Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for nesting a plurality of containers into a stack having a desired quantity of containers are disclosed. The apparatus includes a container guide, a container hold back, a counter and a shuttle. The container guide includes an input end and output end and provides at least one guide surface adapted to direct the plurality of containers from the input end to the output end. The container hold back is proximate the output end and includes a stop surface actuatable between a first hold back position in which the stop surface engages a frontward most container of the plurality of containers such that successive containers nest within the frontward most container and within each other and a second retracted position. The counter is proximate the input end and is configured to count the plurality of containers moving towards the output end prior to the containers nesting with each other. The shuttle is situated proximate the guide and is configured to engage and push a counted and nested stack of containers toward the output end past the hold back based upon the number of nested containers that have moved past the counter. The method includes the steps of directing a plurality of containers including a first container and a last container in succession, reducing a rate of movement of the first container at a first downstream location causing successive containers to nest with the first container and to nest with one another, counting each of the plurality of containers to produce a container count as the containers move past a second upstream location prior to becoming nested with preceding containers and engaging the last container and pushing the last container and the plurality of containers past the first downstream location in response to the container count equaling a predetermined quantity.

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First Claim