Abstract: An apparatus for the manual or machine production of a tube-like packaging material from a paper supply unit, such as a paper strip wound up to a roll, includes a roll longitudinal axis and forming an inner hollow space, or a paper strip folded to a Leporello stack defining an upper side, from which the paper strip is drawable for forming the packaging material. A guiding chute has an opening for ejecting the packaging material from a paper supply unit arranged in an ejection position. The guiding chute has an inner contour narrowing in an ejection direction towards an opening. A receiving arrangement, such as a tube magazine, encompasses at least one paper supply unit at least partly circumferentially with paper supply units arranged sequentially behind each other, wherein the apparatus having a movable transport, such as a slide, for displacing at least the at least one paper supply unit in the ejection direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for checking contours of pallets (18) to be put into storage in a rack system, said arrangement comprising: a pallet transfer station (12) which is designed to receive pallets (18) to be put into storage in the rack system; at least one sensor device (16a-16d) which is designed to detect whether a pallet (18) standing on the pallet transfer station (12) and objects supported by the pallet (18) are completely within a predefined contour; and an output unit (24) which is operationally coupled to the sensor unit (16a-16d) and is designed to output the detection result. The invention also relates to a rack system comprising at least one rack row, at least one stacker crane and at least one arrangement for checking contours, the pallet transfer station of which is designed such that pallets can be placed thereon from outside the rack system, which pallets can then be picked up by the stacker crane so as to be put into storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a palletizing apparatus comprising a set-down belt which has a circulating conveyor belt that defines a transport face for transporting article layers, and a compressing apparatus which has at least one front-side stop and one rear-side stop, wherein the set-down belt is movable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the compressing apparatus between a first longitudinal position, in which the transport face is arranged in a manner offset in the longitudinal direction (X) with respect to the compressing apparatus, and a second longitudinal position, in which an article layer located on the transport face is arranged between the stops in the longitudinal direction (X). Here, the set-down belt comprises a first deflection roller that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, wherein a diameter of the first deflection roller is at most 2% of the width of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as an additional axis of movement of the robot.

Abstract: A medium ejection apparatus including: a placement mount on which media are placed; a medium-leading-edge position restriction part that moves between a restriction position at which the restriction part restricts a position of a leading edge portion of a medium ejected toward the placement mount with reference to an ejection direction of the medium and a retracted position retracted from the restriction position; and a medium position control unit that controls the medium-leading-edge position restriction part such that the medium-leading-edge position restriction part performs a leading-edge restriction operation of moving from the retracted position to the restriction position and moving from the restriction position to the retracted position when the medium-leading-edge position restriction part and an upper surface of a medium are not in contact with each other.

Abstract: A board stacking system for stacking board layers into a stack, and associated method are provided. The board stacking system includes a board stacking apparatus adapted to arrange board layers into the stack. The board stacking apparatus having a stack holder comprising an adjustable stacking area for supporting the stack, the stacking area having a length defined between a front edge and a back edge. The board stacking apparatus further having one or more stacking arms operable to receive board layers from a board dispensing mechanism and sequentially arrange the board layers onto the forming stack. The board stacking system further includes a scanner positioned and configured for measuring a width of the board layers and transfer the information to the stack holder to allow adjustment of the length of the stacking area to substantially correspond to the width of the previously measured board layer.

Abstract: An article carrier system has a plurality of storage shelves and an order management unit. In the storage shelves, articles are stored. The order management unit manages a plurality of orders for shipping orders, holds receptacle information including at least information regarding a quantity of articles stored in each receptacle of each of the storage shelves, determines to provide different conditions for orders for performing picking at different workplaces, as conditions for correlating between each order and the receptacle for performing the picking in accordance with each order, and determines a storage shelf to be carried to the workplace for performing the picking in association with each order, based on the determined conditions and receptacle information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the picking and packing of goods (5) from at least one source storage installation (1) on at least one target load carrier (3) according to a packing layout. In order to achieve a particularly efficient method, it is provided according to the invention that a partial amount of the goods (5) that are to be positioned on the target load carrier (3) are arranged in a grouping region (2) according to a grouping (6) that corresponds to a part of the packing layout, after which the grouping (6) is moved from the grouping region (2) into a position on the target load carrier (3) that corresponds to the packing layout. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for the picking and packing of goods (5) from at least one source storage installation (1) on at least one target load carrier (3) according to a packing layout.

