Abstract: A brick handling system is disclosed for automatically unloading grids of bricks from a kiln car and for forming such bricks in a stack suitable for easy handling, storage, and shipment. A first transfer grips a plurality of grids and transfers such grids to a spreader table. The spreader table operates to insure alignment of the bricks in rows and to separate the rows by a predetermined distance. A puller slides the bricks across a transfer table onto a marshaling table which positions the rows of bricks for stacking. The system is operable to form voids in selected rows of bricks so that voids are provided in the finished stack. A storage system is provided for temporarily supporting a void layer until it is required in a subsequent stack.

Abstract: A semi-automatic palletizer is disclosed providing an elevator for positioning pallets below an arranging table to receive layers of arranged articles. As each layer is positioned on a pallet supported by the elevator, the elevator lowers to position the uppermost layer thereon, immediately below the arranging table. A power feed mechanism is provided to automatically position empty pallets on the elevator and for ejecting loaded pallets from the elevator. The feed mechanism includes a fork-type lift which is extended into the pallet, adjacent to the bottommost pallet at the pallet supply position, and which thereafter raises such pallet and all pallets above, clear of the bottom pallet at the supply position. A pusher pushes an empty pallet from the supply position onto the elevator and causes removal of a loaded pallet as the empty pallet is supplied. After retraction of the pusher, the fork lift mechanism lowers the remaining pallets to the supply platform.