Abstract: In a station for forming a pile of layers of items, a surface receives layers of items to be transferred to a first support plane situated after the receiving surface. The items arranged in layers are moved along the receiving surfaces and the first support plane by driving chains connected by rods set crosswise to the receiving surface and support plane. The support plane is spaced apart from the receiving surface to define a window and a descending ramp is situated below the window. An additional conveyor formed by narrow slats or rolls, is situated at the window and is operated so that one flexible plate moves to cover and uncover the window, so that layers of items are alternately either carried from the receiving surface to the support plane or made to pass through the window and released on the descending ramp. The ramp can change inclination so as to connect the receiving surface to either one or the other of second and third support planes situated below the first support plane.