Patent ID: 6817464
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A storage unit for substantially parallelepiped-shaped products, the unit (1) comprising a store (2) having an input (4) and an output (5) separate from each other, a first conveying unit (6; 66; 72) for feeding rows (9) of said products (3) successively to said input (4) in a given first direction (7), and a second conveying unit (8) for receiving said rows (9) successively at said output (5); said store (2) comprising conveying means (16, 17, 30), which extend through said input (4) and said output (5), have a number of elongated pockets (24; 71) having respective parallel longitudinal first axes (25), and each for receiving a respective said row (9), and move in a given second direction (29) crosswise to said first axes (25) to move said pockets (24; 71) from said input (4) to said output (5) along a path portion of variable length; and said store (2) comprising varying means (13) for varying the length of said path portion by determining a relative movement between said conveying means (16, 17, 30) and said input (4) and/or output (5) in order to change the portions of the conveying means (16, 17, 30) faced to said input (4) and/or output (5); said conveying means (16, 17, 30) comprising at least two parallel, side by side endless conveyors (16, 17) extending through said input (4) and output (5), and a transfer drum (30) interposed between the two endless conveyor (16, 17).