Patent ID: 8499529
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products, comprising: a first conveyor for feeding said opening devices successively along a first path; a second conveyor for feeding said packages successively along a second path; a transfer apparatus for transferring said opening devices along a third path from a pickup station located along said first path, to an application station for applying the opening devices to respective said packages and located along said second path; and a coating roller, arranged as a station along said third path, for applying adhesive in rolling fashion to the opening devices as they travel along said third path such that the opening devices adhere to the respective packages via the adhesive when the opening devices are applied to the respective packages at the application station, wherein said transfer apparatus comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis, at least one gripping member fitted to said wheel and for receiving one opening device at a time from said first conveyor and transferring said one opening device to said second path as said wheel rotates about said axis, a connector interposed between said wheel and said gripping member for connecting said gripping member movably to said wheel, and a guide for altering a position of said gripping member with respect to said wheel as the wheel rotates.