Abstract: A stretch wrapping apparatus for use with an automated palletizing machine to securely stabilize loads. A stretch wrapping head feeds pre-stretched wrapping film toward the rotating load and air jets blow the tail of the film onto the load. Relative rotational movement is created between the wrapping head and the load and the free end of the film is unsupported by any mechanical structure and is directed toward the load only with air from the jets. The film attaches to an outer surface the load. Film is dispensed at a rate to provide payout of film that is consistent with the demand as each load corner transitions through its relative distance change from the dispensing point based on calculations intervals. A sensor detects changes in the optical character of the film to determine an out of bounds condition such as a film break.

Abstract: A packing method and unit (11) for folding a sheet (3) of packing material about a group (2) of cigarettes, and having: a first packing conveyor (12) having a first pocket (14) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; a second packing conveyor (18) having a second pocket (20) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; and a transfer device (24) which transfers the group (2), wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material, from the first pocket (14) to the second pocket (20), and has a pusher (26) located at the first pocket (14) and engaging a first base wall (4) of the group (2), and a counter-pusher (27) located at the second pocket and engaging a second base wall (4), opposite the first base wall (4), of the group (2); the pusher (26) and/or the counter-pusher (27) of the transfer device (24) having respective lateral appendixes (28) which engage minor lateral walls (6) of the group (2), when the push

Abstract: A stretch wrap device for delivering stretch wrap film to a coil of cable or other filament type product being wound on a rotating mandrel and a traversing assembly for delivering stretch wrap film to the coil of cable or other filament type product; the traversing assembly including a stretch wrap module for traversing parallel to the rotating mandrel; the stretch wrap module including a motor and roller assembly for contacting and transporting the stretch wrap film toward the rotating mandrel so that an end of the stretch wrap film engages the coil of cable or other filament type product, and the continued rotation of the mandrel causing the end of the stretch wrap film to cover the surface of the wound coil of cable or other filament type material; the stretch wrap module also includes a compressed air generator and air jets for supporting the end of the stretch wrap film with compressed air, the end of the stretch wrap film engaging the coil of cable or other filament type with the completion of the windi

Abstract: A baling press having a pressing chamber and an apparatus for wrapping a bale in a wrapping web and having at least one rotating conveyor element is proposed, wherein the conveyor element advances the wrapping web to the bale.

Abstract: For the purpose of wrapping articles, in particular groups (19) of packs, in a blank (10), use is made of a folding turret (21) having a single pocket (23) passing through its diameter. Lateral boundaries of the pocket (23) comprise belts (30, 31) which, upon introduction of a group (19) of packs with blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction and which butt in a friction-free manner against legs (27, 28) of the blank (10), which is folded in a U-shaped manner. A block-form stop component (37) can be moved within the pocket (23) from one end position to the other.

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: Process for producing packs made of thin cardboard with an outer wrapper made of shrink-wrap film. Folding tabs of the outer wrapper are connected to one another by full-surface-area heat sealing. The shrink-wrapping process for the outer wrapper may be initiated as a result. In order to ensure a correct form of the outer wrapper, the folding tabs, prior to the full-surface-area sealing operation, are connected to one another by a tack seal, with small, limited sealing surface areas, and are then sealed over the full surface area.

Abstract: A packing machine provided with a wrapping conveyor moving along a wrapping path and having a plurality of recesses each of which is designed to receive a respective article together with a respective wrapping sheet; and with a plurality of folding stations successively arranged along the wrapping path, each folding station comprising folding units arranged to cooperate with the wrapping sheets to fold the same around respective articles; the folding unit in at least one of the folding station has a folding device presenting a fixed block and a movable block defining respective contiguous flat surfaces blending along a fold line; the movable block is activated by an articulated parallelogram actuating device having two connecting rods connected by cranks hinged to the fixed block to rotate, with respect to the fixed block, about respective axes parallel to the fold line; the movable block being hinged to the two connecting rods, and defining a further crank rotating, with respect to the fixed block, about an

Abstract: On a wrapping machine for conditioning stacks of products, a stack of products is conditioned inside a tubular wrapping by folding a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material into a U about the stack inside a radial seat of a wrapping wheel, and by bringing two opposite lateral flaps of the U-folded sheet of wrapping material into contact with each other by means of a folding gripper, the jaws of which have respective end sealing members, and oscillate about an axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel to move with respect to each other to and from a closed position, and to accompany the radial seat along part of a travelling step of the wrapping wheel.