Abstract: Scanning systems for performing computed tomography scanning may include a stator, a rotor supporting at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector rotatable with the rotor, and a rotator operatively connected to the rotor to rotate the rotor relative to the stator. A conveyor system may include a respective conveyor extending through the rotor of the scanning system. A control system operatively connected to the scanning system and the conveyor system may be configured to automatically and dynamically increase a rate at which the rotor moves, decrease a rate at which the respective conveyor moves, and/or adjust other system parameters when the control system enters a finer pitch mode and to automatically and dynamically decrease a rate at which the rotor moves, increase a rate at which the respective conveyor moves, and/or adjust other system parameters when the control system enters a coarser pitch mode.

Abstract: A three side trimmer has a trimming unit 1, an accumulating unit 3, a discharge unit 2 and a conveying mechanism 4 conveying trimmed booklets BK to the accumulating unit. The accumulating unit has a shelf 5 movable in a vertical direction, and a drive roller conveyor 7 on the shelf. The accumulating unit, in a mode, delivers the trimmed booklets to the discharge unit at every accumulation of a predetermined number of the trimmed booklets and, in another mode, accumulates the trimmed booklets without delivering.

Abstract: Device for lifting an article from a roller conveyor having a fork that can be raised and lowered, and having a plurality of spaced-apart elongate tines which, in the lowered position, move with the tines between or below the rollers of the roller conveyor in order to lift one or a plurality of articles from the rollers as the fork is being raised into the raised position with the tines, where the tines form a carrier surface for the article and the tines can be expanded in the direction transverse to the longitudinal extension thereof in order to form an expanded carrier surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for the grouped arrangement, orientation and packaging of stacked food products like patty stacks. The method includes feeding a food product by a first feed belt in the direction of a first X-axis, and then ejecting the food product onto a second feed belt to form stacked food products. The method also includes transporting the stacked food products by the second feed belt along a Y-axis generally perpendicular to the X-axis and in the direction of an orientation mask which is arranged above the second feed belt. The stacked food products are oriented by contacting the orientation mask. The oriented food products may therefore be grouped together in oriented rows for packaging when further moved along the Y-axis by the second feed belt. The method and apparatus enable rapid orienting of various types of food products that are typically stacked and packaged.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized to include a cylindrical cam that is provided to correspond to a moving path and possesses an engaging groove, the moving path moving in an uncoupled state with each of a plurality of carriers to which an object to be conveyed is respectively installed and the plurality of carriers being in states where a set of a plurality of first carriers and a set of a plurality of second carriers are alternately lined up, and a drive source that drives the cylindrical cam, wherein a first cylindrical cam and a second cylindrical cam, as the cylindrical cam, are respectively provided to correspond to a predetermined position in the moving path, the first cylindrical cam possessing an engaging groove with which only the first carriers are engageable and the second cylindrical cam possessing an engaging groove with which only the second carriers are engageable, a first drive source that drives the first cylindrical cam and a second drive source that drives the second cylindrical cam ar

Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.

Abstract: A winding device including radially disposed nozzles of a same number as the number of teeth, a plurality of the nozzles simultaneously drawing out a wire to corresponding slots between respective teeth to simultaneously wind the wire between predetermined two slots that correspond to a respective one of the nozzles, includes a wire drawing and cutting mechanism configured to draw out the wire from a single spool and cut the drawn-out wire at a predetermined length, a wire storing mechanism configured to dispose the wire of the predetermined length obtained by the wire drawing and cutting mechanism in a radial manner and store the wire to a same number as that of the plurality of nozzles, and a wire conveyance mechanism configured to convey the radially disposed plurality of wires from the wire storing mechanism, to the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A stacking machine for stacking flat items including a first stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from an infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to first displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the first stacking table receives flat items and an unloading position in which the bundles are transferred to the unloading means; a second stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from the infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to second displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the second stacking table receives fla

