The present invention relates to an installation (106) for feeding preforms (102) to a machine (104) for blowing the preforms (102), comprising the following three handling elements: - a bulk conveyor (108) of the preforms (102), - a device (118) for aligning the preforms (102) received from the bulk conveyor (108), and - a guide (130) for moving the aligned preforms (102) as far as the blowing machine (104), in order to feed the blowing machine (104) at a rate (Dc) of loading with preforms (102), at least part of these handling elements having measurable operating characteristics (Dv, Da, Dc) and modifiable operating parameters (Rc, Rr, Rd). The feed installation (106) further comprises: - a system (144, 146, 148) for measuring the operating variables (Dv, Da, Dc); - a device (140) for controlling the handling elements in order to modify the operating parameters (Rc, Rr, Rd) so that the latter follow set values (Rc*, Rr*, Rd*); and - a regulating device (142) designed to implement a model (M) previously trained by machine learning to: receive as input the measured operating variables (Dv, Da, Dc) and a set value (Dc*) for the loading rate (Dc), and supply as output the set values (Rc*, Rr*, Rd*) for the control device (140), so that the loading rate (Dc) complies with the set value (Dc*) for the loading rate (Dc).
It is described a caps sterilizer (1''' ) comprising a sterilizing housing (2) defining within it a sterilizing chamber (21), a plurality of carriages ( 3''') arranged within the sterilizing chamber (21) and a motor group (4) positioned outside the sterilizing housing (2). The motor group (4) comprises a motor housing (42) defining a motor chamber (421), moveable actuator elements arranged within the motor chamber (421) and an actuator unit configured to move the actuator elements within the motor chamber (421). The cap sterilizer (1''') further comprises a dynamic seal system 60 being fluidically interposed between the motor chamber (421) and the sterilizing chamber (21). Each carriage (3'''') comprises a respective flange (39) being structurally connected to at least one respective actuator element. The dynamic seal system (60) comprises a U-shaped slot (61) being in fluidic connection with the sterilizing chamber (21) and the motor chamber (421). Each flange (39) comprises a U-shaped connection portion (391) placed within the U-shaped slot ( 61).
It is described Filling device (1) for filling containers with a pourable configured for defining at least: a condition of no sealed fluid communication between the container (B) and a filling valve (2); a first condition of sealed fluid communication between the container (B) and the valve (2), in which the container (B) adopts a lower position and the sealing element (4) adopts a distal position with respect to the valve (2), for pressurizing internally the container (B) before the delivery of the product into the container (B); a second condition of sealed fluid communication between the container (B) and the valve (2), in which the container (B) adopts the upper position and the sealing element (4) adopts a proximal position with respect to the valve 2, for delivering the product into the pressurized container (B) after the pressurization.
B67C 3/06 - 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
B67C 3/26 - Filling-headsMeans for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
4.
CUTTING UNIT FOR LABELLING MATERIAL PROVIDED WITH AN ANTI-COLLISION ELEMENT
There is described a cutting unit (11) configured to cut a web (4) of labelling material, the cutting unit (11) comprises: a first cutting member (14), which carries a cutting group (15) including a blade element (15a) and an anti-collision element (15b); and a second cutting member (12), which includes a first slot (16a), an abutment wall (17) and a second slot (16b) obtained on the abutment wall (17); the first cutting member (14) is configured to cyclically cooperate with the second cutting member (12) so that, during a nominal operative condition of the cutting unit (11), the blade element (15a) repeatedly engages the first slot (16a) for cutting the web (4) and the anti-collision element (15b) repeatedly and contactlessly engages the second slot (16b) during the cutting of the web (4); the cutting unit (11) is configured so that, during a non-nominal operative condition of the cutting unit (11), the anti-collision element (15b) interacts in contact with said abutment wall (17).
B26D 1/40 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis parallel to the line of cut and coacting with a rotary member
B26D 7/24 - Safety devices specially adapted for cutting machines arranged to disable the operating means for the cutting member
5.
STERILIZATION APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING A PACKAGING MATERIAL AND PACKAGING MACHINE HAVING A STERILIZATION APPARATUS
There is described a sterilization apparatus (15) for a packaging machine (1) for the packaging of pourable products into containers The sterilization apparatus (15) is configured to sterilize a packaging material (3) during advancement of the packaging material (3) along a sterilization path (Q). The sterilization apparatus (15) comprises a first sterilization device (16) and a second sterilization device (18). The first sterilization device (16) is configured to emit pulses of electromagnetic irradiation and the second sterilization device (18) is configured to expose the packaging material to a chemical sterilization agent.
