Patents by Inventor Franco Aiuola
Franco Aiuola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 4944138Abstract: The apparatus arranges in groups bags, dispensed by an automatic device, arranged one next to the other, and resting on a common same plane. The apparatus comprises a reception station for the bags dispensed by the device superimposed on one another. A conveyor with successive seats moves intermittently below the station, and a multiple expeller intersects the station to introduce the bags contained therein into corresponding housings of the conveyor. Selective control members for the control of said conveyor and of said expeller adapted to establish a correspondence between stepwise advancements of the conveyor seats thereof filled with groups of a preset number of bags.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1988Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Renato Piccinini
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Patent number: 4928942Abstract: The device for feeding flattened boxes comprises a magazine arranged at the output of a feeder, such as a folding-pasting machine and provided with advancement means adapted to collect boxes, which exit in a line horizontally superimposed in a sequential manner from the feeder, and to accumulate them in stacks. The device then transfers the boxes into a vertically flattened position, at a zone which cooperates with a packaging machine extractor.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Herbert Rueff
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Patent number: 4846777Abstract: High speed apparatus for the extraction and opening of bags contained in a magazine in which they are arranged in a flattened condition so as to form a pack. The apparatus is composed of a pair of extracting devices comprising elements provided with suction cups and supported oscillating between a position of extraction of the bags from the magazine and one of release of said bags onto a receiving device. The suction elements are actuated in opposite phase so that while one element, after extracting the related bag, is about to transfer it onto the receiving device, the other element is in the return phase. In order to prevent the extracting elements from colliding with one another, it is provided that the path followed by the elements during the extracting and transfer phase be different from the path followed during the return phase. The apparatus also provides an extended time for opening the bags.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1987Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Assignee: A.C.M.A. S.p.AInventors: Franco Aiuola, Alberto Mondani
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Patent number: 4774796Abstract: The apparatus is composed of an oscillating framework, rotatingly supporting the new and old reels, and of a closed loop flexible element provided with pegs having the same spacing as the pins of the conveyor. The flexible element is movable between a resting position at which the end of the new reel is manually hooked to the pegs and an operating position in which the flexible element follows the conveyor for a certain portion, while deflecting means transfer the end of the new reel from the pegs of the flexible element onto the pins of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1987Date of Patent: October 4, 1988Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Renato Piccinini
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Patent number: 4676286Abstract: A filling machine includes a first revolving platform on which containers to be filled are supported, and a second revolving platform arranged, at an adjustable height, above the first, and having peripheral seatings for fixing thereto of a number n of dosage-delivery units less than or equal to the maximum number of dosage-delivery apparatus which can be accommodated peripherally on said second platform.Each dosage-delivery apparatus is functionally complete and comprises a control for the volumetric dosage of the product operable by a motor device at a velocity equal to the angular velocity of the second platform, and in the case of necessity for the correction of the dosage, at a velocity different from the angular velocity of the second platform.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1986Date of Patent: June 30, 1987Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche, A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Paolo Nipoti
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Patent number: 4669249Abstract: A packaging machine for bodies of the type of soap comprises a drum (1) rotating intermittently by a half turn and having a housing (14) passing diametrically through it, which housing (14) is arranged to permit a block (15) to slide in it and, at each pause of the drum (1), is aligned with a station (2) for the insertion of a body (5) of the above-mentioned type and its associated wrapping element (4) and with an opposite ejection station (3). A reciprocating thrust element (23), carrying out this insertion, is connected by connecting means (26, 32, 34, 36, 22, 16) to cause the block (15) to slide in the housing (14) only during the insertion.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1986Date of Patent: June 2, 1987Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche, A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Luciano Nannini
