摘要 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STACKING AND BLENDING BRICKS OR THE LIKE A stacker blender for bricks is disclosed in which a plurality of pallets move progressively down an inclined conveyor and are progressively positioned in a series of course receiving positions. The angle of inclination of the conveyor is arranged so that, after indexing, the uppermost course of a stack on each pallet is positioned at a predetermined horizontally aligned level to receive a subsequent course. A gripper transfer simultaneously grips a plurality of courses from a supply conveyor and transfers a course to each stack at each stacking location. Because each partial stack has one more course than the preceding partial stack the courses transferred during a given transfer operation appear at different levels in the different stacks. This assures complete blending. A void course is transferred at a predetermined location during each cycle so a simplified void course forming system is utilized. With a stacker blender a completed stack is produced during each machine cycle and is subsequently transferred by a shuttle transfer and a roller conveyor system to a strapper. Stabilizing means are provided to grip the partially formed stacks as they are formed and as they are indexed along the incline conveyor from one position to the next. A damping or shock absorbing system is provided for the transfer which allows the use of a simple automotive type shock absorber to provide a damping gradient which insures a smooth deceleration of the transfer as it approaches the end positions of its travel. |