Abstract: A device for counting and discharging corrugated cardboard boxes which is provided in a corrugated cardboard box making machine wherein a rotary screw is arranged for receiving corrugated cardboard boxes one by one forwarded thereto and successively stacking and storing said boxes vertically upward from the bottom, and when the number of the boxes have reached a predetermined number, a group of said boxes are sorted and discharged in a horizontal direction by a first and second pusher bars for a next manufacturing process wherein each of the pusher bars is provided with a dividing member for sorting the boxes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document storage device which allows for temporary and secure storage of a number of documents upon their exit from a document processor. The device (10) is comprised of a document stack system (12), a retrieval system (14), and a control unit (16) for tracking the position of each document in the stack. As documents are deposited into the document stack, an identifier is attached to each document's position in the memory of the control unit (16). After deposit of a first document, a first pair of separator sheets (6a, 6b) are deposited above the document. A second document can then be deposited above the first pair of separator sheets. Thereafter, a second pair of separator sheets are deposited above the second document. One sheet from each pair acts as the top or bottom cover for the document (5) against which it is in contact. This deposit process can be continue for additional documents.

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: The device (1) for picking up, moving and depositing a pile (9) of carton blanks comprises an element (3) suitable for moving according to three Cartesian axes, and to cause to rotate on itself, according to a vertical axis (7), a clamping element (2) which comprises three movable plates (11-13) cooperating with a pressing element (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating groups of sheets from a stack for a punching or binding operation. The invention uses a dual disk arrangement having a front disk and a rear disk. The arrangement is for separating a substack from a stack of pages, the substack temporarily resting on the rear disk, and divided by the front disk. The arrangement includes a plurality of rollers downstream of the substack to transport the substack to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: A device for lifting one or more flexible, flat parts such as stacked pap pasteboard, cardboard, plastic is disclosed. The device relies on the propensity of a bundle of such parts to flex up around its edge when compressed at a point away from that edge. In one embodiment, a compression device presses down on one bundle in a stack of several bundles of parts to be lifted and a second compression device presses down the underlying stack, thus opening up a gap between the upper bundle and lower stack. A lifting arm is driven into this gap, and a clamp presses down on the bundle above the lifting arm, grasping the bundle. Two retainers are extended down onto the lower stack to prevent the stack from moving as the bundle is lifted. Once contact between the lifted bundle and the remaining stack is broken, the retainers are withdrawn and the lifting device is maneuvered to a delivery position.

Abstract: A sheet transfer method for carrying a predetermined number of sheets from a destacking position to a restacking position by a vertically and horizontally movable transfer unit incorporating an entry-conveyor, a mid-conveyor, and an exit-conveyor. In this method, at the time of destacking a pile from the remaining stack, the advance of the transfer unit from one end to the other end of the stack, and the rotation of the pair of the entry-conveyor and mid-conveyors are concurrently effected substantially at the same speed, but in directions opposite to each other until the pile is progressively supported on the mid-conveyor. After the arrival of the transfer unit at the restacking position, the retraction of the transfer unit toward the destacking position, and the actuation of the pair of the mid-conveyor and exit-conveyor are concurrently effected substantially at the same speed, but in directions opposite to each other until the pile is clear of the transfer unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling stacked and/or nested products in a product line using a counter separator system, a counter device, a motive system, and a separator device is disclosed. Product to be handled is produced and moved along at least one elongated channel. When a predetermined number of products in the product line have passed the fixed reference point, the counter device triggers the motive system, which moves the separator device forward, physically separating a predetermined number of product away from the product line, creating a counted unit.