Abstract: A method and unit for wrapping sweets, whereby a sweet, housed in a relative first peripheral seat of a distribution plate rotating about a first axis, is extracted from the relative first seat in an extraction direction parallel to the first axis, and is then fed to a relative second seat of a wrapping wheel, rotating about a second axis crosswise to the first axis, in a feed direction substantially crosswise to the extraction direction and through a feed line parallel to the first axis and for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting folding packaging material forms in the tobacco-processing industry, particularly carton forms for cigarette hard packs that have been scored or pre-punched along fold lines, from a feed station to a processing station. A rotary table is mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis. The rotary table includes at least one receiving platform having oppositely located lateral holders defining limits for the packaging material. At least one of the lateral holders is movable from a feeding position into a holding position relative to the oppositely-located lateral holder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package for packaging food products, composed of an outer sheet made of heat-sealable material and of an undulated inner sheet. In a first step of the method, the two sheets are unwound from respective reels, so that the outer sheet forms two lateral borders left exposed by the inner sheet. By way of appropriate longitudinal movements of the sheets, the inner sheet is centered on the outer sheet so as to form, at their opposite ends, two transverse borders which are perpendicular to the lateral ones.

Abstract: The apparatus for wrapping confectionery products and the like comprises a device for feeding the products to be wrapped, an organ for extracting such products from the aforesaid feeding device able to co-operate with a device dispensing a piece of material in sheet form, a wrapping head with pincers, rotating according to a horizontal axis to bring individual products with a respective piece of material in sheet form in correspondence with a series of operative stations. The feeding device comprises a circular disk, positioned horizontally and rotating about a vertical axis, which presents, peripherally distributed, a series of recesses for the reception of respective products, open outwards, each provided, in correspondence with the lower surface of said disk and posteriorly thereto, with a related slit.

Abstract: A packing machine comprising a rotary assembly (2) which is adapted to receive articles (4) travelling along a path which is adjacent one region of the periphery of the assembly, and means (26) for receiving foil (14) or other wrapping material, at a different peripheral region, the foil then being oriented in a tangential plane; the assembly further comprising means for reorienting the foil into a plane which is perpendicular to said tangential plane (20) at a subsequent rotary position, where it is suitably aligned with a cooperating article wrapping means (40, 32).

Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24,26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Abstract: In a packaging machine that includes a wrapping wheel equipped with at least one conveying head affording a seat capable of movement with the wrapping wheel along a looped path, the head is indexed through a first station at which the seat receives a product, a second station where a wrapping sheet is taken up and held stably by a gripper mechanism across an opening of the seat, in a predetermined position, and an outfeed station at which the product is ejected from the seat and caused to associate with the wrapping sheet, whereupon product and sheet are transferred together to a further wrapping wheel; the machine is equipped with a device located externally of the wrapping wheel by means of which to actuate the gripper mechanism.

Abstract: A wheel-shaped conveyor with radially extending pockets for discrete packets of cigarettes is indexible about a horizontal axis between the neighboring surfaces of two upright walls forming part of a support for the conveyor and flanking a selected portion of an arcuate path for successive packets in the respective pockets of the conveyor. The upright walls have orifices which direct streamlets of compressed air against the adjacent sidewalls of the packets advancing along the selected portion of the path so that the streamlets of air can promote setting of the freshly applied adhesive between the panels of those sidewalls of the packets which advance along the respective upright walls of the support. The streamlets of air establish cushions of air between the moving sidewalls of the packets and the stationary walls of the support to thus reduce the likelihood of defacing and/or otherwise damaging the sidewalls.

Abstract: For the manufacture of soft-pouch packets for cigarettes, folding mandrels (10) configured as hollow bodies are used, on the outer side of which blanks (16, 17) are folded. The outer blank (17) has in the region of one narrow side wall (15) blank portions (23, 24) which overlap one another and are connected to one another by gluing. In the region of the glue connection, there is slight expansion of the cross-section of the package during the hardening of the adhesive. To compensate for this effect, the folding mandrel (10) does not have an exactly rectangular shape. Rather, the narrow side wall (15) adjoining the gluing point has a smaller width (B.sub.15) than the opposite narrow side wall (14).

Abstract: A unit for combing wrapped chocolates, wherein a combing drum, rotating continuously about a respective axis, has a number of combing devices, each of which has a gripping device rotating, crosswise to the aforementioned axis, between a radial gripping position to grip a chocolate, and an axial release position located along an axial path parallel to the aforementioned axis and along which travel a pusher and a counter-pusher; the path extending through an annular combing element.

