Device and conveyance system for packaging elongated items

A device for packaging elongated items, the device comprising:

• an elevated structure having an upper platform for receiving the elongated items from a separate conveyor;
• a paddlewheel diverter located above the platform, for changing the direction of movement of the elongated items;
• and
• one or more elevator shafts having open bottoms, the elevator shafts located adjacent to the platform and 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 it is formed and to release the stack of elongated items from the device after it is completely formed, with the release of the stack of elongated items from the elevator shafts occurring via the open bottoms of the elevator shafts,
• wherein the elevator shafts have stationary front, back and lateral walls and an inner wall which is pivotable inward with respect to the stationary front, back and lateral walls,
• wherein pivoting of the inner wall is driven by an actuator mounted between a lower end of the inner wall and an inner support frame member for adjusting the volume of the elevator shaft to place packaging on the lower end of the elevator shaft or to dislodge a jammed stack of the elongated items.