Patent ID: 7650984

Claim:
A device for changing the pitch between articles in a flow of moving articles, comprising: at least one conveying element for conveying the articles, adapted to perform an orbital motion about a principal axis between a position for pick-up and a position for release of the articles, a speed of said orbital movement being selectively variable in a passage between said position of pick-up and said position of release; and members for distribution of subatmospheric pressure to said at least one conveying element to enable said at least one conveying element to perform selectively an action of suction to pick up said articles, said members for distribution of subatmospheric pressure comprising a distributor which can turn about said principal axis; set between said one rotating distributor and said at least one conveying element is a respective flexible pipe or hose for transferring said subatmospheric pressure to said at least one conveying element; the flexibility of said pipe or hose enabling the relative angular orientation between said distributor and said at least one conveying element with respect to said principal axis; and wherein said distributor and said at least one conveying element are carried by respective coaxial shafts, rotatable about said principal axis.