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Patent number: 4650450Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supplying wrapping elements (2, 57) comprising elongate portions of card (2) having a series of zones (6, 7, 8, 9), separated by transverse creases (a, b), and flaps (10) defined by creases (c) disposed longitudinally to the card (2). The apparatus comprises a first mechanism (14) and a second mechanism (50) for continuously transfering the pieces of card (2) which are orientated transversely to the path of the first mechanism and longitudinally with respect to the path of the second mechanism. The apparatus also comprises folding elements (42, 43, 46, 47, 55, 56) located along the paths of the two transfer mechanisms (14, 50) arranged to fold the zones (6, 7, 8, 9) and flaps (10) about the creases defining them out of a planar condition and subsequently to fold them back to cause them to return to the original coplanar condition. The pre-creased blanks so formed can be readily wrapped by conventional wrapping machines round soft articles (68) e.g.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1986Date of Patent: March 17, 1987Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche, A.C.M.A., S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Luciano Nannini
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Patent number: 4629055Abstract: Apparatus is described for arranging containers (1) e.g. bottles vertically, comprising an entry unit, sets of rod-shaped guides (23,24,25) helically shaped and symmetrical relative to the vertical longitudinal plane of the apparatus, and two belts (16) symmetrical and adjacent to such plane, which engage the initially uppermost side of the container. Operating in unison with and having the same speed as the lower branches of said two belts (16) are, firstly, the upper branch of an auxiliary belt (26), underneath said two belts (16), followed by inwardly facing branches of two subsidiary belts (31), symmetrical in relation to said plane and almost horizontal, so that the side of the container which is originally lowermost is continuously engaged by firstly the upper branch of the auxiliary belt (26) and then by the inwardly facing branch of one or the other of such subsidiary belts (31). This construction gives more reliable operation, especially at high speeds, then previously known apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1985Date of Patent: December 16, 1986Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche (A.C.M.A.)Inventor: Franco Aiuola
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Patent number: 4621480Abstract: A device for use in machines for wrapping blocks e.g. soap tablets (1) comprising a drum (3) which rotates intermittently and has diametrically opposed seatings (4) for the tablets (1), a station (6) for receiving a tablet (1) expelled from an adjacent seating (4) partially wrapped in an associated piece of wrapping paper (2), and means (11, 12) for removing the tablets (1) in succession from the station (6). The device comprises a hopper (20) movable alternately between the station (6) and a position remote from it, in register with the path of transport means (11,12) and orientated relative to the path so that the hopper (20) can be intercepted by pushers (12) of the transport means (11,12), the hopper (20) being arranged to receive a tablet (1) and its associated piece of wrapping paper (2) expelled from the drum (3) at the station (6) and to deliver them into said remote position to be engaged and carried away by a pusher (12) of the transport means (11,12).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1984Date of Patent: November 11, 1986Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche (ACMA)Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Luciano Nannini
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Patent number: 4611455Abstract: In packaging machines using heat-sealable wrapping material it is important that the heat-sealing mechanism operates in synchronism with the rest of the machine under satisfactory sealing conditions. A control device for sealing bars (14, 15; 40, 41) disposed opposite one another is provided which reciprocates the bars (14, 15; 40, 41) towards and away from one another in phase with the packaging machine operation. The bars (14, 15; 40, 41), or a lever mechanism or mechanical linkage, have arms (16, 17; 54, 54a, 59, 59a) pivotted by integral pins (18, 19; 55, 55a, 56, 56a) with eccentric axes: second pins (19; 56, 56a) are pivotted on the frame and first pins (18; 55, 55a) are rotatable about the axis (80; 70) of the second pins (19; 56, 56a) on movement of arms (16, 17; 55, 54a, 59, 59a) in the closing, sealing phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1983Date of Patent: September 16, 1986Assignee: Emhart CorporationInventors: Franco Aiuola, Luciano Nannini
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Patent number: 4612080Abstract: Apparatus for splicing the trailing end of an old web to a new web comprises a pair of tangential fixed rollers between which the old web is fed. At each side of the fixed rollers two further rollers are supported by arms pivotted on a pin lying in the tangent plane. The old web runs over one of these rollers, while on the other the starting end of the new web is supported with a double-sided adhesive tape thereon. The roller above which the old web runs is pivotted above the other roller so that the web runs between the rollers and the webs are spliced by raising the lower roller, as the old web runs out. A cutting device separates the tail of the old web. The upper roller is then moved back to its original position for preparing a new web.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1984Date of Patent: September 16, 1986Assignee: ACMAInventors: Franco Aiuola, Renato Piccinini
