Abstract: A gripping member for container retaining and transport equipment including a plurality of gripping bodies having respective contact surfaces configured to contact a container and a connection body connected to the plurality of gripping bodies and connecting the gripping bodies to each other and is deformable between a storage configuration and a gripping configuration, in the storage configuration the connection body is in a undeformed condition and arranges the gripping bodies parallel to respective first directions and with the respective contact surfaces not facing each other; in the gripping configuration the connection body is in a reversibly deformed condition and elongated in directions contained in a single reference plane and wherein the gripping bodies are parallel to respective second directions not contained in the single reference plane, with respective contact surfaces facing each other.

Abstract: A movement system for container-holding devices including at least one movement mechanism configured to be associated with a respective retaining device, wherein each movement mechanism includes a slide slidingly mounted on a rail and movable along a respective radial gripping direction, an actuation body having a drive portion connected to the slide, an actuation portion configured to receive an actuation force from a linear actuator, and a transmission portion interposed between the actuation portion and the drive portion. The transmission portion is rotatably hinged about a transmission axis (X1) perpendicular to the radial gripping direction. The drive portion is connected to the slide so that a translation in the radial direction of the drive portion causes a corresponding translation of the slide in the same radial direction and a translation in the axial direction of the drive portion does not cause any translation of the slide.

Abstract: Conveying equipment for holding and transporting a container, including a support base for a container and holding devices movable along respective gripping directions (D1, D2) between a retracted position and an advanced position. Each holding device includes a plurality of restraining bodies placed one above the other, wherein each restraining body of a respective holding device is separated from an underlying restraining body by a separating volume. Each restraining body includes a contact element adapted to be resiliently deformed and configured to conform at least partially to a portion of the outer surface of a container. Restraining bodies of a first holding device are at least partially received, at least in the respective advanced position, in respective separating volumes of a second holding device.

Abstract: A device (1) for orienting capsules (C) is described. The device comprises a container (9) for receiving randomly oriented capsules (C), which has bottom wall (11), provided with at least two apertures (17A, 17B). A rotor (13) is rotatingly arranged in the container and above the bottom wall (11). The rotor is provided with capsule receiving pockets (15). Under the apertures of the bottom wall (11), a capsule collector (19) is arranged, for receiving capsules discharged from the capsule receiving pockets (15) through either one or the other of the two apertures (17A, 17B). The capsule receiving pocket (15), the two apertures (17A, 17B) and the capsule collector (19) are shaped and arranged such that the capsules (C) randomly contained in the container (9) exit the capsule collector (19) with a pre-determined orientation.

Abstract: A device for orienting and feeding capsules in a beverage producing machine includes a container that receives randomly oriented capsules, and a rotor that is rotatable around a rotation axis and is at least partly arranged in the container. The rotor is provided with at least one peripherally arranged capsule-receiving seat that is shaped to pick up a capsule oriented in a univocally determined orientation. Further, a capsule unloading duct with a duct inlet is arranged in the container and extends outside the container. The rotor is arranged to rotate around the rotation axis such to, during use, lift a capsule towards a position above the duct inlet, and the capsule-receiving seat is arranged to release the capsule under an influence of gravity from the position above the duct inlet into the duct inlet.

Abstract: The vending machine includes a housing with an openable wall. In the housing, devices for the preparation of at least one beverage are arranged. At least some of the devices are supported by a supporting structure, which is pivotally arranged in the housing. Access to the devices through the openable wall is facilitated by pivoting the supporting structure around a pivoting axis.

Abstract: The dosing device comprises: a coffee grinder (5) for making coffee powder from coffee beans; a motor (9) for actuating the coffee grinder (5); a dosing chamber (21) wherein the coffee powder produced by said coffee grinder (5) is discharged, said dosing chamber being at least partly delimited by a first wall (33), which may be opened on command for discharging the coffee powder from the dosing chamber, and by a second wall (31), mobile by the effect of a volume variation of the coffee powder in said dosing chamber (21); an actuator (37) for controlling an opening movement of said first wall (33); an electronic control device (59 that based on the position of the second wall, causes the stop of the actuating motor (9) of the coffee grinder and the actuation of said actuator (37) for controlling the opening movement of said first wall and the discharge of the coffee powder from the dosing chamber.

