Conveyor transfer apparatus

A conveyor transfer apparatus comprising:

• a first conveyor having a proximal end for receiving a plurality of stacks and a distal end, the first conveyor including a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, endless-loop belts;
• a second conveyor disposed near the distal end of the first conveyor, and elevated with respect to the first conveyor;
• a plurality of elevator assemblies, each elevator assembly including a vertical actuator and a plurality of vertical members that are drivably connected to the vertical actuator such that the vertical actuator selectively moves the vertical members between an up position and a down position, the vertical members defining a lift platform, and wherein the vertical members extend between adjacent endless loop belts of the first conveyor;
• and
• a plurality of pusher assemblies, each pusher assembly associated with one of the plurality of elevator assemblies, the pusher assemblies including a pusher plate and a horizontal actuator that is positioned to selectively move the pusher plate along the associated elevator assembly between a retracted position and an extended position;
• wherein the elevator assemblies are operable to lift one of the plurality of stacks from the first conveyor, and the pusher assembly is operable to push the lifted stack from the elevator assembly to the second conveyor.

A method for automatically arranging stacks of product in multiple rows onto a conveyor in a single row, comprising:

• transporting the multiple rows of stacks on a first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor includes a plurality of spaced-apart belts defining gaps therebetween;
• lifting the stacks individually from the first conveyor with an elevator assembly having a plurality of vertical members that defines a lift platform, the vertical members being sized and spaced to move vertically in the gaps between the first conveyor belts to engage the stacks;
• and
• pushing the lifted stacks off of the lift platform with a pusher assembly onto a second conveyor that is located near the lift platform, wherein the second conveyor is oriented transversely to the first conveyor.