TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

[I ]COMPACT PALLETIZER

INVENTORS:

[2] Pierson, Cary Michael and Heston, Stephen L.

RELATED APPLICATIONS:

[3]The present application claims benefit of co-pending regular U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial Number 1 1 /497,084, filed on 31 July 2006. The present application is based on and claims priority from this application, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[4] The present invention relates generally to article manipulation devices and particularly to a palletizing device and method of operation.

[5] Palletizers receive a sequence of items and produce a palletized stack of items, e.g., an organized stack of items resting on a pallet. Generally, items are formed into rows, rows formed into layers, and layers stacked upon a pallet to form a palletized stack of items. Thus, a typical palletizer receives a series of items and organizes the items by row, by layer, and ultimately as a palletized stack of items on a pallet.

[6] An important consideration in palletizer design is size. A more compact machine takes less floor space and, if necessary, accommodates more palletizing machines in the same area as would be occupied by relatively larger palletizing machines. Compact size is, therefore, a desirable feature in a palletizer.

[7] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a palletizer having reduced overall size relative to conventional palletizing devices. The subject matter of the present invention provides such a palletizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[8] A compact palletizer combines a plate apron and an apron conveyor as a layer build area positionable both vertically and horizontally to implement receipt and organization of items as layers and to stack item layers on a pallet. A puller bar serves to pull item rows into layers in a layer building operation and to act as a backstop in delivering an item layer onto a stack of items. An apron serves to also deliver empty pallets to a stack build area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS

[9] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[10] Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective a compact palletizer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[1 1 ] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the compact palletizer of Fig. 1 as taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

[12] Fig. 3 illustrates a right view of the compact palletizer of Fig. 1 as taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

[1 3] Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective the compact palletizer as in Fig. 1 , but omitting for clarity an empty pallet dispenser thereof.

[14] Fig. 5 illustrates the compact palletizer as in Fig. 2, but omitting for clarity an empty pallet dispenser thereof.

[1 5] Fig. 6 illustrates the compact palletizer as in Fig. 3, but omitting for clarity an empty pallet dispenser thereof.

[16] Fig. 7 illustrates in perspective an apron carriage of the palletizer of Fig. 1 including an apron conveyor and apron plate in a fully retracted position and including a puller bar in a fully retracted position.

[17] Fig. 8 illustrates in perspective the apron carriage of Fig. 7, but with the apron conveyor and apron plate in a fully advanced position and with the puller bar in a fully advanced position.

[1 8] Fig. 9 illustrates in perspective the apron carriage of Fig. 7, but with the apron conveyor and apron plate in the fully retracted position and with the puller bar in the fully advanced position.

[19] Fig. 10 illustrates the apron carriage as in Fig. 7, but in front view.

[20] Fig. 1 1 illustrates the apron carriage as in Fig. 8, but in front view. [21 ] Fig. 12 illustrates the apron carriage as in Fig. 9, but in front view.

[22] Fig. 13 illustrates the apron carriage in right view as taken along the lines 1 3-1 3 in Fig. 10.

[23] Figs. 14-19 illustrate a sequence of item layer formation.

[24] Fig. 20 illustrates in perspective a pallet in a stack building area the apron conveyor, apron plate, and puller bar of the apron carriage of Figs. 1 - 13 just following formation of an item layer in the layer building area of the apron carriage and prior to deposit thereof upon the pallet.

[25] Fig. 21 illustrates in front view the apron carriage and pallet of Fig. 20 as taken along lines 21-21 of Fig. 20.

[26] Figs. 22-25 illustrate layer transfer from the apron carriage to an item stack.

[27] Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate unified movement of pallet support platforms.

[28] Figs. 28-34 illustrate empty pallet movement from a pallet dispenser to a stack building area.

[29] Figs. 35-39 illustrate empty pallet transfer from a pallet dispenser to pallet support platform.

[30] Figs. 40-45 illustrate a tie sheet dispenser and operation thereof. [31 ] Figs. 46 illustrates a layer conditioning structure. [32] Figs. 47-50 illustrate a pallet discharge station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[33] With reference to Figs 1 -6, a compact palletizer 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a generally box- form frame 1 10, an empty pallet cartridge 120, an apron carriage 1 30 defining a layer build area 140, a stack build and discharge platform 1 50 movable between a stack build area 160 and stack discharge area 170, and an empty pallet transfer platform 1 52 moveable between a location below the empty pallet cartridge 1 20 and a location adjacent stack build area 1 60.

