WO2002094517A1

WO2002094517A1 - An apparatus and a method for laying spacer sticks on a board stack

Info

Publication number: WO2002094517A1
Application number: PCT/SE2002/000971
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cenneth Gunnarsson
Original assignee: C. Gunnarssons Verkstads Ab
Priority date: 2001-05-23
Filing date: 2002-05-22
Publication date: 2002-11-28
Also published as: SE0101840D0; SE0101840L; SE523263C2

Abstract

A method of placing out spacer sticks (3) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1) comprises the steps that the spacer sticks are individually fed to a conveyor path (10) which is stopped when the spacer sticks are located above their intended positions. The spacer sticks (3) are transferred to the intended positions by being displaced in their longitudinal directions so that their ends are free of the conveyor path (10) and the spacer sticks (3) fall down on the stack (1). An apparatus for carrying out the method has a feeder for individual feeding of spacer sticks (3) to the conveyor path which is disposed along opposing longitudinal edges (15, 16) of the stack (1). A displacement mechanism (17, 20, 21) is disposed for longitudinal displacement of the spacer sticks (3) so that their first ends (18) fall down from the conveyor path (10). That part of the conveyor path which carries the opposite ends (19) of the spacer sticks (3) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spacer sticks so that these ends a

Description

AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR LAYING SPACER STICKS ON A BOARD STACK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing spacer sticks (also known as dunnage) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack, and comprising a feeder device disposed at one short end of the stack for the individual feeding of spacer sticks, which have first and second ends, a first and second conveyor device over and along each respective opposing longitudinal edges of the stack for conveying the spacer sticks from the feeder device to positions above their intended positions on the stack, the conveyor devices extending at least as far away from the feeder device as the spacer sticks are to be positioned.

The present invention also relates to a method for placing spacer sticks with optional mutual spacing on a board stack, comprising the steps that the spacer sticks, which have first and second ends, are discharged individually to a conveyor path over the stack, the opposite end regions of the spacer sticks being carried by the conveyor path, that, when the spacer sticks are located in positions above their intended positions on the stack, the spacer sticks are arrested in their movement along the conveyor path and are transferred downwards to their intended positions on the stack.

BACKGROUND ART

In the stacking of boards to form a board stack, a whole layer or tier of boards is laid on the top of a board stack which is under construction by means of an off-loader which moves transversely of the longitudinal direction of the boards to a position in over the board stack. There, the layer or tier of boards is off-loaded on subjacent spacer sticks whose longitudinal directions are transversely directed in relation to the longitudinal direction of the boards. Thus, the off-loader is placed at one longitudinal side of the board stack.

The board stack which is being built up is placed on a vertically adjustable substrate which is gradually lowered as the height of the board stack increases so that the level of the uppermost layer in the board stack is thereby throughout kept substantially constant. For placing spacer sticks on the upper side of a newly off-loaded layer of boards, use is normally made of two chains which run in over the stack and in its longitudinal direction, and in parallel with one another, and at such a height over the stack that the off-loader can pass under them for off-loading a layer of boards. The chains have hooks which, on the lower parts of the chains, are rearwardly open in the direction of travel. The chains are employed for conveying spacer sticks from a feeder device to positions over the stack. By the employment of vertically movable abutments, the spacer sticks are caused to release from the hooks and fall down on the upper side of the stack.

A spacer stick layer device of this type comprises a considerable quantity of complex mechanical machinery. The distances between adjacent spacer sticks cannot readily be changed, and nor can spacer sticks of varying dimensions be handled. Finally, the work rate is far too low.

For laying out spacer sticks, an apparatus is further known in the art by means of which the spacer sticks are placed out on a substrate on the opposite side of the board stack in relation to the off-loader and from thence are lifted and displaced by means of suitable gripping members in over the board stack where the spacer sticks are lowered and deposited on the board stack.

