The present disclosure provides a system (1) for monitoring the integrity of a bellows (2) within a capping device (10) for capping containers. The capping device (10) comprises a capping head (101) vertically movable inside a first environment (OE) for capping a container (B) positioned in a second environment (PE) with a cap (W). The bellows (2) separates the second environment (PE) from the first environment (OE) and is integral with the vertical movement of the capping head (101). The bellows (2) can adopt a not pressurized condition and a pressurized condition. The system (1) includes a pressurization system (5) for internally pressurizing the bellows (2) to adopt the pressurized condition, and a sensor (3) for detecting the quality of air in the second environment (PE) while the bellows (2) adopts the pressurized condition.
Disclosed are various embodiments of a laser treatment facility having a laser treatment device designed to apply laser treatment to a treatment area of a container in an area to be treated. The laser treatment facility also includes a detection device designed to detect the position of the area to be treated and a device for orienting the container designed to rotate the container by an angle of rotation determined according to the detected position of the area to be treated. The orientation device is designed to place the area to be treated in front of the laser treatment device.
B65G 29/00 - Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/244 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
3.
PRODUCT PREPARATION UNIT FOR A FILLING MACHINE AND WITH REFRACTOMETER FOR DETECTING BRIX
The present disclosure provides a preparation unit (1) for feeding a filling machine (10) with a pourable product 5 (P) comprising at least one main component (X) and an aromatic component. The preparation unit (1) includes a second component tank (3) for containing a second component (Y), a product tank (5) distinct from the second component tank (3) and configured for fluid communication with a delivery line (8), a feeding line (11) for feeding the product into the product tank (5), and a brix detector (32) for detecting the brix of the second component (Y) being inputted from the second component tank (3) into the feeding line (11). The brix detector 10 (32) is a refractometer brix detector.
B67C 3/02 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
B67C 3/08 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure and subsequently lowering the counterpressure
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
B67C 3/20 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups
4.
FILLIG MACHINE FOR CARBONATED PRODUCTS WITH DEPRESSURIZATION CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SYRUP TANK
The present disclosure provides a preparation unit (1) for feeding a filling machine (10) with a pourable product (P) comprising at least one main component (X) and an aromatic component. The preparation unit (1) includes a second component tank (3) for containing a second component (Y) and a product tank (5) distinct from the second component tank (3). The product tank (5) is configured for fluid communication with a delivery line (8) for delivering the product to at least one filling device (101). The second component tank (3) is configured for fluid communication with a depressurization line (7) for depressurizing each filled container (B) after product delivery by extracting gas and part of the delivered product. This allows the second component tank (3) to recover at least part of the delivered product during container depressurization.
B67C 3/02 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
B67C 3/08 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure and subsequently lowering the counterpressure
5.
THERMAL PRECONDITIONING UNIT FOR CAPS STERILIZER WITH DISTRIBUTION ALONG FEEDING DIRECTION
The present disclosure provides a caps sterilization apparatus (1) for sterilizing caps (W). The apparatus comprises a caps sterilizer (3) configured to sterilize caps (W) as they advance along an advancement direction (M) within a sterilization chamber (31) using a sterilizing agent. A caps feeding module (2) feeds caps (W) into the caps sterilizer (3) along a feeding direction (F) and thermally preconditions the caps (W) using a preconditioning fluid (H). The feeding module (2) includes a supply line (21) that applies the preconditioning fluid (H) to the caps (W) by distributing the fluid along the feeding direction (F).
A61L 2/16 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor using chemical substances
The present disclosure provides a cooling unit for cooling containers comprising an upper conveyor for conveying containers in a rotational motion around an axis, a lower fixing section for fixing the unit to a lower frame, and dispensing means for dispensing a cooling fluid. The dispensing means includes a lower dispensing device with nozzles oriented to direct cooling fluid towards the bottom of conveyed containers, the dispensing device being integral with the rotational motion. A lower rotative fluid distributor regulates cooling fluid supply to each nozzle based on nozzle rotational position. Along the axis, the distributor and dispensing device are closer to the fixing section than the upper conveyor. The cooling unit enables efficient cooling of container bottoms while maintaining hygiene and cleanability.
B65G 29/00 - Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones
C03B 25/06 - Annealing glass products in a continuous way with horizontal displacement of the glass products
C03B 29/06 - Reheating glass products for softening or fusing their surfacesFire-polishingFusing of margins in a continuous way with horizontal displacement of the products
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B29C 49/66 - Cooling by refrigerant introduced into the blown article
B29K 67/00 - Use of polyesters as moulding material
Provided is a plastic preform for manufacturing containers by stretch-blow molding, having a body rotationally symmetrical about a vertical central axis, an outer wall, and an inner wall. The preform has an open neck that extends as a continuation from an upper end of the body, and a base which closes the body at a lower end. The base is rotationally symmetrical about the central axis and the body has, over a cone height Hc, from an annular collar towards the base, a conical outer wall and/or a conical inner wall, where the walls include means suitable for reducing the intensity of the refracted ray and/or for modifying the angle of said refracted ray, the incident radiation source being located outside said preform.
Described is a device for removing dust from inside preforms by injection of gas. The device can include a conveying device having holding members for holding the preforms and at least one injection tube mounted on a mobile support so as to be able to be moved while being coincident with a holding member. Each injection tube can be mounted with the ability to slide axially on the mobile support by means of a carriage between an active axial position inserted into a preform and a retracted axial position. The device also includes mobile sensing elements for detecting the presence of a carriage in a determined first axial position, with each mobile sensing element being mounted on the mobile support.
B08B 9/093 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
B08B 9/20 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought
B08B 9/42 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus being characterised by means for conveying or carrying containers therethrough
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
9.
COOLING UNIT FOR CONTAINERS WITH ROTATING PART OF DISTRIBUTOR CONNECTED TO NOZZLE SUPPORT RING
A cooling unit (2) for cooling containers (B) comprises an upper starwheel (3) rotating around an axis to convey containers, a lower fixing section, and dispensing means (4). The dispensing means include a lower dispensing device (41) with nozzles (411) to apply cooling fluid to container bottoms, and a lower rotative fluid distributor with stationary and rotating parts. The dispensing device has a support ring (412) supporting the nozzles and structurally connected to the starwheel by first connecting means (7), making it integral with starwheel rotation. The distributor's (42) rotating part (422) connects to the support ring via second connecting means (10), integrating it with starwheel rotation through the support ring (412). The nozzles may vary in rotational position to follow container movement. The distributor may regulate cooling fluid supply to each nozzle based on its rotational position. This configuration allows for efficient and targeted cooling of containers as they are conveyed through the unit.
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B29C 49/64 - Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
B65G 29/00 - Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones
C03B 25/06 - Annealing glass products in a continuous way with horizontal displacement of the glass products
C03B 29/06 - Reheating glass products for softening or fusing their surfacesFire-polishingFusing of margins in a continuous way with horizontal displacement of the products
F25D 13/06 - Stationary devices associated with refrigerating machinery, e.g. cold rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
B29K 67/00 - Use of polyesters as moulding material
Provided are a carousel machine and methods for creating a vacuum in a container that is to be treated by the carousel machine. The machine includes at least one treatment station having at least one evacuation volume and a plurality of pressure sources. The evacuation volume is placed, successively and for a predetermined duration, in fluidic communication with each pressure source via at least one associated pipe associated with each pressure source and an airtight rotary coupling. The pressure in the evacuation volume is progressively reduced by establishing successive fluidic communications. The predetermined duration of fluidic communication between the evacuation volume and at least one associated pipe is substantially less than or is equal to the time taken for equilibrium between the pressure in the evacuation volume and the pressure in the associated pipe to become established.
Described is a labeling module for a labeling machine configured to label containers designed to contain a pourable product by means of labels obtained from a strip of labeling material. Also described is a packaging line for packaging a pourable product, the packaging line including the labeling machine. Also described are methods for labeling containers for a pourable product using the labeling machine.
Disclosed are embodiments of a plastic preform for manufacturing containers by stretch-blow molding. The preform body is rotationally symmetrical about a vertical central axis and has an outer and an inner wall, the radial distance therebetween defining a wall thickness. The wall thickness increases from a collar towards a base over a cone height Hc, where cone height Hc is the mean of cone height Hc1 of the outer wall and cone height Hc2 of the inner wall. The body has a first wall thickness E2 under the collar at an under-neck reference height Hr, a second wall thickness E at cone height Hc, and a third wall thickness E1 at the lower end of the body, where E1 is between 0.7 E and 1.2 E and E2 is between 0.5 E and 1.0 E. E corresponds to the greatest wall thickness at the cone height Hc1 or Hc2.
