Product sorter and method

Abstract

The product sorter comprises several inlet channels (13.1-13.4) arranged adjacent to each other and several outlet channels (31.1-31.8) arranged adjacent to each other and arranged downstream of the inlet channels (13.1-13.4) with respect to a product advancement direction. Each inlet channel (13.1-13.4) is aligned with a corresponding outlet channel (31.1-31.4). The sorter further comprises a transversal transfer device associated with the outlet channels (31.1-31.8) and adapted to transfer products (P) between outlet channels (31.1-31.8) with a transversal movement with respect to a longitudinal extension of the outlet channels (31.1-31.8).

Description

PRODUCT SORTER AND METHODDESCRIPTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present description relates to machines for production and packaging lines of products, such as tissue paper products, for example rolls of tissue paper.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In many industrial sectors, production or processing lines are provided, along which products are fed, that need to be sorted on multiple advancement lines, for example to be directed to packaging machines or stations.

[0003] In the tissue paper industry, it is known, for example, to produce tissue paper rolls starting from large diameter reels, so-called parent reels. One or more parent reels are unwound in an unwinder, arranged at the beginning of converting line. Plies of tissue paper, unwound from the parent reels, are supplied to a rewinding machine which forms rolls or logs of a diameter equal to the diameter of the rolls intended for packaging, and of an axial length equal to the axial length of the parent reels. Prior to winding into rolls, plies of tissue paper may be embossed, printed, or undergo other ancillary processing.

[0004] Downstream of the rewinding machine, one or more cutting machines are arranged, which cut the rolls into small rolls intended for packaging.

[0005] Downstream of the cutting machine(s) one or more packaging stations may be provided.

[0006] Besides the stations mentioned above, a processing and packaging line may comprise other components, not of interest here, such as intermediate storage units, tail sealers, core winders, and other.

[0007] The same production configuration is obtained in cases where the paper products to be sorted are packets or stacks of tissues, napkins, paper tissues or in general folded or interfolded products, differing in that in the production line there is a foldingand interfolding machine instead of the rewinding machine.

[0008] The need often arises to collect the products, for example cut small rolls or folded or interfolded products, from one or more upstream lines and sort them to one or more downstream lines. To this end, suitable sorters with inlet channels adapted to receive the products from the upstream line(s) and distribute the products towards several downstream lines, are provided.

[0009] The current known sorters have a complex structure, comprising many moving parts of large size and mass, which therefore have large overall dimensions and are difficult to install especially when space is limited. In addition, the productivity of sorters of the prior art is limited.

[0010] A need therefore exists, to provide a machine for sorting products, in particular tissue paper rolls, capable of fully or partly overcoming these drawbacks of sorters of the prior art.SUMMARY

[0011] The product sorter comprises a set of inlet channels arranged adjacent to each other and a set of outlet channels arranged adjacent to each other and arranged downstream of the inlet channels with respect to a product advancement direction. Each inlet channel is aligned with a corresponding outlet channel, so that from the inlet channels the products can be inserted into the outlet channels aligned with the inlet channels. In some shown embodiments, there are fewer inlet channels as compared to outlet channels. The sorter further comprises a transversal transfer device associated with the outlet channels and adapted to transfer products between outlet channels with a movement transversal to a longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

[0012] The transfer device allows the supplied products to be transferred transversely (i.e. with a movement transverse to the normal advancing movement the of products along the inlet and outlet channels) into a first group of outlet channels and transfer them into a second group of outlet channels. The second group of outlet channels may include a subset of the first group of outlet channels.

[0013] For example, assuming to have N inlet channels and M outlet channels (M usually greater than N) upon filling m adjacent outlet channels (with m smaller thanM), the products contained in m outlet channels can be transferred transversely to a group of m’ outlet channels, with m=m’ and wherein the m and m’ channels can all be different from each other, or wherein a subset of outlet channels can be part of the group m and the group m’ .

[0014] Adjacent channels may be contiguous, but this is not essential. Basically, it cannot be ruled out that in the group of m and m’ channels there are empty channels interposed between channels full of products. For example, channels 1, 2, 3 can be full, channel 4 can be empty, and channel 5 can be full again.

