Abstract:
Apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a workpiece carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the workpieces along a travel path through the drying chamber, including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying workpieces; a workpiece removal assembly for removing workpieces from the pins including a ramp formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass to engage workpieces being carried on the pins wherein each workpiece is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; a workpiece collection arrangement for receiving workpieces removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein workpieces fall into the workpiece collection arrangement; and a workpiece ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement including a movable ram to selectively eject workpieces from the workpiece collection arrangement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates broadly to apparatus including heated ovens for drying treated material and, more particularly, to an apparatus for drying and stacking printed beverage ware such as thin-walled plastic cups. 
     Often beverage containers or other liquid holding vessels are treated in some form with liquid materials that require a drying or curing process. Often thin-walled plastic drinking cups are printed with corporate logos or other indicia. One current process involves screen-printing on individual cups using a liquid ink that must be dried prior to stacking and further distribution of the beverage ware or cups. 
     One apparatus used for drying is a peg oven which is essentially a box containing a plurality of traveling pegs on which cups ride individually, one cup per peg. The box forms a drying chamber wherein continuing treatment such as heating or exposure to UV lamps occurs. Once the cups are dry they must be removed from the machine in order to package and ship the cups to the end users. 
     Removal of the cups from the traveling pegs typically involves some form of grasping apparatus that engages the cups or other vessels and places them in a stack or in some other machine for further treatment. These additional mechanisms can add complexity and expense to the peg oven. Further, such mechanisms add size and bulk to the drying apparatus, occupying often-expensive floor space. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a simple device for extracting cups from traveling pegs in a peg oven and stacking those cups for further processing which may include shipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces that provides enhanced workpiece removal and stacking capabilities. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus that will selectively eject a predetermined number of workpieces from the apparatus. 
     To those ends, and according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces including a housing defining a drying chamber; a workpiece carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the workpieces through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the workpiece carrying assembly including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying workpieces along the predetermined travel path; a workpiece removal assembly for removing workpieces from the pins including a ramp disposed in the travel path and formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass, the ramp presenting the abutment surface to engage workpieces being carried on the pins wherein each workpiece is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; and a workpiece collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving workpieces removed from the pins. 
     Preferably, the travel path is generally vertically oriented and the pins are generally horizontally oriented wherein workpieces removed from the pins fall into the workpiece collection arrangement. It is further preferred that the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving workpieces from the workpiece removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces fall to the platform. Further, the walls may be laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus may further comprise an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     It is preferred that the workpieces are nestable and the apparatus further comprises a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement to induce workpieces in the workpiece collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. Further, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces form the stack. It is further preferred that the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a workpiece ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement to eject workpieces from the workpiece collection arrangement. Further, the workpieces may form a stack when nested and workpiece ejector assembly may include a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement. 
     It is preferable that the apparatus further comprise a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. Further, the workpieces may form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly may include a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. Preferably, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support workpieces in the workpiece collection assembly. It is further preferred that the apparatus may include a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated workpieces. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention is particularly suited for drying and stacking treated drinkware, including printed plastic beverage cups. To that end, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for drying and stacking printed drinkware including a housing defining a drying chamber; a drinkware carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the drinkware through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the drinkware carrying assembly including an endless chain trained around a plurality of sprockets, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the chain for supporting and carrying drinkware along the predetermined travel path; a drinkware removal assembly for removing drinkware from the pins including a ramp disposed in the travel path and formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass, the ramp presenting the abutment surface to engage drinkware being carried on the pins wherein a respective drinkware unit is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; and a drinkware collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving drinkware removed from the pins. 
     It is preferable that the travel path is generally vertically oriented and the pins are generally horizontally oriented wherein drinkware removed from the pins falls into the drinkware collection arrangement. It is further preferred that the drinkware collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving drinkware from the drinkware removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware removed from the pins falls to the platform. Further, the walls may be laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     Preferably, the drinkware is nestable and the apparatus further comprises a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement to induce drinkware in the drinkware collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. It is further preferred that the drinkware collection arrangement includes a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware forms the stack. The walls may be laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further may further comprise an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     It is further preferable that the drinkware is nestable and the apparatus further comprises a drinkware ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement to eject drinkware from the drinkware collection arrangement. It is preferred that the drinkware forms a stack when nested and drinkware ejector assembly includes a movable ram to selectively eject a drinkware stack from the drinkware collection arrangement. 
