Process for controlling the operation of machines for processing articles, for example for packaging food products, and the machine thereof

A machine for processing articles comprising:

• a feeding device for a substantially continuous flow of said articles;
• a collection device for collecting said articles in groups, of said groups having a previously selected number of articles;
• a transferring and accumulating device interposed between said feeding device and said collection device, said transferring and accumulating device being adapted for transferring and accumulating said articles, said transferring and accumulating device including:
• an intake branch capable of receiving said articles from said feeding device,
• an output branch capable of receiving articles to be collected by said collection device,
• a mobile structure to selectively vary the length of said transfer and accumulation device included between said feeding device and said collection device;
• a detection device for detecting in the said substantially continuous flow, a possible presence of discontinuities corresponding to articles that are missing the flow;
• a control device for controlling the movement of said feeding device and said intake branch in a synchronized manner such that whenever a discontinuity is detected in the said substantially continuous flow, said control device causes a speed of said feeding device and also said intake branch to be reduced towards a minimum value that is attained when the discontinuity reaches said intake branch, said control device being arranged to:
• bring said intake branch into a condition of substantial standstill when said minimum value of said speed is attained and thereafter maintaining said condition substantial standstill until machine reaches a condition in which said first article in said flow after said discontinuity actually reaches said intake branch;
• and set said intake branch into motion again thus bringing said feeding device and said intake branch to their normal operating conditions so that said intake branch is adapted to be brought into a condition of substantial standstill to absorb any discontinuities that may be present in said substantially continuous flow, said transfer and accumulation device realizing a positive control action of said articles.