Abstract: A machine for molding articles made of loose material, particularly for manufacturing stringers for loading pallets, comprising an upper mold part and a lower mold part, which can be moved with respect to each other along a substantially vertical direction and can be mutually superimposed, with the interposition of a loose material, in order to mold at least one article. At least one molding element, which is associated slidingly with the upper mold part or the lower mold part or both is further provided and is adapted to shape at least one portion of the article.

Abstract: A machine for molding articles made of loose material, particularly for manufacturing stringers for loading pallets, comprising an upper mold part and a lower mold part, which can be moved mutually closer and can be mutually superimposed with the interposition of at least one layer of loose material in order to mold at least one article. At least one element for shaping at least one portion of the article during molding which is further provided, associated detachably with at least one among the upper mold part, the lower mold part and the layer of loose material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for adding glue to a flow (L) of loose wooden material, in particular a flow of wood chips and fibers, in which the wooden material is introduced through an inlet (3) into a mixer device (4). The glue is sprayed onto the flow of wooden material, internally of the mixer device (4), by nozzles (21) arranged in proximity of the inlet (3). The mixer device (4) is crossed by a flow of hot air. The wooden material, mixed with the glue, after having crossed the mixer device, drawn by the flow of hot air, is removed via an outlet (10) and sent on to subsequent work operations. The invention serves in particular in the manufacturing of wood-chip and fiber panels. The panels obtained are of high quality, being practically devoid of surface imperfections.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for electron beam irradiation of at least a first side of a web, the device comprising a tunnel through which the web is adapted to pass, said tunnel being provided with a web inlet portion, a web outlet portion and a central portion adapted to receive at least a first electron beam emitter provided with an electron exit window through which electrons are adapted to be emitted into the tunnel. The tunnel is being angled at at least two locations in each of the inlet portion and the outlet portion in such a way that any X-ray formed during the electron beam irradiation of the web is forced to hit the tunnel wall at least twice before exiting the tunnel.

Abstract: A device (1) for treating a packaging material (2) by means of UV radiation, the device having a source (6) of such radiation, and a protective screen (8) interposed between the source (6) and the material (2) for treatment; the screen (8) has a film (9) of a polymer resistant and permeable to UV radiation, and which is flexible, does not tear, and does not form fragments.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and device for ventilating a device for electron beam irradiation of a web (W), the method comprising the steps of: providing a first chamber (107) comprising a web inlet opening (115) and a web outlet opening (121), providing a second chamber (111) extending inside the first chamber (107), the second chamber (111) comprising a web inlet opening (114), a web outlet opening (112), and an electron exit surface (21) through which electrons are adapted to be emitted into the second chamber (111), passing the web (W) through the second chamber (111), and creating a flow of a gaseous fluid through both the first and second chambers (107, 111) in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the web (W) by supplying said fluid into the web outlet opening (121) of the first chamber (107) and providing at least one outlet (113).

Abstract: There is described a sealed package (1, 15) for pourable food products, formed from a multilayer packaging material (2, 16) and having an opening (10, 26) closed, on the inside of the package (1, 15), by a sheet element (11, 27), and a removable opening tab (12, 28) joined to the sheet element (11, 27) and covering the opening (10, 26) on the outside of the package (1, 15); the opening (10, 26) extending close to the end portion (8,17) of the package (1,15) and along at least half the perimeter of the package (1, 15).

Abstract: A unit for sterilizing a web (2) of packaging material on a machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit having a bath (7) containing a sterilizing agent, in which the web (2) is fed continuously; a process chamber (8) connected to an outlet (12) of the bath (7), and housing drying means (17) for removing residual sterilizing agent from the web (2); an aseptic chamber (25) communicating with the process chamber (8) via an opening (27) for passage of the web (2), and in which the web (2) is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube (29) which is filled continuously with the product for packaging; and an air processing circuit (24) for controlling process conditions; the circuit (24) draws air from the process chamber (8) through an orifice (54), the opening of which is adjustable, during operation of the machine, by a shutter (55) to maintain a pressure value greater than a predetermined minimum value in the aseptic chamber (25).

Abstract: The process includes a weighing operation of a mass of material a glue is to be spread on, and thereafter a spraying operation of glue, variably mixed with steam, so that the glue is spread on the wood chips proportionately to a weight of the wood chips. The gluing process is completed in a resin bonder machine comprising a cylindrical body in which two different-diameter and oppositely-pitched helices are rotated to mix the glue and chips. Both the body and the helices are cooled in order to prevent adhesion of glued material thereon.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing a sealed package of a pourable food product from a substantially tubular precut blank of sheet packaging material with opposite open ends. The method includes the steps of feeding the blank onto a relative forming mandrel; sealing one end of the blank to form a container open at the opposite end; removing the container from the mandrel; and sterilizing the container before filling it with the pourable food product; and the method also including the step of preheating the container by heating the mandrel before sterilizing the container.

