section being provided in said machine; a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means urging said pallet sheet support rails to a first position for support for said single pallet sheet and being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks; means passing beneath said pallet sheet feed section for conveying single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section to said pallet sheet support rails; a pallet block magazine being provided on said machine and being adapted to receive a plurality of pallet blocks oriented in generally vertically stacked relation; conveyor means for transporting a plurality of pallet blocks from said pallet block magazine, said conveyor means passing adjacent said pallet block magazine and carrying spaced flight pusher means, said flight pusher means extracting blocks from said magazine and positioning the same in spaced relation relative to one another and in spaced and oriented relation to the position of a single pallet sheet on said pallet sheet rails; means for applying adhesive material to one surface of each of said pallet blocks as said pallet blocks are conveyed from said pallet block magazine; means at said pallet assembly section for moving said single pallet sheet from said pallet sheet support rails and said one surface of each of said pallet blocks into engagement and for applying mechanical pressure therebetween to cause adhesive material to adhere said pallet blocks to said pallet sheet and retracting from the completed pallet after said pallet blocks have been adhered to said pallet sheets; and means for conveying completed pallets from said pallet assembly section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for conveying single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section comprises: pallet sheet pusher means adapted to engage only one of said pallet sheets of said stock of pallet sheets; means for controllably moving said pusher means from a starting position a predetermined distance in one direction to move said one pallet sheet from said stack and to position the same on said pallet sheet support rails; and means for repositioning said pusher means at said starting position for serial engagement with the next pallet sheet of said stock of pallet sheets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said pallet block magazine comprises: means for supporting said pallet blocks in a plurality of stacks; a plurality of pallet block guide channels extending one from each of saiD pallet block supporting means; said means for transporting said plurality of pallet blocks being an endless block conveyor; a plurality of flight pusher members being carried by said endless block conveyor, said flight pusher members each moving one block from each of said plurality of stacks of pallet blocks along respective ones of said pallet block guide channels upon being moved in one direction relative to said magazine; and means for stopping movement of said endless block conveyor and said flight pusher members upon movement of plurality of said blocks to predetermined positions at said pallet assembly section relative to the oriented position of a pallet sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said pallet magazine comprises: a plurality of hoppers each being adapted to contain a stack of pallet blocks; block moving conveyor means being carried by said machine adjacent said hoppers; and said flight pusher members being carried by said block moving conveyor means and each engaging a block from each of said hoppers upon movement thereof relative to said hoppers, thereby transporting a plurality of pallet blocks from said hoppers, said flight pusher members accomplishing said positioning of said pallet blocks at said pallet assembly section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for applying adhesive material to said pallet blocks comprises: a plurality of adhesive heads being movably supported by said machine; applicator head means being carried by each of said adhesive heads and being disposed for engagement by said pallet blocks upon movement thereof in said guide channel elements; and means for causing application of adhesive material to said blocks responsible to movement of said adhesive heads by said blocks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine as recited in claim 2 wherein: said pallet sheet pusher means comprises at least one pusher head having a pushing surface and a retracting surface formed thereon; means urging said pusher head to a first position where said pushing surface is disposed for contact with a single pallet sheet; and said retracting surface engaging said stack of sheets upon movement of said pusher means in the opposite direction and moving said pusher means to a retracted position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A machine as recited in claim 2 wherein: said pallet sheet pusher means comprises endless conveyor means; a plurality of pusher elements being carried by said conveyor means and being movable simultaneously with movement of said conveyor means; a linear fluid motor being carried by said machine; a rack and pinion mechanism being actuated by said fluid motor and imparting controlling rotary movement to said endless conveyor means; and said conveyor means being operable responsive to linear movement of said fluid motor means for imparting said selective pushing and retraction movement to said pusher means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A machine as recited in claim 2 wherein: said pallet sheet pusher means comprises at least one pusher head having a pushing surface at one extremity thereof and having a cam retraction surface defined at the opposite extremity thereof; means urging said pusher head to a first position where said pushing surface is disposed for pushing contact with the lowermost one of said pallet sheets in said stack of pallet sheets; means for imparting selective pushing and retraction movement to said pusher means; and said cam surface means engaging the lowermost one of said pallet sheets in said stack of pallet sheets and moving said pusher means to a retracted position where said pusher means may pass under said lowermost pallet sheet during said retraction movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said block moving conveyor means comprises: a plurality of block guide channel elements being carried by said machine and being positioned to receive pallet blocks from each of said hoppers; a chain conveyor incLuding a pair of simultaneously movable conveyor chains; said flight pusher members being carried in generally parallel relation by said chain conveyor and engaging one pallet block from each stack of pallet blocks upon positioning movement of said chain conveyor and conveying said pallet blocks along said block guide channel elements; and means for imparting controlling movement to said chain conveyor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
