Abstract: An automatic machine for processing articles in the tobacco industry, and relative control method; the automatic machine has a production line along which a number of materials are processed to produce the articles; a number of operating members located along the production line; a control unit for controlling data relating to operation of the automatic machine; and a user interface device connected to the control unit and having a memory device which stores data belonging to the following classes: error messages resulting in automatic stoppage of the automatic machine; report messages; operator-intervention-request messages; production counters; values of analog and digital internal control variables; position/speed signals; format-change requests; end-of-shift requests; and operating parameters of the automatic machine.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic production/packing machine having: at least one production line, along which a number of materials are fed and processed to produce an end product; a control unit for supervising operation of the automatic machine; and a number of electric/electronic operating components distributed along the production line.

Abstract: An automatic machine for processing articles in the tobacco industry, and relative control method; the automatic machine has a production line along which a number of materials are processed to produce the articles; a number of operating members located along the production line; a control unit for controlling data relating to operation of the automatic machine; and a user interface device connected to the control unit and having a memory device which stores data belonging to the following classes: error messages resulting in automatic stoppage of the automatic machine; report messages; operator-intervention-request messages; production counters; values of analog and digital internal control variables; position/speed signals; format-change requests; end-of-shift requests; and operating parameters of the automatic machine.

Abstract: A variable-capacity store (1) for objects (2), wherein an endless conveyor (8) defines a conveying branch (11) for conveying a mass of elongated elements (2), and a return branch (14), the conveying branch and the return branch respectively forming a first and at least a second coil (51, 57), each extending about two respective guide drums (26, 27) (43, 44) movable transversely with respect to each other to adjust the length of the respective coil (51) (57); and wherein the conveying surface (10) positioned on edge with respect to the guide drums (26, 27) of the first coil (51), and positioned flat against the guide drums (43, 44) of the second coil (57).

Abstract: A method and automatic machine for processing a product, whereby, from all the regulating and/or monitoring items as a whole, a first group is determined containing a small number of frequently used items having a direct effect on the product; to permit fast use by an operator of the items in the first group, a screen of an interface device displays the items in the first group graphically by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image showing the function of the relative item substantially in the region in which the relative item is actually effective.

Abstract: A variable-capacity store (1) for objects (2), wherein an endless conveyor (8) defines a conveying branch (11) for conveying a mass of elongated elements (2), and a return branch (14), the conveying branch and the return branch respectively forming a first and at least a second coil (51, 57), each extending about two respective guide drums (26, 27) (43, 44) movable transversely with respect to each other to adjust the length of the respective coil (51) (57); and wherein the conveying surface (10) positioned on edge with respect to the guide drums (26, 27) of the first coil (51), and positioned flat against the guide drums (43, 44) of the second coil (57).

Abstract: A method and automatic machine for processing a product, whereby, from all the regulating and/or monitoring items as a whole, a first group is determined containing a small number of frequently used items having a direct effect on the product; to permit fast use by an operator of the items in the first group, a screen of an interface device displays the items in the first group graphically by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image showing the function of the relative item substantially in the region in which the relative item is actually effective.

Abstract: Device for transferring reels grouped in stacks from a fixed supporting surface to a magazine for feeding a user machine; the magazine is arranged at a higher level than the fixed supporting surface, and the device is a lifting device provided with a lifting platform movable in a vertical direction between a loading position, which has an adjustable level and is adjacent to the fixed supporting surface, and an unloading position, wherein the platform forms an input portion of the magazine.

Abstract: A truck for handling pallets by means of a fork which vertically and horizontally is movable with respect to a supporting chassis; the chassis has a planar U-shaped configuration forming a central cavity which is closed toward the outside by a movable element of a bumper which surrounds the chassis, and is provided with two shoulders, each of which supports a guide which is slidingly engaged by a respective arm extending parallel and laterally with respect to the fork from a slider which is arranged between the shoulders and supports the fork so that it can slide vertically.

Abstract: The shock-absorbing safety device has lateral protection elements which extend along the sides of a truck. Actuation devices move the lateral protection elements transversely with respect to the truck between a loading position, in which the lateral protection elements are adjacent to the sides of the truck, and a transport position in which the lateral protection elements are spaced therefrom. End protection elements provide, in the transport position, substantial continuity with the lateral protection elements, and control devices detect any collisions transmitted by the lateral protection elements and the end protection elements.

Abstract: The device serves to convey products singly and in succession to a work station. For example rolls of strip material can be conveyed to a wrapping machine, or containers of cigarettes can be conveyed to a packaging unit. The device comprises a conveyor system by which products loaded into a magazine are supported and caused to advance from an infeed end of the magazine toward a mechanism, positioned at an outfeed end, which the transfers each product to a position within the work station. The movement of the conveyor system is reversible, and with a transfer mechanism installed at both the infeed and the outfeed end of the magazine, the contents can be emptied from either end without manual or machine assistance.

Abstract: Apparatus for the selective palletization of articles, particularly boxes, having different characteristics, including an article bar code reader which controls an automatic transfer device for the selective transfer of the articles from a feeder conveyor to respective pallets arranged in respective processing stations for loading the pallets with articles and for removing the loaded pallets, in which the processing stations are aligned above respective segments of a conveyor for transferring empty pallets from an accumulation unit for a stack of unloaded pallets, and an elevator device for the unloaded pallets which is interposed between the exit conveyor and each processing station, which defines, together with the related segment of the conveyor and with the related elevator device, a processing module which is actuated in a substantially independent manner.