Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly (10) for receiving a stack (28) of blanks and for inverting and passing the inverted blanks to processing equipment, the prefeeder assembly (10) having a rotator frame (12) which is positonable in an upright load entry position and an inverted bundle discharge position. A rotator infeed conveyor (70) is supported by the rotator frame (12) to receive and support a stack while a lift platform assembly (44) is also supported by the rotator frame (12) to clamp the stack (28) onto the rotator conveyor (70). A backstop and pusher assembly (14) is also supported on the rotator frame (12) and includes a moveable backstop (90) and a pusher member (24) for discharging a selective height of the stack.

Abstract: A load former assembly (100) for collecting bundles (103) of materials into tiers (121) of selected patterns and stacking the tiers (121), the load former assembly (100) having a power conveyor (104) and a dual pin assembly (106) for horizontal rotation of successive bundles (103) in a first rotational direction or in an opposing second rotational direction, the dual pin assembly (106) extending first or second pins (140) into the path of the bundles (103). The pins (140) can be extended at selected lateral positions on the power conveyor (104). A single pin assembly (112) having a third pin (140) is disposed for rotating the bundles (103) in a set rotational direction. A positioning assembly (116) positions the rotated bundles (103) at selected lateral positions on the power conveyor (104), and the bundles (103) are collected against a tier gate (120) to form the tier (121) in a selected pattern. A sheet dispenser assembly (310) places slip sheets (335) onto the tiers (121).

Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly for shingling planar sheets in which a sheet stack is positioned on a prefeeder lift conveyor which lowers the sheet stack into a floor pit to incrementally elevate the sheet stack. A block pusher assembly sequentially pushes bock segments to a conveyor assembly where a shingling assembly shingles the sheets. A bottom sheet removal assembly having an in-path diverter plate contacts and diverts only the bottom sheet of the bottommost block segment as this block segment is being shingled. As shingled sheets are discharged to other process equipment, a tamping assembly tamps the sheet edges for uniform restacking.

Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly for shingling sheets of planar material in which a sheet stack is positioned on a prefeeder lift conveyor which lowers the sheet stack into a floor pit to incrementally elevate the sheet stack. A block pusher assembly sequentially pushes block segments to a conveyor assembly where a shingling assembly shingles the sheets. A bottom sheet removal assembly having an in-path diverter plate contacts and diverts only the bottom sheet of the bottom most block segment as this block segment is being shingled. As shingled sheets are discharged to other process equipment, a tamping assembly actuated by balloon cylinders serve to tamp the sheet edges for uniform restacking.