| CPC B65G 61/00 (2013.01) [B65G 43/00 (2013.01); B65G 59/04 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0267 (2013.01); Y10S 414/108 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
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1. Apparatus comprising:
a depalletizing machine operative to separate containers from a pallet upon which the containers are operatively supported,
wherein prior to separation the containers are arranged in a plurality of vertically aligned layers each of which layers comprises a plurality of containers positioned in side-by-side relation, and a respective dunnage sheet separates each layer from an immediately adjacent layer,
the machine including
a pallet hoist, wherein the pallet hoist is selectively operative to selectively vertically position the pallet,
a take away conveyor, wherein the take away conveyor is configured to receive containers removed from operative supported connection with the pallet,
at least one selectively horizontally movable sweep bar, wherein the at least one sweep bar is operative to horizontally move a layer of containers relative to a supporting immediately underlying dunnage sheet, wherein the containers in the layer are engageable with the take away conveyor,
a pick head, wherein the pick head
is selectively vertically movable in overlying relation of the pallet hoist,
includes at least one grab member configured to releasably hold a dunnage sheet in engagement with the pick head,
a dunnage tray, wherein the dunnage tray
is configured to hold a plurality of dunnage sheets in a dunnage storage area, and
is selectively horizontally movable between a first position in which the dunnage tray is in vertically overlying relation of the pallet hoist and a second position in which the dunnage tray is not in vertically overlying relation of the pallet hoist,
at least one controller, wherein the controller is in operative connection with each of
the pallet hoist,
the at least one sweep bar,
the take away conveyor,
the pick head, and
the dunnage tray,
wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause
the at least one grab member of the pick head to engage a dunnage sheet overlying a top layer of containers that are in operatively supported connection with the pallet,
the pick head to move the engaged dunnage sheet vertically away from the top layer,
the dunnage tray to move horizontally wherein the dunnage storage area is in underlying relation of the engaged dunnage sheet,
the at least one grab member of the pick head to release the dunnage sheet into the dunnage storage area, and
the at least one sweep bar to cause the top layer containers to be moved horizontally into engagement with the take away conveyor,
wherein prior to separation of any of the layers from operatively supported connection with the pallet, a top frame extends vertically above an uppermost dunnage sheet, wherein the top frame includes a top surface,
wherein the uppermost dunnage sheet extends vertically above an uppermost layer of containers in operatively supported connection with the pallet,
wherein the pick head further includes
a swivel mount, wherein the swivel mount enables the pick head to rotate relative to each of a pair of perpendicular horizontally extending axes,
a plurality of downward extending location stops,
wherein the plurality of downward extending location stops are configured to engage a top surface of the top frame in a plurality of disposed locations,
wherein the at least one grab member extends vertically below the plurality of location stops,
wherein the at least one controller is further operative to cause
prior to engagement of the at least one grab member and the uppermost dunnage sheet
vertical movement of at least one of the pallet hoist and the pick head such that each of the plurality of location stops is in engagement with the top surface of the top frame,
whereby the swivel mount positions the pick head in angularly aligned relation with the top surface.
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