[34] Generally, and as described more fully hereafter, empty pallet cartridge 120 delivers empty pallets 200 to platform 1 52. Platform 1 52 then positions the empty pallet below apron carriage 130. Apron carriage 1 30 thereafter transfers empty pallets 200 to stack build area 160. An item infeed conveyor 180 (Figs. 14-19) delivers a series of items 190 (Figs. 14- 27) to apron carriage 1 30 for stacking upon pallets 200. With a pallet 200 located at stack build area 160, palletizer 100 sequentially builds item 190 layers upon apron carriage 130 and transfers each item 190 layer by way or apron carriage 1 30 to a pallet 200 located on platform 1 50 in stack build area 160. Palletizer 100 thereby forms a stack of item 190 layers upon the pallet 200. Once a stack of item 190 layers has been completed, platform 1 50 moves the palletized items 190 to discharge area 170 for collection, e.g., by fork lift.

[35] With additional reference to Figs. 7-13 and as described more fully hereafter, apron carriage 130 includes an apron conveyor 1 32, a plate apron 134, and a pull bar 136. Apron conveyor 132 and plate apron 134 collectively define layer build area 140. Apron conveyor 1 32 receives items 190 from infeed conveyor 180 and apron carriage 130 builds an item 190 layer at layer build area 140 thereof. A motor 133 activates apron

conveyor 1 32 in coordination with operation of infeed conveyor 180 whereby items 190 arrive in series, e.g., row-by-row, upon apron conveyor 132 of apron carriage 130. Puller bar 136 moves relative to layer build area 140 to transfer items 190 row-by-row in a layer building operation. More particularly, as rows of items 190 arrive on apron conveyor 132, puller bar 136 pulls each row onto apron plate 134, except for the last row, which may remain on apron conveyor 1 32. Thus, under normal operation a complete item 190 layer resides on both apron conveyor 132 and apron plate 1 34. Once a complete item 190 layer is formed, apron carriage 1 30 delivers the formed item 190 layer to the stack build area 160. Thus, apron carriage 130 reciprocates both vertically and horizontally to implement receipt of incoming items 190 relative to infeed conveyor 180 and stacking of item 190 layers to form an item 190 stack at stack build area 1 60.

[36] As may be appreciated, items 190 as delivered to apron carriage 1 30 by way of infeed conveyor 1 80 may arrive according to a variety of patterns, e.g., as implemented by known box turning devices (not shown), to establish a desired item 190 stack pattern.

[37] Apron carriage 1 30 includes a pair of carriage support rails 220 having a guide follower 221 at each end thereof. Vertical guides 222 of frame 1 10 slidably receive followers 221. Carriage support rails extend substantially to length of frame 1 10. A vertical drive motor 224 mounts to frame 1 10 and couples, e.g., by way of drive shaft 226 and interconnecting lift cables 228, to rails 220. Thus, motor 224 operates in a first direction to lift carriage support rails 220 and in a second direction to lower carriage support rails 220. In this manner, motor 224 operates to selectively vertically position apron carriage 130.

[38] Carriage support rails 220 allow independent horizontal movement of layer build area 140 and pull bar 136 within apron carriage 1 30. Thus,

apron conveyor 132 and plate apron 134, i.e., collectively layer build area 140, move horizontally in unison while puller bar 1 36 enjoys independent horizontal movement relative to layer build area 140. A set of vertical stands 240 mount to carriage support rails 220 and extend upward therefrom. A pair of bar support rails 242 mounts to stands 240. More particularly, each of bar support rails 242 lies generally directly above and parallel to a corresponding one of carriage support rails 220. A bar support frame 244 slidably mounts to bar support rails 242. Puller bar 136 depends from frame 244.

[39] A motor 246 operates to horizontally reciprocate frame 244 and, therefore, reciprocate puller bar 136 relative to carriage 130. Thus, puller bar 136 may be selectively positioned horizontally relative to layer build area 140, e.g., between a retracted position most distant from stack build area 1 60, e.g., as in Figs. 1 , 4, 7, and 10, and an advanced position near stack build area 160, e.g., as in Figs. 8, 9, 1 1 , and 12.

