Abstract: A method for controlling a production process for articles includes: feeding a plurality of articles to a first operating unit where the articles are subjected to a first processing operation; controlling at least one characteristic of the articles outgoing from the first operating unit; identifying among the outgoing articles a first group and a second group of articles, in which the at least one characteristic is respectively in accordance or not with predetermined quality parameters; transferring the articles outgoing from the first operating unit to at least one second operating unit, where the articles are subjected to at least one second processing operation; allowing the at least one second operating unit to perform the at least one second processing operation on the first group of articles; receiving the articles outgoing from the at least one second operating unit, and then discarding the second group of articles.

Abstract: A grouping device includes a feeding device with a plurality of elongated transport elements to support at least one of discrete rows of articles to be grouped and defining a respective seat in which an open or openable longitudinal end is defined. The grouping device further includes a pusher device to contact a discrete row of articles so that the discrete row slides out of one of the elongated transport elements, and an unloading device to receive, through an interchange zone, the discrete row unloaded through a longitudinal end. The feeding device is configured to position, in sequence, each elongated transport element at the interchange zone.

Abstract: A feeding group includes a tray to retain articles arranged in discrete rows, an inlet station to receive the tray, a transfer device to move the tray, and a retaining device to retain the tray during movement of the tray between the inlet station and an unloading station. The retaining device is to further release the tray at an outlet station. The feeding group also includes an unloading device to unload the articles from the tray at the unloading station. The unloading station includes a conveyor device to receive the discrete rows unloaded from the tray.

Abstract: A coupling unit for coupling a component for a container includes a coupling equipment. The coupling equipment includes: a frame, a housing constrained to the frame, a gripping device rotatably constrained with respect to the frame and including a retaining element to selectively retain the component, and a coupling device constrained to the gripping device with respect to the frame, the coupling device including a coupling element to constrain a portion of the component to a coupling surface of the container at a coupling position. The gripping device and the coupling device can move along an arc with a curved trajectory to a removal position where the retaining element is oriented to receive at least one component to be retained, and to a coupling position where the retaining element and the coupling element bring an abutment surface of the container and a couplable portion of the component into contact.

Abstract: A rotary device for welding a continuous web includes a rotary element, support elements for supporting the web, supported by the rotary element, and a plurality of welding units for welding the web. Each welding unit passes from a non-operating position to an operating position and vice versa, and includes a first movement device for commanding a relative rotation of an anvil element relative to a welding tip and a second movement device for moving the anvil element relative to the welding tip such that a contact surface of the anvil element and a contact surface of the welding tip make contact with a portion of the web in a zone between them, and vice versa. First and second drive mechanisms drive the first and second movement devices. The first and second drive mechanisms are configured to vary a positioning of the welding tip relative to the axis.

Abstract: A rotary device for welding a continuous web includes a rotary element, support elements for supporting the web, supported by the rotary element, and a plurality of welding units for welding the web. Each welding unit passes from a non-operating position to an operating position and vice versa, and includes a first movement device for commanding a relative rotation of an anvil element relative to a welding tip and a second movement device for moving the anvil element relative to the welding tip such that a contact surface of the anvil element and a contact surface of the welding tip make contact with a portion of the web in a zone between them, and vice versa. First and second drive mechanisms drive the first and second movement devices. The first and second drive mechanisms are configured to vary a positioning of the welding tip relative to the axis.

Abstract: An aseptic filler apparatus (30) includes an actuatable fitment plug assembly (500) that may be placed against the bottom of a fitment collar, which is in communication with a flexible bag to be filled with flowable food products, thereby to prevent steam or other gasses or liquids from entering the fill bag when undesirable to do so. The plug assembly (500) includes a plug (502) mounted on a distal end portion of a pivot arm (504). The opposite end of the pivot arm is rotatably axled on a cross pin. A linear actuator (518) is connected to the distal end of a lug (512) projecting transversely from the pivot arm. The opposite end of the linear actuator (518) is pinned to a stationary location, enabling the actuator to pivot the plug (502) from an engaged position against the fitment collar and a retracted position away from the fitment collar.

