Abstract: A magazine for bundles of blanks includes a vertical channel configured for inserting and extracting bundles of blanks and a succession of groups of supporting parts distributed along the channel. The supporting parts are configured to support the underside of a respective bundle of blanks. More specifically, each supporting part is movable between an extracted position, where it projects from the channel, towards the inside of the channel, to intercept a bundle that is moving down along the channel and to provide a steady support for the bundle, and a retracted position, where the supporting part is aligned or recessed with respect to the channel to allow the bundle to move along the channel towards a portion under the supporting part. The magazine also includes, for each supporting part, an actuating device configured to promote the passage of the supporting part from the retracted position to the extracted position and controllable by an operator, preferably manually.

Abstract: A continuously operating device and process for packaging articles are presented, where the overall dimensions are contained despite use of a high number of robotic systems. The articles are fed on a first conveyor line. A second conveyor line is provided for flow of open box-shaped packagings to be filled with the articles arranged in layers. Transfer devices pick the articles and insert them in a respective target box-shaped packaging. Each transfer device includes a handling member and a gripping device, both movable along three orthogonal axes. A control unit for controlling the transfer devices includes a collection of laws of motion and/or relevant trajectories defining the motion of the transfer devices. A set of laws of motion and/or relevant trajectories is selected from the collection according to a predetermined number and size of the layers.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed blanks in a packer machine having: a frame; a hopper for holding a stack of blanks, supported by the frame, and having a pick-up opening, through which one blank at a time can be retrieved from the stack; and a conveyor, supported by the frame, which moves the blanks along a moving path ending in the hopper. The feeding unit can be adjusted by a format change operation to accommodate blacks of different formats by changing the feeding unit from a first configuration for containing a first format of blanks, to a second configuration for containing a second format of blanks, different from the first format. The hopper has a reference element, which, in use, is placed in contact with the stack of blanks to establish reference positions for the blanks relative to the frame that do not move due to a format change operation.

Abstract: A transfer device to transfer articles by removing the articles from a removal zone and depositing the articles in a discharge zone, wherein a support plane and a deposit direction substantially perpendicular to the support plane are defined at the discharge zone. The transfer device includes a gripping head with retention elements, each for retaining a respective article, and a movement mechanism configured to move at least one retention element with respect to at least one other retention element in a staggering direction having a non-null component parallel with the deposit direction.

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a fixed internal body, a rotating external body and a lubrication system to lubricate one or more components of the internal body or external body during rotation. The lubrication system includes: an inlet conduit for a lubricant, formed in the internal body; one or more distribution conduits for the lubricant; a lubricant collection chamber between the external body and the internal body; and an outlet conduit communicating with the collection chamber.

Abstract: A transfer device for removing articles from a removal zone and depositing them in a discharge zone is described. The transfer device includes a gripping head with retention elements, each configured to retain a respective article. The transfer device further includes a movement mechanism to move at least one retention element on the gripping head between a first configuration, where the retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where the retention elements are brought close to one another. The movement mechanism is configured to move at least one of the retention elements between the first and the second configuration by rotation about a respective rotation axis.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed blanks in a packer machine has a frame supporting a hopper and conveyor. The hopper holds a stack of blanks and has a pick-up opening, through which one blank at a time can be retrieved from the stack. The conveyor moves the blanks along a moving path ending in the hopper. The feeding unit can be adjusted by a format change operation to contain blanks with different formats by changing the feeding unit from a first configuration for containing a first format to a second configuration for containing a second format, different from the first format. A plurality of different and interchangeable hoppers are provided, each associated with a corresponding format of the blanks. Each hopper is fixed to the frame in a removable manner in order to be replaced during a format change operation.

Abstract: A movement unit for moving a blank includes a drum, a blank with central and lateral panels, and a retention device for retaining the blank. The lateral panel has an end secured to the central panel by a folding zone and an opposite free end. The retention device is secured to the drum and includes a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and having first retention elements configured to retain the central panel, and a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and having second retention elements configured to retain the lateral panel.

Abstract: A device and a process for feeding articles to be packaged with a packaging apparatus are presented. The articles are transported on a first conveying line and can be arranged according to a desired pattern, which is repeated on a second conveying line from which the articles will be picked up in a subsequent station. For this purpose, at least one transfer device is provided for transferring the articles from the first conveying line to the second conveying line, with a self-moving transfer arm and a respective gripping device to pick up the articles. The gripping device has a plurality of gripping elements which are movable between a first configuration, in which the gripping elements are aligned with each other to grip the articles from the first conveying line, and a second configuration, in which at least two of the gripping elements are staggered with respect to each other, to lay the articles according to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A packaging process, apparatus and control system for articles to be packaged in box-shaped packagings are presented. The flow of box-shaped packagings and the flow of articles are efficiently managed, avoiding an excessive discarding of the box-shaped packagings during the process. Articles and open box-shaped packagings are conveyed in a continuous flow. Packaging compliance with the instructions related to the box-shaped packagings and article compliance with instructions related to the deposit of the articles are verified. Upon verification of the packaging compliance, the articles are transferred to the box-shaped packagings. In case of lack of packaging compliance, the flow of articles is suspended. In case of lack of article compliance, the articles to be transferred are moved to a buffer.