Abstract: A stack separator and restacker comprises a conveyor, a splitting bar, a multiplicity of lifting bars and hydraulic controls to operate them. The stack separator and restacker splits a stack or package of rigid elongated members, such as lumber, into smaller stacks or packages by first using the splitting bar to raise one end of the top portion of the stack. The lifting bars then raise the entire top portion of the stack. Once the top portion is completely raised, the bottom portion, now of standardized dimensions, is moved along the conveyor. The top portion is then lowered and is either resplit, restacked onto another stack or package, or is moved along the conveyor for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for randomly cutting a deck of cards. The apparatus supports the deck of cards in stacked registration and slides the cards in a common direction to offset or "shingle" the cards in the deck. A probe is moved into the offset zone of the shingled deck and is caused to stop at a randomly selected location in the zone. Means is provided for moving the shingled deck relative to the probe to engage the leading edge of the probe with a card to separate the card from a contiguous card and randomly cut the deck into a sub-deck on one side of the probe and a sub-deck on the other side of the probe. The cut is preferably made in the range of cards 20-32 in a 52 card deck.

Abstract: The semiautomatic equipment included a pair of horizontal knives disposed mutually parallel, adjustable for height, and positioned a short distance from the edge of a stack of sheets for penetrating the depth of one ream, selected previously by hand. The knives are carried slidably by a beam suspended over the stack of sheets between the rails of a frame and are therefore capable of relative movement parallel with the width of the stack. The knives are movably attached to the beam by way of a carriage having guides which provide a degree of movement parallel with the length of the stack, such that an operator can bring about the initial insertion by hand before applying an actuator to lock the knives to the carriage when fully penetrated within the stack of sheets. The entire assembly of beam, carriage and knives is traversed along the frame by further actuators that are triggered to operate by a sensor mounted to the knives, and thus causing the separated ream to be moved forward to a wrapping station.

Abstract: A machine for creating a batch of blanks out of a pile of blanks and for removing the batch of blanks from the pile consists of a fixed stop positioned along one surface of the blanks, a jogging device disposed opposite the fixed stop, a movable stop positioned in a line with the fixed stop, a separating device arranged adjacent the fixed stop for engaging an upper surface of the pile to raise the pile to create a free space, a conveyor insert movable from a position outside of the pile into the free space for transferring the blanks raised by the separator out of the pile as a batch of blanks.

Abstract: A horizontally displaceable receiving table for picking up and setting down package-like articles includes a displaceable transporting device, with roller-like pick-up members at its end relative to the direction of travel. The receiving table is displaced towards the articles by a first drive at a velocity which is decreased when the table is in close proximity to the vertical face surface of the articles. The pick-up member is then driven by a second drive such that the pick-up member engages the article and lifts the article onto the receiving table. The receiving table and the transporting device are then driven countercurrently at the same speed until they have substantially moved under the article. The receiving table permits picking up and setting down package-like articles at designated times and locations without damage to the articles.

Abstract: A stacked sheet handling machine 11 includes a top sheet hold down apparatus 10 that prevents trailing sheets from following individual blocks of sheets separated from an upright stack supported on an elevator conveyor 15. A pusher plate 20 is moved laterally of a sheet stack 14 to engage a side 22 of the stack and push a sheet block 21 laterally from the stack and onto the discharge conveyor 17. A top sheet hold down is provided along the sheet block separator to securely hold the top sheet through provision of a hold down traction arrangement 38. Two forms of the hold down traction arrangement are disclosed, both being operated to move a friction surface against the top surface of the sheet 19 to hold the sheet stationary as the block is moved towards the discharge conveyor 17.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for removing articles from an underlayer with high frictional resistance, especially for removing several layers of cartons with one underlayer each from a pallet. By generating an air cushion at the upper side of the underlayer (19) underneath the articles (cartons 20), the articles (cartons 20), gliding on the air cushion, can then be removed from the underlayer (19) with transverse movement by means of an unloading apparatus (10). It is possible to remove even delicate and flexible packs from an underlayer with high frictional resistance by transverse movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of cutouts includes a centering member for supporting members of a plurality of stacks of cutouts, the stacks being arranged mutually side by side so as to form parallel and mutually adjacent rows on the supporting members; a unit for removing and transferring individual rows, provided with a head fitted with pushers which are arranged vertically side by side and are adapted to move a single row of stacks in a horizontal transfer direction; a switching platform which is adapted to cooperate with the pushers so as to receive the row of stacks and allow its transfer to a belt for input to the packaging machine.