Abstract: An aseptic filler apparatus (30) includes an actuatable fitment plug assembly (500) that may be placed against the bottom of a fitment collar, which is in communication with a flexible bag to be filled with flowable food products, thereby to prevent steam or other gasses or liquids from entering the fill bag when undesirable to do so. The plug assembly (500) includes a plug (502) mounted on a distal end portion of a pivot arm (504). The opposite end of the pivot arm is rotatably axled on a cross pin. A linear actuator (518) is connected to the distal end of a lug (512) projecting transversely from the pivot arm. The opposite end of the linear actuator (518) is pinned to a stationary location, enabling the actuator to pivot the plug (502) from an engaged position against the fitment collar and a retracted position away from the fitment collar.

Abstract: A machine for canning tuna and similar food products comprises a conveyor belt feeder, a plurality of dosing chambers aligned with the feeder and formed in a rotor rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the feed direction, a mouth connecting the feeder to the dosing chambers, a blade to separate the product introduced in the dosing chambers from the bulk of fed product so as to obtain product cakes, shaping means suitable to shape the cakes into the desired shape and transferring means arranged at a second station reachable through a partial rotation of the rotor to transfer the shaped cakes into the cans carried by another rotor. The connecting mouth has a cross-section of substantially constant shape and the shaping is performed in the dosing chambers by shapers radially mobile along the arms of the rotor when the dosing chambers are still aligned with the feeder.

Abstract: A feeder for a machine for canning tuna and similar food products includes a feeding device with conveyor belts. The feeding device is suitable to feed tuna loins towards the conveyor belt of the canning machine and to shape the loins into loins having a set thickness. An outlet mouth is located at the end of the belts, together with a knife adjacent to the mouth and suitable to separate the portion of loin projecting through the latter. A mobile wall located opposite the outlet mouth is also provided, as well as a mobile shovel suitable to move the newly formed tuna pat perpendicularly in the direction of motion of the conveyor belt of the canning machine.

Abstract: A feeder for a machine for canning tuna and similar food products includes a feeding device with conveyor belts. The feeding device is suitable to feed tuna loins towards the conveyor belt of the canning machine and to shape the loins into loins having a set thickness. An outlet mouth is located at the end of the belts, together with a knife adjacent to the mouth and suitable to separate the portion of loin projecting through the latter. A mobile wall located opposite the outlet mouth is also provided, as well as a mobile shovel suitable to move the newly formed tuna pat perpendicularly in the direction of motion of the conveyor belt of the canning machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aseptic pouch (1) for packaging food products, comprising two walls which are bonded together so as to define an internal space (2) which is sterilized and hermetically closed. The pouch (1) further comprises at least one sealing (7; 12) which joins together said walls, extending between opposite sides (5, 6) of the pouch, (1) and defines a neck portion (8) of said internal space (2) and two border portions (9) external to said internal space. Said neck portion (8) is suitable for providing, after opening of the pouch (1), an access to said internal space (2) and said border portions (9) are suitable for providing grips for handling said pouch. The invention also relates to a method for packaging a food product in said aseptic pouch (1).

Abstract: A machine for canning tuna and similar food products comprises a conveyor belt feeder, a plurality of dosing chambers aligned with the feeder and formed in a rotor rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the feed direction, a mouth connecting the feeder to the dosing chambers, a blade to separate the product introduced in the dosing chambers from the bulk of fed product so as to obtain product cakes, shaping means suitable to shape the cakes into the desired shape and transferring means arranged at a second station reachable through a partial rotation of the rotor to transfer the shaped cakes into the cans carried by another rotor. The connecting mouth has a cross-section of substantially constant shape and the shaping is performed in the dosing chambers by shapers radially mobile along the arms of the rotor when the dosing chambers are still aligned with the feeder.

