U.S. patent application number 09/233100 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for method and a device for the formation of flat articles into groups.
Invention is credited to GAMBERINI, ANTONIO, GHIOTTI, ROBERTO.
Application Number | 20010001997 09/233100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11343083 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GHIOTTI, ROBERTO ; et
al. |
May 31, 2001 |
METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR THE FORMATION OF FLAT ARTICLES INTO
GROUPS
Abstract
Flat articles to be formed into groups for packaging are
advanced in succession at a set tempo toward a transfer station
where each article is made to assume a predetermined position in
space, standing on edge. Thereafter, the articles are advanced in a
direction perpendicular to the position in space and toward a
release station by means of a first conveyor equipped with pockets
caused to advance at a first linear velocity in such a way that
each pocket receives an article and, at predetermined intervals,
accelerated to a second velocity for a predetermined duration
between the arrival of one article at the transfer station and the
arrival of the next article; in this way, one or more pockets
remain empty, and groups of articles forming on the conveyor are
separated one from the next by the empty pockets.
Inventors: |
GHIOTTI, ROBERTO; (CALDERINO
DI MONTE SAN PIETRO, IT) ; GAMBERINI, ANTONIO;
(BOLOGNA, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY MADISON & SUTRO
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
1100 NEW YORK AVENUE N W
NINTH FLOOR EASR TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
200053918
|
Family ID: |
11343083 |
Appl. No.: |
09/233100 |
Filed: |
January 19, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/431 ;
198/459.3; 198/461.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 47/082 20130101;
B65G 33/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/431 ;
198/459.3; 198/461.1 |
International
Class: |
B65G 047/31; B65G
033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 2, 1998 |
IT |
BO98A-000212 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A method for the formation of flat articles into groups,
comprising the steps of: advancing a first succession of articles
along a first predetermined path toward a transfer station, at a
set tempo and in such a way that each article is caused to assume a
predetermined position in space when occupying the transfer
station; advancing the articles through the agency of pocket type
first conveyor means along a second predetermined path extending
from the transfer station to a release station in a feed direction
substantially normal to the position in space assumed by the
articles, thereby creating a second succession of articles disposed
on edge; forming a succession of distinct groups along the pocket
type first conveyor means, each consisting in a plurality of
articles spaced apart at a predetermined and constant pitch, of
which the last article in each group is distanced from the first
article of the next group in succession by a gap of predetermined
length greater than the pitch, obtained by selectively and
controllably varying the linear velocity of the pockets of the
first conveyor means with the passage of each group.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the process of selectively
varying the linear velocity at which the pockets advance along the
second path and in the second feed direction comprises the steps of
advancing the pockets at a first predetermined linear velocity,
timed with the movement of the first succession of articles and
maintained for a first predetermined duration, in such a way that
each successive pocket receives a relative article, then following
the accumulation of a selected number of articles breasted one with
the next and making up one group, causing the pockets to advance at
a second predetermined linear velocity greater than the first
linear velocity, in such a way that at least one pocket advances
without receiving an article and the completed group remains
separated from the group next in succession by a gap of
predetermined length proportionate to a second predetermined
duration for which the second linear velocity is maintained.
3. A method as in claim 1 or 2, comprising a further step of taking
up each successive group formed by the first conveyor means and
compacting the single articles thereof.
4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of taking up and
compacting the groups is effected at the release station and
consists in taking up each group of articles individually onto
second conveyor means operating synchronously and in conjunction
with the first conveyor means and incorporating at least an active
branch caused to advance in a direction coinciding substantially
with the second feed direction.
5. A method as in claims 1 to 4, comprising a further step of
taking up each successive group formed by the first conveyor means
and compacting the single articles thereof, which is effected at
the release station and consists in taking up each group of
articles individually onto second conveyor means operating
synchronously and in conjunction with the first conveyor means and
incorporating at least an active branch caused to advance in a
direction coinciding substantially with the second feed direction
at a predetermined linear velocity lower than the second
predetermined linear velocity of the first conveyor means.
6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of taking up and
compacting the successive groups formed by the first conveyor means
is effected with at least the active branch of the second conveyor
means caused to advance in a direction coinciding substantially
with the second feed direction at a predetermined linear velocity
lower than the first predetermined linear velocity of the first
conveyor means.
