Disclosed is a palletizing device (10) with a vertically mobile transfer station (14) which is in conveying communication with upstream conveying equipment (18) for conveying items, packaged goods, packages (20), or the like, to be palletized. The transfer station (14) is followed in the conveying direction (22) by a vertically mobile loading station (16) which is in conveying communication with a stacking position (28) for palletizing the items, packaged goods, and/or packages (20). The transfer (14) and loading stations (16) which are independently adjustable in the vertical positions thereof are associated with a common support structure, having separate guide devices (30) for vertically mobile guiding and drive devices for vertical position adjustment of the transfer (14) and loading stations (16), respectively. In addition, a method for handling such a palletizing device (10) is disclosed wherein the base planes (26, 48) of the transfer (14) and loading stations (16) are approximately flush at least while a layer of items, packaged goods, and/or packages (21) is pushed over between the two stations (14, 16).

A baling machine may be adapted for use in stacking packages to support binding operations such as strapping, banding or wrapping. A stack of filled packages is accumulated in a chute that is disposed above and in registration with a conveyor, with a baseplate disposed above the conveyor in registration with the chute. The stack of filled packages is released from the chute into a magazine disposed between and in registration with the chute and the baseplate, so that the stack of filled packages rests on the baseplate inside the magazine. The magazine then moves in a conveyor-forward direction to move the stack of filled packages off the baseplate onto a conveyor surface of the conveyor, and the stack of filled packages is released from the magazine to move forward along the conveyor toward a binding machine, such as a strapping machine, banding machine or wrapping machine.

A device for quickly grouping picked goods for transport. The device includes a pair of stacking bridges lying opposite each other for pushing goods containers together in a defined manner to form a layer. The stacking bridges include a plurality of parallel, finger-like conveyor belts. The goods containers are pushed together in the direction of the diagonals of their base surfaces. A lifting apparatus is provided for lowering a layer of goods containers and placing a layer onto an empty pallet. A film-wrapping apparatus is provided for wrapping a shipment of picked goods prepared for transport.

A device for quickly grouping picked goods for transport. The device includes a pair of stacking bridges lying opposite each other for pushing goods containers together in a defined manner to form a layer. The stacking bridges include a plurality of parallel, finger-like conveyor belts. The goods containers are pushed together in the direction of the diagonals of their base surfaces. A lifting apparatus is provided for lowering a layer of goods containers and placing a layer onto an empty pallet. A film-wrapping apparatus is provided for wrapping a shipment of picked goods prepared for transport.

A gripper mechanism for a palletizer apparatus is configured to receive articles from an associated infeed conveyor in any one of a plurality of orientations of the gripper mechanism relative to the infeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the gripper mechanism is configured to receive articles through any one of four sides of the mechanism.

A gripper mechanism for a palletizer apparatus is configured to receive articles from an associated infeed conveyor in any one of a plurality of orientations of the gripper mechanism relative to the infeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the gripper mechanism is configured to receive articles through any one of four sides of the mechanism.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a method of moving materials using an end-of-arm tool comprising aligning the end-of-arm tool over a payload, wherein the end-of-arm tool comprises an undercarriage in a retracted position, a plurality of clamp plates in an extended position, and one or more vacuum cups; lowering the end-of-arm tool towards the payload; engaging the payload with the one or more vacuum cups; engaging the payload with the plurality of clamp plates; and raising the payload into the interior of the end-of-arm tool.

A board stacking system for stacking board layers into a stack, and associated method are provided. The board stacking system includes a board stacking apparatus adapted to arrange board layers into the stack. The board stacking apparatus having a stack holder comprising an adjustable stacking area for supporting the stack, the stacking area having a length defined between a front edge and a back edge. The board stacking apparatus further having one or more stacking arms operable to receive board layers from a board dispensing mechanism and sequentially arrange the board layers onto the forming stack. The board stacking system further includes a scanner positioned and configured for measuring a width of the board layers and transfer the information to the stack holder to allow adjustment of the length of the stacking area to substantially correspond to the width of the previously measured board layer.

A support gate device that allows iron tubes to be loaded efficiently into a pipe holding bin of a directional drilling machine. The support gate device is a rectangular cartridge the houses a swiveling gate. The swiveling gate has a stop plate and a spring. The support gate device attaches to an end of a horizontal bar of the directional drilling machine. The directional drilling machine has a pair of horizontal bars that are linearly opposed to each other that lead into the pipe holding bin. A pair of support gate devices are installed on the horizontal bars of the directional drilling machine.

A support gate device that allows iron tubes to be loaded efficiently into a pipe holding bin of a directional drilling machine. The support gate device is a rectangular cartridge the houses a swiveling gate. The swiveling gate has a stop plate and a spring. The support gate device attaches to an end of a horizontal bar of the directional drilling machine. The directional drilling machine has a pair of horizontal bars that are linearly opposed to each other that lead into the pipe holding bin. A pair of support gate devices are installed on the horizontal bars of the directional drilling machine.