Patent ID: 8468781
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. A mixed article stacking apparatus for stacking objects of different sizes on a support, said apparatus comprising: a control operable to determine a particular order and spatial positions of the objects to be stacked on the support; a handling device that is adapted to manipulate articles of different sizes in response to said control; a support handler, said support handler manipulating a support being stacked with objects to form a stacked support, said support handler further removing a stacked support and supplying an empty support; and a placeholder above said support handler, said placeholder controlled by said control to change between a first mode for receiving objects from said handling device on said placeholder and a second mode for providing access to a support on said support handler, said placeholder being in said first mode while said support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support, wherein objects are deposited on said placeholder by said handling device during said first mode and wherein said placeholder deposits objects that have been placed on said placeholder by said handling device during said first mode to the support when said placeholder changes from said first mode to said second mode and wherein said handling device continues to place objects on the support during said second mode to thereby complete a stacked support.