Patent ID: 7798763
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor system, object stacking apparatus comprising: a conveying surface having a length with an upstream end and an opposite downstream end, the conveying surface being operable to support a two dimensionally arrayed layer of objects on the conveying surface as the objects are moved in a downstream direction from the conveying surface upstream end toward the conveying surface downstream end; a lift mechanism positioned above the conveying surface, the lift mechanism having a plurality of engagement surfaces that are movable vertically between a lowered position of the lift mechanism relative to the conveying surface where the lift mechanism engagement surfaces are positioned to engage around the two dimensionally arrayed layer of objects supported on the conveying surface, and a raised position of the lift mechanism relative to the conveying surface where the lift mechanism engagement surfaces and the layer of objects engaged by the engagement surfaces are raised to a height above the conveying surface that is larger than a height of a subsequent, two dimensionally arrayed layer of objects supported on the conveying surface, whereby the subsequent layer of objects on the conveying surface can move in the downstream direction on the conveying surface to a position beneath the raised layer of objects engaged by the lift mechanism engagement surfaces and the raised layer of objects can be stacked on the subsequent layer of objects by the lift mechanism engagement surfaces disengaging from around the raised layer of objects; a bar that extends across the conveying surface, the bar being movable in the downstream direction to engage with and push the layer of objects stacked on the subsequent layer of objects in the downstream direction and out from beneath the lift mechanism; the bar being movable in the downstream direction a distance that causes the bar to push the layer of objects stacked on the subsequent layer of objects in the downstream direction past the conveying surface downstream end; a stationary panel extending across the conveying surface adjacent the downstream end of the conveying surface; the bar is movable in the downstream direction a distance that causes the bar to push the layer of objects stacked on the subsequent layer of objects in the downstream direction off of the conveying surface and across the stationary panel; the stationary panel having at least one opening; and, a stop gate is mounted to the stationary panel for vertical movement between a closed position where the stop gate projects upwardly from the stationary panel and an opened position where the stop gate does not project upwardly from the panel.