Method and device for de-palletizing stacks of blanks

Abstract

A device for de-palletizing stacks of blanks stacked on pallets with flat spacing layers disposed in-between, includes a displaceable gripping head and an insertion tool arranged approximately horizontally oriented on the gripping head. The insertion tool is positioned in front of at least one stack of blanks through displacement of the gripping head for being inserted with an approximately horizontal movement between the stack of blanks and the spacing layer for picking up the stack of blanks and for removing the picked up stack of blanks from the spacing layer through a displacement of the gripping head. At least one lifting mechanism is coupled to the gripping head for lifting up one side of the stack of blanks.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for de-palletizing stacks of blanks stacked on pallets with flat spacing layers disposed in-between, comprising: 
 at least one displaceable gripping head;    at least one insertion tool arranged approximately horizontally oriented on the gripping head for being positioned in front of at least one stack of blanks through displacement of the gripping head and for being inserted with an approximately horizontal movement between the at least one stack of blanks and the spacing layer for picking up the at least one stack of blanks, for removing the picked up at least on stack of blanks from the spacing layer through a displacement of the gripping head; and    at least one lifting means coupled to the gripping head for lifting up at least one side of the at least one stack of blanks.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , including control means for activating the lifting means before the insertion tool is inserted.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting means is arranged for being moved vertically.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting means on the gripping head is arranged so that a side of the at least one stack of blanks facing the insertion tool can be raised.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting means comprises at least one suction element.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the suction element is elastic.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the suction element is a flexible suction cup.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , forming a combination with the at least one stack of blanks, and further including at least one clamping device for clamping the at least one stack of blanks.  
     
     
         9 . A method for de-palletizing stacks of blanks, stacked on pallets with flat spacing layers disposed in-between, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning at least one approximately horizontally oriented insertion tool attached to at least one displaceable gripping head in front of at least one stack of blanks;    lifting at least one side of the at least one stack of blanks; and    thereafter inserting the insertion tool approximately horizontally underneath the at least one stack of blanks.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including lowering the at least one stack of blanks following the insertion of the insertion tool.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the lifting step includes lifting a side of the at least one stack of blanks facing the insertion tool.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , including raising and lowering the at least one stack of blanks with the aid of at least one suction element.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , including supplying at least one of a vacuum and low pressure to the suction element.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , including deactivating the suction element once the insertion tool is inserted.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , including lowering the at least one stack of blanks onto the insertion tool after the insertion tool is inserted.  
     
     
         16 . A method for de-palletizing stacks of blanks stacked on a pallet with flat spacing layers disposed in-between, utilizing a device comprising at least one displaceable gripping head and at least one horizontally oriented insertion tool that is arranged on the gripping head and which can be positioned in front of at least one stack of blanks through a displacement of the gripping head such that the insertion tool can be inserted with an approximately horizontal movement between the stack of blanks and the spacing layer for picking up the at least one stack of blanks and removing the picked up at least one stack of blanks from the spacing layer by displacing the gripping head, the method comprising: 
 lifting up at least one side of the stack of blanks with a lifting mechanism before the insertion tool is inserted.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , including moving the lifting means in vertical direction.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , including providing a control unit for controlling the lifting mechanism.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , including using the lifting mechanism to lift a side of the at least one stack of blanks that is facing the insertion tool.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , including providing the lifting mechanism in the of at least one suction element.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the suction element is at least one of an elastic and flexible suction cup.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , including clamping the at least one stack of blanks with a clamping device.