Abstract: A device for applying pieces to absorbent articles includes a supporting shaft rotating an axis; anvils rotating about the axis; a cutting unit operating with an anvil contact surface defining a cutting station for cutting a web into pieces; pads, each having a retaining surface for a piece, are moved about the axis for conveying a piece from the cutting station to a releasing station for release onto a substrate. Each pad rotates for varying the orientation from the cutting station, where the larger side of the pad is parallel to a feed of the web, to the releasing station, where the larger side of the pad is transversal to the feed of the receiving substrate, and vice versa. Each pad translates parallel to the pad axis, away from and towards the shaft axis. Each pad has an oscillating movement about its own axis.

Abstract: A device for transferring rod articles of the tobacco industry from a longitudinal conveyor, the rod articles having an axis, the longitudinal conveyor having a first transport direction, which transports rod articles in the transport direction, along the axis of rod articles, to a transverse conveyor, the transverse conveyor having a second transport direction, which transports rod articles in the second transport direction transverse to the axis of rod articles, or inversely, containing a rotary transport device with a horizontal rotation axis, equipped with rotary arms on which brackets maintaining a horizontal position during rotation of the transport device, with grippers for gripping rod articles attached to the brackets, characterized in that the gripper is rotationally mounted on the bracket, so that the gripper's axis of rotation is directed vertically during the entire duration of the bracket's movement.

Abstract: A container-transport machine that selectively ejects container includes a transporter that is movable relative to a base and grippers arranged at the transporter. Each gripper suspends a container that is to be transported. An actuator is arranged at the base so as to be stationary relative to the transporter. The actuator is disposed at an ejection position for participating in selectively ejecting an individual container. A selectively-actuatable air nozzle disposed on the base at the ejection position promotes ejection of a container when an opening lever of a gripper interacts with the actuator while the opening lever passes through an ejection position.

Abstract: A machine for automatically positioning objects is disclosed. The machine has one inlet conveyor to transport objects in a lying position; a detector system to identify the orientation and/or shape of the objects; a robotic collection device to collect and position the objects according to information received by the detector system; a transfer conveyor having transfer fasteners arranged in fixed positions along a periphery of the transfer conveyor defining a closed loop around a tilted axis; an outlet conveyor to receive and transport the objects in an upright position; and a transfer fastener seat for the objects at each transfer fastener. The conveyor moves the fasteners seats because of the movement of the transfer conveyor between an upper receiving position, in which the object is held in a lying position, and a lower delivery position, in which the object is held in an upright position. The transfer conveyor and the outlet conveyor are synchronized.

Abstract: A packaging machine for placing articles into a carton includes rotating flight assemblies that receive a carton or carton blank, and rotate the carton blank and carton with articles while the flight assemblies move downstream. The flight assemblies each include two fixed segments and one segment that includes a block and associated bracket that rotate as the flight assembly is pulled through the machine by a conveying system. A method includes carton blanks being fed by a carton feeder onto the flight assemblies. Articles are formed into an article group, which is then placed onto a carton blank. As the blank and article group move in a downstream direction, the side panels of the carton blank are wrapped around the article group and the carton and article group are rotated to assist in closing the carton end flaps.

Abstract: According to the present embodiment, a control device of a conveyor system controls a moving device and a suction device to suction the transport target article so that an approximate center of an opening of at least one suction unit is located on a first imaginary line, and remaining suction unit is located on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the transport target article with respect to the first imaginary line, controls a turning-over section to be in a front-back reversing orientation, and performs control so that suction of the transport target article by the suction units is released after the suction device is in the front-back reversing orientation.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed a component in an automatic manufacturing machine, which has at least one holding head designed to receive and hold the component; a conveyor to cyclically move the holding head along an application path; and a rotation station arranged along the feeding path and in which the holding head rotates relative to the equipment and around a rotation axis to vary the orientation of the component. The conveyor has a closed curve guide arranged in a fixed position along the application path; and an equipment supporting the holding head and provided with at least one slide coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide. An actuation system controls rotation of the holding head around the first rotation axis and has a cam and a cam follower roller, which can be coupled to the cam and mechanically connected to the holding head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus (1) with a forming unit (2) and a down-stream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) in between the units (2,4) which rotates around a first axis (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6) which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel (3) around a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26). The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a down-stream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3) which rotates around an axis of rotation (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6), each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit (2) and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit (4).

