ES2881515T3 - An apparatus for the vertical placement of plate-shaped objects on a pallet and for fastening the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for vertical placement (1) of plate-shaped objects (4) on a pallet (3) for fastening the plate-shaped objects (4) to each other and to the pallet (3), wherein the pallet (3) It comprises a base (5) that is delimited by lateral flanks (30), and a support element (6) that rises perpendicularly from the base (5) and that is arranged in an intermediate position with respect to the lateral flanks ( 30), dividing the base (5) into a first base part (5a) and a second base part (5b), comprising: a placement device (8) configured to: place a first plate-shaped object (41a), which is part of a plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertical on the pallet (3), so that the first plate-shaped object (41a) rests on a relative flank (4c ), on the first base part (5a) with a first relative face against a first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); places a second plate-shaped object (42a), which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the second base part (5b) and with a first relative face against a second lateral portion (32) of the support element (6), opposite to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); the placement device (8) being further configured to place the remaining plate-shaped objects (4) one by one, which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet ( 3), so that each of these rests on a relative flank (4c) of the first base part (5a), or on the second base part (5b), and rests on a relative face against a face opposite another plate-shaped object (4), which has already been placed, which is adjacent to it and is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), thus forming a first load ( 410) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the first base part (5a), and a second load (420) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the second base part ( 5b); the vertical placement apparatus (1) being characterized in that it comprises: a strapping device (7) for tying, with at least one strapping ring (50), the plate-shaped objects (4) already placed on the pallet ( 3) to the support element (6); a first applicator device (16) for an adhesive substance (60) comprising a first dispensing head (17) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), wherein the first dispensing head (17) is movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in a first horizontal direction (Y) so as to move towards and away from the support element (6), and configured to apply the adhesive substance (60) to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element. support (6) or to one side of the plate-shaped object (4) that is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and that has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the first part of base (5a); a second applicator device (16a) for the adhesive substance (60) comprising a second dispensing head (17a) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), wherein the second dispensing head (17a) is movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in a first horizontal direction (Y) so as to move towards and away from the support element (6), and configured to apply an adhesive substance (60) to the second side portion (32) of the support element. support (6) or to one side of a plate-shaped object (4) that is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and that has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the second part base (5b).

Description

DESCRIPTION

An apparatus for the vertical placement of plate-shaped objects on a pallet and for fastening the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet

Technique Sector

The present invention relates to the technical field relating to the placement and securing of plate-shaped objects on a pallet.

In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for vertically placing plate-shaped objects on a pallet and securing the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet.

State of the art

In detail, the plate-shaped objects can be plates of large dimensions, such as, for example, plates made of ceramic material, or other materials for construction, with dimensions up to 3200x1600 mm and more.

For transport and storage, it is known to arrange the plate-shaped objects horizontally on pallets stacked one on top of the other and secured, for example, by strap rings.

This solution has several drawbacks. The number of plate-shaped objects that can be placed on each pallet is limited due to the considerable weight of each plate-shaped object, which does not allow a large number of plate-shaped objects to be superimposed due to the risk of breakage or damage to the plates at the base of each group of plate-shaped objects. To date, in order to increase the number of plate-shaped objects that can be stored or transported for each square meter of surface available for storage or transport, plate-shaped objects are arranged vertically, with a relative flank resting on the pallet. The pallet is made up of a base having a quadrangular shape.