344 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable recyclable pallets, said machine comprising: a framework defining; a pallet sheet feed section, a pallet assembly section, a pallet block feed section, an adhesive application section, and an exit conveyor section; a pallet stack support means being provided at said pallet sheet feed section and being adapted for support of a stack of pallet sheets; a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means for moving single pallet sheets from said pallet stack support means to said pallet sheet support rails; means urging said pallet support rails to a first position for support of said single pallet sheet and being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks; a pallet block magazine for supporting a plurality of pallet blocks in a plurality of spaced stacks; block conveyor means having a plurality of spaced flight pusher means carried thereby, said flight pusher means each moving one pallet block from each of said plurality of stacks of pallet blocks upon being moved in one direction relative to said magazine, said conveyor means positioning said pallet blocks relative to said single pallet sheet; means for applying adhesive material to one surface of each of said pallet blocks; means at said pallet assembly section for moving said single pallet sheet from said pallet sheet support rails and said one surface of each of said pallet blocks into engagement and applying mechanical pressure therebetween to cause said adhesive material to adhere said pallet blocks to said pallet sheet and retracting from the completed pallet after said pallet blocks have been adhered to said pallet sheets; and means for conveying completed pallets from said pallet assembly section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
344 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable recyclable pallets, said machine comprising: a framework defining; a pallet sheet feed section, a pallet assembly section, a pallet block feed section, an adhesive application section, and an exit conveyor section; a pallet stack support means being provided at said pallet sheet feed section and being adapted for support of a stack of pallet sheets; a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means for moving single pallet sheets from said pallet stack support means to said pallet sheet support rails; means urging said pallet support rails to a first position for support of said single pallet sheet and being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks; a pallet block magazine for supporting a plurality of pallet blocks in a plurality of spaced stacks; block conveyor means having a plurality of spaced flight pusher means carried thereby, said flight pusher means each moving one pallet block from each of said plurality of stacks of pallet blocks upon being moved in one direction relative to said magazine, said conveyor means positioning said pallet blocks relative to said single pallet sheet; means for applying adhesive material to one surface of each of said pallet blocks; means at said pallet assembly section for moving said single pallet sheet from said pallet sheet support rails and said one surface of each of said pallet blocks into engagement and applying mechanical pressure therebetween to cause said adhesive material to adhere said pallet blocks to said pallet sheet and retracting from the completed pallet after said pallet blocks have been adhered to said pallet sheets; and means for conveying completed pallets from said pallet assembly section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
A machine as recited in claim 10 wherein: said framework defines a second assembly section; second pallet sheet conveyor means being disposed adjacent said second assembly section and adapted to convey single sheets and to position the same at said second assembly section; said block conveyor means moving said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly to said second assembly section; means applying an adhesive substance to said second pallet sheet upon conveyance of said second pallet sheet to said second assembly section; and means for moving said second pallet sheet and said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly into engagement and maintaining the same under mechanical pressure for a predetermined period of time to cause said adhesive substance to adhere the same into permanently bonded assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
355 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable, recyclable pallets comprising: a framework defining first and second assembly sections; a pallet sheet feed section for conveying single pallet sheets to said first assembly section; a pallet block magazine being supported by said framework and having a plurality of hoppers each being adapted to contain a stack of pallet blocks; means for conveying a plurality of pallet blocks in serial manner from each of said plurality of hoppers to said first assembly section and disposing the same in evenly distributed manNer and in spaced relation to said single pallet sheet; means for applying an adhesive substance to said pallet blocks as said blocks are conveyed from said hoppers; means for moving said single pallet sheet to a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said first pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means urging said pallet sheet support rails to a first position for support of said single pallet sheet as being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks and maintaining the same under mechanical pressure for a predetermined period of time to allow said adhesive substance to adhere said pallet sheet and pallet blocks into assembly; means for conveying said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly to said second assembly section; means for conveying a second pallet sheet to said assembly section and positioning the same in spaced and oriented relation to said pallet block assembly; means for applying an adhesive substance to said second pallet sheet; and means for moving said second pallet sheet and said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly into engagement and maintaining the same under mechanical pressure for a predetermined period of time to cause said adhesive substance to adhere the same into permanently bonded assembly to form a pallet structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
