Abstract: A feeding unit configured to feed semi-finished sealed packs containing a pourable product to a folding unit adapted to fold the packs so as to obtain folded packages, the feeding unit comprises: a conveyor device having at least one carrying element configured to advance the packs from an inlet region of the feeding unit to an outlet region of the feeding unit; and a feed screw device arranged at the outlet region and configured to receive the packs from the conveyor device, to advance the packs along a braking path and to feed the packs to the folding unit; the feed screw device is configured to decrease the velocity of the packs along the braking path.

Abstract: A method of applying a sealing strip onto a web of packaging material comprising advancing the web along a web advancement path; applying a first longitudinal portion of the sealing strip onto a longitudinal edge of the web, sealing the first longitudinal portion of the sealing strip onto the longitudinal edge, detecting and/or determining a correct alignment of the sealing strip with respect to the web. The detecting and/or determining of the correct alignment comprises acquiring an image of a second longitudinal portion of the sealing strip and a reference marker of a strip application apparatus, analyzing the acquired image to determine at least a first transversal distance between the reference marker and a longitudinal border of the second longitudinal portion; and evaluating the correct alignment/misalignment as a function of at least the first transversal distance.

Abstract: A method of applying a sealing strip onto a web of packaging material comprising advancing the web along a web advancement path; applying a first longitudinal portion of the sealing strip onto a longitudinal edge of the web, sealing the first longitudinal portion of the sealing strip onto the longitudinal edge, detecting and/or determining a correct alignment of the sealing strip with respect to the web. The detecting and/or determining of the correct alignment comprises acquiring an image of a second longitudinal portion of the sealing strip and a reference marker of a strip application apparatus, analyzing the acquired image to determine at least a first transversal distance between the reference marker and a longitudinal border of the second longitudinal portion; and evaluating the correct alignment/misalignment as a function of at least the first transversal distance.

Abstract: A sheet of packaging material to form a package, comprises a receiving region to receive an opening device of the package attached thereon, the sheet of packaging material further comprises two reference marks detectable by a detecting unit of an applying device arranged for applying the opening device on the receiving region. A method for producing a package comprises folding, filling and sealing a sheet of packaging material to obtain the package, the packaging material comprising a receiving region to receive an opening device and two reference marks, the method comprising detecting the reference marks and selecting a subsequent action to be performed on the package and/or the opening device on the basis of the detected position of the reference marks.

Abstract: A sheet of packaging material to form a package, comprises a receiving region to receive an opening device of the package attached thereon, the sheet of packaging material further comprises two reference marks detectable by a detecting unit of an applying device arranged for applying the opening device on the receiving region. A method for producing a package comprises folding, filling and sealing a sheet of packaging material to obtain the package, the packaging material comprising a receiving region to receive an opening device and two reference marks, the method comprising detecting the reference marks and selecting a subsequent action to be performed on the package and/or the opening device on the basis of the detected position of the reference marks.

Abstract: A unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products having a rupturable portion includes a conveyor for feeding the packages successively along a given path; and a gripping device for receiving the opening devices at a pickup station, and which move cyclically between the pickup station and an application station interfacing with the path and where the opening devices are applied to respective packages; the trajectory of the gripping device from the application station to the pickup station is distinct from the path of the packages; and the unit also includes a pressure device generating a contact pressure between the packages and the opening devices as of the application station and along at least a portion of the path of the packages.

Abstract: There is described a unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products having a rupturable portion, the unit substantially having conveying means for feeding the packages successively along a given path; and gripping means for receiving the opening devices at a pickup station, and which move cyclically between the pickup station and an application station interfacing with the path and where the opening devices are applied to respective packages; the trajectory of the gripping means from the application station to the pickup station is distinct from the path of the packages; and the unit also comprises pressure means generating a contact pressure between the packages and the opening devices as of the application station and along at least a portion of the path of the packages.