The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 30, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 19, 1999
Roberto Ghiotti, Calderino di Monte San Pietro, IT;
Antonio Gamberini, Bologna, IT;
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. The articles are caused to advance at a first linear velocity in such a way that each pocket receives an article and, at predetermined intervals, are 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.