Abstract: For the formation of groups of products to be fed orderly at predetermined intervals to a processing machine an equipment includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor positioned on the inlet of the processing machine and having pockets for housing the products arranged at predetermined intervals, a transfer device having clamping units which are mobile in phase relation with the conveyors for removing the products from the first conveyor and transferring them into respective pockets of the second conveyor and positioning them in groups, under the action of controls arranged to control the differentiated release of at least two products into each pocket of the second conveyor, these two products being in shifted positions one with respect to the other, enabling these products to be reached in sequence respectively by a corresponding clamping unit of an even position and by a clamping unit of an uneven position, until a respective group of products is completed.

Abstract: In packaging equipment suitable for packaging tableted products of a delicate nature, such as tablets of soap, each tablet is directed into a box by one of a succession of push-rods set in motion synchronously with a first feed line conveying boxes, and a second feed line conveying the products. The advancing push-rods pass initially through a diverter capable of movement between a first position and a second position, and are made as a result to follow a first guide, and a second guide respectively. The diverter is timed to alternate between the first and the second positions with the passage of each push-rod, and can be locked for a predetermined duration in the second position.

Abstract: A method of expanding and feeding cartons to a filling line; the cartons being made of sheet material, presenting four walls defined by preformed bend lines, and being expanded as of an initial flattened configuration wherein each carton is arranged in two superimposed, substantially contacting layers, each defined by two adjacent walls of the carton; each carton being expanded by rotating each wall of each layer about an arc of over 90.degree. in relation to the other wall of the same layer and into a configuration causing yielding of the bend lines; and by only permitting each carton to assume its final parallelepiped-section configuration inside the conveyor pocket of the filling line.

Abstract: A method and line for feeding products in equally spaced manner to a user machine, whereby the products, aligned and traveling with a constant spacing and at constant speed along a supply path, are each removed off the supply path by a respective gripping unit for initially accelerating the product and then feeding it with the above spacing and at the above speed into a respective pocket on the input conveyor of the user machine.

Abstract: A method and device for aligning flat products whereby the products, substantially aligned in transverse rows on a first conveyor, are fed on the first conveyor through a pickup station where the products in at least a portion of each row are picked up by a suction head traveling, parallel to itself at all times, along a circular path extending partially over the first conveyor; the aspirated products being transferred by the suction head along a portion of its path extending over an arc of 90.degree. and between the pickup station and an unloading station where the aspirated products are unloaded on to a second conveyor perpendicular to the first conveyor.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring products in an equally-spaced manner to a wrapping line, whereby transverse columns of products traveling parallel to their axis on a first conveyor are fed successively in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the product. Wherein the products, still traveling in the first direction, are compacted and equally spaced, and then fed parallel to themselves along a curved path extending over an arc of 90.degree., and are loaded on to a second conveyor traveling in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending parallel to the axis of the products.

Abstract: A unit for transferring food products such as chocolates, whereby a conveyor feeds a compact sequence of mutually contacting products in a given direction to a transfer device by which the products are fed one by one, still in one direction, into respective peripheral seats on a conveyor wheel rotating about an axis perpendicular to the aforementioned direction; the transfer device being defined by a counter-rotating lobed wheel located on either side of the conveyor and defining a movable pocket for conveying each product.

Abstract: A method and device for forming groups of flat products, in particular biscuits, for supply to a wrapping line, whereby the products, on a supporting surface, are withdrawn by a conveyor unit and transferred onto a pocket conveyor in a sequence having a series of gaps between adjacent products. Each pocket on the conveyor being designed to receive a respective group of products, and being defined by two projections, each of which travels in time with a respective gap through a loading station where the products are loaded onto the pocket conveyor.

Abstract: A unit for compacting groups of flat products arranged side by side and on edge, whereby a through conveyor feeds the groups, with the products separated axially, into successive engagement with a compacting device having a number of pairs of compacting elements on either side of the conveyor; the compacting elements in each pair traveling with the conveyor, being positioned facing the opposite ends of a respective group, and being brought together for transversely moving the products in the group into contact with one another.