Abstract: A drive for a pusher at the stack of a pack lifter for pushing off several layers of packs, especially paper tissue packs, at a time. A control member (cam shaft 40) adjustable via a handle (hand lever 41) presets the pushing-off movements of the pusher in accordance with the conveying movements of the pack lifter (14), the packs (11) being pushed off the stack (13) in groups consisting of a pre-chosen number of superposed layers in accordance with the setting of the control member.

Abstract: Two vertically displaceable slides (5, 9) carry in horizontally movable fashion a tabletop (1) and, respectively, a gripper with an upper gripper jaw (6) and a gripper base (7). The gripper base (7) contains a horizontally displaceable blade (12) and supporting elements (24, 25) which are horizontally displaceable and also vertically movable with respect to the blade (12). A Stack of sheets is set up in front of the tabletop (1). The slides (5, 9) are lowered until the upper gripper jaw (6) rests on the sheet stack. The blade (12), previously retracted into the gripper base (7), is then made to pierce the stack of sheets at an exactly settable distance below the upper gripper jaw (6). The slides (5, 9) are slightly elevated in order to form a gap in the sheet stack with the blade (12). The supporting elements (24, 25) are pushed into the gap below the blade (12), and are then urged upwardly past the level of the blade (12) so that they alone bear the weight of the sheets resting thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading blanks of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. that are stacked as blocks on a pallet and that are subsequently supplied as blocks of blanks for further processing or temporary storage includes a slightly pivotable insertion tool as well as structural elements for moving those stacks or blocks of blanks, relative to their support, that are disposed on the pallet at the edge thereof. The individual blocks of blanks are successively lifted from their support via an insertion tool, with a pressure foot preventing an undesired shifting and a holding foot securing the position of the respective block of blanks on the insertion tool.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus including a plurality of sheet accumulating portions and a sheet conveyor. A pointed separator is mounted on the conveyor for movement into a stack of paper sheets accumulated in one sheet accumulating portion to divide the stack into two parts with a gap formed therebetween. Gripping fingers mounted on the conveyor are moved into gripping engagement with one of the divided parts of the stack and then retracted to transfer the gripped part of the stack onto the conveyor. Holding members on the conveyor are movable into the gap to hold the paper sheets of the other part of the stack. The conveyor is movable to convey the gripped paper sheets to another sheet accumulating portion. The gripping fingers are again moved to transfer the thus conveyed sheets to the other sheet accumulating portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer of a part stack (5) of material in sheet form from a general stack (2) to a further-processing station, in particular a vibrating station (3). The device has a table (15) which is mounted in a movable chassis (13) and which is provided at least in the area of one end with a table part (21) which can be folded up out of the horizontal table plane. A pressure element (40), which can be lowered onto that area of the part stack assigned to the table part, is mounted in the chassis above the table part, the table, in a first end position for the take-over of the part stack, being moved into the stack between the part stack and the remaining stack and, in a second end position, is positioned above the further-processing station.

Abstract: In a paper processing machine, the method and apparatus of this invention apply an opposite electrostatic charge to stacks and reams of paper to eliminate the repelling force from like charges on both sides of the individual sheets of the stack or ream to thereby temporarily bond them together. With the sheets thus temporarily bonded, the stacks and reams of paper can be easily transported between work stations without undesirable sliding of the sheets.

Abstract: Successive blocks of corrugated sheets are divided from a large vertical stack by a combination of a horizontally movable pusher plate and a guiding ramp that lifts the front edge of each block of sheets upwardly and onto a receiving conveyor surface. The ramp is a hybrid that includes a powered cylindrical roller and an adjacent yieldably biased upright plate that is moved to an inclined position in response to initial movement of a block of sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading blanks of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. that are stacked as blocks on a pallet and that are subsequently supplied as blocks of blanks for further processing or temporary storage. The individual blocks of blanks are successively lifted from their support via an insertion tool, with a pressure foot preventing an undesired shifting and a holding foot securing the position of the respective block of blanks on the insertion tool. The method and apparatus include provision of a slightly pivotable insertion tool as well as structural elements for moving those stacks or blocks of blanks, relative to their support, that are disposed on the pallet at the edge thereof.