Abstract: A stirrer dispenser for beverage dispensing machines includes a first channel for containing a stack of stirrers. The first channel includes a first opening from which single stirrers are extracted and ejected by an ejector provided with an alternating movement. The ejector includes an engagement member where single stirrers are engaged and ejected from the first opening at each stroke of the ejector. The dispenser further includes a second channel with a second opening. The second channel is located next to the first channel. The first and second openings are side by side along the movement direction of the ejector. In addition, the dispenser includes a stroke delimiter that limits the stroke of the ejector when at least one stirrer is present in the first channel, so that the ejector picks up the stirrers from the second channel only when the first channel is empty.

Abstract: A device (1) for orienting capsules (C) is described. The device comprises a container (9) for receiving randomly oriented capsules (C), which has bottom wall (11), provided with at least two apertures (17A, 17B). A rotor (13) is rotatingly arranged in the container and above the bottom wall (11). The rotor is provided with capsule receiving pockets (15). Under the apertures of the bottom wall (11), a capsule collector (19) is arranged, for receiving capsules discharged from the capsule receiving pockets (15) through either one or the other of the two apertures (17A 17B). The capsule receiving pocket (15), the two apertures (17A, 17B) and the capsule collector (19) are shaped and arranged such that the capsules (C) randomly contained in the container (9) exit the capsule collector (19) with a pre-determined orientation.

Abstract: A device for orienting and feeding capsules (C) in a beverage producing machine, comprising: a container (7) receiving randomly oriented capsules (C); a rotor (9), rotatable around a rotation axis (A-A) and at least partly arranged in said container (7), said rotor being provided with at least one peripherally arranged capsule-receiving seat (9S), shaped to pick up a capsule (C) oriented in a univocally determined orientation; a capsule unloading duct (17), with a duct inlet (17A) arranged in said container (7) and extending outside said container (7); wherein said rotor is arranged to rotate around said rotation axis (A-A) such to, during use, lift a capsule (C) towards a position above the duct inlet (17A), the capsule-receiving seat (9S) being arranged to release capsule (C) under the influence of gravity from said above position into said duct inlet (17A).

Abstract: The stirrer dispenser for beverage dispensing machines comprises a first channel (21) for containing a stack of stirrers (PI), which exhibits a first opening (21A), wherefrom single stirrers are extracted and ejected by an ejector (31) provided with an alternating movement (f31). The ejector to this end exhibits an engagement member (45, 47) wherewith single stirrers (PI, P3) are engaged and ejected from said opening at each stroke of said ejector. The dispenser, moreover, exhibits at least a second channel (23) next to the first channel (21) and exhibiting a second opening (23A). The two openings (21A; 23A) are side by side along the movement direction of the ejector (31). Moreover, there is provided a stroke delimiter (51) that limits the stroke of the ejector (31) when at least one stirrer (PI) is present in the first channel (21), so that the ejector (31) picks up the stirrers from the second channel (23) only when the first channel (21) is empty.

Abstract: The dosing device comprises: a coffee grinder (5) for making coffee powder from coffee beans; a motor (9) for actuating the coffee grinder (5); a dosing chamber (21) wherein the coffee powder produced by said coffee grinder (5) is discharged, said dosing chamber being at least partly delimited by a first wall (33), which may be opened on command for discharging the coffee powder from the dosing chamber, and by a second wall (31), mobile by the effect of a volume variation of the coffee powder in said dosing chamber (21); an actuator (37) for controlling an opening movement of said first wall (33); an electronic control device (59 that based on the position of the second wall, causes the stop of the actuating motor (9) of the coffee grinder and the actuation of said actuator (37) for controlling the opening movement of said first wall and the discharge of the coffee powder from the dosing chamber.

