Abstract: A structure for supporting and transporting a plurality of pieces in operations of assembling/disassembling and/or change of configuration in a manufacturing line includes at least one support surface; a plurality of areas defined on the at least one support surface, each of the areas includes a respective piece of the plurality of pieces or being configured to house a respective piece of the plurality of pieces; and a plurality of warning devices selectively actuatable automatically, each warning device being associated to a respective area of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: Folding unit for forming an empty cardboard box; the folding unit has a mandrel, around which a blank is folded to form the empty cardboard box. The mandrel has at least two parts, which are mobile in respect to one another between an expanded configuration, in which the two parts are further from one another so as to confer a maximum size to the mandrel, and a contracted configuration, in which the two parts are closer to one another so as to confer a minimum size to the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding rod-shaped articles includes a hopper having at least one mouth for dispensing the articles, subdivided by vertical walls parallel to each other forming vertical channels positioned side by side, each accommodating a stack of the articles At a position above an upper edge of each wall is positioned a cylindrical roller oscillating in both directions about its axis parallel to the axes of the articles for facilitating entry in the channels. The axis of each roller is offset laterally in a horizontal direction relative to the upper edge of the wall below and adjacent to it, and the upper edges of the walls relative to each channel are positioned at different levels such that the width of the passage defined between each pair of adjacent rollers lying above the walls of the channel is slightly greater than the diameter of the article.

Abstract: A blank for hinged-lid packets for smoking articles comprises four panels extending side by side in pairs along a direction perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal extension of the packets obtainable from the blank; the blank is foldable along folding lines made between the pairs of panels and parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension, and an upper portion of one of the four panels is integral, on the outside of the selfsame four panels, with a portion forming the hinged lid of the respective packet. Also described is a method for making hinged-lid packets for smoking articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and checking groups of articles includes a conveyor moving with intermittent motion to transfer the groups in respective compartments on the conveyor so the groups are moved perpendicularly to planes defined by a layer making up the groups. A checking device operates at a checking station and includes a detecting head which, during a relative movement between the detecting head and each group, checks all the articles making up the group. An actuating mechanism moves the detecting head in both directions between positions situated on opposite sides of the compartment which has stopped in the checking station and imparts to the detecting head, each time a compartment of the conveyor stops at the checking station, a translational movement such that the detecting head moves to the zone opposite to the zone where it is when the conveyor stops.

Abstract: A blank for hinged-lid packets for smoking articles comprises four panels extending side by side in pairs along a direction perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal extension of the packets obtainable from the blank; the blank is foldable along folding lines made between the pairs of panels and parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension, and an upper portion of one of the four panels is integral, on the outside of the selfsame four panels, with a portion forming the hinged lid of the respective packet. Also described is a method for making hinged-lid packets for smoking articles.

Abstract: The invention falls within the sector of bottling plants. In a method for capping containers (2) with crown caps, the step of centering the cap is performed without the container (2), the cap being completely free to arrange itself in position on a movable magnetic element (4). The capping machine has capping means (7, 11) which are eccentric with respect to the capping axis (20) and positioned at a higher level than the zone for capping the container (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and controlling the process temperature in a tunnel pasteurizer, in particular for packaged food products, in which the tunnel, provided with a conveyor able to advance the product, is substantially subdivided into a first pre-heating area, into a second pasteurization heat treatment area and a third area where the product is cooled. The apparatus is provided at least with a heat exchanger comprising a primary loop and a plurality of secondary loops, each of which is connected to the hydraulic loop of each sub-area. Each secondary loop is further provided with servo-controlled modulating valves which serve as means for controlling the temperature of the water of the sprinkler of each sub-area.

Abstract: The pasteurization heat treatment control system according to the present invention, in the case of irregular operation of the pasteurizer, regulates the heat cycle by monitoring of the temperature of the product in suitable basic subzones of the pasteurizer and by evaluation of the temperature values of the product recorded upstream, intervening so as to ensure the continuation and conclusion of the pasteurization heat treatment of the product part which, at the time of interruption of operation, had already entered into the heat treatment zone.This ensures that the product reaches the pasteurization temperature and that such temperature is maintained for a predetermined period of time independently of stoppage of the pasteurizer.