[40] Apron conveyor 132 and plate apron 1 34 remain stationary relative to one another, but slidably mount to carriage support rails 220. A motor 248 operates to horizontally reciprocate apron conveyor 1 32 and plate apron 134 in unison, e.g., between a horizontally retracted position most distant from stack build area 1 60, e.g., as in Figs. 1 , 2, 4, 5 7, 9 10 and 12, and a horizontally advanced position, e.g., overlapping stack build area 160 as in Figs. 8 and 1 1 .

[41 ] Thus, as apron carriage 130 moves vertically, layer build area 140, i.e., collectively apron conveyor 132 and apron plate! 34, and puller bar 136 move vertically in unison. However, and as previously noted, each of layer build area 140 and puller bar 136 selectively move independently and horizontally relative to one another within apron carriage 1 30.

[42] Fig. 14-19 illustrate partially apron carriage 130, i.e., illustrate layer build area 140 and puller bar 136 in relation to incoming items 190 arriving

by way of infeed conveyor 180 and in relation to stack build area 160. It will be understood, though not specifically illustrated, that items 190 are suitably turned, e.g., near the end of infeed conveyor 180 according to a given box turning/stacking pattern and associated device. Thus, item 190 illustration on infeed conveyor 180 will be consistent, i.e., without attempting to illustrate box turning, and item 190 illustration upon apron carriage 1 30 shall be as a result of any applicable box turning procedures. In other words, box turning devices and methods are well known and need not be illustrated herein.

[43] In Fig. 14, a first item 190 of a first item 190 row has arrived and is traveling along apron conveyor 132. A block plate 290 (omitted for clarity in other Figs.), at the end of apron conveyor 1 32, holds the first item 190 of a given item 190 row. It may be noted that puller bar 1 36 is positioned opposite apron conveyor 132 relative to apron plate 134, i.e., in position to pull a row of items 190 onto apron plate 134.

[44] In Fig. 1 5, a second item 190 has transferred from infeed conveyor 180 to apron conveyor 1 32. In this particular stacking pattern, these two items 190 constitute a first row of an item 190 layer.

[45] In Fig. 1 6, puller bar 1 36 advances to pull the first row of items 190 onto apron plate 134 and thereafter retracts to its position as illustrated in Fig. 17.

[46] In Fig. 17, a first item 190 of the second row in the current item 190 layer travels onto apron conveyor 132.

[47] In Fig. 1 8, a second item 190 of the second row in the current item 190 layer travels onto apron conveyor 132. As maybe appreciated, this second item 190 has been turned relative to its orientation depicted in Fig. 17.

[48] In Fig. 1 9, a third item 190 of the second row in the current item 1 90 layer travels onto apron conveyor 1 32.

[49] According to this particular stacking pattern, an item 190 layer has now being formed in layer building area 1 40. Palletizer 100 then transfers the completed item 1 90 layer to the stack building area 1 60 as described more fully hereafter.

[50] The following algorithm may be used to implement one form of layer building possibly with palletizer 100:

[51 ] STACK BUILD SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION

[52] (assumes empty pallet in stack build area)

[53] 1 . retract and lower apron carriage

[54] 2.retract puller bar

[55] 3.activate infeed and apron conveyors to receive next item row on apron conveyor

[56] 4.last row?

[57] no - advance puller bar to position item row

[58] retract puller bar

[59] goto step 3.

[60] yes - goto step 5.

[61 ] 5.vertically position apron carriage relative to top of item stack

[62] 6-advance plate apron and apron conveyor to overhang stack build area

[63] 7.advance puller bar to layer blocking position

[64] δ.retract plate apron and apron conveyor to place item layer on stack

[65] 9.last layer?

[66] no - goto step 1.

[67] yes - goto step 10.

