AUTOMATIC DOWN-STACKING TECHNOLOGY.

摘要

A stacked articles accumulating apparatus (10) functions by down-stacking. The apparatus includes a surface (20) supported on an air cylinder member (25) with a solenoid valve (40) controlled by a photo eye sensor (35) to release air from the cylinder member (25) to maintain the top article of an accumulating articles stack (S) on the support surface (20) substantially at a predetermined elevation. Additional components include a limit switch (50) for setting a minimum elevation of the support surface (20), a compressed air source (60) supplying the air cylinder member (25), and an article supply mechanism (120). A method of article accumulation at substantially a predetermined level is also disclosed.