Device for feeding and ordering products

Abstract

Described is a device for feeding and ordering two rows of products to be fed in couple to a packaging apparatus comprising a first (C1) and a second (C2) conveyor side by side and configured for feeding a first (F100) and a second (F200) row of accumulated products along a feeding direction (A); a stationary separating wall (4) positioned parallel to the feeding direction (A) between the two conveyors; first sensing means (16, 17) positioned along the two conveyors and configured for detecting at least the position of the foremost products of the first and second row of accumulated products arriving at the two conveyors, and for generating respective first position signals (16a, 17a); a controller (15) connected to the first sensing means (16, 17) and to first (12) and second (13) drive units and configured for receiving the first position signals (16a, 17a) and controlling the two drive units so as to modify, independently, the speed with which the two conveyors move the first and second row of products on the basis of the first position signals (16a, 17a), in such a way as to have, at the exits of the two conveyors (C1, C2), the accumulated products of the first and of the second rows aligned with each other; a speed-up unit (6) positioned downstream of the two conveyors and configured to simultaneously space the foremost aligned products of the first and second rows and for pushing them in contact against each other, forming a couple of aligned products, the (C1) and the second (C2) conveyors respectively comprise: a first (8, 9) and a second (10, 11) pair of endless conveyor belts having a respective upper and lower active branch facing each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction (A); the lower active branch and the upper active branch of each first (8, 9) and second (10, 11) pair of endless conveyor belts are spaced relative to each other in such a way as to define a feeding of the products of the first and second rows.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND ORDERING PRODUCTS

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to a device for feeding and ordering products, in particular for products of the pressed type having a cubic or in any case polyhedral shape. More specifically for food-type products such as stock cubes.

[0005] This invention also relates to a machine for packaging products, in particular of the pressed type and having a cubic or polyhedral shape.

[0006] Background art

[0007] Patent document W02022009033A1 discloses a device for feeding and ordering products to a machine for packaging products.

[0008] The device comprises, along a feed line:

[0009] - a motor-driven conveyor for accumulating and conveying the products;

[0010] - a transit unit for the products configured for positioning individual products according to at least two rows parallel to each other and, subsequently by means of spacing elements, for spacing a couple of products arriving from the respective two rows from the couple of products located upstream of the previous couple of products before their wrapping.

[0011] The spaced products are then fed to an apparatus for wrapping the couple of products side by side in a respective wrapper and configured for picking up the couple of products from the spacer elements for wrapping, with a piece or sheet of film, the couple of products by folding a sheet around the corresponding couple of products side by side.

[0012] This transit unit comprises a central wall which separates the products in two rows feeding along a transit plane of the products (that is to say, from an inlet end and an outlet or release end of the products) and a pair of endless conveyor belts in such a way as to define a first and a second active branch facing each other parallel and at the opposite sides of the wall. This geometry of the transit plane defines two transit channels for a respective row of products.

[0013] The active branch of each of the belts pulls the respective row of products in a sliding fashion against the wall.

[0014] In particular, the transit unit comprises autonomous drive units for each belt controlled by a control unit for coordinating the speeds of the belts and maintaining a correct feeding of the rows of products in transit in the two channels.

[0015] This solution of the device just described allows an upgrade of production flexibility of the machine in which the device is inserted compared to the previous ones.

[0016] However, the device has several drawbacks which limit its use with a product obtained through the compression of granules in a cubic and friable form.

[0017] In effect, each individual product advances on the plane thanks to the contact of one side face against the active section of each belt, whilst the opposite side face is in "sliding" contact with the respective surface of the fixed wall.

[0018] The continuous contact of the side face of the product against the wall, combined with a pressure from the active section of the belt (necessary to allow the transit movement) and relatively high speed of movement, may cause product dispersion in the form of crumbling, dusting or small fractures caused by the friction created between the product and the wall.

[0019] These dispersions of part of the product therefore generate irregularities on the product which may cause difficulties both in the subsequent handling of the couples of products at the exit and excessive soiling with possible machine stoppages; it may also result in packages with defective products or below weight, with consequent rejection of the package.

[0020] Aim of the invention

[0021] The aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding and ordering products which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding and ordering products which is able to guarantee a high productivity guaranteeing an optimum quality of the product handled.

[0022] A further aim of this invention is to provide a device for feeding and ordering products which is able to maintain reduced overall dimensions, operational simplicity and with fast format changes.