[68] 10.move pallet from stack build area to stack discharge area

[69] In Figs 20 and 21 , apron carriage 130 has built an item 190 layer in layer build area 140 of apron carriage 130. A portion of the completed item 190 layer resides on apron conveyor 1 32 and a portion resides on apron plate 134. As may be appreciated, apron carriage 130, being selectively vertically positionable, builds the item 190 layer at, for example, the height of infeed conveyor 180, which is conventionally a fixed-height device, but can vertically move to a height corresponding to the top of a stack of items 190 in stack build area 1 60. In the present illustration, however, pallet 200 in stack build area 160 is empty and apron carriage moves vertically to a position suitable for deposit of the formed item 190 layer as the first layer on pallet 200. It will be understood, however, that as the stack of item 190 layers grows on pallet 200 apron carriage 1 30 suitably vertically positions itself according to a height necessary to place layer on a stack of layer resting on pallet 200.

[70] Fig. 22 illustrates apron carriage 130 in position to deposit an item 190 layer. In the present example, apron carriage is positioned to deposit an item 190 layer directly upon a pallet 200 as the first item 190 layer in a stack if item 190 layers. Thus, relative to Figs. 20 and 21 , apron carriage 1 30 has moved vertically to match a height necessary to deposit an item 1 90 layer. Apron carriage 1 30 has also moved horizontally both layer build area 140, i.e., apron conveyor 132 and apron plate 1 34, and puller bar 1 60 to the position shown in Fig. 22. As seen in Fig. 22, apron plate 134 includes sidewalls 135, i.e., by way of a generally square U-Shaped cross- section, positionable outside the item 190 layer dimensions as well as that of pallet 200. Thus, sidewalls 135 establish structural rigidity for apron plate 1 34 and also extend below the height at which an item 190 layer is to

be deposited. This establishes a relatively small height 137 through which an item 190 layer drops from apron carriage.

[71 ] Fig. 23 illustrates the beginning of an item 190 layer drop-off wherein puller bar 136 has moved horizontally to a position adjacent stack build area to serve a backstop function as layer build area 140 retracts. As a result, the item 190 layer is in transition from layer build area 140 to stack build area 1 60. In Fig. 24, the process continues with layer build area 140 retracting and puller bar 1 36 remaining stationary relative to stack build area 1 60. In Fig. 25, layer build area 140 has retracted fully from stack build area 1 60 leaving the item 190 layer resting in stack build area 160.

[72] Apron carriage 130 then returns both layer build area 140 and puller bar 136 to their retracted positions and vertically positions itself relative to infeed conveyer 1 80 to build another item 190 layer upon layer build area 1 40. Once pallet 200 is complete, e.g., as shown in Fig. 26, platform 1 50 moves from stack build area 1 60 to stack discharge area 170, e.g., as shown in Fig. 27. The completed pallet 200 may be collected from discharge area 170 by way of forklift.

[73] Returning to Fig. 26, each of platforms 1 50 and 1 52 move together inward and outward relative to frame 1 10 upon a pair of rails 155, e.g., as supported by rollers 1 57. A motor 420 (Figs. 47 and 48) moves in unison platforms 1 50 and 1 52 between an inner position, e.g., as shown in Fig. 26, and an outer position, e.g., as shown in Fig. 27. With a full pallet 200, e.g., as shown in Fig. 26, activating motor 159 to move outward platforms 1 50 and 1 52 presents the full pallet 200 for discharge in discharge area 170 as well as positions platform 1 52 to receive an empty pallet from pallet cartridge 1 20.

[74] Fig. 28 illustrates palletizer 100 (absent illustration of empty pallet cartridge 1 20 for clarity) having just received from empty pallet cartridge 1 20 an empty pallet 200. A variety of pallet dispensing devices or

cartridges and methods of operation thereof are well known in the art and capable of presenting an empty pallet 200 from the bottom of a stack of empty pallets 200. For simplicity in the present discussion, it will be understood that empty pallet cartridge 1 20 has placed a pallet 200 upon, or has made such available to, platform 1 52. Activation of motor 1 59 brings platforms 1 50 and 152 inward and within frame 1 10. In particular, and as shown in Figs. 29-31 , platform 1 52 brings the empty pallet 200 to a position under apron carriage 130. It may be noted that platform 150 is concurrently returned to stack build area 160. Apron carriage 130 lowers toward the empty pallet 200 therebelow and a pair of dogs 300 extending downward from apron carriage 130 engage a trailing edge of empty pallet 200.

