Abstract: A system for transferring a group of components of electronic cigarettes from a first to a second operating station includes a conveyor extends from a feeding zone to a disengagement zone and has a plurality of seats. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them into the seats at a first mutual distance. A disengaging and transferring device operates to disengage the components from their seats and transfer the components to a collecting zone. A compacting device operates in the collecting zone to move the components closer together and place them at a second mutual distance that is smaller than the first mutual distance. A tray faces and receives from the collecting zone the group of components which have been placed close together. A pushing device pushes the components from the collecting zone into the tray. A movement device transfers the tray to the second operating station.

Abstract: A food article loading system including a shuttle conveyor mounted for reciprocal movement having a first paddle belt for receiving food articles, and upper and lower drives engaging the upper and lower passes of the first paddle belt; a loading head having a second paddle belt for receiving the food articles from the first paddle belt lower pass; a slide gate for receiving groupings of food articles from the loading head; and a control for independently actuating the upper and lower drives to operate at selected speeds, to cause rotation of the first belt and the shuttle conveyor to reciprocate longitudinally to receive and retain a first predetermined number of the food articles, deposit a second predetermined number of the elongate food articles onto the second belt at a selected frequency, and selectively open the slide gate to allow groupings of food articles to fall into receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for individual feeding of fish into a processing line. Such method and device may, for instance, be used for receiving, gilling and gutting freshly caught fish in a processing line on board a fishing vessel. For instance, the in-feeding apparatus and method may be used to increase the value of the fish by speeding up the time until the fish is chilled for storing.

Abstract: Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; the inner blank is folded, by way of first folding means, so as to form a hinged lid; in a feed station, the partly folded inner blank is coupled to the wrapped group of tobacco articles so that a rear wall of the wrapped group of tobacco articles rests on a panel of the inner blank corresponding to a rear wall of the inner container; and the inner blank is folded, by second folding means arranged downstream from the feed station, about the wrapped group of tobacco articles to complete the production of the inner container.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a product distribution conveyor which spreads products across its width and aligns them in uniform orientations while doing so; a lateral transfer conveyor which receives a row of the aligned products from the product distribution conveyor, and rejects unaligned and/or excess products while doing so; and a product loading conveyor which receives each row of products and loads them into packaging in a neatly aligned array.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for automatically arranging and feeding root canal treatment materials and a system for packaging the root canal treatment materials using the device, in which the device can neatly and efficiently arrange root canal treatment materials, such as root canal fillers or sorbefacients used in a root canal treatment, in such a way that the treatment materials are oriented in one direction, and can feed the arranged treatment materials; and the system can package the root canal treatment materials by automatically inserting the materials into small-sized casings. The device includes: a feeding unit feeding the root canal treatment materials in one direction; an arranging unit spaced apart from the dropping edge of the feeding unit; and a distributing unit distributing the root canal treatment materials dropping from the feeding unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transporting packagings from a packaging apparatus having two dropping channels to a transport container. A first transport element has compartments, the center-to-center distance of which corresponds to a center-to-center distance of the dropping channels, receives the packagings from the packaging producing apparatus. A second transport element has compartments for transporting the packagings to the transport container, wherein the center-to-center distance of the compartments of the second transport element corresponds to half of the center-to-center distance of the dropping channels. The apparatus has a transfer unit for transferring the packaging from the first transport element to the second transport element, and to which a positioning device is assigned for positioning the compartments of the first transport element relative to the compartments of the second transport element.

