Patent ID: 6189678
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for forming groups of superposed, flat items, comprising(a) a conveyor including(1) a transporting device traveling in a conveying direction along a generally horizontal working flight; and(2) a plurality of upstanding pusher fingers secured to said transporting device; said pusher fingers being spaced from one another in a direction parallel to said conveying direction;(b) a plurality of storage chutes for holding items in a superposed stack therein; said storage chutes being positioned above said working flight and being spaced from one another in a direction parallel to said conveying direction; each said storage chute having a lower, item-discharging end;(c) a separate item-retaining device situated at said item-discharging end of each said chute; said item-retaining device including(1) a component defining an item-retaining surface for retaining the items in the chute by supporting a lowermost item of the stack; each said pusher finger being arranged for travel through and underneath said item-discharging end for pushing all items forming part of the stack in the chute and situated in a path of travel of said pusher finger, off said item-retaining device and for advancing the items in said conveying direction along said working flight; and(2) height-adjusting means for setting said component into different selected positions for changing a vertical distance of said item-retaining surface from said working flight to vary a number of items forming part of the stack in the chute and being situated in said path of travel;(d) a plurality of sensors connected with respective said storage chutes for emitting signals representing one of a presence and absence of a predetermined height level of items in said storage chutes; and(e) a control apparatus connected to said sensors and said height-adjusting means for setting said component of the item-retaining devices in response to said signals.