Load former-palletizer

Abstract

A machine receives packages in bundles and transports them over a series of conveyors to arrange them in suitable layers for stacking into solid stacks or loads of predetermined form or arrangement for palletizing or .[.other conveying means.]. .Iadd.in a stack for further transportation.Iaddend.. Each conveyor performs related functions of rotating packages in a horizontal plane, moving transversely and delivering in the predetermined pattern to form layers of an eventual stack for further transportation. Provision is made for insertion of sheets between layers as they are formed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A machine for positioning a number of individual packages into an arrangement of layers and forming a stack thereof comprising: a plurality of power driven roller conveyors mounted in series on a structure for successive handling a flow of said packages thereon;   said conveyors interconnected to effect the successive flow of said packages from one conveyor to another;   a first of said conveyors having a vertically moving control gate operatively connected thereto to control a flow of packages thereon and to   a second of said, conveyors connecting with said first of said conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;   a rotator positioned .[.on.]. .Iadd.at .Iaddend. said second of said conveyors for rotating said packages in a horizontal plane about their vertical axes to a predetermined angular position on said second of said conveyors, said rotator comprising:   a separate section of said second conveyor .[.rollers mounted for movement in a vertical direction and.]. comprising a plurality of separate rollers;   means operatively connected to said power driven rollers to drive said separate section of rollers;   .Iadd.a rotatable table including an open frame for nesting between said separate rollers; .Iaddend.   means for raising and lowering said .[.separate section of rollers.]. .Iadd.rotatable table above and below said separate rollers; .Iaddend.   means for rotating said .[.separate section of rollers.]. .Iadd.rotatable .Iaddend.in a horizontal plane while in a raised position to a predetermined angular position;   means associated with said second conveyor for holding said packages in position against said .[.separate section of rollers.]. .Iadd.rotatable table .Iaddend.while said rotator is in operation;   a third of said conveyors connecting with said second of said conveyors and arranged to receive a flow of packages therefrom;   a lateral positioner positioned on said third of said conveyors for positioning said packages .[.trasversely.]. .Iadd.transversely .Iaddend.across said third of said conveyors to a predetermined transverse location thereon;   a fourth of said conveyors connecting with said third of said conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;   a vertical stop positioned at one end of said fourth of said conveyors positioned to arrest said flow of said packages thereon thereby forming a plurality of layers of said packages in succession on said fourth of said conveyors;   means for transporting said layers successively from said fourth of said conveyors.   means for depositing said layers successively on the platform of a descending elevator positioned at one end of said fourth of said conveyors; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.   means for inserting separating sheets of paper between said layers as they are being deposited on said platform of said elevator .[.;.]. thereby forming a stack of said packages.   
     
     
       2. A machine for positioning a number of individual packages into an arrangement of layers and forming a stack thereof comprising: a plurality of power driven roller conveyors mounted in series on a structure for successive handling a flow of said packages thereon;   said conveyors being interconnected to effect the successive flow of said packages from one conveyor to another;   a first of said conveyors having a vertically moving control gate operatively connected thereto to control a flow of packages thereon and to   a second of said conveyors connecting with said first of said conveyors and mounted to receive a flow of packages therefrom;   a rotator positioned on said second of said conveyors for rotating said packages in a horizontal plane about their vertical axes to a predetermined angular position on said second of said conveyors;   a third of said conveyors connecting with said second of said conveyors and mounted to receive the flow of packages therefrom;   a lateral positioner positioned on said third of said conveyors for positioning said packages transversely across said third of said conveyors to a predetermined transverse location thereon, said lateral positioner comprising:   a pair of parallel vertical clamps positioned in opposite spaced relation to each other transversely on said third of said conveyors;   each of said clamps being mounted on a separate travel carriage;   a sprocket mounted on each of said travel carriages;   a chain operatively engaging both of said sprockets;   an electric motor mounted on each of said travel carriages and operatively connected to each of said sprockets;   means for operating said motors individually or simultaneously in either direction of rotation;   whereby said clamps may be moved simultaneously towards or away from each other transversely across said third of said conveyors;   and whereby said clamps may be moved simultaneously in the same direction transversely across said third of said conveyors;   said clamps being so positioned as to engage said packages;   thereby positioning said packages in a predetermined lateral position transversely on said third of said conveyors;   a fourth of said conveyors connecting with said third of said conveyors and mounted to receive the flow of packages therefrom;   a vertical stop positioned at one end of said fourth of said conveyors positioned to arrest said flow of said packages thereon thereby forming a plurality of layers of said packages in successtion on said fourth of said conveyors;   means for transporting said layers successively from said fourth of said conveyors;   means for depositing said layers successively on the platform of a descending elevator positioned at one end of said fourth of said conveyors;   means for inserting separating sheets of paper between said layers as they are being deposited on said platform of said elevator;   thereby forming a stack of said packages.