Abstract: A method for producing and/or packaging cigarettes, in a system in which at least one production unit is fed packaging units from a lower packaging level, and the production unit packages the packaging units in associated packaging units from a higher level, and the packaging units from the higher packaging level each comprise one or more packaging units from the lower packaging level. A camera records images of the packs of the packaging units from the lower level which are to be fed, or have been fed, to the production unit, and a camera records images of the packs of the packaging units from the higher level which are respectively assigned to the packaging units from the lower level, and the recorded images of the packs of the respectively associated packaging units are each assigned to a common identifier, preferably to a machine-internal counting number of the production unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (A) are disclosed, for transferring a plurality of tubular receptacles (1) made of a fragile material, suitable for containing doses of medicinal substances, for example barrels (1) for syringes or vials, from containers (2, 20), in which the receptacles (1) are housable separated from one another, to a packing machine (M) for processing the receptacles (1). Each container (2, 20) houses a multiplicity of receptacles (1) and is transportable by a conveyor line (L) towards the packing machine (M). The method includes the following steps: a. collecting a plurality of receptacles (1) from a container (2, 20), maintaining the receptacles (1) separated from one another; b. arranging the collected receptacles (1) at an inlet (I) of the packing machine (M), in a predefined formation and kept separated from one another, and c.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles a hopper for feeding the articles includes at least two mouths for dispensing the articles through respective lower ends, a conveyor device located in the vicinity of the at least two dispensing mouths The conveyor device includes two conveyors placed side by side and designed to operate independently on the containers supported by the conveyor device, and respective motors mechanisms are associated with the two conveyors so that one of the two conveyors moves towards the hopper the empty containers carried on the conveyor device from the dispensing apparatus, and the other of the two conveyors moves away from the hopper the containers full of rod-shaped articles.

Abstract: A device (1) for packaging a product shaped as a set of cigarettes in a corresponding container (A), defining a package for housing the product, comprises means (11) for forming the container (A) and appropriate means (21, 21) to dispense a corresponding adhesive (B1, B2) for joining corresponding panels of the container. Said appropriate means (21) to dispense a corresponding adhesive are provided next to the exit from the forming means (11) and are movable with respect to said container (A).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling under gravity from a hopper (9), a storage device (2) for articles that has the form of a columnar cavity between opposed side walls with a mass flow of mutually parallel rod-shaped articles descending from the hopper, a cavity-filling device (12) that alternates in use between a closed configuration that blocks a downward flow of the said articles through the device and an open configuration that allows flow of the articles through the device, the device being movable in translation, in alternate upward and downward strokes within the cavity, being in the closed configuration on the downward stroke and in the open configuration on the upward stroke.

Abstract: A method of cigarette packaging, the method comprising the steps of: Packing at least a first cigarette packet (52a) labeled with a first unique code (I2a) and a second cigarette packet (52b) labeled with a second unique code (I2b) into a first carton (10) and recording an information (56) that at least the two cigarette packets (52a,52b) with the first unique code (I2a) and the second unique code (I2b) are packed into the same carton (10) in a database; Packing the first carton (10) into a case (20); Detecting the first unique code (I2a) in the case (20) and reading from the database all the unique codes (I2b) of the cigarette packets (52b) that are packed into the same carton (10) as the detected first unique code (I2a). Furthermore, a method for tracking cigarette packets (52a,52b) and a cigarette packaging system is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for customizing a cigarette package is provided, wherein the cigarette package is configured to receive a plurality of as-formed cigarettes therein. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed one of a plurality of cigarette packages to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the cigarette package in the register position so as to imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of loading a plurality of food items in multiple layers comprises collecting food items in a staging area in a first plurality of groups, each group having a plurality of food items. The first plurality of groups is displaced substantially simultaneously downwardly into an accumulating and storage area and thereby forming a plurality of first layer group. A second plurality of groups of food items is collected, each of the second plurality of groups having a plurality of food items. The second plurality of groups is displaced substantially simultaneously downwardly into the accumulating and storage area such that the second plurality of groups forms a plurality of second layer groups of food items superposed to the first layer groups, and thereby forming a plurality of two layer-groups. The plurality of two-layer groups of food items are displaced downwardly into a receptacle in a packing area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing discrete filter rods includes a first conveyor for transporting filter segments of given length in a downstream direction. Three counter rotating transfer wheels receive the filter segments between spaced apart cleats on the circumference of the wheels. The first wheel receives the filter segments from the first conveyor and transfers the segments to the second wheel which in turn transfers the segments to the third wheel. Filter segments between the cleats on the third wheel are deposited upon a second conveyor with plug wrap thereon in precisely spaced apart relationship. Granular adsorbent material is filled into cavities between the filter segments, and a garniture folds the plug wrap around the filter segments and the filled cavities therebetween.

