Stacking system for injection molded articles

Abstract

The stacking system provides a cage having generally parallel tie bars extending longitudinally around a perimeter for the articles to be held. The ties bars are supported in at least one bracket, and have portions thereof protruding slightly inwardly from the perimeter, so as to slightly squeeze the articles placed therein and to thereby hold them.

1 . A stacking system for flexible articles comprising a cage having generally parallel tie bars extending longitudinally around a perimeter for said articles, supported in at least one bracket, said ties bars having portions thereof protruding slightly inwardly from the perimeter, so as to slightly squeeze said articles placed therein and to thereby hold them.  
   
   
       2 . A stacking system according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least three said tie bars.  
   
   
       3 . A stacking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a continuum of stacks or said articles may be subdivided by the action of a stack separator module.  
   
   
       4 . A stacking system according to  claim 2 , wherein a continuum of stacks or said articles may be subdivided by the action of a stack separator module.  
   
   
       5 . A stacking system according to  claim 1 , wherein infeed ends of the tie bars have chamfered lead-ins.  
   
   
       6 . A stacking system according to  claim 2 , wherein infeed ends of the tie bars have chamfered lead-ins.  
   
   
       7 . A stacking system according to  claim 3 , wherein infeed ends of the tie bars have chamfered lead-ins.  
   
   
       8 . A stacking system according to  claim 4 , wherein infeed ends of the tie bars have chamfered lead-ins.  
   
   
       9 . A stacking system according to  claim 1 , wherein an outfeed end of said cage has at least one tie bar removed, thereby facilitating access for stack removal.  
   
   
       10 . A stacking system according to  claim 2 , wherein an outfeed end of said cage has at least one tie bar removed, thereby facilitating access for stack removal.  
   
   
       11 . A stacking system according to  claim 3 , wherein an outfeed end of said cage has at least one tie bar removed, thereby facilitating access for stack removal.  
   
   
       12 . A stacking system according to  claim 4 , wherein an outfeed end of said cage has at least one tie bar removed, thereby facilitating access for stack removal.