A stick distributing unit and corresponding method for laying spacer sticks over a board layer is provided. The unit includes a frame defining a stick-receiving area for receiving sticks and a hold-and-release mechanism configured to dispense each stick one-by-one. The hold-and-release mechanism includes a lower holding member selectively operable to hold and release a bottommost stick, and an upper holding member selectively operable to hold and release a penultimate stick. The unit also includes a controller configured to operate the lower and upper holding members to release the bottommost stick from the stick-receiving area and knock on the penultimate stick. The unit further has a stick-laying mechanism configured to receive and lay the released bottommost stick over the board layer.
B65G 57/26 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement the arrangement providing for spaces between the articles
B65G 57/18 - Stacking of articles of particular shape elongated, e.g. sticks, rods, bars
2.
STICK LAYING APPARATUS AND STICK DISTRIBUTING UNIT FOR LAYING A PLURALITY OF SPACER STICKS OVER A BOARD LAYER
A stick distributing unit and corresponding method for laying spacer sticks over a board layer are provided. The unit includes a frame defining a stick-receiving area for receiving sticks and a hold-and-release mechanism configured to dispense each stick one-by-one. The hold-and-release mechanism includes a lower holding member selectively operable to hold and release a bottommost stick, and an upper holding member selectively operable to hold and release a penultimate stick. The unit also includes a controller configured to operate the lower and upper holding members to release the bottommost stick from the stick-receiving area and knock on the penultimate stick. The unit further has a stick-laying mechanism configured to receive and lay the released bottommost stick over the board layer.
A bin sorter for sorting lumber is provided. The bin sorter includes a plurality of bins disposed in a side-by-side configuration. Each bin includes a pair of spaced-apart walls defining a compartment therebetween for receiving lumber. Each compartment has a compartment inlet provided at a top end thereof, and a compartment outlet provided at a bottom end thereof. At least one of the plurality of bins has a support assembly for supporting one or more piles of lumber within the compartment. The support assembly includes a pair of support members having a support base vertically displaceable between the top and bottom ends of the compartment and a support arm connected to the support base and extending within the compartment towards the other support arm. Each support arm is adapted to support a respective pile of lumber or cooperate with one another to support a single pile of lumber.
A bin sorter for sorting lumber is provided. The bin sorter includes a plurality of bins disposed in a side-by-side configuration. Each bin includes a pair of spaced-apart walls defining a compartment therebetween for receiving lumber. Each compartment has a compartment inlet provided at a top end thereof, and a compartment outlet provided at a bottom end thereof. At least one of the plurality of bins has a support assembly for supporting one or more piles of lumber within the compartment. The support assembly includes a pair of support members having a support base vertically displaceable between the top and bottom ends of the compartment and a support arm connected to the support base and extending within the compartment towards the other support arm. Each support arm is adapted to support a respective pile of lumber or cooperate with one another to support a single pile of lumber.
B27B 31/00 - Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines
A board stacking system for stacking board layers into a stack, and associated method are provided. The board stacking system includes a board stacking apparatus adapted to arrange board layers into the stack. The board stacking apparatus having a stack holder comprising an adjustable stacking area for supporting the stack, the stacking area having a length defined between a front edge and a back edge. The board stacking apparatus further having one or more stacking arms operable to receive board layers from a board dispensing mechanism and sequentially arrange the board layers onto the forming stack. The board stacking system further includes a scanner positioned and configured for measuring a width of the board layers and transfer the information to the stack holder to allow adjustment of the length of the stacking area to substantially correspond to the width of the previously measured board layer.
B65H 31/20 - Pile receivers adjustable for different article sizes
B65H 29/38 - Delivering or advancing articles from machinesAdvancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
B65H 43/06 - Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable detecting, or responding to, completion of pile
A board stacking system for stacking board layers into a stack, and associated method are provided. The board stacking system includes a board stacking apparatus adapted to arrange board layers into the stack. The board stacking apparatus having a stack holder comprising an adjustable stacking area for supporting the stack, the stacking area having a length defined between a front edge and a back edge. The board stacking apparatus further having one or more stacking arms operable to receive board layers from a board dispensing mechanism and sequentially arrange the board layers onto the forming stack. The board stacking system further includes a scanner positioned and configured for measuring a width of the board layers and transfer the information to the stack holder to allow adjustment of the length of the stacking area to substantially correspond to the width of the previously measured board layer.
B65G 57/24 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
B65G 57/03 - Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack from above
A board stacking apparatus having one or more movable supports having at least two arms each, a rear stopper and a power assembly operatively connected to the movable support to move the same according to a layer stacking routine. The layer stacking routine includes positioning the movable support at a receiving position, maintaining the movable support in the receiving position while the boards are dispensed thereon, and moving the movable support in a rearward direction. The board stacking apparatus further comprises abutment components located proximate to and slightly below a board dispensing mechanism of the apparatus to support the receiving end of corresponding arms when in the receiving position.
A board stacking apparatus having one or more movable supports having at least two arms each, a rear stopper and a power assembly operatively connected to the movable support to move the same according to a layer stacking routine. The layer stacking routine includes positioning the movable support at a receiving position, maintaining the movable support in the receiving position while the boards are dispensed thereon, and moving the movable support in a rearward direction. The board stacking apparatus further comprises abutment components located proximate to and slightly below a board dispensing mechanism of the apparatus to support the receiving end of corresponding arms when in the receiving position.
B65G 57/22 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement
B65G 57/24 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
An apparatus for providing spaced boards is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receiving section, a spacing section and a delivery section. The apparatus is characterized by the presence of overlapping providing means and conveying means, releasable stopping means and vertical pushing means which are operatively connected for releasing one board at a time. Repeated stopping and releasing of boards result in a continuous and regular flow of evenly spaced boards.
B27B 31/00 - Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines
B27B 25/04 - Feeding devices for timber in saw mills or sawing machinesFeeding devices for trees with feed chains or belts
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