Patents by Inventor Mauro Cerè

Mauro Cerè 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: 7784252
    Abstract: A unit for positioning a sheet (1) of film (2) to cover the tops of product groups (3) comprises: a second roll (12) of film (2); a first carriage (13) that is slidably mounted on guide rails (14) running along an upper horizontal plane and is driven in both directions along the wrapping area (10) by motorized movement means (15); the first carriage (13) is equipped with a first gripper unit (16) designed to grip the free end of the film (2) and to unwind the film (2) for a predetermined length; film (2) cutting means (17) located in the vicinity of the second roll (12) and designed to separate the length of film thus unwound from the rest of the film (2); a second carriage (18) slidably mounted on the guide rails (14) in the vicinity of the cutting means (17); a second gripper unit (19) mounted on the second carriage (18), acting on the film (2) in such a way as to hold the sheet (1) at a second retention point when the cutting means (17) are activated; means (20) for coupling the second carriage (18) to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Aetna Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Patent number: 7748198
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method for applying to a palletized load protective corner elements having first and second sides designed to protect contiguous sides of at least one corner of the load. The apparatus comprises a transfer system for conveying at least one corner element from an initial position to a position where the sides of the corner element are close to the corresponding edges of the corner to be protected, this transfer system comprising an actuating system for transferring the corner element by a rotational movement through predetermined angles ? and ? from the initial position to a position where at least a first side of the corner element is substantially aligned with a first side of the corner of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Aetna Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere'
  • Publication number: 20100025517
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a reel-holding unit for a wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a film unwound by a plurality of rollers from the reel and a reel-changing unit for replacing a finished reel with a new reel, the reel-holding unit and the reel-changing unit being mutually positionable in a reel-change configuration in such a manner that the new reel can be positioned instead of the finished reel, the reel-changing unit being provided with elements that define a curvilinear path for an initial portion of the film of the new reel, the elements being positionable in the reel-change configuration such that when a roller of the plurality of rollers is positioned at a curve, at least one of the elements is completely interposed between the film and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: AETNA GROUP, S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Publication number: 20090288372
    Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a plastic film including a supporting frame with which a ring arrangement is associated that rotates around a wrapping axis of the film and around the product. The supporting frame further supports a carriage arranged for supporting a reel of the film and for supporting a first roller and a second roller for unwinding and stretching the film. A first motor and a second motor are mounted on the supporting frame and coupled, respectively, with the first roller and the second roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Aetna Group S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cerè
  • Publication number: 20080092486
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method for applying to a palletized load protective corner elements having first and second sides designed to protect contiguous sides of at least one corner of the load. The apparatus comprises a transfer system for conveying at least one corner element from an initial position to a position where the sides of the corner element are close to the corresponding edges of the corner to be protected, this transfer system comprising an actuating system for transferring the corner element by a rotational movement through predetermined angles ? and ? from the initial position to a position where at least a first side of the corner element is substantially aligned with a first side of the corner of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Mauro Cere'
  • Patent number: 7325371
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for applying to a palletized load (1) protective corner elements (2) having first and second sides (A, B) designed to protect contiguous sides (1a, 1b) of at least one corner of the load (1). The apparatus comprises transfer means for conveying at least one corner element (2) from an initial position to a position where the sides (A, B) of the corner element (2) are close to the corresponding edges (1a, 1b) of the corner to be protected, these transfer means comprising actuating means (4, 5, 6) for transferring the corner element (2) by a rotational movement through predetermined angles (?, ?) from the initial position (Pos2) to a position (Pos4) where at least a first side (A) of the corner element (2) is substantially aligned with a first side (1a) of the corner of the load (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Publication number: 20070189762
    Abstract: A unit for positioning a sheet (1) of film (2) to cover the tops of product groups (3) comprises: a second roll (12) of film (2); a first carriage (13) that is slidably mounted on guide rails (14) running along an upper horizontal plane and is driven in both directions along the wrapping area (10) by motorized movement means (15); the first carriage (13) is equipped with a first gripper unit (16) designed to grip the free end of the film (2) and to unwind the film (2) for a predetermined length; film (2) cutting means (17) located in the vicinity of the second roll (12) and designed to separate the length of film thus unwound from the rest of the film (2); a second carriage (18) slidably mounted on the guide rails (14) in the vicinity of the cutting means (17); a second gripper unit (19) mounted on the second carriage (18), acting on the film (2) in such a way as to hold the sheet (1) at a second retention point when the cutting means (17) are activated; means (20) for coupling the second carriage (18) to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Patent number: 7140166
