Abstract: A support device 10 for counter-rotating elements 12, 14 susceptible of rotating in opposite directions around respective axes X12, X14 includes:—a first 22 and a second 24 support block for the counter-rotating elements 12, 14, and a connecting plate 26, extending bridge-like between the first 22 and the second 24 support block. The plate 26 is flexible to allow variation of the distance between the rotational axes X12, X14 of the counter-rotating elements 12, 14. An actuator 32 acting on the above-said support blocks 22 and 24 is provided to vary the distance between the rotational axes X12, X14 by means of the flexibility of the plate 26.

Abstract: A support device 10 for counter-rotating elements 12, 14 susceptible of rotating in opposite directions around respective axes X12, X14 includes:—a first 22 and a second 24 support block for the counter-rotating elements 12, 14, and a connecting plate 26, extending bridge-like between the first 22 and the second 24 support block. The plate 26 is flexible to allow variation of the distance between the rotational axes X12, X14 of the counter-rotating elements 12, 14. An actuator 32 acting on the above-said support blocks 22 and 24 is provided to vary the distance between the rotational axes X12, X14 by means of the flexibility of the plate 26.

Abstract: A system for treating products, such as foodstuff products, in the course of packaging includes a plurality of extraction stations set cascaded along a flow of products that has the character of a disorderly array, in which rows or ranks are not in general distinguishable. The extraction stations may be traversed by the flow possibly likewise deriving from the flow itself respective derived flows of products. The speeds of operation of the extraction stations are adjustable for regulating the intensities of the respective derived flows. The extraction stations have associated thereto inspection stations (preferably of a visual type, e.g., laser type) for detecting the intensities of the derived flows, whilst said derived flows are kept, at least temporarily, as disorderly arrays of advancing products, without proceeding to accumulations or any reordering thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is a pick-up head for a device for transferring products, in particular for an automatic packaging line, comprising: a basic structure (12) equipped with an attachment flange (14) for its connection to a mobile part of the transfer device; and a plurality of devices for picking up products (36), each of which is configured for picking up one or more products. Each of said pick-up devices (36) is equipped with an independent power drive that is numerically controlled and can be displaced along the basic structure (12) either independently or jointly with respect to the other pick-up devices (36).

Abstract: A device for forming groups of products in conveying systems, in particular for automatic packaging machinery, includes a path of conveyance in which, in operation, an array of products advances along a direction of conveyance with the products in contact with each other. A separator element is able to be inserted in a predetermined area of the conveyance path to separate a group of products downstream of the separator element with a predetermined dimension in the direction of advance. At least one nozzle is arranged to emit at least one jet of gas, such as air, on the array of products to distance the products at least partially from each other in the predetermined area before inserting the separator element.

Abstract: A device for forming groups composed by a variable number of products including a path of advance along which, in use, a continuous array of products advances along a direction of advance with the products in mutual contact. An arresting member is included against which, in use, the continuous array of products comes in arresting contact at the end of the path of advance. A conveyor device removes from the continuous array successive groups of products from a terminal part of the array in contact with the arresting member. A regulator device varies selectively the position of the arresting member along said direction of advance. An accompanying device supports the array of products and control the velocity of displacement towards the arresting member.

Abstract: A device for forming groups of products comprising: a stationary base structure, a support, movable relative to the base structure, and a plurality of grip units borne by the movable support, the grip units being movable from a position for receiving products, to a position for releasing the groups of products, and being capable of receiving the products advancing along a given direction in the position of receipt and of forming groups of products comprising a predetermined number of products. The grip units can be selectively disassembled and re-assembled relative to the movable support independently from each other.

Abstract: A device for forming groups composed by a variable number of products including a path of advance along which, in use, a continuous array of products advances along a direction of advance with the products in mutual contact. An arresting member is included against which, in use, the continuous array of products comes in arresting contact at the end of the path of advance. A conveyor device removes from the continuous array successive groups of products from a terminal part of the array in contact with the arresting member. A regulator device varies selectively the position of the arresting member along said direction of advance. An accompanying device supports the array of products and control the velocity of displacement towards the arresting member.

Abstract: A device for conveying articles having an array of rollers set alongside one another so as to define, by means of homologous generatrices, a plane of conveyance of said articles. A plurality of motor-driven units for said rollers, each motor-driven unit being able to bring about rotation of at least one respective roller of said array. A control unit, which acts on said motor-driven units and is able to control said motor-driven units with a speed that is selectively determined in such a way that the rollers of the array are divided into a first set of rollers, which move at at least one first speed, and at least one second set of rollers, which move at at least one second speed. Said sets of rollers are contiguous to one another along an ideal demarcation line and, by intervening on the respective motor-driven units, the control unit is able to displace selectively the aforesaid ideal demarcation line in the direction of advance of the articles on the array of rollers.

Abstract: A device for forming groups of products in conveying systems, in particular for automatic packaging machinery, includes a path of conveyance in which, in operation, an array of products advances along a direction of conveyance with the products in contact with each other. A separator element is able to be inserted in a predetermined area of the conveyance path to separate a group of products downstream of the separator element with a predetermined dimension in the direction of advance. At least one nozzle is arranged to emit at least one jet of gas, such as air, on the array of products to distance the products at least partially from each other in the predetermined area before inserting said separator element.

