PACKET TRANSFER UNIT AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING PACKETS FROM SEPARATE TWIN INPUT PATHS TO ONE COMMON OUTPUT PATH

摘要

A packet transfer unit (9) and method for transferring packets (2) from separate twin' input paths (P1) to one common output path (P3); the transfer unit having: two pickup stations (SI) located at respective ends of the input paths (P1); two release stations (S2) located one after the other along the output path (P3); a belt conveyor (18) which moves continuously along the output path (P3) and supports a number of seats (19), the dimension of each of which, along the output path (P3), is greater than the corresponding dimension of the packets (2); and two coaxial transfer wheels (10) located one over the other, and each of which has at least one peripheral pocket (11), and rotates in steps to move the pocket (11) cyclically along a circular transfer path (P2) extending from a corresponding pickup station (SI) to a corresponding release station (S2).