Document DE 202014 103799 U1 also discloses an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. A known method of vertically placing plate-shaped objects on a pallet and clamping the plate-shaped objects together, includes the stages of:

placing, with a positioning device, a first substantially vertical plate-shaped object on the pallet, so that it rests on a flank of the latter on the base; holding the first plate-shaped object in a vertical position, with a gripping device; placing, using the same positioning device, a second substantially vertical plate-shaped object on the pallet, so that it rests on a relative flank on the base and on a relative face against a face of the first plate-shaped object; holding the first plate-shaped object and the second plate-shaped object in a vertical position, with a gripping device. Tie the first plate-shaped object and the second plate-shaped object, using a strapping head that applies a horizontal strap ring. Placing a third plate-shaped object substantially in a vertical position on the pallet, so that it rests on a relative flank on the base and on a relative face against the other face of the first plate-shaped object and hold the first object plate-shaped and the second plate-shaped object and the third plate-shaped object in a vertical position, with the gripping device; Tying, with a horizontal strap ring, the third plate-shaped object to the set formed by the first plate-shaped object and the second plate-shaped object, already tied together.

The steps described above are repeated similarly for all subsequent plate-shaped objects, to be placed upright on the pallet and clamped together. Finally, all the plate-shaped objects are placed on the pallet, to the right and left of the first plate-shaped object and held together by horizontal strap rings.

However, the pallet loaded with plate-shaped objects is stored in warehouses or transported in containers or trucks and therefore can be subjected to extreme weather conditions. At high temperatures, in fact, the heat expansion causes an elongation of the strap rings, usually made of plastic: the strap rings loosen and the plate-shaped objects, first solidly tied by the strap rings, are now They can move relative to others, even leaning at an angle to a vertical plane. As a consequence, pallets loaded with slab-shaped objects cannot be stacked on top of each other, as the stack would not be stable. Also, plate-shaped objects, once tilted, can protrude from the pallet and this can make loading the pallet into a truck difficult, if not impossible. Furthermore, the loading and unloading operations of the loaded pallets, during which the pallet may be subjected to shocks and sudden movements, can cause the strap rings to break.

Object of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

The purpose described above is obtained with a vertical placement of the plate-shaped objects on a pallet and securing the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet according to claim 1.

The apparatus of the invention for positioning and fastening the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet advantageously includes the use of a pallet comprising a support element, which emerges perpendicularly from the base and which is arranged in an intermediate position with relative to the side flanks of the base, so that the plate-shaped objects can be arranged resting on the base and against a lateral portion of the supporting element. In this way, the verticality of the plate-shaped objects and their stability are guaranteed.

Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to tie, with at least one strap ring, only a part of the plate-shaped objects, or several parts of the plate-shaped objects, and to alternate, with the tying operation, the operation of fastening with adhesive substance. In this way, the pallet can be loaded quickly: the application of adhesive substance is, in fact, a simple and fast operation.

Description of the figures

In the following part of the present description, the specific embodiments of the invention will be described, in accordance with what has been established in the claims and with the help of the attached drawing panels, in which:

Figures 1-6 are perspective views illustrating different stages of a method of vertical placement of plate-shaped objects on a pallet and of securing the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet, object of the present invention ;

- Figure 7 is a front view of an apparatus for vertical placement of plate-shaped objects on a pallet and for securing the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet, object of the present invention, in accordance with the first realization, during a first operative stage;

Figures 8-10 are, respectively, a front, side and plan view of the apparatus of Figure 7 during a second operating stage;

Figures 11-13 are, respectively, a front, side and plan view of the apparatus of Figure 7 during a third operating stage;

Figures 14-16 are, respectively, a front, side and plan view of the apparatus of the present invention according to a second embodiment, during a first operative stage;

Figures 17-18 are, respectively, a front, side and plan view of the apparatus of Figures 14-16 during a second operating stage.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to Figures 1-6, below, a method and relative apparatus of vertically placing plate-shaped objects on a pallet and securing the plate-shaped objects to each other and to the pallet is described. the present invention.

The pallet (3) comprises a base (5) that is delimited by side flanks (30), and a support element (6) that rises perpendicularly from the base (5) and that is arranged in an intermediate position with respect to to the side flanks (30), dividing the base (5) into a first base part (5a) and a second base part (5b).

