Abstract: In a pan unstacking and stacking system, stacks of pans are vertically positioned by pairs of spaced, parallel lift chains and pan engaging members mounted thereon. The lift chains are driven by drive shafts and drive sprockets which engage the upper and lower courses of a drive chain, respectively, thereby permitting adjustment of the spacing between the pan engaging members to accommodate pans of various sizes. The drive chain is in turn driven by a fluid powered cylinder operating through a clutch and brake apparatus to control the vertical positioning of the pan engaging members and pan stacks mounted thereon. Pans are transferred laterally relative to pan stacks supported on the pan engaging members by means of magnets positioned along a line in a horizontal plane situated above a stack and V-belts mounted for rotation around parallel courses situated on opposite sides of the line of magnets and including horizontal portions extending coincident therewith.

Abstract: A sorting switch comprises a plurality of channel-shaped pallet support members mounted on drive chains for movement around a course including an upper article sorting portion and a lower return portion. The upper article sorting portion of the course includes parallel article conveying paths, and the pallet support members extend across both article conveying paths. A pallet is slidably supported on each pallet support member and has a switch engaging member depending therefrom. The pallets are arranged in sets, with alternate sets of pallets being normally aligned with opposite article conveying paths. Switching mechanisms are provided for selectively allowing each set of pallets to remain aligned with the article conveying path normal thereto or for diverting the pallets comprising the sets into alignment with the opposite article conveying path.