[0023] Said aims are fully achieved by the device for feeding and ordering products according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a device for feeding and ordering products, according to this invention, inserted in a machine for packaging products;

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of the feeding and ordering device of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 is a side view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of the feeding and ordering device of Figure 2;

[0029] - Figure 4 is a top plan view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the device for feeding and ordering products of Figures 2 and 3;

[0030] - Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of an alternative embodiment of the machine for packaging products using a pair of feeding devices;

[0031] - Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a further embodiment of the machine for packaging products using a different unit for speeding up the feeding of products to the packaging apparatus. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0032] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1 , the device for feeding and ordering products according to the invention is inserted in a machine, labelled 100 in its entirety, used for packaging products, in particular of the pressed type and having a cubic or parallelepiped shape (for example solid food products such as stock cubes). As illustrated, the machine 100, equipped with the device for feeding and ordering products according to the invention, may comprise, along a relative line of extension and along a feeding direction A, a press 26 for compressing products, starting from a granulated material, configured for producing and feeding, continuously, individual products 1 (the press is illustrated in Figure 1 with a block).

[0033] As illustrated, the device for feeding and ordering products comprises a motor-driven conveyor 2 for accumulating and conveying the products 1 (arriving from the press 26).

[0034] The conveyor 2 is equipped with walls 2a for guiding the products 1 in such a way as to arrange the products 1 in single rows.

[0035] The device for feeding and ordering products comprises a transit unit 3 for the controlled transit of the products 1 arriving from the motor-driven conveyor 2 and configured for conveying the products 1 along the feeding direction A from an inlet end to an outlet end.

[0036] As illustrated, the device comprises (as the transit unit 3) a first conveyor C1 and a second conveyor C2 (forming movement means 5) positioned side by side and driven by a first drive unit 12 and a second drive unit 13.

[0037] The first C1 and second C2 conveyors are configured for feeding a first F100 and a second F200 row of products 1 , T accumulated along a feeding direction A.

[0038] The device also comprises a stationary separating wall 4 positioned parallel to the feeding direction A and between the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors. Again as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the device also comprises first sensing means 16, 17 (forming part of a group 14 of sensing means) positioned along the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors and configured for detecting at least the position of the foremost products 1 , 1 ’ of the first F100 and of the second F200 rows of accumulated products arriving at the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors.

[0039] These first sensing means 16 and 17 are also configured to generate respective first position signals 16a, 17a.

[0040] The device also comprises a controller 15 connected to the first sensing means 16, 17 and to the first 12 and second 13 drive units and configured to receive the first position signals 16a, 17a generated by the first sensing means 16, 17 and control the first 12 and second 13 drive units so as to modify, independently, the speed with which the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors move the first F100 and the second F200 row of products 1 , T based on the first position signals 16a, 17a generated by the first sensing means 16, 17.

[0041] This structure allows, at the exit of the first C1 and second C2 conveyors, the accumulated products of the first F100 and the second F200 row aligned with each other with the front faces of each couple of products 1 , T formed by adjacent products of the first F100 and of the second F200 row which lie on a common vertical plane.

[0042] As illustrated, the device comprises a speed-up unit 6 positioned downstream of the first C1 and of the second C2 conveyors and configured for simultaneously spacing the foremost aligned products 1 , T of the first F100 and of the second F200 rows and for pushing them into contact with each other, forming a couple of aligned products 1 , T.

[0043] Downstream of the speed-up unit 6, the machine 100 comprises an apparatus 7 for wrapping each couple of products 1 , T positioned side by side in a respective wrapper. Again with reference to Figures 2 to 4, the first conveyor C1 comprises a first pair 8, 9 of endless conveyor belts having a respective upper and lower active branch facing each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction A.

[0044] The lower active branch and the upper active branch of the first pair 8 and 9 of endless conveyor belts are spaced apart from each other so as to positively grip the products of the first row F100.

[0045] The second conveyor C2 comprises a second pair 10, 1 1 of endless conveyor belts having a respective upper and lower active branch facing each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction A.

[0046] The lower active branch and the upper active branch of the second pair 10, 1 1 of endless conveyor belts are spaced apart from each other in such so as to positively grip the products of the second row F200.

[0047] According to the example illustrated, the upper and lower active branches of the first 8, 9 and second pair 10, 1 1 of drive belts are positioned perpendicularly to the plane on which the stationary wall 4 lies. According to the example illustrated, the stationary wall 4 is positioned vertically, whilst the active branches are positioned horizontally.

