The present invention relates to a palletizing system and to a method of palletizing, in particular with such a system.

Applicant is manufacturer of different types of palletizing devices, which are offered in the main categories “low level infeed” and “high level infeed” palletizers. Such palletizing devices are part of a palletizing system, normally also comprising a forming device configured to arrange the products in a desired pattern or order in which they are to be placed by the palletizing device onto a pallet.

The palletizing devices belonging to the low level infeed category are characterized in that the pallet that is to be loaded with products is stationary during the process of placing products thereon, while the palletizing device transports layers of products to the upper level of the (partly loaded) pallet before said products are placed. Once an extra layer of products is placed onto the pallet, the palletizing device thus moves a height corresponding to one layer further upward to allow a next layer of products to be placed onto the pallet, i.e. on the uppermost layer of products that has just been placed. It is remarked that in relation to the present invention, a layer of products may be a single row of products, or a plurality of such rows.

The palletizing devices belonging to the high level infeed category are characterized in that the input of products to the palletizing device is and remains at a fixed level, and the pallet is gradually lowered relative to said input level after a layer of products has been placed onto the pallet or onto a layer of products previously placed onto the pallet. A mezzanine floor may be arranged at said fixed level of the palletizing device, thereby allowing easy access to the palletizing device.

All categories have specific use cases in which they are preferred, and related advantages and disadvantages. For example, a low level infeed palletizer has the advantage that it may be placed on one level inside a building, because it does not require an elevated operating plateau. It is therefore often easier to implement and consequently more cost efficient. To the contrary, a high level infeed palletizer is more complex and voluminous, requiring at least two levels inside a building. However, such a high level infeed palletizer will often have a higher capacity.

European patent application EP 2 537783 Al, which is considered to define the closest prior art, discloses a device for lifting and unloading a layer of packs. At least the characterizing features of claim 1 are novel relative to EP 2537783 Al.

The documents EP 2 537783 Al, FR 2436727 Al, ES 2615027 T3, EP 3025 988 Al, IT MI 94 1558 Al, IT MI 20081787 Al and DE 102010011534 Al are acknowledged as further prior art. There is an ongoing need to increase aspects such as versatility, flexibility and efficiency.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a palletizing system, that is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.

Said objective is achieved with the palletizing system according to claim 1 of the present invention, comprising:

- a frame extending in an upright direction;

- an input configured to feed products in a feed direction;

- a forming device configured to form a layer of products;

- a palletizing device configured to place the layer of products onto a pallet;

- a lift, configured to transport the layer of products formed by the forming device along the upright extending frame from a level of the forming device to a level of the palletizing device; and

- wherein the forming device and the palletizing device are arranged one directly above the other.

The lift that is configured to transport the layer of products formed by the forming device from the level of the forming device to the level of the palletizing device, allows the forming device and the palletizing device to be arranged at different levels. This allows effective use to be made of different levels, i.e. stories or floors, in a building.

Moreover, by applying a forming device and a palletizing device that are arranged at different levels, the available working space around each of the forming device and the palletizing device may be greatly improved. For example, at the level of the forming device, operators may have ample space to move freely around the forming device, while also providing sufficient space for the supply of products that are to be arranged in layers by the forming device in preparation to the step of palletizing said products. Since this level is now dedicated to formation of layers of products, the specific level may also be optimized for this purpose. Likewise, the level of the palletizing device may be optimized for the step of placing the layers of products onto the pallet.

The lift also functions as a buffer, since it may pick up and temporarily store a layer of products formed by the forming device. In this way, the forming device may continue working, even when pallets are exchanged when a fully loaded pallet is transported away and a new empty pallet is to be placed below or on the palletizing device. In fact, during the process of moving a loaded pallet and positioning a new pallet, a total of three layers may be stored in the palletizing system: a first layer may be formed on the forming device, a second layer may be stored on the lift, and a third layer may be hold ready to be placed at the palletizing device. The footprint of the palletizing system in the building is minimized if the forming device and the palletizing device are arranged one directly above the other. This allows the palletizing system to be arranged inside buildings having multiple stories or floors. Rather than the forming device and the palletizing device being arranged on the same floor and requiring a large footprint, the required space is now obtained in the height direction. Oftentimes it is not possible to extend a footprint of an existing building. In such cases the palletizing system according to the invention may allow an increase in palletizing capacity without requiring a larger building.

