Abstract: Products (6) are fed in an ordered succession by a unit (100) comprising a conveyor unit (1) equipped with pockets (43, 53), an outfeed conveyor (3) on which products (6) advance in succession at a given pitch (p2), also a transfer unit (2) operating between the conveyor unit (1) and the outfeed conveyor (3). The conveyor unit (1) presents a first belt (4) and a second belt (5) placed one beside the other and equipped with independent motors (M1, M2), whilst the pockets (43, 53) are arranged in first and second groups, each comprising a given number (n) of pockets ordered at constant pitch (p1) and associated respectively with the first belt (4) and the second belt (5), so that the groups are alternated one with another along a predetermined path (P).

Abstract: A labelling and/or marking machine (3) comprises a carousel (4) rotatable about a vertical axis (5), equipped peripherally with a set of pedestals (8) driven by respective motors (37) and supporting single containers (2), also applicator and/or marker devices (26, 27) occupying positions along a conveying path (17) followed by the containers (2). Each pedestal (8) is flanked by a corresponding CCD image sensor (31) such as will scan the lateral surface (29) of the container (2) to detect and recognize a known outline (32) presented by the surface (29), whereupon the pedestal (8) is made to rotate through a predetermined angle and thus bring the relative container (2) into the position required by the applicator and/or marker devices (26, 27).

Abstract: In a machine for making rigid hinge-lid packets, the lid of each packet is folded by a device (9) equipped with a plurality of pockets (2) occupied by respective single packets (P), each presenting a set of end folds (20) that will be bent inwards to form the lid (15), also, a belt conveyor (3) by which the pockets (2) are directed along a predetermined folding path (3b) between an infeed point (10) and an outfeed point (11), a pulley (4) centred on a vertical axis (X) of rotation, and a folder unit (12) mounted to the rotating pulley (4), interacting with a top part (13) of each pocket (2) in such a manner as to engage and bend the end folds (20) of the packet (P). The folding path (3b) coincides with a branch of the belt conveyor (3) looped around the pulley (4).

Abstract: Confectionery products (2) are packaged singly in double twist wraps (1) prepared from a strip (3) coated with first longitudinal bands (4) and second transverse bands (5) of adhesive, the transverse bands spaced apart to create adhesive-free zones (6) offered in direct contact to the products (2), and caused to advance along a set path (P) in a given feed direction (D). The strip is prepared with an easy tear point (A) on each second adhesive band (5), consisting of a first notch (7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strip (3) and a second notch (8) superimposed on the first notch (7); the strip (3) is then cut transversely along the second bands (5) to generate single leaves (11), each presenting an indentation (12) and a projection (13) generated by the second notch (8). The leaf (11) is folded around the product (2) to produce a hermetically sealed wrap (1) designed to tear open from the notches.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for filling containers with fluid products, different fluid substances are directed by means of a rotary valve assembly (19) into a tank (7) furnished with separate compartments (12, 13, 14, 15), isolated one from another and equipped each with at least one filler valve (8) by which a given quantity of one of the fluid substances is dispensed from the tank (7) into each container.

Abstract: Containers (2) for food products are manufactured employing a system that includes a feed station (4) supplying a succession of tubular elements (2a), and a heat sealer (10) positioned to close and secure a first open end (2b) of each tubular element (2a) that coincides with the base of the container. The sealing operation occurs at a station associated with a conveyor (3) consisting in a wheel (11) rotatable in a feed direction (B) along a path (P) passing both through the feed station (4) and through the station occupied by the heat sealer (10). The tubular elements (2a) are carried by radial elements (13) of the wheel (11) such as can be indexed between a first operating position, where the tubular elements (2a) are taken up from the feed station (4), and a second operating position in which the open end (2b) is offered to the heat sealer (10).

Abstract: A system (1) for manufacturing containers (5) is designed around a supporting structure (2) with which all the stations (7, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25) and the devices (14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 26) needed to produce the containers are associated. The system (1) is equipped with a feed station (7) supplying a forming material (9), a scoring station (18) by which crease lines (4a) are generated, and a cutting station (19), combining to prepare a succession of blanks (4). The system (1) also includes a prefolding station (21) where each blank (4) is bent initially along the creases lines (4a), a folding station (24) where the single blank (4) is fashioned to the shape of the container (5), and a sealing or welding station (26) at which the shape of the container (5) is fixed definitively.

Abstract: Products (2) presenting bevelled or rounded corner edges (35) are advanced singly and in succession along a predetermined path (P), each enveloped in a wrapper (11) of parallelepiped box-like shape, and directed ultimately into a station (15) where each product (2) is subjected to a finishing step that consists in deforming at least one part of the wrapper (11) and causing it thus to adhere to the surface of the relative product (2), in particular at the bevelled or rounded corner edges (35); thereafter, the finished products (2) are stacked and wrapped in respective stick packs (36) of which the longitudinal corner edges (38) will hug the corner edges (35) of the stacked products (2), adapting to the contours of the bevelled or rounded profile.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for filling containers with fluid products, different fluid substances are directed by means of a rotary valve assembly (19) into a tank (7) furnished with separate compartments (12, 13, 14, 15), isolated one from another and equipped each with at least one filler valve (8) by which a given quantity of one of the fluid substances is dispensed from the tank (7) into each container.

