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: In an apparatus and a packaging process of capsules with an opening closed by a laminar lid obtained by cutting a strip, the ability of transporting the laminar lids in several lines is introduced, reducing the overall dimensions. The apparatus includes: a cutting device with a mechanism defining a portion of the strip where the strip is tensioned in a respective cutting plane, and one or more punches obtaining the laminar lids from the strip; a carousel-like transfer device, having transfer members movable along a closed path, with gripping heads configured to receive respective laminar lids from the cutting device. The cutting plane is in a vertical position, and the mutual position of the cutting device and the transfer device defines a gripping spot of the closed path, the laminar lids being retained in the transfer members on a respective plane in a vertical position.

Abstract: A singling unit for articles stacked in a nested configuration includes at least two stacks of articles stacked in a nested configuration, an extractor group to extract single articles from each stack, and a conveyor to receive the articles singled by the extractor group and to transport them along an advance direction arranged in at least one row substantially parallel to the advance direction. The extractor group is configured to deposit on the conveyor the articles extracted from the stacks in a number of rows smaller than the number of the stacks.

Abstract: A feed unit for articles includes: a first feeding device; a second feeding device for individually picking up the articles from the first feeding device at a removal location at a predetermined time interval; and a synchronization device for receiving the articles from the first feeding device and to moving the articles into the removal location. A control system is also provided, to adjust the speed of the synchronization device in such a manner that each article reaches the removal location at the predetermined time interval in order to be picked up by the second feeding device.

Abstract: A pincer device for gripping and releasing articles from an operating station to a subsequent station, capable of operating, in a transfer apparatus, with a minimum footprint, without interfering with other pincer devices arranged at close range thereto, is presented. The pincer device has a pair of gripping claws, cooperating with each other and having each a proximal end and a distal end, a gripping edge facing the gripping edge of the other gripping claw, and a longitudinal development following a predefined respective direction. The pincer device also has a driving mechanism, having at least one rotary actuator connected to a respective proximal end, configured to rotate each gripping claw from a gripping position to a release position by rotating each gripping claw about a rotation axis parallel to the predefined direction. In the gripping position, the gripping edges have a minimum spacing therebetween, progressively increasing towards the release position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a transfer process for articles are presented. The articles are transferred without risk of damage when gripped by pincer grip devices, regardless of article shape and gripping manner. The apparatus includes a first transport device, having pincer grip devices, moving along a first closed path, each having pincer claws projecting outward from the first closed path. The pincer claws are movable from a gripping position to a release position. The apparatus also includes a second transport device, having tray-like elements moving along a respective second closed path and configured to receive respective articles resting thereon. The first and second transport devices cooperate with each other at one or two exchange segments where the first closed path is superimposed on said second closed path and where the articles transported in the pincer grip devices are laid on tray-like elements and/or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A feed unit for articles includes a guide extending along a guide longitudinal axis to define a linear feed path for such articles. The guide is for accommodating articles arranged in a row one after the other and to guide the articles as the articles move along the linear feed path. The articles have a characteristic length corresponding to their size along the longitudinal axis. At least one segment of the guide is progressively rotated about the guide longitudinal axis by a total angle greater than 180° and with an angular variation per unit of linear measurement such that, substantially for each portion of the linear feed path equal to the characteristic length of the articles, the guide is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an angle greater than 4°.

Abstract: A device and a production process for capsules, in particular infusion type products, to continuously deliver filters into the capsules, independently of the flow feed rate of the filters and of the cup-shaped containers of the capsules. The device includes: filter delivery devices; a first transport system the delivery devices, continuously moving them along a first closed path; a second transport system of support devices continuously moveable along a second closed path, each support device configured to receive a respective cup-shaped container. The first closed path includes a filter inserting segment superimposed to the second closed path, so that the delivery devices and respective support devices are synchronized with each other, to continuously transfer a filter to a target cup-shaped container.

Abstract: A feed unit for articles includes: a first feeding device; a second feeding device for individually picking up the articles from the first feeding device at a removal location at a predetermined time interval; and a synchronization device for receiving the articles from the first feeding device and to moving the articles into the removal location. A control system is also provided, to adjust the speed of the synchronization device in such a manner that each article reaches the removal location at the predetermined time interval in order to be picked up by the second feeding device.

Abstract: A feed unit for articles includes a guide extending along a guide longitudinal axis to define a linear feed path for such articles. The guide is for accommodating articles arranged in a row one after the other and to guide the articles as the articles move along the linear feed path. The articles have a characteristic length corresponding to their size along the longitudinal axis. At least one segment of the guide is progressively rotated about the guide longitudinal axis by a total angle greater than 180° and with an angular variation per unit of linear measurement such that, substantially for each portion of the linear feed path equal to the characteristic length of the articles, the guide is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an angle greater than 4°.

Abstract: A movement unit for articles includes a first carousel device having a first transporter member and first gripping heads mounted thereon and provided to move the articles into a single-row configuration. The movement unit further includes a second carousel device to receive the articles from the first carousel device, having a second transporter member and second gripping heads mounted thereon. Each second gripping head is configured to receive the articles from a respective first gripping head and to move the articles into a multi-row configuration.

