Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle for handling reels includes a telescopic upright integral with a vehicle frame bearing a fork carriage provided with at least one pair of forks and connected to the telescopic upright with an equipment. The equipment includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of sensors, the equipment including a pair of actuators for tilting the fork carriage, an actuator to control the global lateral translation of the fork carriage, at least one pair of actuators for the symmetrical movement of the forks towards and away from each other. Each fork has a substantially rectangular section with a height greater than the base. Opposite facing walls of the forks are flat and can be approached in direct contact with each other, the two coupled forks having bevels along all the four edges facing outwards. Each fork can have a “V” shaped seat on the upper face.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a multiplicity of packages including a feeding station, a separation station which is arranged downstream of the feeding station, a single feeding track which carries at least one multiplicity of multiple sheets from the feeding station to the separation station, at least two exit tracks which are arranged downstream of the separation station. Each multiple sheet of the multiplicity of multiple sheets includes at least two portions of sheet lying on a same geometric plane. Each portion of sheet is a single sheet of the package in a flat configuration. Each package of the multiplicity of packages includes at least one product and the single sheet of the package adapted to pass from a flat configuration to a configuration coupled with the at least one product.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle for handling reels includes a telescopic upright integral with a vehicle frame bearing a fork carriage provided with at least one pair of forks and connected to the telescopic upright with an equipment. The equipment includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of sensors, the equipment including a pair of actuators for tilting the fork carriage, an actuator to control the global lateral translation of the fork carriage, at least one pair of actuators for the symmetrical movement of the forks towards and away from each other. Each fork has a substantially rectangular section with a height greater than the base. Opposite facing walls of the forks are flat and can be approached in direct contact with each other, the two coupled forks having bevels along all the four edges facing outwards. Each fork can have a “V” shaped seat on the upper face.

Abstract: A step-wise feeding device of containers equipped with a mouth, a plane of symmetry passing through the mouth, includes support bases and transportation means of the support bases in a feeding direction. Each support base can be associated with and dissociated from the transportation means, and each support base includes a clamping group of a container, the clamping group having a closed clamping position and an open loading and unloading position. The clamping group is a gripper-type including two side boards, sustained by supports on opposite sides of the support base, which move in a self-centering manner with respect to an axis. Each support base has a bearing plane for the bottom of the container, on which a virtual point is defined, arranged on a longitudinal axis at a fixed distance from a front end of the support base, for centering the mouth of any container arranged on the plane.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle for the handling of shuttles and/or loading units in automatic warehouses. A telescopic upright integral with a vehicle frame bears a fork holder plate provided with a pair of forks and connected to the telescopic upright with an equipment. The equipment includes actuators and sensors for controlling and commanding the movements of the forks. An actuator controls the global lateral translation of the fork holder plate. A pair of actuators moves the forks closer to and away from each other. A pair of actuators rotates the fork holder plate with respect to a central axis of the equipment. The equipment also includes a pair of fork side sensors, to check the alignment of the fork holder plate to the front side of a rack and fork alignment sensors to check the alignment of the forks with respect to the lateral guides of the tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a multiplicity of packages including a feeding station, a separation station which is arranged downstream of the feeding station, a single feeding track which carries at least one multiplicity of multiple sheets from the feeding station to the separation station, at least two exit tracks which are arranged downstream of the separation station. Each multiple sheet of the multiplicity of multiple sheets includes at least two portions of sheet lying on a same geometric plane. Each portion of sheet is a single sheet of the package in a flat configuration. Each package of the multiplicity of packages includes at least one product and the single sheet of the package adapted to pass from a flat configuration to a configuration coupled with the at least one product.

Abstract: A step-wise feeding device of containers equipped with a mouth, a plane of symmetry passing through the mouth, includes support bases and transportation means of the support bases in a feeding direction. Each support base can be associated with and dissociated from the transportation means, and each support base includes a clamping group of a container, the clamping group having a closed clamping position and an open loading and unloading position. The clamping group is a gripper-type including two side boards, sustained by supports on opposite sides of the support base, which move in a self-centering manner with respect to an axis. Each support base has a bearing plane for the bottom of the container, on which a virtual point is defined, arranged on a longitudinal axis at a fixed distance from a front end of the support base, for centering the mouth of any container arranged on the plane.