     Preferentially, the apparatus further comprises a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. Further, the workpieces may form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly may include a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. In addition, the drinkware collection arrangement may include a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support drinkware in the drinkware collection assembly. 
     It is preferred that the apparatus further include a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated drinkware. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a workpiece carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the workpieces through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the workpiece carrying assembly including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying workpieces along the predetermined travel path; a workpiece removal assembly for removing workpieces from the pins; a workpiece collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving workpieces removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein workpieces fall into the workpiece collection arrangement; and a workpiece ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement including a movable ram to selectively eject workpieces from the workpiece collection arrangement. 
     It is preferred that the apparatus further includes the apparatus further comprises a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. Preferably, the workpieces form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly includes a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. Preferentially, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving workpieces from the workpiece removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces fall to the platform. It is further preferred that the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof 
     Preferably, the workpieces are nestable and the present invention further includes a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement to induce workpieces in the workpiece collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. It is further preferred that the workpiece collection arrangement include a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces form the stack. Preferentially, the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. Further, the workpiece collection arrangement may include a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support workpieces in the workpiece collection assembly. 
     It is preferred that the apparatus further include a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated workpieces. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is particularly suited for drying and stacking treated drinkware, including printed plastic beverage cups. To that end, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated drinkware includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a drinkware carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the drinkware through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the drinkware carrying assembly including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying drinkware along the predetermined travel path; a drinkware removal assembly for removing drinkware from the pins; a drinkware collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving drinkware removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein drinkware removed from the pins falls into the drinkware collection arrangement; and a drinkware ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement including a movable ram to selectively eject drinkware from the drinkware collection arrangement. 
     Preferably, the apparatus firer comprises a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. It is further preferred that the workpieces form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly includes a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. 
     Preferentially, the drinkware collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving drinkware from the drinkware removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware removed from the pins falls to the platform. Preferably, the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     It is further preferred that the drinkware is nestable and the apparatus further comprises a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement to induce drinkware in the drinkware collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. It is also preferred that the drinkware collection arrangement includes a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware form the stack. Preferentially, the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     It is further preferred that the drinkware removal assembly includes a ramp disposed in the travel path and formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass, the ramp presenting the abutment surface to engage drinkware being carried on the pins wherein a respective drinkware unit is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot. Preferably, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support workpieces in the workpiece collection assembly. It is further preferred that the apparatus include a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated workpieces. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a workpiece carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the workpieces through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the workpiece carrying assembly including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying workpieces along the predetermined travel path; a workpiece removal assembly for removing workpieces from the pins including a ramp disposed in the travel path and formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass, the ramp presenting the abutment surface to engage workpieces being carried on the pins wherein each workpiece is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; a workpiece collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving workpieces removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein workpieces fall into the workpiece collection arrangement; and a workpiece ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement including a movable ram to selectively eject workpieces from the workpiece collection arrangement. 
     It is preferential that the apparatus further comprise a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. Preferably, the workpieces form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly includes a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. 
     Preferably, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving workpieces from the workpiece removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces fall to the platform. It is further preferred that the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. 
     Preferably, the workpieces are nestable and the apparatus further comprises a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the workpiece collection arrangement to induce workpieces in the workpiece collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. It is preferred that the workpiece collection arrangement includes a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the workpieces as the workpieces form the stack. Further, the walls may be laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. It is additionally preferred that the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support workpieces in the workpiece collection assembly. 
