Stacking means

Abstract

In one representative example a stacking apparatus includes a stop and a conveyance device configured to move a course of material beneath the stop to a stacking station while the stop is at a first position. A mechanism is also included in the apparatus, wherein the mechanism is configured to move the stop from the first position to a second position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device commences. The mechanism can also be configured to move the stop from the second position to a third position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device concludes.

Description

BACKGROUND

Various stacking means are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Conventional stacking means of various types are employed for automatically stacking one or more of a number of types of elongated stackable material, such as lumber or the like. The arrangement of stackable material into stacks can facilitate handling, transportation, storage and/or various processing, such as drying and the like, of the stackable material.

Conventional stacking means can employ a conveyance device to move and/or arrange the stackable material into a stack. Such conveyance devices can include, for example, an infeed conveyor and/or a lifting fork. The infeed conveyor can be configured to move stackable material into a course forming station, where a course of stackable material is formed.

Once a course of stackable material is formed at the course forming station, the lifting fork can be configured to move the course from the course forming station to a stacking station, at which a stack of material can be formed. Such lifting forks and/or infeed conveyors, as well as related means of forming the course of stackable material at the course forming station and/or moving the course of stackable material from the course forming station to the stacking station, are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side elevation schematic representation of an apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic control diagram for the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 depicts another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side elevation schematic representation of a system or apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 includes a mechanism 110. The mechanism 110 is configured to move and/or position a stop 50 as is described in greater detail below. The apparatus 100 can also include a conveyance device 120 and/or a lift device 130, each of which is described in greater detail below.

The apparatus 100 can include a base support 10 and/or an overhead support 20. The base support 10 can have any of a number of specific forms such as that of a conventional floor, or that of a structural frame or the like. Regardless of its specific form, the base support 10 can be configured to support one or more components of the apparatus 100, such as at least a portion of the conveyance device 120 and/or at least a portion of the lift device 130, as is depicted.

Similarly, the overhead support 20 can have any of a number of specific forms such as that of a conventional building ceiling, or that of a structural frame of the like. Additionally, the overhead support 20 can be integrated with the base support 10, such as in the case of a unitary structural frame (not shown). Regardless of its specific form, the overhead support 20 can be configured to support one or more components of the apparatus 100, such as at least a portion of the mechanism 110, as is depicted.

The conveyance device 120 can include an element 121. The element 121 can have any of a number of specific forms, such as that of a lifting fork or the like. The conveyance device 120 can also include other sub-components such as at least an infeed conveyor 125, or the like, wherein such sub-components are configured to assemble, accumulate, or form, a course “CC” of material “MM” at a course forming station 30. The conveyance device 120 can also include a motive portion 123 that can be configured to cause the element 121 to move substantially along a path “PP.” The motive portion 123 can include any of a number of conventional actuators, motors, linkages, and/or guides (not shown) and the like for imparting movement to the element 121 in the manner described herein.

The material MM can be anything that is capable of being stacked and/or is is capable of being formed into a stack. For example, the material MM can be substantially square timbers or the like as is depicted in side view in the drawing figures. However, it is understood that the material MM is not limited to any specific configuration and/or shape.

The course CC can be a single, substantially horizontal layer of material MM, wherein each piece of material is substantially close to an adjacent piece of material such that no substantial gaps exist between adjacent pieces of material in the course. Those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar with various means of forming a course CC of material MM at the course forming station 30 so as to be lifted or picked up from the course forming station by the element 121 as depicted.

Such known means of forming a course CC at the course forming station 30 for pickup by the element 121 can include, but are not be limited to, conventional infeed conveyors and/or accumulation devices and the like. That is, it is understood that the infeed conveyor 125 can have any of a number of specific known configurations and/or forms which are not necessary for an understanding of the teachings discussed herein. Accordingly, the details of the infeed conveyor 125 are not depicted and/or described herein.

