Patent ID: 7941992
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. A method of feeding products to a group-forming unit for forming groups of products, each comprising a given number of products; the method comprising the steps of: feeding an orderly succession of products in a first direction by means of a first conveyor having a succession of first pockets, each housing a respective product; feeding an orderly succession of products in a second direction, parallel and same direction to the first direction, by means of a second conveyor parallel to the first conveyor and having a succession of second pockets, each housing a respective product; transferring the products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor by means of a transfer device; detecting a gap along the first conveyor; moving the transfer device in the second direction, in response to detecting a gap along the first conveyor; moving the transfer device in the opposite direction to the second direction to form, along the second conveyor, a number of consecutive gaps equal to the number of products in each group of products; and making the transfer device stationary and permanently integral with an output end of the first conveyor, so as to move the transfer device together with the output end of the first conveyor, both in the second direction and in the opposite direction to the second direction, and thus moving the output end of the first conveyor with respect to the second conveyor.