[75] In Fig. 32, apron carriage 130 advances partially toward stack build area 160 and, with dogs 300 bearing against the trailing edge of empty pallet 200, empty pallet 200 advances partially toward stack build area 1 60.

[76] In Fig. 33, apron carriage retracts sufficiently to bring a leading edge 302 thereof behind the trailing edge of empty pallet 200. Apron carriage 130 then lowers and advances slightly to engage the trailing edge of empty pallet 200 with its leading edge 302.

[77] In Fig. 34, apron carriage 130 further advances to push the empty pallet 200 into the stack build area 160, specifically to place the empty pallet 200 onto platform 1 50.

[78] Palletizer 100 is then ready to begin palletizing incoming items 190, i.e., reposition itself relative to infeed conveyor 180, begin layer building in layer building area 140, and stacking item 190 layers in stack build area 160.

[79] Figs 35-39 illustrate a form of empty pallet dispenser 1 20, shown partially and designated by reference numeral 1 20' in Figs. 35-39. Empty ^•

pallet dispenser 1 20' includes features squaring or registering an empty pallet 200 for proper alignment within palletizer 100. In other words, by properly squaring or registering an empty pallet 200, e.g., at stack build area 1 60, item 190 layers deposited thereon find alignment relative the supporting pallet 200. By squaring or registering an empty pallet 200 at transfer from dispenser 120' to platform 1 52, such alignment subsequently in stack build area 1 60 is improved as described hereafter.

[80] A variety of empty pallet dispensers are know and include those capable of presenting an empty pallet 200 from the bottom of a stack of empty pallets 200 as described herein. For the present discussion, it will be understood that dispenser 1 20' isolates a pallet 200 from the bottom of a stack of pallets 200 by placement thereof upon a pair of support plates 340. In such presentation, the pallet 200 rests upon support plates 340 without encumbrance, e.g., can be pushed or slid along support plates 340 without interference, e.g., with interference from or contact with a pallet 200 in a stack of pallets 200 thereabove. As well know devices and methods useful for such pallet 200 presentation are known, Figs. 35-39 illustrate empty pallet dispenser 120' partially, i.e., showing only vertical support bars 342 and support plates 340. As may be appreciated, vertical support bars 342 suitably position, e.g., lower, support plates 340 carrying an empty pallet 200 thereon. Unfortunately, many pallets 200 are skewed when presented by an empty pallet dispenser. In particular, not every empty pallet 200 rests squarely upon the support plates 340.

[81 ] Fig. 35 illustrates an empty pallet 200 having been located upon support plates 340 but in a skewed orientation. With platform 1 52 located below empty pallet dispenser 1 20', support plates 340 hold empty pallet 200 just above the surface of platform 1 52. A trailing edge, e.g., most distant from frame 1 10, of platform 1 52 includes a stripping bar 344 extending above the surface of platform 1 52 and positioned behind the

trailing edge of the empty pallet 200. As illustrated in Fig. 35, the empty pallet 200 presented for discharge is skewed relative to stripping bar 344.

[82] However, as platform 152 moves inward toward frame 1 10, as illustrated in Figs 36 and 37, stripping bar 344 engages the trailing edge of the empty pallet 200. Stripping bar 344 thereby initially squares the empty pallet 200, e.g., brings the trailing edge of pallet 200 in abutment with stripping bar 344. As platform 1 52 continues inward toward frame 1 1 0, as illustrated in Figs. 38 and 39, pallet 200 remain squared, i.e., against stripping bar 344, and slides from support plates 340 onto platform 152. Eventually, as platform moves into frame 1 10, platform 152 fully supports pallet 200 in squared or registered orientation relative to frame 1 10.

[83] As previously described, apron carriage 130 then moves the empty pallet 200 from platform 1 52 to platform 1 50 located in stack build area 160. The extent of travel in a given direction, e.g., travel inward upon platform 1 52 or travel onto platform 1 50 in stack build area 160, may be adjusted as a function of pallet 200 dimensions along that given direction and desired position relative to frame 1 10 along that given direction. Once well registered upon platform 1 52, an empty pallet 200 may be suitable positioned within stack build area 160 according to a desired registration within frame 1 10 by controlling travel distances for platform 1 52 and apron carriage 1 30 in ultimately positioning pallet 200 in stack build area 1 60.

