Abstract: A bin holding device includes two side elements vertically spaced to accommodate a storage bin between the two side elements. Each side element is provided with a bin supporting assembly comprising a bin support. The bin support comprises an upper bin interacting part configured to interact with the storage bin when the storage bin is accommodated in the bin holding device, such that a top edge of the accommodated storage bin is held at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A bin holding device includes two vertical side elements spaced to accommodate a storage bin between the two vertical side elements. Each side element is provided with a bin supporting assembly including a bin support and an actuator. The bin support includes an upper bin interacting part arranged to interact with the storage bin when the storage bin is accommodated in the bin holding device, such that a top edge of the accommodated storage bin is held at a predetermined level. The actuator is operably connected to the bin support and includes a lower bin interacting part arranged to interact with the storage bin during introduction of the storage bin into the bin holding device in a downward vertical direction, such that the upper bin interacting part is moved to interact with the storage bin.

Abstract: A cup dispensing apparatus comprising at least one magazine adapted to accommodate a stack of cups, and a releasing device, which has a vertical channel designed to be engaged by the stack, is configured to support the stack and release, when operated, the last cup, and is equipped with at least three releasing elements movable on a horizontal plane in respective directions substantially tangential to said channel, between a rest position, in which they define a horizontal first support plane designed to be engaged by the last cup to support the stack, and a release position, in which they define a second support plane at a higher level than the first support plane and designed to be engaged by the penultimate cup to support the rest of the stack; each releasing device has an associated separating device adapted to impart a downward detaching thrust on the last cup.

Abstract: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.

Abstract: A product dispenser particularly suited for relatively thin products such as packs of gum incorporates a housing with a front wall that pivots downwardly to allow the interior to be stocked with the product. The front wall includes a slot opening and a tray extends through the slot opening to dispense product. The handle of the tray is pulled away from the unit causing the tray to push the lowest most product through the slot pushed by a raised rear portion of the tray. The raised rear portion also prevents the next lowest product from falling on the tray when it is in extended position. The tray is then retracted by a spring, and the next lower product drops on the tray and is ready for dispensing.

Abstract: A dispensing device for beverage cup lid which prevents excessive human contact with the lid prior to insertion upon the beverage cup, the device providing an externally threaded central rotary rod attached to a direct drive bidirectional electrical motor and suspended within a lid cabinet with a stacked plurality of lids retained upon the rotary rod through a central bore in each lid, the lids urged downward by a traveling press plate having a central threaded hole engaging the external threads of the rotary rod, the rotation of the rotary rod causing the press plate to move up and down the rotary rod, pressing against the uppermost lid on the rotary rod against the stacked plurality of lids in increments programmed to release only the lowermost lid from the end of the rotary rod in a receiving area below the retaining rod. The device is operated by the activation of a presence sensor, either a beverage cup or a clean hand, which causes the incremental dispensing of a single lid.

Abstract: The current invention is a lid dispensing device and method of use comprising a base unit, a lid holder operatively connected to the base unit, a blade operatively mounted to the base which moves between a first position and a second position, the blade supporting a stack of lids by engaging a first lid in the stack of lids while the blade is in the first position, and the blade allowing the first lid to fall through an aperture in the blade away from the stack of lids, and still support the remaining stack of lids as the blade moves to the second position.

Abstract: A disc feeding apparatus comprises a supporting base, a pusher and an electric driving device. The pusher is driven by the electric driving device to back and forth, such that one edge of the disc is protruded out of the first protruding portion of the supporting base, and the other edge of the disc is limited by the avoiding groove of the second protruding portion and will be pushed by the pusher. Thereby, the disc will fall out of the disc feeding apparatus, thus finishing the feeding of the disc. The present invention can use the precise control electric driving device to cooperate with other structures. With the simplified structure design, the present invention can perform the disk feeding operation efficiently and precisely for a long tome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser device for dispensing components designed for enabling parts to be assembled together. The device comprises: a main storage magazine for storing the components; an extraction plate for extracting components, which plate has an inclined edge that is arranged to come to bear on the components; actuation means for actuating the plate so as to drive it in up-and-down vertical reciprocating motion, and so as to remove the components upwards; and a temporary storage system for temporarily storing the components, which system has an upstream portion arranged to come into register with the edge when the plate is in the high position, and to enable components to be transferred from the plate into said storage system, which system is provided with transfer means arranged to convey the components from the upstream portion towards a downstream portion that is designed to enable the components to be extracted in succession from the device.

Abstract: A thin-part feeding device is provided which is compact and efficient. The device has a funnel portion with a feeding opening at the bottom thereof, a take-out tube for taking out thin parts from the funnel portion, and a receiving portion with separate opening for receiving thin parts from the discharge opening. The receiving portion is movable, and the receiving opening is sized to receive only one thin part. The device is operative to repeat a state where the receiving opening faces the discharge opening, and a state where the receiving opening is away from the discharge opening to enable thin parts to be taken out from the receiving opening. The device also features a novel, posture-correcting portion to correct vertical posture of thin parts, a delivery portion for receiving posture-corrected thin parts, and a transporting portion as described.

Abstract: Device for selection of capsules containing a food product from a, stack of capsules contained in a container, comprising a body (10) which delimits a passage (20) through which the capsules pass by gravity; first stop means (30, 31, 32, 33) for selectively retaining and releasing said first capsule (90); actuating means (8) for actuating said stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) between a stop position and a release position. The first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) are distributed about the circumference of the passage (20) and are able to move by turning transversely, and simultaneously, towards the inside of the passage to a stop position in order to form several support points distributed under the capsule (90).

Abstract: Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: The current invention is a lid dispensing device and method of use comprising a base unit, a lid holder operatively connected to the base unit, a blade operatively mounted to the base which moves between a first position and a second position, the blade supporting a stack of lids by engaging a first lid in the stack of lids while the blade is in the first position, and the blade allowing the first lid to fall through an aperture in the blade away from the stack of lids, and still support the remaining stack of lids as the blade moves to the second position.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible lids includes a housing having a lid stack holder for containing a coaxial stack of lids. Lids are supported within a substantially coaxial channel of the lid stack by a pair of opposing indexing shafts that rotate upon operation of a user operable drive device to pass a bottom-most lid to a discharge area. The drive device may be calibrated to rotate the indexing shafts by an adjustable amount that is determined, at least in part, by the height of each lid and/or the spacing between lids in the stack. Further, the housing may be constructed from a fixed housing portion and an adjustable housing portion. The adjustable housing portion allows the spacing between the indexing shafts to be adjusted to correspond to the circumference of the lids currently being dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: A dispenser is adjustable to contain beverage container lids of various sizes. A housing has a front element with an opening. Pager assemblies are mounted in slots which extend radially outwardly from the opening. A stack of lids is inserted into the housing through the opening, and the pager assemblies allow a single lid to be extracted from the stack by the pivoting of a door containing two claws which engage the frontmost lid. To reconfigure the dispenser for a different lid size, a template is positioned frontwardly of the housing front element, and the pager assemblies are adjusted to abut the template, thereby configuring the pager assemblies in the proper position. The claws on the lid are then replaced with claws which are configured to the new lid shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tablet dispenser comprising an elongate container (10) for tablets (12) and a dispensing device for discharging tablets out of the container (10). The dispensing device includes an operating unit (11) for manual action, a joint mechanism (14) connected to the operating unit (11), and a slide (15) projecting from the joint mechanism (14) for accommodating and dispensing a tablet (12). The operating unit (13), the joint mechanism (14) and the slide (15) are of one piece manufacture.

Abstract: A selective actuating apparatus involves a barrel 17 rotated due to rotation of a driving motor 2, a revolving shaft 3A supporting rotatably the barrel 17, and a barrel 16 rotated as a result of transmitting torque in the case where the barrel 17 is rotated in a direction b indicated by an arrow wherein a cam section 16B is defined on the barrel 16. In this condition, when the barrel 17 rotates in a direction a indicated by an arrow, the torque does not transmit to the barrel 16, but the barrel 16 is allowed to displace along the revolving shaft 3A due to sliding motion in between a projection 16A formed on the barrel 16 and a projection 17D formed on the inner circumference of the barrel 17 in a stepped manner. As a result, the selective actuating apparatus by which a plurality of driving objects can be driven without requiring a plurality of driving sources, so that its driving system can be downsized is obtained.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tablet dispenser comprising an elongate container (10) for tablets (12) and a dispensing device for discharging tablets out of the container (10). The dispensing device includes an operating unit (11) for manual action, a joint mechanism (14) connected to the operating unit (11), and a slide (15) projecting from the joint mechanism (14) for accommodating and dispensing a tablet (12). The operating unit (13), the joint mechanism (14) and the slide (15) are of one piece manufacture.

Abstract: A dispensing game system includes a prize capsule storage hopper above two automatic hopper loaders that replenish the game below with prize capsules as needed. Two Ferris wheels carry free swinging gondolas that receive and hold the prize capsules from the loaders. Two or more player-activated actuator arms located next to the outer edge of the Ferris wheels are used to hit targets attached to the moving gondolas, in turn causing the gondolas to tip forward and release the prize capsule, which then falls down and rolls into the prize opening for the player to collect.

Abstract: A dispenser for a lid from a plurality of nested lids can include at least one member for isolating at least one adjacent to an endmost lid whereby the endmost lid can separate from the adjacent lid and be dispensed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cup-supplying apparatus for supplying tapered cylindrical cups stored in a stack, which comprises cup dispensers each supplying lowest cup from cups stored in a stack; a unit generating a force for cup-supplying; force-transmitting members each transmitting the cup-supplying force to a corresponding cup dispenser; and means for selecting one of the force-transmitting members to be supplied with the cup-supplying force; whereby the cup-supplying force generated by the force-generating unit is transmitted to the selected force-transmitting member so that the lowest cup is supplied for use by the corresponding cup dispenser, wherein the cup dispenser may be provided with a lever, the force-generating unit may comprise a motor and a cam, the force-transmitting member may be a slider provided between the lever and the cam, and the selecting means may be a mechanism for moving the cam up and down to a position where the slider can transmit the cup-supplying force from the cam to the lever of the corr

Abstract: This apparatus and method for dispensing lids, such as plastic cup lids for drinking cups, one-by-one from a nesting stack of lids disposed slidable inside a vertically oriented elongated housing, such stack being initially supported from underneath the bottommost lid by a pair of lateral pivoting support plate members. Operating the dispenser by depressing a yoke-lever member urging a symmetrical outboard pair of resilient flat spring jaws laterally inward, engaging from opposing sides, flanged outer rim on such cup lid that immediately overlays the bottommost lid, causing the overlaying cup lid to be flexed, lifted, and ovally distorted. Such oval distortion wedges the overlaying lid between the resilient flat spring jaws and against the inner wall of the elongated housing vertically supporting the overlaying lid and all lids lying thereon. Further action of the yoke-lever will move the pair of support plates to an unsupporting position allowing bottommost lid to fall free, dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser for a lid from a plurality of nested lids can include at least one member for isolating at least one lid adjacent to an endmost lid whereby the endmost lid can separate from the adjacent lid and be dispensed.