The conveyance device 120 can be configured to move a course CC of material MM from the course forming station 30 to a stacking station 40. At the stacking station 40, a stack “SS” of material MM can be formed. The stack SS can include one or more pieces of material MM that can have gaps “GG” defined between adjacent pieces of material. The gaps GG can be formed in the course CC at the stacking station 40 by way of one or more means described below.

The stack SS can also include one or more spacers or stickers “LL” that are placed between each course CC. The stickers LL can be arranged in a substantially transverse orientation relative to the material MM, although other orientations are possible. A number of various means of placing stickers LL in the stack are known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are therefore not discussed or depicted herein.

The stack SS can be formed on the lift device 130. The lift device 130 can include a table 132 on which the stack SS can rest while being formed. The lift device 130 can also include a linkage 134 on which the table 132 is supported. The lift device 130 can also include an actuation portion 136 that can be configured to cause the table 132 to raise and lower in a selective and/or controlled manner, as is described in greater detail below. The actuation portion 136 can include any of a number of conventional actuators, motors, linkages, mechanisms and/or guides (not shown) and the like for imparting movement to the linkage 134 and/or to the table 132 in the manner described herein.

The motive portion 123 of the conveyance device 120, by causing the element 121 to move substantially along the path PP, can cause the element to contact and move a course CC of material MM from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40. This can be done, for example, by causing the element 121 to contact and lift a course CC of material MM from the infeed conveyor 125, and then to move the course of material substantially along the path PP, and then to deposit or set the course of material on the table 132, or on a previously moved course of material.

It is understood that the path PP can have any of a number of specific profiles or shapes in accordance with the teachings contained herein. For example, although not specifically depicted, the path PP can have a substantially upwardly arched or arcuate profile, wherein the course CC is lifted by the element 121 from the course forming station 30, and then set down on, or lowered onto, the top of the stack SS at the stacking station 40.

Turning now to FIG. 1A, a schematic control diagram for the apparatus 100 is depicted. Specifically, the apparatus 100 can include a controller 140. The controller 140 can include and/or can be substantially in the form of any of a number of conventional control devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such control devices can include, but are not limited to, various types of electronic processors, computers, memory devices, circuits, and the like.

The controller 140 can be communicatively linked at least with the conveyance device 120 and with the lift device 130. The controller 140 can include computer readable media 141, which can be removable media such as in the case of a floppy disk or a compact disk or the like. Alternatively, the readable media 141 can be substantially permanently attached to the controller such as in the case of a hard drive or a solid state memory “chip” or the like.

A set of computer executable instructions 143 can be included in the apparatus 100 as well. The computer executable instructions 143 can be stored on the computer readable media 141. The set of computer executable instructions 143 can be accessible and executable by the controller 140. More specifically, the computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to be executed by the controller 140 in a manner wherein the controller causes various components of the apparatus 100 (such as the mechanism 110, the conveyance device 120 and the lift device 130, for example) to operate to form a stack SS of material MM at the stacking station.

For instance, with reference to both FIGS. 1 and 1A, the computer executable instructions 143 can be executed by the controller 140 to cause the motive portion 123 of the conveyance device 120 to move the element 121 in a substantially reciprocal manner between the course forming station 30 and the stacking station 40, and to cause the mechanism 110 to move the stop 50 between various positions. Such movement and/or operation of the various components of the apparatus 100, as controlled by the controller 140 in conjunction with the computer executable instructions 143, can cause a stack SS of material MM to be formed at the stacking station 40, as is described in greater detail below.

As mentioned above, the controller 140 can be communicatively linked with the mechanism 110, so as to control the movement and/or positioning of the mechanism. The mechanism 110 can be configured to at least partially support the stop 50. The stop 50 is configured to be moved and/or positioned by the mechanism 110 so as to selectively contact the course CC. Such movement and/or positioning of the stop 50 by the mechanism 110, as controlled by the controller 140, can facilitate removal of the course CC from the conveyance device 120 at the stacking station 40 in one or more manners described below.