B65B 31/02 - Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
B65B 55/08 - Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by irradiation
B65B 3/00 - Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans or jars
B67C 7/00 - Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottlesProcesses or devices for at least two of these operations
B65B 55/10 - Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
6.
LABELLING MODULE WITH CONTROL OF DECOUPLING BETWEEN SPLICING SPEED AND APPLICATION SPEED
It is described a method a roll fed labelling module (1) for labelling containers (2) by means of labels (3) which are obtained from a web of labelling material, wherein the reaching of a threshold (D1) of the unwinding 5 degree by the supplying reel (51; 61), triggers automatically an increase of an angular speed of the support supporting the supplying reel to extend a buffer (8), and, following said increase, the reaching of an upper threshold (E2) by the extension of the buffer (9) 10 triggers automatically a splicing between the web in use and another web.
There is described a labelling module (7) for labelling containers (2) adapted to contain a poura ble product, the labelling module (7) comprising a cutt ing member (11) engaging in a plurality of slots (15) o f a transfer drum (12), each slot (15) being located at one respective trailing pad (13b) of the drum, wherein the cutting member (11) is configured for engaging the blade (14) sequentially in the slots (15) to sequentiall y cut the web (4); wherein the blade (14) is offset with respect to the radial direction (R2) of the cutting roller (111) carrying the blade (14), the cutting member (11) comprising the cutting roller (111), the cutting me mber being provided with a stopping member (18) for pres sing the web during the cut, the stopping member (18) ha ving a toothed profile (19).
It is described a Caps sterilizer (1; 1'; 1'') comprising: a sterilizing housing (2) defining with in it a sterilizing chamber (21), the caps sterilizer (1; 1') being configured so that the caps (W) are sterilize d while 5 being conveyed within the chamber (21); a plurality of carriages (3; 3'; 3''; 3'''), each carriage (3) bei ng configured for supporting caps (W), so that the sup ported caps (W) are conveyed by means of a movement (M) of the carriage (3; 3'; 3''; 3''') within the chamber (21); a 10 motor group (4) which is positioned outside the sterilizing housing (2) for generating said movemen t (M) of the carriage (3);wherein each carriage (3; 3'; 3 ''; 3''') comprises a respective at least one supportin g channel which is arranged transversally with respec t to 15 said movement (M), each channel (31; 32; 33; 34) be ing adapted to receive a respective row (F1; F2; F3; F4 ) of caps which is arranged transversally with respect t o said movement (M).
It is described a caps sterilizer (1') comprising a motor group (4) which is positioned outside the sterilizing housing (2) for generating a movement ( M) of a carriage (3'') within a sterilizing chamber (21); 5 wherein each carriage (3'') comprises a respective at least one supporting channel for the caps (W); wher ein: said motor group (4) comprises a linear motor (41) and a motor housing (42) defining a motor chamber (421), the motor housing (42) defining a slot (422) through wh ich 10 said sterilizing chamber (21) and said motor chambe r (421) are in fluid communication and said linear motor (4 1) being positioned in said motor chamber (421); each carriage (3'') comprises a respective flange (39) a nd is structurally connected to said linear motor (41) by means 15 of said flange (39) passing through said slot (421) [Figure 13]
It is described a carriage (3; 3'; 3''; 3''') for a caps sterilizer (1; 1'; 1''), the carriage (3) bein g configured for supporting caps (W), so that the sup ported caps (W) are conveyed within a sterilizing chamber (21) 5 of the caps sterilizer (1; 1'; 1'') by means of a m ovement (M) of the carriage (3) within the sterilizing cham ber (21);wherein the carriage (3; 3'; 3''; 3''') compri ses a respective at least one supporting channel which is arranged transversally with respect to said movemen t (M), 10 each channel (31; 32; 33; 34) being adapted to rece ive a respective row (F1; F2; F3; F4) of caps which can b e arranged transversally with respect to said movemen t (M).