[0015] If channels of the first group, receiving products from the inlet channels are channels 1, 2, 3, 4 (group m of outlet channels), products can be transferred to channels 5, 6, 7, 8, with a full translation. Or products can be translated in a smaller number of steps (number of channels), for example products transferred from channels 1, 2, 3, 4 to channels 3, 4, 5, 6.

[0016] Further features and embodiments of the sorter are described below with reference to the attached drawings and are set forth in the attached claims.

[0017] According to a further aspect, a method for sorting a flow of products is described herein, wherein the method comprises a first step consisting of introducing a first plurality of products into a group of inlet channels of a set of inlet channels arranged adjacent to each other in a product sorter. In a second step, there is provided for transferring the first plurality of products from the group of inlet channels into a group of outlet channels of a set of outlet channels of the product sorter, arranged adjacent to each other, wherein each outlet channel of the first group of outlet channels is aligned with a respective inlet channel of the group of inlet channels along a product advancement direction in the inlet channels and in the outlet channels. Lastly, there is carried out a step of transferring the first plurality of products from the first group of outlet channels to a second group of outlet channels of the set of outlet channels. The second group of outlet channels is arranged adjacent to the first group of outlet channels and staggered with respect to the group of inlet channels in a direction transversal to the product advancement direction in the inlet channels and in the outlet channels. The first group of outlet channels and the second group of outlet channels may have one or more shared outlet channels. In other words, the transversal staggering step mayprovide for that the products contained in the first group of outlet channels be translated by a number of outlet channels at least equal to the number of channels of the first group of outlet channels. However, this is not mandatory. For example, an overlapping between the groups of outlet channels can exist, i.e. one or more channels can belong to the first and to the second group of outlet channels.

[0018] Furthermore, the method may comprise the steps of: introducing a plurality of products in the group of inlet channels; transferring the second plurality of products from the group of inlet channels into the first group of inlet channels; and ejecting the second plurality of products from the first group of outlet channels and the first plurality of products from the second group of outlet channels with a movement along a longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] With reference to the drawings, which show exemplary embodiments:Fig. l is a plan schematic view of a production line in which a sorter according to the present disclosure is arranged;Fig.2 is a front view according to line II-II of Fig.3 of the outlet side of the sorter;Fig.3 is a lateral view according to III-III of Fig.2;Fig.4 is a general axonometric view of the sorter;Fig.5 is a detailed axonometric view of the transversal transfer device of the sorter;Fig.5A is a detail of the transfer device isolated from the other members of the sorter;Fig.6 is an axonometric view from the outlet side of the outlet section of the sorter;Fig.7 is an enlargement in axonometric view of the outlet side of the outlet channels of the outlet section of the sorter;Fig.8 is a top axonometric view of the inlet section of the sorter;Fig.9 is a lateral axonometric view of the inlet section;Fig.10 is a detail in top axonometric view from the outlet side of the inlet section;Fig.11 is axonometric view of a detail of the inlet section;Fig.12 is a top plan view of the inlet section according to XII-XII of Fig.3;Fig.13 is a bottom view of the inlet section according to XIII-XIII of Fig.3;Fig.14 is an operative sequential diagram of the sorter in one embodiment; andFig.15 is an operative sequential diagram of the sorter in a different embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Fig.1 schematically shows a plan view of a configuration of a system for producing and packaging products, which comprises a product sorter according to the present description. The system is indicated in its entirety with 1. It comprises a set of inlet lines 2 which supply products to the sorter, schematically indicated with 3, and a set of outlet lines 5. In the illustrated example, two inlet lines 2 are provided, which come from two converting lines 7, for example for producing tissue paper rolls, interfolded cellulose products or other. In the illustrated example, the products coming from the two inlet lines 2 are distributed by the sorter 3 on three outlet lines 5.

[0021] Each converting line, schematically indicated with 7, may comprise machines of known type and not described in detail. In other embodiments, the system may comprise only one inlet line, or more than two inlet lines.

[0022] Each outlet line 5 may supply products to a downstream station, for example a respective packaging machine schematically indicated with 9.

