Patent ID: 6641358
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method for separating product stacks, comprising the steps of:providing a stack building carriage movable upward and downward through a first path of motion to and from a stack discharge position, the stack building carriage having a surface capable of at least partially supporting a stack of product, the surface being disclosed in a plane defined by a portion of the stack building carriage; providing a load finger assembly movable between first and second positions to remove a stack from the stack building carriage in the stack discharge position, the first position associated with a location out of interference with said first path and the second position intersecting with the first path, the load finger assembly laterally movable relative to the stack building carriage in a second path of motion passing through the plane of the carriage surface in at least a portion of the first path of motion as the load finger assembly moves between the first and second positions; transporting a first product stack in the first path to the stack discharge position via the stack building carriage; moving the load finger assembly laterally at least partially through the plane of the stack building carriage in the second path disposed at an angle with respect to the first path and substantially free from interference with the carriage to remove the stack from the stack building carriage; returning the load finger assembly to the first position; and during at least a part of the step of returning the load finger assembly to the first position, moving the stack building carriage away from the stack discharge position.