Patents by Inventor Massimo Pradelli

Massimo Pradelli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220363418
    Abstract: There is described a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packs containing a pourable product starting from a tube of packaging material; the packaging assembly comprises: a pair of endless tracks between which the tube is fed along a straight advancement direction; and a pair of movable members, each one of which movably coupled to, and cyclically movable along, one respective track; each movable member movably carrying one respective forming member linearly movable towards said tube, transversally to said advancement direction, to cyclically cooperate in contact with successive tube portions, so as to form at least corresponding pack portions of respective packs; each forming member comprises a movable portion which is tiltable with respect to the advancement direction, to sequentially control a tilting of the tube portions with respect to said advancement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Massimo PRADELLI, Massimiliano BARBI, Fabrizio RIMONDI
  • Patent number: 10994873
    Abstract: There is described a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packs for containing a pourable food product starting from a tube of packaging material; the packaging assembly comprises a pair of tracks and at least a pair of moving elements, which are cyclically movable along the tracks, respectively; each moving element comprises one forming unit configured to cooperate with the tube so as to surround a portion of the tube destined to form a main portion of one respective pack; and one sealing unit configured to cooperate with the tube to sequentially seal the tube at predetermined consecutive cross sections, each pair of consecutive cross sections forming opposite sealing bands of one respective pack; each forming unit is mounted onto the respective moving element in a linearly movable manner towards and away from the sealing unit mounted onto the same moving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi, Fabio Ricci Curbastro
  • Publication number: 20200346795
    Abstract: There is described a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packs for containing a pourable food product starting from a tube of packaging material; the packaging assembly comprises a pair of tracks and at least a pair of moving elements, which are cyclically movable along the tracks, respectively; each moving element comprises one forming unit configured to cooperate with the tube so as to surround a portion of the tube destined to form a main portion of one respective pack; and one sealing unit configured to cooperate with the tube to sequentially seal the tube at predetermined consecutive cross sections, each pair of consecutive cross sections forming opposite sealing bands of one respective pack; each forming unit is mounted onto the respective moving element in a linearly movable manner towards and away from the sealing unit mounted onto the same moving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo FONTANAZZI, Massimo PRADELLI, Fabrizio RIMONDI, Fabio RICCI CURBASTRO
  • Patent number: 10661934
    Abstract: There is described a unit (1, 1?, 1?) for forming/advancing at least one pack (3) or at least one portion of a pack (3), comprising a frame (11, 12a, 12b), a selectively activatable/deactivatable source of power (42) and at least one carriage (14a, 14b) operationally coupled with source of power (42), movable along a path (13a, 13b) comprising at least one vertical portion (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), and adapted to convey said at least one pack (3) or said at least one portion of a pack (3); unit (1, 1?, 1?) comprises stopping means (45) fitted to frame (12a, 12b) and which can be operated: to leave carriage (14a, 14b) free to advance along vertical portion (18a, 18b; 19a, 19b), when source of power (42) is activated, and to stop carriage (14a, 14b) along vertical portion (18a, 18b; 19a, 19b), when source of power is, in use, deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: John Richard Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli
  • Patent number: 10549485
    Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) from a tube (3). The packaging apparatus (1) has an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in a conveyor zone (8), conveying carts (9) and operative units (10, 10?) moved by the plurality of conveying carts (9) along a path (P, Q). Each operative unit (10, 10?) moves between an operative configuration, in which the operative unit (10, 10?) manipulates the tube (3) and a rest configuration in which the operative unit (10, 10?) is detached from the tube (3). Each operative unit (10, 10?) has a half-shell (36) and one of a sealing element (37a) or a counter-sealing element (37b) and each operative unit (10, 10?) is carried by one respective conveying cart (9) and extends laterally away therefrom so that the conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced apart from an operative zone (33) where the tube is manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA LAVA HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Davide Borghi, Massimo Pradelli, Stefano Flore, Fabrizio Rimondi, Fabio Curbastro Ricci
  • Publication number: 20190305662
    Abstract: There is described a linear motor device (1) for a packaging machine comprising an endless circulating carrier (2) having an outer surface (3) and at least one endless guide rail (6, 7), at least one movable cart (4) adapted to advance along the circulating carrier (2). The movable cart (4) has a magnet assembly (12) and a cart base (13) adapted to connect to the magnet assembly (12). The cart base (13) comprises a main portion (22) connected to the magnet assembly (12) and at least one removable side portion (23) removably connected to the main portion (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, John Richard Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli, Fabio Curbastro Ricci, Fabrizio Rimondi
  • Publication number: 20190160758
    Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) from a tube (3). The packaging apparatus (1) has an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in a conveyor zone (8), conveying carts (9) and operative units (10, 10?) moved by the plurality of conveying carts (9) along a path (P, Q). Each operative unit (10, 10?) moves between an operative configuration, in which the operative unit (10, 10?) manipulates the tube (3) and a rest configuration in which the operative unit (10, 10?) is detached from the tube (3). Each operative unit (10, 10?) has a halfshell (36) and one of a sealing element (37a) or a counter-sealing element (37b) and each operative unit (10, 10?) is carried by one respective conveying cart (9) and extends laterally away therefrom so that the conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced apart from an operative zone (33) where the tube is manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Davide Borghi, Massimo Pradelli, Stefano Flore, Fabrizio Rimondi, Fabio Curbastro Ricci
  • Publication number: 20190161224
    Abstract: There is described a unit (1, 1?, 1?) for forming/advancing at least one pack (3) or at least one portion of a pack (3), comprising a frame (11, 12a, 12b), a selectively activatable/deactivatable source of power (42) and at least one carriage (14a, 14b) operationally coupled with source of power (42), movable along a path (13a, 13b) comprising at least one vertical portion (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), and adapted to convey said at least one pack (3) or said at least one portion of a pack (3); unit (1, 1?, 1?) comprises stopping means (45) fitted to frame (12a, 12b) and which can be operated: to leave carriage (14a, 14b) free to advance along vertical portion (18a, 18b; 19a, 19b), when source of power (42) is activated, and to stop carriage (14a, 14b) along vertical portion (18a, 18b; 19a, 19b), when source of power is, in use, deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: John Richard Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli
  • Patent number: 10195790
    Abstract: There is described a forming assembly (10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising first conveying means (15b) movable along a first path (Q) comprising: a first operative branch (Q1), which has a main elongation direction parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the tube (2); and a first return branch (Q2) comprising an initial portion (35b) which is arranged immediately downstream of the operative branch (Q1) and extends transversally to the advancing direction (A); first conveying means (14b, 15b, 14b?) comprise one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a); and a first half-shell (21b), which is movable along the operative branch (Q1) between: a first rest position, in which it is detached from the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); and a first operative position, in which it grips the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); the first half-shell (21b) is arranged in the first operative position along a first portion (34b) of the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi
  • Patent number: 10189655
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus comprises a track (2) and at least one movable element (3) movable along said track (2), said movable element (3) comprising a supporting body (14), said track (2) comprising a first guiding surface (11a) and a further first guiding surface (lib) facing towards said supporting body (14), a second guiding surface (12a) and a further second guiding surface (12b) facing away from said supporting body (14), and a third guiding surface (13a) arranged transversally to said first guiding surface (11a) and said second guiding surface (12a) and a further third guiding surface (13b) arranged transversally to said further first guiding surface (lib) and said further second guiding surface (12b), wherein said movable element (3) comprises a first couple of rollers (15) slidably coupled to said first guiding surface (11a), a further first couple of rollers (16) slidably coupled to said further first guiding surface (lib), a second couple of rollers (17) slidably coupled to said second guiding surf
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi
  • Patent number: 10189595
    Abstract: A feeding unit for receiving sealed packs of pourable food products from a forming unit arranged to form the packs and feed the packs to a folding unit arranged to fold the packs so as to obtain folded packages, the feeding unit comprising a feeding conveyor to carry the packs towards the folding unit, wherein the feeding unit further comprises a driving arrangement interacting with the packs so as to pull the packs from the forming unit and push the packs towards the feeding conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Mattioli, Richard John Pedretti, Dino Neri, Massimo Pradelli
  • Patent number: 10071534
    Abstract: A folding unit for producing folded packages of pourable food products from sealed packs, comprising: movable conveyor which are fed with a plurality of packs at an input station, which feed packs along a forming path and output folded packages at an output station; and folder cooperating with each pack to perform at least one folding operation on pack comprising: at least one pair of shells which are integrally movable along the forming path and are movable relative to each other along a direction transversal to the forming path; shells of each pair may be set along the direction in: a fully closed position in which they exert a pressure onto a relative pack, so as to at least complete a folding operation onto relative pack; and an open position in which they are detached from the corresponding folded package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Pradelli
  • Publication number: 20180111768
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus comprises a track (2) and at least one movable element (3) movable along said track (2), said movable element (3) comprising a supporting body (14), said track (2) comprising a first guiding surface (11a) and a further first guiding surface (lib) facing towards said supporting body (14), a second guiding surface (12a) and a further second guiding surface (12b) facing away from said supporting body (14), and a third guiding surface (13a) arranged transversally to said first guiding surface (11a) and said second guiding surface (12a) and a further third guiding surface (13b) arranged transversally to said further first guiding surface (lib) and said further second guiding surface (12b), wherein said movable element (3) comprises a first couple of rollers (15) slidably coupled to said first guiding surface (11a), a further first couple of rollers (16) slidably coupled to said further first guiding surface (lib), a second couple of rollers (17) slidably coupled to said second guiding surf
