Palletizer Puller Bar

Abstract

In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.

1 . A method of arranging plural items on a pallet using a palletizer having a frame and a delivery device for delivering said items to the palletizer at a delivery height, comprising the steps of:
 a. delivering items to the palletizer at the delivery height;   b. vertically moving an accumulator to a position at which said accumulator is capable of receiving said items transferred from said delivery height;   c. transferring said items onto the accumulator;   d. raising the accumulator to a level at which an edge of said accumulator is coincident with an edge of a layer head edge, said layer head having a puller bar mounted to said layer head and a layer head floor movable between a closed position and an open position;   e. with the layer head floor in the closed position, horizontally moving the puller bar without horizontal movement of said layer head to horizontally transfer said items from the accumulator onto the layer head floor until at least some of said items abut a layer head stop, and clamping said items between said puller bar and said stop;   f. vertically moving the layer head to an elevation immediately above an item deposit level; and   g. moving said layer head floor to the open position to deposit said items at the item deposit level.