Abstract: Method of operating machines with rotating units and machine with a rotating unit, in particular a packaging machine with a (folding) turret. Rotating units, in particular folding turrets (10) of packaging machines, must be supplied with oil as a lubricant. At the same time, areas supplied with oil must be sealed with respect to those areas into which oil must not penetrate. In the case of a folding turret (10), a supporting part (11) is confined with respect to a rotating part (12) by means of a rotating supporting rim (46) and a supporting ring (48) surrounding the latter. The supporting rim (46), as a rotating element, is provided with grooves (52, 53, 54) which prevent passage of oil in the area of a sealing gap (51) formed between the supporting rim (46) and the supporting ring (48).

Abstract: A machine and method for wrapping cylindrical workpieces such as rolls of bathroom tissue and paper towel. The machine includes a workpiece infeed conveyor, a wrapping film feeder, a rotating carousel having a plurality of pockets, an oscillating exit conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a sealing conveyor. A piece of wrapping film supplied by the wrapping film feeder is perforated and burst into a single sheet. The film sheet and a workpiece are directed into a pocket in the rotating carousel whereby the sheet is banded around the periphery of the workpiece by a clamping plate, underfolder plate, and brush secured by heat sealing the film sheet to itself. The banded workpieces are ejected from the rotating carousel onto an exit conveyor which passes the workpieces to a discharge conveyor which in turn conveys the workpieces through a sealing conveyor. Folding mechanisms for folding the wrapping film sheet extending beyond the ends of the workpieces are disclosed. The method of wrapping is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unit for wrapping packets, wherein a first seat, carried on a first conveyor, closed by a sheet of wrapping material and housing a packet, is brought into engagement with a second seat on a second conveyor to insert the packet inside the second seat and fold the sheet into a U about the packet; the first seat engaging a respective packet by the end surfaces of the packet; and the second seat engaging the packet by a pair of lateral walls crosswise to the end surfaces.

Abstract: A special transfer turret (15) is used for conveying packs (10) from, for example, a folding turret to a drying turret. The transfer turret transports the packs (10) along a circular path or partially circular path and in the axial direction at the same time. For this purpose, pockets (16) for packs (10) are fitted on carrying rods (28) which are displaced in an axis-parallel direction during the rotation and in accordance with the same.

Abstract: A method of fashioning tubular overwrappings with a heat-sealable material, and a device in which single commodities are directed in succession together with respective sheets of heat-sealable material into a set of pockets spaced apart at a constant pitch around the periphery of an indexing wheel rotated through steps of length equal to a submultiple of the pitch of the peripheral pockets. The pockets currently occupied pause after each step in alignment with a relative set of heat-seal stations and are accompanied through the first step, approaching the first heat-seal station, by a moving folder positioned so as to flatten a first longitudinal flap of the relative sheet against the flank of the commodity; a second flap is flattened similarly over the first flap by a fixed folder whereupon the two flaps are held fast in overlapping contact, ready for heat-sealing.

Abstract: A method and device for laterally joining product wrappings, whereby the connection of two overlapping longitudinal portions of a tubular wrapping defined by a sheet of wrapping material wrapped about the product inside a wrapping seat is at least completed as the wrapped product is unloaded from the wrapping seat by a heated counterpusher.

Abstract: A lug folding apparatus for a packaging machine in which box-like items, fed into pockets, are continuously circularly conveyed, during which a packaging sheet is wound or wrapped along the surface of each of the box-like items, the wound box-like items are transferred from the continuous circular conveyance to a linear conveyance, and the extended ends of the packaging sheet, protruding angularly from both sides of the box-like items, are folded along both sides thereof, the lug folding apparatus having a continuously rotating lug folding wheel provided with a plurality of pockets into which the wound box-like items are fed at equal intervals at the outer periphery thereof; a low speed conveyor which is partly in contact with a moving orbit of the pockets; a horizontal conveying path, opposite to the low speed conveyor, wherein the pockets are circularly moved while maintaining their horizontal state by rotation of the lug folding wheel, the pockets being provided with spaced portions to which projections of

Abstract: In a device for wrapping commodities of discoid shape, having a die by means of which to enfold each commodity initially in a tubular wrapping flush with one face of the discoid and enveloping the peripheral surface, the commodities and their wrappings are provided with rolling movement by a system incorporating wheels and a stationary guide, during the course of which successive folds of the wrapping are engaged and flattened against the top face by a set of fixed teeth.

