CONTINOUS MOTION SPIRAL STACKER

摘要

CONTINUOUS MOTION SPIRAL STACKER Apparatus and method for accumulating generally flat articles of substantially the same size and shape into stacks of specific count. The apparatus comprises at least one vertically oriented spiral member having an exterior leading edge and an interior trailing edge. A prime mover rotates the spiral member about its horizontal axis of rotation. A product stack-building area is provided through which the leading and trailing edges of the spiral member passes once each revolution thereof. An infeed device feeds products at substantially the same elevation to the top of the stackbuilding area and onto the outer surface of the spiral member constituting a product support surface which recedes from the article infeed elevation at a predetermined rate. At least one side plate is provided to keep the products within the stack-building area. An outfeed device to receive stacked products passes through the spiral member at an elevation just below the trailing edge thereof. Products are fed to the top of the stackbuilding area. The spiral element is rotated through the stack-building area, and as its leading edge passes therethrough, a new product stack is started thereon and is segregated from the previous stack accumulated on the spiral member. The previous accumulated stack is deposited on the outfeed device by the trailing edge of the spiral member.