# US 10,766,650 B2 · Controlled feed for batch packaging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,650 B2 - Document ID: US10766650B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/572,152 - Filed: 2016-05-04 - Published: 2018-04-26 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-07 - Assignees: Sidel Packing Solutions - Applicants: Sidel Packing Solutions - Inventors: Gregory Choplin; Jean-Francois Grouas; Philippe Derouault - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766650B2 ## CPC - B65B 35/405: {linked to endless conveyors} - B65B 11/10: to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents - B65B 21/245: {in flexible wrappers, e.g. foils (B65B21/26 takes precedence)} - B65B 35/16: by grippers - B65B 35/24: by endless belts or chains {(B65B35/205 takes precedence)} - B65B 35/26: by rotary conveyors - B65B 35/44: by endless belts or chains {(B65B35/405 takes precedence)} - B65B 53/063: {Tunnels} - B65B 65/003: {Packaging lines, e.g. general layout} - B65G 47/088: {cylindrical articles} - B65G 47/32: Applications of transfer devices {(such devices per se B65G47/74)} - B65G 47/842: {the article-engaging elements being grippers} - B65G 2201/0244: Bottles - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged and related method. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the collector deposits the product collected from the pick-up area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packaging device to package products in batches wherein the products in batches move along a conveying direction, said batches having at least two of the products oriented transversely to said conveying direction, said packaging device comprising: a transfer device positionable at a pick-up area of a pick-up zone within an upstream module, the transfer device configured to receive an individual transfer of products arriving in a single line traveling in a transfer direction toward the pick-up zone; a feed device positionable at the pick-up zone, the feed device operative to receive the products in the pick-up area of the pick-up zone and to then bring the products to a deposit area of a deposit zone for subsequent packaging of the products, the feed device comprising at least one collector that is movable and position-controlled, for receiving and then moving, in a position-controlled way, at least one of the products from the transfer device to the deposit zone, and a conveyor in the deposit zone, the conveyor moving products in the conveying direction away from the deposit zone, the conveying direction being different from the transfer direction, wherein the at least one collector deposits at least one of the products, previously picked up in the pick-up zone, onto the conveyor, and wherein the at least one collector has a movement essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a linear motor, wherein the at least one collector is set in motion between the pick-up zone and the deposit zone through the linear motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide rail with a closed-loop portion, the at least one collector taking the form of a shuttle traveling on said guide rail, between the pick-up zone and the deposit zone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The packaging device according to claim 3, where a circuit of the guide rail comprises an active portion that serves to connect, in one direction and in the other direction, the pick-up zone and the deposit zone, as well as at least one switch connecting said active portion to other portions of the circuit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The packaging device according to claim 4, where the circuit of the guide rail further comprises at least one waiting portion of the other portions dedicated to receiving waiting collectors of the at least one collector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The packaging device according to claim 4, where the circuit of the guide rail further comprises, connected to the active portion, an ejection portion on which the at least one collector circulates conveying at least one non-compliant of the products picked up in the pick-up zone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, where the at least one collector has a capacity that corresponds to a single one of the products, so that one of the at least one collector takes away only a single of the products each time from the pick-up zone to the deposit zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, where the at least one collector has a capacity of plurality of the products, each time to pick up in the pick-up zone and bring to the deposit zone a plurality of the products. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, where the feed device comprises a plurality of the at least one collector is movable in relation to another collector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, where the speed of the product in said transfer device and the speed of the at least one collector are parallel, during a transition from the transfer device to the at least one collector. ### Claim 11 A method for feeding a packaging device for packaging products, comprising: moving the products in a transfer direction to a transfer device positionable at a pick-up zone within an upstream module, the transfer device configured to receive an individual transfer of products arriving in a single line traveling in a transfer direction toward the pick-up zone; transferring the products in an individually-referenced way at known positions from the pick-up zone where the products arrive in an individually-referenced way one following the other at known positions, to a deposit zone in a deposit area of a conveyor where the products then travel in plural columns for packaging of the products; and moving the products in a conveying direction for packaging in batches, wherein the conveying direction moves products away from the deposit zone and the conveying direction is different from the transfer direction, wherein the transferring occurs through a movement essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising ejecting at least one non-compliant of the products, after the pick-up of the products, during which a collector comprising the at least one non-compliant of the products is discharged from a circuit connecting said collector to the deposit zone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, where after the pick-up of the products, a further step of grouping at least one collector to form together a group of the products that are aligned and that are to be simultaneously deposited. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The packaging device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide rail with a closed-loop portion, the at one collector being a shuttle traveling on said guide rail, between the pick-up zone and the deposit zone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) The packaging device according to claim 5, where the circuit of the guide rail further comprises, connected to the active portion, an ejection portion on which the at least one collector circulates conveying at least one non-compliant of the products picked up in the pick-up zone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The packaging device according to claim 2, where the at least one collector has a capacity corresponding to a single of the products, so that one of the at least one collector take away only a single of the products each time from the pick-up zone to the deposit zone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3) The packaging device according to claim 3, where the at least one collector has a capacity that corresponds to a single of the products, so that one of the at least one collector takes away only a single of the products each time from the pick-up zone to the deposit zone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 4) The packaging device according to claim 4, where the at least one collector has a capacity that corresponds to a single of the products, so that one of the at least one collector takes away only a single of the products each time from the pick-up zone to the deposit zone. ### Claim 19 (depends on 5) The packaging device according to claim 5, where the at least one collector has a capacity that corresponds to a single of the products, so that one of the at least one collector takes away only a single of the products each time from the pick-up zone to the deposit zone. ### Claim 20 A packaging device to package products In batches of at least two of the products, said packaging device comprising: a transfer unit positioned at a pick-up area of a pick-up zone and configured to receive an individual transfer of products arriving in a single line traveling in a transfer direction toward the pick-up zone; a feed unit located at the pick-up area, the feed unit configured to receive the products traveling in a single line in the pick-up area of the pick-up zone and to then bring the products to a deposit area of a deposit zone for subsequent packaging of the products, wherein the feed unit comprises, in the pick-up zone, at least one collector that is movable and position-controlled way, at least one of the products from the transfer unit to the deposit zone; and a conveyor located at the deposit zone, the conveyor moving products in a conveying direction away from the deposit zone, the conveying direction being different from the transfer direction wherein the least one collector deposits the at least one of the products, previously picked up in the pick-up zone, at the deposit zone onto the conveyor so that the products move in batches along the conveyor in the conveying direction with said batches having at least two of the products orientated transversely to said conveying direction, and wherein the least one collector has a movement between the pick-up zone and the deposit zone that is perpendicular to the conveying direction.