Patent ID: 6769862
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for placing horizontally oriented flats into a vertically extending stack thereof comprising:A. a housing means defining an inlet means therein for receiving of flats individually therethrough for facilitating positioning thereof into a vertically extending stack of horizontally oriented flats, said housing means further defining an outlet means for allowing exiting of stacks of flats therefrom; B. an inlet conveying means operative to transport the flats individually to said inlet means of said housing means for facilitating stacking thereof; C. a stacking station means located within said housing means and adapted to receive flats from within said housing means thereabove in registration therewith to facilitate vertical stacking of horizontally oriented flats therein; D. an outlet conveying means extending to said stacking station means within said housing means through said outlet means defined therein, said outlet conveying means extending to said stacking station means and being operable to receive a stack of flats therefrom for exit conveying thereof through said outlet means of said housing means; E. an inlet delivery means operative to facilitate movement of individual flats from said inlet conveying means into said housing means; F. an upper receiving station means located within said housing means adjacent said inlet means of said housing means and operative to receive a single flat therewithin for orientation thereof above said stacking station located therebelow and in vertical registration therewith; and G. an intermediate accumulating station means located below said upper receiving station means and operative to receive individual flats therefrom for orientation thereof above said stacking station located therebelow and in vertical registration therewith, said intermediate accumulating station adapted to receive and retain a plurality of individual flats therewithin for simultaneous release together downwardly therefrom to facilitate stacking within said stacking station means therebelow; and H. a stack sensing means operative to monitor the exiting movement of a stack from said stacking station means through said outlet means and being operative to prevent release of flats downwardly from said intermediate accumulating station means toward said stacking station means responsive to exiting movement of a stack of flats from said stacking station means through said outlet means.