The palletizing system according to the invention thus improves versatility, flexibility and efficiency due to the forming device and the palletizing device being arranged at different levels, and the lift being configured to transport the layers from the level of the forming device to the level of the palletizing device. In particular, the palletizing system according to the invention provides an improved ratio between palletizing capacity and required footprint.

The advantage of an optimized ratio between palletizing capacity and required footprint in the building is obtained independent of the order of the forming device and the palletizing device. However, in view of other aspects, such as logistics, it may be preferred that the level of the palletizing device is at a higher level than the level of the forming device. In this case, a minimal footprint is obtained by arranging the palletizing device directly above the forming device, which is therefor a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The invention further relates to a method of palletizing, comprising the steps of:

- feeding products to a forming device arranged on a first level;

- forming a layer of products by the forming device;

- transporting the layer of products to a second level;

- placing the layer of products onto a pallet by a palletizing device that is arranged at said second level. The second level is different from the first level; and

- wherein the forming device and the palletizing device are arranged one directly above the other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it comprises the step of using a palletizing system according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, and in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be an invention in its own right that is related to a different problem relative to the prior art.

In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which: Figures 1A and IB are side views of a palletizing system according to a first preferred embodiment, in two successive operating states;

Figure 2 is a side view of a palletizing system according to a second preferred embodiment;

Figure 3 is a side view of a palletizing system according to a third preferred embodiment; and

Figure 4 is a side view of a palletizing system according to a fourth preferred embodiment.

Like parts are numbered alike in the figures related to the different embodiments. The first embodiment will now be described in detail, and only the main differences of the further embodiments are discussed for Figures 2-4.

The palletizing system 1 comprises a frame 2 that extends in an upright direction, and an input 3 configured to feed products 4 in a feed direction F. The palletizing system further comprises a forming device 5 configured to form a layer 6 of products 4, a palletizing device 7 configured to place the layer 6 of products 4 onto a pallet 8 and a lift 9. This lift 9 is configured to transport the layer 6 of products 4 formed by the forming device 5 along the upright extending frame 2 from a level of the forming device 5 to a level of the palletizing device 7. Lift 9 comprises a carrier 10 to support and transport the products 4.

It is remarked that the layer 6 may be a single row, or multiple rows, of products 4. In practice, layers 6 will normally comprise multiple rows of products 4, wherein the products 4 are positioned in a pre-determined pattern taking into account a pre -determined position and orientation for each product 4 to obtain an optimized loading of a pallet 8.

The palletizing system 1 further comprises a pallet support 12 configured to support the pallet 8 during loading thereof. In Figure 1A, the input 3 feeds products 4 in the feed direction F toward the forming device 5. This forming device 5 is configured to position and orientate the products 4 relative to each other in a desired pattern, and thereby build a layer 6 of products 4. This layer 6 that has been formed by the forming device 5 is then moved onto the carrier 10 of the lift 9, and said lift 9 successively transports the layer 6 of products 4 along the upright extending frame 2 towards the level of the palletizing device 7, where the layer 6 is taken over by the palletizing device 7 before it is placed onto the pallet 8. In Figure 1A, a pallet 8 supported on the pallet support 12 is finished and ready to be transported away via output 11. This transporting away of a loaded pallet 8 and positioning a new empty pallet 8 ready to be loaded with further products 4 takes time, and is a critical step in the palletizing process.. The lift 9 proposes by the present invention is however not only functional to obtain a small footprint, but moreover contributes to the palletizing system 1 as a whole by functioning as a buffer. This is especially advantageous during exchange of pallets 8, but may also be effectively used to improve the efficiency and versatility of the palletizing system 1 during normal use. After all, the forming device 5 or the palletizing device 7 may, for maintenance, due to a malfunction, or simply because of a difference in capacity, temporarily not be able to meet the speed of the other device 5, 7. In such cases, the lift 9 may function as a buffer and prevent a total standstill.

Figure IB shows the most critical step of an exchange of pallets 8, and illustrates how the forming device 5 may already form and store a new layer 6 of products 4, while both the lift 9 and the palletizing device 7 may hold two further layers 6 of products. Thus, during an exchange of pallets 8, already three layers 6 of products that are to be placed on the next pallet 8 may be prepared by the palletizing system 1.

The footprint of the palletizing system 1 in the building is minimized if the forming device 5 and the palletizing device 7 are arranged one directly above the other. This allows the palletizing system 1 to be arranged inside buildings having multiple stories or floors. Rather than the forming device 5 and the palletizing device 7 being arranged on the same floor and requiring a large footprint, the required space is now obtained in the height direction. Oftentimes it is not possible to extend a footprint of an existing building. In such cases the palletizing system 1 according to the invention may allow an increase in palletizing capacity without requiring a larger building.