[0023] The number of inlet and outlet lines, the number of converting lines and the number of packaging machines indicated in Fig. 1 is purely shown by way of nonlimiting example.

[0024] The sorter 3 is shown in detail in Figs.2 to 12. Fig. 2 shows a front view from the outlet side of the sorter 3, according to line II-II of Fig.3 and Fig.3 shows a lateral view according to line III-III of Fig.2, while Fig.4 shows an axonometric view of the sorter 3.

[0025] The sorter 3 comprises an inlet section 3 A and an outlet section 3B, arranged sequentially the first upstream of the second with respect to an advancement direction F of the products to be sorted. Reference number 11 generally indicates a load-bearing structure, which supports the various groups and components of the inlet section 3A and of the outlet section 3B.

[0026] The inlet section 3 A comprises a set of inlet channels 13 arranged adjacent toeach other, adapted to receive products to be sorted, coming from the inlet line(s) 2, in particular tissue paper rolls, such as toilet paper or paper towel. In the illustrated example, the inlet section 3A of the sorter 3 comprises, by way of example, four inlet channels 13.

[0027] General axonometric views of the inlet section 3 A with the inlet channels 13 are shown in Figs. 8 and 9, Figs. 10 and 11 show axonometric views of parts of the inlet section 3 A, Fig.12 shows a plan view of the inlet section 3 A and Fig.13 shows a bottom view of the inlet section 3 A.

[0028] The inlet channels 13 are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other and extend in a longitudinal direction in the advancement direction F of the products to be dispensed.

[0029] Each inlet channel 13 comprises a pair of continuous conveyors indicated with 15, which may comprise belts or other continuous flexible members. In the illustrated embodiment, each continuous conveyor 15 is driven by its own actuator 17, for example an electric motor. The motion is transmitted by each actuator 17 to the respective continuous conveyor 15 through a belt 19 or other suitable transmission member. Basically, two continuous conveyors 15 arranged adjacent to each other of each inlet channel 13 define, with the respective active branches arranged adjacent to each other, a space into which the products to be sorted are introduced. The simultaneous actuation of the two continuous conveyors 15 of a channel 13 causes the products to be launched towards the outlet section 3B.

[0030] The products are inserted between respective pairs of continuous conveyors 15 of each channel 13 through supply belts 16, which can be cumulatively supplied by an actuator 18, for example an electric motor, in particular see Fig.11, in which the belt for transmitting motion from the motor 18 to a shaft 18.2, on which drive pulleys of the supply belts 16 is splined is indicated with 18.1.

[0031] Using independent actuators 17 for each continuous conveyor 15 enables to make such continuous conveyors 15 independent from each other, and therefore easier to adjust in position in the manner and for the purposes clarified below, besides having a simplified mechanical construction. Using a single actuator for each pair of continuous conveyors 15 cannot be ruled out. Preferably, the actuators of the various inletchannels 13 are independent from each other, so as to advance the products in the individual inlet channels independently from the advancement movement of the products in the adjacent inlet channels.

[0032] To handle products with variable transversal dimensions, for example rolls with different diameters, the pairs of continuous conveyors 15 of each channel 13 have an adjustable distance. In an embodiment shown in particular in Figs. 9 and 13, the conveyors 15 on the right side of each channel 13 are carried by a movable frame 15.1 and the conveyors 15 on the left side of each channel 13 are carried by a movable frame 15.2. The movable frame 15.1 is integral with slides 15.3 engaged on a guide 15.4, while the movable frame 15.2 is integral with slides 15.5 engaged on a guide 15.6. The guides 15.4 and 15.6 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the advancement direction of the products, i.e. orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the inlet channels 13. The frame 15.1 and the slides 15.3 are integral with a nut screw 15.7 (see Fig.13), while the frame 15.2 and the slides 15.5 are integral with the nut screw 15.8. The two nut screws 15.7 and 15.8 mesh with two threaded portions of a threaded bar 15.9, rotatable through an actuator or a manual handwheel, not shown, and carried by the load-bearing structure 11. The two threaded portions of the threaded bar 15.9, with which the nut screws 15.7 and 15.8 mesh, have opposite threads, so that the rotation of the threaded bar 15.9 causes a simultaneous translation in opposite directions of the two frames 15.3, 15.5 and a resulting mutual approaching and moving away movement of the mutually opposite continuous conveyors 15 of each channel 13.

