Method for orienting products in a predefined direction, means for implementing the method and installations for treating and/or preparing products, which installations are equipped with these means
The invention relates to a method for orientating products in a predefined direction, each product being long and straight overall and at least locally flexible at one of their two ends. It is characterised in that: - the desired direction (D2) of orientation for the production (2) is defined, - without reference to the direction, each product (2) is preorientated by arranging it with its longitudinal axis (9) in a plane (P2) substantially orthogonal to the final direction of orientation (D2) desired, then, - whilst retaining this orientation and by moving the products (2) overall in the final direction of orientation (D2) desired, each product (2) is applied, in local contact via its lateral face (10) and approximately in line with each of its two ends (3, 4) against at least two so-called lateral stop pieces (11, 12), - approximately half way between the said stop pieces (11, 12) there is exerted on each product (2) thus placing contact with these stop pieces, at least one action (14) termed thrust and the orientation, intensity and duration of which are such that the product (2) is at least locally curved against the lateral stop pieces (11, 12), - each product (2) thus orientated is gathered up conserving the orientation which it adopts after it has finished negotiating the lateral stop pieces (11, 12). <IMAGE>
