Abstract: In an apparatus for automatically handling stacks of bags, initially the bags are formed into stacks, each stack is moved onto and along a conveying track and then unloaded from the track to a loading surface. The support surface on the conveying track for the stacks of bags has a number of recesses into which a prong-shaped support member can be inserted for lifting a stack from the track without using a pallet. The prong-shaped support member includes a stripping plate so that by moving the support member transversely of the plate, the stack on the support member can be displaced onto a loading surface. A carriage movable over the conveying track provides the support surface of the stack of bags. The conveying track includes upper rails for moving the carriage from the stack-forming end to the unloading end and lower rails for returning the carriage to the stack-forming end.

Abstract: In a loading apparatus, sacks are moved from a supply source along a conveyor to a device which arranges the sacks into a layer. From this device, the layer of sacks is moved over a double conveyor belt structure to a member which loads the layer directly onto a loading surface or onto a previously deposited layer of sacks on the loading surface. To provide continuous operation of the apparatus even when a loading surface is being replaced, the different parts of the apparatus can operate at variable speeds. The double conveyor belt structure which normally moves continuously supplying layers to the loading member, switches to a step-wise movement and stores a number of layers of sacks until the loading surface is replaced and ready to be loaded.