[84] Pallet dispenser 1 20' can handle pallets 200 of different widths and lengths or a fixed pallet 200 size. Because platform 152 presents the pallet 200 to apron carriage 1 30 with a pallet 200 edge in contact with the transport device, e.g., stripping bar 344, perpendicular to travel it is registered relative to its final position in stack build area 1 60 through control of the final stop position below apron carriage 1 30. Pallet 200 location relative to the right or left of the direction of travel caused by different width pallets being fed through, for example, a fixed oversized

dispenser chute of the pallet dispenser 120', e.g., sized to handle the widest and longest pallet, is irrelevant because pallet travel positioning determines ultimate pallet 200 positioning or registration within stack build area 1 60. As such different width pallets and pallet position relative to the dispenser chute do not impact final pallet position. As may be appreciated, a control may be programmed to account for pallet 200 dimensions and thereby determine pallet 200 travel distances relative to frame 1 10. Thus, a combination of controlled pallet 200 travel distances, i.e., inward upon platform 150 and laterally as pushed by apron carriage 1 30, establish a well registered pallet 200 within stack build area 160 irrespective of pallet size.

[85] In many palletizing applications a tie sheet placed between item 190 layers stabilizes the stack of item 190 layers. Tie sheets may be placed at the bottom of the stack of item 190 layers, between selected ones of item 190 layers, or between all item 190 layers. Preferably, tie sheet placement is automated and suitably interleaved with other palletizing operations to support overall productivity.

[86] Figs. 40-45 illustrate an automated tie sheet dispenser 360 which may be employed in conjunction with the palletizer 100 as described herein. Tie sheet dispenser 360 mounts to apron carriage T 30 and, therefore, moves vertically in unison with layer build area 140 and puller bar 1 36. Tie sheet dispenser 360 includes a horizontal tie sheet bin 362 mounted in fixed relation to and just above puller bar 136, e.g., attaches to puller bar frame 244. As such, tie sheet bin 362 moves horizontally with puller bar 136. Tie sheet dispenser 360 further includes a motor 364 mounted to apron carriage 1 30, e.g., upon one of rails 244, and slide frame 366 slidably mounted upon rails 244. Operation of motor 364 moves slide rail between a retracted position and an advanced position. Slide frame 366 carries vertical positioner 368 and vertical positioner 368 caries a vacuum lift 370. Accordingly, vacuum lift 370 may be selectively vertically positioned

relative to frame 366 and selectively horizontally positioned independent of layer build area 140 and puller bar 1 36.

[87] Fig. 40 shows tie sheet dispenser 360 with slide frame 366 positioned over sheet bin 362, e.g., ready to pick a tie sheet 374 from bin 362. With independent horizontal positioning capability for both slide frame 366 and bin 362, tie sheet picking can occur at a selected and variety of horizontal locations. In Fig. 41 , vacuum lift 370 has been lowered toward bin 362 and has engaged and partially lifted a tie sheet 374. In Fig. 42, slide frame 366 has moved over stack build area 1 60, taking with it vacuum lift 370 and the tie sheet 374 carried thereby. Moving apron carriage 1 30 vertically downward toward pallet 200, as shown in Fig. 43, allows placement of the tie sheet 374 upon the empty pallet 200. As may be appreciated, such vertical positioning of the tie sheet can include vertical movement of apron carriage 130 as well as operation of vertical positioner 368. Once suitably positioned, vacuum lift 370 releases tie sheet 374 for placement as shown in Fig. 44 and slide frame 366 and vacuum lift 370 withdraws.

[88] Fig. 45 illustrates tie sheet 374 placement on the top of a stack of tern 190 layers in stack build area 160. Thus, it will be understood that tie sheet dispenser may place tie sheets at the bottom of a stack of item 190 layers, between any two item 190 layers, or on the top of a stack of item 190 layers as desired and in coordinated fashion with item 190 layer stacking as described herein.

