Abstract: An electro-optical counter or detecting apparatus for detecting passage of items therepast. A light emitter projects a constantly pulsed beam of light onto the path of the items and light sensors sense the optical energy reflected from such items. One sensor controls the light emitter to so regulate the amount of light emitted by each pulse that the amount of optical energy reflected by the items does not vary as a function of the reflectivity of the surfaces of such items and does not exceed a predetermined level. Another light sensor senses changes in optical energy beyond such predetermined level and thus senses only the passage of an edge of each item past the pulses light beam.

Abstract: An oscillating stack receiving table carries thereon a pair of cooperating chain driven ejector assemblies which function in their "at rest" position as gates to stabilize the stack of articles during rotation of the table and which are operable to sweep across the table when the latter is "at rest" to eject the stack of articles from the table onto associated take-away conveyor apparatus.