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:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 25, 1998
Terrence E. O'Brien, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Dorner Mfg. Corp., Hartland, WI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for stacking articles in a side-by-side stack and feeding the stacks to a discharge conveyor. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers, are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion by a guide arrangement. Each individual article enters a transfer location where it is supported by a transfer platform. A pusher device extends to push the article from the transfer location onto a support platform. The support platform supports the individual articles as they are assembled into a stack. After the pusher device has been retracted, a hold-back member is extended to support the outermost article of the assembled stack. Once a stack of articles has been assembled, a stack pusher assembly pushes the stack off of the support platform and onto an outfeed conveyor assembly. A back-up slide assembly supports the outermost article of the stack as the stack is assembled by the stacker mechanism.