Patent ID: 7954628
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B65G,B65H

Abstract:
1. A stacking apparatus for moving items from an upstream location to a downstream location comprising: a base; a main conveyor pivotably supported on the base and having an intake end and a discharge end, said main conveyor discharge end being pivotable between a first, lowered, position and a second, raised, position, said first and second positions defining first and second ends of a main conveyor travel path; an accumulator section downstream of the main conveyor discharge end for receiving the items from the main conveyor, said accumulator section including a support for supporting a stack of items fed to the accumulator section by the main conveyor; at least one optical sensor detecting the presence of an object in the main conveyor travel path; and at least one controller operatively connected to said main conveyor and said at least one optical sensor, said at least one controller receiving signals from said at least one optical sensor and controlling said main conveyor to allow, when said main conveyor is rising, continued upward movement of said main conveyor when the object is detected by said at least one sensor and when said main conveyor is lowering, to stop continued downward movement of said main conveyor when the object is detected by said at least one sensor.