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:
Jun. 25, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2009
Roland Fritzsche, Nürnberg, DE;
Martin Dirks, Northeim, DE;
Lorne A. Weeter, Springboro, OH (US);
Steven D. Mcarthur, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Roland Fritzsche, Nürnberg, DE;
Martin Dirks, Northeim, DE;
Lorne A. Weeter, Springboro, OH (US);
Steven D. McArthur, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Dematic Corp., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects of different sizes on a support to form a stacked support includes providing a support handler. A support is elevated with the support handler and objects of different sizes and shapes are stacked on the support to form a stacked support. A stacked support is removed and an empty support supplied with the support handler. A placeholder is provided above the support handler. The placeholder has a first mode for receiving objects on the placeholder. The placeholder has a second mode for providing access to a support on the support handler. The placeholder is put in the first mode while the support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support. The placeholder is put in the second mode when the support handler is elevating a support being stacked with articles. Objects that have been received on the placeholder during the first mode are deposited from the placeholder to the support when changing the placeholder from the first mode to the second mode.