Vertical flat stacking apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A device and method for stacking product into a container in a vertical orientation. The device includes at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a loading position and an initial/final position The at least one pivoting mechanism retains a container thereon. The device may further include at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for injecting product into the container. The diverting mechanism includes a feeding area and a diverting arm swingable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area. An ejection station is positioned proximate to the feeding area and injects the product into the container after the product enters the feeding area via movement of the diverting arm. In one aspect the ejection station is provided by a pinch belt arrangement and is controlled by a control.

1 . A device for stacking product, comprising: 
 at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a first and second angled position;    at least one diverting mechanism corresponding to the at least one pivoting mechanism, the at least one diverting mechanism injecting product into a container and including: 
 a feeding area; and  
 a single swingable diverting arm configured to feed the product to an ejection station comprising a pinch belt configuration that allows injection of the product into the container.  
   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a transport system for transporting the product to the at least one corresponding diverting mechanism;    a continuous belt driven system proximate to the at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for transporting the product between a first and a second of the at least one corresponding diverting mechanisms; and    a gripping mechanism on the at least one pivoting mechanism for retaining the container thereon when in the second angled position,    wherein the at least one pivoting mechanism is at least two pivoting mechanisms aligning with the first and the second of the at least one corresponding diverting mechanisms.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the product is mail objects.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lifting device for lifting the at least one corresponding pivoting mechanism between the first and second angled position.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor which determines a position of the container on at least one of the at least one corresponding pivoting mechanism and an entry transport.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diverting arm is swingable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a control for controlling movement of the diverting arm and injection of the product into the container from the ejection station.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angled position of the at least one pivoting mechanism is approximately 35 degrees from a horizontal plane.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ejection station is positioned in a downward angle towards the at least one pivoting mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover positionable over the container.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the feeding area is formed substantially by an upper and lower mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . A method for dropping product in a substantially horizontal orientation in a travel path and for depositing the product into a container in a substantially vertical orientation the method comprising: 
 rotating the container from a horizontal configuration to an inclined configuration;    dropping product in a substantially horizontal orientation into the container;    covering the container to ensure product is not ejected therefrom during the dropping step; and    rotating the container from the inclined configuration to the horizontal configuration to position each product in the container from the horizontal orientation to the substantially vertical orientation with respect to the travel path.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising one of incrementally or continuously moving the product into the container, wherein the product is one of provided in a stack or singlularly before falling into the container.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of determining an amount of product in the container.