Abstract: In a manufacturing system utilizing a cigarette maker linked to a packer, cigarettes temporarily surplus to requirements are stored in containers, each provided with an opening by way of which it can be filled and emptied. A full container is picked up by a first pivoting arm from a magazine and overturned above a bearing surface advancing along a feed direction parallel to this same surface, so as to direct the opening downwards and allow the cigarettes to drop onto the surface. During the step of unloading the cigarettes, the container rests on a hopper and is traversed from a first station toward a second station along a direction parallel and opposite to the feed direction of the bearing surface, so that the cigarettes can be released more quickly from the container. After being emptied, the container is picked up from the second station by a second pivoting arm and put into a magazine with other empty containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aseptic pouch (1) for packaging food products, comprising two walls which are bonded together so as to define an internal space (2) which is sterilized and hermetically closed. The pouch (1) further comprises at least one sealing (7; 12) which joins together said walls, extending between opposite sides (5, 6) of the pouch, (1) and defines a neck portion (8) of said internal space (2) and two border portions (9) external to said internal space. Said neck portion (8) is suitable for providing, after opening of the pouch (1), an access to said internal space (2) and said border portions (9) are suitable for providing grips for handling said pouch. The invention also relates to a method for packaging a food product in said aseptic pouch (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically packaging of a food product in presealed and internally presterilized pouches. The apparatus comprises a filling chamber (2b) positioned above a sterilization pre-chamber (2a) of the pouches (S). At an opening (9) between the filling chamber (2b) and the sterilization pre-chamber (2a) there is arranged a widening device (17) of the pouches (S) which is suitable for holding a pouch (S) in a working position for the filling wherein only a filling end of the pouch is located in the filling chamber (2b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus (1) for the aseptic packaging of a food product in presealed and internally presterilized pouches. The apparatus comprises a filling chamber (2b) positioned above a sterilization pre-chamber (2a) of the pouches (S). At an opening (9) between said filling chamber (2b) and said sterilization pre-chamber (2a) there is arranged a widening device (17) of the pouches (S) which is suitable for holding a pouch (S) in a working position for the filling wherein only a filling end thereof is located in the filling chamber (2b).

Abstract: In a manufacturing system utilizing a cigarette maker linked to a packer, cigarettes temporarily surplus to requirements are stored in containers, each provided with an opening by way of which it can be filled and emptied. A full container is picked up by a first pivoting arm from a magazine and overturned above a bearing surface advancing along a feed direction parallel to this same surface, so as to direct the opening downwards and allow the cigarettes to drop onto the surface. During the step of unloading the cigarettes, the container rests on a hopper and is traversed from a first station toward a second station along a direction parallel and opposite to the feed direction of the bearing surface, so that the cigarettes can be released more quickly from the container. After being emptied, the container is picked up from the second station by a second pivoting arm and put into a magazine with other empty containers.

Abstract: In a cigar-making machine, the cigars advance continuously in orderly succession occupying a plurality of respective pockets transported by a conveyor along a predetermined feed path toward a piercing station where they are engaged by a plurality of needles fitted to respective movable heads; the heads are caused to advance parallel to the predetermined feed path followed by the cigars, proceeding continuously and synchronously with the pockets in such a manner that each of the single cigars can be pierced by a corresponding needle with a relative hole, aligned substantially on a longitudinal axis of the cigar.

Abstract: In a cigar-making machine, the cigars advance continuously in orderly succession occupying a plurality of respective pockets transported by a conveyor along a predetermined feed path toward a piercing station where they are engaged by a plurality of needles fitted to respective movable heads; the heads are caused to advance parallel to the predetermined feed path followed by the cigars, proceeding continuously and synchronously with the pockets in such a manner that each of the single cigars can be pierced by a corresponding needle with a relative hole, aligned substantially on a longitudinal axis of the cigar.