Patent ID: 7634894

Claim:
A method for palletizing articles, the steps comprising: arranging a plurality of articles within a first collection area; transporting the plurality of articles from the first collection area to a stacking area for constructing a palletized article layer; continuously laterally supporting the periphery of the plurality of articles arranged within the stacking area to substantially prevent tipping of the plurality of articles; arranging a subsequent plurality of articles within the first collection area; transporting the subsequent plurality of articles from the first collection area to the stacking area adjacent the plurality of arranged articles, the periphery of the plurality of arranged articles being continuously laterally supported while the subsequent plurality of articles is being arranged, and upon the arrangement of the subsequent plurality of articles, the periphery of the plurality of arranged and subsequently arranged articles being laterally supported; and repeating the arrangement and transporting of subsequent plurality of articles until the article layer is constructed.