Abstract: A machine for orienting and aligning items supplied in bulk, comprising a first conveyor (10) having a feeder section (11), a collection section (12) and a return section (13); a second conveyor (20); a detection system (30); and a plurality of transfer robots (40) for transferring items from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor, modifying the orientation thereof, where the feeder section is supplied with objects by a feeder device for items in bulk, including a circular centrifugal disc (50) that rotates around an inclined axis (E), with an upper peripheral area (51) adjacent to and substantially at the same level as the feeder section (11), and where the return section (13) is adjacent to the receptacle (50, 53) of the feeder of items in bulk.

Abstract: A machine for automatically positioning objects is disclosed. The machine has one inlet conveyor to transport objects in a lying position; a detector system to identify the orientation and/or shape of the objects; a robotic collection device to collect and position the objects according to information received by the detector system; a transfer conveyor having transfer fasteners arranged in fixed positions along a periphery of the transfer conveyor defining a closed loop around a tilted axis; an outlet conveyor to receive and transport the objects in an upright position; and a transfer fastener seat for the objects at each transfer fastener. The conveyor moves the fasteners seats because of the movement of the transfer conveyor between an upper receiving position, in which the object is held in a lying position, and a lower delivery position, in which the object is held in an upright position. The transfer conveyor and the outlet conveyor are synchronized.

Abstract: A machine for automatically positioning objects is disclosed. The machine has one inlet conveyor to transport objects in a lying position; a detector system to identify the orientation and/or shape of the objects; a robotic collection device to collect and position the objects according to information received by the detector system; a transfer conveyor having transfer fasteners arranged in fixed positions along a periphery of the transfer conveyor defining a closed loop around a tilted axis; an outlet conveyor to receive and transport the objects in an upright position; and a transfer fastener seat for the objects at each transfer fastener. The conveyor moves the fasteners seats because of the movement of the transfer conveyor between an upper receiving position, in which the object is held in a lying position, and a lower delivery position, in which the object is held in an upright position. The transfer conveyor and said outlet conveyor are synchronized.

Abstract: The suction retaining device for retaining containers on a conveyor comprises a plurality of retaining elements (7) moved by a conveyor along a path and a stationary suction chamber (10) connected to a low pressure source. Each retaining element (7) comprises a suction port (8) in communication with a suction outlet (9) via an air passage. The stationary suction chamber (10) has a perforated suction wall (11) parallel and adjacent to a convey section of the path along which the retaining elements are moved. The suction outlet (9) of each retaining element (7) is facing and adjacent to the perforated suction wall (11) during movement of the retaining element (7) along the convey section. The suction chamber (10) creates an air suction flow through the suction outlet (9), air passage and suction port (8) of each retaining element (7) which retains a container in the suction port (8) by suction.

Abstract: The suction retaining device for retaining containers on a conveyor comprises a plurality of retaining elements (7) moved by a conveyor along a path and a stationary suction chamber (10) connected to a low pressure source. Each retaining element (7) comprises a suction port (8) in communication with a suction outlet (9) via an air passage. The stationary suction chamber (10) has a perforated suction wall (11) parallel and adjacent to a convey section of the path along which the retaining elements are moved. The suction outlet (9) of each retaining element (7) is facing and adjacent to the perforated suction wall (11) during movement of the retaining element (7) along the convey section. The suction chamber (10) creates an air suction flow through the suction outlet (9), air passage and suction port (8) of each retaining element (7) which retains a container in the suction port (8) by suction.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning containers houses containers (5) upright in lower and upper compartment sections (12, 13) vertically aligned with one another on a periphery of a conveyor device (10) and has a transfer wheel (31) extracting containers (5) from both lower and upper compartments (12, 13) on two levels and an intercalation wheel (32) extracting containers from the upper level of the transfer wheel (31), dropping them to a lower level over the course of one turn, and placing them again on the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) in an intercalated position between the containers (5) previously transferred to the lower level, and all the containers (5) are transferred from the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) to an output conveyor (8).

Abstract: The conveyor has a plurality of sliding runners (5) coupled to guiding elements (2) that are fixed to a rotary platform (1). Each runner (5) has fixed thereto a cam follower (6) inserted in a groove (3) of the rotary platform (1) and coupled to a stationary closed-loop cam (4), and a retaining element (7) having a suction port (8) for retaining a container (M) and a suction outlet (9) in communication with the suction port (8). A stationary suction chamber (10) located above the rotary platform (1) has a perforated side wall (11) parallel to a portion of the closed-loop cam (4). Each suction outlet (9) moves in a path facing and adjacent to the perforated side wall (11) of the suction chamber (10) during a part of each rotation of the rotary platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning containers houses containers (5) upright in lower and upper compartment sections (12, 13) vertically aligned with one another on a periphery of a conveyor device (10) and has a transfer wheel (31) extracting containers (5) from both lower and upper compartments (12, 13) on two levels and an intercalation wheel (32) extracting containers from the upper level of the transfer wheel (31), dropping them to a lower level over the course of one turn, and placing them again on the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) in an intercalated position between the containers (5) previously transferred to the lower level, and all the containers (5) are transferred from the lower level of the transfer wheel (31) to an output conveyor (8).

Abstract: The rotary conveyor with change of pitch for transferring containers comprises a plurality of slides (5) radially guided on a rotary platform (1) rotating about a rotation axis (E) and on which a suction chamber (9) having a plurality of side openings (11) is fixed. A stationary closed-loop cam (4) not centered with respect to the rotation axis (E) is located below the rotary platform (1). Each slide (5) has fixed thereto a retention element (7) provided with a suction port (8) suitable for retaining a container and a suction conduit (10) having an outer open end connected to the suction port (8), an inner open end located inside the suction chamber (9), and an intermediate portion slidingly inserted in a corresponding one of the side openings (11) of the suction chamber (9).

Abstract: The conveyor has a plurality of sliding runners (5) coupled to guiding elements (2) that are fixed to a rotary platform (1). Each runner (5) has fixed thereto a cam follower (6) inserted in a groove (3) of the rotary platform (1) and coupled to a stationary closed-loop cam (4), and a retaining element (7) having a suction port (8) for retaining a container (M) and a suction outlet (9) in communication with the suction port (8). A stationary suction chamber (10) located above the rotary platform (1) has a perforated side wall (11) parallel to a portion of the closed-loop cam (4). Each suction outlet (9) moves in a path facing and adjacent to the perforated side wall (11) of the suction chamber (10) during a part of each rotation of the rotary platform.

Abstract: The rotary conveyor with change of pitch for transferring containers comprises a plurality of slides (5) radially guided on a rotary platform (1) rotating about a rotation axis (E) and on which a suction chamber (9) having a plurality of side openings (11) is fixed. A stationary closed-loop cam (4) not centered with respect to the rotation axis (E) is located below the rotary platform (1). Each slide (5) has fixed thereto a retention element (7) provided with a suction port (8) suitable for retaining a container and a suction conduit (10) having an outer open end connected to the suction port (8), an inner open end located inside the suction chamber (9), and an intermediate portion slidingly inserted in a corresponding one of the side openings (11) of the suction chamber (9).

Abstract: The path changing rotational conveyor for lightweight articles includes a rotor with receiving configurations distributed along its periphery to be coupled with the lightweight articles and a perimetric wall with a plurality of suction openings in correspondence with the receiving configurations; and a stationary negative pressure chamber defining a laterally open channel facing the perimetric wall of the rotor along a predetermined circumferential arc. The negative pressure chamber is partly delimited by the perimetric wall of the rotor and, when the rotor rotates, the suction openings are communicated directly with the negative pressure chamber along the predetermined circumferential arc. The rotor is connected to a rotation device and the chamber is communicated with a suction source.

Abstract: The path changing rotational conveyor for lightweight articles includes a rotor with receiving configurations distributed along its periphery to be coupled with the lightweight articles and a perimetric wall with a plurality of suction openings in correspondence with the receiving configurations and a stationary negative pressure chamber defining a laterally open channel facing the perimetric wall of the rotor along a predetermined circumferential arc. The negative pressure chamber is partly delimited by the perimetric wall of the rotor and, when the rotor rotates, the suction openings are communicated directly with the negative pressure chamber along the predetermined circumferential arc. The rotor is connected to a rotation, device and the chamber is communicated with a suction source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle. The inventive apparatus comprises means for placing articles in housings that move along the length of a closed circuit provided with at least first and second drop sites through which the correctly oriented articles fall from each housing into a corresponding alignment conduit placed under and moving together with each housing. In addition compartments are positioned between the alignment conduits. According to the invention, transfer means transfer each article from a conduit to a compartment after said article has fallen through the first drop site, but before it has reached the second drop site. Subsequently, extraction means extract the correctly oriented and aligned articles from said conduits and compartments and transfer same to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A rotary structure carries cavities with an upper inlet for receiving articles and an open bottom for dropping articles distributed along a closed circuit, and funnel-shaped conduits, each of which is located below a respective cavity to receive an article therefrom, a support plane for temporarily supporting the articles in the cavities and dropping them into the corresponding conduits in a site of the closed circuit, and support elements in each cavity to cooperate with parts of the article when the latter falls in order to confer to it a predetermined orientation inside the conduit. The cavities have their inlets in a perimetric ring surrounding a receptacle for the accumulation of the articles on a bottom formed by a rotating disk the peripheral edge of which reaches, upon rotating, a level above the perimetric ring.

Abstract: A rotary structure carries cavities with an upper inlet for receiving articles and an open bottom for dropping articles distributed along a closed circuit, and funnel-shaped conduits, each of which is located below a respective cavity to receive an article therefrom, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the cavities and dropping them into the corresponding conduits in a site of the closed circuit, and support elements in each cavity to cooperate with parts of the article when the latter falls in order to confer to it a predetermined orientation inside the conduit. The cavities have their inlets in a perimetric ring surrounding a receptacle for the accumulation of the articles on a bottom formed by a rotating disk the peripheral edge of which reaches, upon rotating, a level above the perimetric ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle. The inventive apparatus comprises means for placing articles in housings that move along the length of a closed circuit provided with at least first and second drop sites through which the correctly oriented articles fall from each housing into a corresponding alignment conduit placed under and moving together with each housing. In addition compartments are positioned between the alignment conduit. According to the invention, transfer means transfer each article from a conduit to a compartment after said article has fallen through the first drop site, but before it has reached the second drop site. Subsequently, extraction means extract the correctly oriented and aligned articles from said conduits and compartments and transfer same to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article-positioning machine. The inventive machine comprises means for collecting the articles in a plurality of individual housings which move in a closed circuit and for enabling the articles to fall through at least one drop zone, each of the oriented articles being directed into a corresponding alignment conduit which moves together with each housing. The machine also comprises release means for removing the oriented and aligned articles from the alignment conduits and moving same to an outfaced conveyor. Moreover, each alignment conduit comprises an upper portion which is used to collect articles from the corresponding housing, at least one self-guided mobile middle portion which defines at least one and a lower portion which receives the articles and which comprises at least two compartments to which the article can be transferred.