Patent ID: 7337597

Claim:
A unit for feeding containers arranged in a number of superimposed rows which comprises conveying means for conveying the containers, arranged in at least two superimposed rows, along a horizontal path (P), a reject station (S 2 ) for removing any faulty containers from the path (P); a parting station (S 3 ) located upstream from the reject station (S 2 ) where two superimposed containers are separated from each other by translation in a vertical direction (D) perpendicular to the path (P), so as to travel separately while facing each other along the next portion of the path (P); a stacking station (S 4 ) located downstream from the reject station (S 2 ) where the two facing containers are brought back into contact with each other so as to travel, superimposed, along the next portion of the path (P); said conveying means introducing the two rows of containers separately and facing each other between the parting station (S 3 ) and the stacking station (S 4 ); and the reject station (S 2 ) includes a first reject device for expelling only one container from a bottom row from the path (P), and a second reject device for expelling only one container in a top row from the path (P); wherein the conveying means comprise a first slide surface parallel to the path (P) for supporting the containers in a sliding manner, and a pusher for pushing the two rows of containers so that the containers slide along the first slide surface between the parting station (S 3 ) and the stacking station (S 4 ), said conveying means including a second slide surface; disposed substantially parallel to and facing the first slide surface, so that a bottom row of containers slides along the first slide surface, and a top row of containers slides along the second slide surface; and wherein the parting station (S 3 ) comprises a second supporting surface movable, in a vertical direction (D) perpendicular to the path (P), between a withdrawn position wherein a top face of the second supporting surface is aligned with a top face of the first slide surface, and a raised position wherein the top face of the second supporting surface is raised with respect to the top face of the first slide surface and aligned with a top face of the second slide surface.