Abstract: A linear motor system includes a track and at least one movable member coupled to the track and configured to move along the track. The at least one movable member includes a first element, a second element relatively movable with respect to the first element, and at least one movement detector configured to transmit a movement signal, wherein the movement detector comprises at least one magnet positioned at one of the first or second element, and at least one magnetometer positioned at the other of the first or the second element. The linear motor system also includes a processing unit configured to calculate a movement of the second element with respect to the first element as a function of the movement signal received from the movement detector.

Abstract: There is described a conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of carriers, a planar motor for selectively and independently moving the carriers, an inlet conveyor, an outlet conveyor and a control device for controlling each retaining device between a respective open configuration and a respective retaining configuration. The inlet conveyor and the outlet conveyor are configured to advance each package in a manner spaced apart from the planar motor and such that a respective interspace between the planar motor and the package allows of interposing a respective support platform of each carrier between the planar motor and the respective package.

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.

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.

Abstract: A linear motor system includes a track and at least one movable member coupled to the track and configured to move along the track. The at least one movable member includes a first element, a second element relatively movable with respect to the first element, and at least one movement detector configured to transmit a movement signal, wherein the movement detector comprises at least one magnet positioned at one of the first or second element, and at least one magnetometer positioned at the other of the first or the second element. The linear motor system also includes a processing unit configured to calculate a movement of the second element with respect to the first element as a function of the movement signal received from the movement detector.

Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) from a tube (3). The packaging apparatus (1) has an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in a conveyor zone (8), conveying carts (9) and operative units (10, 10?) moved by the plurality of conveying carts (9) along a path (P, Q). Each operative unit (10, 10?) moves between an operative configuration, in which the operative unit (10, 10?) manipulates the tube (3) and a rest configuration in which the operative unit (10, 10?) is detached from the tube (3). Each operative unit (10, 10?) has a half-shell (36) and one of a sealing element (37a) or a counter-sealing element (37b) and each operative unit (10, 10?) is carried by one respective conveying cart (9) and extends laterally away therefrom so that the conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced apart from an operative zone (33) where the tube is manipulated.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for forming opening devices on a sheet packaging material for packaging pourable food products; the apparatus comprises conveying means for advancing the packaging material along a given path, at least one molding unit arranged along the path and adapted to mold one opening device on a receiving portion of the packaging material, and at least one movable element carrying the molding unit and advanced parallel to at least a portion of the path to allow the molding unit to form the opening device while the packaging material is being advanced along the path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system (1) with electromagnetic energy transfer. The system (1) comprises a track (3) comprising a plurality of stators (4), each stator (4) having at least one winding adapted to generate a magnetic field having a fundamental harmonic (8) and at least one further harmonic (9) when fed with an varying current, and a movable element (2) comprising a primary magnetic element (5) adapted to receive said fundamental harmonic (8) to drive said movable element (2) along said track. The system (1) is characterized in that said movable element (2) further comprises a secondary magnetic element (6a-6c) adapted to receive said at least one further harmonic (9) to generate power onboard of said movable element (2). The invention also relates to a linear fractional slot synchronous machine and a rotational synchronous machine.

Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) from a tube (3). The packaging apparatus (1) has an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in a conveyor zone (8), conveying carts (9) and operative units (10, 10?) moved by the plurality of conveying carts (9) along a path (P, Q). Each operative unit (10, 10?) moves between an operative configuration, in which the operative unit (10, 10?) manipulates the tube (3) and a rest configuration in which the operative unit (10, 10?) is detached from the tube (3). Each operative unit (10, 10?) has a halfshell (36) and one of a sealing element (37a) or a counter-sealing element (37b) and each operative unit (10, 10?) is carried by one respective conveying cart (9) and extends laterally away therefrom so that the conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced apart from an operative zone (33) where the tube is manipulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system (1) with electromagnetic energy transfer. The system (1) comprises a track (3) comprising a plurality of stators (4), each stator (4) having at least one winding adapted to generate a magnetic field having a fundamental harmonic (8) and at least one further harmonic (9) when fed with an varying current, and a movable element (2) comprising a primary magnetic element (5) adapted to receive said fundamental harmonic (8) to drive said movable element (2) along said track. The system (1) is characterized in that said movable element (2) further comprises a secondary magnetic element (6a-6c) adapted to receive said at least one further harmonic (9) to generate power onboard of said movable element (2). The invention also relates to a linear fractional slot synchronous machine and a rotational synchronous machine.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for forming opening devices on a sheet packaging material for packaging pourable food products; the apparatus comprises conveying means for advancing the packaging material along a given path, at least one molding unit arranged along the path and adapted to mold one opening device on a receiving portion of the packaging material, and at least one movable element carrying the molding unit and advanced parallel to at least a portion of the path to allow the molding unit to form the opening device while the packaging material is being advanced along the path.

Abstract: A unit for sequencing and guiding items, in which the items are grouped into batches of one or more items; the unit comprises a first conveyor for advancing the items from an input station to an output station, and a sequencing apparatus cooperable with the items to form the batches and to drive them to the output station; the sequencing apparatus comprises a second conveyor comprising a track and plural movable elements independently moved along the track; the track has a work portion parallel to the first conveyor, and the movable elements include respective interacting portions, adapted to protrude over the first conveyor when the movable elements are advanced along the work portion of the track, and cooperating with the items to drive them to the desired positions along the first conveyor to define the batches and to locate the batches at the desired distances from one another.

Abstract: A unit for sequencing and guiding items, in which the items are grouped into batches of one or more items; the unit comprises a first conveyor for advancing the items from an input station to an output station, and a sequencing apparatus cooperable with the items to form the batches and to drive them to the output station; the sequencing apparatus comprises a second conveyor comprising a track and plural movable elements independently moved along the track; the track has a work portion parallel to the first conveyor, and the movable elements include respective interacting portions, adapted to protrude over the first conveyor when the movable elements are advanced along the work portion of the track, and cooperating with the items to drive them to the desired positions along the first conveyor to define the batches and to locate the batches at the desired distances from one another.

Abstract: A divider dividing products into parallel lanes comprises a support frame; at least one guide channel for receiving the products, carried by the frame and extending parallel to a longitudinal direction; a fixed first guide connected to the frame and extending parallel to a transversal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; second guide carried by the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction; first actuator for moving the guide channel parallel to the transversal direction; and second actuator for moving one of two telescopically coupled channel portions of the guide channel relative to the other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction; the second guide connected to the frame in a fixed position; the first/second actuators comprising a first/second motorized cursor slidably coupled to the first/second guide and connected to the guide channel/one of the two channel portions to move it parallel to the transversal/longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A divider dividing products into parallel lanes comprises a support frame; at least one guide channel for receiving the products, carried by the frame and extending parallel to a longitudinal direction; a fixed first guide connected to the frame and extending parallel to a transversal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; second guide carried by the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction; first actuator for moving the guide channel parallel to the transversal direction; and second actuator for moving one of two telescopically coupled channel portions of the guide channel relative to the other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction; the second guide connected to the frame in a fixed position; the first/second actuators comprising a first/second motorized cursor slidably coupled to the first/second guide and connected to the guide channel/one of the two channel portions to move it parallel to the transversal/ longitudinal direction.