Abstract: An apparatus for the suspended storage of foodstuffs, particularly slabs of chocolate or the like, arranged on shelves (15) lying flat on trays (14) hanging from two parallel chains (12, 13) moving around a closed circuit that includes a supply run and a return run. Each tray (14) is combined with at least one shock absorbing device (61) for restricting the swinging motion thereof, quickly damping said motion and preventing the trays from bumping into one another. For this purpose, the shock absorbing device (61) comprises a braking disc located within a recess provided inside a housing and containing a viscous liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly suitable for the suspended storage of foodstuffs in any available space, comprising a frame consisting of at least one basic module (30) with four vertical posts (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) joined together in pairs by upper (35) and lower (34) longitudinal coupling members and upper (37) and lower (36) transverse coupling members. The lower ends of the posts comprise four lower connecting members (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) and four upper connecting members (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d), the connecting members being provided with coupling devices for mounting horizontally or vertically adjacent modules.

Abstract: A suspended storage apparatus in which products (16) are placed in trays (14) supporting shelves (15) for carrying the products. The receiving station of the apparatus comprises an assembly consisting of a pushing device connected to a first drive mechanism (101A), the pushing device including at least one substantially horizontally movable pushing member (107) for transferring products from the shelves to a conveyor belt (108), and a second drive mechanism (101B) for moving the pushing member substantially vertically as it moves horizontally. This combination of two directions of motion enables continuous discharge of the products.

Abstract: An apparatus for the suspended storage of foodstuffs, particularly slabs of chocolate or the like, arranged on shelves (15) lying flat on trays (14) capable of accommodating a number of such shelves. The shelves (15) are releasable and arranged parallel to one another at a constant spacing, and each shelf forms a plate receiving at least one row of similar foodstuffs. The shelves comprise a closed profile member (80) and two end portions (82) that can be fitted onto the longitudinal ends of the member and are therefore reversible so that they can be reinserted in any position into the trays without using an indexing system.

Abstract: The device implementing the method for packaging fragile, delicate food products according to the invention comprises a transfer and placement module (13) for transferring products (14) directly from a supply belt (15) onto the supply belt of the following packaging unit or onto a transverse belt (11) perpendicular to the supply belt. To accomplish this the module comprises an endless conveyor belt extending into an orientable, extendible tip (19) which receives and places products (14) on the transverse belt (11). The supply belt (15) has one movable extremity (17) which serves as a switching means between the transverse belt (11) and the following supply belt (15).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a production line for rows or layers of products, especially food products and more specifically, confectionery products such as chocolate wafers, bars, or the like, comprising a recycling device for the timed reintroduction of the temporarily stored products into the empty spaces between the products on said conveyor belts.The recycling device (13) comprises a first endless conveyor belt, called the recycling belt (18), mounted on a pivoting support, and a second endless conveyor belt, called the switching belt (19), also mounted on a pivoting support, said switching belt (19) being positioned either in the extension of the recycling belt (18) or inserted between two conveyor belts (10) on the line, and the recycling belt (18) being positioned either in the extension of the switching belt (19) or in the extension of the conveyor belt of the storage device (14).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for aligning articles or rows of articles positioned irregularly on a conveyor along a predetermined path downstream of a conditioning line or the like, including at least one detector to detect the passage of the trailing article or row of articles. At least one alignment element is provided, and a respective activation device for each of the alignment elements, whereby the detector is adapted to transmit to the activation device a detection signal upon detecting the passage of the trailing product or row of products, and whereby the activation device is adapted to displace the alignment element from an initial rest position beyond the path of the article or row of articles on the conveyor, to an active position abutting against the trailing article or row of articles.

Abstract: A method of packaging a rectangular moulded chocolate bar having a predetermined thickness, an upper face and a bottom face and bevelled longitudinal and lateral side faces, with a single sheet of heat sealable, composite multilayer material, by forming a longitudinal tube of the material completely around a bar with one longitudinal edge of the sheet projecting over another longitudinal edge and forming a covering flap, sealing the other longitudinal edge against an inner surface of the base of the covering flap, forming lateral folds which are first applied against the bevelled lateral side walls and then bent and applied on the ends of the bottom face, the lateral folds being made at each end of the tube, and folding the covering flap down over the bottom face in overlying relation to the lateral folds. The covering slap is sealed at least partially along a line parallel to a longitudinal edge of the flap, to provide a sealed and inviolable package.

Abstract: A control device comprises a clutch having two parts which are respectively coupled with an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft carries a torque limiter having a rotating pulley coupled with a central axle by a friction member. The rotating pulley is connected to the output shaft, and the central axis is connected to the input shaft. In case of disengagemnt of the output shaft, with the input shaft always being in rotation, a limited couple is transmitted to the part of the clutch coupled to the output shaft through the torque limiter in order to cause the part to attain a given position on abutment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging an article such as, for example, a chocolate bar or other food product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conveyor system including a portion which leads the articles to a rotary inverter subsequent to an apparatus which folds a wrapper partially around the article. The inverter turns the article over to have the lower surface of the article face upwardly for having the final folds of the wrapper to be folded against the lower surface. The wrapper is preferably made from thermosealable material. Around the periphery of the inverter are workstations which preheat the thermosealable wrapper; apply pressure to cool the wrapper thereby sealing it; and fold the wrapper to create an extra flap with lateral folds projecting from the article. Downstream of the inverter is a workstation which seals the lateral folds, by heating, applying pressure to them, and cooling them. The lateral folds are supported from above during sealing by a support and guidance device.

