Infeed system for a stacking apparatus

摘要

Groups of individual shingled items such as graham crackers or cookies are stacked in vertical stacks of predetermined heights and/or number of items using a stacking apparatus having at least one set of lowering arms. A stacking conveyor belt continuously delivers groups of shingled items to the end of the conveyor where the items come into contact with the lowering arms. The lowering arms then gently lower shingled items to a lower stacking level while forming a vertical stack. The items in the stack remain in substantially horizontal position while being lowered from the stacking conveyor to the lower stacking level. The apparatus is substantially jam-free and is highly tolerant to irregular placement of the shingled items on the stacking conveyor. The stacking apparatus can be used for stacking of groups of shingled items of different size and/or weight with little or no modification. The stacking apparatus may include an infeed system for delivering groups of shingled items to the stacking conveyor at regular intervals. The infeed system is capable of receiving items in the same direction or at a right angle to the flow of the infeed system. Items delivered at a right angle to the flow of the infeed system are received by a tilt conveyor adopted to gently receive breakable and fragile items with virtually no impact or damage to the items.