     It is preferred that the apparatus further includes a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated workpieces. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is particularly suited for drying and stacking treated drinkware, including printed plastic beverage cups. To that end, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated drinkware includes a housing defining a drying chamber; a drinkware carrying assembly mounted to the housing for moving the drinkware through a predetermined travel path through the drying chamber, the drinkware carrying assembly including an endless strand trained around a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of pins spaced along and projecting outwardly from the strand for supporting and carrying drinkware along the predetermined travel path; a drinkware removal assembly for removing drinkware from the pins including a ramp disposed in the travel path and formed with an abutment surface and a slot formed therein through which the pins can pass, the ramp presenting the abutment surface to engage drinkware being carried on the pins wherein a respective drinkware unit is forced off its respective pin as the respective pin advances through the slot; a drinkware collection arrangement mounted to the housing for receiving drinkware removed from the pins, with the travel path being generally vertically oriented and the pins being generally horizontally oriented wherein drinkware removed from the pins falls into the drinkware collection arrangement; and a drinkware ejector assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement including a movable ram to selectively eject drinkware from the drinkware collection arrangement. 
     Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a counter assembly for counting workpieces carried on the pins. It is preferential that the workpieces form a stack when nested and the workpiece ejector assembly includes a movable ram to selectively eject a workpiece stack from the workpiece collection arrangement responsive to a signal from the counter assembly when a predetermined number of workpieces has been carried on the pins. 
     It is further preferred that the drinkware collection arrangement includes a generally horizontally oriented platform for receiving drinkware from the drinkware removal assembly and a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware removed from the pins falls to the platform. Preferably, the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. It is preferred that the drinkware is nestable and the apparatus further comprises a vibration inducing assembly in mechanical communication with the drinkware collection arrangement to induce drinkware in the drinkware collection arrangement to nest and form a stack. Preferably, the drinkware collection arrangement includes a pair of generally vertically oriented walls disposed adjacent the travel path to reduce non-vertical movement of the drinkware as the drinkware form the stack. 
     It is further preferred that the walls are laterally movably adjustable and the apparatus further comprises an assembly for selectively holding and releasing the walls to facilitate adjustment thereof. Further, the workpiece collection arrangement includes a generally vertically oriented pivotable support arm to support workpieces in the workpiece collection assembly. 
     Preferably, the apparatus further includes a motor-driven air circulation assembly to circulate air within the drying chamber to assist in drying treated workpieces. 
     By the above the present invention provides an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces, such as printed beverage cups, that will efficiently dry the cups, stack the cups and eject the cups from the apparatus. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the workpiece removal assembly and the workpiece collection arrangement of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the workpiece removal assembly of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the workpiece collection arrangement of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the workpiece collection arrangement of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view with a portion of the workplace removal assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIG. 1, an apparatus for drying and stacking treated workpieces, particularly beverage cups or drinkware, is illustrated generally at  10  and includes a generally rectangular, upstanding housing  12  supported in a floor standing manner by several legs  20 . The housing  12  is defined by external walls  14  that serve as an encasement for the operational features of the apparatus which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. 
     The apparatus  10  is configured for transporting a plurality of beverage ware, hereinafter referred to generally as “cups” along a serpentine path through the housing  12  for drying purposes. The cups W have been treated in some manner that requires individual drying. Typically, the cups W will have been imprinted using a dye or ink which must dry on the individual cups W prior to stacking the cups W for shipment and delivery. 
     The housing  12  includes a plurality of internal walls  16  that act to define a travel path  26  and a drying chamber  24  along the travel path  26 . Along one side of the apparatus  10  an input channel  28  exists in order to move cups from a worker (not shown) to the drying chamber  24 . The internal walls  16  within the drying chamber  24  define a series of vertical channels  30  and a horizontal return channel  32  below the vertical channel  30  which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. A transparent front panel  18  covers the drying chamber  24  and the horizontal return channel  32 . A receiving bin  34  is provided on a floor standing frame  36  to receive cups W that have been processed and placed in a stack S as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter. 
     It should also be noted that while the present invention is discussed in terms of cups and beverage ware, the present invention is capable of being used with workpieces of other types and hence, the common term workpiece is often used in place of the term “cup” or “beverage ware” within the application. It should therefore be understood that the present invention is capable of broader uses than merely drying and stacking beverage ware. 