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Massimo PRADELLI, Fabrizio RIMONDI
  • Patent number: 9902566
    Abstract: There is described a conveyor for an article handling unit, comprising an endless transport element fed with a plurality of articles at an input station and advancing the articles along a handling path to an output station; the transport element is formed by a plurality of modules, each comprising a supporting member adapted to receive in use a relative article to be handled; each module further comprises a rotating element mounted in a rotatable manner onto the supporting member to produce a change of orientation of the relative article before to release it at the output station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Pedretti, Massimilliano Michelini, Massimo Pradelli, Andrea Catellani, Franco Santi, Fabrizio Rimondi, Alessandro Galata′
  • Publication number: 20180001574
    Abstract: There is described a forming assembly (10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising first conveying means (15b) movable along a first path (Q) comprising: a first operative branch (Q1), which has a main elongation direction parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the tube (2); and a first return branch (Q2) comprising an initial portion (35b) which is arranged immediately downstream of the operative branch (Q1) and extends transversally to the advancing direction (A); first conveying means (14b, 15b, 14b?) comprise one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a); and a first half-shell (21b), which is movable along the operative branch (Q1) between: a first rest position, in which it is detached from the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); and a first operative position, in which it grips the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); the first half-shell (21b) is arranged in the first operative position along a first portion (34b) of the f
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi
  • Patent number: 9637262
    Abstract: A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs having each a main portion and opposite end portions arranged on opposite sides of the main portion; each pack comprises a fin and a pair of flaps projecting laterally from main portion; a first movable conveying member fed with a plurality of packs and which feeds the pack along a forming path; and folder which interacts with each pack along forming path to fold relative first end fin onto the portion; the folder comprising: a first member movable along forming path together with the conveying member and defining a slot receiving, in use, end fin; and a second member movable relative to first member between a first position in which it engages at least partially slot, so as to fold end fin onto a relative end portion, and a second position in which it leaves free slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi
  • Publication number: 20170073103
    Abstract: A feeding unit for receiving sealed packs of pourable food products from a forming unit arranged to form the packs and feed the packs to a folding unit arranged to fold the packs so as to obtain folded packages, the feeding unit comprising a feeding conveyor to carry the packs towards the folding unit, wherein the feeding unit further comprises a driving arrangement interacting with the packs so as to pull the packs from the forming unit and push the packs towards the feeding conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio MATTIOLI, Richard John PEDRETTI, Dino NERI, Massimo PRADELLI
  • Patent number: 9409368
    Abstract: A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs having main portion and opposite end portions; each pack comprising, for each end portion, a fin and a pair of flaps projecting laterally from main portion; unit comprises: a conveyor fed with a plurality of packs and which feeds the pack along a forming path; and a folder interacting with each pack to fold relative end fin onto a relative end portion; conveyor comprises first and second links articulated to each other; second link is arranged downstream of first link, relative to a first advancing direction of conveyor; folder comprises: a slot defined by first link to receive end fin; and a slide operatively connected to second link and movable between a first position at least partially engaging slot, to fold end fin onto a relative end portion, and a second position detached from slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Catellani, Richard John Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli
  • Publication number: 20140371046
    Abstract: A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs having main portion and opposite end portions; each pack comprising, for each end portion, a fin and a pair of flaps projecting laterally from main portion; unit comprises: a conveyor fed with a plurality of packs and which feeds the pack along a forming path; and a folder interacting with each pack to fold relative end fin onto a relative end portion; conveyor comprises first and second links articulated to each other; second link is arranged downstream of first link, relative to a first advancing direction of conveyor; folder comprises: a slot defined by first link to receive end fin; and a slide operatively connected to second link and movable between a first position at least partially engaging slot, to fold end fin onto a relative end portion, and a second position detached from slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Andrea Catellani, Richard John Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli
  • Publication number: 20140223858
    Abstract: There is described a conveyor for an article handling unit, comprising an endless transport element fed with a plurality of articles at an input station and advancing the articles along a handling path to an output station; the transport element is formed by a plurality of modules, each comprising a supporting member adapted to receive in use a relative article to be handled; each module further comprises a rotating element mounted in a rotatable manner onto the supporting member to produce a change of orientation of the relative article before to release it at the output station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE
    Inventors: Richard Pedretti, Massimilliano Michelini, Massimo Pradelli, Andrea Catellani, Franco Santi, Fabrizio Rimondi, Alesandro Galata