Abstract: A method and device for producing bundle packages, in particular bundle packages (10) for cigarettes (cigarette carton 11), wherein a group of packs (12), in particular cigarette packs, is encased in an outer casing (13) to form the bundle package (10), and wherein the packs (12) respectively exhibit a code (19), in particular a barcode, and the group of packs (12) is encased in the outer casing (13) such that the code (19) of the packs (12) is not concealed by the outer casing (13) and that a means (20, 23) for concealing the code of the packs (12), in particular a pre-cut piece (20), such as an (adhesive) label, and a code (21) for the bundle package (10) are subsequently arranged on the bundle package (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of food products in a storage container, and a method therefor. The apparatus comprises a first gate moveable between an open and a closed position that drops a row of food products onto a second gate moveable between an open and a closed position. The second gate receives multiple rows of food products and once a predetermined number of rows have been received, the second gate opens to release the rows of food products into the storage container below it. As the first gate shifts from the open to the closed position, it can advance, at least in part, a subsequent row of food products onto the first gate for later release onto the second gate. The area defined by the second gate and the first gate is a temporary staging area which can increase in height after receiving subsequent rows of food products.

Abstract: A beverage sipping straw 14 maintained in a hygienic condition using a cover 34 removed by a bar patron 12 exposing a surface untainted the bartender's 10 handling of the presentation to the patron 12.

Abstract: A system for packing and shipping erosion control blankets that maximizes the use of the interior space of a shipping container. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the system relates to packing, handling, storing and shipping of erosion control blankets adapted for delivery to customers with the most efficient use of space during shipping.

Abstract: A system (1) for packaging cigarettes (4) into bent sheets is described, comprising at least one first electric motor adapted to operate means for supplying (3) cigarettes (4); at least one second electric motor (35) adapted to operate means for supplying (5) packaging sheets (6); at least one third electric motor (36) adapted to operate rotary collecting means (7) for cigarettes (4), supplied by the means for supplying (3) cigarettes (4), the means for collecting (7) cigarettes (4) being equipped with a plurality of elongated containers (9) adapted to house the cigarettes (4) supplied, the containers (9) being operatively connected to the means for collecting (7) cigarettes (4) so that a longitudinal axis (LL) thereof is parallel to a rotation axis (RR) and perpendicular to a plane of the collecting means (7); at least one fourth electric motor (37) adapted to operate packaging means (11), located downstream of the collecting means (7), and adapted to receive the sheets (6) from the means for supplying (5) s

Abstract: A machine for packaging fiber material comprises feed means (2) supplying predetermined portions of fiber material (3) in an ordered succession, compacting means (4) by which the portions of fiber material (3) are compacted initially, a feed station (8) to which packs (9) are supplied for filling with the fiber material (3), a filling station (D) at which the fiber material (3) is inserted into the packs (9), and a closure station (E) located downstream of the filling station (D), at which the filled packs (9) are sealed. The machine further comprises fiber material (3) compressing and forming means (7) by which each of the portions of fiber material (3) is maintained in a state of compression downstream of the compacting means (4) for a prescribed interval of time, in such a way that the selfsame portion of fiber material (3) is caused to assume a compact geometry of tablet-like form prior to its insertion into the respective pack (9).