Abstract: An automatic bulk filling machine is provided having a container input end which includes a fill station for filling a container in accordance with weight or volume requirements followed by a lid dispensing and attachment station wherein the lids of the container are placed over the container in registry with the lip of the container and closed onto the bulk container by a piston cylinder combination having a lid pad for pressing and deforming the center of the lid onto the bulk container before press fitting the bulk container lid onto the bulk container which filled and sealed bulk container is then transferred to an optional labeling station and subsequently transferred to the output end of the conveyor to complete the automated filling, sealing and labeling operations for removal of the container from the automated bulk filling machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging disks from the bottom of a stack of aligned disks one at a time is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of feed gate subassemblies supported in a spaced apart, diametrically opposing relationship so as to define a disk receiving opening therebetween. The feed gate subassemblies are adapted to cooperatively support the stack of disks in the disk receiving opening and abuttingly engage at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the disk positioned at the bottom of the stack of disks so as to compress the bottom disk and thus cause the bottom disk to be discharged from the stack of disks.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting: a) selective withdrawal of cup-like members and the like in which bakery products such as muffins or cupcakes are baked, wherein each cup-like member nested in a stack is subjected to a suction within the cavity defined by the member to cause the sidewall thereof to move away from the next member in the stack while being moved from the stack, and providing positive air pressure between and around the sidewall of any such next member which is frictionally engaged to the member being withdrawn, thereby to force such next member out of frictional engagement and back into its nested position; and b) apparatus including high production apparatus for dispensing cup-like members and the like into bakery receptacles.

Abstract: A trough-like support piece extends within a supply tube in a housing and supports a stack of beverage container lids. A spring biases a plate to urge the stack frontwardly to engage against a plurality of spring-loaded members which extend from the housing frontwardly of the plate. A cover is hinged to the housing and has two guide rods which extend rearwardly toward the lids. Three plastic claws are flexibly supported on a support member which is mounted front-to-back movement on the guide rods. A pull rod extends from the support member through the cover and is biased rearwardly by a spring. Each claw member is connected by flexible bands to claw stops, and the claws are thus positioned to engage with the frontmost lid of the stack. A user by pulling on the dispensing handle causes the claws to move frontwardly to extract a single lid and drop it onto inclined supports removal by a user.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting selective withdrawal of cups and the like in which bakery products such as muffins or cupcakes are baked, wherein each cup nested in a stack is subjected to a suction within the cavity defined by the cup to cause the sidewall thereof to move away from the next cup in the stack while being moved from the stack, and providing positive air pressure between and around the sidewall of any such next cup which is frictionally engaged to the cup being withdrawn, thereby to force such next cup out of frictional engagement and back into its nested position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing lids, such as plastic lids for soft-drink cups, one-by-one from a stack of such lids supported initially underneath by resting on the lower of two pairs of members adapted to grip and ungrip individual lids, the upper pair being in ungripping configuration and the lower pair being in ungripping but supporting configuration. Operating the method, as by depressing a handle, causes the member pairs first to grip, respectively, the bottommost lid and the next overlying lid, and then to lower the bottommost lid while gripped, as the next overlying lid remains at its original level gripping and thereby supporting the stack of overlying lids.

Abstract: A portioning mechanism for supplying a strand of ground meat to a conveyor includes a positive displacement pump supplying a grinder head, which outputs ground meat to the conveyor. The strand of meat on the conveyor has a predetermined cross-section and density, and a portioning system is provided for intermittently separating the ground meat on the conveyor in predetermined lengths, for providing a relatively accurate weight of ground meat portions. A tray supply system positions empty trays at the outlet of the conveyor, and the ground meat portions are deposited onto the trays for subsequent packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for supporting and dispensing a nested stack of containers. First and second pairs of support plates are spaced apart and movable between supporting and released positions. The first pair of plates support the container stack by engaging an out-turned lip of the lowermost container. Release of the first pair of plates incrementally advances the container stack to engage the second pair of plates. The second pair of plates are released to free the lowermost container after the first pair of plates are returned to the supporting position. A pair of thrusting fingers exert a downward force on the released container to deliver it to an awaiting transport receptacle at the desired moment.

