Descending accumulator for automatic case packer

An apparatus for accumulating and stacking a plurality of articles into a number of tiers for subsequent loading into a shipping container, said apparatus comprising:

• chain means extending around drive sprocket means at one end and idler sprocket means at its other end, said idler sprocket means being at a higher elevation than said drive sprocket means so that said chain means is inclined at a predetermined angle;
• rotary power means for turning said drive sprocket means to move said chain means in one direction;
• a plurality of tray means, each having a flat surface for supporting said articles;
• means for connecting said tray means in consecutive order along said chain means, so that their flat surfaces are maintained horizontally and are stepped downwardly from said idler sprocket means to said drive sprocket means on the upper side of said chain means;
• an inlet feed means adjacent to at least one side of said chain means for receiving a line of articles to be stacked;
• means for accumulating a predetermined number of articles in an adjacent side by side order on said inlet feed means;
• pushing means for moving the accumulated articles on said inlet feed means onto a plurality of adjacent tray means including an uppermost tray that is empty and at least one adjacent tray in line that is partially loaded so that a substantially continuous flat surface of the same level is provided adjacent said conveyor means;
• means for activating said rotary power means to index said chain means a predetermined distance after said pushing means has completed the movement of articles onto a plurality of trays;
• and
• pull-out means for moving an accumulated stack of articles from a lowermost horizontal tray to an adjacent surface after said chain means have been indexed forwardly by said rotary power means.