Abstract: A system and method for multi-layer loading of food items such as frankfurters in a receptacle includes the steps of displacing groupings of frankfurters along a staging area, allowing the frankfurters to drop downwardly by gravity to an accumulation and storage area until at least two layers of frankfurters are accumulated and allowing the double layer of frankfurters to drop downwardly into a packing receptacle in a packing area.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprises one or more packing machines (MC1, MC2, MC3) which are operable to join together at least two assembled packs (P1, P2). A strap applicator (MC4) applies a strap system (S) to one face of all but one of the assembled packs (P1, P2). Conveying means (TC) guide the assembled packs (P5 P1, P2) such that the face of each assembled pack (P1, P2) having the strap attached thereto abuts a face of another of the assembled packs such that the strap (S) is sandwiched between the abutting faces. Fixing means, which fix the strap (S) about adjacent packs such that the packs (P1, P2) are joined together and are movable relative to each other by rotation about one or more edges.

Abstract: A method of cigarette packaging, the method comprising the steps of: Packing at least a first cigarette packet (52a) labeled with a first unique code (I2a) and a second cigarette packet (52b) labeled with a second unique code (I2b) into a first carton (10) and recording an information (56) that at least the two cigarette packets (52a,52b) with the first unique code (I2a) and the second unique code (I2b) are packed into the same carton (10) in a database; Packing the first carton (10) into a case (20); Detecting the first unique code (I2a) in the case (20) and reading from the database all the unique codes (I2b) of the cigarette packets (52b) that are packed into the same carton (10) as the detected first unique code (I2a). Furthermore, a method for tracking cigarette packets (52a,52b) and a cigarette packaging system is described.

Abstract: Cigarettes are stored in one or more reservoirs at a customer location. A computer receives customer orders and transmits them to a dispenser. Upon receipt of a customer order, a pre-selected number of cigarettes is automatically removed from the reservoir(s) by the dispenser and then automatically packed in a container by a packer comprising a collation mandrel which is movable relative to the dispenser. A preferred type of substantially air-tight, self-sealing container has a lid portion, a body portion and a collar, which is mounted within the body portion. The body portion is provided with one or more upwardly extending protrusions on the upper surface of the base thereof. An air and moisture impermeable membrane is sealed about the upper periphery of the collar.

Abstract: A method and packing machine for combining an insert and a group of cigarettes; the group of cigarettes is fed to a first seat of a pocket, which first seat is designed to house the group of cigarettes; the insert is fed to a second seat of the pocket, which second seat is designed to house the insert and is separate from the first seat; and the group of cigarettes and the insert are expelled together from the pocket by a common ejector device, so as to combine the insert with the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A fixture for dressing a plurality of cables into cable bundles is provided. The fixture includes a first panel having a plurality of first apertures extending through the panel. The first apertures are configured in a predetermined array in the first panel, with each first aperture located a first distance from each adjacent first aperture. A second panel is disposed at a distance from the first panel, the second panel having a plurality of second apertures extending through the second panel. The second apertures are configured in a second array corresponding to the array of apertures in the first panel. Each second aperture is located a second distance from each adjacent second aperture. The first plurality of apertures receives a plurality of cables fed into the fixture. The second plurality of apertures is adapted to receive the cables from the first apertures and to feed the cables from the fixture in a cable array ready to be tied into a bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling an empty shaft tray with rod-shaped products. The shaft tray has shaft walls which form a plurality of shafts. The apparatus includes a filling hopper having a receiving region for a mass flow composed of the products, and a storage region for products comprising a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom wall. The storage region includes partitions that form a plurality of shafts adjacent to each other, wherein the partitions substantially extend over a full height of the storage region, and wherein the rear wall of the storage region includes openings for passage of the shaft walls of the shaft tray. A delivery element delivers the empty shaft tray into the receiving region of the filling hopper to be filled with the products. A removal element removes a filled shaft tray from the filling hopper.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-layer loading of food items such as frankfurters in a receptacle includes the steps of displacing groupings of frankfurters along a staging area, allowing the frankfurters to drop downwardly by gravity to an accumulation and storage area until at least two layers of frankfurters are accumulated and allowing the double layer of frankfurters to drop downwardly into a packing receptacle in a packing area.

Abstract: A method and machine for packaging smoking articles or other tobacco industry products in which the products and packaging may be transported from selected product supply systems (22a-e) and packaging material supply systems (42a-g) selectively along a plurality of alternative transport routes through the machine through a series of workstations (61-69) arranged to incorporate batches of smoking products selectively in different packaging materials according to the transport route selected.

