Abstract: An apparatus and a transfer process for articles are presented. The articles are transferred without risk of damage when gripped by pincer grip devices, regardless of article shape and gripping manner. The apparatus includes a first transport device, having pincer grip devices, moving along a first closed path, each having pincer claws projecting outward from the first closed path. The pincer claws are movable from a gripping position to a release position. The apparatus also includes a second transport device, having tray-like elements moving along a respective second closed path and configured to receive respective articles resting thereon. The first and second transport devices cooperate with each other at one or two exchange segments where the first closed path is superimposed on said second closed path and where the articles transported in the pincer grip devices are laid on tray-like elements and/or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A pincer device for gripping and releasing articles from an operating station to a subsequent station, capable of operating, in a transfer apparatus, with a minimum footprint, without interfering with other pincer devices arranged at close range thereto, is presented. The pincer device has a pair of gripping claws, cooperating with each other and having each a proximal end and a distal end, a gripping edge facing the gripping edge of the other gripping claw, and a longitudinal development following a predefined respective direction. The pincer device also has a driving mechanism, having at least one rotary actuator connected to a respective proximal end, configured to rotate each gripping claw from a gripping position to a release position by rotating each gripping claw about a rotation axis parallel to the predefined direction. In the gripping position, the gripping edges have a minimum spacing therebetween, progressively increasing towards the release position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a production process for articles includes: feeding a plurality of articles to a first operating unit where the articles are subjected to a first processing operation; controlling at least one characteristic of the articles outgoing from the first operating unit; identifying among the outgoing articles a first group and a second group of articles, in which the at least one characteristic is respectively in accordance or not with predetermined quality parameters; transferring the articles outgoing from the first operating unit to at least one second operating unit, where the articles are subjected to at least one second processing operation; allowing the at least one second operating unit to perform the at least one second processing operation on the first group of articles; receiving the articles outgoing from the at least one second operating unit, and then discarding the second group of articles.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a packaging process of capsules with an opening closed by a laminar lid obtained by cutting a strip, the ability of transporting the laminar lids in several lines is introduced, reducing the overall dimensions. The apparatus includes: a cutting device with a mechanism defining a portion of the strip where the strip is tensioned in a respective cutting plane, and one or more punches obtaining the laminar lids from the strip; a carousel-like transfer device, having transfer members movable along a closed path, with gripping heads configured to receive respective laminar lids from the cutting device. The cutting plane is in a vertical position, and the mutual position of the cutting device and the transfer device defines a gripping spot of the closed path, the laminar lids being retained in the transfer members on a respective plane in a vertical position.

Abstract: A coupling unit for coupling a component for a container includes a coupling equipment. The coupling equipment includes: a frame, a housing constrained to the frame, a gripping device rotatably constrained with respect to the frame and including a retaining element to selectively retain the component, and a coupling device constrained to the gripping device with respect to the frame, the coupling device including a coupling element to constrain a portion of the component to a coupling surface of the container at a coupling position. The gripping device and the coupling device can move along an arc with a curved trajectory to a removal position where the retaining element is oriented to receive at least one component to be retained, and to a coupling position where the retaining element and the coupling element bring an abutment surface of the container and a couplable portion of the component into contact.

Abstract: A movement and filling unit of a container includes a movement and filling equipment. The equipment includes in turn: a frame, a metering member configured to release a filling product through a release opening, a movement device moveably secured to the frame, a housing with at least one seat, secured to the movement device. The movement device is configured to move the at least one seat along a movement trajectory where the following positions are defined: a removal position in which the container is housed in the at least one seat, a filling position in which the at least one seat is vertically aligned at a position under the release opening, and a release position in which the container with the product is removed from the at least one seat.

