摘要 |
A method and apparatus for stacking articles in a side-by-side stack and feeding the stacks to a discharge conveyor. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers, are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion by a guide arrangement. Each individual article enters a transfer location where it is supported by a transfer platform. A pusher device extends to push the article from the transfer location onto a support platform. The support platform supports the individual articles as they are assembled into a stack. After the pusher device has been retracted, a hold-back member is extended to support the outermost article of the assembled stack. Once a stack of articles has been assembled, a stack pusher assembly pushes the stack off of the support platform and onto an outfeed conveyor assembly. A back-up slide assembly supports the outermost article of the stack as the stack is assembled by the stacker mechanism.
|