Patents Assigned to Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 7188458
    Abstract: A machine (100) for making filter bags (1) of tetrahedral shape for infusion products (P) comprises a production line (L) defined by a series of operating stations (50, 9, 10, 14, 11, 12, 13) where filter bags (1) made from a continuous flattened tube (2) of filter paper are formed, filled with respective doses of infusion product (P) and subjected to successive cuts and closing seals (SL, ST, SC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Sauro Rivola
  • Patent number: 7153118
    Abstract: A tablet press machine (100) comprises: a hopper (1) for feeding a powder or granular product (2) to a first disc (3a) that rotates about an axis (X) and is equipped with evenly distributed holes or dies (3); a second and third disc (4, 6) that are positioned above and below the first disc (3a), respectively, rotate about the axis (X) and support respective pluralities of upper and lower reciprocating punches (5,7). The punches (5, 7) are driven towards and away from each other when they are aligned with the dies (3) in such a way as to compress the product (2). Each of the punches (5, 7) comprises a cylindrical shank (8), one end of which is equipped with a working head (10) and sealed protection means (11) acting on the cylindrical shank (8) itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Hans Kramer
  • Patent number: 7140162
    Abstract: A unit for feeding products (3) to a blistering machine (M) includes a delivery group (2, 2a, S) for selectively distributing products (3) to a station (SR), where the products (3) are introduced into respective blisters (40) of a blister band (4), moving in a forward direction (W) inside the blistering machine (M). The filling station (SR) is defined by a conveyor (10) consisting of a belt (11) provided with seas (110). Each seat (110) receives a relative product (3) distributed by the delivery group (2, 2a, S) and releases the products (3) into a respective blister (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ivano Baroncini
  • Publication number: 20060242929
    Abstract: According to a method for controlled closing a container (1) with a related threaded cap (3), a container (1) is moved to a cap (3) feeding station, where a cap (3) in placed on the threaded upper end of the container (1). Then the container (1), together with the cap (3) is transferred to a closing station, where said cap (3) is screwed to said container (1). During screwing, the instant value of the torque applied to said cap (3) is measured and compared with a pre-selected threshold value, so ad to verify, in relation to the threshold value having been reached and to the moment, in which the value is reached, a stable tightening if the cap (3) onto the container (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Servadei, Claudio Fabbri
  • Patent number: 7114616
    Abstract: The device (D) for removable fastening of seats (3) housing containers (C) to a metallic belt (1) includes first fastening means (10) made on the metallic belt (1) and aimed at being mutually coupled with second fastening means (34), made in the lower part of the seats (3) to position and lock the seats (3) to the belt (1). The device includes also supporting and sliding guides (4,5), facing each other and situated below and substantially orthogonal to eh metallic belt (1). The guides (4,5) are operated by operating means, between a first gripping configuration (P), in which they are vertical and constitute an abutment for the second fastening means (34), so as to define a fastening between the metallic belt (1) and the seats (3) for housing containers (C), and a second release configuration (R), in which at least one of the guides (4,5) is moved away from the second fastening means (34), so as to allow the seats (3) to be removed from the metallic belt (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A.-Industria Macchine Automatiche, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Trebbi, Gabriele Gabusi
  • Patent number: 7104029
    Abstract: A method for carrying out and verifying substitution and/or adjustments of mechanical components in an automatic packaging machine (1) during the size change over, said machine (1) being equipped with a computerized unit (UCC, 2, D) for verifying and storing instructions related to the operations necessary to change over the size of the articles being processed. The operations include substitution of specific mechanical components and/or adjustment of the spatial positioning of specific mechanical components. Information elements relevant to the size change over are stored in the unit (UCC, 2D) and are recalled and transferred to a palm-size computer (3, E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Tassin, Antonio Orillo
  • Publication number: 20060185754
    Abstract: A unit for feeding products (3) to a blistering machine (M) includes a delivery group (2, 2a, S) for selectively distributing products (3) to a station (SR), where the products (3) are introduced into respective blisters (40) of a blister band (4), moving in a forward direction (W) inside the blistering machine (M). The filling station (SR) is defined by a conveyor (10) consisting of a belt (11) provided with seas (110). Each seat (110) receives a relative product (3) distributed by the delivery group (2, 2a, S) and releases the products (3) into a respective blister (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ivano Baroncini
