Abstract: The capsules or other products (1) are fed by a vertically arranged tube-shaped conveyor (4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 112, 13) in single file and taken up one at a time by a tangential wheel (16) which is fitted with reference teeth (18), with each tooth supporting one product, and has suction holes (19) to retain the products. When the products are about to reach a position above suitably shaped associated weighing heads (24), the suction that holds them against the wheel is cut off and the products fall, positioning themselves correctly on the heads, aided in part by the halting action exerted by the teeth in front. The products deposited on the heads are weighed and are then discharged by the pushing action of the wheel teeth (18) which place the next product on the heads. A chute (25) collects the products ejected from the heads and a deflection plate (26), controlled by the central processing and control system (32), separates products of the correct weight from those to be rejected.

Abstract: A covering band (12) is pre-heated and then definitively heated in two subsequent areas (P,Z), and is subjected to primary pulling, in an area (T), where the covering band is pulled and applied to a blister band (1), and to secondary pulling in an area (R) which coincides with the pre-heating area (P). The speed of the covering band (12) is lower in the secondary pulling area (R), so as to determine a lengthening which corresponds at least to its maximum lengthening resulting from pre-heating. Cyclical detecting of reference marks (20) printed on the covering band determines temporary reducing of the covering band (12) speed in the secondary pulling point (R), so as to provoke an additional lengthening. The device includes pulling means (5,11) of the blister band (1) and covering band (12), pre-heating means (11) and heating means (13) for the covering band (12), detecting means (16), and driving means (30) acting with different speeds, controlled by the detecting means (16).

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs comprises an intermediate station situated between a working station (3) and a packaging line. The intermediate station includes a clamp for receiving and holding at least one blister pack. First and second groups of suction cups are driven by a two-arm mechanism situated in the intermediate station. In a first position, the first group of suction cups is placed in the working station for picking up one blister pack while the second group of suction cups is over the intermediate station for picking up another blister pack temporarily held by the clamp. In a second position, the first group of suction cups is located over the intermediate station, to release the blister pack previously picked up, that is received and held by the clamp, while the second group of suction cups is over the packaging line to deliver the blister pack previously picked up.

Abstract: The packaging apparatus for bags containing products for infusion envisages a plurality of stations located one after another along a feed line and used first to continuously cut successive individual pieces of fabric from a continuous strip of fabric, then to transform the piece of fabric from its flat configuration to a bag configuration, tubular in shape and with an open top which forms the mouth and into which a dose of product is inserted; the tubular bag is then moved to stations which cut the excess part of the mouth to size and close the mouth by tying it with a continuous thread, so as to form a closed bag, containing a single dose of product and having a projecting upper portion of thread; finally, a label is attached to the thread on each bag and the label is inserted in the bag tying zone.

Abstract: The machine includes groups of bushes (1) of dimensions suitable for the superposed and aligned containment of a base cover (14), of a tablet (52) and of a lid cover (14).

Abstract: A method for compressing powder or granular material by a rotary tabletting machine (1), includes an initial step in which an opening (2) is filled with material to be compressed, a compacting step (C), in which a load is gradually applied to the material until a maximum value (F1) is reached, a first releasing step (R1) in which the load is removed, a precompression step (P), in which a second load (F2) is applied to the material, a precompression step (MP), in which the second load (F2) is maintained, and a second releasing step (R2), in which the second load is released, a main compression step (CP), in which a third load (F3), that is not smaller than the previous loads (F1,F2), is applied to the material, and a final ejecting step in which the tablet is discharged from the opening (2).

Abstract: A stamping device for a tablet making machine includes a pair of coaxial stamping heads (1) which enter, on opposing faces, a matrix carried by a matrix plate (2) formed around a rotary turret (3), a pair of punches (4) which are guided by respective holes made in the turret (3) and which are adapted to be coupled with the stamping heads (1) in axial alignment therewith, and a coupling (13) for joining the stamping head (1) and the respective punches (4). The device includes also a locking mechanism (6), which comprise a screw member (7) passing through a transverse hole (8) made close to the end of the respective punch (4). The screw member (7) has a head (9) having a concentric semi-spherical section (10) that matches a complementary recess connected to the outer surface of the respective punch (4).

Abstract: Filter bags containing a substance from which to prepare an infusion are fashioned from tubular blanks of filter paper having an elongated appearance, each one filled with measured and separate quantities of the substance distributed along its length, which are doubled up and made secure, then provided with a label attached by a length of thread. A machine for automating the manufacture of such bags includes a wheel carrying grippers with radial arms, around which the thread is drawn peripherally as the grippers are indexed in turn through a station where the blank is folded double initially, a forming station at which the two joined ends are folded together to effect a closure, a cutting station at which the thread is divided into single lengths, a feed station supplying the labels, and a fastening station at which the length of thread is knotted both to the label and to the closure.

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs comprises an intermediate station situated between a working station (3) and a packaging line. The intermediate station includes a clamp for receiving and holding at least one blister pack. First and second groups of suction cups are driven by a two-arm mechanism situated in the intermediate station. In a first position, the first group of suction cups is placed in the working station for picking up one blister pack while the second group of suction cups is over the intermediate station for picking up another blister pack temporarily held by the clamp. In a second position, the first group of suction cups is located over the intermediate station, to release the blister pack previously picked up, that is received and held by the clamp, while the second group of suction cups is over the packaging line to deliver the blister pack previously picked up.

Abstract: Between a machine that manufactures bags of variable volume containing cohesionless material (exemplified by tea bags), and a packing machine which packs the bags as stacks, an indexing rotor with pockets in its outer periphery acts, in cooperation with a loading mechanism and an unloading mechanism at respective angularly distributed stations, at which each bag is respectively oriented bottom down and bottom up, to tend to redistribute the cohesionless material away from each bag bottom and to cause individual bags to be generally equally thick relative to one another.

