Conveyor with adjustable lateral guides

A conveyor (10) for transporting products (11), the products being preferably in the form of rolls or packs of material for household or personal use, in particular, rolls of paper, for example toilet paper or kitchen paper, packs of facial or pocket tissues, paper napkins or the like, the conveyor comprising a mounting frame (12) for one or more product feed lanes (13), each lane being defined by a respective conveyor belt (14), preferably of the type with articulated links (14′), which extends along a respective path, and by means for centring the products on the conveyor belt (14) and comprising respective first and second lateral guides (16a, 16b) which are spaced from each other transversely to the direction of extension of the conveyor belt in order to define a track having a respective width (d);

• the first and second lateral guides (16a, 16b) extending along the direction of extension of the belt or lane (13) and having a respective surface (16c, 16d) for laterally engaging the product (11);
• means being provided for adjusting the width (d) of the track;
• the adjustment means comprise a first transversal support and movement member (18a) for the corresponding lateral guide (16a) of the lane, and a second transversal support and movement member (18b) for the other lateral guide (16b) of the lane, actuating means (20) being adapted to drive in opposite transversal directions the first and second transversal members (18a, 18b) supporting the lateral lane guides (16a, 16b);
• said actuating means (20) comprising a toothed wheel (20a) whose axis is directed along the direction of extension of the conveyor;
• characterized in that a respective transversal member (22) is provided for supporting the first and second support and movement members (18a, 18b) and defining means for fastening to the conveyor frame (12);
• in that it comprises supporting and sliding means by which each transversal support and movement member (18a, 18b) for the lateral guide elements (16a, 16b) moves transversely relative to the transversal supporting and fastening member (22);
• and in that it comprises means for rotatably mounting the toothed actuating wheel (20a) to the transversal fastening member (22).