[0048] As mentioned, these first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pair of conveyor belts is driven by a respective autonomous first 12 and second 13 drive unit, in such a way as to be able to adjust the feeding speed of the first and second row of products 1 , T autonomously.

[0049] In other words, the conveyors C1 and C2 are configured to allow a controlled feeding of two parallel rows of products thanks to the combination of pairs of belts which are able to define pairs of movable tracks designed to "clamp" the lower and upper surfaces of the products with a sufficient force to make them feed along the respective channels without relative movements between the active branches of the belts and the surfaces of the products.

[0050] It should be noted that the group 14 of position sensing means comprises the above-mentioned first sensing means 16, 17 being further configured to detect any empty space between the products of the first row F100 and any empty space between the products of the second row F200, respectively.

[0051] The group 14 of position sensing means also comprises second sensing means 18, 19 positioned close to the speed-up unit 6 and configured for detecting the position of each product of the first couple of foremost products 1 , T and aligned to be spaced and generating respective second position signals 18a, 19a to be furnished to the controller 15.

[0052] In turn, the controller 15 is further configured to detect, using the above- mentioned second position signals 18a, 19a, if there is a misalignment between the two products 1 , 1 ’ which form the couple of foremost products to be spaced, and, therefore, if the misalignment is outside a window of acceptability, locking at least the speed-up unit 6 or, if the misalignment is within the window of acceptability, adjusting the speed of the first C1 and / or of the second C2 conveyors in order to restore the alignment between each couple of products.

[0053] In light of this, the first sensing means comprise a first 16 and a second 17 position detection sensor configured for detecting the position of each product in the first and in the second conveyors C1 and C2.

[0054] In particular, the first sensing means comprise a first emitter and receiver 16 configured to detect the passage of the products of the first row F100 of products in a first detection position along the first conveyor C1 and a second emitter and receiver 17 configured to detect the passage of the products of the second row F200 of products in a second detection position along the second conveyor C2.

[0055] Preferably, the first 16 and the second 17 sensors are positioned close to the inlet end, respectively, of the first C1 and the second C2 conveyor.

[0056] The second sensing means comprise a third 18 and a fourth 19 position detection sensor configured to detect the position of each product 1 , T exiting the first and second conveyors C1 and C2.

[0057] Preferably, the third 18 and fourth 19 position detection sensors are positioned close to the outlet end, respectively, of the first and second conveyors C1 and C2.

[0058] More specifically, the second sensing means comprise a third emitter and receiver 18 configured to detect the passage of the products of the first row F100 of products in a third detection position adjacent to the speed-up unit 6 and a fourth emitter and receiver 19 configured to detect the passage of the products of the second row F200 of products in a fourth position adjacent to the speed-up unit 6.

[0059] In this way, the controller 15 that controls the respective speeds of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 11 pair of belts (thanks to the pair or the two pairs of detectors) is designed to acquire the position of the products along the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors in such a way as to always bring a couple of products 1 , 1 ' to the speed-up unit 6 in the correct position (as described in more detail below).

[0060] The stationary separating wall 4 has a first side 4a facing towards the first row F100 of products and a second side 4b facing towards the second row F200 of products, with the first and the second sides positioned vertically and parallel to the feeding direction A.

[0061] It should be noted that each first and second conveyor C1 and C2 is delimited, on one side, by the stationary separating wall 4, and on the other side by a first and second containment element 20, 21 .

[0062] The first and second containment elements 20, 21 are positioned parallel to and on opposite sides of the stationary separating wall 4. The first and the second containment elements 20, 21 are spaced from the stationary separating wall 4 in such a way as to keep aligned the respective row of products along the feeding direction A.

[0063] In light of this, the first and second containment elements comprise a respective bar 20, 21 or track associated with respective adjustable supports 27 (L-shaped) configured for modifying the distance of the bar 20, 21 from the stationary wall 4, if necessary, and therefore the width of the respective conveyor C1 and C2 for any size changeover of the product 1 , 1 ’.

[0064] It should be noted that the stationary separating wall 4 has a length, at least equal to that of the active branches of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pairs of endless conveyor belts along the feeding direction A.

[0065] It should be noted that the stationary separating wall 4 has a thickness of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm.

[0066] Each belt of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pair of conveyor belts is wound about at least one pair of pulleys.