     The housing  12  incorporates several subsystems associated with the apparatus  10 . The present invention includes a workpiece carrying assembly  40  which is best seen in FIG.  1 . Also included is a workpiece removal assembly  50  seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 . Further, a workpiece collection arrangement  60  is provided and is seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. Other assemblies include a vibration inducing assembly, illustrated in FIG. 4 at  100 , which operates in conjunction with the workpiece collection arrangement  60  to neatly stack the workpieces coming from the workpiece removal assembly  50 . A workpiece ejector assembly  110 , as seen in FIG. 5, is provided to operate in conjunction with the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . A counter assembly  120  is provided which is seen in FIG.  4 . This assembly is capable of operating in conjunction with the workpiece carrying assembly  40  and the workpiece ejector assembly  110  to automatically eject stacks of cups that have reached a predetermined quantity. With reference to FIG. 1, an air circulation assembly  130  is provided that assists in drying the workpieces as they transit the drying chamber  24 . All of the foregoing assemblies will be explored in greater detail hereinafter. 
     In order to transport the workpieces W through the drying chamber  24 , the workpiece carrying assembly  40  is utilized and is best seen in FIG.  1 . As discussed above, the internal walls  14  of the housing  12  define a drying chamber  24  and a serpentine travel path  26  through the housing  12 . A prime component of the workpiece carrying assembly  40  is an endless chain  42  trained around the plurality of sprockets  44  which allow the chain  42  to turn corners within the housing  12  to negotiate the channels defined by the internal walls  14  of the apparatus  10 . The chain  42  is motor driven in a known manner by applying motive force to at least one of the sprockets to cause the chain to move along the travel path  26 . A series of pins  46  are mounted to the chain  42  at periodic intervals. The pins  46  are intended to carry the workpieces W. A disc-like member forming a cap  48  is attached the end of each pin  46 . The diameter of the cap  48  is substantially greater than that of the pin  46 . The function of the cap  48  is best seen in FIG. 3 where a workpiece W is being carried by pin  46 . The use of the cap  48  allows the frusto-conical cup to concentrate its weight at two points including the base of the pin  46  and the contact point with the cap  48 . The use of the cap  48  greatly enhances the stability of the drinkware W as it is moved through the drying chamber  24 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 2,  3  and  6 , the workpiece removal assembly is illustrated generally at  50  and includes a ramp  52 . The ramp  52  defines an abutment surface  56  for contact with the workpieces W as seen in FIG.  3 . As seen in FIG. 3, the ramp  52  and abutment surface  56  are gently curved from a region substantially flush with the endless chain  42  to a height approximately equal to the length of a pin  46  from its base to the base of the cap  48 . A slot  54  is provided in the ramp  52  to allow pins  46  to pass through the ramp  52  as the ramp  2  removes the workpieces W from the pins  46 . The workpiece carrying assembly  40  is supported on a planar mounting panel  58  attached to the housing  12 . Operation of the workpiece removal assembly  50  will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     The workpiece collection arrangement  60  is provided to work with the workpiece removal assembly  50  to provide a neatly stacked arrangement of workpieces W. The function of the workpiece collection assembly  60  is to assist in gathering workpieces W that are removed from the pins  46  and facilitate the stack formation. The workpiece collection arrangement  60  includes a generally horizontally oriented platform  62  as seen in FIGS. 2-5. The workpiece collection arrangement  60  also includes two generally L-shaped, vertically oriented, lateral walls  64  that are mounted to the mounting panel  58  using an adjustment assembly  66 . The lateral walls  64  restrict lateral displacement of the workpieces W after they are removed from the pins  48  and fall to the platform  62 . To enhance the lateral controllability of the lateral walls  64 , the adjustment assembly  66  includes two slots  68 , with one slot  68  formed in each wall, as seen in FIG.  5 . Knurled knobs  70  are attached to threaded members (not shown) projecting through the slot  68  so that as the knob  70  is tightened against the wall  64 , the wall  64  is held in place against the mounting panel  58 . By loosening the knobs  70 , lateral adjustment of the walls  64  may be realized. A pair of minor guide rails  72  are attached to the lower, flat portion of the ramp  52  to assist in the guidance of workpieces W that are removed from the pins  46  and free-fall to the platform  62 . The minor guide rails  72  also prevent the traveling caps  48  on the pins  46  from interfering with the workpiece stack S. This is best seen in FIG.  3 . 
