Palletizer

An apparatus for stacking layers of articles of the type including a generally horizontal support defining a layer preparation area;

• said apparatus comprising:
• article stacking means positioned adjacent said layer preparation area for receiving a prepared layer of articles and stacking multiple layers of articles;
• loading means movable along said layer preparation area for moving a prepared layer of articles to said article stacking means;
• and
• ejection means positioned adjacent said article stacking means for ejecting stacked layers of articles from said stacking means, said ejection means comprising:
• an open frame selectively engaged by said loading means for movement into said article stacking means;
• a pusher plate slidably mounted for vertical movement on said frame;
• shifting means for shifting said plate from a first position above said layer preparation area whereby said loading means may move a prepared layer through said frame and onto said article stacking means when said open frame is disengaged from said loading means to a second position wherein said plate engages the stacked layers of articles when said open frame is engaged to said loading means and said loading means moves towards said article stacking means whereby a stacked layer of articles is ejected from said article stacking means.