The mechanism 110 can include one or more actuators 112, 114. The term “actuator” as used herein is intended to be defined as any type of positional device of which the position can be controlled by the controller 140 to cause selective movement and/or positioning of the stop 50 in the one or more manners generally described hereinbelow. Specifically, the mechanism 110 can include a first actuator 112 and a second actuator 114. However, it is understood that teachings herein are not intended to be limiting in regard to the number of actuators included in the mechanism 110.

One or more of the actuators 112, 114 can be a linear positioning actuator so as to enable substantially precise position control and/or velocity control of the actuator by the controller 140. However, it is understood that the actuators 112, 114 are not limited to any specific form and/or configuration. The mechanism 110 can also include any number of additional guides, supports, linkages, tracks, and the like (not shown) to facilitate guidance, support and/or movement of the stop 50 in the manner described herein.

With reference to FIG. 1, the first actuator 112 can be configured to cause movement of the stop 50 in a first dimension, or direction, such as the horizontal dimension or the like. Similarly, the second actuator 114 can be configured to cause movement of the stop 50 in a second dimension, or direction, such as the vertical dimension or the like. The mechanism 110 can be configured to move the stop 50 between a first position, a second position, and a third position, all of which are described in detail below.

More specifically, a first position of the stop 50 is generally depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6. A second position of the stop 50 is generally depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. A third position of the stop 50 is generally depicted in FIG. 5. As is apparent from a study of the aforementioned drawing figures, the location of the first position is above the respective locations of both the second position and the third position. The first, second, and third positions of the stop 50 are described in greater detail below, and the significance of the first, second, and third positions of the stop 50 in regard to the teachings contained herein is apparent in later discussion.

As is mentioned above, the first position of the stop 50 is depicted in FIG. 1. As is seen from a study of FIG. 1, the mechanism 110 and/or the overhead support 20 can be configured to support the stop 50 above the path PP when the stop is in the first position. The first position of the stop 50 can be described as a “rest position” of the stop when the course CC is being moved from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40 by the element 121. That is, when the stop 50 is in the first position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 1), the path PP is below the stop. In other words, when the stop 50 is in the first position, the path PP can be between the stop 50 and motive portion 123 and/or between the stop 50 and the base support 10.

Accordingly, when the stop 50 is in the first position, the conveyance device 120 can move the course CC along the path PP from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40, wherein during such movement the course passes beneath the stop, or between the stop and the base support 10 and/or motive portion 123. During such movement of the course CC along the path PP from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40, the stop 50 can remain substantially stationary at the first position (in which the stop is generally depicted in FIG. 1).

In regard to the lift device 130, the table 132 can be placed at its uppermost position before any courses CC are placed upon the lift device. As successive courses CC are placed upon the lift device 130, the table 132 can be moved downward by an amount substantially corresponding to the height of each course, including any stickers LL or the like. In this manner, the position and/or elevation of the path PP can remain substantially fixed.

Turning now to FIG. 2, another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus 100 is depicted. From a study of FIG. 2 relative to FIG. 1, it is seen that the element 121 has moved a course CC from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40 along the path PP. As is also seen, two courses CC have been previously placed upon the table 132 of the lift device 130. Moreover, it is seen that the mechanism 110 has moved the stop 50 from the first position to the second position. That is, the second position of the stop 50 can be described as being generally depicted in FIG. 2.

Movement of the course CC from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40 has been performed by movement of the element 121, on which the course is supported, from the course forming station to the stacking station. From the position of the element 121 at the stacking station 40 as generally depicted in FIG. 2, the element can be caused to move back toward the course forming station 30. However, if the stop 50 has been moved by the mechanism 110 to the second position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 2), the stop can contact the course CC and prevent substantial movement of the course toward the course forming station. In this manner the stop 50, by preventing substantial movement of the course CC toward the course forming station, can allow the element 121 to withdraw from beneath the course as the element is moved back toward the course forming station.