[0067] A first pair of pulleys 8a, 9a of the first pair of belts 8, 9 is connected to the first drive unit 12, whilst a second pair of pulleys 10a, 1 1 a is connected to the second drive unit 13.

[0068] Preferably, each first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pair of conveyor belts has respective upper active branches equipped with elastic contact elements (not illustrated) to allow a correct and constant maintaining of contact of the active branch of the belt with the upper face of the product.

[0069] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the speed-up unit 6 comprises a pair of endless belts 22, 23 and having respective active branches facing each other, that is to say, facing each other and running parallel to the feeding direction A.

[0070] According to a first embodiment, the active branches of the pair of endless conveyor belts 22, 23 of the speed-up unit 6 are positioned parallel to the stationary separating wall 4.

[0071] Each belt 22, 23 of the pair of endless belts 22, 23 is equipped with a plurality of pads 24 located at a constant distance and configured to come into contact with a respective lateral face of one of the products 1 , 1 ' of the couple of aligned products 1 , 1 ', in such a way as to allow the simultaneous retaining of the couple of aligned products 1 , 1 ' by two opposite pads 24 of the pair of endless belts 22, 23.

[0072] In light of this, each pad 24 of each belt 22, 23 of the pair of endless belts is positioned at a constant distance or spacing relative to the contiguous pads 24.

[0073] This structure of the pads 24 allows a feeding of the couples of products 1 , T in phase with the wrapping apparatus 7.

[0074] It should be noted that the pair of endless belts 22, 23 is driven (by a drive unit 28 connected to the control unit 15) at a speed greater than the speed of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pair of continuous conveyors.

[0075] According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the speed-up unit 6 comprises a pair of rotary rollers 50, 51 equipped with at least one respective pad 52, 53.

[0076] Each pad 52, 53 of each roller 50, 51 is configured to operate in conjunction with the pad 53, 52 of the other roller 51 , 50 in order to pick up the foremost couple of aligned products 1 , 1 ’ and separate it from the accumulating products, respectively, of the first row F100 and of the second row F200. Each roller 50, 51 is keyed to a shaft, motor-driven, with a vertical axis.

[0077] Each roller 50, 51 is provided with at least one circumferential pad 52, 53 for contact with a lateral surface of a respective product.

[0078] Preferably, each roller 50, 51 comprises three contact pads 52, 53 distributed uniformly along the circumference of each roller 50, 51 .

[0079] Each pad 52, 53 is configured to adapt radially at the contact with the respective product (by compressing an elastic element) and releasing the product through a return to the initial position again through the pushing action of the elastic element during rotation of the roller 50, 51 .

[0080] It should be noted that the speed-up unit 6 comprises a supporting surface P configured and positioned to support the products 1 , 1 ' downstream of the first C1 and second C2 conveyors.

[0081] The device also comprises a conveying device 25 configured for feeding the pair of aligned products 1 , T and separated by the speed-up unit 6.

[0082] Therefore, the controller 15 that controls the respective speeds of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pairs of belts (thanks to the first and second sensing means) is programmed to always bring a couple of products 1 , T towards the speed-up unit 6 in the correct position, that is to say, aligned.

[0083] As mentioned above, the controller 15 also controls, that is to say, is connected, to the speed-up unit 6 for a precise phase coordination between:

[0084] - arrival of the couples of products 1 , T close to the speed-up unit 6, and

[0085] - detachment of the couples of products 1 , T which is further forward than the remaining products in the first C1 and second C2 conveyors through a gripping by a pair of pads 24 facing each other.

[0086] In light of this, the device also comprises a pair of slow-down elements 32, positioned one in front of the other, adjacent and upstream of the speed-up unit 6, and configured to slow down the foremost aligned products 1 , 1 ’ of the first F100 and the second F200 row before they are spaced from the remaining products of the first F100 and of the second F200 row by the speed-up unit 6.

[0087] In other words, between the outlet end of the pair of conveyors C1 and C2 and the speed-up unit 6 there are two walls 32 facing each other extending in an inclined fashion towards the speed-up unit 6.

[0088] These two walls 32 guide the couples of products 1 , T exiting from the two conveyors C1 and C2 towards the speed-up unit 6 and are configured to guarantee the correct positioning alongside each other of the two products 1 , T before their gripping by the respective pair of pads 24 (or rollers 50, 51 ).

[0089] Thanks to this structure there is a constant control of the position of the products 1 , T (thanks to the presence of the pairs of receivers and emitters 16, 17, 18, 19).