Provided is a method for determining a value representative of the absorption coefficient of a thermoplastic material constituting a preform, when the preform is transported in a facility for manufacturing containers by the shaping of preforms. The method includes measuring a value representative of the transmittance of infrared radiation through at least one wall of the preform during its movement; measuring the thickness of the wall of the preform during its movement; and calculating the value representative of the absorption coefficient of the plastics material independently of the thickness of the preform on the basis of the measurement of the value representative of the transmittance and of the measurement of the thickness.
It is described an apparatus (1' ' ') for packaging a pourable product by means of containers (B1, B2), comprising : a conveying system (2) for conveying the containers (B1, B2) along a conveying path (P) which comprises a first upstream stretch (US) along which an upstream flow (UF) of containers (B1, B2) can be conveyed, said upstream flow (UF) comprising first containers (B1) and second containers (B2), the first containers (B1) being intercalated with respect to said second containers (B2) along said upstream flow (UF); said conveying system (2) being configured for dividing said upstream flow (UF) in a first sub flow (SF1) of first containers (B1) which flows along a first downstream stretch (DS1) and in a second sub flow (SF2) of second containers (B2) which flows along a second downstream stretch (DS2), the conveying path (P) comprising said first downstream stretch (DS1) and said second downstream stretch (DS2); a forming machine (3) for forming the first containers (B1, B2) and the second containers (B2), which operates on the upstream stretch (US), to generate said upstream flow (UF); a first decorating machine (4) for decorating the first containers (B1), which operates along said first downstream stretch (DS1); a second decorating machine (5) for decorating the second containers (B2), which operates along said upstream stretch (US).
Computer-implemented methods and systems for tracing production of goods on a production line (10) includes capturing, by a vision component (30), image data of products (20) on the production line (10), processing the image data using an object detection algorithm to detect the products (20), assigning virtual markers (32) to the detected products (20), and tracking the products (20) by maintaining an association between the products (20) and the assigned virtual markers (32) as the products (20) move along the production line (10). The vision component (30) is positioned to monitor the products (20) as the products (20) travel along a conveyor (15) through the production line (10). The virtual markers (32) provide identification labels that enable the system to distinguish between individual products (20) and to track each product (20) as the product (20) progresses through the production line (10).
Disclosed is a plastic preform for manufacturing containers by stretch-blow molding having a body rotationally symmetrical about a vertical central axis. The body has an outer and an inner wall with a wall thickness defined by a radial distance therebetween. An open neck extends as a continuation of the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the wall thickness increases from the collar towards the base over a variation height Hv that is a mean of the variation height Hv1 of the outer wall and the variation height Hv2 of the inner wall. A thickness of the body wall between the height Hv and the lower end is substantially constant and equal to a greatest wall thickness E1 at the variation height Hv1 or the variation height Hv2. Container forming methods and molds for molding the preform are also provided.
Disclosed are plastic preforms for manufacturing containers by stretch-blow molding. The preform body is rotationally symmetrical about a vertical central axis and has an outer and an inner wall. A radial distance between walls defines a wall thickness. The preform has an open neck that extends from an upper end separated from the body by an annular collar and a base that closes the body at a lower end. The body has a frustoconical shape widening from the base to the neck and a portion that is concave in axial section. The body has a wall thickness E2 beneath the collar at an under-neck reference height Hr. Towards the base, the body has a wall thickness E over a cone height Hc and a wall thickness E1 at the lower end. Thickness E1 is between 0.7 E and 1.2 E and thickness E2 is between 0.5 E and 1.0 E.
It is described an apparatus (1; 1'; 1'') for packaging a pourable product by means of containers (B1, B2), comprising: a conveying system (2) for conveying the containers (B1, B2) along a conveying path (P) which comprises a first upstream stretch (US) along which an upstream flow (UF) of containers (B1, B2) can be conveyed, said conveying system (2) being configured for dividing said flow (UF) in a first sub flow (SF1) of containers (B1) which flows along a first downstream stretch (DS1) and in a second sub flow (SF2) of containers (B2) which flows along a second downstream stretch (DS2); a forming machine (3) for forming the containers (B1, B2) which operates on the upstream stretch (US); a first decorating machine (4) for decorating the containers (B1) of the first subflow (SF1), which operates along said first downstream stretch (DS1); a second decorating machine (5) for decorating the containers (B2) of the second subflow (SF2), which operates along said second downstream stretch (DS2).
Disclosed are various embodiments of a facility for manufacturing thermoplastic containers, the facility having at least one device for conveying hollow bodies provided with a neck, having a frame fixed with respect to the ground and a gripping member for individually gripping a hollow body by its neck, which is movable along a production pathway. The facility has a suction-extraction device having at least one suction nozzle mounted on a structural element that is fixed with respect to the frame and which is arranged in the vicinity of a given region of the pathway of the necks of hollow bodies in order to extract dust generated by the rubbing of the hollow bodies as they pass through said given region without interfering with the travel thereof.
Described is a unit for a screw for feeding, setting the pitch of and/or setting the orientation of containers. The unit includes a central body extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis, and a substantially helical thread rigidly attached to the body, the thread comprising a plurality of helixes, each helix having a crest, an upstream flank and a downstream flank, the thread being configured to be engaged between the containers. The unit includes for each helix at least a first substantially helical groove at the level of the upstream flank of the helix to receive a first wear ring, and a second substantially helical groove at the level of the downstream flank of the helix to receive a second wear ring. Also described is a feed screw, an installation for processing containers, and a method of feeding an entry of a processing machine.
It is described a filling device (1) for filling a container (B) with a pourable product (P), comprising: a filling head (2) for delivering the product into the container (B); a lever sensor group (3) for monitoring the level of the product delivered into the container, comprising: a rod (31) supported by the filling head (2) and to be inserted in the container (B) being filled, comprising, along the longitudinal extension of the rod (31): a first electrically conductive longitudinal sector (311); a second electrically conductive portion (312) which is longitudinally located on the opposite side of the first longitudinal sector (311) with respect to the filling head (2); wherein, along said longitudinal extension, the first sector (311) and the second portion (312) are electrically insulated with respect to each other and with respect to the filling head (2), so that, operatively, a first impedance (Z1) is defined between the first sector (311) and the filling head (2), and a second impedance (Z2) is defined between the second portion (312) and the filling head (2); wherein the level sensor group (3) is configured for monitoring said level by obtaining the ratio between the said first impedance (Z1) and said second impedance (Z2).
G01F 23/24 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
B67C 3/00 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatusFilling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
Provided is a device for inverting the articulation of the shoulder of a container produced from a plastics preform having a shoulder articulable between an extended position and a retracted position. The device includes at least one framework through which a conveyor conveying containers along a path between an inlet and an outlet can extend. An arm mounted on the framework can bear a belt stretched between a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a squashing pulley extending therebetween such that the belt has an upper strand and a lower strand extending in line with the conveyor. The lower strand has a squashing segment extending between the driven pulley and the squashing pulley to form an angle of 1.5° to 5° with the horizontal, and a pressure reducing segment extending between the squashing pulley and the driving pulley to form an angle of −2° to −7° with the horizontal.
Provided is a marking installation for thermoplastic containers, the installation including two conveyors to convey the containers along two distinct conveying paths on two distinct packaging lines from an inlet to an outlet of each conveyor, and a plurality of laser marking devices to apply information in an information region, each marking device being positioned between the two conveyors and being configured to apply information alternately in the information region of a container of a first conveyor then in the information region of a container of the second conveyor.
B65B 61/26 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
B29C 71/04 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shapeApparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation
Conveying system (10) for conveying containers (B) comprising a plurality of conveyors (1), each of which is configured for conveying a gripper (4) being gripping a container (B), wherein the system (10) comprises: a transport motor (101) for transporting each conveyor (1) around a central axis (X) by generating the movement of the respective shuttle (2), so that the translation, for each conveyor (1), is along a radial direction with respect to said central axis (X); a rotative collector (8) for energizing the respective control systems (3) of the conveyors (1), the rotative collector (8) comprising a static part (81) and a rotary part (82); a rotational motor (9) for rotating the rotary part (82) of the collector (8), so that the rotary part (82) is integral with the respective movements of the shuttles (2); wherein the rotational motor (9) is distinct with respect to said transport motor (101) and is located on the opposite side of said rotative part (82) with respect to said static part (81) and along said central axis (X).
B65G 29/00 - Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
Described is a laser scanning head for marking items, the scanning head having a housing including a laser entry window adapted to receive the laser beam emitted by a laser source, at least one galvanometric mirror mounted on the rotation shaft of a motor for rotating said galvanometric mirror, and an exit window through which the marking laser beam is emitted towards an item. The housing includes two opposite exit windows and means for emitting two marking laser beams emitted through the exit windows from the laser beam emitted by the laser source passing through the entry window.
Provided is a device for folding a strip-made of material based on plant fibers for packaging a batch of containers. The strip includes means for folding at least one longitudinal edge of the strip, an unwinding surface. on which the lower face of the strip unwinds, at least one shoe on one side for folding the corresponding longitudinal edge. The shoe includes a profiled element partially overlapping the unwinding surface that is and inclined convergently in the longitudinal direction of unwinding, so that the corresponding longitudinal edge of said strip can be folded overlapping its upper face. The device includes a freely rotatable press roller mounted in alignment with the at least one shoe, the press roller bearing against said unwinding surface at the top.
It is described a gripper conveyor (1) for conveying a gripper (4) being gripping a container (B), the gripper (4) being able to adopt a closed condition for gripping the container (B) and an open condition to release the container (B), comprising: a movable shuttle (2) which can be subjected to a movement; a control system (3) which is supported by the shuttle (2) to be integral with said movement, and configured for controlling independently from each other the translation of the gripper with respect to the shuttle (2) and the oscillation of the gripper with respect to the shuttle (2); wherein the control system (3) is configured so that the oscillation is integral with said translation.
B65G 29/00 - Rotary conveyors, e.g. rotating discs, arms, star-wheels or cones
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
One aspect of the invention relates to a computer-implemented method (20) for detecting the position of a plurality of containers (14), each container (14) comprising an upper surface (141), the method comprising:—acquiring (21) at least one image (I1) of the plurality of containers (14);—obtaining (23) local bit patterns (I2) in the acquired image (I1) on the basis of a dimension of the upper surface (141) of each container (14) of the plurality of containers (I4), the dimension of the upper surface (141) of each container (14) being calculated on the basis of a predefined upper surface size (141) of the containers (14);—applying (24) a colour mask to the acquired image (I1) on the basis of a predefined upper surface colour (141) of the containers (14) to obtain a masked image (I3);—combining (25) the partially masked image (I3) and the local bit patterns (I2) to obtain sets of pixels representing the upper
Provided is a device for locking and/or unlocking at least one spinner nose mounted on a thermal conditioning unit. The device includes a frame, a preform conveying device that has a support and circulates along the frame, and a mandrel that is mounted on the support of the conveying device to rotate about the longitudinal mandrel axis. Each mandrel can include an end that securely attaches the spinner nose to the mandrel. The locking and/or unlocking device also includes a means for preventing each spinner nose from rotating, and a means for locking and/or unlocking the attachment means securing the spinner nose to the mandrel.
Provided is a plastic container obtained by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding. The container has a body wall, a shoulder in the upper end of the body, a neck in the extension of the shoulder, and a petaloid bottom. The bottom has an outwardly convex wall, from which feet extend from a central region of the bottom. The tops of the feet are coplanar and jointly form a circular base via which the container can rest on a flat surface. Each foot has an end face extending in a gentle slope from the central region of the bottom towards the bottom of the foot. The end face of has a central section extending in the direction of the top of the foot with an outwardly facing concavity, and a peripheral section extending to the bottom of the foot with an outwardly facing convexity.
It is described a supply unit (1) for supplying a sterilizing material selectively to a caps sterilizer (3) or to a filter sterilization circuit (2) for sterilizing a filtering device (5), comprising: a first input line (11) for supplying a sterilization agent; a second input line (12) for supplying an atomizing fluid for atomizing the sterilization agent, so that a mixture is defined comprising the sterilization agent and the atomizing fluid; a third input line (15) for supplying a carrier gas, so that the carrier gas is mixed with said mixture to define said material which comprises the mixture and the carrier gas; an output circuit (16) for selectively direct said material to said caps sterilizer (3) or to said sterilization circuit (2).
A61L 2/16 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor using chemical substances
There is described a pasteurizing machine (1) for food products packaged in containers (2), comprising a tunnel (3) with heating, heat-treatment, and cooling zones (4, 5, 6). The heating and cooling zones (4, 5) are divided into sub-zones (7, 10), each equipped with spraying devices (13) to apply treatment liquid. The machine (1) features an upper and lower conveyor (11, 12) for transporting containers (2) through the sub-zones. In the heat-treatment zone (5), there are two fluidically separated collection tanks (17, 18), with spraying devices (13a, 13b) for the upper and lower conveyors (11, 12). The system includes feeding circuits (19, 23) with pumping devices (20, 24) and valve members (21, 22, 25, 26) to control liquid flow, a bypass circuit (27) for liquid collection from the upper spraying device (13a), and deflecting member (31) for directing the liquid collected from the lower spraying device (13b) between collection tanks (17, 18).
A23B 2/00 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general
A23B 2/22 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general by heating materials in packages which are progressively transported, continuously or stepwise, through the apparatus with packages on endless chain or band conveyors
A23B 70/30 - Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages by heating
A23B 85/10 - Preservation of beverages containing tea, tea substitutes or herbal tea
C12H 1/18 - Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation by physical means, e.g. irradiation by heating
B65B 25/00 - Packaging other articles presenting special problems
33.
DEVICE FOR MOUNTING AND/OR DISASSEMBLING A SPINNER NOSE, AND APPLICATION TO A PREFORM THERMAL CONDITIONING UNIT
Disclosed is a device for locking and/or unlocking at least one spinner nose mounted on a thermal conditioning unit. The thermal conditioning unit includes a frame, a preform conveying device that includes a plurality of supports and circulates along the frame, and a mandrel mounted on each support of the conveying device so as to be able to rotate about the longitudinal mandrel axis. Each mandrel has at least one attachment means that secures the spinner nose to the mandrel, the spinner nose being able to receive the plastic preform; The device further comprises means for locking and/or unlocking an attachment means securing the spinner nose to the mandrel and positioned in line with the conveying device.
There is described a pasteurizing machine (1) for food products packaged in containers (2), comprising a tunnel (3) with heating, heat-treatment, and cooling zones (4, 5, 6) The heating and cooling zones (4, 5) are divided into sub-zones (7, 10), each equipped with spraying devices (13) to apply treatment liquid. The machine (1) features an upper and lower conveyor (11, 12) for transporting containers (2) through the sub-zones. In the heat-treatment zone (5), there are two fluidically separated collection tanks (17, 18), with spraying devices (13a, 13b) for the upper and lower conveyors (11, 12). The system includes feeding circuits (19, 23) with pumping devices (20, 24) and valve members (21, 22, 25, 26) to control liquid flow, a bypass circuit (27) for liquid collection from the upper spraying device (13a), and deflecting member (31) for directing the liquid collected from the lower spraying device (13b) between collection tanks (17, 18).
A23B 2/00 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general
A23B 2/22 - Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general by heating materials in packages which are progressively transported, continuously or stepwise, through the apparatus with packages on endless chain or band conveyors
A23B 70/30 - Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages by heating
A23B 85/10 - Preservation of beverages containing tea, tea substitutes or herbal tea
B65B 25/00 - Packaging other articles presenting special problems
C12H 1/18 - Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation by physical means, e.g. irradiation by heating
35.
LOADING, TRANSPORTING AND UNLOADING OF ARTICLES SUCH AS CARDBOARD BOXES OR CRATES
Provided is a gripping device to be mounted on a robot for a palletizing system, for loading, transporting and unloading articles of the box or crate type. The device includes a support for fastening to the robot, and a guide means mounted on the support. The device is has at least two jaws that face one another and are mounted movably on the guide means, for clasping the sides of at least one article with the support above the article. And an actuating means for moving the jaws independently of one another along the guide means between a spaced-apart position and a clasping position. Also provided is a system for loading, transporting and unloading articles, and to a process for palletizing articles.
Provided is an automated tracking system in a packaging plant for packaging a pourable product, the automated tracking system having a first marking unit to mark each primary packaging unit in the primary packaging machine with a respective primary marking; a second marking unit to mark each secondary packaging unit in the secondary packaging machine with a respective secondary marking; a first imaging module, to image the first conveying unit; and a control unit having: an acquisition module to acquire a first set of information at least from the first marking unit, said first imaging module, and the second marking unit; and a prediction module to process the acquired first set of information in order to track the primary packaging units in the path between the primary and secondary packaging machines.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
Provided is a method for controlling a heating station of a facility for manufacturing containers by shaping preforms made of thermoplastic material using heating electromagnetic radiation. The method includes a first step of measuring the absorption spectrum of a wall of a preform in the visible light range upstream of a heating area, and a second step of controlling the power of the heating electromagnetic radiation on the basis of the absorption spectrum measured during the first step, in order to heat the body of the preforms to a set temperature.
Provided is a device for packaging at least two containers in one batch, the containers being bottles having a bottom, a body, and a shoulder connecting the body to a neck, or cylindrical cans. The device includes a sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings for receiving the necks of the containers. The can be a multilayer cellulose raw structure obtained by forming from at least a first layer of dry-formed cellulose fibers and a second layer of a structure of cellulose fiber strips by stacking the at least first layer and second layer in contact with one another and placing the stacked layers in a forming mold in which the stacked layers are pressed and heated so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous composite sheet having a single bi-layer configuration.
B65D 71/42 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottlesBales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element
It is described a system (1) for applying labels (L) on containers (B) comprising: a transfer drum (2) for receiving the labels (L) still joined to each other to form a web of labelling material (W), for transferring the received labels (L), and for applying the labels (L) on respective containers (B), by means of said drum (2) rotating around its axis (X), the transfer drum (2) comprising a plurality of angular sectors (21) which are angularly distributed around the axis (X) of the drum (2) and each of which is configured for supporting a respective label (L) being transferred, each sector (21) comprising a trailing pad (21) for supporting a trailing portion (TP) of the label (L) being supported; a cutting unit (4) for sequentially cutting the web (W) being transferred by the drum (2), to sequentially separate the labels (L) from the remaining part of the web (W), by sequentially cooperating with the trailing pads (23), the cutting unit (4) comprising a blade (41) and being configured for sequentially cutting the web (W) by means of said blade (41) rotating; wherein each trailing pad (23) comprises a respective protuberance (232) which is configured for cooperating with said cutting unit (4) for pressing the web (W) against the cutting unit (4) during the cut, said protuberance (232) being located downstream of said blade (41), according to the rotation (R) of said drum (2).
It is described a dosing device (2) for dosing an additive sequentially into containers (B) configured for being filled with a pourable product, the additive being for example an aroma additive or a flavor agent, comprising: a dosing section (21), the dosing device (2) being configured so that the additive being dosed is delivered into each container by flowing through said dosing section (21); wherein the dosing section (21) is partializable to vary the active sub section (211) through which the additive flows and, therefore, also the inactive sub section (212) through which the additive does not flow.
B67C 3/20 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups
41.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FACILITY FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing containers (23) made of thermoplastic materials in a facility (1) comprising at least a first unit (2) for producing preforms (3) and a second unit (10) for producing containers by blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding the preforms (3) previously produced by the first unit (2); said method being noteworthy in that it comprises at least the following steps: measuring at least one physical quantity of at least one preform (3) or at least one container (23) and/or of at least one physical quantity of at least one of the steps of the method of the second unit (10) for producing containers (23) and/or the variation in said physical quantity, and modifying at least one of the control parameters of the first unit (2) for producing preforms, depending on the measurement of said physical quantity and/or of the variation in said physical quantity.
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing containers made from thermoplastic materials in a facility comprising at least a first, preform production unit and a second, container production unit for producing containers by blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding the preforms previously produced by the first unit; the method is noteworthy in that it comprises at least the following steps: measuring, in the first, preform production unit, at least one physical quantity of the PET flakes and/or the viscous paste and/or at least one preform, and/or at least one physical quantity of at least one of the steps of the method of the first, preform production unit and/or the variation in said physical quantity, and modifying at least one of the control parameters of the second, container production unit, depending on the measurement of the physical quantity and/or the variation in said physical quantity.
It is described a dosing device (2) for dosing an additive sequentially into containers (B) configured for being filled with a pourable product, the additive being for example an aroma additive or a flavor agent, comprising: a dosing section (21), the dosing device (2) being configured so that the additive being dosed is delivered into each container by flowing through said dosing section (21); wherein the dosing section is elliptical.
B67C 3/20 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups
It is described a dosing device (2) for dosing an additive sequentially into containers (B) configured for being filled with a pourable product, the additive being for example an aroma additive or a flavor agent, comprising: a dosing section (21), the dosing device (2) being configured so that the additive being dosed is delivered into each container by flowing through said dosing section (21); wherein the dosing device (2) is configured for dosing said additive sequentially into the containers, and, for each container (B), while the respective position of the container (B) with respect to the dosing device (2) is varying by means of a movement of the container (B); wherein the dosing device (2) is configured for oscillating around an axis of oscillation (4) to at least partially follows the movement of each container into which the additive is being dosed.
B67C 3/20 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus with provision for metering the liquids to be introduced, e.g. when adding syrups
45.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FACILITY FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing containers made from thermoplastic materials in a facility comprising at least a first, preform production unit and a second, container production unit for producing containers by blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding the preforms previously produced by the first unit; said method is noteworthy in that it comprises at least the following steps: i) individually identifying each preform during a predetermined tracking period, the step of individually identifying each preform comprising a marking step during which each preform produced during the tracking period receives a specific marking corresponding to the identification of the mould of the first, preform production unit, and ii) individually identifying each container produced during the predetermined tracking period, the step of individually identifying each container produced by the second, container production unit comprising a marking step during which each individual container produced during said tracking period receives a marking specific to said container, making it possible to individually identify said container by distinguishing it from all the other containers produced by the second, container production unit during the tracking period.
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing containers made of thermoplastic materials in a facility comprising at least a first, preform production unit and a second, container production unit for producing containers by blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding the preforms previously produced by the first unit; said method being noteworthy in that it comprises at least the following steps: i) measuring at least one physical quantity of at least one preform or of at least one container and/or at least one physical quantity of at least one of the steps of the method of the second, container production unit and/or the variation in said physical quantity, ii) determining a malfunction of at least one constituent element of the first, preform production unit depending on the measurement of said physical quantity and/or of the variation in said physical quantity.
The present invention relates to a plastics container (1) provided with a body (2) and a bottom (3) extending from a lower end of the body (2), and a push-up (7) which extends from a central area (8) to a heel (4), the heel (4) rising back up on a wall (6) connecting to the wall of the body (2) of the container (1), the bottom (3) comprising at least one central raised portion (9) having a generally frustoconical or cylindrical side wall, the push-up (7) extending from the central raised portion (9) to the heel (4), and the push-up (7) comprising at least three main grooves (11); the container (1) is characterised in that the body (2) has a substantially circular cross-section and in that, between the main grooves (11), the push-up (7) radially comprises at least three sections (7a, 7b, 7c), wherein a first section (7a) extends from the central raised portion (9) up to a diameter ΦD, the push-up (7) having a concave profile in this first section (7a) and the concavity being oriented towards the base plane (5); a second section (7b) extends from the diameter ΦD up to a diameter ΦC, which is greater than ΦD, the push-up (7) having a convex or straight profile in this second section (7b) in accordance with a first radius of curvature; and a third section (7c) extends from the diameter ΦC up to a diameter ΦA, which is greater than the diameter ΦC, the push-up (7) having a convex or straight profile in this third section (7c) in accordance with a second radius of curvature.
The present invention relates to a plastics container (1) provided with a body (2) and a bottom (3) extending from a lower end of the body (2), wherein the bottom (3) comprises at least one peripheral heel (4) defining a base (5), and a push-up (7) which extends from a central area (8) to a heel (4), the heel (4) rising back up on a wall (6) connecting to the wall of the body (2) of the container (1), the bottom (3) comprising at least one central raised portion (9), the push-up (7) extending from the central raised portion (9) to the heel (4), and the push-up (7) comprising at least three main grooves (11) and reinforcing intermediate grooves (12) which extend locally over the base (5) between two main grooves (11); the container (1) is characterised in that the body (2) has a substantially square cross-section with rounded corners and in that, between the main grooves (11), the push-up (7) comprises, in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the container, at least three sections (7a, 7b, 7c): a first section (7a) extending from the central raised portion (9) up to a distance D from the vertical longitudinal axis of symmetry, the push-up (7) having, in this first section (7a), a concave profile in accordance with a first radius of curvature, the concavity being oriented towards the base plane (5); a second section (7b) extending from the distance D up to a distance C, which is greater than the distance D, the push-up (7) having, in this second section (7b), a concave profile in accordance with a second radius of curvature, thus forming a convex flat portion between the first section (7a) and the second section (7b); and a third section (7c) extending from the distance C up to a distance E, which is greater than the distance C, the push-up (7) having a substantially straight profile in this third section (7c).
