PILE PREPARATION UNIT WITH PALLET EXCHANGE MODULE

Abstract

Provided is a pile preparation unit for changing a first pallet with a second pallet, the pallets for supporting a pile of sheets with a first end and second end where the pallet has a support side, supporting the pile of sheets at the first end and an opposite base side. The pile preparation unit may include a rotation unit configured with an infeed opening for receiving a pallet with a pile of sheets. The rotation unit is configured with a rotating structure to rotate a lift unit about a rotational axis. The lift unit may be configured with a lift structure fixed to the rotating structure and has a lift plate movable along the lift structure to engage with the second end of the pile of sheets and to move and position the pile of sheets transverse, relative to the rotational axis, providing a portal for changing a pallet.

Claims

1. A pile preparation unit for changing a first pallet with a second pallet, the first pallet and the second pallet for supporting a pile of sheets with a first end and a second end where a pallet has a support side supporting the pile of sheets at the first end and an opposite base side, the pile preparation unit comprising: a rotation unit configured with an infeed opening for receiving the pallet with the pile of sheets, the rotation unit is configured with a rotating structure to rotate a lift unit about a rotational axis, wherein a pallet change module comprising a pallet portal with movable pallet engagement means or engagement for engaging with the pallet for extraction from and/or insertion into the portal formed in a upper section of the rotation unit when the lift plate is in the lower section of the rotation unit, the pile preparation unit further comprising a pallet loading unit arranged on the opposite side of the pallet change module and with a pallet loading arm fixed to the rotation unit, the pallet loading arm configured to engage with and support the second pallet during rotation of the rotating unit and configured to release the second pallet on the second pallet engagement, wherein the pallet change module comprises a first pallet portal with movable first pallet engagement arranged to extend to an extraction position in the rotation unit; a second pallet portal with movable second pallet engagement arranged to extend to a delivery position in the rotation unit where the first and second pallet portal are vertically separated; and wherein the lift unit is configured to move and position the lift plate for the required first or second ends of the pile of sheets to be positioned at the respective extraction position and the delivery position.

2. (canceled)

3. The pile preparation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pallet change module is arranged on the side of the rotation unit and to extend the pallet engagement, the first or second or both pallet engagements into the rotation unit from a transverse direction to the rotational axis.

4. The pile preparation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pallet change module is operatively connected to a pallet receiving unit arranged below the pallet portal and with a pallet receiving lift operatively communicating the movable pallet engagement for a release of an extracted pallet onto a set of pallets.

5. The pile preparation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pallet change module is operatively connected to a pile sheet remover system configured to remove sheets from a pile of sheets from the rotating unit.

6. The pile preparation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pile sheet remover system is arranged on the pallet portal with the movable pallet engagement arranged to extend to the delivery position in the rotation unit, and with the pile sheet remover system arranged with an additional movement to attack a pile of sheets in the rotation unit.

7. The pile preparation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pallet change module is operatively connected to a sheet storage unit operatively communicating with the pile sheet remover system arranged on the pallet portal, where the sheet storage unit is arranged below the pallet portal and operatively communicating one or more sheets from a release position in the pallet portal to a sheet storage plate.

8. The pile preparation unit according to claim 7, wherein the sheet storage unit comprises a sheet storage magazine with multiple sheet storage plates at distinct storage positions, and where a sheet receiving lift is configured to communicate with sheet storage plates between the distinct storage positions and a release position of the pile sheet remover system.

9. The pile preparation unit according to claim 8, wherein the sheet storage unit comprises multiple sheet receiving lifts distributed along and optionally below the pallet portal.

10. The pile preparation unit according to claim 7, comprising a first sheet receiving lift configured to communicate with a pallet chosen from a first sheet storage magazine and a second sheet receiving lift configured to communicate with a pallet chosen from a second sheet storage magazine, where the first and second sheet receiving lifts are located under the pallet portal and the first and second sheet magazines are located adjacent to the respective first and second sheet receiving lifts.

11. A sheet storage unit for operatively communicating with a pile sheet remover system in a PPU, where the sheet storage unit is configured to operatively communicating one or more sheets from a release position in the PPU to a sheet storage plate.

12. The sheet storage unit according to claim 11, wherein the sheet storage unit comprises a sheet storage magazine with multiple sheet storage plates at distinct storage positions, and where the sheet receiving lift is configured to communicate with sheet storage plates between the distinct storage positions and a release position in the PPU.