Abstract: A retention and movement unit of at least one component and at least one container is described. The unit has a moving retention member including, in turn, a frame and a first gripping device with a first retention element, the gripping device having a first configuration for selectively retaining the at least one component by the first retention element. In a first alternative, the first gripping device has a second configuration, different from the first configuration, for selectively retaining the at least one container. In the second alternative, the moving retention member further includes a second gripping device, including a second retention element, the second gripping device having a second configuration, different from the first configuration, for selectively retaining said at least one container.

Abstract: Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; the inner blank is folded, by way of first folding means, so as to form a hinged lid; in a feed station, the partly folded inner blank is coupled to the wrapped group of tobacco articles so that a rear wall of the wrapped group of tobacco articles rests on a panel of the inner blank corresponding to a rear wall of the inner container; and the inner blank is folded, by second folding means arranged downstream from the feed station, about the wrapped group of tobacco articles to complete the production of the inner container.

Abstract: Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles and with hinged lid by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; by way of a packing conveyor the inner blank is fed along a packing path and through a first work station, wherein portions of the inner blank are folded by way of a folding device provided with a body which is movable in a work direction perpendicular to the packing path; the folding body has a center member, two top side members, and two bottom side members which are arranged in different positions in the first work direction to perform in succession respective folds of the inner blank while the folding body moves with a continuous movement along the first work direction.

Abstract: Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; the inner blank is folded, by way of first folding means, so as to form a hinged lid; in a feed station, the partly folded inner blank is coupled to the wrapped group of tobacco articles so that a rear wall of the wrapped group of tobacco articles rests on a panel of the inner blank corresponding to a rear wall of the inner container; and the inner blank is folded, by second folding means arranged downstream from the feed station, about the wrapped group of tobacco articles to complete the production of the inner container.

Abstract: A method and wrapping unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes, and which include: feeding the group of cigarettes along a path; feeding a sheet of wrapping perpendicularly to the path of the group of cigarettes; feeding a tubular spindle along the path of the group of cigarettes to intercept the sheet of wrapping and fold the sheet of wrapping into a U about the tubular spindle; and feeding the group of cigarettes through the tubular spindle to slide the sheet of wrapping off the tubular spindle and apply the U-folded sheet of wrapping to the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A method and wrapping unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes, and which include: feeding the group of cigarettes along a path; feeding a sheet of wrapping perpendicularly to the path of the group of cigarettes; feeding a tubular spindle along the path of the group of cigarettes to intercept the sheet of wrapping and fold the sheet of wrapping into a U about the tubular spindle; and feeding the group of cigarettes through the tubular spindle to slide the sheet of wrapping off the tubular spindle and apply the U-folded sheet of wrapping to the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A packing wheel for packing products in sheets of packing material, and wherein a supporting body is mounted to rotate about a central first axis of rotation, and supports a number of peripheral packing pockets, each of which receives and houses a respective product and a respective sheet of packing material, and is fitted to the supporting body in a respective peripheral position to rotate, with respect to the supporting body, about a peripheral second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; and wherein each packing pocket is mounted to rotate about a respective third axis of rotation parallel to the relative second axis of rotation, located a given distance from the relative second axis of rotation, and rotating about the relative second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A packing wheel for packing products in sheets of packing material, and wherein a supporting body is mounted to rotate about a central first axis of rotation, and supports a number of peripheral packing pockets, each of which receives and houses a respective product and a respective sheet of packing material, and is fitted to the supporting body in a respective peripheral position to rotate, with respect to the supporting body, about a peripheral second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; and wherein each packing pocket is mounted to rotate about a respective third axis of rotation parallel to the relative second axis of rotation, located a given distance from the relative second axis of rotation, and rotating about the relative second axis of rotation.

Abstract: Mouthpieces are attached to cigars by a unit comprising a transfer device located along a set feed path and incorporating a conveyor device by which the mouthpieces are advanced between a distributing station, at which they are dispensed, and a station where each one is attached to a respective cigar; also located along the path are a station supplying filter plugs, at which one such plug is inserted into each mouthpiece, and a gumming station at which one end of the mouthpiece is tacked with adhesive to ensure a firm bond with the corresponding end of the cigar.