Abstract: The components of a rotary conveyor (1) for a carousel type capping machine (2) include a centre shaft aligned on a main axis (X) coinciding with the main axis of the machine (2), a carrier element (4) coupled to the shaft so that the two rotate as one about the main axis (X), and a set of gripper mechanisms (5) associated operationally with the carrier element (4), distributed circumferentially about the supporting shaft. Each gripper mechanism (5) is switchable between a first configuration, establishing a recess (6) in which to accommodate a respective container (3), a second configuration in which the container (3) is retained within the recess (6) by a predetermined gripping force, and a third configuration in which the container (3) is restrained by a gripping force greater than the force exerted in the second configuration, so as to counteract any unwanted rotation of the container (3) about its longitudinal axis (Y) that might be induced during the course of capping operations.

Abstract: In a machine for wrapping sticks of chewing gum, sticks of substantially rectangular outline and relatively small thickness advance singly and in succession on a conveyor, arranged flat and spaced apart at a predetermined first pitch, toward a position where they are transferred to a spacing roller revolving tangentially to the conveyor and presenting peripheral seats spaced apart at a pitch greater than the first pitch; the sticks are taken up at the transfer position by a pick-up and transfer mechanism operating between the conveyor and the seats of the spacing roller, describing a trajectory that includes a movement perpendicular to the plane occupied by the sticks and producing a minimal displacement equating approximately to the thickness of a single stick.

Abstract: Screw caps (2) are fitted to the necks of respective containers (3) by a unit comprising a carousel equipped with a platform on which the containers are placed, a frame positioned above the platform, and a drive system by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a main vertical axis. The unit comprises at least one screw capping device (7) associated with the rotating frame of the carousel, located above a respective container (3) and equipped with a gripping mechanism (9) lockable onto the cap (2) of the container, also a first motion-inducing linkage (25) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is caused to rotate about an axis (Y) parallel to the main vertical axis, and a second motion-inducing linkage (37) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is moved toward or away from the respective cap (2). The screw capping device (7) is packaged internally of a box-like body (10) associated removably with the rotating frame and housing the gripping mechanism (9).

Abstract: Containers (2) to be filled with liquid or powder products are processed by equipment (1) comprising at least one carousel (5) mounted on a floor-standing base frame (10) and set in rotation about a vertical axis (X) by drive components (9) housed internally of the frame (10); the carousel (5) is equipped with a number of peripheral stations (6), each accommodating a single container (2), and is positioned directly above a tank (20) with an open top (27) proportioned and contoured in such a way that washing liquids sprayed onto the carousel (5) in the course of during cleaning operations can be collected and carried away from the equipment.

Abstract: A carousel (1) for supporting and weighing containers (2), comprising: a carrier element (6) supporting at least one container (2), rotatable about a respective axis (X) and presenting at least one opening (13) affording access to an enclosure (14) within the selfsame element (6); a plate (15) associated with the underside of the carrier element (6), serving to close the opening (13), and a system (17) for weighing the container (2), installed at least partially within the enclosure (14). The weighing system (17) comprises a load cell (18) associated with the plate (15) and housed in the enclosure (14).

Abstract: A duct (1) applicable to a container (4) presents a connecting portion (9) with four substantially flat connecting surfaces (9a) and a internal bridging surface (13) by which the side walls (7a) of the container (4) are joined seamlessly to a spout (5) afforded by the duct (1); the bridging surface (13) is contoured in such a way that a flow of liquid food product can be directed through the spout (5) without becoming trapped and stagnating between the duct (1) and side walls (7a) of the container (4).

Abstract: A rotary conveyor (1) utilized in equipment (1a) for filling containers (2) with liquid or powder products includes a supporting shaft (8) aligned on a longitudinal axis (X) and coupled to relative drive components (10) associated with the shaft (8), by which the shaft is set in rotation about the axis (X). A support element (11) is keyed to the shaft (8), presenting a peripheral rim (12) with a plurality of slots (13) each designed to accommodate a container (2) transferred from a transport and/or processing device (3) forming part of the equipment (1a). The slots (13) incorporate restraining components (14) having grippers (15) movable between a position of engagement, in which the containers (2) are locked to the support element (11), and a position of disengagement in which no restraining force is applied to the containers (2).

Abstract: Containers are closed with screw caps by a carousel machine of which a central drum (31) is rotatable about a vertical axis (A) and carries a set of capping units (36) equipped with respective capping heads (37), each presenting a gripper (38) by which the cap (3) is held, and a mechanism (66) by which the hinged jaws (39) of the gripper (38) are opened and closed; each capping head (37) is capable of axial motion induced by components incorporated into the relative unit (36), which are guided axially in their movements and supported by auxiliary components (40; 49, 50) associated rigidly with the central drum (31).

Abstract: A method of forming and filling containers (2) wherein a first step consists in forming a tubular body (3) of which a first end is joined to a rigid element (6) with an opening (7) capable by means of a relative closure element (8), and a second end or bottom (12) is sealed by a weld line (13) extending transversely to the axis (A) of the tubular body (3) and presents two flaps (15) extending from the lateral surface (4) of the tubular body (3), and a second step consists in flattening and sealing the flaps (15) against the bottom (12); the method also includes a step of injecting a sterilizing liquid into each container (2), effected between the first step and the second step, and a step of filling the container (2) subsequent to the sterilizing step.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for manufacturing pouches (2) filled with portions (36) of a tobacco mixture, comprising a rotating drum (8) on which a continuous stream (5) of the mixture is formed and conveyed to a station (13) where the portions (36) are divided from the stream, and where the portions (36) are transferred by a pneumatic ejection and feed system (21) to a wrapping station (7), moisturizing substances are added to the mixture by a dispensing system (22) associated with the ejection and feed system (21) .

