Abstract: A side loading packaging machine for packaging articles in containers including: a section for forming containers starting from die-cuttings, comprising at least one feeding device, a loading section, a closing section, substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the machine; a conveyor equipped with transportation members configured to carry at least one of said containers, wherein said conveyor includes a motor arranged to drive the advance of said transportation members or groups thereof in an independent manner, and the machine operates with: a continuous formation of boxes, said feeding member working with a continuous movement and with a constant rate over time, and said transportation members advancing with a continuous movement at said forming section; and a static loading, said transportation members being stationary during the loading of articles into the containers.

Abstract: Packaging machine of articles into containers, comprising a plurality of work stations, each work station comprising one or more working devices of the packaging machine; a conveyor of containers using movers and a linear motor, comprising a path and a plurality of independently controllable movers, wherein the control system of the machine is configured so as to dynamically vary a master/slave configuration between the motion control of the movers on the path, and the control of the working devices of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Machine and method for cartoning articles in containers or boxes, in which the machine has a loading section comprising an article inlet area; a loading area for loading articles into the containers; a configuring device; at least a first robot arranged to load articles from the inlet area and transfer the articles to the configuring device; at least a second robot arranged to pick up articles from the configuring device and transfer them to the loading area, in which the configuring device comprises an array of seats for temporary accommodation of articles, and the array of seats of the configuring device is formed from rows of article-receiving seats having a variable transversal distance; the configuring device operates in a synchronized manner with the first robot and with the second robot varying the relative position between respective rows of seats to provide interface respectively with the first robot and with the second robot.

Abstract: A module structure for a packaging machine comprising vertical members and horizontal beams, including horizontal beams configured as open beams, having an open polygonal cross section and comprising at least a first end face, a second end face, one or more intermediate faces between said first and second end faces, said end faces being distanced in such a way to leave a longitudinal aperture of the beam; said open beams may include reinforcing flanges and accommodate power/signal cables.

Abstract: A gripping head for a loading robot or manipulator of a cartoning machine capable of nesting articles arranged on two substantially parallel rows, the gripping head comprising a row of gripping members, wherein each of the gripping members comprises a gripping section adapted to receive two adjacent articles and on opposite sides with respect to a centerline plane, and wherein at least the gripping members having even index position or odd index position in the row rotate by about 180 degrees around an axis.

Abstract: A side loading packaging machine for packaging articles in containers comprising: a section for forming containers starting from die-cuttings, comprising at least one feeding device, a loading section, a closing section, substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the machine; further comprising a conveyor equipped with transportation members configured to carry at least one of said containers each, wherein said conveyor comprises motor means arranged to drive the advance of said transportation members or groups thereof in an independent manner, and the machine operates with: a continuous formation of boxes, said feeding member working with a continuous movement and with a constant rate over time, and said transportation members advancing with a continuous movement at said forming section; and a static loading, said transportation members being stationary during the loading of articles into the containers.

Abstract: Methods for anti-collision control of pickers in a packaging line are disclosed. The line includes linear conveyors for the inlet of items and for the outlet of items, robots or picking devices that operate with shared working areas. The anti-collision method comprises an algorithm to assign a pickup location or a delivery location to a generic first robot including: checking for a pickup or delivery location already assigned to other robots and in a working area shared with the first robot; dynamically redefining the working area of the first robot to obtain a new working area such that the locations already assigned to other robots are outside of the dynamically-redefined area; assigning of a respective pickup or delivery location belonging to the redefined working area to the first robot. A prediction algorithm is disclosed to improve management of items and balancing of work load between the robots.

Abstract: Methods for anti-collision control of pickers in a packaging line are disclosed. The line includes linear conveyors for the inlet of items and for the outlet of items, robots or picking devices that operate with shared working areas. The anti-collision method comprises an algorithm to assign a pickup location or a delivery location to a generic first robot including: checking for a pickup or delivery location already assigned to other robots and in a working area shared with the first robot; dynamically redefining the working area of the first robot to obtain a new working area such that the locations already assigned to other robots are outside of the dynamically-redefined area; assigning of a respective pickup or delivery location belonging to the redefined working area to the first robot. A prediction algorithm is disclosed to improve management of items and balancing of work load between the robots.

Abstract: A machine for cartoning products incorporates a cardboard box forming section, at least one box conveyor, and one robotic loading section. The machine includes a section for closing boxes, for example by folding and gluing the respective flaps. The closing section is fed directly by the box conveyor. During the closing operation, a servo-train of the conveyor is operated with a forward motion synchronized with the work cycle of a closing device of the closing section.

Abstract: Machine and method for cartoning articles in containers or boxes, in which the machine has a loading section comprising an article inlet area; a loading area for loading articles into the containers; a configuring device; at least a first robot arranged to load articles from the inlet area and transfer the articles to the configuring device; at least a second robot arranged to pick up articles from the configuring device and transfer them to the loading area, in which the configuring device comprises an array of seats for temporary accommodation of articles, and the array of seats of the configuring device is formed from rows of article-receiving seats having a variable transversal distance; the configuring device operates in a synchronised manner with the first robot and with the second robot varying the relative position between respective rows of seats to provide interface respectively with the first robot and with the second robot.

Abstract: A gripping head for a loading robot or manipulator of a cartoning machine capable of nesting articles arranged on two substantially parallel rows, the gripping head comprising a row of gripping members, wherein each of the gripping members comprises a gripping section adapted to receive two adjacent articles and on opposite sides with respect to a centreline plane, and wherein at least the gripping members having even index position or odd index position in the row rotate by about 180 degrees around an axis.

Abstract: A machine for cartoning products, comprising a cardboard box forming section, at least one conveyor of said boxes and one robotic loading section; the machine comprises a section for closing boxes for example by folding and gluing the respective flaps; said closing section is fed directly by said box conveyor; during the closing operation a servo-train of said conveyor is operated with a forward motion synchronized with the work cycle of a closing device of said closing section.