Abstract: A device for heating wrapped batches of products and a packaging installation provided with such a heating device, specifically having a manifold of heating elements with lines of orifices and a blocking device for the orifices using a mobile plate having for each line of orifices openings, at least two successive openings having different lengths, to go the direction of movement a) from a position blocking at least a first line of orifices and opening at least a second line of orifices, b) to another position opening the first line of orifices whilst maintaining open the second line of orifices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supply device for supplying cutouts to a machine from an inventory configured in several adjacent stacks of cutouts; the device includes a manipulator to transfer, by batch, the cutouts from the inventory to the machine. This device further includes a pressing unit to compress at least one stack that is adjacent to the one from which the manipulator removes cutouts. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for distributing objects designed to be inserted between an upstream machine delivering an input flow of objects in single-row form and a downstream machine requiring an output flow of objects in a controlled multiple-row form, including a conveyor belt that is configured to support and drive the objects in the direction of the flow, a deflector configured to deflect the input flow toward one of the rows of the output flow, and a unit for creating streams, configured to separate the input flow into streams of a predetermined quantity of objects, the unit for creating streams being placed immediately upstream from the rows of the output flow. Also disclosed is a method for distributing objects using such a system.

Abstract: A positioning device (1) for grasping and modifying the position, within a support structure (2) that includes, a set of products (3) for an industrial line that chain-handles these products (3), a device including, for at least one product (3) to move in the support structure (2), a maneuvering unit (4) including a movable block (5) interacting with the at least one product (3), and an actuator (6) defining the position of the block (5). This at least one maneuvering unit (4) also includes a pair of adjustment stops (7) between which the block (5) shuttles, under the action of the actuator (6), in such a way as to move the at least one product (3). A gripping device, a positioning process, and a transfer process are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for collecting at least one product from among a line of products arriving in a lined-up fashion one behind the other on a conveyor. The conveyor has a path, for conveying the products, and a conveying direction. The method uses at least one collector of at least one product. The collector includes at least one first receptacle capable of accommodating at least one product. The collector is movably mounted along the path for conveying the products in the conveying direction and in the opposite direction. The method includes at least one first step for collecting the at least one product in the at least one receptacle by moving the at least one collector over the conveyor on the conveying path and in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A loading device to supply successively with cardboard sheets a station for handling the sheets by folding to form from them boxes for packaging, the handling station having a storage area to receive the successive sheets, optionally grouped in bundles, the device itself having a manipulator that includes: a gripping tool to pick up the sheets; an actuator to move the tool between an inventory of sheets and the receiving storage area of the station; a detection unit for detecting the status of filling of the storage area; and a control unit that directs the action of the device and that receives detection information from the detection unit to do this, the control unit being independent of the control of the handling station and programmable to adapt the operation of the loading device to the type of sheets handled. A corresponding process is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic automated installation in which at least one robot (2) is used in at least one mode of operation in at least one work zone (3). The installation comprises a closed space (1) equipped with at least one door (4) offering access to at least one operator intervention work station (6) which is situated in said work zone (3) of said robot, and means (7) for detecting the presence of an element (25; 26) in said closed space (1) at said operator intervention work station (6). The detection means (7) are arranged in said closed space (1) to delimit at least two zones (8, 9, 10) and are also associated with means (21) for control of said at least one mode of operation of the robot (2), each zone (8, 9, 10) being associated with one mode of operation of the robot (2). The detection means (7) are positioned a predetermined height from a floor (18) of said space (1), said height being greater than the height of an empty pallet (12).

Abstract: A positioning device (1) for positioning products (2) simultaneously with their conveyance one after the other in a plane of conveyance (3) and along a direction of conveyance (4). The device has at least one orientation mechanism (5), itself having at least one pusher (6) movable along an action movement between an inactive position and an active position. The effect of the action movement is to act on a product (2) by pushing it to make it pivot by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveyance (3), the at least one pusher (6) being movable also in the direction of conveyance (4). Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method for making use of an automated system with a robot, including the following steps: (i) a management controller (12) authorizes the extraction of a pallet (2) and communicates information to a safety controller (11) concerning the extraction authorization, (ii) a series of presence detectors (7) sends initial height information (HLP) for a pallet (2) on which products (10) are arranged to the safety controller (11), (iii) the safety controller (11) generates reference information based on the initial information received, (iv) the presence detectors (7) send current height information for the pallet (2) to the safety controller (11), and the safety controller (11) compares the current height information to the reference information. If the current information does not correspond to the reference information, then a robot (5) is stopped and/or the safety measures of the enclosure (1) are applied.

Abstract: A positioning device (1) for positioning products (2) simultaneously with their conveyance one after the other in a plane of conveyance (3) and along a direction of conveyance (4). The device has at least one orientation mechanism (5), itself having at least one pusher (6) movable along an action movement between an inactive position and an active position. The effect of the action movement is to act on a product (2) by pushing it to make it pivot by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveyance (3), the at least one pusher (6) being movable also in the direction of conveyance (4). Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping together products that arrive in line and are spaced apart from each other on an infeed conveyor (2), consisting of: collecting the products on the fly by means of a pair of collectors (4) that move transversely relative to the products on said conveyor (2); moving the products collected by collector (4A) to a removal station (11) and, at the same time, replacing said collector (4A) with the second collector (4B) that, in turn, collects the products; and dropping off the products from collector (4A) to the removal station (11) and bringing said collector (4A) back to a collecting position while intersecting collector (4B).

Abstract: A conveyor which allows the formation and movement of at least one batch of products from a line of products in single file, in at least one passage at an upstream station. The conveyor includes, at an upstream station, a rug for moving said products, and a movement device for moving a predetermined quantity of products from said line of products, between the upstream station and a downstream station. The movement device has engaging elements able to be placed in contact with the products. The rug has a through hole. The movement device is arranged under said at least one passage. The engaging elements are mounted to be movable, relative to said movement device, between a retracted position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A tool for handling and grouping products aligned one behind another and separated by a given spacing. The tool has a row of supports, each able to carry a grasping element for grasping a product, the supports mounted to move on a rail, each support connected to an adjacent support by an attachment. The attachment includes a rod that connects two adjacent supports and a member for locking the position of at least one of the two adjacent supports on the rod. The locking member can be deactivated to adjust the distance between two supports to the distance between two products. The mechanism for grouping together includes at least one cylinder, the cylinder including a body fixed on a support and a rod.

Abstract: The installation includes an infeed conveyor (7) and an outfeed conveyor (8) with a module (5) for forming a wrapping of the tray, a cleated belt conveyor (11) constituted by two continuous belts (11a, 11b) which are retractable so as to allow the installation of a substitute conveying system (13) which is capable of forming a continuous slider bed between the infeed conveyor (7) and the outfeed conveyor (8). Accordingly, a versatile installation is provided that is capable of carrying out wrapping operations with blanks of the tray or wrap-around type and transporting batches of products, the products being, for example, placed on supporting cardboard sheets so as to convey them to the packing machine to receive a plastic film and then into the heat-shrink tunnel to complete the wrapping.