摘要 |
The invention is a method and apparatus for forming a plurality of stackable items into a vertically stacked load and thereafter delivering an aligned stack of items positioned on a pallet for eventual transportation while minimizing the misalignment of the stackable items. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for delivering items to be stacked, a vertically moveable conveyor portion, a horizontally reciprocating platform for securing the lifted item, and a retaining front wall and two side walls for aligning the stacked items. The method comprises lifting an item to a position above a stacking position, securing the item in its lifted position, delivering a succeeding item into a position beneath the lifted item, lifting the succeeding item to a position immediately beneath the lifted item, releasing the secured item to drop onto the succeeding item, lifting the item and succeeding item together, and repeating the steps until reaching a desired stacking height.
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