Continuous motion stacking apparatus and methods

Apparatus for handling a multiplicity of products comprising, in combination:

• means for conveying the products in a single, straight path, with the products being conveyed including a leading series of products and a remaining series of products, with the leading series of products including at least one product;
• and means for removing the leading series of products from the single, straight path of products being conveyed while the products remaining in the single, straight path continue to move in the single, straight path comprising, in combination:
• a pusher plate of a size for abutting with each of the products in the leading series of products;
• means for moving the pusher plate including a first movement component parallel to the single, straight path and a second movement component perpendicular to the single, straight path from a first position to a second position, with the pusher plate pushing the leading series of products from the single, straight path while moving from the first position to the second position;
• means for pivotably mounting the pusher plate about an axis parallel to the single, straight path, with the moving means reciprocating the pusher plate between the first and second positions;
• and means for pivoting the pusher plate about the axis for raising the pusher plate in a direction perpendicular to the first and second movement components and in a noninterfering relation with the remaining series of products as the pusher plate moves from the second position to the first position.

Apparatus for handling a multiplicity of products comprising, in combination:

• means for conveying the products in a single, straight path, with the products being conveyed including a leading series of products and a remaining series of products, with the leading series of products including at least one product;
• and means for removing the leading series of products from the single, straight path of products being conveyed while the products remaining in the single, straight path continue to move in the single, straight path comprising, in combination:
• a pusher plate of a size for abutting with each of the products in the leading series of products;
• a slide block;
• means for movably mounting the slide block for movement in a slide direction arranged at a nonparallel angle to the single, straight path between a first position and a second position, with the pusher plate being mounted to the slide block, with the pusher plate pushing the leading series of products from the single, straight path while moving from the first position to the second position;
• means for raising the pusher plate relative to the slide block and in a noninterfering relation with the remaining series of products as the pusher plate moves from the second position to the first position;
• and means for reciprocating the slide block between the first and second positions.

Apparatus for handling a multiplicity of products comprising, in combination:

• means for conveying the products in a single, straight path, with the products being conveyed including a leading series of products and a remaining series of products, with the leading series of products including at least one product;
• means for removing the leading series of products from the single, straight path of products being conveyed while the products remaining in the single, straight path continue to move in the single, straight path;
• and a shelf movable between first and second positions in a direction perpendicular to the single, straight path, with the shelf receiving the leading series of products being removed from the single, straight path while moving from the first position to the second position, with the shelf sliding from beneath the leading series of products as the shelf moves from the second position to the first position;
• and means for reciprocating the shelf between the first and second positions.

Method for handling a multiplicity of products comprising the steps of:

• conveying the products in a single, straight path in an abutting relation, with the products being conveyed including a leading series of products and a remaining series of products, with the leading series of products including at least one product;
• removing the leading series of products from the single, straight path of products being conveyed while the products remaining in the single, straight path continue to move in the single, straight path in the abutting relation;
• guiding the remaining series of products to remain in the single, straight path with a guide reciprocable between a forward position and a rearward position in a direction parallel to the single straight path, while the leading series of products are being removed from the single, straight path;
• and insuring the last product of the leading series of products remains parallel to the single, straight path as the leading series of products are being removed from the single, straight path.