Abstract: A retention device for retaining blanks includes: a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and provided with first retention elements of a blank, a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and provided with second retention elements of the blank, and a movement mechanism for the second gripping portion with respect to the first gripping portion. The movement mechanism is configured to perform a pure rotation of the second gripping portion about a virtual rotation axis defined outside the retention device.

Abstract: A forming unit for a container from a blank of the container. The unit includes a conveyor and at least one equipment secured to the conveyor. The equipment includes a forming device moving with continuous movement and forming a container from the blank during a predetermined forming path on the conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging device and a process for packaging articles arranged according to a predetermined pattern and supplied on a conveyor line are presented, where buffers for the preparation of layers to be packaged are eliminated, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility for a wide range of formats. The packaging device includes one or more transfer devices that pick up the articles and deposit them in layers. The transfer devices have a handling member connected to a respective gripping device, both movable along three orthogonal axes. Each gripping device has gripping elements to pick up an article from the conveyor line. The gripping elements are arranged to form, on each gripping device, a single layer of articles. Each layer is obtained with one or more pickings from the conveyor line, in order to place the articles in a single operation in a respective container of the flow.

Abstract: A depalletizing machine for picking up and moving groups of articles, specifically bundles of blanks, includes a containing structure internally provided with at least one receiving area for a movable magazine containing one or more groups of articles. The machine also includes at least one access opening for allowing the magazine to be inserted into, or removed from, the receiving area. The machine also includes a collection zone configured for receiving a succession of groups of articles from the movable magazine and for moving the groups of articles towards the outside of the machine. The machine also includes at least one sensor configured for detecting a position of the movable magazine within the at least one receiving area and a pickup head configured to pick up groups of articles from the movable magazine and transferring them into the collection zone.

Abstract: A magazine for packs of blanks includes a vertical channel configured for inserting and extracting packs of blanks, a succession of groups of supporting parts movable between a retracted position to allow the packs of blanks to move along the channel towards a portion under the supporting part, and an at least partly extracted position, in which the supporting part intercepts a pack of blanks moving down the channel and provides a steady support for the pack of blanks, and transmission means configured to automatically move each supporting part from the retracted position to the at least partly extracted position when the supporting part immediately below it intercepts a respective pack of blanks, thereby defining the steady support.

Abstract: A magazine for bundles of blanks includes a vertical channel configured for inserting and extracting bundles of blanks and a succession of groups of supporting parts distributed along the channel. The supporting parts are configured to support the underside of a respective bundle of blanks. More specifically, each supporting part is movable between an extracted position, where it projects from the channel, towards the inside of the channel, to intercept a bundle that is moving down along the channel and to provide a steady support for the bundle, and a retracted position, where the supporting part is aligned or recessed with respect to the channel to allow the bundle to move along the channel towards a portion under the supporting part. The magazine also includes, for each supporting part, an actuating device configured to promote the passage of the supporting part from the retracted position to the extracted position and controllable by an operator, preferably manually.

Abstract: Tobacco products are wrapped by a unit equipped with a rotating drum carrying a set of holder mechanisms around the periphery, each rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the drum, by which single products are supported and carried through an assembly station together with leaves of wrapping material received from a vacuum roller turning on an axis parallel to the axis of the drum; the vacuum roller revolves tangentially to the drum at the assembly station and comprises a system by which each leaf is transferred to a gripper associated with the support mechanism. The transfer system is timed to operate in a situation of substantially zero relative peripheral velocity between the support mechanism and the vacuum roller.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, typically a cellophaner for overwrapping packets of cigarettes, each of the packets is enveloped by a wrapping unit in a heat shrinkable wrapper presenting at least two opposite faces disposed parallel one with another. The machine also comprises a unit by which heat is applied to the wrappers, equipped with a pair of belt conveyors that present two branches, facing one another and set in motion in such a way as to transport the packets by gripping the two opposite faces of each wrapper, and at least one heating head associated with each transport branch; the heating heads are faced with a leaf of lamellar graphite bonded to the head on one side and offered in direct contact on the other to the respective branch of the corresponding belt conveyor, so as to minimize friction between the belt and the head.

Abstract: Tobacco products are wrapped by a unit equipped with a rotating drum carrying a set of holder mechanisms around the periphery, each rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the drum, by which single products are supported and carried through an assembly station together with leaves of wrapping material received from a vacuum roller turning on an axis parallel to the axis of the drum; the vacuum roller revolves tangentially to the drum at the assembly station and comprises a system by which each leaf is transferred to a gripper associated with the support mechanism. The transfer system is timed to operate in a situation of substantially zero relative peripheral velocity between the support mechanism and the vacuum roller.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, typically a cellophaner for overwrapping packets of cigarettes, each of the packets is enveloped by a wrapping unit in a heat shrinkable wrapper presenting at least two opposite faces disposed parallel one with another. The machine also comprises a unit by which heat is applied to the wrappers, equipped with a pair of belt conveyors that present two branches, facing one another and set in motion in such a way as to transport the packets by gripping the two opposite faces of each wrapper, and at least one heating head associated with each transport branch; the heating heads are faced with a leaf of lamellar graphite bonded to the head on one side and offered in direct contact on the other to the respective branch of the corresponding belt conveyor, so as to minimize friction between the belt and the head.