Abstract: There is described a method for processing bundles (5) of securities, in particular banknote bundles, during production thereof, the method comprising the steps of (a) processing stacks of sheets (SS), each carrying an array of multiple security prints arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, into successive sets (2) of consecutive bundles (5) of securities arranged side-by-side, (b) forming at least one intermediate pile (8; 8*) of consecutive bundles (5) by placing the consecutive bundles (5) of a set (2) one on top of the other, and (c) successively ejecting bundles (5) one-by-one from a bottom of the said at least one intermediate pile (8; 8*) and conveying each ejected bundle (5) with a determined spacing from a preceding and/or following ejected bundle (5). There is also described a bundle processing system to carry out the above method.

Abstract: Displaceable lift truck (10) for handling slab material (L) in a storage warehouse, comprising a carriage (12) movable along a rail (11), columns (14) which extend upwards from the movable carriage (12) and a material support structure (13) movable along the columns (14) and comprising a bottom body or platform (16) provided with extractable forks (20). The material support structure (13) includes, moreover, a pick-up device (18) comprising extractable arms (18) provided with releasable engaging means (28). The invention also relates to a method for making up a mixed pack of slab material.

Abstract: A method for laying a sheet over the lower surface of a base material disposed in a generally horizontal position. According to the method, the base material is supported at the lower surface thereof by a first support means, and the sheet is placed immediately below and in facing relation to the lower surface of the base material and then supported at the lower surface thereof by a second support means. The sheet and the base material are made to be in contact with each other over partial surfaces thereof. Subsequently, the first support means is moved away from the base material and the sheet and the base material are placed together on a rigid horizontal surface so that the sheet is laid substantially over the entire lower surface of the base material.

Abstract: A method for loading a pallet, including placing packages in layers on a first pallet disposed in a first pallet disposed in a first plane, providing a second pallet above the packed first pallet in a second plane, and transporting the packed first pallet away. Also, a method for unloading for unloading a pallet, including removing packages, particularly bottle crates, in layers from a first pallet disposed in a first plane, providing a second packed pallet below the first pallet in a second plane, and transporting the first pallet away. Also, a corresponding palletizer for loading or unloading a pallet in layers.

Abstract: An assemblage of reams of paper includes a plurality of layers of reams of paper. The plurality of layers includes a first layer having a first arrangement of reams, a second layer having a second arrangement of reams disposed on top of the first layer, and a third layer having a third arrangement of reams disposed on top of the second layer. The second arrangement is different from the first arrangement so as to form interlocking first and second layers, and the third arrangement is different from the second arrangement, so as to form interlocking second and third layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mechanically seizing and setting down impact-sensitive sheets of various formats on at least one stack assembly, ready for dispatch, said device having the following features: a) a control device in the form of a multi-axis robotic arm (25) is connected to a gripper device and means for mechanically gripping the sheets; b) the gripper device is hinged onto and suspended from the control device at a gentle incline by means of an adjustable damping device (9); c) the gripper device (22) has sliding sections for the relative displacement of the means for mechanically gripping the sheets; d) the gripper device has means for determining the geometric dimensions of the sheets to be seized and for determining their set-down position; e) the gripper device has means for determining the exact positional co-ordinates of the set-down position; f) the gripper device has means for gently feeding and depositing the sheets in the set-down position.

Abstract: The power box can be stacked while limiting horizontal translation. The power box includes an electrical component box, a cover for the electrical component box, and a support assembly. The support assembly has feet that raise the electrical component box off of the ground. The cover includes one or more raised projections that restrict the horizontal translation of a power box positioned thereon, by dimensioning the projections apart by a distance slightly greater than an exterior width of the support assembly of the power box that rests upon the cover. Horizontal translation is further limited by dimensioning the feet such that, when placed on top of another power box, the interior dimension between two feet is slighting greater than the dimension of the cover. So, when the top power box attempts to slide, the feet of the top power box contact the cover of the bottom power box.

