摘要 |
Previously folded corrugated paperboard blanks are stacked, aligned, and discharged in stacks of preselected number by slowing the advance of such blanks advancing in serial alignment to form a stream of shingled blanks; counting a preselected number of the blanks; momentarily interrupting the stream in response to counting to form spaces between preselected numbers of the blanks; detecting the spaces; in response to such detecting, stopping and then releasing the preselected numbers of blanks for collection in a stack; simultaneously aligning all the blanks in the stack; and discharging the aligned stack perpendicular to the stream of shingled blanks. Suitable apparatus for performing the method includes a shingling conveyor having a first gate to form the spaces between preselected numbers of blanks; a detector for detecting the spaces; a second gate controlled by the detector to release the preselected number of blanks to form a stack on an inclined plate; and opposed, spaced belts for aligning and discharging the stacks perpendicular to the shingling conveyor. |