The method comprises the steps of placing a first plate-shaped object (41a), which is part of a plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the first base part (5a) and with a first relative face against a first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); placing a second plate-shaped object (42a), which is part of a plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the second base part (5b) and with a first relative face against a second lateral portion (32) of the support element (6), opposite to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); placing, one by one, the remaining plate-shaped objects (4), which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that each of these is rests on a relative flank (4c) of the first base part (5a), or on the second base part (5b), and rests on a relative face against an opposite face of another plate-shaped object (4) , which has already been placed, which is adjacent to it and is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), thereby forming a first load (410) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the first base part (5a), and a second load (420) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the second base part (5b); During the laying stages described above, or at the end of the laying stages described above, tie, using at least one strap ring (50), the plate-shaped objects (4) already placed on the pallet (3), to the support element (6); during the placement steps described above, using an adhesive substance (60) to hold all or part of the plate-shaped objects (4) together.

In particular, the plate-shaped object (4) can be: a tile (4) or a package comprising one or more tiles (4) and packaging elements (43) to protect the flanks and corners of the one or more tiles (4). In the illustrated figures, each plate-shaped object (4) comprises a tile (4) and packaging elements (43) comprising: cardboard sheets (43a) arranged perimeter, along the flanks and in the corners of the tiles (4), and three tie rings (43b) to tie the cardboard sheets (43a) to the tile (4) (figure 2).

The plate-shaped objects (4) can preferably be placed alternately on the first base part (5a) and the second base part (5b), until completing the load on the pallet (3), as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5.

The strap rings (50) can be vertical (figures 2-5) or horizontal (figure 6), and can be one (figure 6) or a plurality (figures 1-5), depending on the dimensions and the number of plate-shaped objects (4) to be fixed to each other and to the pallet (3).

As far as the base (5) is concerned, it may have a parallelepipedic volume that extends mainly length and width, and the side flanks (30) may therefore be parallel two by two. In this case, the support element (6) can be arranged in an intermediate position with respect to a pair of lateral flanks (30) opposite each other and parallel to the horizontal extension direction of the support element (6). Furthermore, the support element (6) can be perpendicular to the remaining pair of side flanks (30). In the same way, the support element (6) can also have a parallelepiped volume that, however, develops mainly in the length and width.

The plate-shaped object (4) can develop mainly in two directions, perpendicular to each other, forming two "larger" sides (46, 47). Extension in a third direction, perpendicular to the other two directions mentioned above, can define the thickness and therefore a "smaller" side (48). By "flank" (4c) of the plate-shaped object (4) is understood the surface identified by a larger side (46) and by a smaller side (48), while by "face" (4a) of the shaped object plate (4) means the surface identified by the two larger sides (46, 47) (see figure 4).

The strap ring (50), when applied, preferably encompasses both the plate-shaped objects (4) that are currently on the pallet (3) (Figures 3, 5), including the support element (6 ): therefore, the strap ring (50) encompasses both the plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the first base part (5a) and the plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the second base part. base (5b).

By band ring (50) is meant a weld-closed ring band, which can be made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or metal.

Each fastening step using an adhesive substance (60) preferably comprises sub-steps of: applying an adhesive substance (60) to a first face (4a) of a third plate-shaped object (41b) (Figure 3); and subsequently resting one face (4b) of a fourth plate-shaped object (41c) against the first face (4a) of the third plate-shaped object (41b) (Figure 4).

The third plate-shaped object (41b) and the fourth plate-shaped object (41c) preferably comprise packaging elements (43); The adhesive substance (60) is applied to the packaging elements (43) of the third plate-shaped object (41b) and the step of bearing the relative face of the fourth plate-shaped object (41c) against the first face (4a ) of the third plate-shaped object (41b) is made in such a way that the adhesive substance (60) applied to the packaging elements (43) of the third plate-shaped object (41 b) adheres against the packaging elements (43) of the fourth plate-shaped object (41c). A comparison of Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrates the above.