13. The sheet storage unit according to claim 12, wherein the sheet storage unit comprises multiple sheet receiving lifts distributed along and optionally below multiple release positions in the PPU.

14. The sheet storage unit according to claim 11, comprising a first sheet receiving lift configured to communicate with a pallet chosen from a first sheet storage magazine and a second sheet receiving lift configured to communicate with a pallet chosen from a second sheet storage magazine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0100] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0101] FIG. 1 illustrates a pile preparation unit for changing a first pallet with a second pallet;

[0102] FIG. 2 illustrates a pile preparation unit for changing a first pallet with a second pallet;

[0103] FIG. 3 illustrates a pallet change module operatively arranged with a rotation unit;

[0104] FIG. 4 illustrates a pallet change module operatively arranged with a rotation unit;

[0105] FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of a pallet loading unit for loading a pallet of a second type;

[0106] FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of a pallet loading unit for loading a pallet of a second type;

[0107] FIG. 7 illustrates pallet engagement means or pallet engagement for different types of pallets;

[0108] FIG. 8 illustrates pallet engagement means or pallet engagement for different types of pallets;

[0109] FIG. 9 illustrate operation of a rotation unit and a pallet change module with a first and second pallet portal;

[0110] FIG. 10 illustrate operation of a rotation unit and a pallet change module with a first and second pallet portal;

[0111] FIG. 11 illustrate operation of a rotation unit and a pallet change module with a first and second pallet portal;

[0112] FIG. 12 illustrate operation of a rotation unit and a pallet change module with a first and second pallet portal;

[0113] FIG. 13 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0114] FIG. 14 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0115] FIG. 15 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0116] FIG. 16 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0117] FIG. 17 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0118] FIG. 18 illustrates interaction of the pallet change module and a pallet receiving unit;

[0119] FIG. 19 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0120] FIG. 20 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0121] FIG. 21 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0122] FIG. 22 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0123] FIG. 23 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0124] FIG. 24 illustrates aspects of a sheet storage unit;

[0125] FIG. 25 illustrates aspects of a pile sheet remover unit;

[0126] FIG. 26 illustrates aspects of a pile sheet remover unit;

[0127] FIG. 27 illustrates aspects of a pile sheet remover unit;

[0128] FIG. 28 illustrates aspects of a pile sheet remover unit; and

[0129] FIG. 29 illustrates aspects of a pile sheet remover unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0130] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the same pile preparation unit), the difference being that FIG. 2 gives a better view of the insides of the pile preparation unit 100.

[0131] The two figures disclose a pile preparation unit 100 for changing a first pallet 141 with a second pallet 142.

[0132] The purpose of the pallets 141, 142 are supporting a pile of sheets 130 with a first end 131 and a second end 132.

[0133] The pallet 140 has a support side 150, which supports a pile of sheets 130 at the first end 131 and an opposite base side 152.

[0134] The pile preparation unit 100 has a rotation unit 300 configured with an infeed opening 120 for receiving a pallet 140 with a pile of sheets 130. The rotation unit 300 has a rotating structure 310 to rotate a lift unit 500 about a rotational axis 320.

[0135] The lift unit 500 is configured with a lift structure 510 fixed to the rotating structure 310. The lift unit 500 has a lift plate 520 movable along the lift structure 510 to engage with the second end 132 of the pile of sheets 130 and to move and position the pile of sheets 130 transverse, relative to the rotational axis 320 providing a portal 630 for changing a pallet 140.

[0136] The pile preparation unit 100 has a pallet change module 600 comprising a pallet portal 640 with movable pallet engagement means or movable pallet engagement 610 for engaging with a pallet 140 for extraction 650 from and/or insertion 652 into the portal 630 formed in a upper section of the rotation unit 300 when the lift plate 520 is in the lower section of the rotation unit 300.

[0137] The pallet change module 600 has a first pallet portal 641 with movable first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611 arranged to extend to an extraction position 660 in the rotation unit 300.

[0138] The pallet change module 600 has a second pallet portal 642 with movable second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612 arranged to extend to a delivery position 662 in the rotation unit 300 where the first and second pallet portal 641, 642 are vertically separated.

[0139] The pallet change module 600 and the lift unit 500 work together. The lift unit 500 will move and position the first end 131 of the pile of sheets 130 to either an extraction position 660 or a delivery position 662.

[0140] The pile preparation unit 100 has the pallet change module 600 on the side of the rotation unit 300 and thus, the pallet engagement means or pallet engagement 610 can extend into the rotation unit 300 from a transverse direction to the rotational axis 320.

[0141] The pile preparation unit 100 has a pallet loading unit 620 arranged on the opposite side of the pallet change module 600. The pallet loading unit 620 has a pallet loading arm 622 fixed to the rotation unit 300. The pallet loading arm 622 is configured to engage with and support a second pallet 142 during rotation of the rotating unit 300 and is configured to release the second pallet 142 on the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612.

[0142] The pallet change module 600 is operatively connected to a sheet storage unit 800 operatively communicating a pile sheet remover system 700. The pile sheet remover system 700 is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0143] The sheet storage unit 800 is arranged below the pallet portal 640 and with a sheet receiving lift 810 operatively communicating one or more sheets 133 from a release position 664 in the pallet portal 640 to a sheet storage plate 820.

[0144] FIGS. 3 to 4 illustrate a pallet change module 600 operatively arranged with a rotation unit 300.

[0145] In FIG. 3 the pile of sheets 130 has not yet been rotated around the rotation axis 320. The second pallet 142 has therefore not been fed to the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612.

[0146] In FIG. 4 the pile of sheets 130 has been rotated by the rotation unit 300 and the second pallet 142 has been fed to the second pallet engagement means or engagement 612. The pallet module 600 can then change the first pallet 141 with the second pallet 142 by pallet engagement means or pallet engagement 610.

[0147] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate aspects of a pallet loading unit 620 for loading a pallet of a second type.

[0148] FIG. 5 illustrate a close-up of a pallet loading unit 620 with a pallet loading arm 622 and a second pallet 142.

[0149] FIG. 6 illustrates a pallet 140.

[0150] If the pallet is fed to the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612 by the loading unit 620 the pallet 140 is called the second pallet 142.

[0151] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate pallet engagement means or pallet engagement 610 for different types of pallets 140. FIG. 7 discloses second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612. FIG. 8 discloses first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611.

[0152] FIGS. 9 and 12 illustrate operation of a rotation unit 300 and a pallet change module 600 with a first and second pallet portal 641,642.

[0153] FIG. 9 discloses a pile preparation unit 100 for changing a pallet 140 support of a pile of sheets 130. The pile of sheets has a first end 131 and second end 132 and the pallet 140 has a support side 150, supporting the pile of sheets 130 at the first end 131.

[0154] The pile preparation unit 100 has a pallet change module 600. The pallet change module 600 has a first pallet portal 641 with movable first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611 arranged to extend to an extraction position 660 in the rotation unit 300 and a second pallet portal 642 with movable second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612 arranged to extend to a delivery position 662 in the rotation unit 300. The first and second pallet portals 641, 642 are vertically separated. The extraction position 660 and delivery position 662 are not shown in FIG. 9.

[0155] In FIG. 10 the pile of sheets 130 has been rotated by the rotation unit 300 and the second pallet 142 has been fed to the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612.

[0156] Between FIGS. 10 and 11 the lift unit 500 has moved the pile of sheets 130 a bit downwards by lowering of the second lift plate 522. Thus the first pallet 141 is in the first pallet portal 641 and the first pallet 141 is therefore at the extraction position 660.

[0157] The second pallet 142 is placed at the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612, which is vertically at the same height as the second pallet portal 642; thus, the second pallet is at the delivery position 662.

[0158] In FIG. 11 the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612 move the second pallet 142 into the second pallet portal 642 to deliver the second pallet 142.

[0159] Likewise the first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611 move in to extract the first pallet 141. This action is not shown.

[0160] In FIG. 12 the first pallet 141 has been removed by the first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611.

[0161] The rotation unit 300 may rotate the pile of sheets 130 around a rotational axis 320. The pile of sheets 130 would then be in the initial position shown in FIG. 9, but with a different pallet 140.

[0162] FIGS. 13 and 18 illustrate interaction of the pallet change module 600 and a pallet receiving unit 200. The figure series show the same actions as FIGS. 9 to 12 but with a pallet receiving unit 200.

[0163] In FIG. 13 the second pallet engagement means or second pallet engagement 612 have been fed a second pallet 142 and are ready for insertion 652 of the second pallet 142 into the delivery position 662. Meanwhile, the first pallet 141 has been placed in the extraction position 660. The pallet receiving unit 200 and the pallet receiving lift 210 are idle.

