The invention relates to a consumable-material handling device for transporting and/or handling at least one consumable material (12a; 12b), in particular packaging material, comprising at least one at least partially autonomous handling unit (14a; 14b), which is at least provided for handling the consumable material (12a; 12b). According to the invention, the machine tool comprises at least one, in particular at least partially autonomous, mobility unit (16a; 16b), on which the handling unit (14a; 14b) is arranged and which is at least provided for enabling locomotion, in particular at least partially autonomous locomotion, of the handling unit (14a; 14b).

A capstan includes a lift motor, a flexible lifting member, and a tether assembly. The lift motor is operatively connected to a shaft. The flexible lifting member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the shaft. The flexible lifting member connects a lift assembly to the lift motor via the shaft. The tether assembly includes a switch arranged between a portion of the flexible lifting member and a portion of the capstan. The second end is connected to the tether assembly. The switch acts as a safety in case of a broken flexible lifting member and allows for an automated unloading cycle.

The invention relates to a consumable-material handling device for transporting and/or handling at least one consumable material (12a; 12b), in particular packaging material, comprising at least one at least partially autonomous handling unit (14a; 14b), which is at least provided for handling the consumable material (12a; 12b). According to the invention, the machine tool comprises at least one, in particular at least partially autonomous, mobility unit (16a; 16b), on which the handling unit (14a; 14b) is arranged and which is at least provided for enabling locomotion, in particular at least partially autonomous locomotion, of the handling unit (14a; 14b).

A pallet and method for supporting a spool for transport or use includes an elongated frame having two opposite ends and two opposite sides which extend between the two opposite ends. The frame includes a support surface within which a spool can be cradled so that the spool rests across the support surface and the barrel of the item is oriented substantially horizontally and normal to the longitudinal axis of the frame. A pair of cooperating members are arranged adjacent the sides of the frame and are cooperable with the spool barrel for placing a spool in condition to be lifted from the support surface. Jack assemblies are interposed between the cooperating members and the frame for lifting the spool from the support surface by way of the jack assemblies.

A device for handling stacked barrels attaches to the end of a forklift truck. The opposing ends of the device deploys a pair of grip members to grasp opposing upper and lower edges of the barrel over at least about half of the circumference at the head or chime hoop. The grip members have an arcuate shape and pivot about a coupling holding them in rotary and parallel engagement with an upper and a lower support armature. The upper and lower support armatures are coupled at opposing ends to a common bracket. The common bracket is titled by a second actuator to rotate the grasped barrel from a vertical to horizontal orientation, such as for placement in or removal from barrel racks used for holding filled barrels during fermentation and/or aging. A support beam for the common bracket may be a horizontal frame that accepts forklift tines. The actuators of the device are connected to a common controller installed in the operator cabin of the forklift truck.

A capstan includes a lift motor, a flexible lifting member, and a tether assembly. The lift motor is operatively connected to a shaft. The flexible lifting member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the shaft. The flexible lifting member connects a lift assembly to the lift motor via the shaft. The tether assembly includes a switch arranged between a portion of the flexible lifting member and a portion of the capstan. The second end is connected to the tether assembly. The switch acts as a safety in case of a broken flexible lifting member and allows for an automated unloading cycle.

An upright for a lift truck includes a first group of mast sections in a first stagger arrangement where a first mast section of the first group of mast sections is fixed to the lift truck. The upright further includes a second group of mast sections in a second stagger arrangement that is reverse nested inside the first stagger arrangement. Further, the upright includes a drive system for telescopingly extending and retracting the second mast sections relative to the first mast section.

A capstan includes a lift motor, a flexible lifting member, and a tether assembly. The lift motor is operatively connected to a shaft. The flexible lifting member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the shaft. The flexible lifting member connects a lift assembly to the lift motor via the shaft. The tether assembly includes a switch arranged between a portion of the flexible lifting member and a portion of the capstan. The second end is connected to the tether assembly. The switch acts as a safety in case of a broken flexible lifting member and allows for an automated unloading cycle.

A clamping apparatus includes a frame adapted for mounting on a forklift so as to be raised and lowered along a mast of the forklift, a carriage supported by the frame for movement with respect to the frame in the widthwise direction of the forklift, two lifting arms supported by the carriage and extending in the widthwise direction of the frame, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to one of the lifting arms for producing relative movement of the lifting arms in the fore-and-aft direction of the frame to enable the lifting arms to grasp and release a load. The clamping apparatus can lift a portion of the objects in a closely-spaced layer and remove them from the layer without disturbing other objects in the layer. The clamping apparatus is particularly suitable for handling buckets.