Abstract: A system and method of packaging a bulk material is provided for scooping a quantity of the bulk material into a standard equipment bucket of an excavating or front loader equipment, covering the bucket with a single soft-sided container such that a bottom of the single soft-sided container spans and covers a mouth of the bucket, securing the single soft-sided container over the bucket to close the mouth of the bucket, and inverting the bucket such that the mouth of the bucket is oriented substantially downward to transfer the quantity of the bulk material from the bucket directly into the single soft-sided container.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an arrangement for stacking timber packages in layer that uses a transfer arrangement comprising mobile carrier planes. The carrier planes in turn form a direct continuation of an input transporter in order to receive layers fed from this transporter by being caused to lift from below a complete layer from the input transporter and displacing the layer in over the stacking table. After that, the carrier planes are withdrawn from the stacking table while the layer of timber is scraped off from the carrier plane or, the stacking table is arranged to move downwards. The transfer arrangement uses a first, a second and a third carrier plane which are arranged to move mutually in a cycle in such a manner that one pair of two consecutive carrier planes is located at the same time at a position above the stacking table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a consignment system and method for loading a freight carrier (2) with freight units (4) forming a freight stack (3), either manually or on an automated basis.

Abstract: A method of stacking shingles includes manufacturing a plurality of shingles having a granule covered surface and a bottom surface opposite the granule covered surface. Every other shingle is separated into first and second paths. The shingles in the second path are inverted 180 degrees. A shingle from the first path is positioned onto a shingle from the second path, such that the bottom surfaces of each shingle are engaged, thereby defining a stacked pair of shingles.

Abstract: A method for distributing articles (2) made by series production in a storage compartment (3), including the following steps: A. Placing the article (2) on a longitudinally displaceable conveyor (4) above the storage compartment (3); B. Displacing the article (2) by the conveyor (4) to a discharge area (15, 15?, 15?, 15??) which is selected among at least two discharge areas (15, 15?, 15?, 15??) in the storage compartment; C. Discharging the article (2) by pushing it off over one (12) or the other edge (13) of the conveyor by moving the conveyor (4) over the discharge area (15, 15?, 15?, 15??); D. Repeating steps A-C with selection of discharge area (15, 15?, 15?, 15??) in a controlled sequence. Furthermore an apparatus (1) for performing the method is described.

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 product aggregating apparatus receives product with an in-feed conveyor assembly and provides the product in an aggregated, registered and/or organized form, such as to a product picking apparatus. The in-feed conveyor assembly includes at least one in-feed conveyor, each in-feed conveyor configured to deliver product to first and second locations. A product receiver assembly includes at least first and second product receiver carriages to receive product at the first and second locations, respectively. An aggregated product receiver assembly comprises a carriage configured for vertical movement to positions adjacent to each product receiver carriage. A pusher assembly, comprising a pusher carriage configured for vertical movement to positions adjacent to each product receiver carriage, contains pushers horizontally moveable to push product from the adjacent product receiver carriage and onto the carriage of the aggregated product receiver assembly for picking by an appropriate apparatus.

Abstract: A semi-trailer chassis packing system capable of packing four stacked semi-trailer chassis in a secure bundle having dimensions of a standard forty foot intermodal shipping container. The chassis packing system includes a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly, and one or more spacers. The first frame assembly includes a pair of elongate first bolster receiving members, a first primary connecting member, and a first secondary connecting member. First bolster receiving members are joined by first detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the first primary connecting member. First bolster receiving members pivot to perpendicular orientation with respect to the first primary connecting member, receiving rear bolsters of two stacked trailers into cavities provided in the first bolster receiving members. Second bolster receiving members are joined by second detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the second primary connecting member.

Abstract: A method for handling packages in a beverage bottling plant, a method for unstacking packages in a container filling plant, a method for stacking packages in a container filling plant, and arrangements for accomplishing the methods. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: Universal members placed between containers having different stacking patterns permit stacking of these containers regardless of the type of container positioned as the bottom container. The universal members include an appropriate thickness and a plurality of openings configured to receive the different stacking patterns. Depending on the containers being stacked, the universal members may take different forms. For example, one universal member may include T-shaped openings while another universal member may include rectangular-shaped openings with offset members.