  • Publication number: 20060144022
    Abstract: A method and a structure (1) are provided for enclosing a packaging machine (100), which can be divided in at least two work areas or portions (110; 130, 120) having different operation tasks, arranged one after another along a packaging line (2) of the machine (100). The structure (1) includes a plurality of enclosing panels (P), suitably assembled together to form enclosing chambers (3, 4) for protection of each of the work portions (110; 130, 120). At least one of the enclosing chambers (3) is aimed at enclosing, a pressurized environment and at least the other chamber (4) is aimed at enclosing an environment, whose pressure is substantially constant and equal to the outside pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Bigoni
  • Publication number: 20060141922
    Abstract: An enclosing structure (S), in particular for enclosing and isolating outer environment of a packaging machine includes a plurality of enclosing panels (2), suitably and air-tightly assembled. At least one of the panels (2) defines a separating surface (1) for separating two different environments (A,B). Conveying means for conveying flows of purified air (F,F1,F2,F3,F4) are associated to the panel (2) to define, together therewith, a fluid-dynamic barrier, which avoids relative contamination between one environment (A) and the other environment (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Bigoni
  • Patent number: 7042231
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the properties of pharmaceutical articles (2), in particular capsules (2), in a machine (1) that makes the articles (2), the pharmaceutical articles (2) are fed in single file from a station (3) where the articles (2) are made to an article (2) outfeed portion (6) of the machine (1) along a defined feed path (P) passing through an inspection station (8). In the inspection station (8) each pharmaceutical article (2) passes through an electromagnetic field (E) created by microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Trebbi
  • Patent number: 7033129
    Abstract: A method for feeding blanks (2) to a boxing machine (AS), includes picking up, one by one, groups (20) of blanks (2) in flat configuration from a support surface and transporting, one by one, the groups (20) to a line (1) for continuously feeding the blanks (2) to the boxing machine (AS) in a predetermined forward movement direction (A). The transport step includes releasing each group (20) of blanks (2) between two adjacent prongs (13) defining a pocket (V) of a horizontal pocket conveyor (10, 11) of the feeding line (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Bigoni
  • Patent number: 7012242
    Abstract: In a method for optoelectronically inspecting pharmaceutical capsules (2) in a capsule filling machine (1), the pharmaceutical capsules (2) are fed in single file from a station (3) where the capsules (2) are made to a capsule (2) outfeed portion (8) of the machine (1) along a defined feed path (P) passing through an inspection station (13). In the inspection station (13), each pharmaceutical capsule (2) passes through an electromagnetic field created by coherent, polarised light radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Tarozzi, Riccardo Rivalta, Roberto Trebbi, Pierantonio Ragazzini
  • Patent number: 6997691
    Abstract: A tablet press machine (1) includes a fixed casing (2) which houses a compression assembly (3) comprising a power-driven rotor (4) that rotates about an axis (5), the rotor including a matrix disc (6) and another two discs (7, 8) on both sides of it, mounting two sets of reciprocating punches (9, 10) opposite and aligned with each other in pairs. The matrix disc (6) has a plurality of through matrixes (11) where the reciprocating punches (9, 10) forming each pair are mounted in such a way as to delimit between them an empty space (12) of variably size designed to contain a dosed quantity of powder to be compressed. Two sets of cams (13, 14) are associated with the compression assembly (3) and, as the rotor (4) rotates, impart on the punches (9, 10) a driving motion which moves them cyclically towards and away from each other in such a way as to compress the powder contained in the matrix (11) in the matrix disc (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Hans Kramer
  • Publication number: 20050217208
    Abstract: A unit (100) for filling containers (2) with products (1), in particular pharmaceutical products (1), includes a hopper (3,3a) containing a mass of products (1) in bulk, conveying means (5,6) aimed at feeding the products (1) leaving the hopper (3) along a predetermined path (P) up to a station (SR), where the containers (2) are filled with the products (1). The containers (2) are fed to the filling station (SR) by transporting means (4,C). A checking station (SC) for checking the products (1) is situated along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (SR). The conveying means (5,6) include first means (51,52,53) consisting of vibrating planes and second conveying means (6). The second conveying means (6) are situated at the checking station (SC) between the conveying vibrating planes means (51,52,53) and the filling station (SR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.a.