7. A method as in claims 1 to 6, wherein pocket type first conveyor
means are embodied as two feed screws contrarotating about
respective axes, each comprising a center shaft and at least one
flight wound helically about the shaft to form a succession of
single coils along the relative axis, each two successive coils of
either screw combining with two corresponding coils of the other
screw to create a pocket such as will accommodate and convey one
relative article.
8. A method as in claims 5 to 7, employing second conveyor means
equipped with a plurality of projections ordered in succession
along the second path, separated one from the next by a distance
substantially equal to the selected depth of the compacted group of
articles and capable thus of movement along the second feed
direction, wherein each projection is capable also of movement
along a third path perpendicular to the second path, assuming at
least a retracted position within the dimensional compass of the
conveyor, neither making contact nor interacting with the groups of
articles, and an extended position protruding from the conveyor and
insertable into the gap between two successive groups released by
the first conveying means, in such a way as to afford a locating
element by which the forwardmost article of the oncoming group is
engaged and decelerated, causing the articles of the group to be
compacted together.
9. A device for the formation of flat articles into groups,
comprising means by which to advance a first succession of articles
along a first predetermined path toward a transfer station, at a
set tempo and in such a manner that each article is caused to
assume a predetermined position in space when occupying the
transfer station, also first conveyor means affording pockets by
which the articles are advanced along a second predetermined path
extending from the transfer station to a release station in a feed
direction substantially perpendicular to the position in space
assumed by the articles, thereby creating a second succession of
articles disposed on edge, wherein the linear velocity of the
pockets afforded by the first conveyor means and therefore the rate
of feed at which the articles advance along the second path can be
selectively controlled in such a way as to allow the formation of a
succession of distinct groups along the first conveyor means, each
comprising a plurality of articles spaced apart at a predetermined
constant pitch, of which the last article in each group is
distanced from the first article of the next group in succession by
a gap of predetermined length greater than the pitch length.
10. A device as in claim 9, comprising a monitoring and control
unit able to pilot the operation of the first conveyor means at
first and second linear velocities of which the respective values
are predetermined relative to the means of advancing the first
succession of articles.
11. A device as in claim 10 comprising means positioned in the
neighbourhood of the release station and operating in conjunction
with the first conveying means, by which the successive groups are
taken up and the single articles of each group compacted.
12. A device as in claim 11, wherein means of taking up and
compacting the groups comprise second conveying means, equipped
with elements positioned to locate and restrain each group of
articles, of which at least an active branch is caused to advance
in a direction coinciding substantially with the second feed
direction.
13. A device as in claim 12, wherein the active branch of the
second conveying means is caused to advance at a predetermined
linear velocity less than the second linear velocity of the pockets
of the first conveyor.
14. A device as in claim 12, wherein the active branch of the
second conveying means is caused to advance at a predetermined
linear velocity less than the first linear velocity of the pockets
of the first conveyor.
15. A device as in claim 1, wherein pocket type first conveying
means are embodied as two feed screws contrarotating about
respective axes, each comprising a center shaft and at least one
flight wound helically about the shaft to form a succession of
single coils along the relative axis, each two successive coils of
either screw combining with two corresponding coils of the other
screw to create a pocket such as will accommodate and convey one
relative article.
16. A device as in claim 12, wherein the locating and restraining
elements consist in a plurality of projections arranged in
succession and translatable along the second feed direction, and
capable individually also, at the release station, of assuming a
position of engagement with a corresponding empty pocket in which
the single projection is interposed between two successive groups
of articles.
17. A device as in claim 16, wherein each projection is capable of
movement along a third path perpendicular to the second path,
assuming at least a retracted position within the dimensional
compass of the conveyor, neither making contact nor interacting
with the groups of articles, and an extended position protruding
from the conveyor and insertable into the gap between two
successive groups released by the first conveyor, in such a way as
to afford a locating element by which the forwardmost article of
the oncoming group is engaged and decelerated, causing the articles
of the group to be compacted together.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for the formation
of flat articles into groups.
[0002] The invention finds application to advantage in the food
industry where there is a requirement for flat articles such as
chocolates, toffees, cookies and the like to be arranged in groups;
indeed reference is made in the following specification to this
same art field, albeit implying no limitation in general scope.