The advantage of an optimized ratio between palletizing capacity and required footprint in the building is obtained independent of the order of the forming device 5 and the palletizing device 7. In view of other aspects, such as logistics, it is however preferred that the level of the palletizing device 7 is at a higher level than the level of the forming device 5. A minimal footprint is obtained if the palletizing device 7 is arranged directly above the forming device 5.

The palletizing system 1 further comprises an output 11 configured to output a pallet 8 loaded with at least one layer 6 of products 4. The output 11 is preferably arranged relative to the lift 9 on the same side as the input 3, as shown in Figures 1A, IB, 2 and 4. In that case, the output direction O is directed transverse or opposite to the feed direction F. All embodiments shown in the Figures 1A, IB, 2 and 4 show an output direction O that is opposite to the feed direction F, which provides the further advantage that the input 3 and output 11 may also be arranged one above the other, further contributing to a possible reduction in footprint of the whole logistic system upstream and downstream of the palletizing system 2.

In Figure 3, showing an embodiment outside the scope of the present invention, the palletizing system 1 comprises a forming device 5 and a palletizing device 7 that are arranged on opposite sides relative to the lift 9, but still at different levels. In this configuration, the forming device 5 and the palletizing device 7 are arranged in-line and consequently the total footprint in the building is not optimized as will be obtained when the forming device and the palletizing device are arranged one directly above the other. The Figure 3 embodiment may however still benefit from the advantages that each of the forming device 5 and the palletizing device 7 are arranged on independent levels that may be optimized for the specific purpose, also offering ample space around the respective devices 5, 7.

The palletizing system 1 may be embodied as different categories. According to a first category, the palletizing device 7 is height adjustable relative to the frame 9, and the pallet support 12 is fixed in height relative to the frame 9. This category has been described in the introduction as the “low level infeed” category, and is the subject of the preferred embodiments shown in Figures 1A, IB, 2. The pallet support 12 may be formed by a conveyor that also defines the output 11.

The palletizing device 7 according to the first category may comprise an upright palletizer frame 13 and a lying palletizer sub frame 14. The lying palletizer sub frame 14 is height adjustable relative to the upright palletizer frame 13 and relative to the frame 9 of the palletizing system 1. In this way, the lying palletizer sub frame 14 may move a distance corresponding to a height of one layer upward after a layer 6 of products 4 has been places onto the pallet 8. Once a new, empty pallet 8 is provided, the lying palletizer sub frame 14 moves downward to start all over again.

According to a second category, the palletizing device 7 is fixed in height relative to the frame 9, and the pallet support 12 is height adjustable relative to the frame 9. This category has been described in the introduction as the “high level infeed” category, and is the subject of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4. It is remarked that a palletizing device 1 according to this second high level infeed category may have similar configurations as the first low level infeed category. Also for this second category, an in-line configuration according to Figure 3 and a different type of lift 9 according to Figures 1 A and IB may be applied.

The palletizing device 7 according to the second category comprises an upright palletizer frame 13, but now the pallet support 12 is height adjustable relative to the upright palletizer frame 13, and consequently also relative to the frame 9 of the palletizing system 1. The pallet support 12 moves the pallet 8 a distance corresponding to a height of one layer downward after a layer 6 of products 4 has been places onto the pallet 8.

For both the first and the second category, the frame 9 preferably extends between a first operator level at the level of the forming device 5 and a second operator level at the level of the palletizing device 7.

For the second category, the palletizing system 1 may comprise a further operator level intermediate the level of the forming device 5 and the level of the palletizing device 7. Said further operator level is preferably arranged at or near a level of the output 11. The invention further relates to a method of palletizing, i.e. placing products 4 onto a pallet 8, said method comprising the steps of:

- feeding products 4 to a forming device 5 arranged on a first level;

- forming a layer 6 of products 4 by a forming device 5; - transporting the layer 6 of products 4 to a second level; and

- placing the layer 6 of products 4 onto a pallet 8 by a palletizing device 7 that is arranged at said second level.

According to a preferred embodiment, said method comprises the step of using a palletizing system 1 according to the invention. Although they show preferred embodiments of the invention, the above described embodiments are intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is particularly noted that the skilled person can combine technical measures of the different embodiments. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the following claims.