The adhesive substance (60) can be applied, including directly, on the surface of the tile (4); However, in order to avoid fouling, it is preferred, as explained above, to apply the adhesive substance (60) on the packaging elements (43).

In general, the adhesive substance (60) can be applied at specific points, illustrated as circles in Figures 1-6, or continuously along one or more lines, vertical and / or horizontal (see the dashed lines illustrated in figure 2).

A fastening step using an adhesive substance (60) preferably comprises additional sub-steps of: applying an adhesive substance (60) on the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); and subsequently bearing a relative face of the first plate-shaped object (41a) against the first side portion (31). In this sense (see figure 1), in which a plurality of points in which the adhesive substance (60) has been applied is illustrated.

A fastening step using an adhesive substance (60) preferably comprises additional sub-steps of: applying an adhesive substance (60) on the second side portion (32) of the support element (6); Y subsequently bearing a relative face of the second plate-shaped object (42a) against the second lateral portion (32).

In the following, specific reference is made to Figures 1-5, to describe a specific embodiment of the method of the invention.

An adhesive substance (60) is initially applied on the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6): see figure 1, in which the adhesive substance (60) is illustrated in three different points of the first lateral portion (31).

Subsequently (see figure 2), a first face of the first plate-shaped object (41a) bears against the first lateral portion (31), so that it also bears with a relative flank (4c) on the first part of base (5a).

Similarly, an adhesive substance (60) is applied on the second lateral portion (32) of the bearing element (6) and a first face of the second plate-shaped object (42a) abuts against the second lateral portion (32 ), so that each of these also rests on a relative flank (4c) of the second base part (5b).

Then, the adhesive substance (60) is applied to a second face (4a), opposite to the first face, of the first plate-shaped object (41a), see Figure 2 once again: the adhesive substance (60) is It applies to the packaging elements (43) of the first plate-shaped object (41a). Subsequently, a first face of another plate-shaped object (4) rests against the second face (41a) of the first plate-shaped object (4), so that the adhesive substance (60) adheres to the elements of packaging (43) of both plate-shaped objects (4) described hereinabove.

These fastening steps using an adhesive substance (60) are also repeated for other plate-shaped objects (4). Then, two vertical strap rings (50) are applied to encompass the plate-shaped objects (4) arranged on the pallet (3), both those arranged on the first base part (5a) and those arranged on the second part base (5b), and to simultaneously encompass the support element (6). See figure 3.

The fastening steps, using adhesive substance (60), and tying, using vertical strap rings (50), are repeated until the loading on the pallet (3) is completed (see Figures 4 and 5).

In general, it is not necessary for each plate-shaped object (4) to be fixed by means of adhesive substance (60) to another plate-shaped object (4) adjacent to it, since the attachment of the shaped objects plate (4) also requires the application of the strap rings (50). In fact, the fastening of the plate-shaped objects (4) to each other and ^{to the support element (6) can be carried out by combining the fastening with the adhesive substance (} 60 ^{) with the fastening} using the strap rings (50).

Figure 6 illustrates a pallet (3) loaded with plate-shaped objects (4), such plate-shaped objects (4) having been fixed to each other and to the support element (6) by means of adhesive substance (60) , as in the case described in figures 1-5, but to which a single horizontal strap ring (50) has been applied, and only after the loading has been completed, that is, after all the Plate-shaped objects (4) have been arranged on the pallet (3).

The invention relates to a vertical positioning apparatus according to claim 1, which operates the method described above. See Figures 7 to 18.