Abstract: A product wrapping method and device for producing tubular wrappings, whereby a first and second opposite longitudinal portion of a wrapping element, folded in a U about a respective product inside a respective seat on a wrapping conveyor, project outwards through the input opening of the seat, and are folded one on top of the other into an overlapping position by a folding unit, a first fixed folding device of which folds the first portion located downstream in the traveling direction of the conveyor, and a second folding device of which, fitted to the conveyor, folds the second portion down on top of the first, and holds it in this position for a given length of time. (FIG. 1 ).

Abstract: The machine comprises an indexing wheel with radial pockets each designed to accommodate one pack together with a wrapper which, on entering the pocket, is folded to the point where the pack becomes completely enveloped save for an area of each end face lying at right angles to the axis of the wheel; pneumatically or mechanically operated pads are used to clamp the uncovered areas of the ends during indexed rotation of the wheel, thus disallowing movement of the pack internally of the pocket and preventing any relative movement between pack and wrapper.

Abstract: The machine is designed to enfold substantially parallelepiped packs in single transparent wrappers and comprises an indexing wheel provided with radial pockets each designed to accommodate one pack together with its wrapper, which is folded to the point where the pack becomes entirely enveloped save for an area of each end face lying at right angles to the axis of the wheel; the wheel includes a pneumatic clamping system whereby suction is applied during the indexed rotation both to the uncovered areas of the pack and to other parts enveloped by the wrapper, in order to disallow movement of the pack internally of the pocket and prevent any relative movement between pack and wrapper.

Abstract: The making of cigarette packs is started by transferring arrays of cigarettes into successive pockets of a transporting unit while the pockets are at a standstill, and by inserting blanks into discrete pouches which are adjacent the front sides of the pockets. The pouches and the pockets are then accelerated, and the blanks are partially folded to overlie the arrays of cigarettes in the adjacent pockets prior to joint transfer of arrays and blanks into the receptacles of a continuously driven endless chain conveyor. The arms are then decelerated whereby the chain conveyor extracts the trailing portions of the blanks from their pouches and the blanks are converted stepwise into inner envelopes. The making of second envelopes around the inner envelopes can begin prior to or after completion of inner envelopes.

Abstract: A machine for packing cigarettes in hard flip-top packs, whereby flat hard pack blanks and preformed groups of unpacked cigarettes are fed, the former on a continuous feed line and the latter on an intermittent feed line, to a first and second station respectively, for loading a continuously rotating packing wheel; and whereby the packs formed on the packing wheel are unloaded off the same at an unloading station via an intermittent unloading line; the packing wheel presenting a number of seats, each designed to receive a blank and a respective preformed group, and each being connected to a rotary drum on the packing wheel via a respective articulated support, the configuration of which is controlled by fixed cams in such a manner as to feed the respective seat at constant speed through the first loading station, and to temporarily stop the respective seat at both the second loading station and the unloading station.

Abstract: A method for transferring objects (2), wherein the objects (2) are fed in bulk in a loading region onto at least one first intermittently rotating disc (5; 6) of vertical axis, provided with a rim (9; 9') of holes (10; 10') for containing the objects (2); within a station (20; 20') there are provided members (21) which transfer the objects (2) from the holes (10; 10') of the first disc (5; 6) to the holes (18) of a second disc (15), and which engage each hole (10; 10') of the first disc (5; 6) once during every two revolutions of this latter.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bodies of the type of soap comprises a drum (1) rotating intermittently by a half turn and having a housing (14) passing diametrically through it, which housing (14) is arranged to permit a block (15) to slide in it and, at each pause of the drum (1), is aligned with a station (2) for the insertion of a body (5) of the above-mentioned type and its associated wrapping element (4) and with an opposite ejection station (3). A reciprocating thrust element (23), carrying out this insertion, is connected by connecting means (26, 32, 34, 36, 22, 16) to cause the block (15) to slide in the housing (14) only during the insertion.

Abstract: A device for use in machines for wrapping blocks e.g. soap tablets (1) comprising a drum (3) which rotates intermittently and has diametrically opposed seatings (4) for the tablets (1), a station (6) for receiving a tablet (1) expelled from an adjacent seating (4) partially wrapped in an associated piece of wrapping paper (2), and means (11, 12) for removing the tablets (1) in succession from the station (6). The device comprises a hopper (20) movable alternately between the station (6) and a position remote from it, in register with the path of transport means (11,12) and orientated relative to the path so that the hopper (20) can be intercepted by pushers (12) of the transport means (11,12), the hopper (20) being arranged to receive a tablet (1) and its associated piece of wrapping paper (2) expelled from the drum (3) at the station (6) and to deliver them into said remote position to be engaged and carried away by a pusher (12) of the transport means (11,12).

