US 12,304,748 B2
Grouping device and method for grouping discrete rows of articles into a continuous row of articles
Luca Borderi, Bologna (IT); Gianluca Parisini, Bologna (IT); and Antonio Gigante, Bologna (IT)
Assigned to G.D S.P.A., Bologna (IT)
Appl. No. 18/018,749
Filed by G.D S.P.A., Bologna (IT)
PCT Filed Jul. 26, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/056722
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 30, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/029550, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 10, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000019672 (IT), filed on Aug. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0303337 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 47/28 (2006.01); B65G 47/248 (2006.01); B65G 47/34 (2006.01); B65G 47/82 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/28 (2013.01) [B65G 47/34 (2013.01); B65G 47/82 (2013.01); B65G 47/248 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A grouping device for grouping discrete rows of articles into a continuous row of articles, comprising:
a feeding device including a plurality of elongated transport elements configured to support at least one of discrete rows of articles, wherein each elongated transport element defines a respective seat mainly extending along a longitudinal axis, in which seat an open or openable longitudinal end is defined;
a pusher device configured to abut against the at least one discrete row of articles so that the at least one discrete row slide out of one of said elongated transport elements through a respective longitudinal end;
an unloading device configured to receive, through an interchange zone, the at least one discrete row discharged through the respective longitudinal end, and
a control device configured to control one or more characteristics of the discrete rows in said feeding device, wherein said one or more characteristics comprise a direction of alignment of said discrete row of articles with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein said control device is configured to temporarily inhibit operation of said pusher device if one or more of the one or more characteristics of the discrete row controlled by the control device do not correspond to an expected value,
the feeding device being configured to position, in sequence, each elongated transport element at said interchange zone.