Abstract: Capping assemblies (2) of the type fitted to capping units (1a) in a machine for packaging containers filled with fluid or powdered products are equipped with a gripping apparatus (1) comprising a gripper (4) with three arms (5), each carrying an adapter (20) furnished with a pad (20b) offered in direct contact to the cap, through which the gripping action is applied. Each adapter (20) is secured to a fitting (17, 18) insertable into a socket (16) afforded by the bottom of a structural member (6) that forms the main part of each arm (5) and is hinged to the movable head of a relative capping assembly (2); when inserted into the structural member (6), the fitting (17, 18) is retained automatically by a snap lock mechanism (12) incorporated into the arm (5), which can be released subsequently by introducing the tip of a screwdriver into a slot (18a) created in the side of the fitting (17, 18) and levering the components apart.

Abstract: A machine manufacturing pouches of a smokeless tobacco product, or other similarly cohesionless material, comprises a feed system (100) by which the tobacco is supplied to a conveyor (4) at a delivery station (5), from where it is transported by the conveyor (4) to a transfer station (6), also a system (102) operating at the transfer station (6) by which predetermined portions (7) of the product are directed from the conveyor (4) into at least one duct (16) linked to a form-fill-and-seal wrapping station (8) where the portions (7) are enclosed in a continuous succession (101) of pouches (2). The wrapping station (8) is equipped with ultrasonic welders.

Abstract: A system (1) for portioning and packaging a tobamel smoking mixture (2) comprises a unit (3) internally of which the mixture (2) is prepared by blending tobacco en masse with agglutinants such as honey or molasses, and an extruder unit (17) by which the mixture (2) is shaped into a continuous rod (20).

Abstract: A method and machine for labelling a succession of containers, whereby each container is identified to assign to the container one of a number of possible types, and the container is then fed along a labelling path through a number of labelling stations, each of which applies respective labels to containers falling within a respective category, and is activated to apply the label to the container if the container falls within the respective category.

Abstract: A container (1) for liquid products fashioned from at least one blank of multi-layer paper material comprises an essentially parallelepiped body (2) with four side walls (4, 5, 6, 7), and a top section (9) presenting four angled faces (4a, 5a, 6a, 7a) that converge toward a tubular element (17) providing a spout (15) from which to pour the liquid contents. The tubular element (17) also presents four tags (24) designed to interact with the top section (9); the tags function as anchors insertable between and weldable together with the corresponding edges (11) of the blank to form joined areas (12) serving as both closure and reinforcing elements in the finished container (1).

Abstract: Products (6) are fed in an ordered succession by a unit (100) comprising a conveyor unit (1) equipped with pockets (43, 53), an outfeed conveyor (3) on which products (6) advance in succession at a given pitch (p2), also a transfer unit (2) operating between the conveyor unit (1) and the outfeed conveyor (3). The conveyor unit (1) presents a first belt (4) and a second belt (5) placed one beside the other and equipped with independent motors (M1, M2), whilst the pockets (43, 53) are arranged in first and second groups, each comprising a given number (n) of pockets ordered at constant pitch (p1) and associated respectively with the first belt (4) and the second belt (5), so that the groups are alternated one with another along a predetermined path (P).

Abstract: A labelling and/or marking machine (3) comprises a carousel (4) rotatable about a vertical axis (5), equipped peripherally with a set of pedestals (8) driven by respective motors (37) and supporting single containers (2), also applicator and/or marker devices (26, 27) occupying positions along a conveying path (17) followed by the containers (2). Each pedestal (8) is flanked by a corresponding CCD image sensor (31) such as will scan the lateral surface (29) of the container (2) to detect and recognize a known outline (32) presented by the surface (29), whereupon the pedestal (8) is made to rotate through a predetermined angle and thus bring the relative container (2) into the position required by the applicator and/or marker devices (26, 27).

Abstract: In a machine for making rigid hinge-lid packets, the lid of each packet is folded by a device (9) equipped with a plurality of pockets (2) occupied by respective single packets (P), each presenting a set of end folds (20) that will be bent inwards to form the lid (15), also, a belt conveyor (3) by which the pockets (2) are directed along a predetermined folding path (3b) between an infeed point (10) and an outfeed point (11), a pulley (4) centred on a vertical axis (X) of rotation, and a folder unit (12) mounted to the rotating pulley (4), interacting with a top part (13) of each pocket (2) in such a manner as to engage and bend the end folds (20) of the packet (P). The folding path (3b) coincides with a branch of the belt conveyor (3) looped around the pulley (4).

Abstract: Confectionery products (2) are packaged singly in double twist wraps (1) prepared from a strip (3) coated with first longitudinal bands (4) and second transverse bands (5) of adhesive, the transverse bands spaced apart to create adhesive-free zones (6) offered in direct contact to the products (2), and caused to advance along a set path (P) in a given feed direction (D). The strip is prepared with an easy tear point (A) on each second adhesive band (5), consisting of a first notch (7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strip (3) and a second notch (8) superimposed on the first notch (7); the strip (3) is then cut transversely along the second bands (5) to generate single leaves (11), each presenting an indentation (12) and a projection (13) generated by the second notch (8). The leaf (11) is folded around the product (2) to produce a hermetically sealed wrap (1) designed to tear open from the notches.