Abstract: A sliding layer gripping device includes an anthropomorphic robot and a gripping head mounted on the robot for picking a first layer of products of a pallet. The gripping head includes a main frame, an upper compaction unit and an intermediate translation plane. The frame is connected to the intermediate translation plane and to the upper compaction unit with two pairs of linear translation guides arranged parallel to each other on the inner side of the sides of the main frame. A pair of belts moved by a brushless motor controlled by the robot is arranged between the main frame and the upper compaction unit for relative sliding of the main frame and the upper compaction unit with respect to the intermediate translation plane. The intermediate translation plane has a loading side of the layer opposite to an unloading side of the layer.

Abstract: A gripping member for gripping a layer of products includes an upper closed wall, a suction plane associated on the lower side of the upper wall, mechanical gripping elements, a lower safety support plane, movable between an open position of disengagement from the gripping area and a closed position at least partially in engagement with the gripping area, and a telescopic chamber, open only toward the bottom. The telescopic chamber is fastenable around the product layer and is connectable to means for generating depression or vacuum, for pneumatically lifting the product layer by means of depression. The telescopic chamber includes a peripheral continuous gripping ring arranged at the periphery of the upper wall and consists of four angular elements and at least four plate-like side elements, which are slidably arranged with respect to the angular elements. The upper wall has adjustable plane dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for applying gripping handles (M) on films (P), being supplied on shrinkwrap packers (2) for making bundles of bottles (B), cans and/or similar containers (B). The device (1) comprises: an applying head (10) provided with a roller (11) for applying gripping handles (M); an abutment mechanism (14) for operatively supporting a series of heat-shrinkable packaging films (P), being supplied on a respective shrinkwrap packer (2). The applying roller (11) and the abutment mechanism (14) are mobile with respect to one another between a non-operating condition, in which they are spaced apart, and an operating condition, in which the applying roller (11) is arranged, at the abutment mechanism (14), against at least one of the films (P) being supplied to apply a respective gripping handle (M) on the latter.

Abstract: A bundle of containers like bottles or cans comprises a structure (2) for holding containers (3), having a base wall (4) intended to support the containers (3) and lateral walls (5) extending from the base wall (4), which define a compartment (6) intended for the support of the containers (3). The compartment (6) is impermeable for receiving a predefined amount of ice intended for cooling the containers. The bundle (1) also comprises a wrapping (7) made of thermoretractable plastic material which wraps the structure (2) for holding containers (3) and the containers (3) arranged therein. The wrapping (7) has at least one access opening (8) for the introduction of the ice into the housing compartment (6) of the structure (2) for holding containers (3). An optional spacer between containers provides gaps for receiving the coolant.

Abstract: Method for making a bundle (10) of the type comprising a plurality of containers (11) positioned along at least one row and wound in a heat-shrunk film (12) due to a heat-treatment effect; said method comprising the steps of: a) arranging a heat-shrinkable film (12) around said containers (11) ordered along at least one row in order to obtain an open tunnel (13) along the transverse direction (20) with respect to the longitudinal direction of advancement (20?), said open tunnel (13) identifying along said transverse direction (20) lateral over-edge portions (14) with respect to said containers (11); b) handling said over-edge portions (14); c) supplying said containers (11) and said heat-shrinkable film (12) to a heat-treatment device, so that said over-edge portions (14) are compacted to said containers for heat-shrinking; in which said step of handling said over-edge portions comprises the step of making said over-edge portions (14) at least partially adhere to said containers (11).

Abstract: Manipulator for manipulating over-edges of a plastic film wrapped on containers for making a bundle of containers of the type including a vertical support rod provided with a motorization for rotating around own vertical axis. The rod supports a mechanism for stretching and drawing said over-edges alongside said containers; and a device for pressing the over-edges against the containers. The device for stretching and for drawing alongside and he device for pressing are arranged one above the other along the development of the vertical support rod.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bundle (1) of containers (3), including a packaging film (2) wrapped around a set of containers (3). The film (2) defines a bottom portion (2a), at least one pair of side opposite portions (2b) extending from the bottom portion (2a) and a covering portion (2c) extending between the side portions (2b) from an opposite part with respect to the bottom portion (2a). The bundle (1) also comprises a handle (4) having a central portion (4a) arranged at the covering portion (2c) of the film (2) and a pair of opposite joining adhesive portions (4b), extending from the central portion (4a) each arranged at least at a respective side portion (2b) of the film (2). Each of the joining adhesive portions (4b) of the handle (4) has a respective end (4c) that engages the bottom portion (2a) of the film (2).