[0090] In particular, the feeding of each product 1 , T along each conveyor C1 , C2 and up to the speed-up unit 6 is constantly checked in such a way as to keep a precise synchronism between each row of products 1 , T and a receiving position of the speed-up unit 6.

[0091] For example, a device control and operating logic is provided with:

[0092] - a detection of each individual product entering the first and second conveyors C1 , C2 by the first and second emitter and receiver 17 and 18 which send a corresponding signal to the controller 15, in such a way as to determine the presence or absence of product as well as the exact position of each product 1 and T in the corresponding conveyors C1 and C2 and, therefore, be able to modify, if necessary, the feed speed of the first 8, 9 and / or of the second 10, 1 1 pair of belts which pulls the respective row F100, F200 of products 1 , T. If no product is detected in transit through one of the two conveyors, the device may be stopped.

[0093] The modification of the speed independently of the two pairs of conveyor belts is performed as a function of the exact desired time of arrival of the products 1 , 1 ' to the speed-up unit 6 and, consequently, to the wrapping apparatus 7.

[0094] The control logic also comprises:

[0095] - detecting the position, preferably of the face or front wall of each pair of head products 1 , T, by the third and fourth sensors 18, 19 with the sending of a relative signal to the control unit 15 in such a way as to automatically calibrate the speed of the two pairs of belts if the products of the head pair are not exactly aligned.

[0096] If the pair of head products arrives in phase with the movement of the spacer elements 6, the control unit 15 does not perform any modification relative to the individual speeds of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pairs of belts.

[0097] On the other hand, if the third or fourth sensor 18, 19 verify a position of the front wall or face of one or both of the products of the couple of products 1 , T which is incorrect (in advance of or delayed relative to the position of the pair of pads 24, the control unit 15 sends an appropriate signal to one or both of the drive units 12 and 13 of the first 8, 9 and / or of the second 10, 1 1 pair of belts for modifying their relative speed in such a way as to keep in phase the position of the couples of products 1 , T with the operating step of the spacer units 6.

[0098] The device for feeding and ordering products also comprises a pusher element 25 configured to push the couple of products 1 , T side by side and retained by the spacer means 6 towards the wrapping apparatus 7.

[0099] In light of this, the supporting surface P is provided with a pair of open slots 29 at the end close to the wrapping apparatus 7.

[0100] The pusher element 25 comprises a pair of heads 30, 31 configured for intercepting the couple of products 1 , T placed side by side and carried by a pair of pads 24 for pushing it towards the wrapping apparatus 7 in synchrony with the latter and at the release of the couple of products 1 , T by the two pads 24.

[0101] According to an example embodiment, the pair of pushing heads 30, 31 for each product 1 , T forming the couple of products are connected to a kinematic system (not illustrated) which is able to move the two heads 30, 31 between:

[0102] - a raised position above the supporting surface P, passing through the pair of slots 29, in an intercepting configuration, so as to simultaneously come into contact with each product 1 , 1 ’ forming the couple on the respective rear face;

[0103] - a pushing position on each product so as to push the couple of products 1 , 1 ' towards the wrapping apparatus 7 (wherein the pair of heads 30, 31 slides along the slots 29);

[0104] - a lowered position below the supporting surface P so as to then reverse the movement and withdraw to repeat the raising and pushing cycle.

[0105] Again by way of a non-limiting example, the wrapping apparatus 7 comprises a rotary carousel equipped with a plurality of radial arms 33 each having an end 34 configured to house a couple of products 1 , 1 ' to be wrapped in a single piece of film (not illustrated).

[0106] This invention refers both to an autonomous device for feeding and ordering products, therefore without the compression press 26 and the wrapping apparatus 7, and to a machine 100 which comprises the device for feeding and ordering products, the compression press 26 and the wrapping apparatus 7.

[0107] As illustrated in Figure 5, the machine 100 using the device described above may be configured for greater productivity in reduced spaces through a double feeding and ordering line.

[0108] According to the configuration illustrated, the machine 100 comprises two separate feeding and ordering devices (labelled 101 and 101 ') as described above.

[0109] The two devices 101 and 10T are positioned side by side according to respective parallel feeding directions A and A' and fed from the press 26 (in this case, a single press for both the devices).

[0110] Each feeding and ordering device 101 and 101 ' comprises a respective first 7 and second 7' wrapping apparatus connected to a single drive unit 70 configured to move both the wrapping apparatuses 7, 7'.