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: A process for depositing stacked flat material pieces involves receiving the flat material pieces as a stack on a depositing surface in a receiving position, upon achieving of a predetermined number of stacked flat material pieces on the depositing surface, moving an auxiliary depositing surface out of a rest position to a working position, whereby stacking of the stack of flat material pieces on the depositing surface is terminated and a new stack of flat material pieces is formed on the auxiliary depositing surface, moving the depositing surface into a delivery position in which the stack of flat material pieces arranged on the depositing surface is delivered, moving the depositing surface into the receiving position, during which the new stack of flat material pieces then arranged on the auxiliary depositing surface is taken by the depositing surface and further stacked, and moving the auxiliary depositing surface into the rest position.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming stacks of cartons for feeding a magazine for supplying cartons to a packaging machine includes a primary support on which the stacks of cartons are formed, and a secondary support for temporarily receiving a series of the cartons thereon as a previously formed stack of cartons is removed from the primary support. The stack of cartons collected on the primary support is moved onto a transport conveyor for transport to a loader for the magazine for feeding into the packaging machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a bundle of sheet material for transport. The automated apparatus includes a cutting assembly for cutting slats, or spacers, from scrap sheet material, a pick and place assembly for positioning and securing the slats to the underside of a bundle, and a stacking assembly for stacking bundles prior to removal for shipping or storage. The slats, once cut, are automatically placed in guide channels and then positioned beneath the bundle while glue is applied thereto. The glued edges are then automatically pressed against the bundle to secure the slats to the bundle, thereby creating space beneath the bundle to allow a forklift to manipulate the bundles.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for automatically supplying packages, that have been sorted by type, to a column stacker, preferably in a sorting system. The device has at least one supply path (2) on which the packages, which have been sorted by type, are automatically supplied to the column stacker (3) individually and chaotically distributed in partial stacks. The invention proposes that at least two packages (T1, T1) or partial stacks of packages (T2, T2 or T3, T3 or T4, T4 or T5, T5)—as long as said partial stacks are not already randomly present on the supply path (2)—of the same height disposed one directly behind the other be combined with the aid of a package register 1 before being supplied to the column stacker (3) simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stacking plate-shaped bodies, comprising the following features: a) a plate-shaped body (2) is conveyed by a conveying device (3) to the region of the push comb (7); b) the push comb (7) pushes the plate-shaped body (2) onto a surface that consists of the front tablet comb (6) and the rear tablet comb (5); c) the retaining comb (8) prevents a return movement of the plate-shaped body when the front tablet comb (6) and the rear tablet comb (5) move apart from one another and controls the falling motion of the plate-shaped body (2) onto the plate stack. The invention also relates to an associated method and a machine-readable support provided with the programme code for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A conveying and stacking apparatus for stacking items or substrates carrying items received from an infeed conveyor is provided. The stacker has a housing and at least one movable platform upon which the item or substrate with one or more items located thereon is placed. An overhead loading belt assembly which includes at least one belt assembly positioned to travel over at least a portion of the infeed conveyor adjacent to the at least one moveable platform and the at least one moveable platform is provided. The at least one belt assembly carries the item or the substrate with the items located thereon to a stacking position on the at least one platform.

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: An automatic device and method for multi-layer stacking on a support with objects to be stacked in a predetermined spatial arrangement includes a control for determining a particular order and particular spatial positions of the objects to be stacked on the support, at least two conveying systems operable to transport the objects in the particular order, and at least two handling devices that take respective objects from a respective conveying system and displace the respective objects to the articular spatial positions, thereby forming a stack of the objects on the support.

Abstract: A system separating defective dies from a wafer comprises a film frame platform and a pick-and-place device. The film frame platform comprises a support table assembly configured for supporting a film frame assembly and a platform surface configured to receive the placement of bins thereupon. The pick-and-place device is configured for moving in a linear manner between the support table assembly and the platform surface.

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: 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.

Abstract: A device (1) for forming stacks of piece goods batches (10), comprising a movable transport device (2) for transporting the piece goods batch (10), and comprising a feed device (5) which feeds the piece goods batch (10) to the transport device (5), wherein the transport device (5) comprises a support device (6) which at least intermittently supports the piece goods batch (10) and relative to which the piece goods batch (10) can move and which can be removed essentially completely from a region located below the piece goods batch (10). According to the invention, the transport device (2) comprises at least one controllable fixing device (14) for temporarily fixing an intermediate layer (13), wherein this fixing device (14) for fixing the intermediate layer (13) can move below the piece goods batch (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for storing a slip-sheet removed from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A materials handling system that separates a slip-sheet from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack. The slip-sheets removed from the stack are stored in a movable slip-sheet holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance for the food product to pass.