A magnetic valve (1) for filling containers using pourable products is described, comprising:a magnetic obturator (2), a flow channel (3) wherein the obturator (2) is axially movable to regulate the flow of product coming out of the valve (1), an electromagnetic or magnetic actuating device (6) for axially moving the obturator (2), said device (6) being positioned outside the channel (3), a linear encoder (4) positioned outside the channel (3), a magnetic reference (5) rigidly connected to the obturator (2) to enable the encoder (4) to detect the axial position of the obturator (2), wherein the magnetic reference (5) comprises: a first magnetic block (51) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (511) of a first sign (N), and two respective second poles (512) of a second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (511) of the first block (51), a second magnetic block (52) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (521) of said first sign (N), and two respective second poles (522) of said second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (521) of the second block (52), an axial distance (G) between said blocks (51, 52).
Blow moulding machine (1) for forming plastic containers from preforms, comprising: a plurality of blow moulds (11), each defining a respective blow moulding station, a pressure source (2) to provide the pressurization for blowing, a cooling unit (3) for cooling the moulds (11), said cooling unit comprising a cooling line (31) for conveying a coolant liquid, an absorption refrigerator (6) that works by recirculating at least one solution, comprising: a first high-pressure section (61) and a second low-pressure section (62), said second section (62) comprising an evaporator (621) for the low-pressure evaporation of at least one component of said solution, wherein said cooling line (31) defines said evaporator (621) of said second section (62) so that the heat from said low-pressure evaporation is released by said coolant liquid.
A labelling module (1; 1'; 1'') is described for labelling containers (4) using respective labels (L) obtained from a ribbon of labelling material (W), comprising: a feed roller (2) for feeding the material (W) in ribbon form, an application drum (3) for receiving the material from the feed roller (2) and applying the labels to the containers (4) while said containers are conveyed by a conveyor (5), a cutting device (6) that acts on the drum (3) to cut the material to sequentially define a plurality of longitudinal ribbon sectors (S), a forming device (7) that acts on the drum (3) to sequentially define the edges (B) of respective labels (L) inside the respective sectors (S), a removal device (8, 8', 8'') that acts on the drum (3) to remove the respective portions of the sectors (S) that are outside the respective labels (L).
It is described Input system (1) for inputting cans in a filling machine (10) for filling the cans (W, W4, W2) with a pourable product, comprising a stopping device (4) for stopping the cans (W4) being conveyed by a feeding conveyor (3) defining a supporting surface (311), said device (4) comprising a stopping pad (41) and being configured for adopting a not operative condition in which the cans (W4) are not stopped by the stopping pad (41) to allow said feeding, and a stopping position in which the cans (W4) are stopped by the stopping pad (41) to stop said feeding, by means of the pad (41) pressing the cans (W4) laterally against a lateral guide 32); wherein the stopping pad (41) presents a vertical height along a direction which is transversal and preferably orthogonal to a supporting surface (311), the value of said height being lower than half of the height of the cans (W4).
B65G 33/04 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for articles conveyed between a single screw and guiding means
B65G 47/28 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a single conveyor
15.
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HOLLOW BODIES BY BLOW MOULDING, AND BLOW MOULDING STATION
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing hollow bodies (12) of thermoplastic material by stretch blow moulding, the method comprising: - a step (E1) of receiving the hollow body (12) in the preform state in a moulding cavity (15) delimited by two half-moulds (14A, 14B), at least one of the half-moulds (14A) being able to be pushed towards the other half-mould (14B) by injection of forming fluid into a compensation chamber (32); - a step (E2) of increasing pressurization of the hollow body (12); - a depressurization step (E3) comprising at least one phase (E3-1, E3-1') for recovering the forming fluid into a storage tank (44A, 44B); characterized in that, prior to the pressurization step (E2), the compensation chamber (32) is placed under a priming pressure (Pc1) by injection of the forming fluid coming solely from the storage tank (44A, 44B).
The invention relates to a method for controlling a stretch means (57) of a container blow station, wherein the blow station comprises a mould consisting of at least two half-moulds and a mould base, a blow nozzle that moves between a position referred to as the rest position and a position referred to as the working position, in which the nozzle caps the mould when it is closed, a stretch means (57) comprising at least one actuator (58) coupled to a stretch rod (59), wherein the stretch rod slides through the nozzle and through the preform positioned in the mould; wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: pressing the blow nozzle against the mould in its closed position, moving the stretch rod between the rest position and the extended position, measuring at least one parameter representative of the operation of the stretch means (57) during all or part of the movement of the stretch rod (59), comparing the measured parameter with a determined reference value, issuing an alert signal if a critical deviation is detected between the measured parameter and the reference value; wherein the method is characterised in that the actuator (58) of the stretch means (57) is an electric actuator, and the measured parameter corresponds to the operating current intensity of the electric actuator (58), and in that the method comprises at least the steps of: constructing a signal characteristic of the measured current intensity representative of the stretch means (57) of each blow station; and sampling the signal in order to detect similar sequences that repeat at substantially constant intervals (Tp).