Abstract: Associated to the first product of each group or slug of products being formed is a first engagement element which follows the movement of advance of said first product, preventing it from falling forwards in the direction of advance. In such conditions, the products are made to advance according to a stacking path that is substantially horizontal, setting them up against the first product, and thus determining the formation of groups or slugs of products and counting the number of products stacked. When the number of products stacked reaches the desired value, the last product in the group is engaged by a second engagement element which exerts an action of thrust in a forward direction on the slug of products thus formed, so causing separation thereof from the first product of a new slug being formed in the stacking structure. The stacking operation is performed on the products, which are set on edge after being tipped starting from a previous substantially horizontal position of advance.

Abstract: An output assembly for stores for picking up stored products from an output section of a store, where a plurality of shelves is present for storing products, the aforesaid shelves being set on top of one another and being able to move in a vertical direction. The assembly comprises a moving element for picking up the products, which can move in a substantially vertical direction so as to reach selectively the height of one of the shelves of said plurality. The moving element comprises an unloading unit for determining selectively unloading of the products that are found on the shelves and at least one structure for receiving the products unloaded from said shelves. Also provided is at least one conveying structure for transferring the products unloaded from said store by the moving element.

Abstract: A device for conveying articles having an array of rollers set alongside one another so as to define, by means of homologous generatrices, a plane of conveyance of said articles. A plurality of motor-driven units for said rollers, each motor-driven unit being able to bring about rotation of at least one respective roller of said array. A control unit, which acts on said motor-driven units and is able to control said motor-driven units with a speed that is selectively determined in such a way that the rollers of the array are divided into a first set of rollers, which move at at least one first speed, and at least one second set of rollers, which move at at least one second speed. Said sets of rollers are contiguous to one another along an ideal demarcation line and, by intervening on the respective motor-driven units, the control unit is able to displace selectively the aforesaid ideal demarcation line in the direction of advance of the articles on the array of rollers.

Abstract: Groups comprising a specified number of articles separated by intervals of separation are formed from an incoming flow of articles. The process involves interacting with the flow of articles in such a way as to bring about, in a coordinated manner: a slowing action on at least one article situated in the forwardmost position of its particular group, and an accelerating action on at least one article situated in the rearmost position of its particular group.

Abstract: An output assembly for stores for picking up stored products from an output section of a store, where a plurality of shelves is present for storing products, the aforesaid shelves being set on top of one another and being able to move in a vertical direction. The assembly comprises a moving element for picking up the products, which can move in a substantially vertical direction so as to reach selectively the height of one of the shelves of said plurality. The moving element comprises an unloading unit for determining selectively unloading of the products that are found on the shelves and at least one structure for receiving the products unloaded from said shelves. Also provided is at least one conveying structure for transferring the products unloaded from said store by the moving element.

Abstract: A device for cutting film-like material in a shearing action by a blade and a counterblade provided with respective cutting edges. The blade has first and second ends. Movement of the blade is controlled such that the first end and the second end move along paths that are different from, but substantially parallel, to one another. The blade moves between a separated position and a closed position. In the separated position, the cutting edges define a space through which the film-like material may advance, and the distance between the respective cutting edges is not constant along the entire blade, with the second end of the blade being closer to the counterblade than is the first end of the blade. In the closed position, the blade and the counterblade are closed on one another after cutting the film-like material with a gradual cooperative movement of the cutting edges.

Abstract: In order to convey articles in a conveying device incorporated, for example, within an automatic packaging plant, a first conveyor and a second conveyor are used, the first one being arranged upstream of the second one in the direction of feeding of the articles conveyed. The conveyors have respective conveying directions forming between them an angle equal, for example, to 90°. The articles are received on the second conveyor in a positive and unconfined conveying condition.

Abstract: A process for cutting film-like material as a result of a shearing action performed by a blade and a counterblade provided with respective cutting edges acting in a given cutting plane.

Abstract: Associated to the first product of each group or slug of products being formed is a first engagement element which follows the movement of advance of said first product, preventing it from falling forwards in the direction of advance. In such conditions, the products are made to advance according to a stacking path that is substantially horizontal, setting them up against the first product, and thus determining the formation of groups or slugs of products and counting the number of products stacked. When the number of products stacked reaches the desired value, the last product in the group is engaged by a second engagement element which exerts an action of thrust in a forward direction on the slug of products thus formed, so causing separation thereof from the first product of a new slug being formed in the stacking structure.

Abstract: The articles advance along a conveyor line in which there is drop in level of a height correlated with the height of the stacks of articles to be formed. Downstream of the drop in level a stopper member is provided which can selectively interrupt the advancing movement of the articles along the conveyor line. For each stack of articles formed, the stopper member prevents the advancing movement of at least a first article downstream of the drop in level so as to allow at least a second article to fall and to be stacked on the first article. Upon completion of the stack, the stacked articles are allowed to advance along the conveyor line again.