Abstract: A metering assembly for use in conjunction with an accumulating conveyor to separate parts, one at a time, from a row of abutting parts or from a flow of parts to create spacing on a continuation of the conveyor to enhance further operations or to discharge parts directly from the conveyor. A pivoting metering block receives a single part from the accumulating conveyor and advances it forward while retaining the next succeeding part, assuring single part spacing or discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual containers, for example flower pots, from a nested stack of containers. The apparatus may be used to dispense rows of individual containers into a larger container, for example, a tray. The apparatus includes a first extendable arm for holding the stack of containers in an elevated position within a hollow column adapted to hold the stack of containers vertical, a second extendable arm for wedging the stack of containers, with the exception of the bottom container in the stack, against the side of the column and a third extendable arm for contacting the bottom container in the stack, thereby causing the bottom container to separate from the stack and fall into the tray. The apparatus also includes a wedge disposed within the column, opposite to the second extendable arm for facilitating the exposure of the lip of the bottom container.

Abstract: A pail filling mechanism comprising a housing having an open top and pail supports to retain a vertical column of nested pails, and a pull-down carriage positioned within the housing and moved vertically by a power cylinder between a raised and lowered position. At the raised position, a pair of pivotally mounted toggles disposed on opposing sides of the lowermost pail engage above the rim of the lowermost pail, and the downward motion of the pull-down carriage distorts the lowermost pail slightly and strips or separates the pail from the column. The pull-down carriage moves to the lowered position, delivering the pail to a pail slide. As the pull-down carriage is again raised, a pail ejector assembly pushes the separated pail forward out of the front of the housing and into the pail infeed station of an automated filling and sealing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking and dispensing cup-like containers, such as for use in association with an automated product packaging machine, are disclosed. The apparatus includes pairs of upper and lower jaws associated with each stack of containers received by the apparatus. Both the upper and lower jaws are mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly relative to each stack, with the lower jaws further mounted for vertical movement relative to the upper jaws. By this arrangement, the lower jaws can be operated to destack and separate the lowermost container of each stack, so that the separated container is received on a product conveyor of the packaging machine.

Abstract: A machine and method for separation of nested articles such as trays. Nested articles of the type that do not separate from one another under the influence of gravity alone are stacked in vertical nesting relation to one another. Plural blade members are movably mounted about the periphery of the tray members. In a first embodiment, the blade members move horizontally and vertically in a novel sequence to dislodge one tray from the lowermost end of the stack during each cycle of the operation. In a second embodiment, the blade members are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for taking containers out of a pile, comprising a magazine formed of a row of articulated parallelograms and, under this magazine, two superimposed rows of deformable parallelograms which are actuatable independently from each other to take the containers out of the pile and which can conform to any container shape or dimension.

Abstract: An iris mechanism for preventing unauthorized removal of containers from apparatus for dispensing containers, such as cups. The apparatus separates and releases a single container from a stack of containers. The iris mechanism defines a central opening through which a released container must pass. The size of the opening may be changed between a closed position wherein the opening is smaller than the largest diameter of a cup to be dispensed by the apparatus and an open position wherein the opening is at least as large as the largest diameter of a cup to be dispensed.

Abstract: From a pile or stack of cups, which is available in a magazine, the lowermost one is released with the aid of a slide (4) in such a way, that simultaneously retaining elements (7, 16) are slid away from and separating and releasing elements (5) are slid in between the rims (3) of a lowermost cup and the one above it. In such a way, a positive release of a cup (3) is possible. The separating and releasing elements (5) are provided with upper (14) and lower (12) inclined surfaces and their common points are bevelled at (33) away from each other in the direction of feeding or releasing.

