Apparatus for discharging stacked articles in discrete groups

In an apparatus for discharging a plurality of stacked articles each having a peripheral rim, means for supporting the plurality of articles in vertically stacked relation, at least a pair of rotatably ganged cylindrical blocking members having vertical axes and disposed in circumferentially spaced relation around the periphery of the rims of the article stack, the blocking members respectively having corresponding axially spaced projections extending horizontally from the periphery thereof and engageable with the lower surfaces of the peripheral rims of the N lowermost successive ones of the stacked articles, and cyclically operable means for progressively moving the successive projections on the blocking members into engagement with the lower ends of the peripheral rims of the N lowermost articles in the stack and for thereafter discharging the N engaged lowermost articles from the bottom of the supporting means, the projection on at least one of the blocking members being adapted to inhibit a downward movement of the stacked articles overlying the lowermost N articles during the engagement and discharge of said N lowermost articles, whereby the articles are discharged from the apparatus in discrete groups of N articles each.