The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 1990
Filed:
Dec. 21, 1988
James F Korkowski, Brandon, MN (US);
APV Douglas Machine Corporation, Alexandria, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for stacking products such as trays are disclosed utilizing a rotary ferris wheel device which raises product off a conveyor and places it on a platform where it is pushed off unto additional product being conveyed on the conveyor. Specifically, an arm is rotated from a noninterfering position below the conveyor until a pivotally mounted shoe on the free end of the arm abuts the product without gripping or attachment thereto, raises the product off the conveyor, and places the product on a platform. The next product on the conveyor is allowed to be conveyed on the conveyor without interference. After the arm is rotated from under the platform into a noninterfering position below the conveyor, the product is pushed off the platform unto the product which remained on the conveyor. Thereafter, the stacked products continue to be conveyed on the conveyor. In the preferred form, the shoes of the arm are maintained in a parallel relation to the conveyor by sprockets rotatably fixed to the shoes and to the shaft forming the pivot axis for the arm, with the sprockets being in driving relation to each other by a chain extending therebetween.