The apparatus is indicated by the reference number (1) and comprises: a positioning device (8) which: places a first plate-shaped object (41a), which is part of a plurality of plate-shaped objects (41 ), substantially vertical on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the first base part (5a) and with a first relative face against a first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); places a second plate-shaped object (42a), which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the second base part (5b) and with a first relative face against a second lateral portion (32) of the support element (6), opposite to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); places, one by one, the remaining plate-shaped objects (4), which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that each of these is rests on a relative flank (4c) of the first base part (5a), or on the second base part (5b), and rests on a relative face against an opposite face of another plate-shaped object (4) , which has already been placed, which is adjacent to it and is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), thereby forming a first load (410) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the first base part (5a), and a second load (420) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the second base part (5b); a strapping device (7) that ties, with at least one strap ring (50), the plate-shaped objects (4) already placed on the pallet (3), to the support element (6); a first applicator device (16) of an adhesive substance (60) comprising a first dispensing head (17) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), said first dispensing head (17) being movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in a first horizontal direction (Y) with the in order to move the first dispensing head towards and away from the support element (6), and applies an adhesive substance (60) to the first side portion (31) of the support element (6) or to a face of an object in plate shape (4) which is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and which has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the first base part (5a); a second applicator device (16a) of an adhesive substance (60) comprising a second dispenser head (17a) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), said second dispenser head (17a) being movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in the first horizontal direction (Y) in order to move the second dispensing head towards and away from the support element (6), and applies an adhesive substance (60) to the second side portion (32) of the support element ( 6) or to a face of a plate-shaped object (4) that is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and which has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the second base part (5b).

The positioning device (8) can be an anthropomorphic robot.

The strapping device (7) may comprise a strapping head (710) and a strapping guide (70) to guide the strap ring (50) during application to the pallet (3).

In a first embodiment of the apparatus (1), illustrated in Figures 7-13, the strapping device (7) is horizontally movable in a second horizontal direction (X) which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (Y) and is configured to apply the at least one strap ring (50) in such a way that the strap ring (50) is oriented vertically. In this way, the strapping device (7), which may have a portal-shaped frame (2) (Figure 9), can be translated along the second horizontal direction (X) to be arranged in various positions along the length of the pallet (3) and carry out the strapping. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the strapping device (7) must from time to time carry out two strap rings (50): in particular, Figure 7 illustrates that the strapping device (7) has already carried out performed a first strap ring (50) and has been moved to a suitable position to carry out a second strap ring (50).

The second strap ring (50) is visible in Figure 8, where it can be seen that the strap device (7) has moved to a non-operative position.

The strapping device (7) preferably comprises a first vertical guide (13) and a second vertical guide (13a); the apparatus (1) comprises a first arm (12) which is oriented in the second horizontal direction (X), which is movable along the first vertical guide (13) and which supports the first dispensing head (17), and a second arm (12a) that is oriented in the second horizontal direction (X), that is movable along the second vertical guide (13a) and that supports the second dispensing head (17a); The strapping device (7) comprises a first actuator cylinder (19) that moves the first dispenser head (17) in the first horizontal direction (Y), in order to bring the first dispenser head (17) towards and away from the first dispensing head (17) from the support element (6); and wherein the strapping device (7) comprises a second actuator cylinder (19a) that moves the second dispensing head (17a) in the first horizontal direction (Y), in order to bring the second dispensing head (17a) closer to and moving the second dispensing head (17a) away from the support element (6).

The first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) can furthermore rotate substantially in a vertical plane between an operative position, where the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) are oriented in the second horizontal direction. (X), and a non-operative position, where the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) are arranged at an angle of more than sixty degrees with respect to the second horizontal direction (X).

There follows a description of the operation of the apparatus (1) in accordance with this first embodiment and with reference to Figures 7-13.

Figures 7-13 illustrate some steps of the method described above with reference to Figures 1-5. In detail, six plate-shaped objects (4) have already been fastened on the pallet (3) with adhesive substance (60), three on the first base part (5a) and three on the second base part (5b) (visible in figure 9), and a first vertical strap ring (50) has been applied (visible in figure 7). Figure 7 illustrates the stage in which a second vertical strap ring (50) is about to be applied: the strapping device (7), as already explained, is in a suitable position to apply the second strap rings vertical (50). The first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) can be rotated to achieve a vertical orientation and not interfere with the anthropomorphic robot (8); if the frame (2) that supports the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) is wide enough, however, at this stage it is not necessary to rotate the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a), since the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) do not interfere with the anthropomorphic robot (8) that occupies a volume comprised between the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a).

