| 摘要 |
This invention relates generally to a handling system and method of arranging a group of cans into a predetermined pattern and thereafter transferring successive groups of arranged cans to a pallet to form a series of layers of cans thereon. More particularly this invention includes an endless conveyor means for successively feeding a series of cans along a first predetermined path with means located adjacent said endless conveyor for arranging cans moving along the endless conveyor into two rows of longitudinally staggered cans as they move along the conveyor. Operatively associated with the can feeding and orienting means adjacent one end thereof is pushover mechanism for moving substantially simultaneously the two rows of the oriented cans from the conveyor onto an accumulator tray. A receiving pallet means is supported adjacent the can accumulator means. A carriage support mechanism is supported above the accumulator and the receiving pallet for transferring a group of the oriented cans from the accumulator to the receiving pallet in such a manner as to form a series of layers of the cans on the receiving pallet. A slip-sheet layer separator means is disposed adjacent the receiving pallet and beneath the carriage transfer means. The carriage transfer means includes a magnetic pick-up head for engaging and picking up a layer of oriented cans from the accumulator and transferring the cans to the receiving pallet. Also disposed on the carriage adjacent the magnetic pick-up head is a vacuum pick up head which is detailed for engaging a slip-sheet layer separator means. The magnetic pick-up head and the vacuum pick-up head are operatively associated with each other and controlled in such a manner that as the magnetic pick-up head moves from a position over the can accumulator means to a position over the receiving pallet, the vacuum pick-up head will move concurrently therewith to a position over the slip-sheet layer separator means for engaging and picking up a slip-sheet layer separator, and as the carriage is moved to position the magnetic pick-up head over the accumulator tray, the vacuum pick-up head is moved to a position to deposit a slip-sheet layer separator on top of a layer of oriented cans which have been stacked on the receiving pallet. Operatively associated with the receiving pallet means is a pallet magazine which contains a series of pallets. The pallet magazine includes means for dispensing pallets individually to the pallet receiving station as they are required. A conveyor means is operatively associated with the receiving pallet means for transferring a loaded pallet away from the palletizing station for further handling as required.
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