Handling unit for palletizing

1. A handling unit ( 1 ) for palletizing, characterised by comprising:

a support ( 2 ) for coupling to manipulator means;

a framework ( 3 ) associated with said support ( 2 ) and defining an aperture;

a pair of parallel opposing slide rails ( 5 ) fixed to said framework ( 3 );

at least one flexible sliding panel ( 7 ) slidable along said rails ( 5 ) between an extended position in which the panel extends over said aperture to enable the panel to support articles to be palletized, and a retracted position in which the panel opens said aperture to enable said articles to fall through said aperture;

drive means ( 18 , 19 ) for oscillating said panel ( 7 ) along said rails ( 5 ) between said extended position and said retracted position wherein said rails have a first longitudinal section that extends along two opposing circular arc portions and a second longitudinal section that extends along two opposing horizontally linear portions, said sliding panel ( 7 ) occupying only the first section of the rails extending along the two circular arc portions when slid into the retracted position.

2. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said sliding panel ( 7 ) occupies only the second section of the rails extending along the two horizontal portions when in the extended position.

3. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said framework ( 3 ) has a pair of vertical opposing side walls ( 4 ) defining said aperture therebetween.

4. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said horizontal portions of the second section of the rails ( 5 ) are fixed respectively to the inner sides of the pair of side walls ( 4 ).

5. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said drive means has at least one movable motor ( 18 ) rotating a first movable drive pinion ( 19 ) engaging a first fixed circumferential rack ( 20 ) with which one of the opposing circular arc portions of the first section of the rails ( 5 ) is associated.

6. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said first drive pinion ( 19 ) is axially keyed via a shaft ( 21 ) to a second movable pinion ( 22 ) engaging a second fixed circumferential rack ( 23 ) with which the remaining opposing circular arc portions of the first section of the rails ( 5 ) are associated.

7. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said first pinion ( 19 ) and said second pinion ( 22 ) are maintained constantly engaged with said first rack ( 20 ) and with said second rack ( 23 ) respectively, by a pair of rigid arms ( 24 ) rotatably associated with a pair of circular protective walls ( 6 ) coaxial with the circular arc portions of the first section of the rails ( 5 ).

8. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said first pinion ( 19 ) and said second pinion ( 22 ) are respectively associated with one end of said sliding panel ( 7 ) by a pair of opposing connecting rods ( 25 ).

9. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said sliding panel has a plurality of parallel cylindrical rods transverse to the sliding direction, connected together in pairs by offset chain links ( 9 , 10 ).

10. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the ends of said rods ( 8 ) are rotatably associated with wheels ( 16 ) which roll within said rails ( 5 ).

11. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a pair of mutually facing sliding panels ( 7 ′) slidable along a pair of mutually facing rails ( 5 ) between a position in which said panels ( 7 ′) are positioned mutually abutting to completely close said aperture and a retracted position in which they are mutually withdrawn to open said aperture.

12. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said manipulator means comprise a robot.

13. A palletizer robot comprising a handling unit in accordance with claim 1 .

14. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising loading means for dragging articles to be palletized onto said panel ( 7 ) when in its extended position.

15. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said loading means comprise a loading carriage ( 32 ) slidingly associated with the framework ( 3 ).

16. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said loading carriage ( 32 ) presents a quadrangular configuration with its opposing sides adjustable towards and away from each other.

17. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising means for taking and releasing slip sheets.

18. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said means for picking up and releasing slip sheets comprise a pantograph structure ( 40 ) carrying a plurality of suckers ( 45 ) for adhering to the surface of a slip sheet ( 200 ).

19. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said suckers ( 45 ) are associated with venturi valves ( 45 ) for creating vacuum within the cavities of the suckers ( 45 ).

20. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 18 , wherein each sucker ( 45 ) is driven by a cylinder ( 55 ).

21. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising means for picking up and releasing surrounds.

22. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said means for picking up and releasing surrounds comprise two opposing pairs of rocker members ( 60 ) with which means ( 68 ) are associated for engaging the surround.

23. A handling unit ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 22 , wherein said rocker members ( 60 ) are pivoted on a pair of plates ( 62 ) which can be moved upwards away from the aperture and downwards towards the aperture.