Abstract: A device with an infusion chamber defined by at least two parts movable in relation to each other to close and open the infusion chamber; a duct to supply pressurized hot water to the infusion chamber; at least one pump to supply pressurized hot water to the infusion chamber; and a dispensing unit to dispense coffee from the infusion chamber. The dispensing unit has at least a first configuration and a second configuration, according to the type of coffee to be dispensed; the two parts defining the infusion chamber have at least a first reciprocal position to define a larger infusion volume and a second reciprocal position to define a smaller infusion volume and the dispensing unit is switched to one or other of said at least two configurations when said at least two parts are in the second reciprocal position.

Abstract: A machine (100) for making composite filters (FA, FB), that is, filters consisting of at least two filter segments (S1, S2, S3, S4), comprises: a plurality of feed lines (L1, L2, L3, L4) supplying filter plugs (S1, S2, S3, S4; S1A, S1B, S2A, S2B) made of different materials and/or having different filtration properties; a conveying system (6) by which the plugs (S1, S2, S3, S4; S1A, S1B, S2A, S2B) are combined in such a way as to form and release a first succession and a second succession of filter groups (GA, GB) made of different materials and/or having different filtration properties, alternated one with another, each group (GA, GB) comprising a predetermined combination of filter plugs (S1, S2, S3, S4; S1A, S1B, S2A, S2B); a garniture tongue (2) with two channels (CA, CB) along which a first filter rod (BA) and a second filter rod (BB) are formed, the first rod (BA) and the second rod (BB) respectively comprising the first succession and the second succession of filter groups (GA, GB); cutting means (3) b

Abstract: In a machine and a method for manufacturing composite filters (F1, F2) for cigarettes or the like, a feed conveyor (S) supplies filter groups (G1, G2) in pairs to two respective feed lines (L1, L2) of a station (16) for forming two continuous filter rods (B1, B2); the machine (100) comprises at least one transfer device (DT) by which the filter groups (G1, G2) are taken up from the feed conveyor (S) and directed along the feed lines (L1, L2), and at least one release device (R), operating along the two feed lines (L1, L2), by which the two filter groups (G1, G2) are taken up from the transfer device (DT) and released in phase one with another along the selfsame feed lines (L1, L2); the rate at which the filter groups (G1, G2) are released by the release device (R) is governed according to the phase value of at least one of the continuous filter rods (B1, B2) relative to the cyclic cutting operation whereby the two filter rods (B1, B2) are cut transversally to make the composite filters (F1, F2).

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a hopper (1) to contain the loose product (P), and an screw feeder (7) to feed the loose product from the hopper towards a dispensing opening (25). Positioned in the dispensing opening is a shut-off valve (27), which closes the dispensing opening. The screw feeder feeds the loose product towards the valve and movement of the valve causes delivery of the loose product from the cells.

Abstract: The vending machine including a housing (3) provided with an openable wall (8). In said housing devices for the preparation of at least one beverage are arranged. At least some of said devices are supported by a supporting structure (11), which is pivotally arranged in said housing. Access to said devices through said openable wall is facilitated by pivoting said supporting structure around a pivoting axis (A-A).

Abstract: The device includes an infusion chamber defined by at least two parts (1, 3) movable in relation to each other to close and open the infusion chamber; a duct (7) to supply pressurized hot water to the infusion chamber; at least one pump (13) to supply pressurized hot water to the infusion chamber; a dispensing unit (16) to dispense coffee from the infusion chamber. The dispensing unit has at least a first configuration and a second configuration, according to the type of coffee to be dispensed; the two parts (1, 3) defining the infusion chamber have at least a first reciprocal position to define a larger infusion volume and a second reciprocal position to define a smaller infusion volume and are functionally connected to the dispensing unit, so that the dispensing unit is switched to one or other of the at least two configurations according to the reciprocal position taken by the parts defining the infusion chamber.