Abstract: A method for loading a sling having a bottom and sidewalls comprises placing the sling bottom on a raised platform and rolling the sidewalls down into a gutter surrounding the raised platform so that the sidewalls form a negative angle with the sling bottom. Bagged product is then loaded onto the bottom of the sling to form a stack. The sling sidewalls are then rolled up the sidewalls up the stack sides so that the sidewalls form a positive angle with the sling bottom and the sling now encloses the stack of product. The sling jig assembly includes a raised central platform on which is adapted to rest the bottom of the sling. A gutter formed about the periphery of the central platform is adapted to receive the rolled-down sidewalls of the sling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for sorting and stacking glass plates of different thicknesses and/or different formats over a divided transport line, characterised by the following: 1) an aligning device (1) which aligns the glass plates against a left and/or a right abutment strip (7) by means of controllable rolls (8); 2) a stacking device (2) which lowers the plates supplied by the aligning device (1) and stacks them one above the other; 3) a connectable paper insertion device (15) which lays paper from a store onto a plate; 4) an upright positioner (3) which rotates the stacked plates by a right angle and aligns them on a vertical aligning device (29); 5) and a robot gripping arm which grips the glass plates aligned on the upright positioner (3) and transports them away for further use.

Abstract: A system for bundling long ferrous products comprises a roller table for delivering the products longitudinally to a receiving station. A cradle is spaced laterally from the receiving station and is constructed and arranged to receive and accumulate the products in bundle form. A stacker is positioned between the receiving station and the cradle, and a pre-stacker is positioned between the stacker and the receiving station. A transport system laterally advances products from the receiving station to the pre-stacker, and the pre-stacker operates in concert with the transport system to pre-stack multiple layers of the products into sub-bundles and to transfer the sub-bundles to the stacker, which then operates to deposit the sub-bundles in the cradle.

Abstract: An automated build-by-layer rainbow pallet system comprises a layer build track and a layer build cart that carries a layer build robot and a number of positions for building rainbow pallets, for storing emptied supply pallets, and for storing empty half-pallets. On the rail-sides are dozens or hundreds of supply pallet conveyors for pallets of products to be picked-from when building the rainbow pallets. These are placed on one or both sides of the layer build track. The layer build robot can position itself in front of the appropriate supply pallet conveyor for picking. Once in position, half or full layers can be picked from the supply pallets and positioned over the target rainbow pallet to be built. The process of picking and building layers as the layer build cart repositions in front of the appropriate supply pallet conveyor is repeated until all of the on-board rainbow pallets have been built.

Abstract: A method used for loading semi-trailer chassis into a container, wherein the container includes a base frame and four frame structures attached to corner posts of the base frame. Four semi-trailer chassis are stacked into the container from bottom to top, where the first semi-trailer chassis is placed upside down, the second semi-trailer chassis is placed right-side up and turned horizontally at a 180 degree angle, the third semi-trailer chassis is placed upside down, and the fourth semi-trailer chassis is placed right-side up and turned horizontally at a 180 degree angle.

Abstract: A wheel with a removable hub axle cartridge configured to be fitted into a shaped recess hollow or cavity of the wheel at the central hub position. The hub axle cartridge, adapted for use with a rear wheel includes a clutch mechanism and is configured for supporting drive gears, in addition to providing engagement with the body frame for a front wheel. The removable hub axle cartridge provides various advantages including a reduced wheel weight, the ability to stably stack, store and ship the wheels in smaller packages. The hub axle cartridge is reusable in case of wheel damage or with use of a different wheel type.

Abstract: The intermediate storage device (18) for taking stacks (14) of flat products (16) from a supplying device (10) connected upstream, for storing the stacks (14) in a temporary manner and for the subsequent delivery of the stacks (14) to a stack processing device (20) connected downstream, has at least one conveying means (36) with an upper run (34), which is displaceable in a conveying direction (T) and on which, for conveying the stack (14), a bottommost flat product (16u) of the stack (14) rests at least in a partial manner. The intermediate storage device (18) has, in addition, a control device (68), which generates a signal for controlling a conveying speed of the conveying means (36).

Abstract: A system for arranging and/or storing objects, for instance for the purpose of forming stacking patterns, comprising: —at least two object group conveyors (10) which are configured for holding objects (P) in at least two respective object groups, while each object group conveyor (10) is drivable, in particular for moving an object group held by this conveyor (10); and—at least a first drive (20) for driving the at least two object group conveyors; wherein the first drive (2) can be brought in at least a first and second position for driving only the first or second object group conveyor (10), respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, stacking and bundling lumber, that comprises: a drive means, a conveyor assembly having a receiving bin and a conveyor, a stacking assembly operatively connected to the conveyor assembly, and having an unscrambling hopper, a row conveyor, a stacking bin and a bundling assembly a discharge platform, and a grapple assembly that picks up lumber pieces from the ground and deposits them into the receiving bin, and that also picks up bundles of lumber produced by the stacking assembly, for movement to a secondary location. The apparatus can be used on a variety of different terrains, including inclines and declines and can pick up lumber from a wide radius around the apparatus and from a number of ground conditions including rocky, muddy and wet ground.

