Machine and method for arranging objects in an alternate manner along single file rows

A method for arranging objects that comprise a first end with a protruding edge and a second end, in an alternate manner along single file rows, said method comprising the following steps:

• a) guiding said objects along at least one row so that they lay on one of said first end and said second end;
• b) separating said objects into a first group and a second group of objects by alternately transporting the first group of said objects respectively by rotation about an axis towards a first direction to a first drop opening and transporting the second group of said objects by rotation about the axis towards a second direction to a second drop opening;
• c) dropping said objects belonging to said first group and said objects belonging to said second group, in an alternate manner, along a common direction;
• d) first rotating, during said step of dropping, said objects belonging to said first group in a clockwise direction along a first arc of circumference in such a way that, at an end of said first rotating, said objects do not lay any longer on said end, and second rotating, during said step of dropping, said objects belonging to said second group in a counterclockwise direction along a second arc of circumference in such a way that, at an end of said second rotating, said objects no longer lay on said end, the axis passing through a location at the end of said step of first rotating and said step of second rotating, and said first arc of circumference and said second arc of circumference being defined on a plane parallel to said common direction, so as to stack said objects one on top of each other in an alternate manner along single file rows.

A machine for arranging objects having an orientation in an alternate manner along single file rows comprising:

• a guide configured to transport objects having a common orientation;
• a separator positioned to receive the objects from said guide, said separator configured to rotate alternately in a first direction and a second direction, wherein said separator comprises a rotatable element having a first guide slot and a second guide slot formed therein, the first guide slot and the second guide slot extending radially from an axis of the rotatable element and separated by a predefined angle wherein each of the first and second guide slots are configured to hold and transport alternately one of the objects, wherein the first guide slot and the second guide slot alternately transport the one of the objects of a first group to the first location in the first direction and another one of the objects of a second group to the second location in the second direction, whereby the objects are alternately transported to a first location in the first direction and to a second location in the second direction;
• a first arc surface having a first entrance end and a first exit end, the first entrance end placed adjacent the first location receiving the objects from said separator, whereby the orientation of the objects are rotated from the first entrance end to the first exit end of said first arc surface;
• a second arc surface having a second entrance end and a second exit end, the second entrance end placed adjacent the second location receiving said objects from said separator, whereby the orientation of the objects are rotated from the second entrance end to the second exit end of said second arc surface;
• wherein the first exit end of the first arc surface and the second exit end of the second arc surface are located at a common location;
• and
• an exit guide positioned at the common location receiving the objects from said first arc surface and said second arc surface, whereby the objects are arranged with the orientation alternating in the single file rows.

A machine for arranging objects having an orientation in an alternate manner along single file rows comprising:

• a guide configured to transport objects having a common orientation;
• a rotatable element placed adjacent said guide and a support plane surface, said rotatable element having a first slot adapted to receive and transport a first one of the objects and a second slot adapted to receive and transport a second one of the objects, the first slot and the second slot separated by a circular sector having an axis of rotation wherein the first slot has a first open end formed in a periphery of the circular sector and the second slot has a second open end formed in the periphery of the circular sector with the first open end and the second open end separated by a predefined angle on the circular sector, said rotatable element configured to alternately rotate clockwise and counterclockwise alternately positioning the first open end and the second open end adjacent said guide, whereby the first one of the objects is received and transported in the first slot and the second one of the objects is received and transported in the second slot;
• a first rotation element having a first arc surface between a first rotation element entrance end and a first rotation element exit end wherein the first rotation element entrance end is placed adjacent the support plane surface;
• a second rotation element having a second arc surface between a second rotation element entrance end and a second rotation element exit end wherein the second rotation element entrance end is placed adjacent the support plane surface and second rotation element exit end is placed adjacent the first rotation element exit end;
• and
• an exit guide positioned at the first rotation element exit end and the second rotation element exit end to receive the objects,
• whereby the objects are arranged with the orientation alternating in the single file rows.