Patent ID: 9061841
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: B65G,B65H

Abstract:
1. A stacking device for assembling a stack of uniformly sized articles, including a receiving station for successively receiving said articles, lifting means to raise said articles from the receiving station to a stacking station, the stacking station including catching means to catch and retain the articles in the stacking station, the catching means comprising at least two catchers located on opposite sides of the stacking station to engage opposite side edges of the article, each catcher having an elongate article engaging face extending substantially along the length of the article, the article when being raised contacting the catchers to displace the catchers to a closed position to enable the article to override the catchers to move to a position above the catchers, the catchers being biased to an open position to engage and support the article in the stacking station when the lifting means is withdrawn, the catchers having a substantially uniform cross-section and being pivotally mounted in a frame member having a substantially uniform cross-section, wherein, in the closed position, each catcher lying within the profile of the frame member and having a planar surface facing the article that lies substantially flush with the surface of the frame member facing the article.