The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 1978
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1977
Alan J Fishwick, Bolton, GB;
Metal Box Limited, Reading, GB;
Abstract
The invention relates to depalletizing apparatus of the kind which comprises a transfer head which is reciprocable in a vertical path and includes a transfer table to receive layers of articles one at a time from the top of a pile of layers which are superimposed on a pallet and have separating elements disposed therebetween. The transfer head is lowered or raised, as appropriate, relative to the pallet and a layer-receiving surface first to align the transfer table with the top layer of the pile and then with the layer-receiving surface. Transfer means associated with the transfer head moves the top layer first on to the transfer table and then on to the layer-receiving surface. The invention resides in the provision of pairs of opposed clamp members which are movable with the transfer head and relative thereto and one to the other and which are operated independently to engage the sides of the layer next below the top layer before the top layer is removed by the transfer means. Gripper means are also provided to grip a separating pad and hold it during removal of a layer from the pad by the transfer means.