Abstract: The stacking machine for making stacks of adjacent disk-like workpieces, e.g. metal covers, has a conveyor trough along which a column of workpieces being divided into stacks moves in its longitudinal direction until the stacks reach an unloading station. To maintain a space between successive stacks spherical spacers are inserted between the stacks into a gap formed there by the feed mechanism. A return trough inclined to the conveyor trough running from the unloading station to the feed mechanism is provided for feed back of the spherical spacers. This return trough may be mounted beside or below the conveyor trough. Only a very minimal construction expense is necessary to maintain the gap between the stacks and to feed back the spherical spacers which is effected because of the action of gravity alone.

Abstract: The apparatus for forming separate piles of equal-numbers of workpieces, especially can covers, from a stack moving longitudinally in a feed trough is equipped with an electronic counter and controller with a sensor responding to the edge of the workpiece which operates without contact with the workpiece and with a feed device which is shiftable into a clamped and a released position engaged on the stack upstream of the sensor in the feed direction. It is drivable in the clamped position with at least two feed speads. Moreover a separating mechanism is provided with a separating wedge movable to-and-fro transverse to the stack to form a separating gap in the edge region between the adjacent workpieces of the pile and the stack together with two separating knives guidable into the separating gap which are connected with a drive acting in the longitudinal direction of the stack. The new apparatus can be mounted at each position along the conveying trough without interruption of or blocking the trough.

Abstract: The apparatus for packing cylindrical stacks of a plurality of disk-like workpieces, particularly covers, positioned beside each other with equal numbers of workpieces, in a jacket made of wrapping paper has at least one receiving trough for the stacks and clamping rails movable laterally into a raised position and raisable and lowerable as well as movable toward each other associated with it for transferring the stack into a wrapping station provided laterally beside the receiving trough with drivable supporting rollers for the stack. At least one pressing roll running parallel to the supporting rollers is lowerable in the wrapping station to the stack and a longitudinally movable carriage is provided with a pressure-limiting contacting member for pressing the stack against a fixed support. A carriage-mounted cutter for cutting away the edge of the paper wrapped around the stack is located on the carriage.