Abstract: A squaring and aligning assembly for the transfer frame of a corrugated sheet stacking and feeding apparatus is mounted within a transverse guide member in the form of an elongated channel. Separate squaring shoes at each side of the machine are selectively moved along the channel. They can be connected in centered positions along opposite flights of a powered chain to center a block of sheets relative to the machine. One can be connected to a chain flight in an off-center position to align the block of sheets in an off-centered aligned condition. Either shoe can be clamped to the channel for edge alignment in response to movement of the remaining shoe.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transport of materials by elevating a stack of materials, moving a selected group of the materials and controllably lowering the materials to an upset position, from which the group is moved simultaneously to an output position.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a pile of paper sheets into units and distributing them is equipped with a separating device adapted to separate a pile of paper sheets into reams in accordance with markers provided on the pile. The apparatus is also equipped with a distributing device including a number of forks, which are inserted into a gap that is formed by the separating device between a ream of paper sheets to be separated from the pile and the rest of the pile, whereby at least one of the forks is first moved horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the ream-distributing direction, and then all the forks are moved in the ream-distributing direction. The markers consist of ream-marker tapes, and the separating device consists of an insertion member and a device for raising the ream-marker tapes, the insertion member being inserted into the pile using the lower surface of each ream-marker tape as a guide.

Abstract: An automatic sheet stack loading mechanism of a paper sheet feeding apparatus has a main lift for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed thereon. The main lift is incrementally moved upwardly to place the uppermost sheet of the stack at a predetermined height position with respect to a sheet separator disposed over the stack and operating to separate the sheets one by one from the stack. When the stack of sheets is consumed considerably, parallel horizontal spits are inserted under the stack from both transverse sides of the stack thereby to support the load of the stack and to enable the main lift to be lowered to receive a new stack of the sheets. The insertion of the spits in the transverse direction of the stack is advantageous in that the central portion of the sheets of the stack along the direction of feed of the sheets is maintained at constant height irrespective of downward deflection of the spits so that adjustment in position of the sheet separator is not required.

Abstract: A plate pushing device for pushing one or more workpiece plates off of a stack of workpiece plates resting on a lifting platform and into a woodworking machine, such as a plate saw. A pushing element is arranged for free vertical movement on a horizontally driven carriage. A support roller, coupled with the pushing element, extends below the pushing element to ride along the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate and continuously maintain at least a predetermined space between the pushing element and the upper surface of the uppermost remaining workpiece plate, to preclude damage to the uppermost remaining workpiece plate by the pushing element during its pushing movement. A measuring device is provided on the carriage to detect the height of the lifting platform.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for receiving a stack of sheets, with each sheet oriented in a standing position on edge, and rotating a predetermined number of sheets from the stack of sheets to a laid position. The apparatus includes a first conveying surface attached to a second conveying surface having two portions. The first portion of the second conveying surface is inclined for separating and rotating the predetermined number of sheets from the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard box stacking device in a corrugated cardboard box making machine wherein the space for stacking manufactured and folded corrugated cardboard boxes is divided into two of lower and upper spaces of a corrugated cardboard box storing space and a corrugated cardboard box stacking space which is positioned above and a little ahead of the storing space, and the uppermost cardboard box of a group of stacked corrugated cardboard boxes is moved by a kicker one by one to the corrugated cardboard box stacking space where a group of the corrugated cardboard boxes are moved at once to a delivery belt by a pusher bar when the number of the boxes have reached a predetermined number. The pusher bar does not affect the group of the corrugated cardboard boxes stacked in the storing space and an exact number of a group of the corrugated cardboard boxes in the stacking space can be moved at once to the delivery belt and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for unstacking cross-nested articles includes an elevator which raises the stack as articles are removed two-at-a-time from the top thereof by a continuous-chain transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor carries the removed articles to a discharge station where they are dropped onto two vertically spaced-apart discharge conveyors. In one embodiment, the upper discharge conveyor comprises laterally spaced-apart tracks arranged so that the bottom article drops therethrough to the lower discharge conveyor, while the top article is caught on the upper discharge conveyor. A finger on one of the conveyors turns selected articles 90.degree. so that all articles are aligned in the same direction as they exit the lower conveyor. In another embodiment both discharge conveyors comprise laterally spaced-apart tracks, and a turntable is vertically movable between the tracks to lower the articles onto the discharge conveyors, the turntable rotating 90.degree.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for withdrawing a selected number of consecutive copies of newspapers, for instance, from a series of said products travelling horizontally and arranged in overlapping formation (4), a gripper (10) in the form of a mechanical clamp is caused to engage with the desired number of copies by the front edge of the clamp being kept in contact with the formation along a selected distance, the clamp being driven with a speed difference in relation to the formation such that a selected number of copies enter the clamp along the selected distance. At the end of the distance the clamp is closed and its speed thereafter accelerated in relation to the formation, to a speed considerably higher than that of the formation, its direction deviating only marginally from the direction of movement of the formation. Only a few consecutive copies are withdrawn from the formation so that no gaps occur in the formation.

