DEVICE FOR HANDLING PALLETS

Abstract

A device for handling a pallet includes a pallet through-opening, through which a pallet can be vertically moved while oriented horizontally. The pallet through-opening has in particular at least one extension, which is more than 1200 mm wide and 1200 mm deep, and at least one sidewall, which are each arranged along an associated side of the pallet through-opening. At least one of the sidewalls is detachable or movable.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A device for handling a pallet, the device comprising: a pallet through-opening through which a pallet can be vertically moved while the pallet is oriented horizontally, wherein the pallet through-opening has at least one passage which is more than 1200 mm wide and 1200 mm deep; and one or more sidewalls arranged along respective sides of the pallet through-opening, wherein at least one of the sidewalls is detachable or movable.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the one or more sidewalls comprises four sidewalls.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall is movable and/or displaceable only manually.

14. The device claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall is movable and/or displaceable only in a motorized manner.

15. The device of claim 11, further comprising: at least one closure device designed to cover or close at least some regions of the pallet through-opening; wherein the at least one closure device is detachable or movable.

16. The device of claim 11, further comprising: at least one sensor designed to detect the position of the pallet, or an upper edge of the pallet supported on the device.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising: a pallet carrying means which is designed to carry the pallet; the pallet carrying means selectively positionable proximate the pallet through-opening.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising: a first lifting device; and a second lifting device connected to the first lifting device; wherein the pallet carrying means is connected to the first lifting device.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising: a recess designed to receive at least a portion of the pallet carrying means when the pallet carrying means is moved to its lowest position by the first and second lifting devices.

20. The device of claim 17, further comprising: a lowering device cooperating with the pallet carrying means, the lowering device operative to move a built pallet on the pallet carrying means further downwards from a position spaced just above a lowest position of the pallet carrying means.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein a length of the pallet carrying means is selectively variable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a lifting device of a device for handling a pallet, wherein the pallet is in the lowest position;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the lifting device from FIG. 1, wherein the pallet is in a central position;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the lifting device from FIG. 1, wherein the pallet is in the uppermost position;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a further lifting device having a variable sidewall in a first position; and

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the lifting device from FIG. 4 having the variable sidewall in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 is a side view of a lifting device 4 of a device 2 for handling a pallet 6, wherein the pallet 6 is in the lowest position. The lifting device 4 has a first lifting device 8, which is preferably fastened to the bottom, as well as a second lifting device 10, which is arranged on the first lifting device 8 and to which a pallet carrying means 12 is fastened. The pallet carrying means 12 can be designed as an arrangement of at least two forks 14 or as a plate. The pallet 6 arranged on the pallet carrying means 12 can be displaced vertically by means of the lifting device 4, in particular to be guided through the pallet through-opening 16 to be filled with goods or picked in the uppermost position.

[0040] The pallet carrying means 12 is attached to the lifting device 4 in such a way that tilting or turning is avoided. For this purpose, a support region 18 is provided in the embodiment shown, which support region prevents turning or tilting by supporting the pallet carrying means 12. Tilting can also be avoided because the pallet through-opening 16 preferably has a gap of less than 50 mm, preferably less than 20 mm, relative to at least one, two, three or all sides of the pallet 6 between the pallet and the opening edge 16a. Minimal tilting, for example on the forks of a forklift, could lead to mechanical contact between the edge 16a of the pallet through-opening 16 and the pallet 6 or the objects arranged thereon.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows the device from FIG. 1 in a different position. By means of the second lifting device 8, the pallet carrying device 12 was moved to a middle position along the route z1. A displacement further upward of the pallet carrying means 12 is no longer possible with the second lifting device 8. Preferably, this position is recognized in a simple manner by an upper stop of the second lifting device 8, and the second drive 20 of the second lifting device is deactivated. The lifting device 4 is preferably designed in such a way that the pallet 6 is positioned at a height such that it, together with the objects located thereon, is located below the picking plane with a maximum stacking height.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows the device 2 from FIGS. 1 and 2 in the uppermost position. By means of the first lifting device 8, the pallet carrying means 12 was moved to the uppermost position along the route z2. A displacement further upward of the pallet carrying means 12 is not possible with the first or with the second lifting device. In this position, the upper edge of the pallet 6 can coincide with the picking plane 24, i.e., the level on which the goods 26 are placed to load the pallet or the roll container. The actual loading process can take place manually and/or automatically, in particular by means of a robot (not shown).

