Plank parallel stacking system - indexes stripping devices during support withdrawal to leave gaps between planks in layer

摘要

The system stacks planks (b) etc. parallel to each other, these being delivered individually sideways and assembled into a layer with their length wise edges against each other. The layer is then transported horizontally ona support to above the stack, whereupon the support is withdrawn in the horizontal direction and the planks are stripped off it. During withdrawal of the support (13) the stripping devices (16) are indexed with it away from the stack for an amount each time equal to a predetermined gap width (L) between the planks, until the entire layer has been deposited on the stack with them correspondingly spaced apart.