International classification: B 65 b.

STATE OF THE ART It is known the Italian patent BO 2000 A 000397 that describes a compact plant, to gather and layer objects wrapping them with flexible ribbon to package thermoselaed bundles, in which the whole sequence of gathering operations, of the layering of piled groups and of wrapping operations with thermosealed flexible ribbon, occurs in only one operational station at which exit the resulting bundle is thermosealed sideways also on the opposite sides.

The present invention suggests improvements that allow to optimize gathering and layering operations of the objects in operational transit equipping the feeding hopper with overhanging tongues provided with specific springs expanding to realize an automatic ratchet gear that supports objects gathered and stacked.

DESCRIPTION The invention is now disclosed with reference to the figures of the attached drawings, as a not limiting example.

Figure 1 represents schematically the feeding hopper of the single operational station in rest position. It can be noticed the presence of the tongue 9 equipping the side 12 inside the flank 8 and 8'of the hopper.

Figure 2 represents in plant view the operational station schematized in the previous figure 1.

It can be noticed the presence of the springs 11 and 11'that keep open the tongues 9 and 9'which equip sides 12 an 13.

Figure 3 schematizes the operational station by the feeding device 14. It can be noticed the open stance of tongues 9 and 9'because of springs 11 and 11'.

Figure 4 schematizes the arrival of the objects 1 and 2 fed by the device 14 which pushes them upon the lifting piston 7. The two spread open tongues can be noticed.

Figure 5 shows the positioning of two objects 1 and 2 against the side 13 of the hopper. It can be noticed the open stance of the spring tongue.

Figure 6 shows the lifting up of the objects 1 and 2 and thus the recall of the tongues 9 and 9'. It can be noticed that springs 11 and 11'have return to their position.

Figure 7 highlights the case in which the objects 1 and 2, after having been lifted from the piston 7 beyond the tongues 9 and 9', these open under the effect of the expansion springs 11 and 11'.

Figure 8 highlights the circumstance that the objects are placed upon the overhanging tongues 9 and 9'and the piston 7 can come back down leaving the objects 1 and 2 upon the tongues 9 and 9'.

Figure 9 shows the coming of other objects fed by the device 14 towards the piston 7 already returned to the level of the feeding device 14.

Figure 10 shows the transferring of the objects 3 and 4 upon the piston 7.

Figure 11 shows the arrival of the object 3 and 4 against the wall 13. It can be noticed the presence of objects 1 and 2 previously placed and kept up by the overhanging tongues.

Figure 12 shows the lifting of the piston 7 that lifts up four objects 1,2, 3,4 previously stacked inside the side 12 and 13.. It can be noticed that the tongues 9 and 9'have returned to their open position under the effects of the springs 11 and 11'.

The figure 13 shows the coming of other objects 5 and 6 and the simultaneous ulterior lifting of the objects 1, 2,3, 4 previously stacked.

The evidence of the figures highlights the simplicity and high reliability of functioning of the improvement introduced by the present invention.

In the figures each single is marked as follows : 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6 are objects to be gathered and stacked.

7 is a piston with vertical excursions of lifting and lowering.

8 and 8'are the sides of the feeding hopper of the operational station.

9 and 9'are two articulated tongues applied to sideboard 12 and 13.

10 is an arrow that indicates the further proceeding of the device 14 for the feeding of the objects transiting towards the operational station.

12 and 13 are the sides provided with tongues 9 and 9'.

11 and 11'are the expansion springs of the tongues 9 and 9'.

15 is an arrow that indicates the vertical excursion of the piston 97.

The invention of course allows for several variations of practical realization as far as the construction material is concerned, as well for the dimensioning and the structural proportioning.

All the improvements to compact plants to collect and layer objects, wrapping them with flexible ribbon, to package thermosealed bundles, that feature the same functional characteristics as basically described, shown and hereinafter claimed, will be held as being part of the protection sphere of the present invention.