Abstract: A filling device for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles with a pourable product, comprising: a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, defining a central flowing channel for the pourable product, and terminating at a lower end with an axial outlet opening adapted to deliver the pourable product to a receptacle to be filled, wherein the channel includes a tapered-section portion located at a given axial distance from, and above, the outlet opening and tapering towards the outlet opening up to a narrowed-section zone; a shutter movable within the channel; and at least one exhaust conduit arranged on an outer circumference than the channel with reference to the longitudinal axis; wherein the channel includes an enlarged-section portion located immediately below the tapered-section portion, having a larger diameter than the narrowed-section zone, and defining an expansion chamber receiving a bottom end opening of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A flow control valve for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles with a pourable product, the flow control valve comprising: a tubular body defining a channel for the pourable product, the tubular body having a longitudinal axis and terminating with at least one narrowed end mouth; and a shutter movable within the channel between a closed position, and an open position. The shutter includes a main portion coupled in a sliding manner with an inner surface of the tubular body; and a narrowed closing head, wherein the main portion of the shutter includes a flat plate extending along a diameter of the channel with respect to the longitudinal axis, contacting the inner surface of the tubular body at opposite sides and defining, with the remaining portions of the inner surface, two opposite cavities, which have respective profiles shaped as circular segments and through which the pourable product can flow during operation.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers, comprising: a conveying device; a plurality of handling units configured to be moved by the conveying device along a path, each of the plurality of handling units having: a support device configured to receive and retain a corresponding container; and a filling device configured to feed a pourable product into the container; and at least one actuator associated with the plurality of handling units and configured to rotate each support device about a corresponding first rotation axis, the at least one actuator including a single motor and a transmission to connect the single motor with at least two support devices.

Abstract: An air filter unit for removing contaminations from air is disclosed. The air filter unit includes an airflow generating device configured to generate and direct at least one airflow from an air inlet to an air outlet, a filter disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet and including at least one filter layer for removing contaminations from the at least one airflow, a heater disposed upstream of the filter and configured to heat the at least one airflow directed towards the filter, an ejection device disposed upstream of the filter and configured to inject a sterilizing agent into the at least one airflow directed towards the filter, and a duct interposed between the air inlet and the filter and configured to feed the at least one airflow to the filter. The duct includes a volute-like outlet portion, and the ejection device is arranged in the duct.

Abstract: A filling system for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising: a tank configured to be filled with the pourable product; at least one filling device including a local control unit having a control module configured to selectively allow filling of the container with the pourable product; at least one duct interposed between the tank and the filling device; and at least one vortex flowmeter disposed along the duct and configured to generate a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flow rate of the pourable product along the duct, wherein the local control unit of the filling device includes a processing module configured to process the detection signal from the at least one vortex flowmeter in order to determine an amount of the pourable product flowing into the container, as a function of a number of pulses of the detection signal.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the machine comprising: a conveying device; at least one handling unit including a support device configured to receive and retain a container and at least one filling device selectively activated for feeding a pourable product into the container while the at least one handling unit travels along the transfer path; a pressurizing circuit; a decompression circuit; at least one actuating device; and a control unit configured to: control activation and deactivation of the at least one filling device and the at least one actuating device; control connection of the pressurization circuit and the decompression circuit with the container; and simultaneously maintain the at least one actuating device in an active state while the decompression circuit is in communication with the container so as to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis during decompression.

Abstract: A transfer device for conveying a plurality of packaging units along a transfer path comprising: a first carrier having at least one first operative branch parallel to the transfer path; at least one first conveying element advanced along the first carrier; a second carrier adjacent to the first carrier and having at least one second operative branch parallel to the transfer path and to the first operative branch; and at least one second conveying element controlled independently from the first conveying element and advanced along the second carrier; wherein the first conveying element and the second conveying element are configured to retain therebetween a packaging unit of the plurality of packaging units and to advance the packaging unit along the transfer path.

Abstract: A gluing system for applying glue on products is disclosed. The gluing system includes a glue applicator configured to deposit melted glue on products, a glue container configured to contain excess melted glue discharged from the applicator and fresh melted glue, a glue delivering unit configured to deliver glue from the container to the applicator and a glue discharging unit configured to convey excess glue not used by the applicator to the container. The container is divided by a partition into a first chamber, containing the fresh melted glue, and into a second chamber containing the excess melted glue and separated from the first chamber. The partition includes a filter allowing flow of the fresh melted glue and the excess melted glue from both the first and second chambers to the delivering unit.

Abstract: There is described a labeling apparatus (1) for applying labels (2) onto a succession of articles (3) and a method of setting-up of said labeling apparatus (1) prior to the application of the labels (2). The labeling apparatus (1) comprises a transfer drum (21) for retaining on its outer surface (22) labels (2), a glue application roller (19) having an outer lateral surface (20) and being configured to apply a pattern of glue onto the labels (2). The transfer drum (21) comprises a plurality of pad assemblies (24) arranged along its outer surface (22) and pad assembly alignment means (42) configured to modify orientation and/or position of each one of the plurality of pad assemblies (24) to a respective working configuration for aligning each one of the plurality of pad assemblies (24) with respect to the outer lateral surface (20) of the glue application roller (19).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring hollow cylindrical objects from a supply unit to a removal unit by providing a transport unit for transferring hollow cylindrical objects between a supply unit and a removal unit, providing at least holding element in the transport unit, positioning the hollow cylindrical object in contact with the at least one holding element at the supply unit wherein the hollow cylindrical object is held by the holding element, moving the transport unit with the hollow cylindrical object from the supply unit to the removal unit, and removing the hollow cylindrical element from the at least one holding element at the removal unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring hollow cylindrical objects from a supply unit to a removal unit by providing a transport unit for transferring hollow cylindrical objects between a supply unit and a removal unit, providing at least holding element in the transport unit, positioning the hollow cylindrical object in contact with the at least one holding element at the supply unit wherein the hollow cylindrical object is held by the holding element, moving the transport unit with the hollow cylindrical object from the supply unit to the removal unit, and removing the hollow cylindrical element from the at least one holding element at the removal unit.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for discharging elongate, coarse bulk products—such as bottle preforms—from a product hopper. The device includes a product hopper with a discharge opening and a rotating disc that is configured to receive bulk products passing through the discharge opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for conveying pro-filled objects, particularly bottles or parisons comprising an annular collar between two sliding planes with the aid of at least one conveying apparatus, at least one part of which rests against the object in a frictionally engaging manner and is supported on receiving elements or pressure rollers. The part of the conveying apparatus that rests against the object in a frictionally engaging manner is resilient or is mounted in a resilient fashion.