With reference now to FIG. 3, another side elevation schematic diagram is depicted. It is seen from a study of FIG. 3 that the element 121 has begun to move back toward the course forming station 30, while the stop 50 has remained at the second position. As is also seen from further study of FIG. 3, such movement of the element 121 toward the course forming station 30 while the stop 50 remains at the second position can result in one of the pieces of material MM (located at the left end of the course CC) to be removed from the element.

After removal of a first piece of material MM from the course CC, as described directly hereinabove, the stop 50 can be moved by the mechanism 110 toward the course forming station 30. Such movement of the stop 50 toward the course forming station 30 can be simultaneous with continued movement of the element 121 toward the course forming station. In this manner, an initial gap GG can be formed in the course CC as it is removed from the element 121.

More specifically, after an initial piece of material MM is removed from the element 121 and is deposited on the stack SS, the mechanism 110 can move the stop 50 from the second position to the third position simultaneous with movement of the element 121 from the stacking station 40 toward the course forming station 30. This movement of the stop 50 between the second position to the third position can be in substantially the same direction generally traveled by the element 121 as the element is moved from the stacking station 40 back toward the course forming station 30.

Additional understanding of the Formation of gaps GG in the course CC can be gained with reference to FIG. 4, in which another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus 100 is depicted. As is seen from a study of FIG. 4 relative to FIG. 3, the element 121 is part way between the stacking station 40 and the course forming station 30 during its movement back to the course forming station. Additionally, the stop 50 is part way between the second position and the third position. That is, the stop 50 has also moved in the general direction of the course forming station 30 as the element 121 has also moved toward the course forming station. As a result, some gaps GG have been formed in the course CC as the element 121 has withdrawn from beneath the course.

Formation of the gaps GG in the course CC can be due to differential movement between the stop 50 and the element 121, wherein movement of the stop and the element is in substantially the same direction, but wherein total movement of the stop is less than the total movement of the element. Moreover, as is discussed in greater detail below, it is understood that movement of the stop 50 can be substantially continuous, or in the alternative, can be substantially varied and/or discontinuous. It is also noted that the sum of all the gaps GG in a course CC of material MM can be substantially equal to the distance traveled by the stop 50 between the second position and the third position.

With reference now to FIG. 5, yet another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus 100 is depicted. As is seen from a study of FIG. 5, the element 121 has completely withdrawn from beneath the course CC during the movement of the element 121 from the stacking station 40 to the course forming station 30. Substantially simultaneous with the complete withdrawal of the element 121 from beneath the course CC, the stop 50 can reach the third position, in which the stop is generally depicted in FIG. 5. The apparatus 100 can be configured such that the stop 50 is in the third position (in which the stop is generally depicted in FIG. 5) at the same time the element 121 is completely withdrawn from beneath the course CC.

In the manner described above, as the element 121 is withdrawn from beneath the course CC during movement of the element from the stacking station 40 back to the course forming station 30, the stop 50 can also move a given distance from the second position to the third position so as to allow the material MM that is supported on the element to move slightly in the direction of the course forming station 30. Such coordinated movement of the stop 50 from the second position to the third position as the element 121 is moved from the stacking station to the course forming station 30 can cause gaps GG to be formed between adjacent pieces of material MM in a given course CC as the course is deposited on the top of the stack SS.

With reference now to FIG. 6, in which yet another side elevation schematic representation of the apparatus 100 is depicted, the stop 50 can be moved back to the first position (as shown in FIG. 6) from the third position (as shown in FIG. 5). Also, the element 121 can be moved back toward its starting position at the course forming station 30. The procedure described above can then be repeated as necessary to form a stack SS at the stacking station 40, wherein such a stack contains a plurality of courses CC.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-6, the set of computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to provide adjustment of and/or alternative movement of the stop 50. That is, the set of computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to enable the velocity profile and/or the position profile or the like of the stop 50 to be changed, or to be one of a number of possible variations. For example, the computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to cause the mechanism 110 to move the stop 50 from the second position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 2) to the third position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 5) at a substantially constant velocity. In this manner, even thought the stop can move at a substantially continuous velocity, a velocity differential between the stop 50 and the element 121 can cause the gaps GG to be formed in the course CC as the course is removed from the element.

