Collection system for and method of collecting objects

A system for collecting objects and forming the collected objects into at least one stack, the system comprising:

• a plurality of collection trays arranged one on top of another in a vertical direction, each tray of the plurality of collection trays having an entrance and an exit;
• a feeder unit configured and arranged for feeding an individual object or an assembled group of objects to the entrance of a tray of the plurality of collection trays and depositing the individual object or assembled group of objects into the tray;
• a transport element included within the feeder unit having a surface for supporting the individual object or an assembled group of objects, the transport element swivel-mounted with respect to the plurality of collection trays and configured such that the surface can be swiveled into a position in which the individual object or an assembled group of objects supported on the surface of the transport element can be deposited into any tray of the plurality of collection trays;
• a stop element extendable into and retractable from each tray of the plurality of collection trays, the stop element engaging the tray to form a limit stop for contacting a leading edge of the individual object or of the assembled group of objects during deposition of the individual object or assembled group of objects into each tray;
• a moveable retaining element at a downstream end of the feeder unit, the moveable retaining element moveable between an open position opening the entrance of each tray of the plurality of collection trays for deposition of the individual object or assembled group of objects into each tray and a closed position closing the entrance of each tray after the individual object or assembled group of objects has been deposited into the tray, the moveable retaining element, in the open position, configured to retain the individual object or assembled group of objects in each tray by preventing rebounding of the individual object or assembled group of objects into the entrance of the tray during depositing of the individual object or assembled group of objects into each tray;
• and
• a conveyor unit configured and arranged for removing the individual objects or assembled groups of objects deposited into the plurality of collection trays through the exits of the trays and for forming at least one stack from the individual objects or assembled groups of objects removed from the trays.