Abstract: In a system for stepless feeding of articles (2) such as tablets, pills, capsules and the like, to blisters (41) of a blister band (4), moved in direction (M), placement means (3) are located between an article storage magazine (1) and the blister band (4) running thereunder. An outer cylindrical mantle (33) of the placement means is rotated by a brushless motor (5), in a direction (N) that is in accordance with the band motion direction (M). The mantle (33) features depressions (31) which receive articles from the magazine (1), and is rotated in phase relation with the movement of the band (4), so that in every moment, the position of the depressions (31) is in register with the position of the blisters (41) in the band (4).

Abstract: A single dose filter bag for infusible product is closed by folding a flap made in the upper part of the filter bag, attaching a connecting thread to the filter bag and to a pickup tag by first and second terminal portions respectively of the connecting thread, forming a short vertical or horizontal stitch using first and second auxiliary threads respectively.

Abstract: The device can be applied to compression machines including a turret (1), rotating around a vertical axis and fitted with a series of die holes (3) aimed at being filled with powder of granular material; pairs of punches (5,6), upper and lower punches respectively, related to each die hole (3) and guided slidably in the turret (1), engage the die holes (3) with respective counterfacing working heads (5a,6a). The device features a driving cam (9) that drives at least one of the punches (5,6) and determines the reciprocal distance between the working heads (5a,6a) of each pair of punches, in the material batching step and in the material loading step; the driving cam (9) moves axially with respect to the turret (1) so as to adjust this distance. Further cams (11,12) are provided for completion of guiding structure (15) with variable profile, which facilitates entering in the driving cam (9).

Abstract: A rotary tabletting machine, for compressing powder or granular material, includes a rotating turret (3) supporting a ring-shaped member (5) in which openings (2) are made to be filled with the powder or granular material, with pairs of punches moved by driving means (10) which engage pairs of rollers (41) joined to the punches. The punches (20,30) have operative heads (21,31) adapted to compress the material inside the openings (2), and outer mobile heads (24,34), made of wear resistant material. The pairs of opposite punches (20,30) feature also, for each of the punches (20,30), respective tightness seals (25,35).

Abstract: A method for attaching a tag to a tea bag, where the bag and the tag both have at least one border with reduced thickness, includes the following steps: hooking of a first end or leader of the thread by an eye of a needle and running the thread into the border through to the opposite side of the border so as to make a loop in the thread; widening the loop in such a way as to form an aperture through which the thread can be inserted; inserting the leader into the aperture in the loop and releasing the thread from the needle, the thread being pulled in such a way as to tighten the resulting knot.

Abstract: The device includes dispensing units, each of which features a pair of counter-rotating rollers, between which there is inserted the end of a blister band unrolling from a reel and pushed toward a delivery opening. A blade moves vertically and cooperates with the edge of a support surface, situated downstream of the two rollers, to cut the blister band after a predetermined number of products, counted by a sensor, have passed through the delivery opening. An electric motor drives two ratchet coupling mechanisms acting in opposite directions and connected, by belts or chains, with pulleys or toothed wheels which are integral respectively with the rollers and with a pinion meshing with a rack fastened to the blade. An electronic unit controls and checks the working of the device. Optionally, a token, or coin receiver, a banknote reader or other payment mechanism may be used to allow the user to activate the dispenser after making a payment.

Abstract: The mechanism (27, 28) which regulates the volume of the distributors (16, 116) is connected to a shaft (41) coaxial to the shaft of the distributor carrousel. When the motor (63) is at standstill, the two coaxial shafts (2,41) rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. Whenever the motor (63) is activated in one direction or the other with the carrousel at the standstill or rotating, the inner shaft (41) rotates relative to the outer shaft (2), in the direction and to the extent necessary for the required regulation of volume of the distributors. The volume of the distributors is controlled remotely by a programmable processor (77).

Abstract: Tubular blanks, from which containers to be filled and closed are set up, are stacked in flat condition inside a magazine (3), so that they rest on supporting bars. A back edge of the lowermost blank of the stack is engaged by a pair of lugs mounted on a belt conveyor situated under the magazine, so that the lugs protrude upwards beyond a rest plane defined by the supporting bars. The lowermost blank is stripped by passing it through a passage delimited by the supporting bars and stops situated above the supporting bars, and aimed at stopping blanks of the stack situated above the blank just withdrawn. The belt conveyor carries the withdrawn blank through following working stations.

Abstract: The device is for feeding articles to a packaging line that inserts the articles into respective containers, and includes a continuously moving supplementary line that transfers articles to the packaging line. The supplementary line is equipped with a plurality of holders, removably fastened to a conveyor of the same line by connecting means. The articles are supplied to the holders by an article feeding line, at a loading station. Raising means release the connecting means from the conveyor at the loading station, so as to temporarily stop the holder to be loaded.

Abstract: All the carousels of the machine are provided with grippers for holding the flasks. A carousel with grippers (6) for holding the flask by the neck is followed by a carousel with grippers (7) for holding the flask by the body and so on. Between the jaws of each gripper there is provided in the middle region a vertical opposition element (35) fixed onto a horizontal slide (36) supported by the gripper body (33) and connected to a mechanism which modify the position of the said opposition element according to the diameter of the flasks. The opposition element is directed towards the flask with a concave-profile front face. The orbits (29, 30) along which the grippers of two consecutive carousels travel intersect each other in the zone where the flasks pass from one carousel to the other. In this zone the flask is immediately held between the opposition elements of the opposite grippers of the carousels, which open and close alternately.