Device and corresponding method for grouping together random product flows into a single path according to a pre-established and adjustable rate of advance

A device for aligning a plurality of products from a plurality of non-correlated inlet paths, the device comprising:

• a plurality of conveyors individually receiving the products from the separate inlet paths;
• a plurality of sensors, each sensor being associated with one of said conveyors, said each sensor generating a respective arrival signal upon detecting an arrival of a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with one of said conveyors for moving a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• a plurality of position transducers, each position transducer being associated with one of said conveyors for generating a corresponding position signal representing a position of said corresponding conveyor;
• a control unit receiving said arrival and position signals, said control unit recognizing when a first product arrives onto one of said conveyors, said control unit controlling said actuator corresponding to said first product to move said first product by a predetermined length, said control unit controlling remaining said actuators to retard movement of product received by remaining said conveyors until said actuator corresponding to said first product has moved said first product by said predetermined length.

A method for aligning a plurality of products from a plurality of non-correlated inlet paths, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting an arrival of a first of the products from one of the inlet paths;
• advancing said first product by a plurality of unitary steps until said product has advanced a distance of predetermined length;
• checking after every said step for arrival of additional products from one of the inlet paths;
• retarding advance of said additional products until said first product has moved said predetermined distance;
• fully advancing a next one of the products when said first product has advanced said predetermined distance.

A method for aligning a plurality of products from a plurality of non-correlated inlet paths, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of conveyors individually receiving the products from the separate inlet paths;
• providing a plurality of sensors, each sensor detecting an arrival of a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• providing a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with one of said conveyors for moving a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• providing a plurality of position transducers, each position transducer measuring a position of said corresponding conveyor;
• detecting from said plurality of sensors when a first product arrives onto one of said conveyors;
• moving said first product by a predetermined length;
• only advancing addition product received by remaining said conveyors after said first product has moved said predetermined length.

A method for aligning a plurality of products from a plurality of non-correlated inlet paths, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of conveyors individually receiving the products from the separate inlet paths;
• providing a plurality of sensors, each sensor detecting an arrival of a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• providing a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with one of said conveyors for moving a product on a corresponding conveyor;
• providing a plurality of position transducers, each position transducer measuring a position of said corresponding conveyor;
• detecting from said plurality of sensors when a first product arrives onto one of said conveyors;
• moving said first product by a predetermined length;
• retarding advancement of addition product received by remaining said conveyors until said first product has moved said predetermined length;
• fully advancing said addition product after said first product has moved said predetermined length.