Abstract: A device for forming stacks of bags, preferably bags of paper, which are individually supplied, includes at least a first transport device with which individual bags are taken up, a collection point to which the bags are fed by the transport device and in which a stack of bags can be produced, and a release device with which the bags are released from the transport device and dropped at the collection point. The device has at least one separation device, which can be inserted into or above the stack at the collection point, to divide the stack into a first and a second stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming bundles of printed products includes a lift element that moves vertically inside a holding area. The printed products are deposited on the lift element when the lift element is in an upper position. The lift moves the deposited printed products downward into the holding area so that the printed products are in position to subsequently be compressed into a bundle by pressing the printed products with an upward movement against a pressing element. The lift transports the compressed bundle to a lower position in the holding area where the lift element moves out of the holding area to a position in which the bundle is released to drop onto a support element. The lift element thereafter is moveable from the lower position to the upper position for the depositing of additional printed products. An ejection element conveys the compressed bundle out of the holding area.

Abstract: A product group stacking arrangement having a conveying arrangement that can continuously move in a substantially horizontal transport direction, and having a gripping and lifting device for gripping and lifting product groups. In operation, the gripping and lifting device grips a first product group being moved by the conveying arrangement at a stacking position, and then raises the first product group substantially solely in a vertical direction away from the conveying arrangement, and then lowers the first product group substantially solely in the vertical direction onto a subsequent, second product group being continuously moved by the conveying arrangement through the stacking position.

Abstract: A conductive wire piece supply method includes the steps of: obtaining a conductive wire piece set using a first slot which receives conductive wire pieces, having been sent, with the conductive wire pieces vertically superposed on each other; carrying the conductive wire piece set from the first slot portion to the second slot portion; and rotating the second slot portion.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a controller configured to control operations of the pair of aligning members such that a sheet bundle disposed on a first stacking portion is aligned by the pair of aligning members of the pair of aligning members at a position shifted to a side of one aligning member in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of a sheet with respect to a sheet discharge range in which a sheet is discharged at the time of discharging the sheet from a discharge portion, and, before the aligned sheet bundle is discharged to a second stacking portion by a bundle discharge portion, the other aligning member of the pair of aligning members is moved to the outside of the sheet discharge range in the width direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a gripping head for packages of a wedge-like form. The invention also concerns a method of gripping a group of packages and transferring them into a box. The gripping head has side steering plates and pressure finger plates on two opposite sides. At one end of the gripping head a stop plate is arranged between the side steering plates and the pressure finger plates, while the opposite end is open. The side steering plates each has a number of steering plates and fingers of the pressure finger plates are placed on either side of the steering plates, which fingers are received in notches of the side steering plate. The fingers have folded lower ends. The side steering plates and the pressure finger plates are arranged mutually moveable bringing the folded lower ends of the fingers into and out of a position below the side steering plates.

Abstract: An infeed station has a carriage that is supported on a machine frame of the infeed station in a way that allows it to be moved laterally and a stack conveyor mounted on the carriage for conveying stacks from an infeed position to a transfer position, from which the stacks can each be removed by the stack gripper. The stacks can be centered in two stack chambers, which are arranged side by side on the carriage. A stop element supported on the carriage is assigned to each stack chamber and can be moved between a working position and a retracted position, such that in their working position, the stop elements project into the associated stack chamber in such a way that the stacks can be moved by the stack gripper from a forward holding position of the transfer position towards the stop elements and placed against the stop elements. The stacks positioned on the stop elements are gripped by the stack gripper between a finger and pressing means and conveyed to a pallet.