[0111] In short, the two wrapping apparatuses 7 and 7' are connected coaxially to a single motor 70 configured to move the wrapping apparatuses 7, 7' in a synchronised fashion.

[0112] According to a further variant embodiment, the speed-up units 6 and 6' may be driven by a single drive unit 28.

[0113] In this way, it is possible to obtain a machine with reduced dimensions, but with a productivity doubled. This invention also relates to a method for feeding and ordering two rows of products to be fed in pairs to a packaging apparatus.

[0114] The method comprises the following steps:

[0115] - feeding a first F100 and second F200 rows of accumulated products in respective end-to-end abutting relation along a feeding direction A respectively by means of a first C1 and a second C2 conveyor placed side by side, which are driven by a respective first 12 and second 13 drive units, with a stationary separating wall 4 being arranged parallel to the feeding direction A between the first C1 and second C2 conveyors;

[0116] - detecting at least the position of the foremost products 1 , T of the first F100 and second F200 rows of accumulated products arriving to the first C1 and second C2 conveyors, and generating respective first position signals 16a, 17a by means of first sensing means 16, 17 positioned along the first C1 and second (C2) conveyors;

[0117] - controlling the first 12 and second 13 drive units in order to independently modify the speed at which the first C1 and second C2 conveyors move the first F100 and the second F200 rows of products according to the first position signals 16a, 17a generated by the first sensing means 16, 17, in order to have, at exit end of the first C1 and second C2 conveyors, the accumulated products of the first F100 and second F200 rows aligned to each other with front faces of each couple of products 1 , T formed by adjacent products of the first F100 and second F200 rows lying on a common vertical plane; - simultaneously distancing, by means of a speed-up unit 6 arranged downstream of the first C1 and a second C2 conveyors, the foremost aligned products 1 , 1 ’ of the first F100 and second F200 rows and to push them in contact against each other, forming a couple of aligned products, Also, as illustrated, according to the method:

[0118] - the products of the first F100 row are fed by a first pair 8, 9 of endless conveyor belts of the first C1 conveyor, wherein the first pair 8, 9 of endless conveyor belts have a respective lower and upper active branch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction A, and wherein the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the first pair 8, 9 of endless conveyor belts are spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the first F100 row;

[0119] - the products of the second F200 row are fed by a second pair 10, 1 1 of endless conveyor belts of said second C2 conveyor, and the second pair 10, 1 1 of endless conveyor belts having a respective lower and upper active branch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction A, and wherein the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the second pair 10, 1 1 of endless conveyor belts are spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the second F200 row.

[0120] It should be noted that the method comprises a start alignment step, wherein the row of accumulated products which is first detected by the first sensing means 16, 17 is halted by the respective conveyor C1 , C2, until the other row of accumulated products has been detected by the first sensing means 16, 17.

[0121] When both the first detected row of accumulated products and the other detected row of accumulated products are aligned with their respective foremost product 1 , 1 ’ lying on a common plane, then the first and second drive units 12, 13 are operated to move the first C1 and the second C2 conveyors for conveying in a synchronous fashion the first F100 and second F200 rows of accumulated products along the feeding direction A, in such a way that the front faces of each couple of products 1 , 1 ’ formed by adjacent products of the first F100 and second F200 rows are on a common vertical plane.