Described are forming machines for forming containers from preforms and methods of sterilizing. The machine has a blowing network having ducts that connect a controlled source of compressed blowing gas to a blowing nozzle and a sterilizing device. The device has a controlled source of a pressurized hot drying gas connected to the blowing network at a supply junction, a controlled source of sterilizing vapor, and a chamber for mixing the sterilizing vapor with the drying gas to form a sterilizing gaseous mixture. The method includes heating the ducts of the blowing network by injection of the pressurized hot drying gas, then injecting the sterilizing gaseous mixture into the blowing network. Injecting is initiated when the coldest point of the blowing network reaches a treatment temperature higher than both a condensation temperature of the vapor at the cold point, and lower than the hot drying gas at the supply junction.
Described is a device for treating products, which includes at least one tool and at least one movable support, the tool being mounted on the support for treatment of products. The device includes at least one rail, each support being mounted to slide along the rail between several positions. Each support includes a blocker actuatable from locking against the rail to unlocking allowing movement along the rail. The device includes an actuator for locking and unlocking the blocker, an energy supply for the actuator, at least one coupling element with the support, and a relative motorization between the element and support indexed relative to the rail. The element incorporates the actuator, allowing energy to be supplied to the blocker.
B65G 47/91 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
51.
DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF A PREFORM
The invention relates to a device (56) for on-the-fly measurement of the absorption spectrum (σ(λ1)) in the visible light range of at least one wall (16) of preforms (12), comprising: - means (36) for conveying preforms (12), - a measurement light source (58) which emits a measurement light beam (55) according to a continuous measurement spectrum (σm), - a spectrometer (62) measuring the intensity (I) and the wavelength (λ1) of the first light beam (55) after having passed through the preform (12), characterised in that the measurement light source (58) comprises at least two primary light sources (58A, 58B, 58C, 58D) which each emit a primary light beam according to an associated continuous spectrum (σA, σB, σC, σD), the primary continuous spectra (σA, σB, σC, σD) of the primary sources (58A, 58B, 58C, 58D) being different.
The invention relates to a method for non-destructive detection of the presence of recycled polyethylene terephthalate in a preform (12) intended to be formed into a container (11) by forming, in particular by stretch-blow moulding, characterized in that the method consists in determining the presence of an absorption peak (P1, P2) at at least one given wavelength (λ1, λ2) of between 580 nm and 690 nm that is characteristic of the presence of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
G01N 21/90 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination in a container or its contents
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
The present invention relates to a so-called neck ring (1) for a blow-moulding mould, which ring consists of two semi-annular parts (1a, 1b), each semi-annular part (1a, 1b) of the ring (1) comprising a semicircular inner peripheral edge forming a so-called under-neck segment (2) which extends below the peripheral edge from the upper face (3) to the lower face (4) of each semi-annular part (1a, 1b), a semicircular outer peripheral edge (5) and two diametrically opposite lateral edges (6), the lateral edges (6) connecting the ends of the outer (5) and inner (2) peripheral edges, each semi-annular part (1a, 1b) of the ring (1) also comprising, on its upper face (3), a planar semi-annular shoulder (7) extending along the inner peripheral edge (2), from one lateral edge (6) to the other, the collar (22) of a neck (21) of a preform (20) being able to bear on the shoulder (7), characterized in that the under-neck segment (2) comprises, from the upper face (3) to the lower face (4) of each semi-annular part (1a, 1b), at least one so-called convex upper section (8) forming the edge between the shoulder (7) and all or part of the under-neck segment (2), and a so-called substantially semi-frustoconical lower section (9) flaring from the convex section (8) towards the lower face (4) of each semi-annular part (1a, 1b).
rPETrPET) which represents the recycled polyethylene terephthalate content present in the preform (12) as a function of the first and second values (T(λ1), T(λ2)) measured during the first step (E1) and the second step (E2).
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
G01N 21/359 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
G01N 21/90 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination in a container or its contents
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
G01N 21/3563 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solidsPreparation of samples therefor
There is described a system (8) for applying labels (2) comprising a label applicator drum (13) comprising a plurality of angularly distributed supports (14) for receiving, transferring and applying respective labels (2) by means of the label applicator drum (13) rotating about its axis (B) and a glue application device (15) for releasing glue on each label (2) being transferred by a respective support (14). Each support (14) comprises a respective leading pad (18) for supporting a leading portion (19) of the label (2) being transferred, and a respective trailing pad (20) for supporting a trailing portion (21) of the label (2) being transferred. Each support (14) also comprises a respective prepad (22) for allowing the label (2) to slide while being, in use, received by the respective support (14). The label applicator drum (13) comprises, for each prepad (22), a respective plurality of grooves (36) for collecting and retaining glue, each of which is angularly elongated with respect to said axis (B), said grooves (36) being vertically distributed along said axis (B).
The present invention relates to a gripper (21) for gripping hollow bodies, the gripper (21) comprising two arm supports (32) rotatably mounted on a gripper head (34) and two arms (36) each equipped, at one of the ends thereof, referred to as the distal end, with a jaw (38) that is intended to bear on a portion of the hollow body and, at the opposite end thereof, referred to as the proximal end, with an attachment portion (40) that is intended to removably secure each of the arms (36) to the arm supports (32), characterized in that the attachment portion (40) of each arm (36) comprises at least one means (41), referred to as positioning means, for positioning the arm relative to the arm support, the positioning means (41) comprising at least one male part (42) or a female portion (44) that is able to cooperate with a female portion (44) or a male part (42) of the arm support (32), and at least one attachment means (59) that is intended to clamp the male part (42) in the female portion (44).
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B29C 49/08 - Biaxial stretching during blow-moulding
B29C 49/36 - Blow-moulding apparatus having movable moulds or mould parts rotatable about one axis
B29C 49/68 - Ovens specially adapted for heating preforms or parisons
B29C 49/64 - Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
57.
NECK RING FOR A BLOW MOULD, PROVIDED WITH MEANS PREVENTING ROTATION OF THE PREFORMS DURING CLOSURE OF THE BLOW MOULD
The present invention relates to a so-called neck ring for a blow mould, consisting of two semi-annular parts (1), each semi-annular part (1) of the neck ring comprising a semi-circular inner peripheral edge (2) forming a cylindrical segment which extends perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the upper face (3) of the semi-annular part (1), a semi-circular outer peripheral edge (5), and two diametrically opposite side edges (6), the side edges (6) connecting the ends of the outer (5) and inner (2) peripheral edges, each semi-annular part (1) of the ring also comprising a planar semi-annular shoulder (7) extending along the inner peripheral edge (2), from one side edge (6) to the other; the neck ring being characterized in that at least the ridge between the planar semi-annular shoulder (7) and the side edges (6) of at least one of the semi-annular parts (1) and the ridge between the side edge (6) and the cylindrical segment defined by the inner peripheral edge (2) comprise a smooth transition (9).
There is described a system (8) for applying labels (2) comprising a label applicator drum (13) comprising a plurality of angularly distributed supports (14) for receiving, transferring and applying respective labels (2) by means of the label applicator drum (13) rotating about its axis (B), a glue application device (15) for releasing glue on each label (2) being transferred by a respective support (14), a plurality of first blowing elements (30) and a second blowing element (32). The system (8) is configured so that each first blowing element (30) works in a coordinated manner with respect to the second blowing element (32), so that the first blowing elements (30) blow the respective first stream of gas (31) such that the respective first stream of gas (31) pushes filaments of glue (34) deposited on the respective label (2) into the direction of rotation (D) and the second blowing element (32) blows the second stream of gas (33) such that the same pushed filaments of glue (34) adhere to the respective label (2).
The present invention relates to a transfer tool comprising a tool holder (9) for a product transfer facility, the holder (9) comprising: at least one slider (10) with an upper end (100) and a lower end (101); at least one slide (11) provided with at least one space (110) for receiving at least one portion of the lower end (101) of the slider (10), the slider (10) being mounted movably within the space (110) for sliding relative to the slide (11); additional compensation means (12) capable of exerting a force in the opposite direction with respect to the sliding of the at least one portion of the lower end (101) of the slider (10), the sliding taking place in a direction extending from the upper end (100) to the lower end (101). The invention also relates to the associated facility and method for transferring products.