[0033] The outlet section 3B of the sorter 3 comprises a set of outlet channels, each indicated with 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet section 3B comprises eight outlet channels 31. The outlet channels are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other and extend according to a longitudinal direction parallel to the advancement direction F of the products to be sorted. A group of outlet channels 31 comprises outlet channels 31 each aligned with a respective inlet channel 13. In the illustrated example, given that there are four inlet channels 13, the outlet channels 31 are divided into two series, each comprising four outlet channels 31. A first series of outlet channels 31 comprises four outlet channels 31 aligned with the four inlet channels 13. The other four outlet channels 31 consist of a second series of outlet channels and they are arranged adjacent on one side to the first series of outlets, staggered with respect to the inlet channels 13.

[0034] As visible in particular in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7, each outlet channel 31 comprises a longitudinal outlet conveyor 33. The longitudinal outlet conveyors 33 may consist of conveyor belts with a substantially flat and horizontal active branch, extending in the longitudinal direction of the outlet channels 31 and which forms a support and advancement surface, in the advancement direction F, of the products when they are transferred from the inlet channels 13 to the outlet channels 31 and when they are subsequently ejected from the outlet channels 31.

[0035] In the shown embodiment, each longitudinal outlet conveyor 33 is actuated by an actuator thereof 35, so that the advancement movement in the direction F of the products can be controlled independently for the various outlet channels 31.

[0036] The longitudinal outlet conveyors 33 and the relative actuators 35 are carried by a frame 37 supported on the load-bearing structure 11. The frame 37 is provided with a controlled movement in the vertical direction, indicated by the double arrow £37. The frame 37 is fixed to bars 38 connected to four bar linkage 39 which transmits a movement for lifting and lowering the frame 37, generated by a motor 41. Other types of vertical movement may be used. For example, slides slidable on substantially vertical linear guides 37 may be arranged on the frame. Furthermore, there may be used various types of actuations such as for example plungers or electro-cylinders obtaining the same technical effect.

[0037] Above the outlet channels 31, comprising the respective longitudinal outlet conveyors 33 carried by the frame 37, there is arranged a transversal transfer device indicated with in its entirety with 51 and described hereinafter with specific reference to Figs. 2 to 8. The transversal transfer device 51 has the task of transferring the products inserted in one of the outlet channels 31 to an adjacent outlet channel 31, with a transversal transfer movement f51. The transversal movement f51 is a transversal movement with respect to the advancement direction F of the products along the longitudinal direction of the inlet channels 13 and of the outlet channels 31.

[0038] The transversal transfer device 51 comprises a plurality of pairs of gripping members 53 each extending in the longitudinal direction of the outlet channels 31.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, each gripping member 53 comprises a shaped bar 53 A with a V-shaped cross-section. The shaped bars 53 A of each pair of grippingmembers 53 are mutually symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane extending in the direction F, see in particular Fig.7. The shaped bars 53A of each pair are adapted to laterally engage the products contained in a single outlet channel 31 and retain them during the transversal movement from one to the other of the outlet channels 31.

