Stacking system and method of stacking a plurality of articles

A stacking system for vertically stacking a plurality of articles, the stacking system comprising:

• a transport table having a first end and a second end, said transport table having means for slidably moving an article of the plurality of articles from said first end thereof to, and beyond, said second end thereof;
• a transport table having a first end and a second end, said transport table having means for slidably moving an article of the plurality of articles from said first end thereof to, and beyond, said second end thereof;
• a stacking area associated with said second end of said transport table;
• an arm member having an engaging member slidably movable over at least a portion of said stacking area, said engaging member capable of releasably engaging at least a portion of the article as the article extends beyond said second end of said transport table;
• means for vertically moving said transport table and arm member;
• said vertical moving means being capable of vertically moving said transport table and said arm member together, in combination, from at least a first level corresponding to the height of said introduction table to a second level corresponding to the height of said stacking area;
• means for coordinating said vertical movement means and said slidable movement of said arm member, to, in turn, facilitate stackable positioning of the articles upon said stacking areas;
• and
• means for delivery of articles to the transport table at predetermined intervals;
• said delivery means comprises an introduction table associated with said first end of said transport table, said introduction table including second means for slidably moving an article thereon.

A method for stacking an article upon a stacking area comprising:

• positioning a first article on a transport table having a first and a second end;
• moving the first article along said transport from said first end to said second end and, beyond said second end thereof;
• engaging at least a portion the first article with an arm member as the first article extends beyond said second end;
• directing the first article through movement of said arm member in a substantially horizontal direction;
• reorienting one of a stacking area or said transport table and said arm member in coordinated combination as said article transitions from said transport table to said stacking area to facilitate proper positioning said stacking area as the article extends beyond said second end of said transport table;
• and
• disengaging said arm member from the article, to, in turn, position the article on said stacking area.