     In order to prevent workpiece movement away from the apparatus  10 , a generally vertically oriented, front wall  94  is provided to cover an area adjacent the ramp  52 , as best seen in FIG.  2 . The front wall  94  helps to guide the workpieces W coming off the pins  46  into a downward trajectory. A cross member  76  is formed as a generally flat narrow U-shaped member extending across the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . The front wall  94  is mounted to the cross member  76  and is adjustable using a knob  96  in a manner similar to the adjustment of the lateral walls  64 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, the workpiece collection arrangement  60  also includes a pivotable support arm assembly  80 . A support plate  84  is generally L-shaped and mounted to the platform  62 . A second, upper support plate (not shown) is also provided to support the upper reaches of the support arm assembly  80 . The support arm assembly  80  includes a pivoting base arm  86  that is mounted to the mounting plate  84  for pivotal movement. The pivoting base arm  86  is connected to a similar abutment arm  88  using cross braces  90  at an upper and lower position with respect to the arms  86 ,  88 . A spring  82  is attached to the lower of the two cross braces  90  and is also attached to the mounting plate  84  to bias the abutment arm  88  into contact with the workpiece stack S. Since the pivoting base arm  86  is allowed to rotate and the flexible spring  82  allows some movement of the arm assembly, the abutment arm  88  can be moved in and out of a contact position with the workpiece stack S. 
     In order to remove the workpiece stack S efficiently from the platform  62 , a workpiece ejector assembly  110  is provided. The workpiece ejector assembly  110  includes a moveable ram  112  which is generally shaped as an inverted “T”. The ram  112  is reciprocated using a motor drive (not shown). The ram  112  is mounted to the apparatus  10  and moves outwardly from the workpiece collection assembly  60  adjacent the platform  62 . A guide slot  114  defines the length of travel for the ram  112  and provides stability for movement of the ram  112 . 
     The vibration inducing assembly  100  is provided in order to enhance the efficiency with which the workpieces W form a stack. The vibration inducing assembly  100  includes a motor  102  that drives an eccentric member (not shown) causing the workpiece collection assembly  60  to vibrate. This vibration agitates the workpieces W as they come loose from the pins  46  and free fall between the vertical walls  64  to the platform  62  and form a stack S. The vibration assists the workpieces W in forming a stack S by mechanically agitating the workpieces W, especially when the workpieces are lightweight thin-walled plastic cups. In that situation, the cups tend to nest more efficiently under vibration. 
     A counter assembly  120  is provided to accurately determine the number of cups that have passed through the drying chamber  24 . The counter assembly  120  is incorporated into a control assembly  121  of the apparatus  10  and includes at least one optical sensor  122  mounted to the workpiece removal assembly  50  and in electrical communication with a control panel  125  using conventional wiring  124 . The control panel  125  includes a series of switches  126  for controlling operation of the apparatus  10  and a counter  128  to display information from the optical sensor  122 . Optionally, another optical sensor (not shown) may be placed near the entrance to the drying chamber  24  in order to count both input and output numbers. The optical sensors  122  and control arrangement allow the stacks to be uniform size. As the count of workpieces W reaches a predetermined number, the control panel  125  can activate the ram  112  to a move a predetermined number of workpieces W in a stack S. 
     In order to enhance the functionality of the drying chamber  24 , an air circulation assembly  130  is provided, as seen in FIG.  1 . The air circulation assembly  130  includes a motor driven fan  134  and a fan drive motor, illustrated generally at  132 . Filtered air is drawn through the drying chamber  24  by the air circulation assembly  130  to enhance the ability of the cups W to dry on the pins  46  as they pass through the drying chamber  24 . Optionally, the circulated air may be heated to further facilitate drying chamber  24 . 