An apparatus of this type operates slowly because of the long transport distances which are required on laying out the spacer sticks. Further, it is difficult to get at the finished stack, since it is surrounded by machinery.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to design the apparatus and the method intimated by way of introduction such that at least the one longitudinal side of a board stack can be kept wholly free of machinery so that the board stack is thereby readily accessible. Further, the present invention has for its object to design the apparatus such that this may work at a very high work rate and with good operational reliability, and also permit convenient modification of the number, mutual spacing and dimensions of the spacer sticks. SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained in respect of the apparatus is this is characterised by a displacement apparatus with a displacer device for substantially simultaneous longitudinal displacement of the spacer sticks so that their first ends pass the first conveyor device located there and fall down on the stack, the second conveyor device disposed at the second ends of the spacer sticks being connected to the displacer apparatus and laterally movable under the action thereof to a position where also the second ends of the spacer sticks have fallen down on the stack.

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained in respect of the method if this is characterised in that the spacer sticks are released from their positions carried on the conveyor path in that they are displaced substantially in their longitudinal directions so far that their fist ends fall down on the stack and that the second ends of the spacer sticks are caused to fall down on the stack in that the part of the conveyor means which carries these second end regions is laterally displaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention in a starting position for depositing the spacer sticks on a board stack;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 2 where however the one ends of the spacer sticks rest on the stack;

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1, the spacer sticks resting completely on the stack; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a starting position for depositing of the spacer sticks on the stack;

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 5, the spacer sticks resting with their one ends on the stack;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 5, the spacer sticks resting completely on the stack;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention where the spacer sticks are located in their starting position for deposition on the stack;

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 8 in a position where the spacer sticks rest with their one ends on the stack; and

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 8 in a position where the spacer sticks rest completely on the stack.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The accompanying Drawings show only those components which directly carry out the laying-out of the spacer sticks on the upper side of the board stack. Thus, the Drawings have omitted the beam frame which supports the above-mentioned components, as well as the guides and drive means required for their movements.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 relates to a board stack which is built up from tiers or layers 2 of boards between which there are disposed a number of spacer sticks 3, the spacer sticks lying transversely directed in relation to the longitudinal direction of the boards 2.

The stack rests on a raisable and lowerable substrate 4 which is disposed, as the board stack 1 is built up, to be lowered so that the upper side of the board stack 1 will be kept at an approximately constant level in the vertical direction. In connection with the one short end of the stack 1, there is disposed a feeder device 5 which individually discharges the separate spacer sticks 3 from a magazine 8 in a direction and along a conveyor path which is indicated by the arrow 6.

For conveying the spacer sticks 3 from the feeder device 5 to such positions over the stack 1 as are located straight above the intended positions on the stack, use is made of a conveyor means 7 which has a conveyor disposed in each region of opposing longitudinal edges of the stack 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor means 7 has, thus, two carrierless belt conveyors which run over bending rollers 9 and 10 disposed on common shafts. In such instance, the spacer sticks 3 are carried on the upper belt part of the conveyors and, because of the absence of carriers, assume random positions along the upper part 11 of the belt.

The feeder device 5 is designed in such a manner that the distance in time between the discharge of two sequential spacer sticks may be adjusted. At the same time, the speed of rotation of the bending rollers 9 and 10 may be adjusted independently of the adjustment of the feeder device. By means of a matching of the feeding rate of the feeder device 5 and the linear speed of the upper belt part 11, it is possible to vary the mutual spacing between the spacer sticks 3 on the upper belt part 11.

The conveyor means 7 may also display conveyors with carriers, which should be disposed relatively close to one another. By a synchronisation of the discharge rate from the feeder device 5 with the passage of the carriers, a spacer stick may be placed at each carrier. However, it is also possible to adjust the speed relationship so that only every second, every third, every fourth etc., or generally only certain carriers are fed with spacer sticks. In this alternative, the positions of the spacer sticks above the stack are stepwise adjustable.

In one embodiment with carriers, these must be so low that the spacer sticks project up in the vertical direction above the upper surfaces of the carriers so that the ends of the spacer sticks may be struck by the displacer devices above the carriers. Another alternative entails that lifting devices are placed along the conveyors 7 which may lift the spacer sticks so high above the carriers that the displacer devices move freely above the carriers.

In certain embodiments, as will be described in greater detail below, there is disposed above the conveyor 7 disposed at the one longitudinal edge of the stack, an upper conveyor 12. In other embodiments (according to Figs. 2 to 4 and 8 to 10), this upper conveyor is dispensed with.