Abstract: A device for applying glue to wrapper sheets, especially cold glue, in cigarette packaging machines or the like, includes a device (7) for conveying a succession of wrapper sheets (1) through a glue application station in which devices (10) are provided for picking up the glue from a box (9) and applying it to at least certain predetermined areas (201, 301) of the wrapper sheets (1). The glue pick-up/applicator means (10) are brought (14, 15) into contact with the wrapper sheet (1), that is with the corresponding predetermined areas (201, 301) in a punching or touching movement and can move (14, 15), transversely to the surface of the wrapper sheet (1), between an active position of glue application in which the devices (10') are in contact with the predetermined application area (201, 301) of the wrapper sheet (1) and an inactive position in which the pick-up/applicator devices (10) are withdrawn a predetermined distance from it.

Abstract: A conveyor device with a circular path, particularly for groups of fragile cylindrical objects and for use in cigarette packing machines, includes a wheel (1, 1') made to rotate about its axis and preferably in steps of predetermined angular size. The wheel is provided with a plurality of peripheral cells (101) which are open or openable at one end at least, in particular on one and/or both sides and/or at the outer perimeter of the wheel, to house groups of cylindrical objects. The wheel is divided into two parts (1, 1') physically separated along an intermediate plane perpendicular to the axis of the wheel, the two parts (1, 1') being mounted rotatably coaxially with each other and being driven in phase and in synchronization with each other.

Abstract: A device for making cuts in the direction of the advance of pieces of thin material, for example in slips of paper along the path on which they are fed, includes a cutter carrying drum (1) and a cutting bed drum (2) rotating in opposite directions to each other. The drum (1) carries at least one peripheral cutter (3, 3', 3") whose cutting edge (103) is orientated in the direction of advance of the pieces of material and is curved coaxially with the drum (1), projecting radially beyond it. The cutter (3, 3', 3") is fixed on the cutter carrying drum (1) by a removable (5, 7) base (4, 4', 4") which has an intrinsic elasticity provided by slits such that it provides a certain spring support of the cutter (3, 3', 3") alternatively and in combination in the radial direction and in the direction of oscillation about an axis transverse to the cutting edge (103) of the cutter (3, 3', 3"), in particular substantially parallel to the axis of the drum (1).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making packets from packaging sheets, especially for cigarettes or the like, which method involves folding or wrapping a preshaped packaging sheet (1), for example of paper or carton board, the packaging sheet (1) having parts (101, 101', 201, 201') for laying over each other, to at least one of which contact surfaces the adhesive is applied in order to fix the parts to each other. In order to fix the parts (101, 101', 201, 201') to each other a cold adhesive is used, that is an adhesive which is fluid at ambient temperature, whereas in order to hold said parts (101, 101', 201, 201') laid over each other in the formed condition of the packet, while the cold adhesive is drying, at least one spot of adhesive consisting of a hotmelt adhesive is applied to at least one of the opposing surfaces of at least one of the associated parts (101, 101', 201, 201') and in an area (17) not coinciding with the area (16) to which the cold adhesive is applied.

Abstract: A package for cylindrical products, particularly cigarettes or similar, this package consisting of a wrapping sheet (2) in which the cigarettes are wrapped. The wrapping sheet consists of heat-weldable plastic material and is sealed, when wrapped around a group of cigarettes (S), by the welding of parts, flaps or wings (102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702) overlapping each other on one or more sides of the group of cigarettes (S). A vacuum or low pressure may advantageously be created inside the sealed wrapping sheet (2). A process and device for the fabrication of the package, according to which the phase of wrapping, in other words that of folding the wrapping slip (2), is executed completely in only one station to which the group of cigarettes (S) and the wrapping slip (2) are fed and in only one subsequent folding station (P), while the welding is executed in intermediate phases or in a final phase.

Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet, and involves wrapping an ordered group of cigarettes (S) in a wrapping sheet (2) and forming a first tubular wrapping open at its opposing ends and provided with portions (402, 502, 602, 702) projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the group of cigarettes. The ends of the tubular wrapping are closed by the successive folding of the various flaps or various wings (402, 502, 602, 702) forming the projecting portions against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes (S). The formation of the tubular wrapping open at its ends is carried out in the feed station (A), while the closing of the open ends is carried out completely in only one of the successive stations (P), the whole being done by means of particular shaping, arrangement and operation of movable folding devices (6, 15, 25, 26) and stationary folding devices (5, 105, 205, 605) and of the forming wheel (1).

Abstract: A processing machine, particularly a packing machine for cigarettes or similar, includes a plurality of operating units which execute various steps of processing which are synchronized with each other and follow a predetermined system of operation. The machine has a modular unit construction, consisting of a table or bed (1) which forms a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane (101) acting as an upper support for the various operating units (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) and lower housings (201, 301) for further operating units (20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28), all the operating units being made in prefabricated form.

Abstract: An angular conveyor for fragile cylindrical objects, particularly in cigarette packing machines, comprises a wheel (1) provided preferably with a plurality of peripheral cells (101) to house the cigarettes (G), these cells (101) being open at least at the perimeter of the wheel (1), and devices (12) for the at least partial closing of the open perimetrical ends of the cells (101), these devices consisting in particular of pairs of fingers mounted on finger-carrying elements (10) which can be moved alternately between a position of at least partial closure and one of opening of the said ends in synchronization with the steps of advance of the wheel (1), the oscillation of these elements being caused by annular cams (15) substantially coaxial with the wheel (1), these cams (15) being provided on both sides of the wheel (1) and being independent of the rotary motion of the wheel (1). According to the invention, the cams consist of what are known as three-dimensional cams (15).

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer tool which is activated by a rectilinear guide, i.e. by a mechanism made such that a point of attachment of the transfer tool describes a rectilinear trajectory when the guide is activated. A drive element for activating the guide is provided with non-rectilinear motion, and in particular with angular motion. Preferably, the rectilinear guide consists of an articulated oscillating linkage. The transfer device is used in a packaging machine for cigarettes or the like, in which, whenever possible, for each transfer of product into the processing path of the machine, rectilinear transfer units for the products are used, which transfer units are actuated by transfer devices activated by articulated oscillating linkages.

Abstract: A machine of the type capable of using strips of material wound in reels, for example wrapping, packaging and cellophane wrapping machines for cigarettes, or similar, the machine comprising at least one unwinding spindle of a reel of a strip of material which is supported in or which may be brought into a predetermined unwinding operating position; a store for at least one further reel to replace the empty reel on the spindle; means of transferring one replacement reel at a time from the store to the unwinding spindle in the operating position. The unwinding spindle is integrated with the store and forms its end on the output side. Advantageously, the store consists of a supporting bar on which the cores of the reels are threaded and whose front free end carries the spindle coaxially.

Abstract: In a method for forming a hard packet with a flip-up lid (2), in particular for cigarettes or the like, the package is produced by folding a preformed blank around an ordered group of cigarettes (12). During the formation of the packet a collar (3) and a message-bearing coupon (4, 4') are also fed in. The collar (3) is placed between the front face (101) of the box part (1), partly projecting beyond it, on the open side facing the lid (2). The coupon (4, 4') is removably inserted between the collar (3) and the group of cigarettes (12). In the method, the coupon (4, 4') is coupled to the collar (3) and both are then coupled, held together in the correct reciprocal position by use of suction, to the group of cigarettes (12) before the packet-forming stage, at least one aperture (503) being made in a part (403) of the collar which is inside the box part (1), the coupon (4, 4') being additionally held by use of suction via this aperture (503).