Abstract: For the formation of groups of products to be fed orderly at predetermined intervals to a processing machine an equipment includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor positioned on the inlet of the processing machine and having pockets for housing the products arranged at predetermined intervals, a transfer device having clamping units which are mobile in phase relation with the conveyors for removing the products from the first conveyor and transferring them into respective pockets of the second conveyor and positioning them in groups, under the action of controls arranged to control the differentiated release of at least two products into each pocket of the second conveyor, these two products being in shifted positions one with respect to the other, enabling these products to be reached in sequence respectively by a corresponding clamping unit of an even position and by a clamping unit of an uneven position, until a respective group of products is completed.

Abstract: In packaging equipment suitable for packaging tableted products of a delicate nature, such as tablets of soap, each tablet is directed into a box by one of a succession of push-rods set in motion synchronously with a first feed line conveying boxes, and a second feed line conveying the products. The advancing push-rods pass initially through a diverter capable of movement between a first position and a second position, and are made as a result to follow a first guide, and a second guide respectively. The diverter is timed to alternate between the first and the second positions with the passage of each push-rod, and can be locked for a predetermined duration in the second position.

Abstract: A method of expanding and feeding cartons to a filling line; the cartons being made of sheet material, presenting four walls defined by preformed bend lines, and being expanded as of an initial flattened configuration wherein each carton is arranged in two superimposed, substantially contacting layers, each defined by two adjacent walls of the carton; each carton being expanded by rotating each wall of each layer about an arc of over 90.degree. in relation to the other wall of the same layer and into a configuration causing yielding of the bend lines; and by only permitting each carton to assume its final parallelepiped-section configuration inside the conveyor pocket of the filling line.

Abstract: A method and line for feeding products in equally spaced manner to a user machine, whereby the products, aligned and traveling with a constant spacing and at constant speed along a supply path, are each removed off the supply path by a respective gripping unit for initially accelerating the product and then feeding it with the above spacing and at the above speed into a respective pocket on the input conveyor of the user machine.

Abstract: A device for feeding products, e.g. soaps, from a manufacturing machine to a wrapping machine, and comprising a first and second conveyor belt cooperating with each other and powered at different speeds. The first conveyor belt presents a number of equally spaced supporting elements for respective soaps, having respective reaction elements designed to flank a first side of a respective soap. The second conveyor belt presents a number of equally spaced positioning elements, each designed to flank a second side of a respective soap opposite the first side. Each reaction element faces a respective positioning element and defines, with the same, a compartment for receiving a respective soap and the size of which, measured in the traveling direction of the first and second conveyor belt, is greater than that of the soaps at the point wherein the soaps are transferred into the compartments, and is gradually reduced until it substantially equals the size of the soaps at a point downstream from the transfer point.

Abstract: A system for picking up randomly-spaced items in particular cakes of soap, off a first conveyor belt and transferring the same in equally-spaced manner on to a second conveyor belt; which system comprises a rotary conveyor traveling between the first and second conveyors, fitted with a series of equally-spaced pick-up heads, and traveling at a predetermined greater speed than the first conveyor; and an electronic control system having processing device for detecting a position wherein a pick-up head corresponds with an item, and for consequently enabling, by lowering and applying the suction of, the pick-up head for picking the item off the first conveyor; which processing device also provide for disabling, by cutting off the suction of and raising, the pick-up head, for releasing the item and transferring it in controlled, equally-spaced manner on to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bodies of the type of soap comprises a drum (1) rotating intermittently by a half turn and having a housing (14) passing diametrically through it, which housing (14) is arranged to permit a block (15) to slide in it and, at each pause of the drum (1), is aligned with a station (2) for the insertion of a body (5) of the above-mentioned type and its associated wrapping element (4) and with an opposite ejection station (3). A reciprocating thrust element (23), carrying out this insertion, is connected by connecting means (26, 32, 34, 36, 22, 16) to cause the block (15) to slide in the housing (14) only during the insertion.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supplying wrapping elements (2, 57) comprising elongate portions of card (2) having a series of zones (6, 7, 8, 9), separated by transverse creases (a, b), and flaps (10) defined by creases (c) disposed longitudinally to the card (2). The apparatus comprises a first mechanism (14) and a second mechanism (50) for continuously transfering the pieces of card (2) which are orientated transversely to the path of the first mechanism and longitudinally with respect to the path of the second mechanism. The apparatus also comprises folding elements (42, 43, 46, 47, 55, 56) located along the paths of the two transfer mechanisms (14, 50) arranged to fold the zones (6, 7, 8, 9) and flaps (10) about the creases defining them out of a planar condition and subsequently to fold them back to cause them to return to the original coplanar condition. The pre-creased blanks so formed can be readily wrapped by conventional wrapping machines round soft articles (68) e.g.

Abstract: A device for use in machines for wrapping blocks e.g. soap tablets (1) comprising a drum (3) which rotates intermittently and has diametrically opposed seatings (4) for the tablets (1), a station (6) for receiving a tablet (1) expelled from an adjacent seating (4) partially wrapped in an associated piece of wrapping paper (2), and means (11, 12) for removing the tablets (1) in succession from the station (6). The device comprises a hopper (20) movable alternately between the station (6) and a position remote from it, in register with the path of transport means (11,12) and orientated relative to the path so that the hopper (20) can be intercepted by pushers (12) of the transport means (11,12), the hopper (20) being arranged to receive a tablet (1) and its associated piece of wrapping paper (2) expelled from the drum (3) at the station (6) and to deliver them into said remote position to be engaged and carried away by a pusher (12) of the transport means (11,12).

Abstract: In packaging machines using heat-sealable wrapping material it is important that the heat-sealing mechanism operates in synchronism with the rest of the machine under satisfactory sealing conditions. A control device for sealing bars (14, 15; 40, 41) disposed opposite one another is provided which reciprocates the bars (14, 15; 40, 41) towards and away from one another in phase with the packaging machine operation. The bars (14, 15; 40, 41), or a lever mechanism or mechanical linkage, have arms (16, 17; 54, 54a, 59, 59a) pivotted by integral pins (18, 19; 55, 55a, 56, 56a) with eccentric axes: second pins (19; 56, 56a) are pivotted on the frame and first pins (18; 55, 55a) are rotatable about the axis (80; 70) of the second pins (19; 56, 56a) on movement of arms (16, 17; 55, 54a, 59, 59a) in the closing, sealing phase.