Abstract: A device for packing syringes in nests comprising means of setting the syringes to the right pitch and first means of gripping the said syringes set to the said pitch.

Abstract: A machine for packing cigarettes, having a group-forming device for forming a group of cigarettes, and a conveyor for feeding the group along a given path; the group-forming device has a number of seats, each for housing a respective subgroup of cigarettes; the subgroups are pushed, in use, through respective insertion channels tapering towards the conveyor, into a pocket of the conveyor to define the group of cigarettes; and the pocket has a substantially triangular cross section parallel to the path.

Abstract: A production and packaging installation with a control arrangement (33) and production units having respectively adjustable mechanisms, such as, a (cigarette-) production machine (maker 10), a packaging machine (packer 11), possibly a film-wrapping machine (12), possibly a multipacker (13) and possibly a carton packer (cartoner 14), for the production and ready-to-dispatch packaging of, in the first instance, products—cigarettes and cigarette packs—of a first type and, thereafter, products of a second type each comprising starting materials, such as paper blanks, film and the like, and also specifies the control arrangement itself and a method of controlling the line, it being the case that at least a first set of parameters (61) associated with products of the first type and a second set of parameters (62) associated with products of the second type are stored in a selectable manner in a memory of the control arrangement (33) and, upon selection of a set of parameters (61, 62), a manipulated variable for adj

Abstract: Transponders are used for identifying objects such as packaging, packaging material or machines and machine elements and are attached to the object to be identified. The transponders contain data which are provided by an electronic write unit and which can be recognized by a read unit. The transponders are provided in a concealed manner on the machines, machine parts, etc. or are embedded in the machine part, for example, inside a recess.

Abstract: A wrapping method and unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening; a sheet of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening, is fed into a pocket of a wrapping wheel so that the sheet of wrapping material folds into a U inside the pocket; then the group of cigarettes is fed into the pocket containing the U-folded sheet of wrapping material.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprises one or more packing machines (MC1, MC2, MC3) which are operable to join together at least two assembled packs (P1, P2). A strap applicator (MC4) applies a strap system (S) to one face of all but one of the assembled packs (P1, P2). Conveying means (TC) guide the assembled packs (P5 P1, P2) such that the face of each assembled pack (P1, P2) having the strap attached thereto abuts a face of another of the assembled packs such that the strap (S) is sandwiched between the abutting faces. Fixing means, which fix the strap (S) about adjacent packs such that the packs (P1, P2) are joined together and are movable relative to each other by rotation about one or more edges.

Abstract: A method and a device of constructing a side-opening cigarette package. The method comprises gathering cigarettes into a bundled charge. A flat shell (10) is propped open to facilitate insertion of the bundled cigarettes. The shell containing the cigarettes is rotated and placed in a desired orientation onto a blank. The blank is folded to form the side opening cigarette package.

Abstract: A method and wrapping unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes, and which include: feeding the group of cigarettes along a path; feeding a sheet of wrapping perpendicularly to the path of the group of cigarettes; feeding a tubular spindle along the path of the group of cigarettes to intercept the sheet of wrapping and fold the sheet of wrapping into a U about the tubular spindle; and feeding the group of cigarettes through the tubular spindle to slide the sheet of wrapping off the tubular spindle and apply the U-folded sheet of wrapping to the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A multipurpose packing machine having an input portion and an output portion, and wherein the input portion has a first packing module for forming a succession of rigid first packages about respective packed groups of cigarettes, to produce a succession of first packets; and the output portion has at least a further packing module similar to the first packing module and for forming a succession of rigid further packages, each housing at least one respective first packet.