Abstract: A packaging machine for placing articles into a carton includes rotating flight assemblies that receive a carton or carton blank, and rotate the carton blank and carton with articles while the flight assemblies move downstream. The flight assemblies each include two fixed segments and one segment that includes a block and associated bracket that rotate as the flight assembly is pulled through the machine by a conveying system. A method includes carton blanks being fed by a carton feeder onto the flight assemblies. Articles are formed into an article group, which is then placed onto a carton blank. As the blank and article group move in a downstream direction, the side panels of the carton blank are wrapped around the article group and the carton and article group are rotated to assist in closing the carton end flaps.

Abstract: Articles are transferred from an article supply conveyor to an article receiving conveyor while the transferring articles are selectively reoriented. When the conveyors are in parallel, a travelling article reorienting turret seeks articles following an article absence or hole on the supply conveyor and transfers the following article to a next-in-line position on the receiving conveyor to cure or avoid holes of articles on the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for buffering and processing loose rod-like articles including a feeder belt in communication with an inlet rotary portion, an intermediate rotary portion in communication with the inlet rotary portion and a discharge rotary portion, and a discharge belt in communication with the discharge rotary portion. The inlet rotary portion, intermediate rotary portion, discharge rotary portion define a transit path that serves buffering and/or processing purposes for a rod segment or rod segment group. Mechanical separators are distributed circumferentially about a periphery of each of the rotary portions, with processing compartments formed between respective mechanical separators to receive the rod segment or rod segment group. One or more supplementary processing zones are distributed adjacent a circumference of one or more rotary portions with an assembly proximate the supplementary processing zones. The assembly exerts a controlled process transversely through the transit path.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for severing a continuous web into discrete pieces, and re-orienting the discrete pieces by turning and placing the discrete pieces onto a moving conveyor for further processing as desired.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of transferring discrete articles from a transfer assembly to an apparatus comprising a head. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a first rotation axis and a transfer member. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the first rotation axis and maintaining a transfer surface of the transfer member at a substantially constant minimum distance away from a surface of the head at a point of discrete article transfer. The transfer surface is moved at a first substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The method further comprises rotating the head of the apparatus about a second rotation axis. The surface of the head is moved at a second substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The second tangential velocity of the head is greater than the first tangential velocity of the transfer surface.

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: Ventilated vacuum structures such as pucks and rings are disclosed for carrying portions of disposable products during manufacturing. Air flow enters vacuum commutation ports on an article carrying structure from vents nearby, the vents receiving air from a side, a top or an underside of the article carrying structure.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA); trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform.

