Abstract: A brick handling system is disclosed for automatically unloading grids of bricks from a kiln car and for forming such bricks in a stack suitable for easy handling, storage, and shipment. A first transfer grips a plurality of grids and transfers such grids to a spreader table. The spreader table operates to insure alignment of the bricks in rows and to separate the rows by a predetermined distance. A puller slides the bricks across a transfer table onto a marshaling table which positions the rows of bricks for stacking. The system is operable to form voids in selected rows of bricks so that voids are provided in the finished stack. A storage system is provided for temporarily supporting a void layer until it is required in a subsequent stack.

Abstract: A semi-automatic palletizer is disclosed providing an elevator for positioning pallets below an arranging table to receive layers of arranged articles. As each layer is positioned on a pallet supported by the elevator, the elevator lowers to position the uppermost layer thereon, immediately below the arranging table. A power feed mechanism is provided to automatically position empty pallets on the elevator and for ejecting loaded pallets from the elevator. The feed mechanism includes a fork-type lift which is extended into the pallet, adjacent to the bottommost pallet at the pallet supply position, and which thereafter raises such pallet and all pallets above, clear of the bottom pallet at the supply position. A pusher pushes an empty pallet from the supply position onto the elevator and causes removal of a loaded pallet as the empty pallet is supplied. After retraction of the pusher, the fork lift mechanism lowers the remaining pallets to the supply platform.

Abstract: A novel and improved brick setting machine as disclosed, which is operable to automatically produce stacks of green brick suitable for firing and which have a high degree of stability to permit their being transported from one location to another by fork lift trucks or the like. The stack includes a plurality of grids of brick, some of which consist of lengthwise aligned rows of brick spaced from each other by longitudinal lanes and crosswise rows of aligned brick, extending perpendicular to the lengthwise rows wherein at least some of the brick in the crosswise rows are spaced from each other to form lateral lanes. The patterns within the grids are arranged so that the lateral and lengthwise lanes are superimposed so that the patterns of lengthwise brick and crosswise brick can be consolidated into the desired grids by automatic means including grippers which extend along the longitudinal and lateral lanes.