Abstract: A machine for packing a product in at least one sheet of packing material has a number of conveyors, each of which has a number of pockets, each for receiving and conveying a respective product; the products are transferred from each conveyor to the next conveyor at a transfer station defined between the two conveyors; the pockets on each conveyor are divided into a first number of groups, each containing an equal second number, greater than one, of pockets; and, at each transfer station, a second number of products are transferred simultaneously from the pockets in a group of pockets on the releasing conveyor to the pockets in a group of pockets on the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a hinged lid side-by-side vertically hinged cigarette pack (10) having a first bundle (22) and a second bundle (23) of cigarettes is described. The machinery includes a first machine (30) to form a first foil wrapped bundle surrounded by a first inner frame, a second machine (31) for forming a second foil wrapped bundle surrounded by a second inner frame and a third machine (32) for combining the first and second foil wrapped bundle into a single hinged lid side-by-side vertically hinged pack.

Abstract: A method of packing pairs of wrapped groups of cigarettes in wallet packets with a hinged lid, whereby a blank—having a first portion defining a body, and a second portion defining a hinged lid of a relative wallet packet—is fed into a respective pocket—having a respective pair of adjacent seats—of a packing wheel to define, with the relative first portion, two adjacent receptacles separated from each other by a central rib; the two receptacles are fed through a loading station to successively receive respective wrapped groups of cigarettes having respective collars, and one receptacle is then turned over onto the other to define the body of the relative wallet packet.

Abstract: A device and method for loading cigarettes from a cartridge into a package. The device provides for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge supporting them to a package.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking, conveying, stacking and bundling lumber pieces from the ground for example for removing stacked support lumber during laying of a pipe line comprises a tracked vehicle to which is attached a frame carrying a transport conveyer along the side of the vehicle forwardly and downwardly toward the ground. At the forward picking end is provided a picker roller for lifting the lumber pieces from the ground. On one side of the picker roller is provided a drive conveyer which is generally vertical and operable in forward and reverse direction to orient the pieces. On the side opposite to the drive conveyers provided a vertical blade with a rearwardly inclined inner portion which blade can pivot inwardly to push the lumber pieces toward the drive conveyer and to enclose and squeeze the pieces to a position inward of the side of the conveyer.

Abstract: Tubes (T), coming from a production line, are supplied by means of a grouping unit (1). The grouping unit comprises a conveyor belt (10), with product holders (11) and the tubes are supplied in groups by means of a stepping motor (12). A slider (13) pushes the tubes (T) into the correct position on a mandrel support (20) of a packaging unit (2). The mandrel support (20) comprises a plate (21), which may be moved back and forth by means of a piston/cylinder unit (22) and which may be pivoted from the horizontal holding position into the vertical dispensing position. The tubes are pushed onto mandrels (25) which are mounted on the plate (21), by means of the slider (13), The tubes are thus held in exact alignment and can be filled into the carton (B) without a relative displacement or tilting of the tubes.

Abstract: The invention specifies a production and/or packaging installation containing a performance-limiting means, and also specifies the method of operating the same, with the result that this installation can be sold to a purchaser with a certain performance capability guaranteed and only the guaranteed performance level can be retrieved, measures for reducing the performance level of the installation being taken or initiated in the event of manipulation for increasing the performance level or for bypassing the performance-limiting means.

Abstract: A method of producing a wallet packet with a hinged lid, whereby a blank, having a first portion defining a body and a second portion defining a hinged lid of a relative wallet packet, is fed into a respective pocket, having a respective pair of side by side seats, of a packing wheel, so that the relative first portion defines two adjacent receptacles separated by a central rib; and wherein the pocket is fed through a loading station, where the two receptacles simultaneously receive respective wrapped groups of cigarettes; one of the two receptacles then being turned over onto the other to define the body of the relative wallet packet.

Abstract: A machine for packing products having a first packing unit for producing a succession of first packed groups of products and a second packing unit for grouping the first packed groups into second packed groups, each presenting a number of the first packed groups. A flat support serves for supporting the first packed groups and is interposed between the two packing units. A step-conveying device extends over the flat support and has a succession of pockets for receiving respective first packed groups, and provides an output portion whose pockets are detachable from the first packed groups to release the first packed groups on the flat support.