Subsequently, the strapping device (7) moves along the second horizontal direction (X) to move to a non-operative position, visible in figure 8. In phase relation with the movement of the strapping device (7) , the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) can be moved vertically in order to bring the first dispensing head (17) and the second dispensing head (17a) to the correct position to dispense the adhesive substance (60) , for example, causing the first dispensing head (17) and the second dispensing head (17a) to be oriented towards the packaging elements (43) that are the outermost of the plate-shaped objects (4). Subsequently, the first dispensing head (17) and the second dispensing head (17a) move to approach the support element (6), moving in proximity to or in contact with the outermost plate-shaped objects (4), in order applying the adhesive substance (60). Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the step of applying the adhesive substance (60).

Subsequently, the first dispensing head (17) and the second dispensing head (17a) move away from the support element (6) and the first arm (12) and the second arm (12) are lowered until reaching a position no operating where the first arm (12), the second arm (12a), the first applicator device (16) of adhesive substance (60) and the second applicator device (16a) of adhesive substance (60) do not interfere with the operation of the anthropomorphic robot (8), aimed at placing a plate-shaped object (4) on the first base part (5a) and a plate-shaped object (4) on the second base part (5b).

The non-operative position is also useful to allow the collection of the pallet (3) loaded with the plate-shaped objects (4): this collection can be done, for example, with a forklift truck (not illustrated) that insert the forks in the first horizontal direction (Y). Similar considerations refer to when it is necessary to release a pallet (3) to be loaded with plate-shaped objects (4).

The successive stages of operation of the apparatus take place according to the method described above.

In a second embodiment of the apparatus (1), the strapping device (7) can be vertically movable and is configured to apply the at least one strap ring (50) in such a way that the strap ring (50) is oriented horizontally. .

The strapping device (7) preferably comprises a strapping guide (70) spanning the pallet (3); The first dispenser head (17) and the second dispenser head (17a) are supported by the strap guide (70) and slide along the strap guide (70) in the second horizontal direction (X).

There follows a description of the operation of the apparatus (1) in accordance with this second embodiment and with reference to Figures 14-18.

Figures 14-18 illustrate some stages of the method described above with reference to Figure 6. In detail, all the plate-shaped objects (4) that are going to form the load, both on the first base part (5a) and on the second base part (5b) (visible in figure 15), they have already been fastened on the pallet (3) with adhesive substance (60).

Figures 14-16 illustrate the stage in which a horizontal strap ring (50) is applied (the only one, in this case): the strap guide (70) is at a suitable height to apply the horizontal strap ring ( fifty). As can be seen, the first dispensing head (17) and the second dispensing head (17a) are distant from the outermost plate-shaped objects (4) (Figures 15, 16).

Subsequently (Figures 17-18), the strap guide (70) is lowered until reaching a non-operative position in which the strap guide (70), the first applicator device (16) of adhesive substance (60) and the second Applicator device (16a) of adhesive substance (60) does not interfere with the operation of the anthropomorphic robot (8). This non-operative position is necessary when the anthropomorphic robot (8) has to place other plate-shaped objects (4) on the pallet (3).

In this case, the non-operative position is also useful to allow the pallet (3) loaded with the plate-shaped objects (4) to be picked up: this pickup can be done, for example, with a forklift truck (which does not shown) that inserts the forks in the first horizontal direction (Y). Similar considerations refer to when it is necessary to release a pallet (3) to be loaded with plate-shaped objects (4).