The present invention relates to a system for managing a production line (100) comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least: - a human-machine interface (20), referred to as HMI, connected to a programmable logic controller (19), referred to as PLC, of a machine of said production line, and/or - a portable terminal (23); - at least one remote terminal (21) fixed to the machine or to a safety enclosure (22) of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, said remote terminal (21) comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal (23) within a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal (23) to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine; characterized in that it comprises at least one light beacon (24) fixed high up on the machine or safety enclosure (22) and connected to the remote terminal (21) such that a colour code emitted by the remote terminal (21), when a pairing request is sent by the portable terminal (23), is displayed by said light beacon (24), said colour code having to be confirmed on the portable terminal (23) in order to pair said portable terminal with the human-machine interface (HMI) (20).
The present invention relates to a method for marking containers (2), in particular bottles or vials made of thermoplastic material, said containers (2) comprising at least a body, a shoulder in the extension of said body at an upper end thereof, a neck in the extension of the shoulder, a wall (25), said wall (25) comprising a marking area (20), an outer skin (250) and an inner skin (251) and a bottom at the lower end of said body, said method comprising at least the following steps: - a step (E1) consisting in processing said containers (2), preferably filling and closing said containers (2), and - a marking step (E2), consisting in generating a mark (310) in at least one marking area (20) of each container (2), said marking step being carried out by projecting a laser beam (31) by means of an optical laser marking head (30) equipped with a laser head unit (300) and with an optical system (320) for focusing said laser beam (31) in order to mark said area (20), the method being characterized in that said laser beam (31) is projected so as to generate bubbles (200) and particles (201) of degraded material in all or part of the thickness of the wall (25) of said container (2) in said marking area (20). The invention also relates to a container marking installation and to a container obtained by the marking method according to the invention.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
B23K 26/00 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
19.
METHOD FOR DECONTAMINATING THE INNER FACE OF PREFORMS
The invention relates to a method for decontaminating an inner face (26) of a neck (18) of a preform (12) made of thermoplastic material moving along a production path (34) in a facility (10) for manufacture of containers (11), each preform (12) being held by an individual holding member (58, 66), said decontamination method successively comprising at least: - a treatment step (E1) consisting in exposing at least the inner face (26) of the neck (18) to a sterilizing jet (54) comprising a sterilizing agent, in a first, treatment, zone (56) of the production path (34); - a step (E2) of activation of the sterilizing agent, consisting in directly exposing the inner face (26) of the neck (18), thus covered with sterilizing agent, to ultraviolet radiation (61), in a second, activation, zone (62) of the production path (34) located downstream of the treatment zone (56), the power of the ultraviolet radiation (61) produced being of the order of 30 mW/cm², so that the sterilizing agent is decomposed into species that are even more oxidizing, such as free radicals.
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 invention relates to a device (2) for grouping products (1), comprising: a conveyor (3) for feeding products (1) in a single-line flow in a longitudinal direction (X) from upstream to downstream, from an inlet (4) to an outlet (5); a downstream module (6) for guiding the products (1) and for sequencing a predetermined number of products (1) released at the outlet (5); and an upstream module (9) for guiding the products (1) from the inlet (4) to the downstream sequencing module (6), the upstream module having an upstream conveyor (90) provided with a pair of upstream surfaces which extend on either side of the feeding conveyor (3) and are provided to be movable from a retracted position to a constricted position, and vice versa. The invention also relates to a corresponding grouping method and to a facility for laterally transferring the 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 47/28 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a single conveyor
B65G 15/14 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising two or more co-operating endless surfaces with parallel longitudinal axes, or a multiplicity of parallel elements, e.g. ropes defining an endless surface with two or more endless belts the load being conveyed between the belts
21.
