Load pallet sleeve dispensing apparatus

1. An apparatus for dispensing a pallet sleeve beneath a load on a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor component including;

conveyor elements configured to convey a load thereon in a first direction;

one or more stations spaced apart along the first direction; and

a mechanism for changing the relative vertical positions of said conveyor elements and said one or more stations; and

a pallet sleeve dispenser configured for storing pallet sleeves in one or more spaced apart sections, each section aligned with a corresponding one of said stations when said pallet sleeve dispenser is disposed adjacent said conveyor component; and

a drive element associated with each of said stations and configured to engage a pallet sleeve and drive the pallet sleeve from said dispenser to said conveyor component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive elements are belt conveyors.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive elements are mounted within said conveyor component and extend outward therefrom to engage a pallet sleeve disposed within said dispenser when said dispenser is adjacent said conveyor component.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive elements are mounted within said dispenser and are arranged to contact a lowermost pallet sleeve within said corresponding station.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pallet sleeve dispenser is configured to support pallet sleeves in a vertical stack in each of said sections.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for raising and lowering includes one or more inflatable airbags.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

said conveyor component includes a frame supporting said conveyor elements; and

said mechanism for raising and lowering is configured to raise and lower said frame.

8. An apparatus for dispensing a pallet sleeve beneath a load on a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor component including (i) conveyor elements configured to convey a load thereon in a first direction, (ii) one or more stations spaced apart along the first direction, and (iii) a mechanism for changing the relative vertical positions of said conveyor elements and said one or more stations;

a pallet sleeve dispenser configured for storing pallet sleeves in one or more spaced apart sections, each section aligned with a corresponding one of said stations when said pallet sleeve dispenser is disposed adjacent said conveyor component; and

a drive element associated with each of said stations and configured to engage a pallet sleeve and drive the pallet sleeve from said dispenser to said conveyor component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction,

wherein said pallet sleeve dispenser is configured to support pallet sleeves in a vertical stack in each of said sections, and

wherein said pallet sleeve dispenser is a mobile cart.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said conveyor component includes an alignment mechanism for engaging said mobile cart to align said one or more stations of said conveyor component with said one or more spaced apart sections of said dispenser.

10. An apparatus for dispensing a pallet sleeve beneath a load on a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor component including (i) conveyor elements configured to convey a load thereon in a first direction, (ii) one or more stations spaced apart along the first direction, and (iii) a mechanism for changing the relative vertical positions of said conveyor elements and said one or more stations;

a pallet sleeve dispenser configured for storing pallet sleeves in one or more spaced apart sections, each section aligned with a corresponding one of said stations when said pallet sleeve dispenser is disposed adjacent said conveyor component; and

a drive element associated with each of said stations and configured to engage a pallet sleeve and drive the pallet sleeve from said dispenser to said conveyor component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction,

wherein said pallet sleeve dispenser is configured to support pallet sleeves in a vertical stack in each of said sections, and

wherein said pallet sleeve dispenser includes a retention mechanism for supporting a pallet sleeve immediately above a pallet sleeve being engaged by said drive element.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said retention mechanism includes retention arms disposed at opposite ends of each of said stations, said retention arms operably mounted to said dispenser to move to and from a position engaging and supporting a pallet sleeve.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , in which the pallet sleeves have openings at their opposite ends thereof, and wherein said retention arms include a prong configured to seat within the opening at the end of a pallet sleeve.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:

said dispenser includes a door pivotably mounted at each of said sections between said dispenser and said conveyor section, each door arranged on said dispenser to open when contacted by a pallet sleeve driven by said drive element in said second direction; and

each retention arm is operably connected to a corresponding door so that said retention arms move to the position engaging a pallet sleeve when said door is opened.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

said retention arms include a front retention arm at a side of said dispenser adjacent said conveyor component and a rear retention arm at an opposite side of said dispenser;

said front retention arm is directly operably connected to said corresponding door; and

said rear retention arm is directly operably connected to said front retention arm so that when said front retention arm moves to the position engaging a pallet sleeve the rear retention arm also moves to the position engaging a pallet sleeve.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each door adjacent said conveyor component is pivotably mounted on an axle and each retention arm is pivotably mounted on a corresponding axle, and said retention mechanism includes a gear train operably connecting said axle of said door to said axle of said retention arm.