Combination counter-ejector shingle-output delivery system

A delivery apparatus for conveying a stream of workpieces from a production system to a strapping system, the delivery apparatus being adapted to convert between a counter-ejector delivery mode and a shingle-output delivery mode, the delivery apparatus comprising:

• (a) a transfer section with an upper and a lower powered transfer belt adapted for transferring the workpieces from the production system downstream to a next operating section through a transfer exit, the upper belt including a forward, longitudinally adjustable and vertically loaded trombone section for maintaining the workpieces under both a downstream driving force and a vertical compressive force as the workpieces emerge from the transfer section and for at least a portion of their entry into the next operating section, and a retractable rear stack support for supporting the accumulating workpieces while a counted stack is being ejected in the counter-ejector mode;
• (b) a stack elevator for accumulating counted stacks of a desired number of workpieces and successively discharging the stacks, the elevator including a powered stack conveyor and means for elevating the stack conveyor to an upper position adjacent to the transfer exit and lowering the stack conveyor as the workpieces accumulate and lowering the stack to the elevator's exit level when the stack has reached the desired number, and means for engaging the stack belt conveyor to eject the stack under downstream forces exerted by the stack conveyor and the upper transfer belt, which stack elevator is the next operating section in the counter-ejector delivery mode;
• (c) means for retracting the stack elevator to a non-interfering position when converting from the counter-ejector delivery mode to the shingled-stream delivery mode and means for advancing the stack elevator into operating position when converting from the shingled-stream delivery mode to the counter-ejector delivery mode;
• (d) a delivery section for conveying the workpieces to a dual position delivery table, comprising (i) a main frame including translation means for translating the delivery section to meet the transfer section when converting from the counter-ejector delivery mode to the shingled-stream delivery mode and fixing the delivery section in position, (ii) a powered delivery belt with an upper portion for carrying the workpieces downstream, the upper portion being supported by a plurality of a lower roller sections, (iii) at least one powered upper compression belt with a lower portion for carrying the workpieces downstream, the lower portion being supported by a plurality of upper roller sections and an entry roller rotably supported by an adjustable arm, (iv) compression means adjustably coupled to at least the plurality of upper roller sections or the plurality of lower roller sections, which compression means cause the delivery belt and the upper compression belt to cooperate in maintaining the workpieces in compression as they are being carried downstream, (v) means for rotating the adjustable arm from a lower position to an upper position when converting from the counter-ejector delivery mode to the shingled-stream delivery mode, (vi) means for lowering at least one of the lower roller sections at the delivery section's upstream end, out of contact with the delivery belt when converting from the counter-ejector delivery mode to the shingle-output delivery mode, (vii) a counter-ejector interrupter assembly for separating a counted stack of workpieces from the accumulating workpieces and exerting a compressive force on the counted stack as the counted stack is being ejected from the stack elevator, including at least one interrupter arm, means for extending the interrupter arm over the counted stack, lowering the interrupter arm to exert a compressive force on the counted stack, and retracting the interrupter arm as the counted stack is discharged, and (viii) a retractable front stack support for supporting the accumulating workpieces as the counted stack is being ejected in the counter-ejector mode, which delivery section is the next operating section in the shingle-output delivery mode;
• and
• (e) the dual position delivery table adjacent to the downstream end of the delivery section with a first working surface for use in the counter-ejector delivery mode and a second working surface for use in the shingle-output delivery mode, wherein the first working surface consists essentially of a powered table conveyor and the second working surface consists essentially of a fixed, low friction structure, and with means for repositioning the second working surface to the position of the first working surface when converting from the counter-ejector delivery mode to the shingle-output delivery mode.