Panel distribution system and panel distributing method carried out by

Abstract

A panel distribution system includes a plurality of panel delivery units disposed on a panel conveyance line for forcing out panels in a lateral direction from the conveyance line. The delivery units are all operative to allow the passage of the panels through them except one located closer to a downstream end of the conveyance line. A plurality of loading conveyor units having a two-storied construction composed of a pair of overlapping upper and lower loading conveyors can be disposed on the same side of the conveyance line and held in alignment with the corresponding delivery units. This concentrated high-density arrangement of the loading conveyors can make considerable reductions in floor space of the entire system with a minimum dead space involved. In one preferred form, the panel conveyance line extending from a transfer press and the upper and lower loading conveyors are aligned with each other, so that a further reduction in size of the entire system is possible. Since the panels while being conveyed are not subjected to a directional change and hence free from displacement, the panel loading work can be achieved easily and reliably. According to a panel distribution method of the invention, the storage density of baskets used can be increased by a properly handling procedure provided for a few odd panels.