[0122] The method also comprises a step of controlling the alignment, wherein second sensing means 18, 19, positioned adjacent to the speed-up unit 6, detect the position of each product 1 , T of the foremost couple of aligned products to be distanced, so that if a misalignment between the two products forming the foremost couple of products to be distanced is detected, either i) when the misalignment is within a window of acceptability, the speed of the first C1 and second C2 conveyors has been adjusted in order to reinstate the alignment between each couple of products, or ii) when the misalignment is outside the window of acceptability, at least the speed-up unit 6 has been blocked. It should be noted that the speed-up unit 6 operates at a steady cycling rate and at a speed higher than the speed of the first 8, 9 and second 10, 1 1 pair of endless conveyor belts.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device for feeding and ordering two rows of products to be fed in couple to a wrapping apparatus, each product having parallelepiped shape, said device comprising:- a first (C1 ) and a second (C2) conveyor placed side by side and driven by a respective first (12) and second (13) drive units, said first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors being configured to feed a first (F100) and a second (F200) row of accumulated products (1 , 1 ’) along a feeding direction (A);- a stationary separating wall (4) arranged parallel to the feeding direction (A) between the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors;- first sensing means (16, 17) positioned along the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors and configured to detect at least the position of the foremost products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows of accumulated products arriving to the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors, and to generate respective first position signals (16a, 17a);- a controller (15) connected to the first sensing means (16, 17) and to the first (12) and second (13) drive units, and configured to receive the first position signals (16a, 17a) generated by the sensing means (16, 17) and control the first (12) and second (13) drive units in order to independently modify the speed at which the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors move the first (F100) and the second (F200) rows of products (1 , 1 ’) according to the first position signals (16a, 17a) generated by the first sensing means (16, 17), in order to have, at exit end of the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors, the accumulated products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows aligned to each other with front faces of each couple of products (1 , 1 ’) formed by adjacent product of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows lying on a common vertical plane;- a speed-up unit (6) arranged downstream of the first (C1 ) and the second (C2) conveyors and configured to simultaneously distance the foremost aligned products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows and to push them in contact against each other, forming a couple of alignedproducts (1 , 1 ’), from the remaining accumulated products of their respective rows, characterized in that the first (C1 ) and the second (C2) conveyors respectively comprise:- a first pair (8, 9) of endless conveyor belts having a respective lower and upper active branch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction (A); the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the first pair (8, 9) of endless conveyor belts being spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the first row (F100);- a second pair (10, 1 1 ) of endless conveyor belts having a respective lower and upper active branch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction (A); the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the second pair (10, 1 1 ) of endless conveyor belts being spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the second row (F200).

2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said first sensing means (16, 17) are further configured to detect a possible gap between the products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows respectively.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising second sensing means (18, 19), connected to the controller (15), positioned adjacent to the speed-up unit (6) and configured to detect the position of each product of the foremost couple of aligned products (1 , 1 ’) to be distanced and generate respective second position signals (16a, 17a) to be furnished to the controller (15), wherein the controller (15) is further configured to detect, by said second position signals (16a, 17a) whether there is a misalignment between the two products (1 , 1 ’) forming the foremost couple of products to be distanced, and thereby either, if the misalignment is outside a window of acceptability, to block at least the speed-up unit (6) or, if the misalignmentis within the window of acceptability, adjust the speed of the first (C1 ) and / or second (C2) conveyors in order to reinstate the alignment between each couple of products.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first and a second containment elements (20, 21 ) arranged parallel to and on opposite side of the stationary separating wall (4), said first and second containment elements (20, 21 ) being spaced from the stationary separating wall (4) a distance so as to keep the respective row of product aligned along the feeding direction (A).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary separating wall (4) has a length at least equal to that of the active branches of the first (8, 9) and second (10, 1 1 ) pairs of endless conveyor belts along the feeding direction (A).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stationary separating wall (4) has a first side (4a) facing the first row (F100) of products and a second side (4b) facing the second row (F200) of products, said first and second sides (4a, 4b) being arranged vertically and parallel to the feeding direction (A).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stationary separating wall (4) has a thickness less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed-up unit (6) comprises a pair of rotating roller (50, 51 ) provided with at least a respective pad (52, 53), wherein the at least one pad (52, 53) of each roller (50, 51 ) is configured to cooperate with the at least one pad (53, 52) of the other roller (51 , 50) in order to pick up the foremost couple of alignedproducts and separate them from the accumulating products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows respectively.

9. Device according to any one of the claims 1 -7, wherein the speed-up unit (6) comprises ring-closed belts (22, 23) having respective active branches facing each other and running parallel to the feeding direction (A), each ring-closed belts (22, 23) being provided with a plurality of pads (24) arranged at a constant distance and configured to contact a respective side face of one of the products (1 , 1 ') of said couple of aligned products (1 , 1 '), so as to allow a simultaneous retention of said couple of aligned products (1 , 1 ') by two opposite pads (24) of the pair of ring-closed belts (22, 23).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support surface (P) configured and positioned to support the products (1 , 1 ’) downstream of the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors.1 1 . Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a conveying device (25) configured to convey forward the aligned couple of products (1 , 1 ') separated by the speed-up unit (6).

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of slow-down elements (32) facing each other, placed adjacent to and upstream of the speed-up unit (6), and configured to slow down the foremost aligned products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows before they are distanced form the remaining products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows by the speed-up unit (6).

