Object catch bin

Abstract

A system for stacking objects has a tray, bias means, and conveying means. The tray is pivotal about one of its edges. The bias means is disposed to resist pivoting of the tray upon conveying of an object into the tray.

1 . An object catch bin comprising: 
 (a) a back stop;    (b) a tray angularly disposed to the back stop, the tray pivotal about the vertex of the tray and the back stop; and    (c) bias means for resisting pivoting of the tray.    
   
   
       2 . The object catch bin of  claim 1  wherein the tray and the back stop are fixed relative to each other.  
   
   
       3 . The object catch bin of  claim 1  wherein the back stop is pivotal about the vertex of the tray and back stop.  
   
   
       4 . The object catch bin of  claim 1  further comprising a base member for holding the tray.  
   
   
       5 . The object catch bin of  claim 4  wherein the bias means is disposed between the tray and the base member.  
   
   
       6 . The object catch bin of  claim 1  further including a hinge attached to the tray for pivoting the tray about the vertex of the tray and the back stop.  
   
   
       7 . The object catch bin of  claim 1  further including conveyor means for projecting an object into the tray.  
   
   
       8 . An object catch bin comprising: 
 (a) a tray disposed to catch objects, the tray having an edge and pivotal about the edge;    (b) bias means for resisting pivoting of the tray about the edge; and    (c) a back stop for catching objects within the tray.    
   
   
       9 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  wherein the back stop is attached to the tray.  
   
   
       10 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  wherein the back stop is not attached to the tray.  
   
   
       11 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  further comprising a base member for holding the tray.  
   
   
       12 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  wherein the bias means is disposed between the base member and the tray.  
   
   
       13 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  further including a hinge attached to the tray for pivoting the tray about the edge of the tray.  
   
   
       14 . The object catch bin of  claim 8  further including conveyor means for projecting an object into the tray.  
   
   
       15 . A method for stacking objects, the method comprising: 
 (a) conveying objects;    (b) catching the objects with a tray;    (c) pivoting the tray;    (d) biasing the tray to resist pivoting.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein biasing the tray includes springably resisting pivoting.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein biasing the tray includes hydraulically resisting pivoting.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein biasing the tray includes magnetically resisting pivoting.