Stacking means

Abstract

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

1 . A stacking apparatus, comprising: 
 a stop;    a conveyance device configured to move a course of material beneath the stop to a stacking station while the stop is at a first position; and    a mechanism configured to move the stop: 
 from the first position to a second position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device commences, and  
 from the second position to a third position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device concludes.  
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course between the second position and the third position.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the conveyance device comprises an element on which the course is supported during movement thereof; and    movement of the element is substantially reciprocal between a course-forming station and the stacking station.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course during movement of the element from the stacking station to the course-forming station.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein engagement of the stop with the course during movement of the element from the stacking station to the course-forming station causes the course to be stripped from element and deposited at the stacking station.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the course is moved beneath the stop to the stacking station from the course-forming station.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises an actuator configured to move the stop from the second position to the third position.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is a linear positioning cylinder.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising a controller configured to control movement of the actuator.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the actuator in accordance with a series of computer executable instructions executable by the controller.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the series of computer executable instructions is configured to enable the movement of the stop from the second position to the third position to be adjustable.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a computer readable medium containing a series of computer executable instructions that are executable by the controller to control movement of the actuator.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the series of computer executable instructions is configured to enable the movement of the stop from the second position to the third position to be adjustable.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is further configured to move the stop from the second position to the third position in a plurality of substantially discrete movements.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course as the course is removed from the conveyance device.  
   
   
       16 . A stacking apparatus, comprising: 
 a means for moving a course of material along a path;    a stop configured to engage the course to thereby remove the course from the means for moving the course;    a means for moving the stop from a first position at which the stop is above the path to a second position at which the stop is engaged with the course and at which removal of the course from the conveyance device commences, and a means for moving the stop from the second position to a third position at which removal of the course from the conveyance device concludes.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for moving the stop from the second position to the third position is a means for moving the stop from the second position to the third position in a plurality of substantially discrete movements, wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course as the course is removed from the conveyance device.  
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a stop and a course of material;    moving the course of material along a path to a stacking station;    moving the stop from a first position at which the stop is above the path to a second position at which deposition of the course at the stacking station commences; and    moving the stop from the second position to a third position at which deposition of the course concludes.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , and wherein the stop is in substantial contact with the course between the second position and the third position.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein moving the stop from the second position to the third position comprises moving the stop in a plurality of substantially discrete movements, wherein each of the plurality of substantially discrete movements of the stop substantially coincides with formation of an associated gap in the course during deposition of the course.