US Patent 7393176 Handling unit for palletizing

A handling unit (1) for palletizing, 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 (5) slidable along said rails (5) between an extended position in which it completely closes said aperture to enable it to support articles to be palletized, and a retracted position in which it opens said aperture to enable said articles to fall through said aperture;drive means (18, 19) for sliding said panel (7) along said rails (5).