[0043] The pallet through-opening 16 is preferably designed in such a way that only a small gap remains between the pallet 6 and the edge 16a of the pallet through-opening 16. It should be understood that, in the embodiment shown, the shape of the pallet through-opening 16 may also have to be adapted to the pallet carrying means 12 and/or to the first lifting device 10. The division into a first and a second lifting device advantageously makes it possible for no space to be necessary in the pallet through-opening 16 for the second lifting device 8, which is generally larger. In other words, the second lifting device 8 does not pass through the pallet through-opening 16 in some regions. The first lifting device 10 also preferably does not protrude through the pallet through-opening or not in some regions, but rather only the pallet carrying means 12 and optionally the support device 18.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vertical lift z1 of the second lifting device 8 is greater than the vertical lift z2 of the first lifting device 10. In particular, the vertical lift of the first lifting device 10 is designed in such a way that it is sufficient to provide the necessary vertical displacement of the pallet 6 or the roll container from the start of picking to the end of picking. In other words, for the vertical displacement of the pallet 6 during order picking, only or exclusively the first lifting device 10 or the first drive 22 is activated.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a side view of a further device 2, which substantially corresponds to the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0046] The pallet through-opening of the device for handling a pallet (also referred to as a lift wrapper station) has a maximum dimension, i.e. at least one opening of 1000 mm×1000 mm, preferably at least one opening of 1200 mm×1200 mm, particularly preferably an opening of at least 1220 mm×1220 mm.

[0047] In this embodiment, there is at least one sidewall 28 that is arranged or mounted on the pallet through-opening 16. Each sidewall 28 can be part of a shaft in which the built pallet 6 is arranged such that the palletized goods 26 cannot fall from the pallet 6. The gap between pallet 6 and shaft wall 28 is preferably smaller than 50 mm, in particular smaller than 20 mm. One or more of the sidewalls can be arranged in different positions or are displaceable. Preferably, the sidewall 28 can be provided by hooking it in (in pre-punched grooves) and provided with securing bolts. The “raw hole” has corresponding grooves, holes, tabs or threaded holes. The sidewall 28 can also be screwed to other locations. In particular, the displacement can only take place manually. The device can thereby advantageously be adjusted in a simple manner to the pallet size or roll container size to be handled. More preferably, one or more sidewalls 28 can be designed in such a way that they can be moved in a motorized manner. Advantageously, different pallet sizes could be loaded one after the other, and the at least one sidewall 28 could be adapted according to the current pallet size. Smaller openings would then possibly remain, but they do not interfere. The size of the shaft or the position of the sidewall(s) 28 can then be automatically adapted depending on the pallet 6 being supplied.

[0048] Corresponding to the sidewall 28, a closure device or cover 30, which at least partially covers the pallet through-opening 16 or the gap between the pallet 6 and the sidewall 38, can be adapted or displaced along a direction x.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a further view of the device 2 with a different position of the side wall 28 and the closure device or cover 30. The sidewall 28 and the closure device or cover 30 were moved along the direction x starting from the position shown in FIG. 4 to enlarge the pallet through-opening 16 and to be able to pick larger pallets. The pallet through-opening 16 can thus be opened in particular to a maximum opening of 1000 mm×1000 mm, preferably at least one opening of 1200 mm×1200 mm, particularly preferably an opening of at least 1220 mm×1220 mm.

[0050] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such de-tail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0051] 2 device [0052] 4 lifting device [0053] 6 pallet [0054] 8 second lifting device [0055] 10 first lifting device [0056] 12 pallet carrying means [0057] 14 forks [0058] 16 pallet through-opening [0059] 16a opening edge [0060] 18 support region [0061] 20 second drive [0062] 22 first drive [0063] 24 picking plane [0064] 26 goods [0065] 28 sidewall [0066] 30 closure device or cover