Abstract: A machine which takes upright stacks of flat articles such as carton blanks or the like from a pallet, straightens each stack, and feeds the articles from the stack in a shingled stream. The machine includes a crane which is programmed to pick up stacks from a plurality of locations on the pallet. Each stack is transferred to a conveyor which first advances the stack to a stack straightening device which tips the stack from upright to horizontal position to separate articles in the stack and straightens and centers the stack. The stack is then restored to upright position on the conveyor and is advanced to elevators which raise the stack against a pick-off belt which withdraws articles from the top of the stack in a stream shingle-fashion. The stream is directed around a drum which inverts the articles in the stream, and the stream is discharged.

Abstract: A machine which takes upright stacks of flat articles such as carton blanks or the like from a pallet, straightens each stack, and feeds the articles from the stack in a shingled stream. The machine includes a crane which is programmed to pick up stacks from a plurality of locations on the pallet. Each stack is transferred to a conveyor which first advances the stack to a stack straightening device which tips the stack from upright to horizontal position to separate articles in the stack and straightens and centers the stack. The stack is then restored to upright position on the conveyor and is advanced to elevators which raise the stack against a pick-off belt which withdraws articles from the top of the stack in a stream shingle-fashion. The stream is directed around a drum which inverts the articles in the stream, and the stream is discharged.