disclosed is a new machine for continuously stacking packages in a vertical orientation for insertion into cases . a lift area is provided having a plurality of lateral lifting panels on either side . the panels are adjustably attached to pairs of continuous rotating bands , such that for each panel on one side there is a corresponding panel on the other side . the panels are provided in two independently operated sets , each set having identical operation , but with alternating action . two horizontal conveyors deliver packages to the lifting area , the conveyor closer to the lift operating at a faster speed than the more distant conveyor . the faster speed creates a time and space gap between packages delivered to the lifting area , which gap may be increased or decreased by varying the conveyor speed . as the conveyors deliver packages to the lifting area , the two sets of lifting panels are alternatively activated to raise the packages in a stack , providing a continuous stacking operation .