Abstract: The assembly comprises several transport bands for advancing the products to be disposed in the preformed containers for assorted packings to a distributing station, from where several band conveyors transport the products to different filling stations. Each filling station comprises a depositing means for the products being mounted on a slewing arm comprising an extensible horizontal arm. The depositing means comprises a tubular stem connected to a coupling piece which in turn is carried by the head of a conveyor thus connecting the conveyor and the slewing arm. The assembly is designed to facilitate the regulations which are necessary for a change of the format of assorted packings.

Abstract: Small articles, particularly chocolate and candies, are placed in predetermined positions in a receiver, such as deep-drawn compartmented boxes. The articles (1) are assigned coordinate positions (90) in the receiver, in X-Y coordinate system. The receivers (2) are transported at a predetermined, preferably speed passed an insertion station, where the articles are moved in a predetermined insertion path (47) transversely to the X direction of movement of the receivers. The movement of the articles and the transport speed of the receivers are synchronized. To permit placement of the articles at selected X coordinate positions, a temporal phase shift is introduced between the movement of the articles in the insertion path and the transport speed of the receivers, for example by changing the position of a cross gear in a differential. The insertion path in the Y direction is predetermined by guide tracks (14, 15) which is shifted bodily in the Y direction by a positioning motor (60, 61).

Abstract: A device and method for packing chocolates or related products includes a mold with a series of cavities. Product push devices cross the bottoms of the cavities so that the chocolates are pushed out of the mold to later be drawn together and carried into a box. The mold includes slots which receive longitudinal and transverse separating partitions. Product push devices push the partitions out of the slots while the chocolates are pushed out of the mold, so that the partitions remain between the chocolates for placement into a box.

Abstract: In a wrapping machine a strip bearing repetitively markings and marks is cut up into sections for individual wrapping of articles such as slabs of chocolate.It is desirable to have available a correction in both directions, which is accurate over a wide margin, to avoid restrictions on the printing of the strip, and to allow continuous forward travel and a high rhythm.Circuits (100-120) validate a mark detection signal (LECTREP) while eliminating interference and irrelevant signals and evaluate the phase shifts between this signal (LECTREP) and a synchronization signal (SYNCHR) depending upon the machine. They establish a correction limited to a certain maximum. The correction acts upon a motor (1) which drives the strip. The maximum is such that the cut section remains usable, which avoids interruption, and leaves an article wrapped in this defective section for later elimination.

Abstract: An automatic packing line consisting of feeder conveyor belts arranged to bring products to be packed to a series of packing machines and of automatic feeder stations located along the said belts to distribute the said products selectively to the packing machines, is equipped with a recovery device installed after the last automatic feeder station to collect the products which have not been taken charge of by the said stations, a storage device for storing temporarily the products collected by the recovery device and an ejection device which evacuates the undistributed products when the storage device becomes saturated with such products.

Abstract: A wrapping machine has a plurality of movable elements which move in predetermined ways to perform a wrapping operation. Control of the movements of at least some of the elements is performed using a pulse generator for synchronization and a control circuit which receives the pulses from the pulse generator. The control circuit comprises a computer having a suitable working program and peripherals connected to the computer and operating the associated element. Each peripheral comprises a processor controlled by the computer and a step-by-step motor which is controlled by the processor and which is operatively connected to the associated element to move the element.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a box with objects, such as praline assortments, comprises an insertion plate having compartments into which the objects can fit, each compartment having an apertured base, and a table for receiving the insertion plate. The table has a plurality of plungers, one associated with each compartment, each having a shape inversely corresponding to the shape of the aperture of the associated compartment. The plungers are movable simultaneously to push the objects from the insertion plate and a suction device holds the objects above the plate while movable walls compress the objects into a space corresponding to the internal area of the box. The suction device, walls and held objects are then moved as a unit to a filling station and deposited in the box at the station.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a handling process for staging manufactured articles leaving a production unit and travelling towards a receiving machine, e.g. a packaging unit working at a preset speed, and a facility for putting this process into effect.

Abstract: A machine for joining separate products, such as biscuits or chocolates, into a sandwich comprises a drum having a series of pairs of sleeves with open inlet and outlet ends, the cross-section of the sleeves corresponding to the cross-section of the products, and one sleeve of each pair being fixed to the drum and the other sleeve of each pair being hinged to the fixed sleeve and movable between a position in which it bears against the drum and a folded position in which it bears against and is radially outwardly of the fixed sleeve. The drum is rotated so as to present to products brought in succession by a conveyor the inlet opening of a fixed sleeve and then the inlet opening of a hinged sleeve in the unfolded condition. The hinged sleeve is then rotated to its folded position and the products ejected from the adjacent sleeves of a pair in a sandwich to another conveyor.

Abstract: A device for transferring rows of products from moulds to a delivering table while turning over and setting the spacing of the products during transfer comprises telescopic assemblies of suction-cup supports mounted on diametrically opposed tubular arms rotatable on a fixed suction pipe with which the suction cups communicate. The angular position of the suction-cup supports relative to the arms is controlled during rotation to facilitate unmoulding of the products, and the spacing of the suction-cup supports is set, by a sliding sun-and-planet pinion arrangement controlled by two cam systems.