Abstract: A cigarette buffer reservoir system includes mobile containers (18) which are loaded and unloaded by transfer of successive batches of cigarettes between the container and a common transfer station (16) connected to a mass flow conveyor system (2-19) linking at least one maker (3) and at least one packer (5). The transfer station (16) has suction assistance (32) bearing on the ends of the cigarettes to allow separation of cigarettes in a container into batches for transfer during unloading. The transfer station (16) preferably also includes a conveyor (26) with retractable spaced partitions (30) for supplying or receiving successive batches, and at least one pusher (32,34) for transferring batches to or from the conveyor in a direction parallel to the cigarettes.

Abstract: A device for lifting at least one material stack from a support, in particular a stack of blanks from an intermediate support or bottom support in the tobacco industry, comprises the following features: a gripper is guided freely movable in all directions by an industrial robot; the gripper comprises at least one clamping element which is displaceable in the vertical direction and adapted to be placed on the or each stack, at least one elastically deformable finger insertable between the stack and the intermediate or bottom support as well as sensors for detecting the distance between the gripper and the stack; a control circuit including at least one logic unit evaluates and processes the output signals of the sensors and controls the movement of the gripper from a predetermined starting position into the lifting position, the clamping of a stack between a finger and a clamping element, and the subsequent lifting and the carrying away of the or each stack.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for pickup of packets with a varying number of stamped laminations, for instance for stators of electrical machines, from a lamination stack (98) compressed under tension between clamping plates (24, 100) is so performed that the first packet half of laminations are always rotated by 180.degree. before the entire lamination packet is measured off and picked up. Therefore, two different stops (42, 44) are needed for measuring off the first half and then the entire lamination packet for each packet height. In order to dispense with the necessity of having to exchange, when changing the packet height, the one clamping plate which heretofore was designed with various stops, the lamination packets with a differing number of laminations are always mounted between the same clamping plates (24, 100) and supported together with the one clamping plate (24) on axially adjustable stops (42, 44). Consequently, the device features axially adjustable stop (42, 44).

Abstract: An apparatus includes pincers, or suckers, that tension each marker at an angle to the stack of sheets from which it emerges, and a separator mechanism; the separator incorporates a follower with a tapered leading edge that is offered to the taut marker, and a support, to which the follower is hinged, that can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position in which the follower penetrates the stack of sheets, sliding in between the marker and the ream sitting on and separated by the marker.

Abstract: A pallet stocker for a printer in which the pallets, containing film for printing are stacked in a column in pallet supports. To access a given pallet, the higher pallet supports are raised out of the way and the remaining pallets are raised so that a suction arm can remove the top exposed pallet from a fixed level.

