System and method for installing a protective covering onto a stack of work pieces

Abstract

A system and method for installing a protective covering onto at least one substantially entire side portion of a stack of products. The system includes an apparatus for automatically, and preferably continuously, robotically moving, positioning and fastening a protective covering to at least one side portion of a stack of products. The side portions of the stack of products can vary in dimensions. The protective covering can also protect a top portion of the stack of products. The stack of products can include stacks of plywood, particleboard, OSB, lumber or other bundles of predetermined sizes.

1 . A system for installing a protective covering onto at least one substantially entire side portion of a stack of products, which comprises:  
     at least one protective covering capable of substantially covering at least one side portion of said stack of products; and 
 an apparatus for automatically and robotically moving and positioning said protective covering against at least one side portion of said stack of products, and for automatically and continuously fastening each said protective covering so that it is installed onto a side of said stack of products.  
 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , the apparatus further including automatically and continuously providing a next stack of products for installing a protective covering.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for automatically fastening said protective covering comprises an apparatus for robotically fastening said protective covering.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for automatically moving and positioning said protective covering comprises a robotic mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus for automatically fastening said protective covering comprises a robotic mechanism.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the robotic mechanism comprises a robotic arm.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the robotic mechanism comprises a robotic arm.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said protective covering comprises a cardboard-containing covering.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said side portions of said stack of products can comprise a plurality of dimensions.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of side portions of said stack of products are overlayed by the protective coverings.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stack of products comprises a stack of lignocellulosic products.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening step comprises stapling.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for automatically moving and positioning said protective covering against the side portion of said stack of products includes an electronic positioning device.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said robotic mechanism is supported at a location above the stack of products.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said robotic mechanism is supported at a location above the stack of products.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the products comprise plywood or particleboard.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , which further includes a first device to interconnect the apparatus and the protective covering during the automatic moving and positioning of each said protective covering, and second device for fastening said protective covering to said stack of products.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said protective covering is installed so as to wrap about the outer edges of the stack of products.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said protective covering is installed so as to wrap about the top of the stack of products.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said protective covering is fabricated of a non-film material.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said protective covering is fabricated of a stiff, bendable material.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus lifts said protective covering and then moves and positions it against the said of the stack of products.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 1 , which further includes a printing device connected to said robotic mechanism for imprinting indicia onto each said protective covering.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety barrier surrounding the apparatus.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the safety barrier includes: 
 an opening for delivering a stack of products to the apparatus; and    an opening for receiving a stack of products from the apparatus.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the safety barrier further includes an opening for delivering a protective covering to the apparatus.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the safety barrier further includes an opening for delivering fasteners to the apparatus.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the safety barrier further includes at least one access door for providing a human operator access to the apparatus.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one access door is equipped with a safety interlock.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the safety interlock engages when the at least one access door is opened and the safety interlock stops the apparatus.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the openings for delivering and receiving a stack of products are safety monitored.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the opening for delivering a protective covering is safety monitored.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the safety barrier is a perimeter guard fence.