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensing means comprises a first emitter and receiver (16) configured to detect the passage of the products of the first row (F100) of products at a first sensing position along the first (C1 ) conveyor, and a second emitter andreceiver (17) configured to detect the passage of the products of the second (F200) row of products at a second sensing position along the second (C2) conveyor.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sensing means comprises a third emitter and receiver (18) configured to detect the passage of the products of the first (F100) row of products at a third sensing position adjacent to the speed-up unit (6), and a fourth emitter and receiver (19) configured to detect the passage of the products of the second row of products (F200) at a fourth position adjacent to the speed-up unit (6).

15. Machine (100) for packaging couple of pressed products (1 ) having parallelepiped shape, said machine comprising at least:- a compression press (26) configured to make products from a granulated material; and- a wrapping apparatus (7) configured to wrap said product in couple in a respective wrapping sheet; characterized by further comprising a feeding and ordering device according to any one of the preceding claims, said feeding and ordering device being placed between said compression press (26) and said wrapping apparatus (7).

16. Method for feeding and ordering two rows of products to be fed in couple to a wrapping apparatus, each product having parallelepiped shape, said method comprising the following steps:- feeding a first (F100) and second (F200) rows of accumulated products in respective end-to-end abutting relation along a feeding direction (A) respectively by means of a first (C1 ) and a second (C2) conveyor placed side by side and driven by a respective first (12) and second (13) drive units, a stationary separating wall (4) being arranged parallel to the feedingdirection (A) between the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors;- detecting at least the position of the foremost products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows of accumulated products arriving to the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors, and generating respective first position signals (16a, 17a) by means of first sensing means (16, 17) positioned along the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors;- controlling the first (12) and second (13) drive units in order to independently modify the speed at which the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors move the first (F100) and the second (F200) rows of products according to the first position signals (16a, 17a) generated by the first sensing means (16, 17), in order to have, at the exit end of the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors, the accumulated products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows aligned to each other with front faces of each couple of products (1 , 1 ’) formed by adjacent products of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows lying on a common vertical plane;- simultaneously distancing, by means of a speed-up unit (6) arranged downstream of the first (C1 ) and the second (C2) conveyors, the foremost aligned products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows and to push them in contact against each other, forming a couple of aligned products, said method being characterized in that during the feeding step:- the products of the first (F100) row are fed by a first pair (8, 9) of endless conveyor belts of said first (C1 ) conveyor, said first pair (8, 9) of endless conveyor belts having a respective lower and upper active branch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction (A), wherein the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the first pair (8, 9) of endless conveyor belts are spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the first (F100) row;- the products of the second (F200) row are fed by a second pair (10, 1 1 ) of endless conveyor belts of said second (C2) conveyor, said second pair (10, 11 ) of endless conveyor belts having a respective lower and upper activebranch which are opposite to each other and extending parallel along the feeding direction (A), wherein the lower active branch and the upper active branch of the second pair (10, 11 ) of endless conveyor belts are spaced from one another a distance so as to positively grip the products of the second (F200) row.

17. Method according to claim 16, comprising a start alignment step, wherein the row of accumulated products that first has been detected by the first sensing means (16, 17) is halted by the respective conveyor (C1 , C2), until the other row of accumulated products has been detected by the first sensing means (16, 17), when both the first detected row of accumulated products and the other detected row of accumulated products are aligned with their respective foremost product (1 , 1 ’) lying on a common plane, then the first and second drive units (12, 13) are operated to move the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors to synchronously convey the first (F100) and second (F200) rows of accumulated products along the feeding direction (A), so that front faces of each couple of products formed by adjacent products (1 , 1 ’) of the first (F100) and second (F200) rows lie on a common vertical plane.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising an alignment control step, wherein second sensing means (18, 19), positioned adjacent to the speed-up unit (6), detect the position of each product (1 , 1 ’) of the foremost couple of aligned products to be distanced, so that if a misalignment between the two products forming the foremost couple of products to be distanced is detected, either i) when the misalignment is within a window of acceptability, the speed of the first (C1 ) and second (C2) conveyors has been adjusted in order to reinstate the alignment between each couple of products, or ii) when the misalignment is outside the window of acceptability, at least the speed-up unit (6) has been blocked.

19. Method according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the speed-up unit (6) operates at a steady cycling rate and at a speed higher than the speed of the first (8, 9) and second (10, 11 ) pair of endless conveyor belts.

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