Patents Assigned to ICA S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 11912467
    Abstract: A system and a method for closing, in an automated way, at least one package having a reversibly closeable interlocking element comprising a first complementary element and a second complementary element extending between two extremities. The system includes a pressing element, configured to press the first complementary element against the second complementary element by sliding between the two extremities, and a counteracting element, configured to stop the second complementary element when the pressing element presses the first complementary element against the second complementary element, in such a way that the first complementary element and the second complementary element interlock with each other along their entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Pietro Crescimbeni
  • Patent number: 11801950
    Abstract: The present document presents a system and a method for packaging powders in containers (S) through a hopper (T) and a first tube (TC) connected to the hopper (T). Air is sucked both in the area of the first tube and in the area of the hopper. The powder is then drawn directly from inside the hopper thus keeping the flow rate and the degree of compacting of the system constant. Moreover, the powder sucked inside the first tube is thus compacted and can be conveyed compacted towards the outlet. In this way it is possible to control the dosing of the product exiting from the system with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 11713148
    Abstract: A method and a packaging machine for packaging objects in a stiff package, for example in a carton box or in a box, the stiff package comprising a right flap, a left flap, an upper flap and a lower flap. After folding the right, left, and lower flaps in closed position, the upper flap is kept in a semi-closed position so as to only partially overlap the closed lower flap. Glue is then applied to the closed lower flap or semi-closed upper flap. After applying the glue, the upper flap is brought in closed position so that it is fixed to the lower flap. The application of the glue to the lower flap in closed position or to the upper flap in semi-closed position allows adjusting the squaring of the package immediately before bringing the upper flap from the semi-closed position to the closed position, i.e., immediately before fixing the flaps and closing the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Maurizio Generali
  • Patent number: 11584578
    Abstract: A flexible material package (100, 200) is presented comprising a reinforcing element (3) and a first sealed area (103) positioned close to the upper end of the package (100, 200) and preferably configured so as to close the package (100, 200), wherein the reinforcing element (3) is at least partially positioned within the first sealed area (103), the package (100, 200) further comprising gripping means positioned vertically below the reinforcing element (3) and configured so as to be used to support the package (100, 200). A closing method, a filling method and a formation method of the package (100, 200) are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Pietro Crescimbeni
  • Patent number: 11472149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making packages (100) made of flexible material. The method comprises a first step which consists in providing a first strip (19) and a second strip (20) made of flexible material, positioned on top of each other along a conveying direction and preferably having the same width. Moreover, the method comprises a second step of securing the first strip (19) to the second strip (20) by means of a welding surface (24) which extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first and the second strip (19, 20) for a first length (h4) which is less than the width (h3) of each of the first and the second strip (19, 20); wherein the welding surface (24) is positioned at a first side edge (39) of the first and the second strip (19, 20). In addition, the present invention also comprises a machine (200) which allows using such method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Pietro Crescimbeni
  • Patent number: 11286071
    Abstract: A system and a method for packaging compacted powders are provided, wherein the system comprises a first tube (TC), wherein a screw conveyor (C) is positioned inside the first tube (TC) which is configured so as to rotate around an axis (ac) inside the first tube (TC) in order to convey the powders towards an outlet (UT) of the first tube (TC); the system (100) comprises a rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) in the proximity of the output (UT); the rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) comprises in its inside cutting means (F) which are configured so as to cut the compacted powders leaving the first tube (TC) when the rotatable terminal (TI) rotates, wherein the rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) is positioned so as to contact the end of the first tube (TC) which defines the output (UT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 11014757
    Abstract: A machine and method for the application of pressure relief valves for hermetic containers. The machine comprising an applicator configured to apply the valves to containers, a vibrating feed container for housing the valves and making the valves directly available to the applicator, an aspirator configured so as to suck the valves contained within a reservoir and convey them to the vibrating feed container through a tube. The method comprises supplying pressure relief valves to the vibrating feed container of the machine by sucking the valves from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 10967599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming packages of flexible material with a first side gusset and a second side gusset starting from a strip coming from a reel having a sliding direction. The method comprises the following steps: making the first gusset by folding close to a first side edge of the strip coming from the reel, and making the second gusset by folding the strip coming from the reel; in which the step of making the second gusset is performed on a portion of the strip which extends in the sliding direction after the step of making the first gusset was performed on the portion of the strip. Moreover, the present invention relates to a machine configured so as to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 10780667
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method and a machine for the formation of a capsule (100) for producing beverages in which the capsule (100) comprises a pleated capsule body (101) and a reinforcing element (102). The method comprises the following steps: a step of forming the pleated capsule body (101) of the capsule (100) in a first station (110); a step of supplying the reinforcing element (102) in a second station (111) different from the first station (110); a step of transporting the pleated capsule body (101) from the first station (110) to the second station (111); a step of insertion in the second station of the pleated capsule body (101) in the reinforcing element (102); a step of coupling between the pleated capsule body (101) and the reinforcing element (102) in the second station (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 10040587
    Abstract: A machine (M) and a method for arranging objects (T, T1, T2) comprising a first end (Te) and a projecting edge (Tb) arranged in proximity to the first end, in an alternate manner along single file rows (F). The objects are oriented so that they rest on the first end and are divided into a first group (A) and a second group (B). The first group are moved in an anti-clockwise direction along a first arc of circumference (C1) and, simultaneously, the second group are moved in a clockwise direction along a second arc of circumference (C2). The objects (T1) of the first group and the objects (T2) of the second group are dropped in turn along the same direction (Y). The objects (T, T1, T2) are stacked on top of one another in an alternate manner along single file rows (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 8840534
    Abstract: Bag packaging machine comprising an intermittent carousel having vertical spindles (M) fastened to the horizontal carousel (G) and facing upwards allowing the realization of bags (S) with the opening facing downwards and the bottom facing upwards and a collecting device adapted to collect the bags (S) from the spindles (M) and to reverse them so as to place them with the opening facing upwards and the bottom facing downwards so as to be able to fill them. For example, the collecting device may comprise a belt (N) in continuous transit, to which holding devices (V), such as for instance suction cups, are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Publication number: 20060171611
    Abstract: A flexible bag with a hermetically re-closeable opening. Part of the body of bag is provided with an easy-open area by which an adhesive label is externally attached to keep hermetically closed the easy-open area to assure hermetic sealing even after further opening and re-closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: ICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 6471818
    Abstract: A process for applying a portion of a closed zipper inside a container of flexible material, in which a segment or portion of a closed zipper-strip is first applied by a fixing device upon the inner sides of a film of flexible material, prior to cutting of the zipper strip portion from the remainder of the zipper strip. The zipper portion is applied in such a position that it will not interfere with the subsequent sealing along transverse seal lines defining the opposite sides of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: ICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 5369941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine made up of two vertical packaging groups (1 and 2) set on the opposite sides (3 and 4) of a central structure (5) equipped with a horizontal bilateral station (6) that carries out the transversal sealing of both resulting packets (15 and 16). Compared with the utilization of two different packaging machines, this structure allows smaller overall dimensions, cheapness and an easier way of realization and use, even making two packets with different features simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: ICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini