Abstract: To determine the density of a stream of fibrous material on a cigarette manufacturing machine, two different measurements are performed, the first of which is capacitive and supplies a first signal as a function of the density of the dry component and of the density of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material, and the second of which is ultrasonic and supplies a second signal indicating the density of the dry component; the second signal is combined with the first signal to obtain a third signal indicating the density of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material; and, from the third and second signals, a fourth signal is obtained indicating the density of the stream of fibrous material as the sum of the density of the dry component and of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material.

Abstract: To determine the density of a stream of fibrous material on a cigarette manufacturing machine, two different measurements are performed, the first of which is capacitive and supplies a first signal as a function of the density of the dry component and of the density of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material, and the second of which is optical and supplies a second signal indicating the density of the dry component; the second signal is combined with the first signal to obtain a third signal indicating the density of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material; and, from the third and second signals, a fourth signal is obtained indicating the density of the stream of fibrous material as the sum of the density of the dry component and of the liquid in the stream of fibrous material.

Abstract: Rolls of metallized strip material are changed automatically at a station incorporating a device by which the thickness of the strip material is sensed utilizing a resonant circuit driven at a frequency other than its own resonant frequency and consisting in a coil with a toroidal core affording an opening or gap through which the running strip material is directed; a voltage sensor connected to the terminals of the coil pilots the operation of two switched outputs by way of respective comparators such as can be preset and activated parametrically in response to selected voltage values registering at the terminals of the coil with variations in inductive reactance determined by and indicating the thickness and the electrical and physical properties of the passing strip.

Abstract: A cigarette, with a cigarette paper and a filter paper of different colors and separated by a boundary line with a given nominal position, is fed past a pair of optical sensors located on either side of the nominal position of the boundary line. The optical sensors generate a pair of electric signals each related to the color of the respective monitored portion of the cigarette, and which are compared with each other; and, in the event the difference between the signals is below a given threshold value, an error signal is generated for rejecting the cigarette.

Abstract: A system featuring an operating section defined by at least one machine employing strips of wrapping material; and an automatic strip supply unit detached from the operating section and wherein a number of passive unwinding stations arranged side by side and each supporting a respective reel for a respective strip are selectively connectable to an active robot traveling along the unwinding stations and in turn comprising an operating module selectively connectable to each station for forming, in conjunction with each station, a device for replacing the runout reels.

Abstract: In a device for compacting stacks of die-cuts and correcting their position on a conveyor-feeder with at least one belt, the single stacks are supported and elevated by a structure operating directly adjacent to the belt and affording a surface which ensures stable support to the stack while offering minimal resistance to the movements occasioned in positioning; the compacting action is produced by pairs of moving plates which flank the supporting and elevating station on all sides and impinge on the vertical faces of the stack in directions coinciding with the transverse and longitudinal axes of the belt.

Abstract: A truck for handling pallets by means of a fork which vertically and horizontally is movable with respect to a supporting chassis; the chassis has a planar U-shaped configuration forming a central cavity which is closed toward the outside by a movable element of a bumper which surrounds the chassis, and is provided with two shoulders, each of which supports a guide which is slidingly engaged by a respective arm extending parallel and laterally with respect to the fork from a slider which is arranged between the shoulders and supports the fork so that it can slide vertically.

Abstract: Stacks of blanks arranged in substantially orderly manner on a supporting surface are picked up successively by a powered pickup head for supply to a user machine; the pickup head presenting a pair of intercepting sensors for simultaneously intercepting a given reference edge of the stack when the head is set to the correct pickup position in relation to the stack; and the pickup head being set to the correct pickup position by means of a series of successive rotary and translational movements in the event only one of the sensors intercepts the reference edge of the stack.

Abstract: Cigarettes on a conveyor are surface checked, in at least one observation station, by means of at least one optical unit having a light source for directing light rays on to one half of the outer surface of the cigarette, and a pair of prismatic bodies facing respective quarters of the surface of the cigarette, and which provide for directing all the rays reflected from the aforementioned half of the surface into one beam directed towards one monitoring unit.

Abstract: The device for feeding reels into a packaging machine comprises a buffer magazine for the reels. The reels are advanced one after the other along the magazine. A distribution means, comprising a oscillatable distribution element guides a first one of the reels into a removal position, and a transfer device transfers the reels sequentially from the removal position through a reel guiding channel to an underlying receiving position, at which a device operates for changing the reel to be unrolled in the packaging machine.

