| 摘要 |
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for stacking substantially rectangular packaging units (P), for example trays, to form a substantially vertical stack, comprising,
- a feed conveyor for feeding packaging units;
- a series of at least two pick-up systems, in succession,
for thereupon, by each pick-up system each having two pick-up members (13a,13b) on two opposite sides, individually picking up each next packaging unit (P) at corresponding two opposite sides thereof, and
for conveying said packaging unit to a carrier (2),
- the carrier (2) as stacking location for carrying the substantially vertical stack,
- a rotation unit for rotating the carrier (2) with the packaging units placed thereon through a quarter turn,
- a conveyor for placing the stack on a discharge conveyor, and
- the discharge conveyor for discharging the stack after placement of the last packaging unit of the stack;
wherein a such pick-up member (13a,13b) is driven, whereby, from at least a predetermined height of the stack formed, and after placing a packaging unit, such pick-up member is moved away from the stack at the stacking location.
With great advantage, a large number of pick-up systems may be used so that a large processing capacity is obtained. |