    Inventor: Sergio Cicognani
  • Publication number: 20050210832
    Abstract: A method for carrying out and verifying substitution and/or adjustments of mechanical components in an automatic packaging machine (1) during the size change over, said machine (1) being equipped with a computerized unit (UCC, 2, D) for verifying and storing instructions related to the operations necessary to change over the size of the articles being processed. The operations include substitution of specific mechanical components and/or adjustment of the spatial positioning of specific mechanical components. Information elements relevant to the size change over are stored in the unit (UCC, 2D) and are recalled and transferred to a palm-size computer (3, E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Tassin, Antonio Orillo
  • Patent number: 6945012
    Abstract: A unit (1) for feeding products (3) to a blistering machine (M) includes a delivery group (2,2a,S) for selectively distributing products (3) to a station (SR), where the products (3) are introduced into respective blisters (40) of a blister band (4), moving in a forward direction (W) inside the blistering machine (M). The filling station (SR) is defined by conveying means (10) consisting of a belt (11) provided with seats (110). Each seat (110) receives a relative product (3) distributed by the delivery group (2,2a,S) and releases the products (3) into a respective blister (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ivano Baroncini
  • Patent number: 6941725
    Abstract: A method for closing a box (1) by folding a lateral closing flap (5) extending from an upper edge (6) of a lateral aperture (7) of the box (1) and having at least one foldable edge (8), while the box (1) is being moved along a packaging line (L) in a forward movement direction (W), includes the steps of folding the lateral flap (5) until a connection line (9) of the foldable edge (8) touches stop means (15), then folding the foldable edge (8) on the striking means (15) and toward the lateral aperture (7) of the box (1), so that an outer edge (8a) of the foldable edge (8) interacts with contrast means (17), which keep elastically the edge (8) in a position raised with respect to a bottom wall (1a) of the box (1), and lastly introducing the edge (8) into the box (1). A device for carrying out the methods has folding means (14) for folding the said lateral flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Gaudenzi
  • Patent number: 6941729
    Abstract: A machine (M) for producing blister packs (10) includes unrolling means (3,7,21) for unrolling a band of heat-formable material from a bobbin (2) and for feeding the band (1) along a predetermined path (P) extending through subsequent stations (5,6,30,8,9,13), in which the band (1) is processed. The above-mentioned stations include a heating station (5), where the band (1) of heat-formable material is heated, a forming station (6), where a plurality of blisters (20) are formed on the band (1), a filling station (8), where the blisters (20) are filled with products, a sealing station (9), where the blister band (1a) is closed with a sealing band (11), and a cutting station (13), where the closed blister band (1ac) is cut into blister packs (10). A further heating station (30) is provided for heating the blister band (1a) along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (8), so as to heat the band (1a) to cause a thermal stabilization treatment of the blister band (1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Corrado Dal Pozzo
  • Publication number: 20050118303
    Abstract: A machine (1) for making filter bags (4) of tetrahedral shape for infusion products comprises a revolving conveyor drum (15) driven by a first drive shaft (16) to feed a web (5) of filter paper along a path (P) on which there are positioned: a station (25) for feeding the filter paper web (5); a station (21) for feeding a succession of tags (6); a station (22) for feeding tie string (7) connecting the filter bags (4) to the respective tags (6); a station (23) for arranging the tie string (7) according to a defined pattern on the path (P); and a plurality of sealers (24) facing the path (P) to attach the tie string (7) and the tags (6) to the filter paper web (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: I. M. A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Sauro Rivola, Giorgio Manaresi
  • Patent number: 6866493
    Abstract: A tablet press machine (100) comprises: a hopper (1) for feeding a powder or granular product (2) to a first disc (3a) that rotates about an axis (X) and is equipped with evenly distributed holes or dies (3); a second and third disc (4, 6) that are positioned above and below the first disc (3a), respectively, rotate about the axis (X) and support respective pluralities of upper and lower reciprocating punches (5, 7). The punches (5, 7) are driven towards and away from each other when they are aligned with the dies (3) in such a way as to compress the product (2). Each of the punches (5, 7) comprises a cylindrical shank (8), one end of which is equipped with a working head (10) and sealed protection means (11) acting on the cylindrical shank (8) itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Hans Kramer