Described is a decoration machine for decorating containers adapted to contain a pourable product. The machine includes for each group of container support members, a respective laser decoration unit for engraving a decoration on the containers supported by the support members. Each laser decoration unit includes: a respective laser source configured to emit a laser beam; at least two respective laser engraving devices, each configured to receive the laser beam and each associated with one respective support member for engraving a container supported thereon with the laser beam, where each device is integral with the advancement of the associated support member; and a respective switching device operatively interposed between the laser source and each laser engraving device of the unit, where the switching device selectively directs the laser beam towards each engraving device.
The invention relates to a method for controlling a hollow-body manufacturing facility comprising: - a control unit (56); - a moulding cavity (13); - a blowing nozzle (14); - a stretch rod (16) for stretching the hollow body (12); - a pre-blowing source (18); - a pre-blowing duct (20); - a controlled flow limiter (26) inserted in the pre-blowing duct (20) and capable of varying the cross section (S) of flow of the forming fluid; characterized in that, during a pre-blowing step (E1), the cross section (S) of flow of the forming fluid at the pre-blowing pressure (Pf1) is controlled automatically as a function of a value representative of the current pre-blowing pressure (Pf1) such that the forming fluid flows with a flow rate (Q) in accordance with a set value (Cq).
There is described a method for washing containers comprising the steps of: advancing a series of beams (5) along a washing path (P) spaced from one another by a pitch (K); spraying the containers (2) by a rotary spraying device (13) including an actuation wheel (15); actuating the actuation wheel (15) in rotation by means of contact interaction of pushing members (16), carried each by a respective beam (5); detecting the presence and position of each pushing member (16) within a detection section (18); defining an encoder main interval (19) representative of said pitch (K);the step a) of advancing comprises actuating a motor including an absolute encoder configured to provide an integer number representative of the actual position of the pushing member (16) along said pitch (K); the method comprising the steps of: reading the integer number corresponding to the position of the pushing member (16) within the detection section (18); comparing the read integer number with an expected nominal integer value representative of an expected nominal position of the pushing member (16) within the detection section (18).
B08B 9/30 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray or jet application, with or without soaking and having conveyors
B08B 9/42 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus being characterised by means for conveying or carrying containers therethrough
There is described a caps sterilizer (11) for sterilizing caps (2), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for sterilizing the caps (2) while the caps advance according to an advancement direction (A), and by means of a sterilizing agent; wherein the caps sterilizer (11) defines, along said advancement direction (A):- an injection zone (19), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for injecting the sterilizing agent in the injection zone (19);- an activation zone (26) which is located downstream of the injection zone (19), with respect to the advancement direction of the caps (2), and in which the sterilizing agent resides on the caps (2);- a drying zone (25) which is located downstream of the activation zone (26), with respect to the advancement direction (A) of the caps (2), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for at least partially drying the caps (2) in the drying zone (25), to at least reduce the residual of sterilizing agent on the caps (2), preferably by introducing heated air in said drying zone (25);- a further zone (27) which is located downstream of the drying zone (25), with respect to the advancement direction (A) of the caps (2);wherein the caps sterilizer (11) is configured so that the sterilizing agent enters into contact with the caps (2) at least partially by means of condensation; wherein the caps sterilizer (11) is configured for irradiating the caps (2) in the drying zone (25) or in said further zone (27) by UV radiation.
There is described a packaging machine (1) for packaging a pourable product into containers (2), the packaging machine (1) comprising:- at least a first rotative processing unit (3) comprising a first carousel (5) and a second rotative processing unit (4) comprising a second carousel (7), each of the first and second carousels (5, 7) being configured for advancing the containers along a processing path (P) and having a series of support members (6) arranged along a peripheral portion thereof and each adapted to hold one container (2) at a time, the first carousel (5) being arranged upstream of the second carousel (7) along the processing path (P);-a single transfer conveyor (8) operatively interposed between the first and second processing units (3, 4), the transfer conveyor (8) including a plurality of gripper members (10) and being configured to advance the gripper members (10) along a transfer path (T).
B67C 7/00 - Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottlesProcesses or devices for at least two of these operations
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
66.
CAPS STERILIZATION APPARATUS WITH UV FEEDING MODULE
There is described a caps sterilization apparatus (10) for the sterilization of caps (2) comprising: - a caps sterilizer (11) for sterilizing the caps (2), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for sterilizing the caps (2) while the caps advance according to an advancement direction (A), and by means of a sterilizing agent;- a caps feeding module (13) for feeding the caps (2) into the caps sterilizer (11) and configured for irradiating the caps being fed by UV radiation, the caps feeding module (13) being configured for feeding the caps (2) along a feeding direction (F).
There is described a caps sterilization apparatus (10) for the sterilization of caps (2) comprising:- a caps sterilizer (11) for sterilizing the caps (2), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for sterilizing the caps (2) while the caps advance according to an advancement direction (A), and by means of a sterilizing agent;- a caps feeding module (13) for feeding the caps (2) into the caps sterilizer (11) and configured for thermally preconditioning the caps being fed, the caps feeding module (13) being configured for feeding the caps (2) along a feeding direction (F).
There is described caps sterilizer (11) for sterilizing caps (2), the caps sterilizer (11) being configured for sterilizing the caps (2) while the caps advance according to an advancement direction (Q), and by means of a sterilizing agent; wherein the sterilizing agent comprises ozone, the caps sterilizer (11) comprising an injection device (17) for injecting the sterilizing agent in the injection zone (19).
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Machines for the processing and treatment of plastics;
machines for applying coatings; machines for applying an
internal barrier coating to bottles and containers for
liquids. Treatment of plastics and containers through the application
of a coating; internal treatment of containers by applying
barrier coatings.
The present invention relates to a device (1) for loading parallelepipedal overall, flat elements (30) having four corners (300), an upper face (31) and a lower face (32), the elements (30) being stacked in the form of a pile (3), the loading being carried out by a successive transfer from the pile (3) to a processing station (2), the processing station (2) having an entrance (20) for receiving the successive elements (30), which may be held together by a tie (90) or the like to form a batch, the device (1) comprising at least: - a gripping tool (4) suitable for picking up and moving the flat elements (30) from the pile (3) to the entrance (20), the gripping tool (4) comprising at least one gripper (40), - a control unit (5) configured to execute a routine for loading the entrance (20) of the processing station (2) from the pile (3) of flat elements (30), and - a robot arm (6) designed and arranged to move the gripping tool (4) at least between the pile (3) and the entrance (20) of the station (2), the tool (4) being positioned at the distal end of the robot arm (6), the device (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - optical detection means (7), the means (7) comprising at least one camera (70) for detecting, for each flat element (30) to be moved by the gripping tool (4), at least one mark (8), the mark (8) being located on one of the faces (31, 32) of the element (30), and in that - the control unit (5) is configured to determine and/or receive coordinates of the at least one detected mark (8) and to transmit instructions to control means (60) of an actuator of the robot arm (6) in order to adjust the movement of the gripping tool (4) on the basis of the coordinates of the at least one mark (8). The invention also relates to a loading method and to an element (30) comprising at least one mark (8) on one of the faces (31, 32) thereof.
B65H 1/30 - Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom
B65H 5/00 - Feeding articles separated from pilesFeeding articles to machines
B65H 7/14 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors by photoelectric feelers or detectors
B65B 43/14 - Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines
The present invention relates to a method for forming groups of products (1) that can be palletized in layers (100), the layers (100) consisting of several rows (10) of products (1); the method comprises the following successive steps, carried out cyclically: - a step of selecting a number of products (1), the products (1) traveling on a conveying means (2); - a step of transferring at least one or more products (1) aligned in the form of a line (11) from the conveying means (2) to a conveyor (3) for preparing layers (100); - a step of preparing at least one row (10) of a layer (100) of the products (1) on the preparation conveyor (3) by means of a handling device (4), the preparation consisting in positioning and/or orienting the products (1) by moving some of them relative to others, according to a palletizing pattern; - a step of at least partially forming a layer (100) on a group-forming area (5b) by means of a stop (50), the group-forming area (5b) being located downstream of the preparation conveyor (3); - a step of palletizing the layer (100) from the group-forming area (5b) to a palletizing station (6). The method is characterized in that the transfer step consists in a transverse transfer from the conveying means (2) to the conveyor (3) for preparing layers (100), the preparation conveyor (3) being substantially orthogonal to the conveying means (2). The invention also relates to a facility for palletizing products 1.
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65G 57/24 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
20 - Furniture and decorative products
21 - HouseHold or kitchen utensils, containers and materials; glassware; porcelain; earthenware
Goods & Services
Bottle envelopes of paper or cardboard; Bottle wrappers of cardboard or paper; Packaging boxes of cardboard Bottle racks; Packaging containers of plastic; Bottle closures, not of metal Plastic bottles sold empty
There is described a packaging machine (1) for packaging a pourable product into containers (2), the packaging machine (1) comprises: at least one operative unit (3, 4) configured to perform a packaging operation on the containers (2) and having a carousel (5, 8) for conveying the containers (2) along an operative path; an output wheel (11) arranged operatively downstream of the operative unit (3, 4) and configured to receive the processed containers (2) from the operative unit (3, 4); the packaging machine (1) further comprises at least two collecting wheels (12, 13) arranged operatively downstream of the output wheel (11) and configured to collect the containers (2) from the output wheel (11) and to feed the containers (2) to two respective distinct exit rows (14a, 14b).
The invention relates to an emitter module (36) for a unit (10) for treating a hollow body (22) made of thermoplastic material, the emitter module (36) comprising: - a main body (44); - an assembly (41) of emitting semiconductor components (40) which are mounted on a front face (38) of the main body (44) and each of which is capable of selectively emitting electromagnetic treatment radiation having a determined wavelength emission peak; - at least one front transparent glass sheet (60) which is mounted on the front face (38) of the main body in order to sealingly enclose the assembly (41) of emitting semiconductor components (40), the glass sheet (60) being intended for the electromagnetic treatment radiation to pass therethrough; characterised in that at least one face (62, 64) of the glass sheet (60) is coated with an anti-reflection coating (66) for the wavelengths corresponding to the emission peak of the electromagnetic treatment radiation.
The present invention relates to a method for regulating a cyclical production of containers (2) by stretch-blow moulding from preforms (4) made of plastic material in a machine comprising one or more stretch-blow-moulding stations (44), said machine being positioned downstream of a device (16) for the thermal conditioning of said preforms (4), commonly referred to as an oven, each of the stretch-blow-moulding stations (44) being designed to produce a container (2) during a production cycle, each stretch-blow-moulding station (44) comprising a mould (46) consisting of two half-moulds (48, 50) delimiting a moulding cavity, said preform (4) being blown into said mould (46), with at least one pre-blowing and/or blowing step, said pre-blowing and blowing steps for heating the preforms (4) being controlled by a control unit (84) from different "control" parameters. The method is characterised in that it comprises at least the following steps: − determining the variation in the temperature of the inner wall of the preform (4) and/or the temperature at the core of the wall of the preform (4), i.e. the temperature between the outer wall and the inner wall of the preform (4), in the mould (46) of at least one blow-moulding station (18); − modifying at least one of the control parameters on the basis of said variation in the temperature of the inner wall of the preform (4) and/or the temperature at the core of the wall of the preform (4), and/or the average temperature through the thickness of the preform (4).
The invention relates to a facility (10) for manufacturing hollow bodies (12) made of thermoplastic material, the facility comprising: - a system (32) for conveying the hollow bodies (12); - at least one ejection mechanism (76) controlled to selectively eject hollow bodies (12); - a collection cavity (80) into which the ejected hollow bodies (12) are intended to fall, the collection cavity (80) having a side outlet bay (82) through which the collected hollow bodies (12) are intended to be discharged. The invention is characterised in that the collection cavity (80) is downwardly delimited by a belt conveyor (100) which, when activated, conveys the collected hollow bodies (12) towards the outlet bay (82).
One aspect of the invention relates to a box-forming device comprising a movable head comprising at least one punch (Pn) comprising at least a first corner (Pn1) that can be adjusted to several positions in relation to a second corner (Pn2) of the punch (Pn).
Sealing system (6) for the rotary connection of a rotary joint (1) of a rotary filling machine for filling a container with a pourable product; the sealing system (6) comprises along a radial direction (R): a slip ring (7) and a pair of energizing rings (8); wherein the pair of energizing rings (8) is arranged concentrically with respect to the slip ring (7).
Provided is a container obtained by blow molding or stretch blow molding from a preform made of polyethylene terephthalate and manufacturing methods of containers. The container includes a body, a shoulder extending the upper end of the body, a neck extending from the shoulder, and a bottom which extends at a lower end of the container. The neck can be open and form a rim of the container. The container can be intended to receive a liquid or semi-liquid dairy product such as milk, which can be distributed through a cold chain or at ambient temperature.
The invention relates to a heat treatment unit (4) comprising: - at least two heating elements (10), each arranged to heat a heated zone (24) of a body (16) of a preform (2), - an acquisition device (36) for acquiring at least one thermal image (38) of the heated preform (2), the thermal image (38) showing at least two thermal zones (40) representative of the temperature of the heated zones (24) of the body (16) of the preform (2), - a correlation module (44) for correlating the position of the two thermal zones (40) with the height of the heating elements (10) having heated the heated zones (24) corresponding to the thermal zones (40), the height of the heating elements (10) being defined in a direction of elevation (Z) parallel to the axis (A) of the preform.
Provided is a washing machine for washing empty containers. The machine includes a conveyor having seats for respective containers to convey a plurality of containers in their respective seats along a washing path. The machine includes at least one treatment station including a tank for holding a cleaning medium for washing the containers, the washing path extending through the tank, and at least one ultrasonic wave generator arranged adjacent to the washing path. Also included is a sensor unit for sequentially inspecting each seat for detecting the presence of containers therein downstream of the inlet station, and for generating signals correlated to the absence of containers in the inspected seats. Also included is a control unit configured to receive said signals and to control the ultrasonic wave generator based on the received signals for modulating a level of ultrasonic wave generation.
B67C 7/00 - Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottlesProcesses or devices for at least two of these operations
B08B 9/30 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray or jet application, with or without soaking and having conveyors
B08B 9/42 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, are brought the apparatus being characterised by means for conveying or carrying containers therethrough
B08B 13/00 - Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
84.
FACILITY FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS MADE OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, COMPRISING A CONVEYING DEVICE
The invention relates to a facility (10) for producing containers (12B) made of thermoplastic material, comprising a system (32) for conveying the containers (12B), the system (32) comprising at least: - a first upstream wheel (66) provided with grippers (42) for gripping a container (12B), and - a second downstream wheel (68) that is provided with grippers (42) for gripping a container (12B) and is synchronized with the first wheel (66) in order, at a transfer point (73), to transfer a container (12B) from a gripper (42) of the first wheel (66) to a gripper (42) of the second wheel (68), the system (32) comprising ejection means arranged upstream of the transfer point (73), characterized in that the ejection means comprise a multiple ejection device (84) configured to simultaneously eject the containers (12B) from at least two adjacent grippers.
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
85.
PRESSURISED CONTAINER WITH DEFORMABLE SHOULDER AND DEFORMABLE BOTTOM
Described are containers and moulds for producing containers. The container is obtained by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding from a blank made of plastic material. The container includes a body, a shoulder extending from the shoulder, and a bottom at the lower end of said body. The shoulder is articulated between an extended position and a retracted position. The bottom is articulated to the lower end of the body between an extended position and a retracted position. When the container is filled and closed, the movement of the shoulder from the extended position into the retracted position causes the bottom to move from the retracted position into the extended position and vice-versa.
Described is a device for packaging at least two containers in a batch and methods for packaging containers using the device. The containers can be bottles with a neck. The device includes at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material. The sheet has at least two parts, a first support part with at least two orifices for receiving the necks of the containers, and a second reinforcing part with at least one opening. The sheet has at least one fold line separating the first part and the second part, and the opening is able to cover at least one of the orifices of the support part in a covering folding position of the reinforcing part.
B65D 71/44 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottlesBales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element characterised by the handle
87.
PACKAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A COMPACT BATCH OF GROUPED CONTAINERS
Provided is a packaging device for a compact batch of at least two grouped containers and methods of packaging containers in a batch using such a device. The device includes a strip, the strip having an inner face, an outer face and two longitudinal edges. The packaging device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for handling the batch. At least one of the longitudinal edges is folded against one of the faces, of the strip so as to form at least one fold.