Abstract: The apparatus for forming separate piles of equal-numbers of workpieces, especially can covers, from a stack moving longitudinally in a feed trough is equipped with an electronic counter and controller with a sensor responding to the edge of the workpiece which operates without contact with the workpiece and with a feed device which is shiftable into a clamped and a released position engaged on the stack upstream of the sensor in the feed direction. It is drivable in the clamped position with at least two feed speads. Moreover a separating mechanism is provided with a separating wedge movable to-and-fro transverse to the stack to form a separating gap in the edge region between the adjacent workpieces of the pile and the stack together with two separating knives guidable into the separating gap which are connected with a drive acting in the longitudinal direction of the stack. The new apparatus can be mounted at each position along the conveying trough without interruption of or blocking the trough.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a suspended locating element against which the stack of sheets is urged and compacted, and a separator mechanism, set apart from the locating element at a distance matching the depth of a compacted ream, the sharp edge of which approaches and penetrates the stack; the separator mechanism is mounted by way of a damper to a drive system that traverses the entire assembly toward the infeed station of the wrapping machine while the remainder of the stack is held and compacted by a separately anchored mechanism to avoid the topmost sheets being dragged along with the separated ream.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously feeding the individual elements from tiered loads has a hoist including both vertical and horizontal support members which can both be pivoted back to come in contact with an accumulator arm assembly by the motion of a rotatable support base thereby allowing the load to be raised upwards along an angular load path. The accumulator arm assembly includes a carriage assembly which can slide part of the way down the load path and independently extendible accumulator arms for extending beneath the bottom of the tiered load once approximately one-half of the load has been unloaded down the load-discharging members to the fixed and predeterminable load discharging point where it can be processed on a conventional feed table. After the accumulator arms have been extended and have begun to raise the remainder of the load along the last portion of the load path, the hoise is free to return to its initial position and accept a second load of material.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating article groups from a stream of flat articles, comprises an inclined chute on which a stream of flat articles arranged in an edgewise standing, face-to-face oriented, stacked relationship are advanced, an article group receiving arrangement situated downstream of the chute, a pickup base arranged for movement from a discharge end of the chute along the article group receiving arrangement while being in a face-to-face contact with an advancing leading article; a separating gate arranged for introduction between two adjoining articles of the article stream and a common drive for moving the pickup base parallel to the direction of article advance and for moving the separating gate, during displacement of the pickup base, away from the chute, from a point above the chute along a path of displacement that causes the separating gate to penetrate progressively between two adjoining articles of the article stream as the article stream advances.

Abstract: A machine for receiving and stacking blanks of cardboard or like material, of variable shape and format, cut out successively from a continuous web by a cutting-out apparatus located upstream of the machine, supplied in "scales" on an endless conveyor belt, overlapping one another, comprises a device for deviating the blanks through at least 90.degree.. This device comprises a drum of horizontal and transverse axis around which pass mobile endless belts extending up to a stacking stop, and passing around a motorized drive roller and guide rollers. At least one of the guide rollers is borne by a chassis mounted to pivot about the drum, so that the pivoting chassis may occupy two positions, namely a first horizontal position and a second vertical position.

Abstract: A method whereby a pack of metal sheets adhering to one another is suspended on upper gripping elements of an upper vertically-mobile element beneath which is fed forward a lower transversely-mobile element having lower gripping elements. The upper and lower gripping elements are caused to interact in such a manner as to divide the pack into two parts by raising the upper element; and the lower element is backed up so as to feed on to a production line the part of the pack consisting of a single sheet, and/or to feed on to a reject bed the part of the pack consisting of a number of inseparable sheets.

Abstract: A device for shifting packs (P) of panels along the workpiece support table (L) of a sawing machine. The top surface of a stack of panels (P') comprises a pair of levers (1, 2) hingedly mounted on a motorized carriage (C). The first lower lever (1) frontally contacts the side of the pack (P) by its forward end defining a vertical pushing front (13) and has a lower jaw (17) acting on the underside of the edge of the pack (P), while a second, upper lever (2) forms, with its forward end (20, 21), the upper jaw acting on the top side of the edge of the pack (P). The second lever is actuated for gripping the edge of the pack between the two jaws (17, 20, 21).