[0040] The single shaped bars 53A are supported by connection elements 53B, for example connection arms or brackets, to a mechanism which controls the transversal movement according to f51 of the shaped bars 53 A and a mutual approaching and moving away movement of the shaped bars 53 A of each pair. In the illustrated example, these movements are simultaneous for all pairs of shaped bars 53 A thanks to the mechanism described below. The movement mechanism of the shaped bars 53A is described below with specific reference to Figs.3, 4, 5, 5A and 6, where Fig.5A shows the movement mechanism isolated from the other components of the device and in axonometric view and with shaped bars 53 A removed.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the bars 53 A forming part of gripping members 53 are supported by two groups of flexible conveyors extending in the direction f51, transversal with respect to the advancement direction F of the products along the longitudinal extensions of the inlet channels 13 and of the outlet channels 31. More particularly, each group of flexible conveyors is indicated with 61 and comprises two coextensive flexible conveyors, i.e. which extend along paths identical to each other, on vertical planes arranged adjacent to each other, orthogonal to the advancement direction F of the products along the inlet 13 and outlet 31 channels.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two groups of flexible conveyors 61 comprises flexible members consisting of continuous chains or belts. More particularly, each group of flexible conveyors 61 comprises a first continuous belt 63 and a second continuous belt 65. The two continuous belts 63, 65 are guided around respective wheels 64, 66 carried between two sides 67, in particular see Figs.5, 5A. The first bar 53 A of each pair of bars forming part of the gripping members 53 is fixed to the first continuous belt 63. To this end, the connection arms 53B mentioned above are provided. Preferably, as shown in the attached drawing, there are two groups of flexible conveyors 61, so that a bar of each pair of bars 53 A is supported by two continuous belts 63 spaced from each other, each belonging to one of the two group of flexibleconveyors 61. The other bar 53 A of each pair of bars is supported by the other continuous chain 65 of each group of flexible conveyors 61.

[0043] To summarise, all the bars 53A having the same position are fixed to a continuous belt 63 of each group of flexible conveyors 61 and all the bars 53 A having the second position are fixed to a continuous chain 65 of each group of flexible conveyors 61.

[0044] The possibility of using a single group of flexible conveyors 61, or more than two groups of flexible conveyors 61, depending on the length and of the number of outlet channels 31 and therefore of the shaped bars 53 A cannot be ruled out.

[0045] The first belts 63 of each group of flexible conveyors 61 are actuated by one of the wheels 64 around which they are guided, the wheel 64 being driven by a first motor 71. The motor 71 may be supported by a side 67 of one of the two groups of flexible conveyors 61 and a shaft 73 may transmit the motion to the corresponding belt 63 of the other groups of flexible conveyors 61. The belts 65 may be controlled similarly by a second motor 75 and respective shaft 77.

[0046] As shown in the attached figures, the bars 53 A with the respective arms 53B are distributed evenly around the closed path defined by the continuous belts 63, 65, so that the pairs of bars 53 A are distributed at a constant pitch. For the sake of greater clarity, in the attached drawings the pairs of bars 53 A were omitted in the curvilinear section, that is in the section that develops around the wheels 64, 66 on which the continuous belts 63, 65 are guided. The arms 53B are connected to the respective continuous belt 63, 65 through carriages guided along guides 68 (see Fig.5) obtained in the sides 67. The guides and the carriages are omitted in Fig.5 A.

[0047] The mutual distance between the two bars 53A and respective arms 53B of each pair of bars 53 A may be modified by staggering the mutual position of the belts 63 with respect to the belts 65. This staggering may be obtained by differently actuating the two motors 71, 75. For example holding one of the two motors stationary and actuating the other, or actuating both in opposite directions, enables to simultaneously mutually approach or move away the bars 53 A of each pair of bars.

[0048] On the other hand, simultaneously and identically acting on the two motors71, 75 enables to the bars 53A in a synchronised manner keeping them at the same mutual distance.

[0049] The two groups of flexible members 61 are connected to each other by beams 81 which form, with the sides 67, a unit which is supported above the longitudinal outlet conveyors 33 by the load-bearing structure 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the unit carrying the flexible members 61 is supported by pairs of rods 83 arranged symmetrically between them and hinged below blocks 81 A integrally joined with the beams 81 and above movable blocks 85 slidable along guides 86 and provided with nut screws (not shown) therein meshed on threaded bars 87 with opposite threaded portions. In particular see Fig.2. The rotation of the threaded bars 87 causes the mutual approaching and moving away of pairs of movable blocks 85 with resulting lifting and lowering movement of the flexible conveyor assemblies 61 according to the double arrow f61. This allows to adjust the vertical position of the transversal transfer device 51 for example depending on the size of the products to be dispensed, or should there arise the need to carry out maintenance operations on the machine.

[0050] The rotary movement of the threaded bars 87 can be controlled manually or through actuators, not shown.

[0051] In other embodiments, the groups of flexible conveyors 61 may be arranged beneath the outlet channels 31, for example at the inlet and outlet ends of the outlet channels.