REEL SUPPORT DEVICE FOT DOUBLE STACKING CONFIGURATION
There is described a support device (16) for supporting a reel (5) of labelling material and comprising: a central hub (17) having a central axis (X) and a support base (18) radially extending from the central hub (17) and configured for supporting one reel (5) at a time; a first receiving surface (19a) and a first abutment surface (19b); a second receiving surface (20a) and a second abutment surface (20b); the support device (16) is configured for receiving a further support device (16) selectively onto the first receiving surface (19a), by abutment between such first receiving surface (19a) and the first abutment surface (19b) of said further support device (16), whereby a first axial distance (D1) is defined between the base (18) of the support device (16) and the base (18) of said further support device (16), or onto the second receiving surface (20a), by abutment between such second receiving surface (20a) and the second abutment surface (20b) of said further support device (16), whereby a second axial distance (D2) is defined between the base (18) of the support device (16) and the base (18) of said further support device (16), the second axial distance (D2) being different than the first axial distance (D1). [Figure 4]
A rinsing unit (2) for rinsing a container (3) in a rinsing machine (1) is configured for rinsing internally the container (3) by means of a nozzle (21), the unit (2) comprising the respective nozzle (21) and a spraying tube (9), the tube (9) comprising an internal pipe (91) for conveying a gas and an external pipe (92) which is coaxial with respect to the internal pipe (91) and surrounds the internal pipe (91) for conveying a liquid in the radial gap (G) between the pipes (91, 92), wherein the nozzle (21) is mounted on the axial end (94) of the spraying tube (9) to define a mixing chamber (93) which is axially interposed between an axial end (211) of the nozzle (21) and the axial end (94) of the spraying tube (9), the nozzle (21) having radial holes (212) for dispensing from said chamber (93) a radial jet (RJ) of a mixture of said gas and liquid and at least one axial hole (213) for dispensing from said chamber (93) an axial jet (AJ) of said mixture, the axial hole (213) being positioned at said axial end (211) of the nozzle (21).
Caps sterilizer (1) for sterilizing caps (Z) comprising: a chamber (4); a plurality of transport devices (21, 22) each of which is located within the chamber (4) and is movable along an internal track (T2) and comprising a respective internal magnetic tile (211; 221) and a respective caps support structure (212; 222); and a plurality of external magnetic tiles (11, 12) located outside the chamber (4) and is movable along an external track (T1) Each external tile (11; 12) is coupled to a respective associated internal tile (211; 221) by means of a magnetic levitation coupling. The movement of the internal tile (211; 221) along the internal track (T2) corresponds to the movement of the respective support structure (212; 222) along the internal track (T2). The movement of the support structure (212; 222) along the internal track (T2) corresponds to the movement of a supported group (G; G1, G2) along the internal track (T2).
B65G 15/00 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
B67B 3/00 - Closing bottles, jars, or similar containers by applying caps
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
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 labelling module (7) for labelling containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the labelling module (7) comprising a cutting member (11) engaging in a plurality of slots (15) o f a 5 transfer drum (12), each slot (15) being located at one respective trailing pad (13b) of the drum, wherein the cutting member (11) is configured for engaging the blade (14) sequentially in the slots (15) to sequentially cut the web (4); wherein the blade (14) is offset with respect 10 to the radial direction (R2) of the cutting roller (111) carrying the blade (14), the cutting member (11) comprising the cutting roller (111).
B65C 3/12 - Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line horizontal by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
B65C 9/18 - Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
B65C 3/16 - Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
The invention relates to an imaging device (1) comprising an image acquisition device (4) oriented towards a beamsplitter (20) and a light source (6) oriented towards the beamsplitter (20) extending inside an internal volume (18) of a housing (8) that comprises an acquisition opening (22). The housing (8) comprises a mounting opening (24) for the image acquisition device (4) and a receiving opening (34) for the light source (6), wherein the internal volume (18) of the housing (8) is sealed in a watertight manner by a window (40) extending inside the acquisition opening (22), and by the image acquisition device (4) and the light source (6).
