Patent ID: 7452179

Claim:
A method of transferring packets, the method comprising the steps of: conveying a first row ( 4 ) of packets ( 2 ) and at least a second row ( 5 ) of packets ( 2 ), to the first row ( 4 ), along a feed path (P) to an operating unit ( 6 ) having at least one pair of channels ( 20 ); conveying the first and the second rows ( 4 , 5 ), parallel to and in contact with each other, in a given first direction (A), along the feed path (P) to a second transfer station ( 9 ); and inserting each row ( 4 , 5 ) inside a respective channel ( 20 ) of the operating unit ( 6 ) by transferring the rows ( 4 , 5 ) in the first direction (A); the method further comprising the steps of: feeding at least one lead packet ( 2 a ) of the first row ( 4 ) and at least one lead packet ( 2 b ) of the second row ( 5 ) from the second transfer station ( 9 ) to a first transfer station ( 12 ) located upstream from the operating unit( 6 ) along the feed path (P); the lead packet ( 2 a ) in the first row ( 4 ) being pushed and, in turn, pushing the lead packet ( 2 b ) in the second row ( 5 ) upwards in a second direction (B), which is substantially vertical and crosswise to the first direction (A); parting the lead packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) at the first transfer station ( 12 ) crosswise to the first direction (A); positioning means ( 14 ), located at the first transfer station ( 12 ), gripping the lead packet ( 2 b ) of the second row ( 5 ) and then the lead packet ( 2 a ) of the first row ( 4 ) being moved vertically downwards to detach itself from the lead packet ( 2 b ) in the second row ( 5 ); and transferring, after the lead packets ( 2 a , 2 b ) have been parted, each lead packet ( 2 a , 2 b ) in the first direction (A) into the respective channel ( 20 ) of the operating unit ( 6 ).