[0052] To summarise, the sorter 3 described up to now allows to supply rows of products in the inlet channels 13 and load the products from the inlet channels 13 in the outlet channels 31. Series of products inserted into one or more outlet channels 31 through one or more inlet channels 13 can be translated transversely in adjacent outlet channels 31 through the transversal transfer device 51, to release at least some of the outlet channels 31, which have received the products from the inlet channels 13. The outlet channels thus released may be loaded with other series of products coming from the inlet channels 13. The lateral transfer movement of the products from the one to the other outlet channels 31 can be repeated several times. Once all required outlet channels 31 have been filled with products, the outlet channels eject the products through outlet longitudinal conveyors 33 in the outlet lines 5 (see Fig.1).

[0053] To better clarify possible methods of operation of the sorter 3, reference can be made to the operating sequence schematically shown in Fig.14. This figure shows a schematic plan view of the sorter 3, in which the four inlet channels 13 and the eight outlet channels 31 are shown in a simplified manner. For the sake of descriptive clarity, in Fig.14 the inlet channels are marked as 13. i, with i=l - 4, while the outlet channels are marked as 31.j, withj=l-8.

[0054] In the embodiment of Fig.14, an operating cycle is provided, wherein in the sorter 3 a plurality of products P are progressively introduced, in particular tissue paper rolls for example, which fill all four inlet channels 13.1-13.4 and eight rows of products P are progressively ejected from the outlet channels 31.1-31.8.

[0055] More particularly, Fig.14(A) shows a step in which the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4 were filled with an equal number of rows of products P supplied by four inlet channels 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 e 13.4, which are aligned longitudinally with the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4. In the condition of Fig.14(A) each outlet channel 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4 is completely full of products P and the inlet channels13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 are also filled with products P waiting for the subsequent step.

[0056] Given that generally the length of the inlet channels 13 may be smaller than the length of the outlet channels 31, the condition of Fig.14(A) may be obtained by launching multiple series of products from the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 into the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4.

[0057] In the subsequent step of Fig.14(B), all outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4 are translated laterally by four positions, so as to release the outlet channels 31.1,31.2, 31.3 and 31.4 and place the products P in the outlet channels 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8. This translation is obtained by mutually approaching the bars 53 A of the pairs of bars which are aligned with the outlet channels 3 l.i up to holding gripped between respective pairs of bars 53 A the products P of the four rows of products which are located in the first four channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4. Gripping is obtained by activating the one or the other of the motors 71, 75 or both in an opposite direction, so as to stagger the continuous chains 63, 65 which support the bars 53A. The lateral transfer, i.e. the transversal direction, of the products P from the channels 31.1, 31.2,31.3 and 31.4 to the channels 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8 is obtained through the synchronous activation of the motors 71, 75 and resulting translation of the bars 53 of the transversal transfer member 51 in direction f51.

[0058] To facilitate the lateral translation and the transfer of the products P by four positions, it is advantageous to slightly move away the bars 53 from the upper branches of the outlet longitudinal conveyors 33. This prevents rubbing of the products P against the outlet longitudinal conveyors 33 during the lateral transfer. This spacing is obtained with a lowering movement of the frame 37 controlled by the actuator 41. In simpler embodiments, if the products are not susceptible to damage, the products can be transferred laterally without distancing the bars 53 from the upper branches of the outlet longitudinal conveyors 33.

[0059] Fig. 14(C) shows the subsequent step in which new products P are leaded into the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4 from the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4, until the latter are filled completely. Therefore, in Fig.14(C) there are formed eight rows of products P in the eight outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4, 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8.

[0060] In the subsequent step of Fig.14(D), the longitudinal outlet conveyors 33 are activated to eject the eight rows of products towards one or more outlet lines 5. The inlet channels are activated at the same time. Simultaneously, the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4, which supply new products P through the pairs of continuous conveyors 15 in the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3 and 31.4, may be activated.

[0061] At this point, the described cycle may be repeated.