As alternatives to the upper conveyor or conveyors 12, use may also be made of slide rails of low friction in relation to the spacer sticks. The object of the upper conveyor or conveyors 12 and slide rail/slide rails is that the spacer sticks will be clamped in between the conveyor 7 and the upper conveyor 12/the slide rail. As a result, the spacer sticks will withstand considerably greater acceleration forces without being dislodged out of position, which in turn entails increased output capacity in the whole plant.

Under any circumstances, the conveyors 7 and the upper conveyor 12 employed in one embodiment extend from the feeder device 5 as far in the longitudinal direction of the stack 1 as the spacer sticks are to be placed.

Figs. 2 to 4 show a first embodiment which lacks the upper conveyor 12. This embodiment has, at each short end of the board stack 1, a frame with a horizontal beam 14. In the right- hand end region of this beam 14, there is secured a first conveyor 7 with the bending roller 10. It will be apparent from the Figure that the first conveyor 7 extends along the first longitudinal edge 15 of the stack but somewhat outside it. A second conveyor 7 is disposed on a carrier member 17 which is displaceable or movable along the beam 14 and which supports the journal means required for journalling the bending roller 10.

In order to displace the spacer sticks 3 in their longitudinal directions, there is provided a displacer mechanism which is of such a nature that it is movable, with a displacer device 20 into engagement with the first ends 18 of all spacer sticks which rest on both conveyors 7. The displacer device is connected, via a connecting rod 21, to the displaceable carrier member 17 so that this is movable synchronously with the displacer device. In such instance, the displacement takes place in a direction from right to left in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 shows a situation where the spacer sticks lie laid out on the two conveyors 7 in positions above their final positions on the stack 1 but before they have begun to be moved down onto the stack. In Fig. 3, the displacer devices 20 with the connecting rod 21 and carrier member 17 have been moved such a distance in a direction to the left as is sufficient for the spacer sticks 3 to be displaced away from the first conveyor 7 and fall, with their first ends 18, down onto the upper side of the stack 1. After this first displacement movement, the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks still rest on the second conveyor 7.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that an abutment 22 is placed in the vertical direction in order to be struck by the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks and somewhat outside the second conveyor 7 if the spacer sticks 3 were to be displaced laterally a further distance to the left.

In Fig. 4, such a further lateral displacement has taken place, in which event the second conveyor 7 is located beneath the abutment 22 and the second ends of the spacer sticks have struck it so that the spacer sticks are prevented from continuing in a direction to the left together with the second conveyor 7. The consequence of this will be that the second ends of the spacer sticks also fall down onto the upper side of the stack 1, as is apparent from Fig. 4.

After return of the displacement devices 20, the connecting rod 21 and the carrier member 17 to the positions according to Fig. 2, the apparatus is ready to receive a new batch of spacer sticks. Thereafter, the cycle is repeated once a new tier or layer of boards 2 has been placed on the upper side of the stack 1 above the newly laid-out spacer sticks.

In a variation of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to dispense with the abutment 22 and instead, in connection with the side of the second conveyor 7 facing towards the first conveyor 7, place a slide rail or bar which is of low friction in relation to the spacer sticks and which, in the vertical direction, is placed somewhat beneath the upper belt part 11 on the second conveyor so that, in Fig. 3, the spacer sticks 3 will rest on this slide bar rather than on the second conveyor. The slide bar moves together with the second conveyor and the carrier member 17.

Figs. 5-7 show a second embodiment where also the upper conveyor 12 is employed. It should be observed that this upper conveyor 12 is placed only along the first longitudinal edge 15 of the stack 1 and that it is arranged to be raisable and lowerable, with an upper position which is illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, and a lower position which is illustrated in Fig. 5, and where it forms a nip between itself and the first conveyor 7 for fixedly holding the spacer sticks 3.

In connection with the two conveyors 7 and 12, and in line with the spacer sticks 3, there is disposed a displacer device 20 which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the spacer sticks 3 in order, in a left-going movement, to strike the first ends 18 of all spacer sticks 3.

