Patent ID: 7131247

Claim:
A method of finishing cellophane-wrapped packets ( 2 ) having respective overwrappings of heat-shrink material, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a succession of stacks ( 7 ), each defined by a first and second packet ( 2 a , 2 b ) with the second packet ( 2 b ) superimposed on the first ( 2 a ) and having a major lateral surface ( 8 b ) contacting a corresponding major lateral surface ( 8 a ) of the relative first packet ( 2 a ), in a given travelling direction ( 9 ) along a track ( 10 ) extending on a supporting surface ( 12 ) and through an unloading station ( 13 ); parting the corresponding said major lateral surfaces ( 8 a , 8 b ) of the packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) in each said stack ( 7 ) upstream from said unloading station ( 13 ); and then feeding the packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) in each stack ( 7 ), at the unloading station ( 13 ), in an unloading direction ( 16 ), crosswise to said travelling direction ( 9 ) and substantially parallel to said supporting surface ( 12 ), and along respective superimposed unloading paths ( 24 , 25 ) separated by a heating plate ( 23 ); the method is characterized in that the step of parting the corresponding said major lateral surfaces ( 8 a , 8 b ) of the packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) in each stack ( 7 ) comprises the sub-steps of: moving the second packet ( 2 b ) in each stack ( 7 ) with respect to the first packet ( 2 a ), by applying to one of the relative two packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) a first thrust crosswise to said travelling direction ( 9 ) and substantially parallel to said supporting surface ( 12 ), so that a portion of said major lateral surface ( 8 b ) of the second packet ( 2 b ) projects laterally with respect to the corresponding major lateral surface ( 8 a ) of the relative first packet ( 2 a ); and applying to said projecting portion a second thrust in a lift direction substantially perpendicular to said supporting surface ( 12 ).