Abstract: A heat-shrinking furnace for forming bundles of products wrapped in a heat-shrinkable film and defining at least one channel for advancement of the bundles along an advancement direction, and including: an inlet fed by the bundle of products in succession one after the other, the products being tunnel-wrapped in a loose manner by the heat-shrinkable film to identify two lateral openings orthogonal to the advancement direction; an outlet for release of the bundles of products wrapped in a compact manner by the heat-shrinked film; a heater operating between the inlet and outlet for making heat-shrinking of the film on the products; and wherein in an intermediate position between the inlet and the outlet the furnace includes a mechanism for temporarily holding the heat-shrinkable film spaced apart from the products at the lateral openings during heat shrinking.

Abstract: Method for making a bundle (10) of the type comprising a plurality of containers (11) positioned along at least one row and wound in a heat-shrunk film (12) due to a heat-treatment effect; said method comprising the steps of: a) arranging a heat-shrinkable film (12) around said containers (11) ordered along at least one row in order to obtain an open tunnel (13) along the transverse direction (20) with respect to the longitudinal direction of advancement (20?), said open tunnel (13) identifying along said transverse direction (20) lateral over-edge portions (14) with respect to said containers (11); b) handling said over-edge portions (14); c) supplying said containers (11) and said heat- shrinkable film (12) to a heat-treatment device, so that said over-edge portions (14) are compacted to said containers for heat-shrinking; in which said step of handling said over-edge portions comprises the step of making said over-edge portions (14) at least partially adhere to said containers (11).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bundle (1) of containers (3), in particular bottles, cans or the like, and a process for making such a bundle comprising a packaging film (2) wrapped around a set of containers (3). The film (2) defines a bottom portion (2a) for resting the containers (3), at least one pair of side opposite portions (2b) extending from the bottom portion (2a) for laterally engaging the containers (3) and a covering portion (2c) extending between the side portions (2b) from an opposite part with respect to the bottom portion (2a). The bundle (1) also comprises a handle (4) having a central portion (4a) arranged at the covering portion (2c) of the film (2) and a pair of opposite joining adhesive portions (4b), extending from the central portion (4a) each arranged at least at a respective side portion (2b) of the film (2).

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle (10) with an improved multiple-pallet lifting group comprising a machine body (11) provided with means for its movement (12) and a lifting group (13) constrained to the machine body (11), wherein the lifting group (13) comprises a multilevel post structure (14), a lift truck (15), a tilting plate (17) which constitutes the framework of a multiple-pallet clamp group (18) provided with three pairs (19?, 19?, 19??) of forks (19) arranged in a specular manner with respect to a longitudinal centreline plane (22) of the machine body (11) and moveable along horizontal guides (20) constrained to the framework (17), the clamp group (18) comprising per each pair (19?, 19?, 19??) of forks (19) two actuators (21) for the independent control of each fork (19), a pair (24?, 24?, 24??) of two oppositely positioned racks (24) joined integrally to the respective forks (19) and at least one toothed wheel (23?, 23?, 23??) which engages the pair of corresponding racks (24?, 24?, 24??).

Abstract: Unit for packaging and palletizing rolls of paper comprising a bagging and/or forming machine adapted to sort packages of said rolls into batches or to bag said sorted loose packages in a plastic bag, and a palletizing station comprising at lease one manipulator provided with grippers to handle loose packages of delivered products from said bagging and/or forming machine. The products are conveyed to said palletizing station with a predetermined stepped sequence and spaced from one another in at least one row on a conveyer element, wherein said at least one robot and said bagging and/or forming machine are interconnected and are programmed respectively to sort said products in batches of different forms and dimensions according to a sequence which is continuously variable to form a layer of a pallet with different batches of products adjacent to and engaged with one another.

Abstract: An automated system for checking the structural integrity of pallets (22) which, after suitable programming, besides the checking operations and through special pliers (40, 40A) can carry out further handling operations on the pallets (22) between any combination of fixed surfaces (24) and stacks of pallets (26-31), performing the typical functions of traditional stackers (12) and de-stackers (13) and eliminating the needs of bulky transport paths and complex connecting deviations.