| US 7,559,738 B2 | ||
| Device and a method for switching pallets | ||
| Thomas Salm, Aachen (Germany); and Bernfried Kutsch, Stolberg (Germany) | ||
| Assigned to Winkler + Dünnebier Aktiengesellschaft, Neuwied (Germany) | ||
| Filed on Nov. 18, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/992,237. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 04002815 (EP), filed on Feb. 09, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0175436 A1, Aug. 11, 2005 | ||
| Int. Cl. B65G 57/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 414—799 [414/801] | 32 Claims |
| 1. An automatic palletizer for arranging objects on pallets, comprising:
a palletizing robot for arranging the objects on the pallets;
a transfer vehicle having a first pallet area configured for supporting a first pallet and a second pallet area configured
for supporting a second pallet;
a drive unit for moving the transfer vehicle between a first position and a second position;
wherein in the first position, the first pallet may be positioned in the first pallet area of the transfer vehicle; and
wherein in the second position, objects may be arranged on the first pallet in the first pallet area of the transfer vehicle,
and the second pallet may be removed from the second pallet area of the transfer vehicle,
the palletizer further comprising:
a racking system provided to separate the palletizer from its surroundings;
wherein in the first position, the transfer vehicle is fully contained within the racking system; and
wherein in the second position, at least the second pallet area of the transfer vehicle protrudes from the racking system
such that a pallet loaded with objects and located in the second pallet area can be removed from the transfer vehicle outside
of the racking system.
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