Abstract: A drying device, preferably of the UV light type, for articles printed by ink laying, comprises at least one lamp (2) radiating a UV light beam, and at least one opening screen (8) interposed between the lamp (2) and the printed articles (3) to be dried, to alternately intercept the UV light beam. The opening screen (8) is further provided with a liquid cooling plant (12).

Abstract: An ink-feeding device for ink-jet printing apparatus comprises an ink-containing tank (2) and at least one print head (7) connected to the tank (2). The device further comprises a metering device (3) interposed between the tank (2) and the print head (7) and provided with an inner space (10) having a planar major extension to keep the pressure of the ink feeding the print head (7) substantially constant and to improve the print quality.

Abstract: A process carried out by an ink-jet printing apparatus (1) comprises the steps of placing articles (3a) to be printed on a support (12) of an apparatus (1) further provided with a carriage (6) carrying at least one main print head (8) and at least one auxiliary head (11), and moving the support (12) and the carriage (6) relative to each other in at least one first ink-laying direction (X). The process is put into practice by carrying out the following steps in succession: laying the ink emitted from the auxiliary print head (11) to carry out printing of the articles (3a, 3b) with a background layer, drying the ink just laid by the auxiliary head (11) through a first drying device (14) disposed alongside the main head (8) and laying the ink emitted from the main head (8) to carry out decorations on the background layer.

Abstract: A transferring device which operates on an apparatus for producing optical discs comprising several different work stations, each arranged to perform a predetermined operation on the discs being processed. The transferring device performs a sequential transfer of each disc between the different work stations following a path comprising two parallel advance lines, one forward line and one return line, respectively, which are disposed laterally on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of a support arm. The support arm supports a first and a second series of pick-up heads arranged to execute the optical disc transfer on the forward and return lines during the forward and return strokes of the support arm, respectively.

Abstract: A transferring device which operates on an apparatus for producing optical discs comprising several different work stations, each arranged to perform a predetermined operation on the discs being processed. The transferring device performs a sequential transfer of each disc between the different work stations following a path comprising two parallel advance lines, one forward line and one return line, respectively, which are disposed laterally on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of a support arm. The support arm supports a first and a second series of pick-up heads arranged to execute the optical disc transfer on the forward and return lines during the forward and return strokes of the support arm, respectively.

Abstract: A supporting device for data-storage optical discs which includes a rest plate with which at least one supporting element is arranged to receive an optical disc. The supporting device further includes a vacuum assembly and vacuum connecting through-holes for providing vacuum communication between the supporting element and the vacuum assembly. The supporting element includes a base and a side wall arranged to support the optical disc and defining, with the optical disc itself, a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber ensures locking retention of the optical disc on the supporting element, while enabling movement of the rest plate, and further achieves cooling of the disc by an air stream passing through the chamber and spreading over the optical disc surface.

Abstract: A transferring device which operates on an apparatus for producing optical discs comprising several different work stations, each arranged to perform a predetermined operation on the discs being processed. The transferring device performs a sequential transfer of each disc between the different work stations following a path comprising two parallel advance lines, one forward line and one return line, respectively, which are disposed laterally on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of a support arm. The support arm supports a first and a second series of pick-up heads arranged to execute the optical disc transfer on the forward and return lines during the forward and return strokes of the support arm, respectively.