Abstract: A machine (1) for filling containers (2) has a carousel conveyor (5) having a vertical axis (6) and in turn having a number of filling heads (7), and an equal number of seats (8), each of which houses a respective container (2), is associated with a respective filling head (7), and is connected to the carousel conveyor (5) via the interposition of a weighing device (9) supported in a fixed position by the carousel conveyor (5). Each seat (8) has a frame (10), which supports a gripper (11) for engaging a top portion (4) of a respective container (2), and a plate (12) defining a horizontal supporting surface for the bottom of the respective container (2), and an adjusting device (13) for adjusting the vertical position of the plate (12), while maintaining the gripper (11) in a given vertical position close to the respective filling head (7).

Abstract: A rotary conveyor has a supporting shaft rotating about a respective longitudinal axis and having a top attachment end having a radial projection; a bottom platform fitted to the supporting shaft; and a circular top plate having a central opening for fitment to the top attachment end. The circular top plate also has, on its peripheral edge, a number of seats, each for receiving a container to be conveyed resting on the bottom platform. The conveyor also has fastening means for fastening the circular top plate to the supporting shaft. The fastening means include at least one clamp movable between an idle position permitting engagement of the top attachment end by the circular top plate or removal of the circular top plate from the top attachment end of the supporting shaft, and a work position to grip the circular top plate between the radial projection and the clamp. And an actuating member moves the clamp between the work position and the idle position.

Abstract: Groups of products stacked on edge are wrapped in sealed stick packs by a method that involves passing a sheet (4) of heat-sealable wrapping material around each group (1) of products (2) and sealing the two side edges (8) in such a way as to fashion a tubular wrapper (12) with end portions (14) projecting axially from the assembled group (1), then spreading each end portion (14) flat by inserting a tongue (16) and heat-sealing each relative pair of flattened edges to render the wrapper airtight. Thereafter, the sealed ends are subjected to a cold crimping action from which each end portion (14) emerges with two impressed crease lines (24) positioned to delimit a central portion (25) that will be folded directly against the corresponding end face of the group (1), and two lateral portions (26) that will be folded inwards over the central portion (25).

Abstract: Containers (2) are closed with screw caps (3) by a unit (1) of the type comprising a carousel (7) on which to advance the containers (2) and the relative caps (3), driven by a motor (6) about a respective primary axis (5a) and equipped with a plurality of capping assemblies (11) each positioned above a relative container (2) and capable of movement vertically between a first position, distanced from the container (2), and a second position of active engagement with the container (2). Each capping assembly (11) presents a gripping mechanism (17) positionable so as to engage a relative cap (3) when the assembly (11) is in the second position, and rotatable about a respective secondary axis (17a) in such a way as to screw the cap (3) onto a threaded neck (4) of the relative container (2).

Abstract: Containers (2) having a threaded neck (3) and a mouth (4) are capped by a unit (1) appearing as a carousel (5) equipped with capping heads caused to advance along a circular path (P) and capable of axial movement toward and away from the containers in such a way that each one can be fitted with a relative cap (11); each capping head of the unit (1) incorporates a gripper (31) furnished with two jaws (30) presenting relative conical surfaces (26), and respective cylindrical surfaces (27) designed to locate against the neck (3) of the container. When the cylindrical surfaces (27) register against the outer surface of the neck (3), the conical surfaces (32) are positioned with the lower edges (28) encroaching on the area compassed by the mouth (4) in such a way that the cap (11) can be gathered and aligned with the neck (3) of the container (2) before being tightened, thereby ensuring a precise fit.

Abstract: Containers are transferred from a first conveyor operating at a first height to a second conveyor operating at a second height by a rotary unit equipped with a plurality of grippers designed to take up and support each successive container by the neck. The grippers are carried by respective slides mounted to corresponding vertical guide elements making up the main frame of the unit, on which they are made to move up and down cyclically by a first roller following a first track that extends around a fixed C-shaped tubular element, and by a second roller running on a second track presented by the top surface of a sector rail placed with the concave side directed toward the lateral opening in the C-shaped tubular element. The tubular element is easily replaced in the event of a size changeover.

Abstract: A method and device for end closing tubular wrappings of products, whereby the arms of a scissor-type parting device, once inserted in a closed position inside an end portion of a tubular wrapping, are allowed to part, and are pushed by springs into a fully open position throughout an extraction stroke to crease the end portion and enable the end portion to be pressed taut and accurately by the opposing thrust of two folding-sealing members.

Abstract: A duct (1) applicable to a container (4) presents a connecting portion (9) with four substantially flat connecting surfaces (9a) and a internal bridging surface (13) by which the side walls (7a) of the container (4) are joined seamlessly to a spout (5) afforded by the duct (1); the bridging surface (13) is contoured in such a way that a flow of liquid food product can be directed through the spout (5) without becoming trapped and stagnating between the duct (1) and side walls (7a) of the container (4).

Abstract: On a wrapping machine for conditioning stacks of products, a stack of products is conditioned inside a tubular wrapping by folding a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material into a U about the stack inside a radial seat of a wrapping wheel, and by bringing two opposite lateral flaps of the U-folded sheet of wrapping material into contact with each other by means of a folding gripper, the jaws of which have respective end sealing members, and oscillate about an axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel to move with respect to each other to and from a closed position, and to accompany the radial seat along part of a travelling step of the wrapping wheel.