Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying stacked product from an infeed conveyor that conveys the product in multiple rows and at irregular intervals onto a transverse outfeed conveyor, wherein the product is in a single row and spaced at regular intervals, wherein the regular row may include gaps or empty spaces. The apparatus includes an intermediate conveyor that is disposed between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. The intermediate conveyor overlaps and is interleaved with the infeed conveyor. A number of lift assemblies are disposed below the infeed conveyor and are adapted to selectively lift the product to suspend its forward progress and lower the product to achieve a desired arrival at the outfeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate conveyor has a faster belt speed than the infeed conveyor, such that the stacked product accelerates on the overlapped portion of the infeed and intermediate conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying stacked product from an infeed conveyor that conveys the product in multiple rows and at irregular intervals onto a transverse outfeed conveyor, wherein the product is in a single row and spaced at regular intervals, wherein the regular row may include gaps or empty spaces. The apparatus includes an intermediate conveyor that is disposed between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. The intermediate conveyor overlaps and is interleaved with the infeed conveyor. A number of lift assemblies are disposed below the infeed conveyor and are adapted to selectively lift the product to suspend its forward progress and lower the product to achieve a desired arrival at the outfeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate conveyor has a faster belt speed than the infeed conveyor, such that the stacked product accelerates on the overlapped portion of the infeed and intermediate conveyors.

Abstract: A conveyor transfer apparatus (100) conveys stacks of product (S1) on a multi-row conveyor (110) having a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart belts (112) toward a single-row conveyor (120) oriented transversely to the multi-row conveyor. When a stack is in a desired position, an elevator assembly (130) lifts the stack above the multi-row conveyor to a position near the single-row conveyor. The elevator assembly includes a plurality of elongate members (136) that are sized and spaced to move between adjacent belts of the multi-row conveyor. A pusher assembly (140) extends to push the lifted stack from the elevator assembly onto the single row conveyor. The elevator assembly and pusher assembly then retract until another stack is in position to be lifted. A plurality of elevator assemblies and pusher assemblies are arranged to engage particular rows of stacks.