     Operation of the apparatus  10  will now be discussed with respect to a typical workpiece, including a screen printed plastic cup. In a typical installation, such light-weight plastic cups are screen printed individually and then individually placed on the workpiece carrying assembly  40 . The endless chain  42  is caused to move, thereby moving the pins  46  through the drying chamber  24  and through the input channel  28 . There, individual cups W are placed on individual traveling pins  46  for transit through the drying chamber  24 . 
     A typical cup W on a typical pin  46  enters the drying chamber  24  and begins a vertical ascent through a first channel within the drying chamber  24 . At the apex of the vertical ascent, the chain  42  turns around a sprocket  44  and the respective pin  46  begins a vertical descent toward another sprocket. This up-and-down vertical movement is repeated throughout the drying chamber  24  until the cups W encounter the ramp  52  of the workpiece removal assembly  50 . Once the respective traveling pins  40  loaded with drinkware W reach the workpiece removal assembly  50 , the drinkware W is removed from the pins  46  and urged to form a stack S by the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . With reference to FIG. 3, as a respective pin  46  approaches the abutment surface  56  of the ramp  52 , the inner portion of the cup W moves up the ramp  52  as the pin  46  proceeds into the slot  54  of the ramp  52  and continues its travel unimpeded. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen and appreciated that as the pin  46  proceeds into the slot the inner portion of the cup W rides up the ramp  52  to a point where it is no longer stably supported by the pin  46  and cap  48 . At this point, the cup W falls free of the traveling pin  46  and drops into the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . Each respective pin  46  continues traveling along the travel path  26  intermediate the minor guide rails  72  so that the traveling pins  46  have no further influence on any removed cup W. As seen in FIG. 6, when the cups W are forced from the pins  46 , the front wall  94  prevents the cups from moving out of the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . Additionally, the vertical walls  64 , having been pre-positioned using the adjustment assembly  66  to accommodate the widest portion of the cup W prevent lateral movement of the cups W out of the workpiece collection arrangement  60 . 
     The cups free fall to the platform  62  and the first cup W in a stack determines the position of the stack in cooperation with the vertical walls  64  and the abutment rod  88 . As further cups are removed from the pins  46  they also free fall and land in the prior cup W. Thusly, a stack S is formed. 
     Assisting in the stack formation are such systems as the optional vibration inducing assembly  100 , the aforesaid lateral vertical walls  64  and the front wall  94 . The lateral vertical walls  64 , the front wall  94  and the abutment rod  88  essentially form a chute for a falling cups. The minor guide rails  72  help align the cups in addition to protecting the cups from the descending pins  46  and their caps  48 . Further, the pivoting rod assembly  80  helps preserve stack integrity and maintain stack alignment by being biased into the stack S by the biasing spring  82 . 
     Optionally, the operation of the device may be controlled by using the counter assembly  120  and counting the cups W as they are removed from the traveling pins  46 . To that end, once a predetermined number of cups has formed a stack S, the control panel  125  uses a signal from the counter assembly  120  to cause the ram  112  to cycle which pushes the stacked cups off of the platform  62  and into the receiving bin  34  as seen in FIG.  1 . The work cycle then repeats until a second predetermined number of cups is stacked and ejected from the platform  62 . Optionally, if the counter is not used, the stack may be controlled by its height by positioning the optical sensor at a predetermined stack height such that when the stack height is realized, the ram cycles and the stack is removed from the platform  62 . In addition, the counter may remain unused and the ram  112  manually controlled. 
     By the above, the present invention provides an efficient and reliable device for drying cups or other workpieces that have been treated with ink or other wet materials. The present invention provides and automatic removal device which does not involve grippers or claws of any sort and allows the cups to free fall into a stack such that when the stack reaches a predetermined height, a predetermined number of cups, or is determined to be sufficiently large by an operator, an automatic device is used to remove the stacks from the platform and into an awaiting storage bin. 
     It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.