Abstract: A stacking device which stacks together web members which drop down while drawing a parabolic arc, this is provided with a horizontal movement limit part which limits movement of web members in a horizontal direction, a temporary supporting unit which can take a projecting position where it projects from the horizontal movement limit part and a retracted position where it is pulled in from the projecting position and does not stick out from the horizontal movement limit part, and a receiving table which is positioned under the temporary supporting means at the projecting position and stacks the web members. The temporary supporting unit temporarily supports a web member at the projecting position and, after that, shifts to the retracted position to make the web member drop under the temporary supporting unit, so that the stacking device stacks the web members on the receiving table.

Abstract: A stacker device (1) for flat articles (2) stacked on edge, said device including a retaining paddle (6) mounted to be moveable along the stacking path (E) between an upstream position and a downstream position, and between a working position in which it interferes with said stacking path (E) and a resting position in which it does not interfere with said stacking path (E), a holding finger (7) suitable for being in a deployed position in which it interferes with said stacking path (E) so as to receive the foot of a flat article (2) bearing against it, and mounted to be moveable along said stacking path (E) between a rear position and a front position, said holding finger (7) and said retaining paddle (6) being independent from each other so that said holding finger (7) retains said foot of the flat article (2) even when said retaining paddle (6) is in its resting position.

Abstract: Automatic stacking and loading apparatus having at least one tray-receiving surface for receiving a multi-compartment tray having a bottom plate provided with through windows, a stacker for stacking said flat articles in a stacking zone, moving fingers mounted to move between a low position in which they are set back from said tray-receiving surface and a high position in which they define a bearing surface for the flat articles while said flat articles are being stacked, said tray-receiving surface being mounted to move relative to said moving finger between a first position and a second position, in which positions said moving finger is successively in register with the window of said first compartment and then in register with the window of said second compartment. A sorting machine including such apparatus, and an automatic stacking and loading method implementing said apparatus.

Abstract: A counter ejector of cardboard sheet box-making machine is disclosed. A front contact plate contacting cardboard sheets is movable in a feed direction. A spanker is disposed to face the front contact plate in the feed direction, and contacts the back edge portion of the cardboard sheet, aligning the sheet edge portions. Ledges separate cardboard sheets loaded between front contact plate and the spanker, forming a batch of a predetermined number of sheets. A transfer conveyor transfers batches in a transfer direction, which is the same direction as the feed direction. An elevator is furnished with a table, and carries batches from the height at which the front contact plate and the spanker are disposed to the height at which the transfer conveyor is disposed. The table is moved by the same amount and in the same movement direction as the movement of the front contact plate.

Abstract: Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a method of stacking disk-shaped substrates for polishing without using a centering shaft and an apparatus for implementing the method. A stack of disk-shaped substrates can be concentrically aligned without contacting the inside circumferential surfaces of the disk-shaped substrates by applying pressure to the outside edges of the disk-shaped substrates in different lateral directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for manufacturing stacks (11) of product units (9), in particular of printed products. The device (1) comprises a stacking device (2) with a plurality of support units (7) which in each case form a support surface (19) for the stacks (10) to be formed, furthermore a circulatory arrangement (31), in which the support units (7), arranged one after the other along a closed circulatory path (U), can be moved into and out of a stacking region (S). The support units (7) moreover in each case comprise at least two support elements (8a, 8b) which are arranged next to one another. The stacking device (2) comprises means (20a, 20b, 21) for setting the distance (D2) between the lateral outer edges (56a, 56b) of the support units (7) with a continued conveying operation.

Abstract: A stacking and unstacking machine for transporting instrument transformer boxes, including a main frame, an elevator arranged underneath the main frame, a transporter disposed on the elevator, and a stacking/unstacking device disposed on an upper part of the main frame and above the transporter.

Abstract: A sheet bundle with storage tags, a method for producing the sheet bundle and a sheet transport mechanism in an image forming apparatus are provide. The sheet bundle includes a plurality of sheets stacked to one another, each sheet being attached with a storage tag at an attachment position and having a thickness larger at the attachment position than other positions thereof. The plurality of sheets includes a plurality of kinds of sheets which have different attachment positions when the sheet bundle is viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking veneer sheets is provided, said apparatus comprising conveyor means for delivering veneer sheets to a stacking point and means for placing veneer sheets on a stack to be formed. The conveyor means comprise a first and a second conveyor element disposed on opposite sides of a veneer sheet, said first and/or second conveyor element being provided with magnet elements arranged for cooperation with a conveyor element present on the opposite side, such that the veneer sheet to be fed in between the conveyor elements is pressed with a desired force between the conveyor elements and is movable thereby to a stacking point, which is provided with stopper means for stopping the veneer sheet and with means for releasing the veneer sheet from between the conveyor elements to enable its placement on a stack to be formed.

