Abstract: A machine for forming filters for infusion capsules, and relative cleaning method, the machine including one or more forming devices, one or more cleaning devices, each cleaning device having one or more cleaning elements; a first movement system configured to move the one or more cleaning elements between a disengagement position, wherein the cleaning elements do not mechanically interact with the forming devices, and a cleaning position, where the one or more cleaning elements mechanically interact with at least one forming device; and a second movement system configured to impart to the one or more cleaning elements, when in the cleaning position, a reciprocating linear motion along the forming axis to rub the one or more cleaning elements on at least a part of the forming surface of the forming device.

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 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 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 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 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 method is described for joining a first sheet and a second sheet of packaging material, which includes: preparing the first sheet with a first joint edge transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first sheet, and having a particular configuration with a non-straight edge; arranging the second sheet with a second joint edge transverse to a longitudinal axis of the second sheet; superimposing the first and second joint edges to join the first and second sheets so that the longitudinal axes are aligned, and the second sheet constitutes a continuation of the first sheet along the longitudinal axes; welding together the first and second joint edges superimposed on each other.

Abstract: A magazine for a bundle of blanks includes vertical supports, each including supporting members spaced vertically along the vertical support at to support said bundle of blanks from below; a base structure has seats, each to receive an end portion of one of the vertical supports, said end portion and the base structure removably coupled to each other at the seats, a coupling between the vertical supports and the base structure defines a vertically-extended channel having an upper opening for inserting/extracting said bundle of blanks, said seats arranged in the base structure at predetermined distances from each other to allow a first positioning of said vertical supports, defining a first configuration of said channel, and a second positioning of said vertical supports, defining a second configuration of said channel different from the first configuration; a releasable fastening system fastens the vertical supports to the base structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a container starting from a blank. A forming unit includes a conveyor and equipment secured to the conveyor, including a forming device to form the container from the blank. The method includes: moving the conveyor; supplying the blank to the conveyor at the forming device; starting the forming of the container from the blank by said forming device; and completing the forming of the container from the blank by the forming device independently of a movement of the conveyor.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.