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a primary wrapper for applying wrappers to individual sweets, a collating mechanism for collating the wrapped sweets into batches and a batch wrapper for overwrapping the batches of sweets. Batching is effected by pushers on a chain conveyor which advance the sweets successively, along a support, the pushers normally tilting to disengage the sweets but the disengagement of every n.sup.th pusher with its sweet being delayed, where n is the number of sweets required in a batch. The machine can be readily modified to collate the sweets into batches in which the sweets lie flat or in an erect condition as desired.

Abstract: A sweet wrapping machine includes a continuously rotating feed disc (12) having regularly pitched sweet-receiving pockets (13), a continuously rotating wrapping wheel (44) having pockets (43) spaced at a greater pitch than the pockets in the feed disc, and a continuously rotating transfer wheel (16) including pockets (15) which receive the sweets from the pockets in the feed disc and transfer them to the pockets of the wrapping wheel. The pockets (15) are on the ends of arms (25) which are shifted during rotation of the transfer wheel from a spacing conforming to the pockets in the feed disc to a spacing conforming to the pockets of the wrapping wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device constituted by a rotatable head provided with radial compartments which hold batches of products and comprising a pusher for inserting the individual products into a compartment, and a device for supplying the individual products to the pusher. A movable wall is provided inside each compartment and this is sustained by a corresponding shaft whose rear extremity terminates in a rack. The racks mesh in succession with the counter-rotating gears of two drive devices movable in synchronization with the said pusher in such a way that the wall of the compartment that is in the product infeed position is intermittently displaced from the front of the said compartment to the back thereof, while the wall of the compartment adjacent to but preceding the previously mentioned compartment is intermittently displaced from the back towards the front thereof.

Abstract: A cigarette pack 10 is pushed against a transversely held blank 11 of cellophane or polyethylene whereby the blank forms a U-shaped wrapping around the pack with outwardly extending end flaps 12, 13, 14 and side flaps 15, 16, and is thereafter inserted into a radial pocket 19 of an indexing turret 20. When the bottom side flap 16 is folded against the side of the pack by finger 23, it is held in position by its end flaps 14 engaging the end faces 27, 28 of folding cams 25, 26 through which vacuum pressure is applied. The suction is maintained until the top side flap 15 is subsequently folded over the pack by a guide member 24 and sealed to the flap 16 along a joint 17. The cams also serve to fold the flaps 12 against the ends of the pack as it is being inserted into the pocket.

Abstract: The device for feeding candies to a wrapping machine comprises a first disc on which the candies are discharged in a disorderly manner, which first disc is provided with separating brushes, for causing the candies to be housed in pockets provided thereon. The said pockets are arranged on the discs along arc lengths, the diameter of the said arc lengths being equal to the diameter of the crown of receiving pockets arranged on a second disc, or feeding disc. The candies are transferred from the pockets in the first disc to the pockets of the crown of the second disc by means of an intermediate rotary transfer device, which is provided with grippers each of which takes from the first disc a group of candies arranged along an arc length and deposits said group on a corresponding arc length of the crown of receiving pockets in the second disc.

Abstract: A high speed wrapping machine designed to wrap individual tablet-like products utilizes a wrapping wheel having a plurality of peripheral pockets into which the individual products are moved in the axial direction to drape a panel of wrapping material snuggly over the product. A rotary folding mechanism is situated adjacent the periphery of the wrapping wheel and tucks and folds panel portions extending axially from the pocket against the product as the product moves past the folding mechanism. The rotary folding mechanism is comprised of two rotors, each of which has a plurality of folding blades, and which rotate adjacent the pockets at one side of the wrapping wheel in synchronized relationship. The rotors have spaced and parallel axes of rotation, both of which are located outside the periphery of the wrapping wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein having a pocketed turntable for carrying multiple stacks of a food product to a wrapping station and which includes mechanism for selectively engaging each stack and directing the stack onto a wrapping paper sheet. A cutting device severs the sheet and a wrapping device folds the paper about the stack. A heating element secures and seals the paper so as to complete the package. Programming mechanism is included for selectively sequencing the operation of the turntable, arm, wrapping paper feed, cutting device and heating element.