Patent ID: 7080969

Claim:
A method of forming a stream of discrete objects into a stack comprising the steps of: providing a frame having a top, a bottom and sides; providing a plurality of discrete objects each having a width; providing a first support on said frame having an opening smaller than the width of said objects, said first support being movable vertically between upper and lower positions and movable horizontally between engaged and disengaged positions; holding said first support in said upper and engaged positions; dropping said discrete objects onto said first support via a conveyor to form a stack having a top and a bottom; moving said first support toward said lower position to maintain the top of said stack at a first level relative to said frame; providing a second support beneath said first support having a width less than the opening in said first support, said second support being movable between a high position above said lower position and a low position; lowering said first support over said second support until said second support passes through said opening in said first support and contacts the bottom of said stack; moving said first support to said disengaged position; lowering said second support to maintain the top of said stack at said first level; providing a third support having an opening and translatable between a first position beneath said second support and a second position; sensing for the occurrence of a stack finished condition; upon the detection of the stack finished condition, lowering said second support until said second support passes through the opening in said third support and said third support contacts the stack bottom.