A load former includes a loading zone, a stacking zone adjacent to the loading zone, a platform in the stacking zone, a first drive configured to raise and to lower the platform, and a cookie sheet having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The cookie sheet is shiftable from a first position in which the first portion of the cookie sheet forms a floor of the loading zone and the second portion of the cookie sheet is not located in the loading zone or in the stacking zone and a second position in which the first portion of the cookie sheet extends directly above the platform in the stacking zone and the second portion of the cookie sheet forms the floor of the loading zone. A second drive shifts the cookie sheet between the first position and the second position.

A load former includes a loading zone, a stacking zone adjacent to the loading zone, a platform in the stacking zone, a first drive configured to raise and to lower the platform, and a cookie sheet having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The cookie sheet is shiftable from a first position in which the first portion of the cookie sheet forms a floor of the loading zone and the second portion of the cookie sheet is not located in the loading zone or in the stacking zone and a second position in which the first portion of the cookie sheet extends directly above the platform in the stacking zone and the second portion of the cookie sheet forms the floor of the loading zone. A second drive shifts the cookie sheet between the first position and the second position.

A sheet stacking apparatus according to an embodiment stacks first and second sheets. The first sheet includes first stacked and non-stacked parts. The second sheet includes second stacked and non-stacked parts. The first and second stacked parts are stacked to overlap in a Z-direction. The apparatus includes a first holding part holding the first sheet and a second holding part holding the second sheet. The first and second holding parts each include a frame part and a supporter. The frame part extends in an X-direction. The supporter supports the sheet in the Z-direction and provided at the frame part. The first and second holding parts are respectively configured to hold the sheets in a state in which movement of the sheets in the X-direction is regulated. The supporter is provided to be able to drop the object by releasing the supporting of the object in the Z-direction.

A sheet stacking apparatus according to an embodiment stacks first and second sheets. The first sheet includes first stacked and non-stacked parts. The second sheet includes second stacked and non-stacked parts. The first and second stacked parts are stacked to overlap in a Z-direction. The apparatus includes a first holding part holding the first sheet and a second holding part holding the second sheet. The first and second holding parts each include a frame part and a supporter. The frame part extends in an X-direction. The supporter supports the sheet in the Z-direction and provided at the frame part. The first and second holding parts are respectively configured to hold the sheets in a state in which movement of the sheets in the X-direction is regulated. The supporter is provided to be able to drop the object by releasing the supporting of the object in the Z-direction.

The innovation disclosed herein is an improved palletiser for loading and packaging unstable articles, such as plastic, glass, steel, aluminium, etc. containers onto a pallet for bulk storage and/or transport. The innovation includes a pallet station having a pallet housing that receives pallets, a layer pad store substantially aligned with the pallet housing, a container lifting sub-assembly that receives a predetermined row of containers, a pusher assembly that urges the predetermined row of containers onto a pallet, and a layer pad transfer assembly.

The innovation disclosed herein is an improved palletiser for loading and packaging unstable articles, such as plastic, glass, steel, aluminium, etc. containers onto a pallet for bulk storage and/or transport. The innovation includes a pallet station having a pallet housing that receives pallets, a layer pad store substantially aligned with the pallet housing, a container lifting sub-assembly that receives a predetermined row of containers, a pusher assembly that urges the predetermined row of containers onto a pallet, and a layer pad transfer assembly.

A box moving device is disclosed. The box moving device changes the position of a box having four side surfaces. The box moving device is equipped with a conveyor and a movement control unit. The movement control unit drives the conveyor to cause the box to move from a first position to a second position. The conveyor can alternately switch between a first state, in which it is contracted along a moving direction of the box, and a second state, in which it is extended along the moving direction of the box. The movement control unit causes the box to move from the first position to the second position by driving the conveyor that is in a holding mode in which it holds at least one of the side surfaces of the box and simultaneously switching the conveyor from the first state to the second state.

A truss stacking system has a main conveyor for conveying trusses of a plurality of diverse designs out of a production facility and into a stack building yard or warehouse. The main conveyor is attended by a dedicated truss stacking station for each of the diverse designs, and which station includes a truss lift sub-station and a stack-forming sub-station. Each truss lift sub-station has at least a pair of traveling masts that each raises and lowers at least one bunk (eg., fork). The bunks are raised to lift a selected truss off the outflow conveyor, the masts are driven on an outbound journey to support the lifted bunk in the airspace above the stack-forming station, and then the bunks are lowered to rest the truss on the stack. Stop posts assist in stripping the truss off the bunks.

Implementations of an automated round tube loading machine are provided. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine comprises a tube pickup mechanism, a tube stacking mechanism, and a tube loading mechanism. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine may further comprise a front side conveyor, a back side conveyor, and/or a computer system.

In some implementations, a method of operation of the automated round tube loading machine comprises the machine receiving, picking up, moving, dropping off, stacking, and loading a plurality of round tubes into a box.

A board stacking system for stacking board layers into a stack, and associated method are provided. The board stacking system includes a board stacking apparatus adapted to arrange board layers into the stack. The board stacking apparatus having a stack holder comprising an adjustable stacking area for supporting the stack, the stacking area having a length defined between a front edge and a back edge. The board stacking apparatus further having one or more stacking arms operable to receive board layers from a board dispensing mechanism and sequentially arrange the board layers onto the forming stack. The board stacking system further includes a scanner positioned and configured for measuring a width of the board layers and transfer the information to the stack holder to allow adjustment of the length of the stacking area to substantially correspond to the width of the previously measured board layer.