Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the surface quality inspection of the external surface of at least one component for inhalers or vaporizers, in particular a cartomizer for electronic cigarettes, verifies whether there are surface imperfections on the external surface of the components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to automatically insert a liquid inside components of inhalers, such as cartomizers for electronic cigarettes, includes injection means having a plurality of injectors each having an injection head having a substantially symmetrical conformation with respect to its symmetrical axis. The injection means are configured to cooperate with an empty end part of a component and at least one injection needle is configured to penetrate into an internal cavity of the component and inject the liquid, while said injection head is stationary with respect to said component, arranging itself with the symmetrical axis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of said internal cavity.

Abstract: A transport system for transporting products, in particular products to be assembled, includes a stationary sliding track defining a continuous sliding path free of interruptions, a mobile unit which can be moved on the sliding track in a direction of advance, and motor means to move the mobile unit on the sliding track. The transport system also includes at least one rolling guide and at least one rolling unit configured to cooperate, according to a sliding relation, with the rolling guide.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating rod segment is provided, including: a rod-shaped susceptor casing; and an aerosol-forming gel contained in the rod-shaped susceptor casing, in which the rod-shaped susceptor casing includes a bottom, a side wall, and an opening arranged opposite the bottom, in which the aerosol-forming gel is retained inside the rod-shaped susceptor casing in axial direction of the aerosol-generating rod segment by at least one positive locking means, in which the side wall of the rod-shaped susceptor casing is corrugated, in which at least one of the at least one positive locking means is an inwardly directed seam of the rod-shaped susceptor casing arranged adjacent to an end section of the rod-shaped susceptor casing, the end section being arranged opposite the bottom of the rod-shaped susceptor casing, and in which the inwardly directed seam is formed by an inwardly bent end portion of the side wall of the rod-shaped susceptor casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the transfer of components for inhalers or vaporizers from a loading station in which the components arrive randomly oriented, toward one or more work stations, to which said components are delivered oriented according to a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A machine and method for the automatic treatment of components of inhalers, in particular cartomizers for electronic cigarettes, includes a transporting member configured to selectively transport the components from a first operational module to a final operational module and a plurality of intermediate operational modules. The transporting member includes a first chain having a plurality of links equal to each other. The width of each operational module is a whole multiple of the interaxis between the links of the chain.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the surface quality inspection of the external surface of at least one component for inhalers or vaporizers, in particular a cartomizer for electronic cigarettes, verifies whether there are surface imperfections on the external surface of the components.

Abstract: Machine (10) and method for the automatic treatment of components of inhalers, in particular cartomizers for electronic cigarettes, wherein each component has a central body, preferably of tubular shape, having a lower end part normally protected by a removable lower cap and an upper end part normally protected by a removable upper cap. Upstream and downstream from one or more work stations (S3) and/or one or more inspection stations (S4) there are, respectively, a removal station (S2), configured to selectively and automatically remove the caps from the respective central bodies, and a repositioning station (S5), configured to selectively and automatically return the caps to the corresponding central bodies of the components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to automatically insert a liquid inside components of inhalers, such as cartomizers for electronic cigarettes, includes injection means having a plurality of injectors each having an injection head having a substantially symmetrical conformation with respect to its symmetrical axis. The injection means are configured to cooperate with an empty end part of a component and at least one injection needle is configured to penetrate into an internal cavity of the component and inject the liquid, while said injection head is stationary with respect to said component, arranging itself with the symmetrical axis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of said internal cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the transfer of components for inhalers or vaporizers from a loading station in which the components arrive randomly oriented, toward one or more work stations, to which said components are delivered oriented according to a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for packaging a product, in particular for packaging a product in pieces, preferably an edible product, in a box-shaped container (12) that comprises at least one tab to be folded. The apparatus comprises means for feeding the box-shaped container and means (82) for folding a respective tab of the box-shaped container, the means that fold the tab being separate from the means that feed the box-shaped container.

Abstract: A device withdraws and opens cases for CD and the like, including a pair of shells of complementary shape, hinged along a hinge axis along one edge of the shells. A swinging arm equipped with suction cups withdraws single cases from a storage device and transfers the cases in a vertical feeding plane over a conveying line leading to a packaging section. Further suction cups, carried by a take over member, grip the case just withdrawn acting on the shells and open the case by rotation of the shells about the hinge axis. Then the take over member is moved in horizontal direction towards the conveying line to transfer the case from the opening position to a position in which the opened case is released on the conveying line for further processing.

Abstract: A multilevel storage device for CD cases includes at least two conveyors, upper and lower, respectively, leading to a feeding station which receives groups of containers having relative hinged edges suitably oriented. A station loads groups of cases on the lower conveyor and a transfer unit which picks up the groups of cases from a downstream end of said lower conveyor to the upper conveyor when sensor means detect absence of groups of cases at an upstream end of the upper conveyor. Presence of groups of cases at a downstream end of the upper conveyor, before the feeding station is detected by other sensor means.

Abstract: A device for introducing sleeves into cases for compact discs and the like, includes an assembly for withdrawing each time a single sleeve from a storage device. The withdrawing assembly transfer the sleeves to a feeding surface, substantially horizontal, in the region of a line for feeding these sleeves to further processing devices. An inserting head with gripping means for keeping the sleeve fed to the feeding surface, and with folding rollers for folding two edges of the sleeve over fold-around pieces, takes over and inserts the sleeve into an underlying case. The inserting head is moved between a sleeves gripping position and a position in which it inserts the sleeve in the case, that is in open configuration on a conveyor.

Abstract: A closing device for book-like containers, with each container formed by a base and a cover of complementary shape hinged to the base along an edge, includes a first unit in which a grip is operated along a circular path coaxial with the hinge edge of a container situated below, while activation means and deactivation means open and close the grip. A second unit, situated downstream of the first unit is provided for snap-closing the covers of the containers.

Abstract: A compact disc packaging machine is disclosed for packaging trays, compact discs, booklets and inlay cards in a variety of different sized containers. The compact disc machine is compact in size and its primary functions are mechanically driven. Pneumatics are only used on approximately 10 percent of the machine functions. Because the components are within the easy reach of an operator, the compact disc packaging machine is operated without requiring the operator to circle the machine. Feeders and magazines provide supplies of trays, booklets, inlay cards and compact discs to the machine. The compact disc magazine uses multiple spindles to allow one spindle to be active while the other spindle is replaced. A pick-and-place mechanism lifts the inlay cards, booklets, trays and compact discs and positions them in an intermediate centering positions and then into compact disc boxes. Sensors are used to verify the existence and placement of those items in the boxes.