Alternatively, the set of computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to cause the mechanism 110 to move the stop 50 from the second position to the third position at a substantially discontinuous and/or variable velocity. For example, the set of computer executable instructions 143 can be configured to cause the mechanism 110 to move the stop 50 from the second position to the third position in a plurality of substantially discrete movements. That is, the stop 50, as it is moved from the second position to the third position, can be made to repeatedly move and then come to rest and/or to slow down.

Each of the plurality of discrete movements of the stop 50, as the stop moves from the second position to the third position, can substantially coincide with formation of an associated gap GG in the course CC as the course is removed from the conveyance device 120, such as in the manner described above. More specifically, the stop 50 can be moved such that the velocity of the stop substantially matches, for a short duration, the velocity of the element 121 as the element is moved from the stacking station 40 to the course forming station 30. The stop 50 can then substantially come to rest and/or slow down for a short duration.

Such starting and stopping movement and/or variable velocity of the stop 50 can be repeated a given number of times, wherein the given number of times is equal to the number of gaps GG to be formed in the course CC. That is, movement of the stop 50 toward the third position as the element 121 is moved from the stacking station 40 to the course forming station 30 can cause material MM supported on the element 121 to remain substantially stationary relative to the element, thus causing an associated gap GG to be formed in the course CC.

Then, when the stop 50 comes to rest or slows down as the element 121 continues to move from the stacking station 40 to the course forming station 30, an associated piece of material MM can be pushed and/or slid off of the element. It is understood that the stop 50 does not necessarily need to come to a complete stop in order to push or slide a piece of material MM off of the element 121. That is, substantial slowing of the movement of the stop 50 as the element 121 continues to move toward the course forming station can cause an associated piece of material MM to be pushed or slid off of the element.

It is further understood that, although not described, other specific types of movement of the stop, as determined by way of execution by the controller 140 of the computer executable instructions 143, can be provided in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. Moreover, it is understood that the mechanism 110 can be configured to move the stop 50 in manners, such as specific paths and the like, that are not specifically depicted and/or described herein.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present teachings, a method includes providing a stop, such as the stop 50 described herein, and a course of material, such as the course CC of material MM. The course of material can be moved along a path to a stacking station. The stop can be moved from a first position, at which the stop is supported above the path, to a second position, at which deposition of the course at the stacking station commences. The stop can be moved from the second position to a third position, during which movement deposition of the course can continue. At the third position of the stop, deposition of the course can conclude.

Also in accordance with the method, the stop can be in substantial contact with the course between the second position and the third position. Moreover, movement of the stop from the second position to the third position can include movement of the stop in a plurality of substantially discrete movements, as is described above. Each of the substantially discrete movements of the stop can substantially coincide with formation of an associated gap in the course during deposition of the course.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a typical operational cycle of the apparatus 100 can begin with the various components of the apparatus in respective positions as depicted in FIG. 1. That is, at the beginning of a typical operational cycle of the apparatus 100, the element 121 can be positioned substantially at the course forming station 30, and the stop 50 can be at the first position, as depicted in FIG. 1. A course CC of material MM can be formed at the course forming station 30 so as to be moved by the element 121 substantially along the path PP to the stacking station 40. The course CC of material MM can be supported on the element 121 as the course is moved from the course forming station 30 to the stacking station 40.

