Patent ID: 6419442
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B65G,G11B

Abstract:
A mechanism for forming a stack of articles, wherein each article defines a side edge and a bottom edge, comprising:a support platform for supporting the stack of articles as the stack is being formed; a guide arrangement for supplying articles in a singulated fashion to a transfer location adjacent to the support platform; an article pusher assembly including an extendible and retractable pusher member engageable with an article at the transfer location for moving the article from the transfer location onto the support platform, wherein the pusher member includes a pushing surface and a stop surface, the stop surface being disposed normally to the pushing surface, wherein the pushing surface engages the article at the transfer location and the stop surface engages articles being supplied by the guide arrangement when the pusher member is in the extended position to prevent movement of articles into the transfer location; and a hold-back member located between the transfer location and the support platform, wherein the hold-back member includes a transverse section and a upstanding section extending upwardly from the transverse section, and wherein the hold-back member is movable between a transfer position in which the hold-back member allows an article to pass from the transfer location onto the support platform under the influence of the pusher member, and a retaining position in which the hold-back member is positioned such that the transverse section is located above the bottom edge of the article and the upstanding section is located inwardly of the side edge of the article, wherein the hold-back member in its retaining position prevents passage of articles between the support platform and the transfer location and engages the endmost article in the stack of articles to maintain the stack of articles in position on the support platform.