Stacking and packaging device

A device for packaging elongated items, the device comprising:

• a) an upper platform for receiving the elongated items from a separate conveyor;
• b) a diverter mounted above the platform, for inducing movement of the elongated items away from the platform;
• c) two opposed elevator shafts having open bottoms, the elevator shafts arranged laterally outward from outer edges of the platform and extending downward from the platform, the elevator shafts configured for receiving the elongated items after contact with the diverter and configured for holding the elongated items therein while a stack of elongated items is formed, the elevator shafts provided with one or more support structures configured to hold the stack of elongated items as the stack is formed and to release the stack of elongated items from the device after the stack is formed, with the release of the stack of elongated items from the elevator shafts occurring via the open bottoms of the elevator shafts, and
• d) two elevator mechanisms located below the platform, the two elevator mechanisms configured to provide cyclic movement of the one or more support structures, the cyclic movement including downward movement of the one or more support structures within the elevator shafts and upward movement of the one or more support structures outside of the elevator shafts.