Continuous processing of products with autonomous trolley conveyance

A continuous processing line (1) for products (2) comprising a plurality of successive processing stations (3, 4) for said products (2) and a plurality of autonomous self-supporting movable trolleys (5) moving on the floor to transport the products (2) from an upstream station (3) to a downstream station (4);

• said upstream station (3) having an exit conveyor (6) at the exit thereof to feed the processed products (2) in a continuous single-lane flow;
• wherein said upstream station (3) also includes an exit transfer unit (7) arranged downstream of the exit conveyor (6) that is designed to absorb the continuous flow of products (2) from the exit conveyor (6) and to transfer said products (2) in batches of one or more rows onto at least one receiving surface (8) that is the upper surface of at least one trolley (5);
• said transfer unit (7) including at least:
• transit conveyor (9) comprising at least two single-lane transit conveyors (10, 11) of different lengths, said conveyors (10, 11) initially following different paths followed by parallel paths at least within a transfer zone (12) such that at least one trolley (5) can be positioned alongside each longitudinal edge of the transit conveyor (9) and the products (2) on the entirety of the transit conveyors (10, 11) within the transfer zone (12) can be transferred simultaneously and transversely by least one transfer tool (13) onto a receiving surface (8) regardless of the longitudinal edge of the transit conveyor (9) alongside which said surface is located;
• and
• diverter (14) designed to direct the flow of products from the exit conveyor (6) alternately to one or other of the transit conveyors (10, 11).