Abstract: An improved cup drop ring including a plurality of cams having pivot axes disposed on the locus of a circle for concomitant rotation to release a cup, respective pinions on said cams and respective racks engaging said pinions pivotally supported on a drive ring with a mechanism for concomitantly moving said pivot axes radially to accommodate a different size cup while maintaining said racks in engagement with said pinions.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cups one by one from a stack comprising a plurality of cams spaced about a first axis, coaxial with the axis of the stack of cups when present, drive means for rotating the cams together, each about an associated axis parallel with the first axis, each of the cams having a cam face which is a helix about its axis and is arranged to engage the rim of the end cup of a stack of cups located in the dispenser so that rotation of the cams in one direction pushes the end cup away from the remainder of the stack to dispense it, the spiral angle of the helix of the cam being in the range of about 8 degrees to about 14 degrees, and in which the cam face of each cam is chamfered with respect to any diameter of the cam, with the angle of chamfer of the cam face through its entire length in the range of substantially 22 degrees to substantially 28 degrees.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism is mounted on a carriage and is adapted to be shifted back and forth along an inverted L-shaped path to pick up and transfer parts. Inverted L-shaped cam tracks are formed in a main support member and receive and guide rollers which support the carriage. The cam tracks and the rollers are arranged to allow the rollers to roll freely without skidding while preventing radial play between the rollers and the tracks. A flexible drive linkage is connected between the carriage and its actuator and is capable of yielding in both directions in order to prevent damage to the actuator if the carriage becomes jammed when the carriage is being either advanced or retracted. Before being picked up by the gripping mechanism, the parts are held in a track by an escapement having spring-biased fingers adapted to move between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically separating stacks of nested, cup-shaped containers having outwardly projecting lips around the rims thereof so that individual containers are continuously supplied to a point of use. The apparatus includes a separating mechanism for continuously separating the containers in a stack. This separating mechanism utilizes holding shoes for supporting the stack by means of shoes which contact the lip of the lowermost container. The apparatus also includes a conveyor mechanism which advances stacks of containers to a staging station. A gate arrangement is provided at the staging station to create a separation between adjacent stacks of containers and to drop consecutive ones of the stacks into the separating mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing containers, in particular disposable cups, from a stack. The apparatus has two jaw assemblies, each having a catch member and a lever member pivotable about horizontal axes between a first rest position in which the stack of containers is supported by the lever member and a second dispensing position in which the lowermost container is pulled from the stack by the lever member while it is supported by the catch member, and the inner edges of the catch member and lever member are formed as concave segments of a circle to provide good support and even loading on the containers during operation.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for singularly removing a cup from the bottom of a vertically nested stack of cups in a hopper is described. This mechanism, designed principally for beverage vending machines, has a pair of coacting jaws which each contact nearly one-half the periphery of the cup. Each jaw has sufficient flexibility to fully conform to the cup contour thereby grasping cups having varying dimensions. After the cup is grasped, the jaws are moved axially with respect to the cup to withdraw the cup from the stack. The jaws then open to release the cup and return to their initial position to be ready to grasp the next cup. A plurality of resiliently-biased fingers placed about the bottom of the hopper hold the stack of cups; however, when a cup is drawn away, they retract sufficiently to release that cup but grasp the next cup beneath the lip thereof.

Abstract: A liquid filling machine comprising a plurality of discrete stations that cooperatively provide for automatic filling and capping containers including a cup dispensing station, a liquid filling station, a foil supply station, a heat sealing station and discharge station operatively disposed about a rotatably mounted container support to sequentially feed containers from the cup dispensing station to the container support and incrementally advance the container support through each discrete station to fill, seal and discharge the filled container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-lane destacking machine in which stacks of nested articles in each lane are fed, one at a time, through an opening to drop to a shuttle platform. A clamp mechanism grips a stack on the shuttle platform, and the platform is retracted. A stripper mechanism, which has sharp, pointed edges on stripper arms to penetrate the interstice between the bottom article and the article nested therewith, advances to dislodge the bottom article of the stack onto a surface in front of the retracted shuttle platform. When the shuttle platform is advanced to again support the stack upon release of the clamp mechanism, the previously dislodged article is moved from under the stripper mechanism into a discharge lane by the shuttle platform. When the stripper mechanism is retracted, the stripper arms, which are normally biased toward each other, engage a stationary stop to spread apart.