Abstract: Trolley for loading rolls in a device for feeding a packaging machine, which comprises a device for supporting a row of rolls arranged mutually side by side, a conveyor for transferring the row of rolls along a direction which is axial with respect to the rolls themselves, and centering and locking longitudinal rods which are suitable to be coupled, during loading, to complementarily shaped seats which are correspondingly rigidly coupled to the feeder device.

Abstract: The apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material has a unit for the removal and transfer of stacks of sheet material which are arranged mutually side by side on supports and are individually wrapped by respective bands. The removal and transfer unit has a head which is vertically and horizontally movable and has grip elements for removing individual stacks from the supports and for transferring them to a feeding station of the packaging machine. A station for cutting the band is arranged ahead of the feeding station.

Abstract: The shock-absorbing safety device has lateral protection elements which extend along the sides of a truck. Actuation devices move the lateral protection elements transversely with respect to the truck between a loading position, in which the lateral protection elements are adjacent to the sides of the truck, and a transport position in which the lateral protection elements are spaced therefrom. End protection elements provide, in the transport position, substantial continuity with the lateral protection elements, and control devices detect any collisions transmitted by the lateral protection elements and the end protection elements.

Abstract: The device serves to convey products singly and in succession to a work station. For example rolls of strip material can be conveyed to a wrapping machine, or containers of cigarettes can be conveyed to a packaging unit. The device comprises a conveyor system by which products loaded into a magazine are supported and caused to advance from an infeed end of the magazine toward a mechanism, positioned at an outfeed end, which the transfers each product to a position within the work station. The movement of the conveyor system is reversible, and with a transfer mechanism installed at both the infeed and the outfeed end of the magazine, the contents can be emptied from either end without manual or machine assistance.

Abstract: Method for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit, including the transfer of pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material onto supporting plates, which are rotatably mounted on a fixed frame of the feeding unit and which are arranged in a raised receiving position; the actuation of the supporting plates, at the end of the step of feeding the stacks onto the unit, from the raised receiving position to a lowered position for releasing the emptied pallets into an underlying removal station; and the return of the supporting plates to the raised receiving position. The device for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit includes supporting plates for supporting pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material.

Abstract: A storage unit for elongated elements, particularly cigarettes, wherein a mass of cigarettes is supported on a first conveyor movable both ways through a loading-unloading station where the first conveyor is connected to a second conveyor by a connecting plate. A transversely articulated slide longer than the connecting plate travels together with the first conveyor, and, when unloading, is pushed by an end contact member on the first conveyor into engagement with the second conveyor, and travels together with the second conveyor so as to fully unload the storage unit.

Abstract: The device for feeding reels into a packaging machine comprises a buffer magazine for the reels. The reels are advanced one after the other along the magazine by a conveyor belt provided with pairs of uniformly spaced teeth for supporting individual reels. A distribution element, comprising a supporting element and a resiliently urged tape, guides a first one of the reels into a removal position, and a transfer device transfers the reels sequentially from the removal position, through a reel guiding channel, to an underlying receiving position, at which a device operates for changing the reel to be unrolled in the packaging machine.

Abstract: A process and device for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine wherein the stacks arranged in an orderly manner are removed by a grip element supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit. The stack is transferred to a compacting station fixedly mounted in a position above a feeding station of the packaging machine. and is inserted in the compacting station which is equipped with an abutment element having an inlet shaped complementarily to one end of the cutouts. Pusher elements which are rigidly associated to the head and frontally define a profile being shaped complementarily with respect to the end of the cutouts opposite to the one inserted in the compacting station, act on the stack upon advancement of the head for inserting the stack in the inlet of the abutment element, thereby compacting the stack.

Abstract: An automotive truck for moving a robot along a surface comprises a chassis and at least one platform hingedly connected to the chassis at one end of the platform. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted to the platform. A spring is connected at an opposite end of the platform pressing the drive wheel against the surface.

Abstract: The device for the automatic feeding of cutouts to a user machine, includes an inclined supporting plate for receiving, in succession, stacks of cutouts input to the user machine. A fixed guide is arranged above the supporting plate and a motorized trolley is slidably movable, on the guide, from and toward an output end of a conveyor of stacks of cutouts. An L-shaped element defining a support element is pivotally connected to a rod which extends down from the trolley, and the support element is arrangeable, at the output end, parallel to the advancement direction of the conveyor, and at an unloading station, parallel to the supporting plate. A stop device, defining two spaced uprights, extending from the supporting plate, is arranged at the unloading station, and the space between the uprights allows free passage of the L-shaped element while the stacks of cutouts rest against the uprights.