Abstract: A printing system includes carriage assemblies, a preparation station, a printing station, and a selection station. The carriage assemblies receive flexible bodies and are coupled to a conveyance assembly that moves the carriage assemblies along a direction of travel. The preparation station receives the flexible bodies from the loading station and manipulates the flexible bodies to at least partially flatten printing surfaces of the flexible bodies. The printing station prints images on the flexible bodies. The selection station examines the images on the flexible bodies and selects one or more of the flexible bodies based on the images. The selection station also individually grips and removes selected flexible bodies from the carriage assemblies and conveys the selected flexible bodies to a first collection location while the other flexible bodies remain on the carriage assemblies and are conveyed to a different, second collection location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotation assembly for a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The rotation assembly comprises a torque transmitting assembly comprising input and output members, a link comprising a first end operably coupled to the input member and a second end comprising a follower member, a shaft comprising a first end operably coupled to the output member and a second end engaged with a portion of the transfer member, and a track. The follower is movably engaged with the track and circumnavigates about a path in correspondence with the track. The follower member is moved radially relative to a first rotation axis by the track as it circumnavigates about the path to transmit torque through the torque transmitting assembly and to the shaft. The torque causes a portion of the transfer member to rotate between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a transfer assembly for transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis. The frame comprises a track having a circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis. The transfer assembly comprises transfer members movably engaged with the track, each having a transfer surface. The transfer assembly comprises a wheel engaged with the frame and configured to rotate about the rotation axis. The wheel is engaged with the transfer members. As the wheel rotates about the rotation axis, the transfer members circumnavigate about a path about the rotation axis in correspondence with the track. The shape of the track causes the transfer surfaces to move radially relative to the rotation axis while the transfer surfaces are maintained a substantially constant distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotation assembly for a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The rotation assembly comprises a torque transmitting assembly comprising input and output members, a link comprising a first end operably coupled to the input member and a second end comprising a follower member, a shaft comprising a first end operably coupled to the output member and a second end engaged with a portion of the transfer member, and a track. The follower is movably engaged with the track and circumnavigates about a path in correspondence with the track. The follower member is moved radially relative to a first rotation axis by the track as it circumnavigates about the path to transmit torque through the torque transmitting assembly and to the shaft. The torque causes a portion of the transfer member to rotate between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A rotating system to withdraw, to transport and to feed blanks having two rotating elements, a first sun shaft, a first planetary shaft and a second planetary shaft disposed coaxial among them, two first arms, a third planet shaft, one or more second arms, one or more gripper means, first transmission means able to rotate the first and the second planetary shafts, second transmission means able to rotate-oscillate the third planet shaft in an independent manner, first actuator means, second actuator means, synchronizer means.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement (10) for gripping articles (at 60) comprises a central wheel body with a multiplicity of arms (20), which can be pivoted about a first axis (23) in each case, articulated along its periphery. The arms (20) have a gripper (60) for receiving in each case one or more articles (15). Each gripper (60) can be rotated about a second axis (33) for predetermined positioning of the articles, while the connecting body (30) can be rotated about the first axis (23). The rotary movement of the gripper (60), then, can be transferred to the gripper (60), rotating about the second axis (33), via a shaft (28) arranged along the first axis (23), with the aid of a transfer element (25, 26, 27). Finally, a third axis (43) is arranged on the connecting body (30), between the first and second axes (23, 33).

Abstract: A device for carrying out a repitching operation, i.e., for changing the pitch between articles (A) comprised in a flow of moving articles, includes one or more conveying elements (12) for the articles (A) that are to follow a path of orbital movement about a principal axis (X10) between a position of picking-up (T) and a position of release (G) of the articles (A) themselves. The speed of said orbital movement is selectively variable (39, 37, 36) in the passage between the aforesaid positions of picking-up (T) and of release (G) so as to modify the pitch between the articles (A) carried by the conveying elements (12). Said conveying elements (12) are likewise orientable about a respective axis (X12) oriented in a radial direction with respect to the principal axis (X10) so as to modify the orientation of the articles (A) in the passage between the position of picking-up (T) and the position of release (G).

