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 diagnostic method for a container processing machine including a rotating conveyor, and processing units carried by the rotating conveyor and designed to engage at least one container to carry out processing operations is disclosed. The method includes operatively coupling a first set of monitoring sensors to the processing units on-board the processing machine to monitor relevant operating parameters. The method also includes controlling the processing units to execute test operations in lieu of processing operations. The method further includes acquiring measurement data from the first set of monitoring sensors during the test operations. The method further includes processing the acquired measurement data to provide maintenance information on the reliability of at least one of the processing units or the processing machine.

Abstract: A molding unit (10) for manufacturing preforms (100) made of plastics material, includes at least one “HR”-type mold (10), a nozzle (14) including at least a nozzle body (28) and a nozzle orifice (30) incorporating a preform (100) stabilizer (34) that forms with a tubular member (40) a mobile assembly that is able to slide axially relative to the nozzle orifice (30) between at least a top position and a bottom position, wherein the tubular member (40) is guided so as to slide axially with respect to the nozzle body (28) by at least one guiding element (46) which is interposed radially between the nozzle body (28) and the tubular inlet member (40), and the stabilizer (34), fixed to the tubular member (40), is guided with respect to the nozzle body (28) only by way of the at least one guiding element (46).

Abstract: A container made of plastic material, provided with a body and a bottom extending at a lower end of the body, the bottom including an annular seat extending substantially in the prolongation of the body and defining a seating plane; a concave arch that extends from a zone near the seat to a central zone, the arch including a series of stiffeners that extend radially from the central zone to the seat.

Abstract: Container (1) made of a plastic material, provided with a base (7) including a standing ring (8) forming a support flange (9) and a diaphragm (11) extending from the standing ring (8) to a central portion (10), the diaphragm (11) being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position. The diaphragm (11) connects to the standing ring (8) at an outer junction (12) forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm (11). The diaphragm (11) connects to the central portion (10) at an inner junction (13) forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm (11). The diaphragm (11) is invertible with respect to the standing ring (8) from the outwardly-inclined position to an inwardly-inclined position. In the inwardly-inclined position, at least an inner portion (16) of the diaphragm (11) adjacent to the inner junction (13) is curved in radial section, with a concavity turned outwards.

Abstract: A device for gripping a hollow body includes a freely-rotating shaft and a mandrel that is integral with the shaft. The mandrel itself includes: an end fitting; a radiator that is mounted directly on the end fitting; a crosspiece inserted between the end fitting and the radiator; an expandable ring mounted between the end fitting and the crosspiece; an elastic element mounted between the end fitting and the expandable ring; an insert made of a material with high thermal conductivity, set in a housing made in the end fitting and emptying onto a free end face of the former, with the insert extending up to the point facing the radiator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container handling machine (1) having at least one operative unit (18) comprising first support means (21) to support a base (12) of a filled and closed container (3), second support means (24) cooperating with an end (17) of the container (3) opposite the base (12), a plunger (31) selectively moved along its axis (E) to perform a deformation operation on the base (12) of the container (3) from a first swollen configuration to a second inwardly-retracted configuration, and actuator means (35) selectively activated to move the plunger (31) along its axis (E) between a first position, detached from the base (12) of the container (3), and a second position, in which the plunger (31) defines the second configuration of the base (12); the machine (1) further comprises a control unit (41) configured to selectively activate the actuator means (35) for moving the plunger (31) along its axis (E); the second support means (24) are maintained at a constant distance from the first support means

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting plastic-container preforms, the device including an endless circulating element having an outer surface and being capable of moving the preforms along a path by rubbing against the preforms, the device including a stationary mounting defining a planar bearing surface for the preforms, the circulating element having a series of brushes which extend projecting from the outer surface, capable of engaging with the preforms in order to move same by rubbing.

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 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 labelling group for applying at least one label onto a respective article at an application station is disclosed. The labelling group comprises a transfer element, which is adapted to transfer the label along a trajectory which comprises a transfer station, and can be arranged in an operative position, in which the transfer station coincides, in use, with the application station; and a diverting device, which can be selectively arranged in: a first configuration, which allows the transfer element to convey the label along at least part of the trajectory and to release the label at the transfer station; or in a second configuration, which prevents the transfer element either from receiving the label or from releasing the label to the transfer station. The transfer element is movable in at least one rest position, in which the trajectory is spaced from the application station.