Abstract: A coupling method for coupling a component of a container to the container is presented. The method includes: arranging a coupling unit including a coupling assembly with a frame, a gripping device for the component, a coupling device for constraining the component to the container; arranging the container and the component at least partially within the container, providing at least a minimum spacing between a bottom of the component and a base of the container; moving and activating the gripping device at a removal position of the component; and activating the coupling element to produce a stable coupling between the couplable portion of the component and the container, deactivating and moving the coupling element.

Abstract: In a transfer device and a process for discrete elements, fed in a line with a predetermined spacing, variations in the dimensions of the discrete elements resulting in a variation in a release spot included in a release segment, are absorbed by an alignment of the receiving elements. A transport device of the transfer device has receiving elements, each configured to receive a respective discrete element and moving along a transport path at a predetermined speed. The discrete elements are transported on a release device of the transfer device along a release path with a linear development. The release path has a release segment intersecting the transport path at a receiving segment of the transport path. The transport device includes a moving mechanism for the receiving elements to align the receiving elements at the receiving segment, where the release segment is superimposed on the transport path at the receiving segment.

Abstract: A coupling method for coupling a component of a container to the container is presented. The method includes: arranging a coupling unit including a coupling assembly with a frame, a gripping device for the component, a coupling device for constraining the component to the container; arranging the container and the component at least partially within the container, providing at least a minimum spacing between a bottom of the component and a base of the container; moving and activating the gripping device at a removal position of the component; moving the retaining element and the coupling element to a coupling position; deactivating the retaining element, thus deactivating a constraint between the gripping element and the component; and activating said coupling element to produce a stable coupling between the couplable portion of the component and the container, deactivating and moving the coupling element.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for articles to be packaged includes: a transport system having a transport direction for the articles to be packaged and a plurality of rigid transport elements pulled in a sequence and extend transversely to the transport direction, each one having a plurality of seats defining a predefined pattern; a packaging station, arranged along the transport direction transport, having a stationary support structure and a packaging system with a plurality of operating devices each one being arranged in a predetermined position with respect to the other operating devices, each of the operating devices able to carry out a packaging operation on a corresponding article to be packaged at the transit of the respective transport element near the packaging station; and a movement mechanism, integral with the support structure, rigidly moving at least a part of the operating devices with respect to corresponding seats of a single transport element.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for packaging products in boxes, includes: a supply station, in which the products are positioned, a discharge station arranged to receive the products from the supply station and at least one first guide and a second guide which extend along respective longitudinal axes between the supply station and the discharge station, both configured to lead a single column of products along its own longitudinal axis from the supply station to the discharge station while rotating the products about the longitudinal axis through respective rotation angles different from 0° and different from each other.

Abstract: A transporter apparatus for products includes a first conveyor, provided with seats for receiving said products and provided to move said products in a first advance direction, a compaction unit, positioned downstream of the first conveyor and a second conveyor positioned downstream of said compaction unit. The compacting unit includes a support surface on which the products coming from the first conveyor are deposited, and a movement member provided to move the products placed on the support surface towards each other in a second advance direction, so as to form compact columns of products substantially parallel to the second advance direction.

Abstract: A pincer device for gripping and releasing articles from an operating station to a subsequent station, capable of operating, in a transfer apparatus, with a minimum footprint, without interfering with other pincer devices arranged at close range thereto, is presented. The pincer device has a pair of gripping claws, cooperating with each other and having each a proximal end and a distal end, a gripping edge facing the gripping edge of the other gripping claw, and a longitudinal development following a predefined respective direction. The pincer device also has a driving mechanism, having at least one rotary actuator connected to a respective proximal end, configured to rotate each gripping claw from a gripping position to a release position by rotating each gripping claw about a rotation axis parallel to the predefined direction. In the gripping position, the gripping edges have a minimum spacing therebetween, progressively increasing towards the release position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a transfer process for articles are presented. The articles are transferred without risk of damage when gripped by pincer grip devices, regardless of article shape and gripping manner. The apparatus includes a first transport device, having pincer grip devices, moving along a first closed path, each having pincer claws projecting outward from the first closed path. The pincer claws are movable from a gripping position to a release position. The apparatus also includes a second transport device, having tray-like elements moving along a respective second closed path and configured to receive respective articles resting thereon. The first and second transport devices cooperate with each other at one or two exchange segments where the first closed path is superimposed on said second closed path and where the articles transported in the pincer grip devices are laid on tray-like elements and/or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A coupling method for coupling a component of a container to the container is presented. The method includes: arranging a coupling unit including a coupling assembly with a frame, a gripping device for the component, a coupling device for constraining the component to the container; arranging the container and the component at least partially within the container, providing at least a minimum spacing between a bottom of the component and a base of the container; moving and activating the gripping device at a removal position of the component; moving the retaining element and the coupling element to a coupling position; deactivating the retaining element, thus deactivating a constraint between the gripping element and the component; and activating said coupling element to produce a stable coupling between the couplable portion of the component and the container, deactivating and moving the coupling element.