Abstract: A synthesis process comprising steam reforming a gaseous hydrocarbon feedstock; exothermically reacting the resulting synthesis gas; removing heat from said exothermal reaction by producing steam; using said steam as heat input to the steam reforming, wherein the steam reforming comprises: a) forming a mixture containing steam and hydrocarbons by at least the step of adding a first stream of water to the hydrocarbon feedstock; b) heating said mixture by indirect heat exchange with synthesis gas; c) reforming said mixture after said heating step b).

Abstract: A line for conveying and forming box-like bodies of different types includes at least one suction belt, closed in a loop and arranged at least in its initial portion, at least one strap, closed in a loop and provided with protruding teeth. The strap is parallel to the suction belt and is arranged at least in the end portion of the line and has the initial front juxtaposed with respect to the end portion of the suction belt. The line further includes at least one band closed in a loop and provided with protruding tabs, parallel to the at least one suction belt and to the at least one strap and is arranged along the entire line, and has a start area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one suction belt and an end area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one strap.

Abstract: A machine for forming and filling box-like bodies of different types having a magazine for sheets to be subjected to forming, at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time, and a conveyor belt for products, clustered in bundles constituted by at least one product each. The machine includes a station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets, in which the magazine accommodates aligned and juxtaposed sheets and at least one handling element having an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed-frame.

Abstract: A synthesis process comprising steam reforming a gaseous hydrocarbon feedstock (11); exothermically reacting the resulting synthesis gas; removing heat from said exothermal reaction by producing steam (32); using said steam as heat input to the steam reforming, wherein the steam reforming comprises: a) forming a mixture (30) containing steam and hydrocarbons by at least the step of adding a first stream of water (26) to the hydrocarbon feedstock (11); b) heating said mixture (30) by indirect heat exchange with synthesis gas; c) reforming said mixture after said heating step b).

Abstract: A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time. The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.

Abstract: A pickup and delivery station for products includes a movement arm that is articulated with respect to a fixed frame and supports, at its free end, at least one respective grip component for a product. The free end of the arm includes at least one track for two carriages for supporting at least one respective shaft that supports the grip component. A linear actuator, which is substantially parallel to the direction of the track, is associated with one of the carriages for its movement along the track, from a configuration of separation from the other carriage to a configuration of proximity thereto. The shaft of a respective grip component is coupled to a second linear actuator that is perpendicular to the first one for the offset of the respective grip component with respect to the contiguous ones.

Abstract: A machine for forming and filling box-like bodies of different types having a magazine for sheets to be subjected to forming, at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time, and a conveyor belt for products, clustered in bundles constituted by at least one product each. The machine includes a station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets, in which the magazine accommodates aligned and juxtaposed sheets and at least one handling element having an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed-frame.

Abstract: A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time. The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.

Abstract: A station for inserting products into box-like bodies of different types includes a conveyance line for box-like bodies and a conveyor belt for bundles constituted by at least one product. The station includes a handling element for a bar, the latter being provided with at least one functional unit that abuts against at least one respective bundle. The bar can move, by virtue of the action of the handling element, transversely with respect to the belt and to the line from the line toward the belt and vice versa, and at right angles with respect to the belt and to the line, along a direction away from/towards them.

Abstract: A line for conveying and forming box-like bodies of different types includes at least one suction belt, closed in a loop and arranged at least in its initial portion, at least one strap, closed in a loop and provided with protruding teeth. The strap is parallel to the suction belt and is arranged at least in the end portion of the line and has the initial front juxtaposed with respect to the end portion of the suction belt. The line further includes at least one band closed in a loop and provided with protruding tabs, parallel to the at least one suction belt and to the at least one strap and is arranged along the entire line, and has a start area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one suction belt and an end area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one strap.

Abstract: An assembly for the sorted conveyance of substantially plate-like products, the assembly includes a stroke limiting shoulder, downstream of at least one supply line, a first pusher having a lateral surface that faces and is proximate to the stroke limiting shoulder, and at least one second pusher, which is adjacent to the other pusher. The pushers are substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the products and are independently movable from a first configuration, in which the respective end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the at least one supply line, to a second configuration, in which the end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the exit channel, surmounting the respective supply line. The exit channel includes consecutive receptacles for accommodating clusters of products.

Abstract: A unit for conveying and sorting products into alignment includes at least one conveyor belt and at least one surface for gathering products, arranged downstream the belt. At least two conveyor belts are arranged at different heights and convey the products according to a predefined arrangement. A lower belt leads to a carousel for picking up and transferring a product at a time into a conveyance channel that leads to the gathering surface. An upper belt includes at least one portion that surmounts an end of the lower belt arranged downstream the first carousel. The portion leads to an apparatus for overturning the products to transfer them onto the lower belt end, with an orientation, of the products, opposite the one adopted on the upper belt. The part is affected by a second carousel for picking up and transferring one product at a time into the conveyance channel.

Abstract: A packaging process includes the steps of receiving distinct clusters of products, orienting layered groups, moving the groups closer together, and inserting the bundle within a respective package. With the receiving step, the sum of the products of the clusters is equal to the number of products that can be accommodated in a layer of the final package. The products are mutually stacked so as to constitute respective layered groups that constitute a bundle. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are oriented according to the correct alignment required for its entry into the final package. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are moved closer to mutually contact the last product of one group with the first product of the contiguous group. Finally, the bundle constituted by the compacted layered groups, is inserted within a respective package.

Abstract: An assembly for the sorted conveyance of substantially plate-like products, the assembly comprises includes a stroke limiting shoulder, downstream of at least one supply line, a first pusher having a lateral surface that faces and is proximate to the stroke limiting shoulder, and at least one second pusher, which is adjacent to the other pusher. The pushers are substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the products and are independently movable from a first configuration, in which the respective end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the at least one supply line, to a second configuration, in which the end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the exit channel, surmounting the respective supply line. The exit channel includes consecutive receptacles for accommodating clusters of products.

Abstract: A pickup and delivery station for products includes a movement arm that is articulated with respect to a fixed frame. The arm supports, at its free end, at least one respective grip means for at least one product. The free end of the arm includes at least one track for at least two carriages for supporting at least one respective shaft that supports the grip means. A first linear actuator, which is substantially parallel to the direction of the track, is associated with one of the carriages for its movement along the track, from a configuration of separation from the other carriage to a configuration of proximity thereto. The at least one shaft of a respective grip means is coupled to a second linear actuator that is perpendicular to the first one for the offset of the respective grip means with respect to the contiguous ones.

Abstract: A unit for conveying and sorting products into alignment includes at least one conveyor belt and at least one surface for gathering products, arranged downstream the belt. At least two conveyor belts are arranged at different heights and convey the products according to a predefined arrangement. A lower belt leads to a carousel for picking up and transferring a product at a time into a conveyance channel that leads to the gathering surface. An upper belt includes at least one portion that surmounts an end of the lower belt arranged downstream the first carousel. The portion leads to an apparatus for overturning the products to transfer them onto the lower belt end, with an orientation, of the products, opposite of the one adopted on the upper belt. The part is affected by a second carousel for picking up and transferring one product at a time into the conveyance channel.

Abstract: A packing machine presenting a wrapping conveyor for continuously feeding a succession of wrapping spindles along a given path; a feed device for continuously feeding a succession of sheets of wrapping material in a direction tangent to the path, along the path and in time with the spindles; and a pickup device associated with each spindle, and for gripping a front portion of a relative sheet and inserting the front portion between two successive spindles so as to fold an intermediate portion of the sheet about the rear spindle; a retaining member, associated with each spindle, cooperating with the intermediate portion of the relative sheet to retain it on the relative rear spindle and on the wrapping conveyor.

Abstract: A method of continuously wrapping products, whereby at least one seat for a respective product is fed continuously along a given path together with a respective retaining element for retaining a respective sheet of wrapping material, which is supplied in such a manner that a first portion is positioned over the seat, and a second portion is engaged by the retaining element; a product is inserted continuously inside the seat so as to fold at least the first portion of the sheet substantially in a U; and the retaining element is so moved as to fold at least part of the second portion of the sheet about the product.

Abstract: A blank feed unit wherein a store housing a stack of blanks presents, at the bottom end, an outlet from which the blanks are withdrawn successively in a given direction and along a given path by an extracting assembly presenting a conveyor roller located at the outlet of the store, contacting the bottom end of the stack, and tangent to the path, and a brake element located at the outlet and on the opposite side of the path in relation to the conveyor roller the.

Abstract: A method of feeding a continuous packing machine with groups of tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, composed of at least one layer of items, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor with pockets for respective groups is supplied successively with the groups, each of which is expelled from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items by arresting the items inside the feedbox and over the expelled items.