Abstract: In stacking tray supplying for receiving in a stacked state a plurality of trays that are received in a state in which components to be mounted onto a board are aligned, two tray stages are provided rotationally transferably on a concentric circle. In a state in which one is positioned in a feeding tray placement position and the other is positioned in a standby tray placement position, components are fed from the tray stage positioned in the feeding tray placement position. When a component depletion state occurs, the tray stages are rotationally transferred to switchover the mutual placement positions, by which waste of time required to component feeding is reduced.

Abstract: The formation of a group (2) of rolls (3) of paper arranged according to a first number (h) of overlaid layers (4) is performed by feeding the layers (4) onto an elevator platform (8) by means of at least two feed conveyors (11) positioned one on top of the other; the method providing for initial loading onto the platform (8) of a number of layers (4) at the most equal to the number of feed conveyors (11), lowering of the platform (8) by a distance equal or slightly greater than the height of the layers (4) just loaded and, lastly, loading onto the platform (8) and onto the layers (4) already loaded of a number of layers (4) at the most equal to the number of feed conveyors (11).

Abstract: A device for stacking an endless, folded web of corrugated cardboard comprises at least one guide member for supporting the folded web of corrugated cardboard and at least one stop member for depositing stacks of a folded web of corrugated cardboard, with the at least one stop member being guided for displacement along the guide member.

Abstract: The invention describes a supply module for stackable pallets, on which workpieces and/or tools can be disposed. On the supply module there are disposed several stacking bays arranged in succession in a row, at each of which a stack of pallets can be mounted in holding means, such as hooks. At least one transport module can be driven along the row beneath the stacking bays, the transport module carrying a lifting device with it. A pallet or a stack of pallets can be gripped from below by the lifting device. The supply module according to the invention can manage a large number of stacking bays, and hence pallets, in a cost-effective manner, even large stack heights being possible.

Abstract: An automatic pallet loading/unloading method for radioactive waste drums is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a conveying pallet accommodating six radioactive waste drums; (b) arranging the pallet on a specific importing carrier; (c) performing a two-dimensional fetching position adjustment upon the pallet by the importing carrier; and (d) using a grabber crane to grab and carry the radioactive waste drums in a specific order so as to apply an continuous inspection process upon each radioactive waste drum successively. In a preferred aspect, the two-dimensional fetching position adjustment uses a transverse positioning operation cooperating with a lengthwise positioning operation to successively place each radioactive waste drum in a specific position to be grabbed by the grabber crane and thus to be inspected by the inspection process.

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: An arrangement is provided for loading vehicle bodies in which assembled vehicle bodies are continuously made available from a production process for loading and are prepared for the loading. Several different stations of the loading arrangement are mutually coordinated and monitored by a control unit. A drive operated fork lift is utilized to handle empty cargo carriers and to stack a pair of vehicle body loaded cargo carriers to form a loading unit which is subsequently transferred to a transport train freight car.

Abstract: The sheets are supplied interfolded by two folding rollers, on a table on which they are piled up forming a stack. When the stack achieves a predetermined height a first plurality of separators and a second plurality of separators, arranged for all the length of the stack and from opposite sides are inserted into the stack to provide the disengagement of the stack already formed from a stack being formed, leaving between them of a wing of sheet hanging. The stack formed is then withdrawn quickly from the stack being formed by means of a table, which translates vertically, and is subject to a blow of air for stretching a possible last sheet. Then, the stack formed is left on a longitudinal conveyor belt located underneath. At the same time, a sheet stretching board moves under the stack of interfolded sheets, for all its length, for provisional support thereof and for stretching completely the wing hanging from the stack being formed with a portion of wing that exceeds sheet stretching board.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tray handler for stacking and de-stacking ophthalmic prescription trays. The tray handler includes a plurality of spaced clamp assemblies defining a stack area along a conveyor, a lift plate, and first and second actuators. The lift plate is operably disposed within the stack area. The first actuator is operably associated with the clamp assemblies, which are inwardly and outwardly moveable relative the lift plate upon actuation of the first actuator. The second actuator is operably associated with the lift plate, which is vertically moveable within the stack area upon actuation of the second actuator. A controller is in communication with the first and second actuators and controls actuation thereof. A method of handling ophthalmic prescription trays is also disclosed.