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for vertical placement (1) of plate-shaped objects (4) on a pallet (3) to fasten the plate-shaped objects (4) to each other and to the pallet (3), where the pallet ( 3) comprises a base (5) that is delimited by lateral flanks (30), and a support element (6) that rises perpendicularly from the base (5) and that is arranged in an intermediate position with respect to the flanks sides (30), dividing the base (5) into a first base part (5a) and a second base part (5b), comprising: a positioning device (8) configured to: placing a first plate-shaped object (41a), which is part of a plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that the first plate-shaped object (41a) rests on a relative flank (4c), on the first base part (5a) with a first relative face against a first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); places a second plate-shaped object (42a), which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet (3), so that it rests on a relative flank (4c) on the second base part (5b) and with a first relative face against a second lateral portion (32) of the support element (6), opposite to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element (6); the positioning device (8) being further configured to position the remaining plate-shaped objects (4) one by one, which are part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), substantially vertically on the pallet ( 3), so that each of these rests on a relative flank (4c) of the first base part (5a), or on the second base part (5b), and rests on a relative face against a face opposite of another plate-shaped object (4), which has already been placed, which is adjacent to it and is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41), thus forming a first charge ( 410) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the first base part (5a), and a second load (420) of plate-shaped objects (4) resting on the second base part ( 5b); the vertical placement apparatus (1) being characterized in that it comprises: a strapping device (7) to tie, with at least one strap ring (50), the plate-shaped objects (4) already placed on the pallet (3) to the support element (6); a first applicator device (16) of an adhesive substance (60) comprising a first dispensing head (17) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), wherein the first dispensing head (17) is movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in a first horizontal direction (Y) so as to approach towards, and away from, the support element (6), and configured to apply the adhesive substance (60) to the first lateral portion (31) of the support element. support (6) or to a face of the plate-shaped object (4) which is a part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and which has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the first part of base (5a); a second applicator device (16a) of the adhesive substance (60) comprising a second dispensing head (17a) for dispensing the adhesive substance (60), wherein the second dispensing head (17a) is movable in a vertical direction (Z) and in a first horizontal direction (Y) so as to approach towards, and away from, the support element (6), and configured to apply an adhesive substance (60) to the second lateral portion (32) of the support element. support (6) or to a face of a plate-shaped object (4) that is one part of the plurality of plate-shaped objects (41) and which has been placed on the pallet (3), resting on the second part base (5b). The apparatus (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the strapping device (7) is horizontally movable in a second horizontal direction (X) that is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (Y) and is configured to apply at least a strap ring (50) such that the strap ring (50) is oriented vertically. The apparatus (1) of claim 2, wherein the strapping device (7) comprises a first vertical guide (13) and a second vertical guide (13a); wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a first arm (12) which is oriented in the second horizontal direction (X), which is movable along the first vertical guide (13) and which supports the first dispensing head (17) , and a second arm (12a) that is oriented in the second horizontal direction (X), that is movable along the second vertical guide (13a) and that supports the second dispensing head (17a); wherein the strapping device (7) comprises a first actuator cylinder (19) to move the first dispenser head (17) in the first horizontal direction (Y) in order to bring the first dispenser head (17) closer and distance the first dispensing head (17) from the support element (6); and wherein the strapping device (7) comprises a second actuator cylinder (19a) to move the second dispenser head (17a) in the first horizontal direction (Y), in order to bring the second dispenser head (17a) closer and distance the second dispensing head (17a) from the support element (6). The apparatus (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) can further rotate substantially in a vertical plane between an operating position, wherein the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) are oriented in the second horizontal direction (X), and a non-operative position, where the first arm (12) and the second arm (12a) are arranged at an angle greater than sixty degrees with respect to to the second horizontal direction (X). The apparatus (1) of claim 1, wherein the strapping device ( 7) is vertically movable and is configured to engage the at least one strap ring (50) such that the strap ring (50) is oriented horizontally. The apparatus (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the strapping device (7) comprises a strapping guide (70) that embraces the pallet (3) and wherein the first dispensing head (17) and the second head dispenser (17a) are supported by the strap guide (70) and slide along the strap guide (70) in the second horizontal direction (X).