Station for forming stacks of folded cartons

Abstract

A stacking station for positioning between the output of machinery for forming folded cartons, and a strapping machine for applying a strap about the stack of the folded cartons to form a bundle. The stacking station includes an upstream conveyor receiving the cartons from the machinery with the upstream conveyor having an input end disposed at substantially the same level as the output of the machinery, and an output end which is vertically adjustable. The station further includes an intermediate conveyor for moving stacks of cartons toward the strapping machine and having a receiving end aligned to receive cartons from the upstream conveyor with the receiving end being disposed at a lower level than the output end of the upstream conveyor. The station also includes a gate associated with the intermediate conveyor and defining with the intermediate conveyor a pocket for forming a stack of the cartons. The gate is positioned to define the downstream end of the pocket. The gate is movable between a blocking position wherein it extends above the intermediate conveyor a distance greater than the height of the stack to be formed and a release position in which the gate does not interfere with movement of a formed stack toward the strapping machine. A method of stacking folded cartons using the stacking station is also disclosed.