In-line finishing stacker with unloading pusher apparatus

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly having an upstream and a downstream section for (a) longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods from said upstream to said downstream section, and (b) repeatedly interrupting passage of goods for creating a gap in said shingled stream of goods;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table;
• a reciprocating implement for temporarily extending over said table to catch and collect goods there, said implement being operable to retract in response to said table rising to a position adjacent said implement;
• and
• a gap sensor located at said downstream section for producing a gap signal upon said gap approaching said table, said implement being responsive to said gap sensor for extending in response to said gap signal.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly having an upstream and a downstream section for (a) longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods from said upstream to said downstream section, and (b) repeatedly interrupting passage of goods for creating a gap in said shingled stream of goods;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• and
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table, said table being operable to descend and bring said stacked bundle next to said pusher;
• and
• a reciprocating stop for moving into alignment with said pusher in response to extension of said pusher in order to limit motion of said stacked bundle.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly having an upstream and a downstream section for (a) longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods from said upstream to said downstream section, and (b) repeatedly interrupting passage of goods for creating a gap in said shingled stream of goods;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table;
• an engagement assembly for engaging said stacked bundle and moving it further downstream after being pushed by said pusher, said engagement assembly comprising a scoop moveable in a downstream direction to subjacently engage said stacked bundle;
• and
• a span for supporting said stacked bundle, said pusher being operable to longitudinally push said stacked bundle along said span, said span having a longitudinal groove for facilitating insertion of said scoop under said stacked bundle.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly having an upstream and a downstream section for (a) longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods from said upstream to said downstream section, and (b) repeatedly interrupting passage of goods for creating a gap in said shingled stream of goods;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table;
• an engagement assembly for engaging said stacked bundle and moving it further downstream after being pushed by said pusher, said engagement assembly comprising a scoop moveable in a downstream direction to subjacently engage said stacked bundle, said scoop being vertically reciprocatable and operable to descend before subjacently engaging said stacked bundle.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods in a downstream direction;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table, said reciprocatable table being arranged to move elevationally past said pusher without interference when said pusher is extended, said table being operable to move elevationally and bring said stacked bundle next to said pusher;
• and
• a controller coupled to said table and said pusher, said table being operable by said controller to move elevationally after said pusher has extended to push said stacked bundle.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods in a downstream direction;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• and
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table, said reciprocatable table being arranged to move elevationally past said pusher without interference when said pusher is extended, said table having at least a pair of supports for straddling said pusher while extended, without interference.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods in a downstream direction;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table, said reciprocatable table being arranged to rise past said pusher without interference when said pusher is extended;
• an engagement assembly for engaging said stacked bundle and moving it further downstream after being pushed by said pusher, said engagement assembly comprising a scoop moveable in a downstream direction to subjacently engage said stacked bundle;
• and
• a span for supporting said stacked bundle, said pusher being operable to longitudinally push said stacked bundle along said span, said span having a longitudinal groove for facilitating insertion of said scoop under said stacked bundle.

Bundling system for converting a shingled stream of goods into successive bundles of goods, comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for longitudinally passing the shingled stream of goods in a downstream direction;
• a reciprocatable table located downstream of said conveyor assembly for detaining and collecting goods there into a stacked bundle;
• a pusher for extending and pushing said stacked bundle off said table, said reciprocatable table being arranged to rise past said pusher without interference when said pusher is extended;
• an engagement assembly for engaging said stacked bundle and moving it further downstream after being pushed by said pusher, said engagement assembly comprising a scoop moveable in a downstream direction to subjacently engage said stacked bundle, said scoop being vertically reciprocatable and operable to descend before subjacently engaging said stacked bundle.