    Abstract: An apparatus for making packages including groups of products wrapped with stretch film includes a transporting surface for conveying groups of products in a feed direction. A first pair of film feed stations are located on opposite sides of the transporting surface, and a first selection carriage includes at least two units for forming a respective tubular length of film fed by the respective stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Publication number: 20060096244
    Abstract: A machine for banding individual, grouped or palletized products comprises at least: a conveyor (2), extending in a direction of feed (A), for transporting the products (3); a frame (4) mounted over the conveyor (2) and equipped with at least two rolls (5, 6) of film mounted on the frame uprights (7, 8) in such a way as to form a band of film (9, 9?) positioned transversely relative to the uprights (7, 8) so as to intercept the front of the products (3) as they move forward; at least one unit (10) for sealing and cutting the film (9, 9?), supported by the frame (4) and mobile between an idle position, where the unit (10) is close to the uprights (7, 8), and a working position, where the unit (10) is away from the uprights (7, 8) so that it intercepts, seals and cuts the portion of film (9, 9?) wrapped around the products (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventor: Mauro Cere'
  • Publication number: 20050223683
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for banding palletized products comprises: a conveyor (2), extending in a direction of feed (A), for transporting pallets (3), each bearing a stack (4) of products; a gantry structure (5) mounted over the conveyor (2) and equipped with two pairs (6, 7) of film reels, each pair being mounted at a different height from the other on the gantry uprights (5a, 5b) in such a way as to form two bands (8, 9) of film positioned transversely relative to the uprights (5a, 5b) so as to intercept the front of the product stack (4) as it moves forward; a pair of units (10, 11) for sealing and cutting the film bands (8, 9) supported by the gantry structure (5) on the rear side of the latter relative to the direction of feed (A), and mobile between an idle position, where the units (10, 11) are close to the uprights (5a, 5b), and a working position, where the units (10, 11are away from the uprights (5a, 5b) so that each intercepts, seals and cuts a respective portion of the film bands (8, 9) wrapped around th
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Mauro Cere'
  • Patent number: 6922980
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a tubular length (1) of stretch film is applicable to machines or lines (3) for making packages (C) containing groups of products wrapped with stretch film and comprises at least the following: a feed table (4), extending in a defined direction (D), on which the groups of products presenting a front face (5) are formed; a station (6) for making the packages (C), located on the feed table (4) and equipped with means (7) for unwinding the stretch film and forming the length (1) of the film around means (8) for preforming the package (C), the means (7) for unwinding and forming the length (1) of film comprising at least one roll (9) of stretch film located close to the preforming means (8); means (10) for cutting a length of the film unwound from the roll (9); means (11) for gripping the film and moving along a substantially ring-shaped path (P) in such a way as to wind the film around the package (C) preforming means (8) and place the leading and trailing ends (1a, 1b) of the length (1)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere'
  • Patent number: 6892515
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for banding palletized products comprises: a conveyor (2), extending in a direction of feed (A), for transporting pallets (3), each bearing a stack (4) of products; a gantry structure (5) mounted over the conveyor (2) and equipped with two pairs (6, 7) of film reels, each pair being mounted at a different height from the other on the gantry uprights (5a, 5b) in such a way as to form two bands (8, 9) of film positioned transversely relative to the uprights (5a, 5b) so as to intercept the front of the product stack (4) as it moves forward; a pair of units (10, 11) for sealing and cutting the film bands (8, 9) supported by the gantry structure (5) on the rear side of the latter relative to the direction of feed (A), and mobile between an idle position, where the units (10, 11) are close to the uprights (5a, 5b), and a working position, where the units (10, 11) are away from the uprights (5a, 5b) so that each intercepts, seals and cuts a respective portion of the film bands (8, 9) wrapped around
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Publication number: 20040261360
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for applying to a palletized load (1) protective corner elements (2) having first and second sides (A, B) designed to protect contiguous sides (1a, 1b) of at least one corner of the load (1). The apparatus comprises transfer means for conveying at least one corner element (2) from an initial position to a position where the sides (A, B) of the corner element (2) are close to the corresponding edges (1a, 1b) of the corner to be protected, these transfer means comprising actuating means (4, 5, 6) for transferring the corner element (2) by a rotational movement through predetermined angles (&agr;, &bgr;) from the initial position (Pos2) to a position (Pos4) where at least a first side (A) of the corner element (2) is substantially aligned with a first side (1a) of the corner of the load (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: AETNA GROUP, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Patent number: 6826890
    Abstract: A method for wrapping groups of products with stretch film comprises the following steps: forming groups of products having a front and a longitudinal dimension that follows a line of feed; placing a first wrapping on the group of products to form a package that holds the products together; expelling the package thus obtained along the feed line; turning the package through an angle of 90°; placing over the first wrapping a second stretch film wrapping on the package thus obtained, the second wrapping having at least one narrowed strap-like segment surrounding a part of the package. The invention also relates to an apparatus that implements this method and the package obtained using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Patent number: 6826893