B65B 35/30 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups
B65B 61/14 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
B65B 65/00 - Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided forArrangements of such details
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Machines for the processing and treatment of plastics; machines for applying coatings; machines for applying an internal barrier coating to bottles and containers for liquids Treatment of plastics and containers through the application of a coating; internal treatment of containers by applying barrier coatings
89.
DUAL-CONFIGURATION SUPPORTING UNIT FOR A LABEL TRANSFER DRUM
A support unit (13) for a transfer drum (8) of labels (6) of a labelling machine (1) for containers (2); the support unit (13) comprises: a front pad (14) configured to support a front end portion (10) of the label (6); and a rear pad (15) configured to support a rear end portion (11) of the label (6). The support unit (13) is configured to assume a first configuration, which corresponds to a first orientation of the front pad (14) and a first angular encumbrance of the label (6), and a second configuration which corresponds to a second orientation of the front pad (14) and a second angular encumbrance of the label (6), so as to compensate for the non-nominal length of the label (6) and/or the length (H) of a flap (16) protruding from the rear pad (15).
The present invention relates to a container (1) provided with a body (5) and a bottom (6), wherein the body (5) comprises a shoulder (4) and a neck (2), and the bottom (6) comprises at least one peripheral heel (7) defining a base (8), and a push-up (10); the container is characterized in that the bottom (6) comprises at least one central pin (12) having a side wall having a frustoconical overall shape that is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis X of the container (1) and the concavity of which is oriented toward the base (8), the push-up (10) extending from the central pin (12) to the heel (7) and having a height of between 11% and 18% of the base diameter ΦA, and the central pin (12) having a diameter of between 15% and 25% of the base diameter ΦA and extending above the push-up (10) by a height of between 9% and 18% of the base diameter ΦA.
The present invention relates to a container (1) provided with a body (5) and a bottom (6) comprising at least one peripheral heel (7), and a push-up (10) that extends from a central region (11) to the heel (7), the bottom (6) comprising at least one central pin (12), the push-up (10) comprising at least two grooves referred to as main grooves (13), characterized in that the bottom of each main groove (13) has a curved radial profile such that the depth of each main groove (13) decreases from the central pin (12) to the distal end thereof, the radial radius of curvature of the bottom of each main groove (13) being between 30% and 60% of the base diameter ΦA.
The present invention relates to a container (1) provided with a body (5) and a bottom (6) comprising a shoulder (4) and a neck (2), wherein the bottom (6) comprises at least one peripheral heel (7), and a push-up (10), the bottom (6) comprising at least one central pin (12) and the push-up (10) comprising at least two grooves (13, 14) extending radially from the central pin (12) toward the base (8), characterized in that the push-up (10) comprises between two and six so-called secondary grooves (14) extending radially from the central pin (12) toward the base (8), the bottom of each secondary groove (14) having a curved radial profile such that the depth of each secondary groove (14) decreases from the central pin (12) to the distal end thereof, the maximum depth of each secondary groove (14) being between 6% and 18% of the base diameter ΦA.
There is described a web feeding system (16) for feeding a web of labelling material having a web leading portion (4a) to a labelling module (7) comprising a splicing device (14); wherein the feeding system (16) comprises at least one transporting band (36) which is attached to the web leading portion (4a); wherein the transporting band (36) comprises an adhesive layer (30) and a covering element (32) which covers the adhesive layer (30) and longitudinally protrudes from the web leading portion (4a), with respect to the longitudinal direction (DI) of said web, the covering element (32) being attached to said leading portion (4a) by the interposition of said adhesive layer ( 30 ); the feeding system (16) comprising a positioning device (20) for automatically positioning the web leading portion (4a) of the web (4) in a splicing position with respect to the splicing device (14), by transporting the transporting band (36); wherein the positioning device (20) comprises a retaining group (40) and is configured for transporting said transporting band (36) by means of said retaining group (40) retaining said covering element (32).
immm), the rate (C) of travel of the preforms through the chamber and at least one constant coefficient (K) for a container (1) that is to be produced.
Web feeding system (16) for feeding a web of labelling material to a labelling module (7) comprising a splicing device (14), the feeding system (16) comprising: a positioning device (20) for automatically positioning the web leading portion (4a) of the web (4) in a splicing position with respect to the splicing device (14); and a spraying device for applying a spray adhesive on the web leading portion (4a) the web (4), while the web (4) is being positioned in the splicing position by the positioning device (20); wherein the positioning device (20) and the spraying work in a coordinated manner.
It is described a gripper (1) for gripping a container (B 1; B2), comprising: a first jaw (2) and a second jaw (3), the jaws being configured to adopt at least a first gripping condition for gripping a first format container (B1), a second gripping condition for gripping a second format container (B2), and an opened condition for releasing the gripped container (B1; B2); an actuation group (6) for controlling the condition of the jaws (2, 3); a mechanism (5); a common fulcrum (4), each of said jaws (2, 3) being rotatable around said common fulcrum (4);wherein the gripper (1) is configured so that the jaws (2, 3) can move between said conditions by rotating around said common fulcrum (4); wherein the gripper (1) is configured so that, by means of said mechanism (5), a translation of the actuation group (6) in alignment with said common fulcrum (4) generates the rotation of said jaws (2, 3) around said common fulcrum (4), so that a first position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said opened condition, a second position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said first gripping condition, and a third position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said second gripping condition.
B65G 47/86 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being grippers
B65G 47/90 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
It is described a caps sterilizer (1; 1') comprising: a sterilizing housing (2); a motor housing (3) housing a motor (32) which is connected to carriages (4;4') transporting caps in the sterilizing housing (2), and located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (31), for generating the respective movements of the carriages (4;4'), the caps sterilizer;wherein: each carriage (4;4') defines at least one respective rail (41) for receiving a row (Z) of caps (F1; F2), the caps sterilizer (1) being configured so that each rail (41) is transversal to the movement of the respective carriage (4;4');each carriage (4;4') comprises a respective connection flange (42) which is located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3), for connecting the carriage (4) to the motor (32) so that the motor (32) can generate the movement of the carriage (4;4');each carriage (4;4') comprises a respective regulation device (43; 43') for regulating the width (W) of each rail (41) defined by the carriage (4;4'), to adapt said width (W) to the format of the caps (F) to be sterilized.
A61L 2/02 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor using physical phenomena
B67B 3/00 - Closing bottles, jars, or similar containers by applying caps
98.
METHOD FOR REGULATING THE THROUGHPUT OF PREFORMS IN A PREFORM DISTRIBUTION DEVICE
The invention relates to a method for regulating the throughput of preforms (18) in a distribution device (10) for distributing preforms (18) supplied by a supply device (12) for supplying loose preforms (18) that delivers the preforms (18) at an inlet throughput (Qin), the distribution device (10) comprising: - a device (14) for aligning the preforms (18) in a row and uprighting them, which comprises a centrifuge bowl (32); - an outlet conveyor (16) that receives the preforms thus aligned and uprighted at an outlet throughput (Qout), and that distributes the preforms one by one to the manufacturing facility at a given rate; characterised in that the number (N) of preforms (18) simultaneously contained in the distribution device (10) is controlled using the difference between the inlet throughput (Qin) and the outlet throughput (Qout).
The present invention relates to packaging by wrapping a group or sub-batches (101) of products (1) in order to form a sub-batch (101) or a batch (100), using a strip (2) made of semi-extensible paper material, and relates to a station (5) which has means (50) for feeding a reel (21) unwound longitudinally in the form of a strip (2) along a path (C), cutting means (52) upstream of each tubular strip (2) for forming a sleeve (20), and means (53) for wrapping the products (1) using the strip (2), and which has a device (6) for forming and sealing the strip (2) into a tube using a shaper (62) that is located along the path (C) and on the side of the face (24) of the strip (2) and extends to means (63) for sealing the two overlapping longitudinal edges (23) by pressing against the shaper (62). The invention also relates to a facility and to a corresponding method.
The invention relates to a method for determining the throughput (Qin) of preforms (18) in a supply device (12) for supplying loose preforms (18), which is arranged at the inlet of a facility for the series production of containers by stretch-blow moulding the preforms (18), the supply device (12) comprising a belt conveyor (26A, 26B) which conveys loose preforms (18) to a device (14) for aligning and uprighting the preforms, the method being characterised in that it comprises at least one cycle comprising the following steps: - a first step (E1) of capturing an image of a section (34) of a conveyor belt (30, 36) of the belt conveyor (26A, 26B); - a second step (E2) of automatically counting the preforms (18) present in the captured image; - a third step (E3) of calculating the instantaneous throughput (Qin) in the image capture zone (54).
