AUTOMATIC TRAY LOADING, UNLOADING AND COMPENSATING SYSTEM

摘要

An article handling method is provided for receiving articles such as can ends or the like, or similarly shaped disk-like articles supplied in elongate stacks from a first location, for loading the stacks of articles into trays for selectively storing the same for subsequent use and for unloading the stacks of articles from trays for transport to a second location so as to compensate for differences between a rate of supply of articles at a first location and a rate of demand for articles at a second location. The method comprises providing an infeed station for receiving a plurality of stacks of articles; providing a working station for accommodating an article-holding tray for accommodating a plurality of stacks of articles; providing an outfeed station for receiving stacks of articles from a tray and delivering the stacks of articles to a second location; locating the working station between the infeed station and the outfeed station; removing stacks of articles from the infeed station for discharge into a tray located in the working station, and placing the stacks of articles removed from the tray located in the working station into the outfeed station. An article handling system includes apparatus for carrying out this method.