[0062] As clear from the description above, the sorter 3 allows to receive products P from a number N of inlet lines, the products accumulating in the inlet channels 13, which may vary in number with respect to the outlet channels 31. With a simple transversal transfer movement carried out by the transversal transfer device 51 there is obtained the filling of a number of outlet channels 31, which can be different from the number of inlet channels used. This allows the number of rows of incoming products to be independent of the number of rows of outgoing products and the incoming products can be sorted more suitably on the outlet lines 5.

[0063] Both the incoming and outgoing conveyors of the sorter do not require transversal or swinging movements like it is instead required in sorters of the prior art. This makes the sorter simpler, more compact, faster and less subject to failures.

[0064] The operating sequence described above is provided purely by way of example. As a matter of fact, it should be clear that the sorter 3 shown can carry out several different operating cycles.

[0065] The sequence of Figs. 15(A)-15(R) shows a different operating cycle of the sorter 3. The inlet channels are once again indicated with 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 and the outlet channels are indicated with 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8.

[0066] The cycle is as follows. In a step (A) the outlet channels 31.2 and 31.3 were filled. The products P contained therein are translated transversely by the transversal transfer device in the outlet channels 31.4 and 31.5. Once the channels 31.2 and 31.3 have been released, new products are loaded by the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2. 13.3 in channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, see step (C).

[0067] All products in the outlet channels from 31.1 to 31.5 are then laterally transferred to the channels 31.4-31.8, see step (D), so that from the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, new products P can be loaded into the channels 31.1-31.3. At this point, all outlet channels 31 are full (step E) and the products P can be ejected, see step (F) towards the outlet lines 5, while the inlet channels 13.1 and 13.2 supply new products in the outlet channels 31.1 and 31.2.

[0068] In the subsequent step (G) the products are transferred laterally in the outlet channels 31.4 and 31.5 so that new products can be loaded from the inlet channels13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 in the channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, see step (H).

[0069] The steps (I) and (J) correspond to the steps (D) and (E).

[0070] In the subsequent step (K) all outlet channels 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5, 31.6, 31.7 and 31.8 are emptied by ejecting the products P towards the outlet channels 5 and new products are inserted from the inlet channel 13.1 only into the outlet channel31.1.

[0071] In step (L) the individual row of products inserted into the inlet channel 13.1is laterally transferred into the outlet channel 31.4. A new row of products is loaded from the inlet channel 13.3 into the outlet channel 31.3 , see step (M). In the subsequent step (N), the two rows of products in the outlet channels 31.3 and 31.4 are laterally transferred into the outlet channels 31.4 and 31.5 so that new products P can be loaded from the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 into the outlet channels 31.1, 31.2 and 31.3, now made available, as shown in step (O).

[0072] In the subsequent step (P), the rows of products are transferred from the outlet channels 31.1-31.5 to the outlet channels 31.4-31.8, releasing the outlet channels 31.1- 31.3, which are filled with products supplied by the inlet channels 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, obtaining the complete filling of the outlet channels 31.1-31.8, see step (Q). At this point, the outlet channels 31.1-31.8 are emptied by ejecting all the products P and the cycle restarts, see step (R) with supply of products from the inlet channels 13.2, 13.3 to the outlet channels 31.2, 31.3, returning to the position of step (A). The cycle is repeated as described.

[0073] The exemplifying operating sequences described above show that the inlet channels 13, the outlet channels 31 and the transversal transfer device 51 of the sorter 3 can be managed in any desired manner. In this manner, for example, there can be obtained a better balancing of supply coming from the inlet channels 13, so as to take away the required amount of products P from all converting lines 7 arranged upstream of the sorter 3 and to avoid slowing down the production. Several operating sequences can be stored in the central control unit. This allows to automatically select the optimised operating sequence for each type of production of the system 1 from a recipe or through an interface.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A product sorter, comprising: a set of inlet channels arranged adjacent to each other; a set of outlet channels arranged adjacent to each other and arranged downstream of the inlet channels with respect to a products advancement direction; wherein each inlet channel is aligned with a corresponding outlet channel; a transversal transfer device associated with the outlet channels and adapted to transfer products between outlet channels with a movement transverse to a longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

2. The sorter of claim 1, comprising less inlet channels than outlet channels.

3. The sorter of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transversal transfer device comprises a plurality of pairs of gripping members, each gripping member extending parallel to the outlet channels; and wherein the pairs of gripping members are movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

4. The sorter of claim 3, wherein the pairs of gripping members are movable along a closed path transversal to the longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

5. The sorter of claim 3 or 4, wherein each gripping member comprises an elongated element, extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

6. The sorter of claim 3 or 4 or 5, wherein the gripping members of each pair of gripping members are provided with a mutual approaching and moving away movement, for blocking the products between the gripping members and releasing the products from the gripping members.

7. The sorter of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the gripping members are carried by continuous flexible conveyors adapted to move the pairs of grippingmembers along the closed path.

8. The sorter of claim 7, wherein the transversal transfer device comprises two continuous flexible conveyors parallel and co-extensive with respect to each other, adapted to move the pairs of gripping members transversely to the longitudinal extension of the outlet channels; wherein a first gripping member of each pair of gripping members is constrained to one of said two continuous flexible conveyors and a second gripping member of each pair of gripping members is constrained to the other of said two continuous flexible conveyors; and wherein the two continuous flexible conveyors are provided with a mutual staggering movement, to approach and move away - one with respect to the other - the first gripping members and the second gripping members of each pair of gripping members.

9. The sorter of one or more of claims 3 to 8, wherein the outlet channels and the transversal transfer device are cyclically movable one with respect to the other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the outlet channels and orthogonal to the transversal movement of the transversal transfer device, for carrying out cyclical mutual approaching and moving away movements of the gripping members with respect to the outlet channels; the cyclic moving away movements being in phase with the transversal movement carried out by the transversal transfer device.

10. The sorter of claim 9, wherein the outlet channels are carried by a vertically movable unit for cyclically moving away the outlet channels from the gripping members of the transversal transfer device.

11. The sorter of any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the distance between the gripping members and the outlet channels is adjustable.

12. The sorter of any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein each outlet channel comprises an outlet longitudinal conveyor which extends longitudinally along the respective outlet channel, and wherein the gripping members are transversely movable above the outlet longitudinal conveyors.

13. The sorter of claim 12, wherein each outlet longitudinal conveyor isassociated with a respective motor, to be actuated independently of the other outlet longitudinal conveyors.

14. The sorter of claim 12 or 13, wherein the outlet longitudinal conveyors define horizontal resting and advancement surfaces of the products along the outlet channels.

15. The sorter of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each inlet channel comprises a pair of mutually adjacent continuous conveyors, adapted to receive products therebetween, and advance the products into the outlet channels.

16. The sorter of claim 15, wherein each continuous conveyor of the inlet channels is actuated by a respective motor.

17. The sorter of claims 15 or 16, wherein the pair of continuous conveyors of each inlet channel are movable transversely to mutually approach and move away from each other, to receive products of different size.

18. A converting line for the production of paper tissue products, comprising a plurality of converting stations, and a plurality of packaging stations arranged in parallel; wherein between the plurality of converting stations and the plurality of packaging stations arranged in parallel a sorter according to one or more of the preceding claims is arranged.

19. A method for sorting a flow of products; wherein the method comprises the following steps: introducing a first plurality of products into a group of inlet channels of a set of inlet channels arranged adjacent to each other in a product sorter; transferring the first plurality of products from the group of inlet channels into a first group of outlet channels of a set of outlet channels, arranged adjacent to each other, of the product sorter; wherein each outlet channel of the first group of outlet channels is aligned with a respective inlet channel of the group of inlet channels along an advancement direction of the products in the inlet channels and in the outlet channels; andtransferring the first plurality of products from the first group of outlet channels to a second group of outlet channels of the set of outlet channels; wherein the second group of outlet channels is arranged adjacent to the first group of outlet channels and staggered with respect to the group of inlet channels in a direction transversal to the advancement direction of the products in the inlet channels and in the outlet channels;20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: introducing a second plurality of products in the group of inlet channels; transferring the second plurality of products from the group of inlet channels into the first group of outlet channels; and ejecting the second plurality of products from the first group of outlet channels and the first plurality of products from the second group of outlet channels with a movement along a longitudinal extension of the outlet channels.

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