[89] In general, prior tie sheet inserters have resided outside a palletizer footprint and have consequently required additional space and safety guarding. Such devices also have required separate vertical travel capability to place sheets at different levels of the load ranging from on top of the empty pallet to the top of the load. According to tie sheet dispenser 360, however, all components of tie sheet insertion are internal to the palletizer, i.e., within its footprint. Tie sheets 374 may be loaded into bin 362 at a

convenient elevation and in a flat orientation. Tie sheet dispenser 360 enjoys independent vertical travel sufficient to reach an empty pallet and horizontal travel sufficient to park outside the "chimney" of an item 190 stack under construction. ^' Tie dispenser 360 can reach the centerline of different sized item 190 stacks under construction. Normal vertical travel throughout the stack height is provided by the free travel obtained by attachment to apron conveyor 1 30. tie sheet dispenser 360 can travel from it's parked position, e.g., outside the stack or stack build area 160 vertical chimney, to a bin 362 stop position coincident with the row puller 136 when in its backstop position. This allows tie sheet dispenser 360 to retrieve a sheet 374 as the apron plate 1 34 is retracts and then travel only short distance to position a sheet at the current top of stack position as required for the stack under construction. After each item 190 is deposited, the tie sheet dispenser 360, having limited independent vertical travel, e.g., vacuum lift 370 relative to frame 366, can place a tie sheet 374 rapidly with minimal impact on overall throughput due to the common transport provided by apron carriage 130, e.g., providing coordinated motions and close proximity relationship available from the existing bin 362 movement and apron carriage 1 30 vertical travel. In other words, apron conveyor 1 30 provides advantageous vertical transport due to mounting all tie sheet dispenser 360 devices thereon and further provides a known relationship to the current stack height. Because tie sheet dispenser 360 parks outside the vertical space of the stack build area 1 60, picking and placing sheet 374 occurs with minimal travel in minimal time thereby reducing the chance for a tie sheet 374 to be dropped due to vacuum lift 370 failure.

[90] Fig. 46 illustrates a form of layer compression wherein a pair of funnel walls 390 guide inward items 190 as an item 190 layer is transferred from layer build area 140 to stack build area 1 60. ' In Fig. 46, funnel walls 390 lay along the sides of apron plate 1 34, i.e., along the each side of apron plate

1 34 oriented perpendicular to puller bar 1 36. Funnel walls 390 lie closer to one another at the ends thereof closest to stack build area 1 60. As may be appreciated, funnel walls 390 are selectively positionable on apron plate 134 to accommodate item 190 layer building thereon. For example, each funnel wall couples to apron plate 134 at its end most distant from stack build area 1 60 by way of pivot pins 392. Slots 394 and set pins 396 at the other ends of funnel walls 390 allow selected relative positioning of funnel walls 390. Thus, funnel walls 390 are sufficiently separated at the ends thereof most distant from stack build area 1 60 so as to not interfere with item 190 layer building. Funnel walls 390 narrow toward stack build area 160, however, to bring together or compress an item 190 layer as relative movement of layer build area 140 and puller bar 1 36 force the item 190 layer across and off apron plate 1 34.

[91 ] In the alternative, clamping mechanisms may be employed to condition, e.g., compact, an item 190 layer.

[92] As described above, platform 150 may be used to present for discharge a full pallet 200 in discharge area 170, i.e., make available for collection by a forklift or. In many palletizing operations, however, it may be desirable to place a full pallet 200 in pallet discharge area 170 and return platform 150 to stack build area 160. As previously described, platforms 150 and 1 52 move in unison and by immediately returning platforms 150 and 1 52 to their inner positions, i.e., within frame 1 10, palletizing operations can continue without waiting for full pallet collection at pallet discharge area 170. In particular, moving platforms 1 50 and 1 52 inward following placement of a full pallet 200 at pallet discharge area allows platform 1 50 to transport the next empty pallet 200 to its position under apron carriage 130. Once apron carriage 130 builds the first item190 layer, apron carriage 130 can concurrently move the next empty pallet 200 as well as the first item 190 layer to stack build area 1 60.

[93] Figs 47 and 48 illustrate an alternative pallet discharge area 170' allowing platform 1 50 to deliver a full pallet 200 at discharge area 170 and immediately return to stack build area.

[94] Figs. 47 and 48 also illustrate details (omitted in previous drawings) for unified movement of platforms 150 and 152 between their inner and outer positions. While separate drive mechanisms could be used to move platforms 1 50 and 1 52, a common drive mechanism supports unified movement as previously described as well as simplified control and design. Fig. 47 shows platforms 150 and 1 52 in their inner positions, i.e., within frame 1 10 and with platform 1 50 located in stack build area 160 and platform 152 located below the location of apron carriage 130 when in its retracted position. Fig. 48 shows platforms 150 and 1 52 in their outer positions with platform 1 50 in position to discharge a full pallet 200 and platform 152 in position to accept an empty pallet 200 from pallet dispenser 120 (1 20')-

[95] A motor 420 drives chain 422 about an idler sprocket 424. A strongback bar 426 ties together platforms 150 and 1 52. Chain 422 couples to strongback bar 426 whereby operation of motor 420 in a first direction moves in unison platforms 150 and 152 toward frame 1 10 and operation in a second direction moves in unison platforms 1 50 and 152 away from frame 1 10. Also shown in Figs. 47 and 48, skid plates 425 present angled upward-facing surfaces to facilitate movement for an empty pallet 200 into stack build area 1 60 as described above, i.e., as moved by apron carriage 1 30 from platform 1 52 to platform 1 50.

[96] Figs. 49 and 50 further illustrate the modified discharge area 170'. In Figs. 47-50, discharge area 170' includes a pair of roller ramps 430 inclining upward in a direction moving away from frame 1 10. A lower portion of roller ramps 430, i.e., closest to frame 1 10, resides substantially at or slightly below the surface plane of platform 1 50 while the upper portion

resides sufficiently above the plane of platform 1 50 to hold a pallet 200 above platform 1 50. Roller ramps 430 are located outside the path of platform 1 50 but within the width of a pallet 200 carried thereon. As platform 150, carrying a full pallet 200 thereon, enters the space between roller ramps 430 the leading edged of the pallet 200 rides up and onto the roller ramps 430. As platform 1 50 continues pallet 200 transfers onto roller ramps 430. Friction against the surface of platform 1 50 drives platform 200 onto roller ramps 430. As roller ramps 430 accept the weight of pallet 200, pallet 200 may roll back some distance as the force of friction against platform 1 50 subsides. Strongback bar 426 catches pallet 200 against further rollback (as shown in Fig. 49) and drives pallet 200 past a catch dog 428. Once so captured by catch dog 428, platform 150 is free to return to stack build area 160 (as shown in Fig. 50). In some applications, roller ramps 430 at slight incline may be sufficient to hold pallet 200 without need for catch dogs 428.

[97] Thus, an improved palletizer has been shown and described. The inclusion of the apron conveyor 132 into the layer deliver apron, i.e., as part of the layer build area 140, allows for a smaller overall footprint. The width of the apron conveyor 132 is narrower than the corresponding dimension of a rectangular item 1 90 whereby turned items 190 overhang the roller surface of apron conveyor 1 32. In effect, this further merges item 190 conveyor functions with apron support functions, and thereby further supports an overall compact palletizer 100 footprint. The apron carriage 1 30 allows independent horizontal travel of the apron conveyor 132 and apron plate 134 as well as puller bar 136 and tie sheet vacuum lift 370 with common vertical travel thereof in support of coordinated actions therebetween between.

[98] Puller bar 136 performs a variety of functions. It pulls formed item 190 rows off the apron conveyor 1 32 and onto apron plate 1 34. The pull

distance can be varied depending on item 190 size. It can travel in unison with the layer build area 140 to act as a backstop when the apron plate 1 34 retracts to shear an item 190 layer the pallet stack. The backstop position can be controlled to register different sized layers relative to the pallet edge so that the layer edge is inline, inside the pallet edge or overhanging the pallet edge. Back stop positioning as above can be relative to different sized pallets. The sheet bin 362 can be moved with the puller bar 136 so that the bin 362 can be presented to the operator at an elevation for easy tie sheet 374 loading. The sheet bin 362 is presented to the vacuum lift 370 at the position the puller bar 1 36 stops when acting as a backstop, thereby minimizing the vacuum lift 370 horizontal travel requirement and providing a known tie sheet 374 pick position. Movement of the sheet bin 362 from an easy load position at the end of puller bar 1 36 travel, e.g., adjacent to the end of the machine, to the preferred tie sheet 374 picking position is a "free" movement due to the need for the puller bar 136 to travel to perform backstop function.

[99] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described and illustrated, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as found in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.