Abstract: A sheet aligning mechanism that aligns sheets of paper includes, in a shift tray, a pair of main joggers and a pair of sub joggers, which are arranged downstream of the main joggers in a sheet discharge direction, for use in width-direction alignment of the sheets. One of the sub joggers is configured to move from a position where the sub jogger is not upwardly receded to an upwardly-receded position so that the thus-opened up space, of which height corresponds to a height difference between the two positions, can be utilized for sheet removal.

Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.

Abstract: A stacking device suitable to pack multi-layer packets composed of a specific number of groups of disposable wipes includes: a tamper provided with an alternating vertical translation movement; a supporting surface of the groups having two guides separated by an empty space of lesser width than that of the groups, inside which the groups pass under the thrust of the tamper; at least a belt to drive and convey the groups; a lowerator member for receiving the groups stacked in packets, to transfer them to a secondary collection belt for conveying the packets to a packaging line, wherein each guide includes a fixed part and a moving part, each moving part being connected to elements suitable to generate an alternating horizontal translation movement, synchronized with the alternating vertical translation movement of the tamper, so as to increase the empty space during passage of the groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying stack size are disclosed wherein measured length and width dimensions of a stack of paperboard sheets are compared with length and width values of a label associated with the stack. The dimensions are typically measured as the stack travels along a conveyor. A no-match indicator is produced if there is not a match between the dimensions and values, and may include an alarm or a display on a video screen. The stack may be diverted to allow application of a correct label whereby the stack will be shipped to the correct customer.

Abstract: An infeed station has a stack feeder and a first and second chamber, which can each receive stacks from the stack feeder. The stacks can be conveyed in the chambers and can be transferred to a stack gripper with the conveyors assigned to the first chamber and the second chamber. First centering units serve to center the stacks in the first chamber, and second centering units serve to center the stacks in the second chamber. Third conveyors are arranged between the first and second conveyors. The first and second centering units can be shifted relative to each other so that the third conveyors are positioned in the first or second chamber, and the chamber with the third conveyors is much wider than the other chamber. The infeed station can be changed between double infeed with parallel processing of two stacks and single infeed with processing of only one stack of relatively great width at a time.

Abstract: Provided is a medium stacking apparatus, which comprises a stacking frame and a damper. The stacking frame forms a stacking space in which media are stacked, and comprises a medium inlet. The damper collides with the medium introduced through the medium inlet, and absorbs a shock from the medium. The damper comprises one or more damping ribs that extend in a stacking direction of the media and are elastically deformed by a collision with the medium.

Abstract: A device and to a method for stacking plate-like products into a straight, cylindrical stack having an upper and a lower side and at least two side surfaces arranged at a distance from each other. In order to create a desired pretension in the stack already during stacking, which can even be maintained when individual products are added, the plate-like products are lifted against gravity from the bottom to the top into a stack nest, the products are held in the stack nest by applying a force on the side surfaces thereof to prevent dropping in the direction of gravity. While the force application is maintained, further products are added to the stack in the stack nest from the bottom side.

Abstract: In one aspect, a programmable load forming system is programmed to perform the method of downloading a calculated path from the computer to the robot controller, moving one or more bundles along the calculated path to position the one or more bundles in a predetermined stacking position of a stacking pattern using the robot, and determining if the robot has completed moving along the calculated path. The calculated path is defined, in part, by the stacking pattern and other parameters such as, for example, bundle geometry, bundle levelness, bundle compressibility, among other parameters. In another aspect, the system is programmed to perform a method of sensing the top of a bundle and controllably placing a bundle. Additional aspects are directed to systems and methods of safely operating the robot and an inventive hopper design for holding bottom/tie sheets.

