Unit for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations

Abstract

A unit is provided for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a packaging film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations. Pusher means are operated in time relation with the positioning of an ensemble formed by a group of rolls partially wrapped with the film in the intermediate station, so that the ensemble is pushed laterally and conveyed toward an outlet side of the intermediate station. A conveyor, having a horizontal active run coplanar with a surface for supporting the ensemble, is situated after the outlet of the intermediate station. The horizontal active run is operated in time relation with operation of the pusher, to move the ensemble from the intermediate station toward subsequent stations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A unit for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations, including means for feeding said intermediate station with groups of rolls, partially wrapped with a film so that longitudinal edges of the film are overlapped, said intermediate station being defined by: 
 first horizontal means supporting an ensemble formed by the group and the film;    second horizontal means situated above said first supporting means for constraining said ensemble supported by said first supporting means;    third vertical means, for constraining said ensemble laterally;    an outlet side, for allowing said ensemble to exit said intermediate station;    said unit further including:    pusher means operated when said ensemble is located in said intermediate station, so as to cause said third means to strike laterally said ensemble and to convey it toward the outlet of said intermediate station;    at least one first conveyor;    one horizontal active run of said first conveyor, coplanar with said first supporting means and situated after said outlet of said intermediate station, said horizontal active run being operated in time relation with said pusher means and with speed correlated with the speed of said pusher means;    said active run being aimed at receiving said ensemble, pushed out from said intermediate station by said pusher means, and sending said ensemble toward subsequent stations.    
     
     
         2 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said active run is operated stepwise, with a step extending in accordance with the dimension of said ensemble measured in the direction of forward movement of said active run.  
     
     
         3 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said active run is operated continuously.  
     
     
         4 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second stop means extend along said active run, covering at least an initial part thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a second conveyor, equipped with at least one lower run, situated above and parallel to said active run, operated in a direction and with a speed correlated with the direction and the speed of said active run, said lower run being provided for constraining an upper part of said ensemble to send said ensemble, in cooperation with said active run, toward said intermediate stations.  
     
     
         6 . A unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the speed of said active run and the speed of the lower run are identical.  
     
     
         7 . A unit as claimed in  claim 5 , further including means for adjusting a mutual distance between said active run and said lower run in relation to the height of said ensemble.  
     
     
         8 . A unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said active run is kept stationary.  
     
     
         9 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further including at least one third and one fourth conveyor, with said third and fourth conveyors having related facing inner runs, said vertical facing inner runs being operated synchronously in a same direction coinciding with the direction of said active run and with a speed correlated with the speed of said active run, said facing inner runs being aimed at constraining opposite heads of said ensemble while sending said ensemble toward said intermediate stations, in cooperation with said active run.  
     
     
         10 . A unit as claimed in  claim 9 , further including means for adjusting the mutual distance between said facing inner runs in relation to the length of said group of rolls.  
     
     
         11 . A unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the speed of said facing inner runs is equal to the speed of said active run.  
     
     
         12 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said active run includes at least one endless belt conveyor.  
     
     
         13 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said active run includes at least two endless belts, arranged side by side.  
     
     
         14 . A unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said active run includes a plurality of strip-like endless belts arranged side by side.  
     
     
         15 . A unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second conveyor includes at least one endless belt.  
     
     
         16 . A unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second conveyor includes at least two endless belts, arranged side by side.  
     
     
         17 . A unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said second conveyor includes a plurality of strip-like endless belts arranged side by side.  
     
     
         18 . A unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each conveyor of said third and fourth conveyors includes at least one endless belt.  
     
     
         19 . A unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each conveyor of said third and fourth conveyors includes at least two endless belts, arranged side by side.  
     
     
         20 . A unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each conveyor of said third and fourth conveyors includes a plurality of strip-like endless belts arranged side by side.