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping products with plastic film includes: a ring-shaped element supporting a carriage; a drive mechanism for moving the ring-shaped element relative to the group of products; and, a motor for driving the carriage. The carriage mounts a roll of film and a pre-stretching unit that includes a pair of rollers and a transmission and control roller that swings towards and away from the products and is designed to start or stop film feed according to its position relative to the products. The drive mechanism for the pre-stretching unit includes a kinematic chain including the motor and a drive take-off track. An engage/release unit is connected to and controlled by the transmission roller and designed to transmit drive from the take-off track to the pre-stretching rollers according to the position of the transmission roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Publication number: 20040118086
    Abstract: An apparatus for making packages (1) comprising groups (2) of products wrapped with stretch film comprises the following: a transporting surface (3) for conveying groups (2) of products presenting a front face (FD) in a defined feed direction (A); a first pair of film feed stations (4, 5) located on opposite sides of the transporting surface (3); a first selection carriage (6) comprising at least two units (7, 8) for forming a respective tubular length (9, 10) of film fed by the respective stations (4, 5), and means (11) for driving the first carriage (6) to and fro in a direction transversal to the feed direction (A) in such manner as to cyclically perform the following operations: forming the tubular length of film (9) on a first unit (4) outside the transporting surface (3), and at the same time positioning the other unit (5) with the respective tubular length of film (10) on it in a stretched configuration at the transporting surface (3) to form a part of the latter so as to enable feeding of the group (2
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: AETNA GROUP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Patent number: 6751931
    Abstract: A method for wrapping groups of products with stretch film comprises the following steps: forming groups of products having a front and a longitudinal dimension following a line of feed; winding a stretch film unrolled from a first roll around a plurality of stretching rods positioned inside a film wrapping area and along the product group line of feed; forming a first tubular portion of stretch film; stretching the portion of film by moving the plurality of stretching rods to create an access area, whose transversal dimension is larger than the front, for a single group of products moving along the feed line; releasing the film portion to allow the portion to shrink and thus wrap over the group of products and thus wrapping it; expelling the wrapped package thus obtained onto the feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Publication number: 20040107678
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a tubular length (1) of stretch film is applicable to machines or lines (3) for making packages (C) containing groups of products wrapped with stretch film and comprises at least the following: a feed table (4), extending in a defined direction (D), on which the groups of products presenting a front face (5) are formed; a station (6) for making the packages (C), located on the feed table (4) and equipped with means (7) for unwinding the stretch film and forming the length (1) of the film around means (8) for preforming the package (C), the means (7) for unwinding and forming the length (1) of film comprising at least one roll (9) of stretch film located close to the preforming means (8); means (10) for cutting a length of the film unwound from the roll (9); means (11) for gripping the film and moving along a substantially ring-shaped path (P) in such a way as to wind the film around the package (C) preforming means (8) and place the leading and trailing ends (1a, 1b) of the length (1)
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: AETNA GROUP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Publication number: 20040099110
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing plastic wrapping film, in particular stretch film, from pallets (1) of products comprises: a pair of cutting devices (2) positioned on opposite sides of the pallet (1), acting on the opposite vertical surfaces (1a, 1b) of the pallet (1) and mobile along a horizontal axis (X), allowing the film (3) to be cut along the vertical surface (1a, 1b) and close to the upper surface (1c) of the pallet (1); an operating unit (4) at each vertical surface (1a, 1b) cut and comprising belts (5) which pick up the lower flap (6) of the film (3) cut; blades (7) for cutting the film (3) along vertical axes (Z, Z′), to the base of the pallet (1), creating two separate flaps (8, 9, 8, 9′) for each vertical surface (1a, 1b) and drive means (10) for rotating the pick up belts (5), to allow the opening of each pair of flaps (8, 9, 8, 9) away from the respective vertical surface (1a, 1b); a mobile unit (11) for picking up the pairs of flags (8, 9, 8 9) and completely removing teh wrapping film (3
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Mauro Cere
  • Publication number: 20030200730
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for banding palletized products comprises: a conveyor (2), extending in a direction of feed (A), for transporting pallets (3), each bearing a stack (4) of products; a gantry structure (5) mounted over the conveyor (2) and equipped with two pairs (6, 7) of film reels, each pair being mounted at a different height from the other on the gantry uprights (5a, 5b) in such a way as to form two bands (8, 9) of film positioned transversely relative to the uprights (5a, 5b) so as to intercept the front of the product stack (4) as it moves forward; a pair of units (10, 11) for sealing and cutting the film bands (8, 9) supported by the gantry structure (5) on the rear side of the latter relative to the direction of feed (A), and mobile between an idle position, where the units (10, 11) are close to the uprights (5a, 5b), and a working position, where the units (10, 11) are away from the uprights (5a, 5b) so that each intercepts, seals and cuts a respective portion of the film bands (8, 9) wrapped around
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: AETNA GROUP, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere