Abstract:
A storage unit, wherein a store receives a succession of substantially parallelepiped-shaped products from an input conveying unit at an input and in a given feed direction, and releases a succession of rows of products to an output conveying unit at an output separate from the input; the store having a conveying device, which extends through the input and the output, has a number of elongated pockets for receiving respective rows of products, and moves in a direction crosswise to the pockets to move the pockets from the input to the output along a path portion of variable length extending about at least one pulley having an axis of rotation parallel to the pockets and to the feed direction and movable transversely to vary the length of the path portion between the input and the output.
Abstract:
A method and machine for transferring packets, whereby, as a continuous line of packets is fed in a first direction, the first packet in the line is transferred in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, while the line and the first packet continue travelling in the first direction; the first packet is subsequently conveyed in the second direction along an output path.
Abstract:
A method and device for conveying folded sheet elements, whereby a sheet element, folded to have at least two superimposed portions connected along a fold, is fed along a given path by a movable gripping head, which engages and retains by suction a first of the two portions of the sheet element, and simultaneously deforms the fold to retain the second portion in contact with the first as the sheet element is conveyed.
Abstract:
A method and machine for producing a packet, whereby, as it is fed along a feed path, a substantially flat blank with preformed fold lines is extracted from the feed for transfer, crosswise to the feed path, to a stretch-folding station for stretching at least some of the fold lines, and is then fed back onto the feed path and allowed to spring back to its original flat shape.
Abstract:
A variable-capacity store for objects, wherein an endless conveyor defines a conveying branch, for conveying a mass of objects, and a return branch, which respectively form a first and a second spiral of given lengths, each of which coils about a respective fixed first drum and a respective second drum movable to and from the relative first drum; and wherein the second drums are located on the same side with respect to the relative first drums, and are connected to each other by a transmission powered by a single reversible motor to equally and oppositely adjust the distances between the second drums and the relative first drums.
Abstract:
A conveyor, for feeding articles along a given path and in a vertical direction, has a guide parallel to the aforementioned direction and having a succession of first supports defining a succession of first seats, each for housing an article; and a slide movable back and forth in the aforementioned direction and having a succession of second supports defining a succession of second seats, each for housing an article and for transferring an article between two adjacent first seats.
Abstract:
A method and automatic machine for processing a product, whereby, from all the regulating and/or monitoring items as a whole, a first group is determined containing a small number of frequently used items having a direct effect on the product; to permit fast use by an operator of the items in the first group, a screen of an interface device displays the items in the first group graphically by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image showing the function of the relative item substantially in the region in which the relative item is actually effective.
Abstract:
A method and unit for handling and processing blanks for packing tobacco articles, wherein the blanks, arranged in groups located in a storage area in a given original arrangement, are removed in groups from the storage area and fed along a path extending through a work station where each blank is subjected to at least one processing operation; the blanks are again formed into groups, and are removed in groups from the path, downstream from the work station, to be fed back to the storage area, and to be formed, in the storage area, into a given arrangement normally similar to the original arrangement; the groups are arranged, in the given arrangement, on pallets located in the storage area, which comprises an unloading area located at an input end of the path, and a loading area located at an output end of the path; a first pallet, loaded with groups of blanks for processing, is moved into the unloading area to feed the groups along the path, and an initially empty second pallet is moved into the loading area to receive the groups of processed blanks.