Abstract: A device for bending and transferring leaflets into box-shaped casings including a transfer head including elastically openable tapering end portions which cooperate with preforming edges and forming elements rotatably supported in a bending station to bend the side flaps of a leaflet. The transfer head picks up the bent leaflet from the bending station to transfer the bent leaflet into a box-shaped casing. The stop position of the transfer head in the bending station, as well as position of the tapering end portions during bending of the side flaps, can be adjusted depending on the type of paper of which the leaflet is made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gluing disc halves together during manufacturing of data storage optical discs including a main support on which a first disc half is arranged in an elastic-deformation condition. A second disc half, optionally resiliently deformed to a conical configuration, is arranged under an auxiliary support axially opposed to the main support. An adhesive dispenser delivers an adhesive along the outer circumferential edge of the first disc half, following a rotation imparted to the dispenser about the respective axis. The dispensed adhesive spreads by gravity along the glued surface of the first disc half and is thereby evenly spread thereon. The second disc half is then lowered onto the first disc half to achieve mutual pairing of the first and second disc halves.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus and method wherein a cassette previously loaded with waste tape is engaged in a work station. A trailing section of the waste tape is extracted from a front opening of the cassette together with a second portion of a leader spliced thereto. The second portion of the leader is separated from the waste tape which is then connected to a previously discarded tape length which is susceptible of engagement with a winding for upon the action of which all waste tape is extracted from the cassette. When extraction is over, a first portion of the leader is separated from the extracted waste tape and then spliced to a new use tape to be loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A brochure feeding unit comprises a feeding magazine containing brochures stacked on top of each other in the form of a stack. The lowermost brochure in the stack directly resting on a belt conveyor is withdrawn by means of the conveyor through an outlet side of the magazine. The remaining brochures in the feeding magazine are retained by a partition element. The brochure is withdrawn from the feeding magazine and is stopped against a locating member wherein the distance between the lower end of the locating member and belt conveyor defines a gauged passage clearance having a width greater than the nominal thickness of the back edge of the brochure. A pusher element movable along the locating member impinges upon the brochure back edge of the brochure in order to reduce the height of the back edge under the lower end of the locating member so that the brochure can pass through the gauged passage clearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting leader tape from a cassette to load the cassette with use tape is provided. In this apparatus, a first staging area is adapted to receive a cassette from an input mechanism wherein a pin orthogonally mounted on a rotating pick controlled by a rotary switch engages and extracts the leader tape when the rotating pick is rotated by the rotary switch. A second staging area is adapted to receive the cassette with the extracted leader tape from the first staging area wherein the use tape is spliced to the extracted leader tape and use tape is loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus and method wherein a cassette previously loaded with waste tape is engaged in a work station. A trailing section of the waste tape is extracted from a front opening of the cassette together with a second portion of a leader spliced thereto. The second portion of the leader is separated from the waste tape which is then connected to a previously discarded tape length which is susceptible of engagement with a winding fork upon the action of which all waste tape is extracted from the cassette. When extraction is over, a first portion of the leader is separated from the extracted waste tape and then spliced to a new use tape to be loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A system for packaging manufactured articles into respective cases along a feed line having an apparatus with stations for performing various functions, a unit for automatically stacking and feeding CD cases to be packaged in these stations and a unit for dispensing brochures or leaflets to be packaged in the CD at one of the stations. The automatic case feeding unit transfers a new stack, manually arranged, before a feed magazine into the feed magazine when it is sensed that the current stack is below a predetermined level. A pusher member is actuated to move the new stack into position in the feed magazine. The brochure feeding unit draws a bottom brochure via a conveyor belt from a stack of brochures, while the remaining brochures are retained by a partition element. The withdrawn brochure is stopped at a locating member, wherein the height of its back edge is reduced by pusher element so the brochure passes under the locating member and is passed to the corresponding packaging station.

Abstract: In an automatic apparatus for packaging compact discs into respective cases, the empty cases are arranged within a feeding magazine in a mutually superposed relation so as to form a vertical stack from the bottom of which the cases are individually removed for conveyance to the subsequent packaging steps. A new case stack is manually arranged on a platform located in front of an entrance side of the feeding magazine and, by means of a pusher member controlled by a fluid-operated actuator, the new stack is transferred into the feeding magazine so as to instantaneously replace the case stack previously in the magazine when the case stack is exhausted or the height of the cases in the stack falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a machine for loading tape into cassettes, the cassettes to be processed are oriented horizontally and disposed one upon the other to form a stack vertically engaged in a magazine. A collapsible support located at the base of the magazine engages the lowermost cassette in the stack in order to orient it vertically and let it fall into fitting guide pieces associated with a loading station located in the loading machine. A retention element operable by an actuator maintains the positioning of the cassette on the collapsible support while the latter is moving to the dropped position.

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging compact disc into respective cases along feed line having one station for opening the cases, a first work station in which an informational leaflet and informational booklet are respectively inserted in a housing portion and a lid portion of the case, a second work station in which a compact disc is engaged with a tray, if present, and a cover are respectively inserted in the housing portion and lid portion, and a final station for closing the case. The lid portion of the case is rotated by means of air blowing nozzles positioned at the opening and closing stations, respectively, to direct an air flow against the lid portion.

Abstract: In a machine for loading tape into cassettes, the cassettes to be processed are oriented horizontally and disposed one upon the other to form a stack vertically engaged in a magazine. A collapsible support located at the base of the magazine engages the lowermost cassette in the stack in order to orient it vertically and let it fall into fitting guide pieces associated with a loading station located in the loading machine. A retention element operable by an actuator maintains the positioning of the cassette on the collapsible support while the latter is moving to the dropped position.

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.