355 words
A machine for manufacturing disposable, recyclable pallets comprising: a framework defining first and second assembly sections; a pallet sheet feed section for conveying single pallet sheets to said first assembly section; a pallet block magazine being supported by said framework and having a plurality of hoppers each being adapted to contain a stack of pallet blocks; means for conveying a plurality of pallet blocks in serial manner from each of said plurality of hoppers to said first assembly section and disposing the same in evenly distributed manNer and in spaced relation to said single pallet sheet; means for applying an adhesive substance to said pallet blocks as said blocks are conveyed from said hoppers; means for moving said single pallet sheet to a pair of spaced pallet sheet support rails being pivotally disposed at said first pallet assembly section and being adapted to receive single pallet sheets from said pallet sheet feed section and to support said sheets in oriented spaced relation to the position of a plurality of spaced and oriented pallet blocks; means urging said pallet sheet support rails to a first position for support of said single pallet sheet as being pivotally yieldable to allow downward movement of said single pallet sheet; means for moving said single pallet sheet downward from said first position to a position in contact with said oriented pallet blocks and maintaining the same under mechanical pressure for a predetermined period of time to allow said adhesive substance to adhere said pallet sheet and pallet blocks into assembly; means for conveying said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly to said second assembly section; means for conveying a second pallet sheet to said assembly section and positioning the same in spaced and oriented relation to said pallet block assembly; means for applying an adhesive substance to said second pallet sheet; and means for moving said second pallet sheet and said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly into engagement and maintaining the same under mechanical pressure for a predetermined period of time to cause said adhesive substance to adhere the same into permanently bonded assembly to form a pallet structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: said first and second assembly sections being disposed in spaced linear relation; said means for conveying said plurality of pallet blocks also serving to convey said pallet sheet and pallet block assembly from said first assembly section to said second assembly section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: pallet block magazine means being carried by said framework and containing a plurality of pallet blocks; said means for conveying a plurality of pallet blocks to said first assembly section being a conveying mechanism having a plurality of flight bars disposed in spaced generally parallel relation thereon; said flight bars passing below said magazine upon energization of said conveyor mechanism and extracting said plurality of pallet blocks in serial manner from each of said hoppers and conveying the same to said first assembly section; and means for de-energizing said conveyor mechanism when said plurality of pallet blocks reach the proper position thereof relative to said first pallet section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: said means for applying an adhesive substance to said pallet blocks including at least one adhesive head having an adhesive distributor carried thereby; a compressed air energized adhesive supply system being supported by said framework and being connected to said adhesive head; means for controlling ejection of adhesive substance from said adhesive distributor responsive to predetermined movement of said adhesive head; and said predetermined movement of said adhesive head being imparted to said adhesive head by a pallet block being conveyed by said conveying means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: said means for moving said single pallet sheet and said means for conveying said second pallet sheet being generally identical sheet feeding mechanisms each being capable of conveying pallet sheets one at a time from a stack of pallet sheets to said first and second assembly sections, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: said means for conveying said single pallet sheets and for conveying said second pallet sheets each comprising conveyor mechanisms having at least one sheet pushing dog carried thereby and adapted to be reciprocated by said conveYor mechanism relative to a stack of pallet sheets contained thereby; and said pushing dog being movable between a pushing position where said pushing dog is disposed for pushing engagement with the lowermost pallet sheet of said stack of pallet sheets and a retracted position where said pushing dog is moved out of pushing engagement with said lowermost pallet sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
119 words
A machine as recited in claim 12: said means for applying an adhesive substance to said pallet blocks including at least one adhesive head having an adhesive distributor carried thereby; a source of adhesive substance including a pump cylinder having a pump piston movably disposed therein; means for supplying adhesive substance to said pump cylinder; a pump actuating mechanism interconnecting said pump piston and said adhesive head and actuating said pump piston responsive to movement of said adhesive head; and said adhesive head being moved by said pallet blocks being conveyed to said first assembly section by said conveying mechanism thereby causing adhesive substance to be deposited by said adhesive distributor on said blocks as the same are conveyed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A machine as recited in claim 17: said pushing dog being connected to a conveyor mechanism and having a pusher element movably disposed thereon, said pusher element having a pallet sheet engaging cam surface formed thereon and disposed for engagement with the lowermost sheet of said stack of pallet sheets and moving said pusher element to the retracted position thereof; and means for urging said pusher element to the pushing position thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |