Apparatus for automatically stacking differently sized panels or packs of panels

An apparatus for automatically stacking differently sized packs of panels according to size, where a group of longitudinal rows and lateral columns of packs are formed side-by-side by a cutting device with a final cut of each row being made along a cutting axis parallel to the row so that the packs of each row have different lengths parallel to the cutting axis but same widths perpendicular to the cutting axis, the apparatus comprising:

• a parking area located adjacent to the cutting device;
• a shifting means for shifting the group of rows from the cutting device to said parking area with said rows remaining parallel to the cutting axis;
• a transfer station located adjacent said parking area;
• a removing means for removing a leading row of said group from said parking area to said transfer station in a direction parallel to the cutting axis, the direction of movement defining a leading edge for each pack;
• a moving means for moving a remainder of the group of rows in said parking area so that a new leading row takes the place of the leading row previously removed by said removing means;
• a transport means for transporting packs in a direction perpendicular to the cutting axis, said transport means being located adjacent said transfer station;
• a gripper means for gripping at one side each pack at said transfer station sequentially and individually, and for delivering that pack (a) directly to said transport means with said leading edge parallel to the cutting axis where the leading edge is a longer side of said pack or (b) after a 90.degree. rotation to said transport means with said leading edge perpendicular to the cutting axis where the leading edge is a shorter side of said pack;
• and
• a plurality of lifting platforms adjacent said transport means to which the packs are transported and piled with the same size packs being piled at the same said platforms.