The course CC of material MM can be moved into position at the stacking station 40 while supported on the element 121, as is generally depicted in FIG. 2. The stop 50 can be moved from the first position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 1) to the second position (as is generally depicted in FIG. 2). The element 121 can then begin to move back toward the course forming station 30 from the stacking station 40. However, as this movement of the element 121 back toward the course forming station 30 occurs, movement of the course CC can be prevented by the stop 50 in the second position as is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Impingement of the course CC against the stop 50 as the element 121 is moved back toward the course forming station 30 from the stacking station 40 can cause the course CC to be removed, or “stripped,” from the element. Initial removal of the course CC from the element 121 is depicted in FIG. 3. Continued removal of the course from the element is depicted in FIG. 4. Completion of the removal of the course CC from the element 121 is depicted in FIG. 5. In this manner, a new course CC can be deposited on the lift device 130, or alternatively, can be deposited on previously deposited courses. Repeated deposition of courses CC in such a manner can thus form a stack SS of material MM.

Additionally, as is described above, movement of the stop 50 from the second position (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3) to the third position (depicted in FIG. 5) during movement of the element 121 from the stacking station 40 to the course forming station 30 can result in formation of gaps GG in the course CC. Such gaps GG in the courses CC can be desirable in certain situations, such as lumber drying or the like. It is noted that the stop 50 as depicted in FIG. 4 is between the second position and the third position.

As is also described above, the stop 50 can be moved between the second position and the third position in a substantially constant or continuous movement, or alternatively, in a series of discrete movements. Each of such discrete movements can correspond to an associated gap GG in the course CC being formed on the stack SS. For example, initial movement of the stop 50 can substantially coincide with the beginning of the formation of the first gap GG in the course CC. Furthermore, the arrival of the stop 50 at the third position can substantially coincide with the completion of the formation of the last gap GG in the course CC.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe methods and apparatus in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A stacking apparatus, comprising:

a stop;

a conveyance device configured to move a course of material beneath the stop to a stacking station while the stop is at a first position; and

a mechanism configured to move the stop: from the first position to a second position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device commences, and from the second position to a third position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device concludes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course between the second position and the third position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the conveyance device comprises an element on which the course is supported during movement thereof; and

movement of the element is substantially reciprocal between a course-forming station and the stacking station.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course during movement of the element from the stacking station to the course-forming station.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein engagement of the stop with the course during movement of the element from the stacking station to the course-forming station causes the course to be stripped from element and deposited at the stacking station.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the course is moved beneath the stop to the stacking station from the course-forming station.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises an actuator configured to move the stop from the second position to the third position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the actuator is a linear positioning cylinder.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, comprising a controller configured to control movement of the actuator.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the actuator in accordance with a series of computer executable instructions executable by the controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the series of computer executable instructions is configured to enable the movement of the stop from the second position to the third position to be adjustable.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a computer readable medium containing a series of computer executable instructions that are executable by the controller to control movement of the actuator.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the series of computer executable instructions is configured to enable the movement of the stop from the second position to the third position to be adjustable.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is further configured to move the stop from the second position to the third position in a plurality of substantially discrete movements.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course as the course is removed from the conveyance device.

16. A stacking apparatus, comprising:

a means for moving a course of material along a path;

a stop configured to engage the course to thereby remove the course from the means for moving the course;

a means for moving the stop from a first position at which the stop is above the path to a second position at which the stop is engaged with the course and at which removal of the course from the conveyance device commences, and a means for moving the stop from the second position to a third position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device concludes.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for moving the stop from the second position to the third position is a means for moving the stop from the second position to the third position in a plurality of substantially discrete movements, wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course as the course is removed from the conveyance device.

18. A method, comprising:

providing a stop and a course of material;

moving the course of material along a path to a stacking station;

moving the stop from a first position at which the stop is above the path to a second position at which deposition of the course at the stacking station commences; and

moving the stop from the second position to a third position at which deposition of the course concludes.

19. The method of claim 18, and wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course between the second position and the third position.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the stop from the second position to the third position comprises moving the stop in a plurality of substantially discrete movements, wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course during deposition of the course.