[0003] The prior art embraces methods for the formation of flat
articles into groups; in a first method, disclosed in UK Patent
application no 2 203 412, the articles advance randomly along a
horizontal conveying surface to a station where they are taken up
singly onto the periphery of a vacuum wheel and directed toward a
transfer station. Before entering the transfer station, the
articles pass in front of a sensor serving to pilot the operation
of a device by which each article in turn is detached from the
wheel and added to a group, positioned on edge inside a magazine
which is caused simultaneously to recede through a distance
substantially identical to the thickness of the single article.
During this formation step, the group is inclined relative to a
horizontal plane and guided laterally by a fixed wall which the
articles engage in sliding contact. Thereafter, having accumulated
a selected number of articles, the magazine is rotated in such a
manner as to release the already formed group of articles into a
container, which is then directed toward further operating
stations.
[0004] The formation of flat articles into groups by this method
betrays certain drawbacks.
[0005] Firstly, the sliding contact between the articles and the
fixed side wall can jeopardize the correct formation of a group of
articles, for example, in the event that the articles should bind
or stick as the result of sliding friction.
[0006] This is a drawback that significantly limits the operating
speed of packaging equipment as described above.
[0007] Secondly, the receding movement of the magazine has the
effect of jerking the articles, positioned in contact one with
another, with the result that the articles themselves can suffer
damage; this again dictates the need for the operating speed of the
equipment to remain below a desirable higher value.
[0008] The operating speed is limited additionally by the brevity
of the interval allowed in which to bring about the step of
detaching the articles from the vacuum wheel, which is enabled by a
sensor located immediately preceding the transfer station. The
prior art embraces another method, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,595,280, whereby the flat articles are advanced in an ordered
succession toward a vacuum wheel furnished with pockets, each
accommodating a single article. The articles are then taken up by a
linear conveyor and caused to advance, positioned on edge, along a
first feed direction and toward a transfer station where they are
formed into groups and removed subsequently from the conveyor by an
extractor device of which the action is produced by movement in a
direction perpendicular to the first feed direction
aforementioned.
[0009] This further method of forming articles into groups presents
the drawback that the articles are made to pause at the transfer
station, so that the groups can be distanced along the second feed
direction and the risk of contact with successive articles
advancing on the conveyor thus eliminated. The need to include a
pause consequently occasions a certain reduction in the operating
speed of the equipment.
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method
whereby flat articles standing on edge can be formed into groups
without any of the drawbacks mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The stated object is duly realized in a method according to
the present invention for forming flat articles into groups, which
comprises the steps of advancing a first succession of articles
along a first path toward a transfer station, at a set tempo and in
such a way that each article is caused to assume a predetermined
position in space when occupying the transfer station, and
advancing the articles through the agency of pocket type first
conveyor means along a second path extending from the transfer
station to a release station in a feed direction substantially
normal to the position in space assumed by the articles, thereby
creating a second succession of articles disposed on edge. The
method disclosed also comprises the step of forming a succession of
distinct groups along the pocket type first conveyor means, each
consisting in a plurality of articles spaced apart at a given
constant pitch, of which the last article in each group is
distanced from the first article of the next group in succession by
a gap of length greater than the pitch length, obtainable by
selectively and controllably varying the linear velocity of the
pockets of the first conveyor means with the passage of each
group.
[0012] The present invention also relates to a device for the
implementation of such a method.
[0013] In accordance with the invention, flat articles are formed
into groups by a device comprising means by which to advance a
first succession of articles along a first predetermined path
toward a transfer station, at a set tempo and in such a manner that
each article is caused to assume a predetermined position in space
when occupying the transfer station, and first conveyor means
affording pockets by which the articles are advanced along a second
predetermined path extending from the transfer station to a release
station in a feed direction substantially perpendicular to the
position in space assumed by the articles, thereby creating a
second succession of articles disposed on edge, wherein the linear
velocity of the pockets afforded by the first conveyor means, and
therefore the rate of feed at which the articles advance along the
second path, can be selectively controlled in such a way as to
allow the formation of a succession of distinct groups along the
first conveyor means, each consisting in a plurality of articles
spaced apart at a predetermined constant pitch, of which the last
article in each group is distanced from the first article of the
next group in succession by a gap of predetermined length greater
than the pitch length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of
example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device
according to the present invention, viewed in elevation with
certain parts omitted;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in plan, with certain
parts omitted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, 1 denotes a device, in
its entirety, serving to bring about the formation of groups 2 of
articles 3 appearing flat and substantially parallelepiped in
shape.
[0018] The device 1 comprises a conveyor wheel 4 by which the
articles 3 are taken up from a transfer device denoted 5; as
discernible in FIG. 1, the articles are advanced in succession by
the transfer device 5 along a relative feed direction T toward a
release station 6 where they are passed to the wheel 4.
[0019] The transfer device 5, which could take a variety of forms,
is illustrated only in part and requires no description, being
conventional in embodiment.
[0020] The wheel 4 is keyed to a shaft 7 located beneath the
transfer device 5 and rotatable in a clockwise direction, as seen
in FIG. 1, about a substantially horizontal center axis. The
peripheral surface of the wheel 4 affords a plurality of suction
holes 8 connected in conventional manner (not illustrated) to a
source of negative pressure, also conventional and not illustrated.
The embodiment of the suction holes 8 is such that each one can be
occupied by a single article 3 and the articles thus retained on
the periphery of the wheel 4, whilst the function of the wheel 4 is
to direct a first succession 21 of articles 3 along a first
predetermined path P1 toward a transfer station 9, in such a way
that the single article 3 will reach the station 9 occupying a
given position in space.
[0021] The wheel 4 operates at the transfer station 9 in
conjunction with the infeed end of a first pocket conveyor 10 to be
described in due course, of which the function is to direct a
second succession 22 of the articles 3, positioned on edge, along a
second predetermined path P2 extending from the transfer station 9
to a release station 11, advancing in a feed direction 12
substantially orthogonal to the axis of wheel 4 and to the
aforementioned position in space occupied by the articles 3.
[0022] The first conveyor 10 comprises two feed screws 13 disposed
side by side, with respective axes 13a extending parallel to the
feed direction 12. The two screws 13 are interconnected
mechanically in conventional manner through one or more gear pairs
(not illustrated) housed internally of a case 27, and driven thus
at identical angular velocities in opposite directions of rotation
by a first motor 24 mounted to the case 27 and coupled to the
gears.
[0023] Each feed screw 13 comprises a center shaft 14 coaxial with
the respective axis 13a, and at least one flight 15 wound helically
around the relative shaft 14 to form a plurality of successive
single coils extending along the shaft 14.
[0024] In the example of the drawings, the feed screws 13 are
constructed with two starts, and therefore with two flights 15, so
that the coils advance through two helical pitch lengths with each
full rotation of the shaft 14.
[0025] Each two adjacent coils of the single feed screw 13 combine
to form one half of a conveying pocket 28 that is proportioned to
accommodate one article 3 and translatable along the feed direction
12. As the pockets 28 advance, each article 3 is retained by its
two opposite lateral extremities between the relative adjacent
coils of the two feed screws 13. An intermediate portion of the
article 3 rests on a conveying surface afforded by two guide rails
16 extending parallel to the feed direction 12 and occupying a
position between the screws 13, below the level of the shafts
14.
[0026] A central monitoring and control unit 17 shown in FIG. 1
governs the speed of the first motor 24, and therefore the speed of
rotation of the two feed screws 13 about the respective axes
13a.
[0027] To the end that the device 1 for the formation of groups 2
of articles 3 may be readily comprehended, both constructionally
and in terms of its operation (of which a detailed description will
follow in due course), the operation of the first conveyor 10 will
now be explained briefly, starting from the configuration in which
a first article 3 has been released by the wheel 4 into a relative
pocket 28 afforded by adjacent successive coils of the feed screws
13 positioned correspondingly on each side.
[0028] During the release step, the two feed screws 13 continue to
be driven by the motor 24 at a first predetermined speed of
rotation, synchronously with the wheel 4, in such a way that the
articles 3 will be deposited singly into the respective pockets 28
generated in succession along and between the two feed screws 13,
and caused to advance along the second path P2 at a first
predetermined feed rate.
[0029] Once a group 2 of mutually adjacent articles 3 has
accumulated to a selected number, the motor 24 is piloted by a
signal from the control unit 17 to rotate at higher number of
revolutions per minute, thereby increasing the angular velocity of
the two feed screws 13.
[0030] The screws 13 now run at a second predetermined speed of
rotation, no longer synchronous with the wheel 4, so that the rate
at which the articles 3 advance along the second path P2 is
accelerated relative to the first feed rate. In this way, one or
more of the pockets 28 generated at the transfer station 9 will
advance beyond the station before the next article 3 is released to
the conveyor 10, and therefore remain empty.
[0031] It will be seen from this brief explanation that the groups
2 are formed directly on the conveyor 10 as and when the number of
articles 3 accumulated is equivalent to one group 2, by causing the
two feed screws 13 to rotate about their respective axes 13a at a
higher speed, thereby accelerating the rate of feed and separating
each group 2 from that next in succession by creating a gap of
predetermined length denoted S in the drawings. More precisely, the
higher speed of rotation of the feed screws 13 is maintained for a
predetermined interval of time during which one or more pockets 28
will advance without receiving any articles 3 and thus remain
empty. Naturally, the longer the screws are driven by the motor 24
at the higher speed of rotation, the more pockets will be left
empty and the bigger the gap S between successive groups 2 will
become. Similarly, the higher the speed of rotation of the feed
screws 13 maintained for a given duration, the bigger the gap S
will become.
[0032] The formation of the group 2 being completed, the control
unit 17 pilots the motor 24 to reassume its former speed of
rotation synchronous with that of the wheel 4, the feed screws 13
decelerate back to the first predetermined speed of rotation, and
the articles 3 can once again be deposited by the wheel into each
successive pocket 28 generated.
[0033] Whilst in the particular example of the drawings each group
2 is formed with five articles 3, it will be possible clearly
enough to form groups 2 composed of different numbers of articles 3
simply by reprogramming the timer functions of the control unit
17.
[0034] Also forming part of the device 1 are means 18 and 20
operating in conjunction with the feed screws 13 at the release
station 11, by which the groups 2 are taken up and the single
articles 3 compacted; more exactly, such means comprise a second
conveyor denoted 18, of which the infeed end is positioned to
receive the groups 2 of articles formed while advancing along the
screws 13 in the relative feed direction 12.
[0035] The conveyor 18 comprises a flexible element 19 shown as a
chain in the example illustrated, looped around respective wheels
29 of which one is power driven by a motor 30 interlocked to the
monitoring and control unit 17, thereby ensuring that at least the
top, active branch 23 of the chain 19 can be advanced along the
second path P2 and in the second direction 12 synchronously with
the feed screws 13, at a substantially constant speed. In the
example of the drawings, the top branch 23 of the second conveyor
18 is made to advance at a linear velocity slower than the rate at
which the single groups 2 of articles 3 approach the release
station 11, for reasons that will become apparent.
[0036] The chain carries a plurality of projections 20 performing
the function of locating and restraining elements, in conventional
manner, which are spaced apart at a predetermined distance and
insertable thus into the gaps S between successive groups 2. The
projections 20 are also capable individually of movement produced
by drive means (conventional in embodiment and therefore not
illustrated), relative to the chain 19 and along a third path 25
normal to the second path P2, in such a manner as to assume at
least a retracted position substantially within the compass of the
looped conveyor 18, in which the projection 20 neither makes
contact nor interacts with the groups 2 of articles 3, and an
extended position in which the projection 20 protrudes from the
conveyor 18 and locates in the gap S separating two successive
groups 2 about to be released by the feed screws 13.
[0037] In operation, the articles 3 are indexed by the transfer
device 5 to the release station 6 where they are taken up onto the
wheel 4, retained by suction in contact with the revolving
peripheral surface and caused to advance continuously toward the
transfer station 9; during this initial step the articles 3 proceed
in a first succession 21, moving along the first path P1 at a
selected tempo, spaced apart at a regular distance, and completing
a rotation of 90.degree. or thereabouts about the axis of the wheel
4.
[0038] As each of the holes 8 in turn passes through the transfer
station 9, suction discontinues and the article 3 retained hitherto
can drop freely into a relative pocket 28 of the conveyor 10.
[0039] The feed screws 13 are caused by the motor 24 to turn at a
first predetermined speed of rotation synchronized with that of the
wheel 4, that is to say, timed in such a way that the arrival of an
article 3 at the transfer station 9 coincides with the moment when
a pocket 28 is generated at the station, which will be maintained
until the wheel has deposited articles into a predetermined number
of consecutive pockets 28.
[0040] The irregular situation of an article 3 failing to associate
with one of the suction holes 8 will be indicated to the monitoring
and control unit 17, which is also wired to conventional sensing
means (not illustrated) located on the feed direction T along which
the articles 3 are directed toward the wheel 4 by the transfer
device 5. The sensing means in question are able to provide the
control unit 17 with a signal indicating the presence or absence of
articles 3 on the transfer device 5.
[0041] In the event that an article 3 should indeed fail to
materialize on the corresponding suction hole 8, the control unit
17 will cause the feed screws 13 to stop or decelerate so as to
wait for the next article 3 in succession and avoid leaving an
empty pocket 28. Once the last article 3 of a group 2 has passed
from the wheel 4 to the relative pocket 28, the control unit 17
pilots an increase in the speed of rotation of the screws 13, to be
maintained for a given duration in the manner described above, so
that before the next article 3 in succession can reach the transfer
station 9, at least one pocket 28 will have been generated without
being filled.
[0042] In the example illustrated, five pockets 28 are filled
consecutively with respective articles 3 and two pockets 28 then
left empty.
[0043] As groups 2 of articles 3 form along the feed screws 13, the
articles 3 making up each group are caused to advance spaced apart
one from the next at a selected pitch denoted "p". In the event
that the feed screws 13 have two starts, as described above, the
single articles 3 will be spaced apart one from the next at a
distance corresponding to half the pitch of the screw 13.
[0044] In the example illustrated, the gap S is produced by spacing
the groups 2 apart one from the next at a distance greater than one
pitch length "p", and equal to a whole number multiple of the
pitch.
[0045] As one or more empty pockets 28 reach the release station
11, a projection 20 will be advanced by the drive means from the
retracted position toward the extended position, locating in a
relative pocket 28 without touching the flights 15 and taking up a
position in the gap S between successive groups 2 just before the
final article 3 of a group 2 is released fully by the screws 13, as
in FIG. 2.
[0046] With the top branch 23 of the chain 19 advancing at a slower
linear velocity, the first article 3 of the group 2 locates against
the projection 20 and consequently is decelerated relative to the
other articles 3 of the same group 2, which continue to advance at
the higher speed as explained above. As a result, the articles 3 of
the group 2 are brought into contact one with the next and duly
compacted.
[0047] Importantly, the chain 19 will be driven by the motor 30, of
which the operation is interlocked to the control unit 17, at a
velocity such that the articles 3 of a given group 2 are compacted
without any impact occurring.
[0048] To form groups 2 made up of a different number of articles
3, the monitoring and control unit 17 must be reprogrammed and the
projections 20 rearranged on the flexible element 19 as
appropriate.
[0049] In the example illustrated, articles 3 approach the device 1
in an ordered succession, spaced apart at a predetermined and
constant pitch, although it would be quite possible to adopt an
infeed system whereby the articles 3 enter in random rather than
ordered succession. In this instance, use would be made of a sensor
located near the vacuum wheel 4 and preceding the transfer station
9 at which the articles 3 are taken up by the pockets 28 of the
first conveyor 10, the function of the sensor being to detect the
passage of an article 3 and relay a signal to the monitoring and
control unit 17, which would then pilot the pocket conveyor 10 to
respond in the manner described above.
[0050] It will be evident from the foregoing description that the
articles 3 advance through the device 1 first singly, then ordered
into groups, but never isolated from the device and never moving
from any one point to the next in an uncontrolled manner. In
particular, the formation of successive groups 2 is brought about
along the feed screws 13 and effected simply by regulating the
speed of rotation of the selfsame screws, hence in a permanently
controlled manner. Moreover, the advancing articles 3 are not
brought into contact with one another until they have passed beyond
the release station 11, by which time the formation of the groups 2
is complete, so that the risk of any article 3 striking an obstacle
or another article 3 in an uncontrolled manner is eliminated.
* * * * *