Abstract: A unit for sterilizing a web (2) of packaging material on a machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit having a bath (7) containing a sterilizing agent, in which the web (2) is fed continuously; a process chamber (8) connected to an outlet (12) of the bath (7), and housing drying means (17) for removing residual sterilizing agent from the web (2); an aseptic chamber (25) communicating with the process chamber (8) via an opening (27) for passage of the web (2), and in which the web (2) is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube (29) which is filled continuously with the product for packaging; and an air processing circuit (24) for controlling process conditions; the circuit (24) draws air from the process chamber (8) through an orifice (54), the opening of which is adjustable, during operation of the machine, by a shutter (55) to maintain a pressure value greater than a predetermined minimum value in the aseptic chamber (25).

Abstract: A method for nondestructively measuring the density of a panel, comprising the steps of: directing a collimated radiation beam at the panel at an oblique angle; passing the panel under the collimated radiation beam or passing the collimated radiation beam over the panel; continuously detecting a resultant beam of a plurality of photons with a detector directed at the panel; counting only those photons with an energy level above a minimum energy level; correcting for inaccuracies at the edges of the panel; and generating a density profile of the panel throughout the thickness of the panel.

Abstract: A device (1) for treating a packaging material (2) by means of UV radiation, the device having a source (6) of such radiation screen (8) interposed between the source (6) and the material (2) for treatment; the screen (8) has a film (9) of a polymer resistant and permeable to UV radiation, and which is flexible, does not tear, and does not form fragments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sealed packages containing pourable food products from a tube of heat seal sheet packing material fed along a vertical path and filled continuously with the food product. The tube is pressure gripped at equally spaced cross sections of the tube by at least two pairs of jaws acting cyclically and successively on the tube. The tube is cut at each of the cross sections along a respective parting line. The packing material of the tube is heated sealed on opposite sides of the parting line.

Abstract: A method for nondestructively measuring the density of a panel, comprising the steps of: directing a collimated radiation beam at the panel at an oblique angle; passing the panel under the collimated radiation beam or passing the collimated radiation beam over the panel; continuously detecting a resultant beam of a plurality of photons with a detector directed at the panel; counting only those photons with an energy level above a minimum energy level; correcting for inaccuracies at the edges of the panel; and generating a density profile of the panel throughout the thickness of the panel.

Abstract: The method for splicing together first (10) and second (20) webs of pre-creased laminated packaging material for manufacturing sealed packages of pourable food products in a form, fill and seal type packaging machine, includes the steps of holding an end portion (18) of a first web (10), with its inner surface (14) oriented in a predetermined direction. An end portion (28) of a second web (20) is cut to form an undercut surface (29). The undercut surface (29) of the second web (20) is superimposed onto the end portion (18) of the first web (10), with the outer surface (27) of the second web (20) in contact with the inner surface (14) of the first web (10). The undercut surface (29) of the second web (20) is then bonded to the end portion (18) of said first web (10). At the splice (30), the inner surface (14) of the first web (10) and the inner surface (24) of the second web (20) together define an integral, continuous inner surface (14, 24).

Abstract: There is described a sealed package (1, 15) for pourable food products, formed from a multilayer packaging material (2, 16) and having an opening (10, 26) closed, on the inside of the package (1, 15), by a sheet element (11, 27), and a removable opening tab (12, 28) joined to the sheet element (11, 27) and covering the opening (10, 26) on the outside of the package (1, 15); the opening (10, 26) extending close to an end portion (8, 17) of the package (1, 15) and along at least half the perimeter of the package (1, 15).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for adding glue to a flow (L) of loose wooden material, in particular a flow of wood chips and fibers, in which the wooden material is introduced through an inlet (3) into a mixer device (4). The glue is sprayed onto the flow of wooden material, internally of the mixer device (4), by nozzles (21) arranged in proximity of the inlet (3). The mixer device (4) is crossed by a flow of hot air. The wooden material, mixed with the glue, after having crossed the mixer device, drawn by the flow of hot air, is removed via an outlet (10) and sent on to subsequent work operations. The invention serves in particular in the manufacturing of wood-chip and fiber panels. The panels obtained are of high quality, being practically devoid of surface imperfections.

Abstract: A unit for sterilizing strip packaging material for a pourable food product packaging machine, and having a sterilizing chamber for containing a liquid sterilizing agent and along which the packaging material is fed; a control circuit for controlling the sterilizing agent, and in turn having a collecting tank, input means for feeding the sterilizing agent from the tank to the chamber, and a drain assembly for draining the sterilizing agent from the chamber into the tank; a control system for controlling the temperature in the chamber; and preheating system for preheating the sterilizing agent in the tank, and which may be activated prior to feeding the sterilizing agent from the tank into the chamber; the preheating system for preheating the sterilizing agent may be activated independently of the control system for controlling the temperature in the chamber to bring the sterilizing agent to a temperature at least equal to that of the chamber before the sterilizing agent is fed into the chamber.

Abstract: A packaging container or blank therefor, suitable for carrying out quality control of the packaging container or packaging container blank, includes a package or blank having one or more poles (12) for interconnection with electric quality control equipment (24). The packaged product (20) will be directly or indirectly accessible, whereby both the quality of the packed product and the tightness of the surrounding packaging container (1) may be determined in a rational and partly automated manner. This is of particular importance in the production of aseptic packaging containers for, for instance, ready-made, heat-treated soups or similar foods.