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Patent number: 4566491Abstract: Valve 11 includes a slide sliding in a first chamber 26 with the possibil of reaching two stable end positions opposite each other. In the first position the slide 21 allows intercommunication between a conduit 6 for supply of the product from a supply source and conduit 12 communicating with the upper part of chamber 10 of a double acting piston 9, as well as the intercommunication of the other part of chamber 10 with a conduit 15 connected to a delivery apparatus; in the second position the slide allows the reversal of such connections. To avoid the infiltration and mixing of the fluid under pressure used for the control of valve 11 in the conduits in which the product circulates, said slide 21 is equipped with a projection 35 which extends beyond one of the ends of the chamber 26 and is connected to a small pneumatically controlled piston 36, sliding in a second chamber 37, separate from the first.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1984Date of Patent: January 28, 1986Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche - A.C.M.A. - S.p.A.Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Paolo Nipoti
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Patent number: 4261159Abstract: An apparatus for transporting bags from a first station to a second station and for inserting the bags into boxes at the second station comprises a reciprocating frame, a first conveyor belt movable towards the second station, a gripper for picking up a bag at the first station and releasing it to lie on the first conveyor belt, and a second conveyor belt underlying the first conveyor belt and receiving the bag released by the first conveyor belt to carry it to the second station. A pusher assists and completes the action of the second conveyor belt in inserting the bag deposited thereon into one of the boxes positioned at the second station.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1979Date of Patent: April 14, 1981Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Bruno Drusiani
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Patent number: 4156336Abstract: A machine for manufacturing, filling and conveying envelopes obtained from a heat sealable sheet material, comprising a first closed loop conveyor, a second closed loop conveyor the first and the second conveyors having drive means imparting a continuous motion of constant speed thereto a plurality of envelope forming and delivering sets arranged along an envelope accepting path portion of the first conveyor and in spaced relationship to each other and adapted selectively to deliver open envelopes to the first conveyor along the envelope receiving path portion thereof, the first conveyor having first gripper means carried thereon second gripper means on the second conveyor and arranged therealong in spaced relationship to each other, the second gripper means having a pair of gripper arms mounted on the second conveyor for oscillation about respective axes parallel to each other, thereby to allow the gripper arms to approach and move away from each other when the arms are oscillated to maintain the envelopes gType: GrantFiled: November 28, 1977Date of Patent: May 29, 1979Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Roberto Tabaroni, Franco Aiuola
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Patent number: 4059187Abstract: An apparatus for transferring at a predetermined spacing on to a reception conveyor objects fed at an irregular spacing from a continuously moving delivery conveyor. The apparatus consists of a transfer conveyor which moves continuously and at a speed different from that of the delivery conveyor from the delivery conveyor to the reception conveyor, object take-up suckers for transferring the objects from the delivery conveyor and for depositing them at regular distances on the reception conveyor and at least one sensor sensing the position of the objects on the delivery conveyor. The apparatus comprises, moreover, a valve associated with each sucker, at least two control devices adapted to assume a position of engagement with the sucker valves to move them to an activation position and a further control device able to engage with the sucker valves to move them into a deactivation position.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1976Date of Patent: November 22, 1977Inventors: Herbert Richard Rueff, Franco Aiuola
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Patent number: 3990569Abstract: An apparatus and method for arranging, at a predetermined spacing on a reception conveyor, objects originating in an unevenly spaced manner from a delivery conveyor. The delivery conveyor is driven with continuous motion. The reception conveyor is driven with intermittent motion. The apparatus comprises a flexible closed loop member lying in a horizontal plane. A first portion of the flexible loop extends parallel to the end part of the delivery conveyor and a second portion extends parallel to the initial part of the reception conveyor. A series of suckers is distributed along the flexible member and mobile vertically by means of cams disposed along the first and second portions for causing the suckers to move close to and away from the delivery and reception conveyors. A distributor member is arranged to connect and disconnect the suckers cyclically to and from suction means for taking the objects from the delivery conveyor and depositing them respectively on the reception conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1973Date of Patent: November 9, 1976Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventor: Franco Aiuola
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Patent number: 3941233Abstract: An apparatus for transferring bodies of delicate consistency from a feed line to a reception line, comprising a flexible closed loop member and aspirator means supported by the flexible member.The aspirator means are mobile vertically and approach the feed and reception lines for extracting and depositing the bodies respectively in seats of the lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1975Date of Patent: March 2, 1976Inventors: Franco Aiuola, Herbert Rueff