Apparatus for stacking tube and related method

摘要

The present invention is directed toward positioning tube (11) from a continuous supply of tube (11), into a preselected stacked configuration in a stack forming assembly (12) by movement of a fork member (22) positionable under selected of the tube (11). The invention includes moving the fork member (22) a preselected distance to position a preselected number of the tube (11) in the forming assembly (12) to form a row of preselected length, and then restraining the remainder of the supply of tube (11). The fork member (22) is then retracted a predetermined distance away from the forming assembly (12), and the forming assembly (12) is lowered so that additional tube (11) may be positioned on top of the tube (11) already positioned therein. The remainder of the tube (11) is then released while again moving the fork member (22) a preselected distance to position a preselected number of tube (11) on top of the tube (11) already positioned in the forming assembly (12). The steps are then repeated until the preselected stacked configuration is achieved. A-stop member (252) may be provided to help prevent vertical displacement of a lead tube (11b). Also, a belt (280) may be provided to prevent displacement of other tube (11) in a given row.