A DISCHARGE AND STACKER DEVICE

摘要

A discharge device and a method of discharging an article. During discharge the article is kept in a holding position and in a holding orientation by holding means. The holding means is movable between an article supporting position and an non-supporting position, the movement being performed swiftly so that the article maintains the holding orientation during the remaining part of the discharge. The orientation of the articles is thereby controlled. The discharge device comprises at least two receiving stations, and for each article a corresponding receiving station may be selected, e.g. according to final destination, size, shape and/or nature of the article. Well suited for discharging articles of substantilly homogeneous size and shape, such as CD's, video cassettes, tape cassettes, books etc. May be adapted for discharging a number of different kinds of articles. Saves space because two or more receiving stations are connected to one discharge device.