Patents by Inventor Massimo Viola

Massimo Viola 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).

  • Patent number: 12625084
    Abstract: A package quality inspection station (100) is provided. The station (100) comprises a first conveyor belt (102) and a second conveyor belt (108) arranged to abut a bottom portion (104) of a package (106). The second conveyor belt (108) is placed at distance (D) from the first conveyor belt (102) such that a gap (110) is formed. A belt brake (112) comprising a first and a second lateral belt arrangement (114, 116) arranged to hold the package (106) is provided to bridge the gap (110) and to hold the package (106) such that a top portion (160) and the bottom portion (104) are made visible when conveyed over the gap (110). A top camera (132) is configured to capture top image data (134) depicting the top portion (160), and a bottom camera (136) configured to capture bottom image data (138) depicting the bottom portion (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Melandri, Paolo Scarabelli, Massimo Viola, Renzo Bellei, Francesco Panini, Mattia Verasani
  • Publication number: 20250313370
    Abstract: There is described a digital printing apparatus for a packaging machine producing packages comprising a control unit for controlling the digital printing apparatus, a conveying device and a digital printing unit. The conveying device comprises a planar motor having a plurality of carriers configured to receive respective packages at an inlet station and to deliver the respective packages to an outlet station. The digital printing unit is arranged adjacent to the planar motor at a printing station. The control unit is configured to selectively control movement of the carriers so as to selectively direct one or more carriers to the printing station and afterwards to the outlet station. The digital printing unit is configured to print information and/or messages and/or decorations onto the packages directed to the printing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio PICCININI, Paolo SCARABELLI, Stefano ROSSI, Massimo VIOLA, Stefano FLORE
  • Publication number: 20250313419
    Abstract: There is described an inspection apparatus for a packaging machine producing packages and comprising a control unit for controlling the inspection apparatus, a conveying device and an inspection unit configured to inspect packages. The conveying device comprises a planar motor having a plurality of carriers configured to receive respective packages at an inlet station and to deliver the respective packages to an outlet station. The inspection unit is arranged adjacent to the planar motor at an inspection station. The control unit is configured to selectively control movement of the carriers so as to selectively direct one or more carriers to the inspection station and afterwards to the outlet station and the inspection unit is configured to inspect the packages moved, in use, to the inspection station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio PICCININI, Antonio MELANDRI, Stefano ROSSI, Massimo VIOLA, Stefano FLORE, Paolo SCARABELLI
  • Publication number: 20240288378
    Abstract: A package quality inspection station (100) is provided. The station (100) comprises a first conveyor belt (102) and a second conveyor belt (108) arranged to abut a bottom portion (104) of a package (106). The second conveyor belt (108) is placed at distance (D) from the first conveyor belt (102) such that a gap (110) is formed. A belt brake (112) comprising a first and a second lateral belt arrangement (114, 116) arranged to hold the package (106) is provided to bridge the gap (110) and to hold the package (106) such that a top portion (160) and the bottom portion (104) are made visible when conveyed over the gap (110). A top camera (132) is configured to capture top image data (134) depicting the top portion (160), and a bottom camera (136) configured to capture bottom image data (138) depicting the bottom portion (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Antonio Melandri, Paolo Scarabelli, Massimo Viola, Renzo Bellei, Francesco Panini, Mattia Verasani
  • Patent number: 11186392
    Abstract: A distribution unit for feeding lids (1) to necks (9) of containers (10) comprises a chute element (102) arranged for receiving a row of lids (1), an outlet opening (103) arranged for releasing said lids (1) one at a time, said outlet opening (103) being intended to be positioned above a conveying device (100) suitable for conveying said containers (10) along an advancement direction (F) so that each of said containers (10) interacts with said chute element (102) to remove a corresponding lid (1) from said outlet opening (103), said distribution unit (101) further comprising a guide element (105) having an active surface (106) extending on an opposite side of said chute element (102) with respect to said outlet opening (103) and arranged for interacting with said lids (1), said active surface (106) having a stepped profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Pedrazzi, Romano Sighinolfi, Massimo Viola, Mauro Cavazzuti
  • Publication number: 20200255171
    Abstract: A distribution unit for feeding lids (1) to necks (9) of containers (10) comprises a chute element (102) arranged for receiving a row of lids (1), an outlet opening (103) arranged for releasing said lids (1) one at a time, said outlet opening (103) being intended to be positioned above a conveying device (100) suitable for conveying said containers (10) along an advancement direction (F) so that each of said containers (10) interacts with said chute element (102) to remove a corresponding lid (1) from said outlet opening (103), said distribution unit (101) further comprising a guide element (105) having an active surface (106) extending on an opposite side of said chute element (102) with respect to said outlet opening (103) and arranged for interacting with said lids (1), said active surface (106) having a stepped profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Alessandro Pedrazzi, Romano Sighinolfi, Massimo Viola, Mauro Cavazzuti