Patent ID: 8550230

Claim:
A method of moving opening devices configured to be attached to respective sealed packages of pourable food product, the method comprising: conveying a plurality of linearly arranged opening devices in a conveying direction along a path; stopping movement of a forwardmost one of the plurality of linearly arranged opening devices in the conveying direction, the movement of the forwardmost opening device in the conveying direction being stopped by virtue of the forwardmost opening device contacting a stop which is in a first configuration preventing movement of the forwardmost opening device in the conveying direction, the stop being movable from the first configuration to a second configuration which allows the movement of the forwardmost opening device in the conveying direction along the path; moving a pair of paddles positioned on opposite sides of the path and traveling at predetermined intervals past the stop so that both paddles come into contact with the forwardmost opening device to apply a force to the forwardmost opening device, after stopping the movement of the forwardmost opening device, which moves the fowardmost opening device in the conveying direction along the path; and the movement of the forwardmost opening device in the conveying direction by the applied force causing the stop to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.