Abstract: An apparatus for removing cylindrical articles such as kegs from a pallet on which the articles lie on their sides in a plurality of rows, has a pusher member which moves behind each row of articles in turn and pushes the row from the pallet to an adjacent discharge conveyor. The pusher member is suspended from a carriage that is movable horizontally in a sub-frame. The sub-frame is pivoted so that the pusher member can be raised to enable it to clear the remaining rows of articles on the pallet when it is moved back to its initial position after pushing one row of articles from the pallet. A pallet conveyor extending beneath and at right angles to the discharge conveyor moves the pallet after each row of articles has been removed so as to position the next row of articles for engagement by the pusher member.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cylindrical articles, such as kegs, onto a pallet so that the articles lie on their sides in a plurality of rows, has an assembly station at which rows of the articles are assembled at a level higher than the surface of a pallet at an adjacent loading station. A ramp extends from the assembly station to a pallet at the unloading station. A pusher mechanism pushes each row of articles at the assembly station onto the ramp so that the articles roll down the ramp under their own weight onto the pallet. A transfer member engages each row of articles on the ramp and controls the movement of the articles down the ramp. The transfer member is suspended from a carriage that is movable above the ramp. The carriage is movable vertically to enable it to engage each row, in turn, of articles pushed onto the ramp.