[0164] In FIG. 14 the second pallet 142 is in the delivery position 660. First pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611 has engaged with the first pallet 141 and the first pallet 141 is therefore ready for extraction 650. The pallet receiving unit 200 and the pallet receiving lift 210 are idle.

[0165] In FIG. 15 the lift unit 500 moves the lift plate 520 a bit downwards, thus releasing the first end 131 of the pile of sheets 130 from the support side 150 of the first pallet 141. The pallet receiving unit 200 and the pallet receiving lift 210 are idle.

[0166] In FIG. 16 the pallet receiving lift 210 moves upwards to receive the first pallet 141 from the first pallet engagement means or first pallet engagement 611 and the first pallet 141 is placed onto the pallet receiving unit 200.

[0167] In FIG. 17 the pallet receiving lift 210 moves downwards and the pallets 140 may be removed by a conveyor 400 or a truck or by other means. Thus, pallets 140 of the same type are stacked together.

[0168] In FIG. 18 the pile sheet remover system 700 engages with the pile of sheets 130. However, this is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 25 to 29. Removal of one or more sheets 133 may be necessary as the extraction 650 of the first pallet 141 may displace one or more sheets 133.

[0169] FIGS. 19 to 24 illustrate how one or more sheets 133 removed by the pile sheet remover system 700 are placed at a storage position 840.

[0170] FIG. 19 illustrates a sheet storage unit 800 comprising two sheet storage magazines 830; a first sheet storage magazine 831 and a second sheet storage magazine 832. In the figure each sheet storage magazine 830 has three storage positions 840. The storage positions 840 have a conveyor 400. Some of the storage positions 840 have a sheet storage plate 820. Some of the sheet storage plates 820 have one or more sheets 133. The sheets 133 on the different sheet storage plates 820 have different geometries.

[0171] In another embodiment the sheet storage magazine 830 may have one or more storage positions 840.

[0172] The sheet storage magazine 830 may have a sheet storage plate 820 and one or more sheets 133 may be placed on the sheet storage plate 820.

[0173] In another embodiment the sheet storage unit 800 may have one or more sheet storage magazines 830.

[0174] In FIG. 20 a sheet storage plate 820 is moved by a conveyor 400 onto the first sheet receiving lift 811.

[0175] In FIG. 21 the first sheet receiving lift 811 with the sheet storage plate 820 is lifted upwards towards the pallet change module 600.

[0176] In FIG. 22 the pile sheet remover system 700 with one or more sheets 133 are positioned right above the sheet storage plate 820. This position is called the release position 664.

[0177] In FIG. 23 one or more sheets 133 have been released onto the sheet storage plate 820 and the first receiving lift 811 has moved down to the topmost storage position 840 of the first sheet storage magazine 831. The conveyor 400 may then move the sheet storage plate 820 onto the topmost storage position 840 of the first sheet storage magazine 831.

[0178] In FIG. 24 the sheet storage plate 820 is at rest at the topmost storage position 840 of the first sheet storage magazine 831.

[0179] FIGS. 25 and 29 illustrate aspects of the pile sheet remover system 700.

[0180] FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of the pile sheet remover system 700 having a sheet removing unit 710 with a support frame 720 supporting a moving frame 730.

[0181] The moving frame is configured for a linear movement in an attack direction 940 towards the side 135 and the first end 131 of the pile of sheets 130. The moving frame 730 has a side support plate 740 with a side support face 750 arranged to face and apply to the side 135 of the pile of sheets 130.

[0182] The pile sheet remover system 700 has a grab plate 780. The grab plate 780 is arranged with a grab face 790 essentially perpendicular to the side support face 750 and extending beyond the side support face 750 in the attack direction 940. The grab plate 780 is configured with a grab actuator 778 for a grab movement 920 towards the first end 131 of the pile of sheets 130.

[0183] Illustrated is a first attack knife 761 (not really visible) with a razor blade type shape. More visible is a second attack knife 762 here implemented as a pair of knives.

[0184] FIG. 26 illustrates a close-up of the pile sheet remover system 100 front. Attack knives are shown as a first attack knife 761 and a pair of second attack knives 762.

