US 12,280,969 B2
Depalletization systems and methods
Ernesto Saldana Pena, Minneapolis, MN (US); Gervasio Mutarelli, Minneapolis, MN (US); Dillon Shirley, Minneapolis, MN (US); and Joseph Goodwin, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to Target Brands, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by Target Brands, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/368,269.
Prior Publication US 2025/0091820 A1, Mar. 20, 2025
Int. Cl. B65G 59/02 (2006.01); B65G 41/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 59/026 (2013.01) [B65G 41/003 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0267 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A depalletization system comprising:
a platform lift that is operable to be raised and lowered while supporting one or more workers, the platform lift defining a pallet location where the one or more workers can remove boxes from a pallet while standing on the platform lift;
a box discharge conveyor arranged and operable to convey the boxes away from the platform lift;
a transfer conveyor extending between the box discharge conveyor and the pallet location, the transfer conveyor comprising an output end adjacent the box discharge conveyor and an input end that is opposite of the output end and that is a free end;
a transition conveyor having an input end that is pivotably coupled to an output end of the box discharge conveyor; and
a takeaway conveyor arranged for conveying the boxes away from the depalletization system,
wherein an output end of the transition conveyor is slidably coupled to the takeaway conveyor,
wherein the transfer conveyor is pivotable relative to the box discharge conveyor such that the input end is movable upward and downward along an arcuate path,
wherein the transfer conveyor is translatable along the box discharge conveyor,
wherein the box discharge conveyor and the transfer conveyor raise and lower in coordination with the platform lift as the platform lift is raised and lowered, and
wherein an incline angle of the transition conveyor changes as the platform lift is raised and lowered.