Transfer unit and process

1. Method for transferring products ( 1 ), to or from a product collection surface ( 2 ) of a product ( 1 ) processing line, on which they can accumulate, in which method products ( 1 ) are stored in trays ( 3 ), the method comprising:

for unloading products ( 1 ):

a loaded tray ( 3 ) transfer step, during which a collection tray ( 4 ), is separately moved between the collection surface ( 2 ) and a receiving zone ( 5 ), where conveying means for tray ( 3 ) are provided, and

an empty tray ( 3 ) transfer step, during which the collection tray ( 4 ), empty, is transferred between the collection surface ( 2 ) and the top of an empty tray stack ( 6 ) in an empty tray zone ( 7 );

for loading products ( 1 ):

the empty tray ( 3 ) transfer step comprises:

a first step of bringing the empty collection tray ( 4 ) from the empty tray stack ( 6 ) to an intermediary zone ( 8 ), and

a second step of bringing the collection tray ( 4 ) from said intermediary zone ( 8 ) to the collection surface ( 2 )

the method further comprising

a product transfer step, during which products ( 1 ) are transferred between the collection surface ( 2 ) and the collection tray ( 4 ) as a single batch of products ( 1 ), in one step, from the back with a single planar sweeping movement, while the collection tray ( 4 ) is held flush with the collection surface ( 2 ) by an actuator ( 12 ) holding the loaded tray ( 3 ) in front of the collection surface ( 2 ), and moves the tray ( 3 ) fully loaded, before or after holding the tray ( 3 ), and unloaded, after or before holding the tray ( 3 ), the first actuator ( 12 ) being in charge of maintaining one single collection tray ( 4 ) at a time in front of the collection surface ( 2 ), as well as of moving the tray ( 3 ) to or from the receiving zone ( 5 ), and to or from the empty tray zone ( 7 ).

2. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of opening the collection tray ( 4 ).

3. Method according to claim 2 , further comprising a step of closing the collection tray ( 3 ), after the collection tray ( 4 ) has received products ( 1 ) from the collection surface ( 2 ) in front of which the collection tray ( 3 ) temporarily stays.

4. Method according to claim 3 , wherein closing the collection tray ( 3 ) is the final phase of the product ( 1 ) sweeping transfer from the collection surface ( 2 ) to the collection tray ( 3 ).

5. Method according to claim 2 , wherein the empty tray ( 3 ) opening step is performed before depositing it in the intermediary zone ( 8 ).

6. Method according to claim 2 , wherein trays ( 3 ) are stacked on a pallet ( 9 ) as a product stack ( 10 ) in the receiving zone ( 5 ) prior to moving them from said zone, the method further comprising at least one strapping step.

7. Method according to claim 1 , wherein trays ( 3 ) are stacked on a pallet ( 9 ) as a product stack ( 10 ) in the receiving zone ( 5 ) prior to moving them from said zone, the method further comprising at least one strapping step.

8. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising a product stack transfer step, during which the at least one tray ( 3 ) stacked on a pallet in the receiving zone ( 5 ) is transferred between said receiving zone ( 5 ) and a storehouse able to store such trays ( 3 ) stacked on a pallet.

9. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of opening the collection tray ( 4 ).

10. Transfer unit ( 11 ) for transferring products ( 1 ) either to or from a collection surface ( 2 ) of a processing line, on which the products ( 1 ) can accumulate, said unit ( 11 ) comprising a receiving zone ( 5 ) for receiving trays ( 3 ), where a tray ( 3 ) conveying means is provided, further comprising:

a first actuator ( 12 ) for transferring a collection tray ( 4 ) between the receiving zone ( 5 ) and in front of the collection surface ( 2 ), holding the loaded tray ( 3 ) in front of the collection surface ( 2 ), and moves the tray ( 3 ) fully loaded, before or after holding the tray ( 3 ), and unloaded, after or before holding the tray ( 3 ), the first actuator ( 12 ) being in charge of maintaining one single collection tray ( 4 ) at a time in front of the collection surface ( 2 ), as well as of moving the tray ( 3 ) to or from the receiving zone ( 5 ), and to or from the empty tray zone ( 7 ), and

a second actuator ( 13 ) for transferring products ( 1 ) as a single batch of products ( 1 ), in one step, from the back with a single sweep movement between the collection surface ( 2 ) and the collection tray ( 4 ) while facing said collection surface ( 2 ).

11. Transfer unit ( 11 ) according to claim 10 , wherein the second actuator ( 13 ) works as a pusher moved along a linear sweeping direction.

12. Transfer unit ( 11 ) according to claim 10 , further comprising an empty tray zone ( 7 ), where an empty tray ( 3 ) can be taken from the top of an empty tray stack ( 6 ) located therein and brought in front of the collection surface ( 2 ) for being loaded with products ( 1 ), the first actuator ( 12 ) contributing to transferring the empty tray ( 3 ) between the empty tray zone ( 7 ) and the collection surface ( 2 ).

13. Transfer unit ( 11 ) according to claim 12 , wherein the collection surface ( 2 ) is at an upper deck, above the empty tray zone ( 7 ).

14. Transfer unit ( 11 ) according to claim 10 , further comprising an intermediary zone ( 8 ), as well as a third actuator ( 14 ), for transferring the empty tray ( 3 ) between the empty tray zone ( 7 ) and the intermediary zone ( 8 ), the first actuator ( 12 ) transferring the empty tray ( 3 ) between the intermediary zone ( 8 ) and the collection surface ( 2 ).