The two conveyors 7 and 12 are placed somewhat outside the stack 1 and just outside its first longitudinal edge 15.

Fig. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in a starting position for depositing spacer sticks, and it should be observed that the spacer sticks 3 are fixedly held between the two conveyors 7 and 12 so that all of their second ends 19 are cantilevered over the upper side of the stack 1. The second ends 19 lie in over the stack and a slight distance from the second longitudinal edge 16 of the stack. When the spacer sticks 3 have arrived at such positions that, as a result of a downwardly directed movement, they will arrive at their intended final positions on the stack 1, the upper conveyor 12 is lifted so that, as a result, the spacer sticks 3 are released and their second ends pivoted down onto the upper side of the stack 1 (see Fig. 6). Thereafter, the displacement devices 20 are set in motion in a laterally directed movement to the left in towards the upper side of the stack 1. In such instance, the displacement devices will displace the spacer sticks ahead of them so that the first ends of the spacer sticks fall down from the conveyor 7 and arrive on the upper side of the stack 1 in positions which are illustrated in positions which are illustrated in Fig. 7. In these positions, the first ends 18 of the spacer sticks lie at the first longitudinal edge 15 of the stack and the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks lie at the second longitudinal edge 16 of the stack.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the upper conveyor 12 fulfils the function of a downward holding device in the state according to Fig. 5. Such a downward holding device may also be realised in that the upper conveyor 12 is replaced by a vertically movable slide rail which is of low friction in relation to the spacer sticks 3 and which is placed so as to press the spacer sticks down towards the lower conveyor 7 so that the spacer sticks will be cantilevered and conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor in positions according to Fig. 5. On lifting of the downward holding devices, i.e. the slide rail, the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks will be pivoted down on the upper side of the stack 1 in the manner described above.

Figs. 8-10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the upper conveyor 12 is dispensed with and a first lower conveyor 7 and a second lower conveyor 7 are instead employed, in which event the first conveyor 7 is located in the region of the first longitudinal edge 15 of the board stack 1, while the second conveyor 7 is located in the region of the second longitudinal edge 16 of the board stack.

The apparatus in this embodiment includes two displacer devices 20, where the first displacer device 20 is positioned so as to engage with the first ends 18 of the spacer sticks 3, while the second displacer device 23 is positioned so as to engage with the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks 3. The two displacer devices 20 and 23 are interconnected via a connecting rod 21, whereby they are movable synchronously with each other in the transverse direction of the stack 1, i.e. from right to left in Figs. 8 to 10.

In Fig. 8, the spacer sticks are located freely resting on the two conveyors 7 in the starting position for laying out the spacer sticks. On displacement of the two displacement devices 20 and 23 and their connecting rod 21 in a direction to the left, the first displacer device 20 will come into abutment with the first ends 18 of the spacer sticks and will displace the spacer sticks in their longitudinal directions so far that the first ends 18 of the spacer sticks fall down on the upper side of the stack 1, i.e. as shown in Fig. 9.

When the two displacer devices 20 and 23 and the connecting rod 21 are subsequently moved back transversely of the longitudinal direction of the stack 1, i.e. in a direction to the right in Figs. 8-10, the second displacer device 23 will come into engagement with the second ends 19 of the spacer sticks 3 so that the spacer sticks are displaced in their longitudinal directions so far that the second ends 19 pass beyond the second conveyor 7 so that the ends 19 may fall down on the upper side of the stack.

It should be noted that the first conveyor 7 is placed above and somewhat inside the first longitudinal edge 15 of the stack 1, while the second conveyor 7 is placed outside the stack at its second longitudinal edge 16. In such cases where extremely large and heavy spacer sticks are used or when the distance in the vertical direction between the conveyor 7 and the upper side of the stack is great, it is possible to employ grippers which slightly raise the spacer sticks when they are released from the conveyor 7 and which then lower the spacer sticks down on the stack. Such grippers are suitably designed as elongate vacuum lifts which extend along the conveyor and which are of sufficient length to be able simultaneously to engage with and raise all spacer sticks.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of placing out spacer sticks (3) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising the steps that the spacer sticks, which have first (18) and second (19) ends, are discharged individually to a conveyor path (6, 7) above the stack, the opposite end regions of the spacer sticks being carried by the conveyor path, that, when the spacer sticks are located in positions above their intended positions on the stack, the spacer sticks are arrested in their movements along the conveyor path and are transferred downwards to their intended positions on the stack, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are released from their positions carried on the conveyor path (6, 7) in that they are displaced substantially in their longitudinal directions so far that their first ends (18) fall down on the stack (1); and that the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks are caused to fall down on the stack in that the part of the conveyor path (6, 8) which carried these second end regions (19) is displaced laterally.