Abstract: A stacker is composed of a bottom plate, a containing section for storing a plurality of cards by stacking it on the bottom plate and a guiding section for guiding each card entering into the containing section. The guiding section is composed of a sidewall for restricting movement of an entering card when entering into the stacker in a first moving direction and a slanted section for slanting the card against the first moving direction. The slanted card moves in a second moving direction intersecting with the first moving direction at approximately a right angle by the gravitational force.

Abstract: Stacker carts for stacking media, printing apparatuses, and methods of stacking media on stacker carts are disclosed. An embodiment of the stacker carts includes a stacking surface including a first end and an opposite second end, the stacking surface sloping downwardly from the first end toward the second end; and a resiliently-biased stop at the second end of the stacking surface, the stop including at least one contact surface defining a height of the stop above the second end of the stacking surface. When the contact surface is in contact with a first surface, a height of the stop (i) decreases as the stacker cart is moved toward the first surface, and (ii) increases as the stacker cart is moved away from the first surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks of flat objects 12, in particular printed products, comprises a compartment 10 which is mounted for selective rotation about a vertical axis and whose compartment space 10? is bounded on two mutually opposite sides by bounding elements 68, 72. In the ejection direction A, the compartment is bounded by upstream guide elements 66 and downstream guide elements 70. The flat objects 12 are fed to the compartment 10 from above and come to lie in a stack formed on the compartment base 28. The upstream guide elements 66 and downstream guide elements 70 can be moved independently of one another in order, firstly, to permit the ejection of the stack formed and, secondly, to permit the stacked objects 12 to be held firmly during the rotation of the compartment 10.

Abstract: A method and device for evaluating currency bills using a strapping unit that allows a currency evaluating device to automatically strap stacks of currency bills. Currency bills are placed in an input receptacle and an evaluating unit processes each currency bill one at a time. The currency bills are then transported to a plurality of output receptacles within a strapping unit. A stack moving mechanism transports a stack of currency bills, which contains a predetermined number of currency bills, from each of the plurality of output receptacles to the strapping unit or a strapping position. Each stack of currency bills is strapped using strapping material.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring product stacks has a connecting element for connecting the transfer device to a transport device, and the transfer device has a number of receiver regions therein, that each receive a product stack. Each receiver region has guide elements with spring-loaded closure elements, and a plate that is movable in a spring-loaded manner toward the closing elements along the direction of the guide elements. When the transfer device with the product stacks therein reaches its transfer destination, the product stacks are pushed from the transfer device by the plates by spring force.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects of different sizes on a support to form a stacked support includes providing a support handler. A support is elevated with the support handler and objects of different sizes and shapes are stacked on the support to form a stacked support. A stacked support is removed and an empty support supplied with the support handler. A placeholder is provided above the support handler. The placeholder has a first mode for receiving objects on the placeholder. The placeholder has a second mode for providing access to a support on the support handler. The placeholder is put in the first mode while the support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support. The placeholder is put in the second mode when the support handler is elevating a support being stacked with articles.

Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.

Abstract: A stacking device for print products that includes a table to receive the print products such that the print products form a stack. The device also includes at least two ejector elements arrangeable against the stack to push the stack in an ejection direction away from the table. The stacking devices further includes at least two drive elements operatively connected, respectively, with the at least two ejector elements so that the at least two ejector elements move independent of one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning an item that can be deformed easily, at least in the region of the outer lower edge. The apparatus has at least one aligning device that can be displaced in the direction of the item, and the transport substrate upon which the item is resting, in order to align the item on the transport substrate. For damage-free alignment of the item projecting laterally from the transport substrate contour, the subregion of the aligning device which comes into contact with the lower region of the item projecting laterally includes a stabilizing device. The stabilizing device prevents the item from being deflected, during the alignment process, in the direction of the transport substrate or, respectively, in a downward direction from the lower region of the item projecting laterally beyond the outer contour of the transport substrate.