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus is disclosed which includes a delivery device that delivers an article supplied in a horizontal position from a conveyor to an accumulation and conveyance apparatus, and delivery tables which receive the article and move the same to a standing position by rotating to the standing position, and which also deliver the article while orderly placing the same from front to rear in a bucket by moving forward; and a drive unit comprising a synchronous pulley, a synchronous timing belt, and a motor, which rotate and move the delivery tables in synchronization with the movement of the bucket. In addition, a rotation shaft, which is a rotation support point of the delivery table, is located above a lower end portion of the delivery table in the standing position.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting and sorting a plurality of random length boards to form at least one row of boards having a total length within a predetermined target length range includes a measurement section operative to measure the length of each board and a sorting section which includes a sorting device and system for sorting the boards. An accumulating row section accumulates and stores rows of boards selected from the plurality of boards and a vacuum suction transport device moves rows of boards from the accumulating rows to a bundling section which receives rows of boards and then bunches and aligns the rows of boards and bundles the rows of boards in a board row bundle. Finally, a central processor performs all calculations and controls to properly sort the boards to create bundles of rows of boards having a total length generally within a predetermined target length range.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an elastic laminate including a crosslinked elastic layer formed of an elastic copolymer includes a die for extruding a layer of crosslinkable elastic copolymer, at least one roll for conveying the elastic layer, a supply source for providing at least one nonwoven web, a lamination nip for laminating at least one nonwoven web to the elastic layer, a processing unit for crosslinking the elastic layer and a winder for collecting the elastic laminate. The crosslinkable elastic copolymer may be a crosslinkable elastic styrenic block copolymer, a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin plastomer, or a crosslinkable propylene-ethylene copolymer. The crosslinkable elastic layer may be extruded in the form of a plurality of parallel filaments such as by a filament die. The processing unit may be positioned between the at least one roll and the lamination nip or may be positioned between the lamination nip and the winder.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, thermal cycle molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via novel transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms.

Abstract: Installation for assembling tube components, particularly bodies (1) with shoulders, comprising the following elements arranged in succession: a linear body conveyor (4), a transfer system (7) designed to apply a change in orientation to the bodies (1) of about 90°, an assembly unit (8) for fixing the shoulders to the bodies (1), characterized in that the transfer system (7) consists of a device (9) for gripping the bodies and of a device (17) for changing the orientation of the bodies, the orientation-change device comprising a rotary conveyor (17), of the conveyor belt type, which is arranged at right angles to the direction of the linear conveyor (4), the said rotary conveyor (17) comprising a belt (18, 19) rotating about a direction that makes an angle of about 45° with the direction of the linear conveyor (4), the belt (18, 19) comprising elements (15) for grasping the bodies, the shape of which is designed so that the bodies (1) are initially grasped on one of the sides of the rotary conveyor (17), in a

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for variable-pitch spacing and turning or, reversibly, for turning and variable-pitch spacing of work pieces in production of disposable absorbent articles, such as, feminine hygiene articles, diapers, body wraps, and the like, are disclosed. The work pieces can include any component of a disposable absorbent article, a combination of components forming a semi-finished absorbent article, or a finished absorbent article product.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, thermal cycle molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via novel transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously transferring substrates such as tablets from a rotary, double-sided tablet press to a second location is provided. The apparatus comprises a flexible conveying means on which transfer units adapted to receive the substrates are mounted. The flexible conveying means travels along a path that is coincident with those portions of the tablet press where tablets are ejected.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable the orientations of chip components accommodated in groove portions of an index table to be assuredly uniformized. When a polarity judgment device finds that the orientation of the chip component accommodated in the groove portion of the index table is opposite, the polarity inversion apparatus according to the present invention moves the chip component to the component accommodating inversion portion by using compressed air and the intake air from air inlet/outlet ports. Since the bottom surface of the inlet of the inversion portion is set so as to be lower than the base surface under the index table and the width of the inlet of the inversion portion is set so as to be wider than the width of the groove portion, the chip component can move to the inversion portion without getting stuck in the vicinity of the boundary.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, thermal cycle molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via novel transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms.

Abstract: A drum-shaped conveyor rotates about a fixed axis and its core carries a set of angularly distributed sections indexible about axes extending radially of the fixed axis when the core is set in rotary motion. Each section has several parallel flutes for sets of discrete filter cigarettes which are turned end-for-end, as well as moved circumferentially and axially of the core, in response to each revolution of the core. Rotation of successive sections about the respective radial axes takes place at timely spaced intervals and in opposite directions. The conveyor can receive filter cigarettes from a maker and inverts the sets of cigarettes prior to admission of such articles into a packing machine.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.