2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried along the conveyor path (6, 7) freely resting on first and second conveyors (6) disposed at the opposing sides of the conveyor path.

3. The method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried with their first ends (18) somewhat outside the one longitudinal side (15) of the stack

(1); and that they are brought to their correct positions in the width direction of the stack by their longitudinal displacement.

4. The method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the longitudinal displacement of the spacer sticks is arrested once their first ends (18) have fallen down on the stack (1).

5. An apparatus for placing out spacer sticks with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising: a feeder device (5) disposed at the one short end of the stack (1) for individual feeding of spacer sticks (3) which have first (18) and second (19) ends, conveyor means (6, 7) over and along each respective opposing longitudinal edge (15, 16) of the stack for conveying the spacer sticks from the feeder device to positions above their intended positions on the stack, the conveyor means extending at least as far away from the feeder device as the spacer sticks are to be placed, characterised by a displacement mechanism with displacement devices (20) for substantially simultaneous longitudinal displacement of the spacer sticks (3) so that their first ends (18) pass the first conveyor device (7) located there, and fall down on the stack, the second conveyor device (7) disposed at the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks being connected (21) to the displacement mechanism and movable in the lateral direction under the action thereof to a position where the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks have also fallen down on the stack.

6. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, characterised by an abutment (22) located at the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks (3) along the longitudinal edge (16) of the stack (1) located there, in order, by contact with the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks, to prevent continued movement of the spacer sticks when the first ends (18) of the spacer sticks have fallen down on the stack.

7. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a slide rail of low fiction in relation to the spacer sticks (3) is disposed a short distance from the side of the second conveyor device (7) facing towards the first conveyor device (7), the upper side of the slide rail being located at an insignificantly lower level than the upper side of the second conveyor device.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that both conveyor devices (7) consist of carrierless belt or chain conveyors.

9. A method of placing out spacer sticks (3) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising the steps that the spacer sticks (3), which have first (18) and second (19) ends, are discharged individually to a conveyor path (6, 7, 12) above the stack (1) and are supported and conveyed therealong,, that, when the spacer sticks are located in positions above their intended positions on the stack, the spacer sticks are arrested in their movements along the conveyor path and are transferred downwards to their intended positions on the stack, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are released from their positions carried on the conveyor path (6, 7, 12) in that they are displaced substantially in their longitudinal directions from these to positions where they can fall down to their intended positions on the stack.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried along the conveyor path (6, 7, 12) with their first ends (18) clamped and their second, opposite ends (19) free.

11. The method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that the clamping is released so that the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks (3) are permitted to fall down to the stack (1) and that the spacer sticks are thereafter longitudinally displaced.

12. The method as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that the clamping is released substantially simultaneously with the spacer sticks being longitudinally displaced.

13. The method as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried with their first ends (18) somewhat outside the one longitudinal side (15) of the stack (1); and that they are brought to their correct positions in the width direction of the stack by their longitudinal displacement.

14. An apparatus for placing out spacer sticks (3) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising: a feeder device (5) disposed at the one short end of the stack (1) for individual feeding of spacer sticks (3), conveyor means (6, 7, 12) located over the stack for conveying the spacer sticks from the feeder device to positions above their intended positions on the stack, the conveyor means having, for fixedly retaining the spacer sticks, a conveyor device (7) and an abutment member (12) between which end regions (18) of the spacer sticks (3) are clamped, the conveyor means extending at least as far away from the feeder device as the spacer sticks are to be placed, characterised in that the conveyor means (6, 7, 12) is openable for releasing the spacer sticks. (3) carried thereby; and that a displacement device (20) is placed for longitudinal displacement of the spacer sticks in a direction in over the stack so they are free from the conveyor means and fall down on the stack.

15. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, characterised in that the conveyor means (6, 7, 12) is placed along the one longitudinal edge (15) of the stack (1) and slightly outside it.

16. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the abutment member (12) and the conveyor device (7) are placed one over the other in order to form between them a nip for clamping end regions (18) of the spacer sticks (3); and that they are movable in relation to one another from and towards one another, respectively, for opening and closing.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16, characterised in that both the conveyor device (7) and the abutment member (12) are carrierless belt conveyors.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16, characterised in that the conveyor device (7) is a carrierless belt conveyor while the abutment member (12) is an elongate slide rail which displays low friction in relation to the spacer sticks.

19. A method of placing out spacer sticks (3) with optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising the steps that the spacer sticks (3), which have first (18) and second (19) ends, are discharged individually to a conveyor path (6, 7) above the stack (1), the opposing end regions of the spacer sticks being carried by the conveyor path, that, when the spacer sticks are located in positions above their intended positions on the stack, the spacer sticks are arrested in their movements along the conveyor path and are transferred downwards to their intended positions on the stack, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are released from their positions carried on the conveyor path (6, 7) in that they are displaced substantially in their longitudinal directions in a first direction so far that their first ends (18) fall down on the stack (1); and that the second ends (19) of the spacer sticks are caused to fall down on the stack in that the spacer sticks are displaced substantially in their longitudinal directions in a second, opposite direction.

20. The method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried on the conveyor path (6, 7) freely, resting, on first and second conveyors (7) disposed at the opposing sides of the conveyor path.

21. The method as claimed in Claim 20, characterised in that the spacer sticks (3) are carried with their first ends (18) displaced in over the stack (1) a slight distance from its first longitudinal side (15); and that they are brought to their correct positions in the width direction of the stack by their longitudinal displacement.

22. An apparatus for placing out spacer sticks (3) with first (18) and second (19) ends, at optional mutual spacing on a board stack (1), comprising: a feeder device (5) disposed at the one short end of the stack (1) for individual feeding of spacer sticks (3), a first and second conveyor device (7) located over and along each respective opposite longitudinal edges (15, 16) of the stack (1) for conveying the spacer sticks from the feeder device to positions above their intended positions on the stack, the conveyor devices extending at least as far from the feeder device as the spacer sticks are to be placed, characterised by a displacement mechanism (20, 21, 23) with a first (20) and a second (23) displacement device which are disposed for displacement of the spacer sticks (3) in their longitudinal directions so far in a first direction that the first ends (18) of the spacer sticks fall down from the first conveyor device (7) and so far in a second direction and opposite direction that the second ends (19) fall down from the second conveyor device (7).

23. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, characterised in that the displacement devices (20, 23) are interconnected (21) for synchronous movements in the longitudinal direction of the spacer sticks (3).

24. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 or 23, characterised in that the distance between the first (20) and the second (23) displacement devices is slightly greater than the length of the spacer sticks (3).

25. The apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 24, characterised in that the first conveyor device (7) is located in over the stack (1) a slight distance from its one longitudinal edge (15); and that the second conveyor device (7) is located outside the second longitudinal edge (16) of the stack (1).

26. The apparatus as claimed in any, of Claims 22 to 24, characterised in that the two conveyor devices (7) are carrierless belt or chain conveyors.

27. A method as claimed in any of Claims 1, 9 or 20, characterised in that the mutual spacing of the spacer sticks (3) on the board stack (1) is governed by adjustment of the spacer sticks' (3) individual feeding speed in relation to their conveyance speed along the conveyor path (6, 7, 12).

28. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5, 14 or 22, characterised in that the feeding rate for the feeder device (5) and the conveyor speed of the conveyor means (6, 7, 12) are adjustable independently of each other.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5, 14 or 22, characterised in that the displacement device/devices (20, 23) are designed for engagement with the ends of all spacer sticks (3) resting on the conveyor means (6, 7, 12).