[0185] In the figure the pile sheet remover system 700 has two second attack knives 762 arranged below the grab plate 780 to face the side 135 of the pile of sheets 130. The attack knives 760, 761, 762 are configured in an attack knives support 765 that is movable in an attack knives support guide 766 in the moving frame 730. The movement is caused by one or more attack actuators 774,775 (see FIGS. 26 and 27) and for at least an attack movement.

[0186] In this case there is a first attack movement 911 of the first attack knife 761 caused by the first attack actuator 774. There is a second attack movement 912 in the attack direction 940 for insertion of the two second attack knives 762 caused by the second attack actuator 775.

[0187] In FIG. 26 the pile sheet remover system 700 has two second attack knives 762 configured with two transverse actuators 770 for a transverse movement 900. The transverse movement 900 is transverse to the line of the attack direction 940 and parallel to the sheet edges 136.

[0188] In FIG. 26 the pile sheet remover system 700 has the first attack knife 761 arranged with a lift actuator 776 (see FIG. 27) for a lift movement 930 transverse to the line of attack direction 940 and perpendicular to the direction of the sheet edges 136, i.e. the lift movement 930 is perpendicular to the line of attack direction 940 and the transverse direction 900.

[0189] FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-section of the front end of a pile sheet remover system 700 from FIGS. 25 and 26. The cross-section is in the center of the pile sheet remover system 700 in the transverse direction.

[0190] In particular the figure illustrates exemplary details of the configuration of the lift actuator 776 connected to the side support plate 740 and for activating the lift movement 930 of the first attack knife 761 (not shown).

[0191] The first attack actuator 774 is a pneumatic-type actuator for a possible distinct sharp movement. The lift actuator 776 is a pneumatic-type actuator for a possible distinct sharp movement. The second attack actuator 775 is an actuator for a continuous and slower linear motion, as compared to the distinct sharp movement.

[0192] FIG. 28 is a close-up of the pile sheet remover system 700 engagement shown in FIG. 17.

[0193] In FIG. 28 the side support face 750 is connected to the side 135 of the pile of sheets 135 and the attack knives 760 have performed a first attack movement 911 in the attack direction followed by a lift movement and the second attack knives 762 performing, a second attack movement 912.

[0194] The attack knives 760 are inserted between a pair of sheets 134 and the grab plate 780 makes a grab movement 920 between FIGS. 28 and 29 and the pile sheet remover system 700 moves in the reverse attack direction 940.

[0195] In FIG. 29 a single sheet 133 is removed from the pile of sheets 130.

[0196] Adjusting the position of the pile of sheets 130 will regulate the position of the attack into the pile of sheets 130 and one or more sheets 133 may be removed from the pile of sheets 130.

[0197] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0198] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a unit or a module does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.

TABLE-US-00001 Item No Pile preparation unit 100 Infeed opening 120 Infeed direction 125 Pile of sheets 130 First end 131 Second end 132 Sheet 133 Pair of sheets 134 Side 135 Sheet edge 136 Pallet 140 First pallet 141 Second pallet 142 Set of pallets 145 Support side 150 Base side 152 Pallet receiving unit 200 Pallet receiving lift 210 Rotation unit 300 Rotating structure 310 Rotating axis 320 Conveyor 400 Lift unit 500 Lift structure 510 Lift plate 520 First lift plate 521 Second lift plate 522 Pallet change module 600 Pallet engagement means or engagement 610 First pallet engagement means or engagement 611 Second pallet engagement means or engagement 612 Pallet loading unit 620 Pallet loading arm 622 Portal 630 Pallet portal 640 First pallet portal 641 Second pallet portal 642 Extraction 650 Insertion 652 Extraction position 660 Delivery position 662 Release position 664 Pile sheet remover system (PSR) 700 Sheet removing unit 710 Support frame 720 Moving frame 730 Side support plate 740 Side support face 750 Attack knives 760 First Attack knives 761 Second Attack knives 762 Attack knives support 765 Attack knives support guide 766 Transverse actuators 770 First attack actuator 774 Second attack actuator 775 Lift Actuators 776 Grab actuator 778 Grab plate 780 Grab face 790 Sheet storage unit 800 Sheet receiving lift 810 First sheet receiving lift 811 Second sheet receiving lift 812 Sheet storage plate 820 Sheet storage magazine 830 First sheet storage magazine 831 Second sheet storage magazine 832 Storage position 840 Transverse movement 900 First attack movement 911 Second attack movement 912 Grab movement 920 Lift movement 930 Attack direction 940