Abstract: A labelling machine for applying a first label and a second label onto a first article and a second article is disclosed. The labelling machine comprises a first conveyor for conveying a succession of the first article and the second article along a path; a first labelling group, which can be selectively arranged in a first operative configuration; and gap creating means adapted to create a first gap, which is arranged inside the succession and is bounded between the first article and the second article. The first labelling group is selectively arrangeable in a first rest configuration. The labelling machine further comprises a second labelling group, which can be selectively moved between a second rest configuration and a second operative configuration, in which the second labelling group transfers, in use, the second label to the second article.

Abstract: A method for producing a container (2) from a blank (3) in a mold (1) provided with a wall (4) and a mold bottom (8) that is movable relative to the wall (4) between a retracted position and a deployed position, the method including: a phase of introducing the blank (3) into the mold; a preblowing phase including the injection, into the blank (3), of a fluid pressurized to a so-called preblowing pressure, a blowing phase following the preblowing phase and including the injection, into the blank (3), of a fluid pressurized to a so-called blowing pressure greater than the preblowing pressure; a boxing phase including the displacement of the mold bottom (8) from the retracted position thereof to the deployed position thereof, initiated after the pressure in the blank (3) has reached the blowing pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container (2), by drawing and blowing in a mould (8), from a blank (3) made of plastic material, which includes the following operations: inserting the blank (3) in the mould (8); controlling the opening of a pre-blowing solenoid valve (17) at a predetermined pre-blowing rate (DP); measuring the current pressure (P) inside the blank (3); detecting an actual time (tA) for starting the pre-blowing step; calculating a time (tF) for ending the pre-blowing step such that: tF=tA+?t??, wherein: ?t is a predetermined time for opening the pre-blowing solenoid valve and ? is a predetermined constant; deducing therefrom an actual pressure (PF) at the end of the pre-blowing step; comparing said pressure to a theoretical pressure (Pth); and if said pressures are found to be non-identical, ordering a modification of the pre-blowing rate (DP).

Abstract: A capping machine for applying a cap on an open end of a container that is made of a deformable material and filled with a pourable product is disclosed. The machine comprises a conveying device and at least one operative unit moved by the conveying device along a processing path. The at least one operative unit comprises a support portion configured to receive and retain a container, and at least one capping head movable to and away from the open end of the container to apply the cap onto the open end of the container. The at least one operative unit further comprises a plunger movable to and away from an opposite closed end of the container to deform the closed end of the container so as to reduce an interior volume of the container and to increase an interior pressure of the container.

Abstract: A unit for carrying out an operation on a container fillable with a pourable product is disclosed. The unit comprises: a first area; a second area; at least one operative head, which is adapted to carry out the operation; at least one gripping device for gripping the container and which is movable between a rest position, in which the at least one gripping device receives or discharges the container; and an operative position, in which the at least one gripping device sets the container in a position in which the container undergoes the operation. The unit further comprises: a movable element, which is operatively connected to the at least one gripping device for moving the at least one gripping device between the rest position and the operative position, and which comprises a portion movable between the first area and the second area; and a bellow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) composed of at least one preform (12) and of a device (10) for decontaminating the interior of a preform (12) by irradiation with at least one type of ultraviolet radiation emitted by components (22) of the semiconductor type, relates to an installation (100) for producing a sterile recipient (120) including at least one decontamination device (10) and relates to a method for fabricating a sterile recipient (120) starting from a decontaminated preform (12).

Abstract: Container made of a plastic material, provided with a base including a standing ring forming a support flange and a diaphragm extending from the standing ring to a central portion, the diaphragm being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position, the diaphragm connecting to the standing ring at an outer junction forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm with respect to the standing ring; the diaphragm connecting to the central portion at an inner junction forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm with respect to the central portion; the diaphragm being invertible with respect to the standing ring to an inwardly-inclined position; the central portion having a thickness greater than the diaphragm, the central portion having an annular section of greater thickness adjacent to the inner junction, the central portion having a central recess thinner than the annular section and protruding upwardly from an inner edge of the annular section.

Abstract: Thermoplastic container (1) which after filling and sealing is able to withstand without any substantial deformation to an internal pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, comprising a body (2) with substantially cylindrical upper (3) and lower (4) parts and an intermediate part (5) having a curvilinear triangular cross section and comprising three main faces (6a, 6b, 6c) joined by three edges (7a, 7b, 7c); these edges are rounded, having continuous curvature, joined tangentially to the main faces and have radii of curvature (ra, rb, rc) comprised between approximately 5% and 35% of the largest dimension (D) of the cross section of the lower part (3); the main faces have radii of curvature (Ra, Rb, Rc) greater than the largest dimension (D) of the cross section of the lower part (3).