Some manufacturing processes include forming stacks of manufactured objects for handling and/or processing. While some such manufactured objects are consistent in thickness, other are more irregular. Some manufactured objects are generally flat, but are also generally thicker along one edge. When objects having these characteristics are stacked, the cumulative effect of such inconsistent thickness results in an unbalanced stack. The disclosed apparatus and method utilize a novel rotating stacker that rotates the stack of manufactured objects as each new object is added to the stack, thereby distributing the thickness inconsistency of individual objects throughout the stack, producing a more uniform stack without manual intervention.

In a transporting system, a first conveyor includes a transport surface to transport different size tires in a first direction. A first positioner positions an end of a tire transported by the first conveyor, at a first predetermined position in the first direction. A second positioner positions an end of the tire at a second predetermined position in a second direction horizontally perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second clamping portion portions are at or adjacent to a clamping position, and pass through between a tire first portion at or adjacent to an end of the tire positioned by the first positioner and a tire second portion at or adjacent to an end of the tire positioned by the second positioner to clamp side surfaces of the tire.

An apparatus for transferring and/or stacking products, the apparatus including a frame, a bar conveyor associated with the frame, the bar conveyor having a plurality of flight bars that are independently driven by a plurality of independent drivetrains, a lifting device having a lifting plate, the lifting device being located within the bar conveyor, and at least one pusher.

A method for transferring and/or stacking products, the method including providing a first plurality of products as a first unit, pushing the first unit onto a lifting plate, lowering the plate, providing a second plurality of products as a second unit, pushing the second unit onto the top of the first unit to create a stack.

An apparatus for transferring and/or stacking products, the apparatus including a frame, a bar conveyor associated with the frame, the bar conveyor having a plurality of flight bars that are independently driven by a plurality of independent drivetrains, a lifting device having a lifting plate, the lifting device being located within the bar conveyor, and at least one pusher.

A method for transferring and/or stacking products, the method including providing a first plurality of products as a first unit, pushing the first unit onto a lifting plate, lowering the plate, providing a second plurality of products as a second unit, pushing the second unit onto the top of the first unit to create a stack.

Some manufacturing processes include forming stacks of manufactured objects for handling and/or processing. While some such manufactured objects are consistent in thickness, other are more irregular. Some manufactured objects are generally flat, but are also generally thicker along one edge. When objects having these characteristics are stacked, the cumulative effect of such inconsistent thickness results in an unbalanced stack. The disclosed apparatus and method utilize a novel rotating stacker that rotates the stack of manufactured objects as each new object is added to the stack, thereby distributing the thickness inconsistency of individual objects throughout the stack, producing a more uniform stack without manual intervention.

A sheet stacker including a sheet conveyor arrangement and a stacking bay, wherein sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement are formed into stacks; the stacking bay including a stacker platform. The stacker platform is provided with a vertical lifting and lowering movement with respect to a stationary supporting structure and is controlled to move downwards while a stack of sheets is formed thereon. The stacker platform supports a stack conveyor configured and controlled to perform at least an evacuation motion, to remove a completed stack from the stacking bay. The evacuation motion of the stack conveyor is oriented such that a completed stack is moved from the stacking bay onto an evacuation conveyor arranged under the sheet conveyor arrangement.

Some manufacturing processes include forming stacks of manufactured objects for handling and/or processing. While some such manufactured objects are consistent in thickness, other are more irregular. Some manufactured objects are generally flat, but are also generally thicker along one edge. When objects having these characteristics are stacked, the cumulative effect of such inconsistent thickness results in an unbalanced stack. The disclosed apparatus and method utilize a novel rotating stacker that rotates the stack of manufactured objects as each new object is added to the stack, thereby distributing the thickness inconsistency of individual objects throughout the stack, producing a more uniform stack without manual intervention.

In a transporting system, a first conveyor includes a transport surface to transport different size tires in a first direction. A first positioner positions an end of a tire transported by the first conveyor, at a first predetermined position in the first direction. A second positioner positions an end of the tire at a second predetermined position in a second direction horizontally perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second clamping portion portions are at or adjacent to a clamping position, and pass through between a tire first portion at or adjacent to an end of the tire positioned by the first positioner and a tire second portion at or adjacent to an end of the tire positioned by the second positioner to clamp side surfaces of the tire.