The present invention relates to a device (1) for laser-marking containers (2), in particular bottles or vials made of thermoplastic material, of the type comprising at least one body (23), a shoulder (24) extending from an upper end of the body (23), a neck (21) extending from the shoulder (24), and a bottom (22) at the lower end of the body (23), the device (1) comprising at least: - a plurality of laser marking stations (3), each station (3) comprising, along an optical path, at least one laser marking optical head (30) provided with a laser head unit (300) and with an optical system (320) for focusing a laser beam (31) in order to generate a mark (310) in at least one marking zone (20) of each container (2) in order to mark the zone (20), the optical head (30) being connected to a device (40) via an optical channel (600); - control means (4) connected to the marking stations (3) and comprising the laser processing device (40) and means (41) for powering the laser marking stations (3); - a carousel (5) having a vertical axis of rotation X driven in rotation by at least one motor relative to a frame (7) by means of a rolling means (70), the carousel (5) comprising at least: - a first plate (50), the first plate (50) supporting a plurality of holding members (54) for positioning the container (2) along an axis substantially parallel to the vertical axis of rotation X of the carousel (5); - a shaft (53) supporting the plurality of marking stations (3) such that each optical system (320) is located opposite a container (2) held by a holding member (54), the device (1) being characterised in that it comprises dynamic focusing means (330) for adjusting the focal point according to the distance between the optical system (320) and the at least one marking zone (20) of the container (2). The invention also relates to a system and a method for marking containers (2).
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
B23K 26/00 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
B23K 26/06 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
B23K 26/352 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring for surface treatment
B23K 26/402 - Removing material taking account of the properties of the material involved involving non-metallic material, e.g. isolators
B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work
B23K 26/0622 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by direct control of the laser beam by shaping pulses
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
B41J 2/475 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material for heating selectively
B23K 103/00 - Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
The invention relates to a unit (16) for the thermal conditioning of preforms (4), the unit comprising: - an enclosure (23) in which the preforms are thermally conditioned; - radiation sources (22) extending inside the enclosure; - a conveying means (26) extending inside the enclosure and comprising grippers (30) for moving the preforms (4) along a conveying path (T) in a horizontal plane (B), characterised in that it also comprises at least one robot (19) extending inside the enclosure (23), in line with at least one portion of the conveying path (T).
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing thermoplastic containers by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding a preform previously heated in a furnace and then placed in a mould consisting of two half-moulds delimiting a moulding cavity, said preform being blown in the mould, optionally with a pre-blowing step, said steps of heating the preforms, pre-blowing and blowing being controlled by a control unit on the basis of different parameters referred to as control parameters such as the preform heating temperature in the furnace, the blowing pressure inside the mould and/or the pre-blowing pressure and/or the pre-blowing flow rate and/or the speed of the stretch rod for example; said method is characterised in that it comprises a prior step referred to as a calibration step which comprises at least the following steps: producing containers on the basis of first control parameters in order to produce compliant containers; measuring the wall thickness of said containers on leaving the mould, at at least two different heights, corresponding to the production of containers on the basis of said first control parameters, said thickness measurement corresponding to a reference thickness; recording said reference thickness in a memory unit; modifying each control parameter; measuring the wall thickness of said containers on leaving the mould, at at least two different heights, after the modification of each control parameter; recording the wall thicknesses of said containers on leaving the mould for each modified control parameter modified in said memory unit; comparing said recorded measured thicknesses with said reference thickness or with a theoretical thickness; and determining at least one control parameter that gives rise to the greatest variation in the wall thickness of the containers.
The present invention relates to a device (1) for laser-marking containers (2), in particular bottles or vials made of thermoplastic material, of the type comprising at least one body (23), a shoulder (24) extending from an upper end of the body (23), a neck (21) extending from the shoulder (24), and a bottom (22) at the lower end of the body (23), the device (1) comprising at least: - a plurality of laser marking stations (3), each station (3) comprising, along an optical path, at least one laser marking optical head (30) provided with a laser head unit (300) and an optical system (320) for focusing a laser beam (31) in order to generate a mark (310) in at least one marking zone (20) of each container (2) in order to mark the zone (20); and - control means (4) connected to the marking stations (3) and comprising a laser processing device (40) and means (41) for powering the laser marking stations (3). The laser marking device is characterised in that it comprises a carousel (5) having a vertical axis of rotation X driven in rotation by at least one motor relative to a frame (7) by means of a rolling means (70), the carousel (5) comprising at least: - a first plate (50), the first plate (50) supporting a plurality of holding members (54) for positioning the container (2) along an axis substantially parallel to the vertical axis of rotation X of the carousel (5); - a shaft (53) supporting the plurality of marking stations (3) such that each optical system (320) is located opposite a container (2) held by a holding member (54). The present invention also relates to a method for marking containers and to a system for marking containers (2).
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
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
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
B23K 26/00 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
B23K 26/06 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
B23K 26/352 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring for surface treatment
B23K 26/402 - Removing material taking account of the properties of the material involved involving non-metallic material, e.g. isolators
B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work
B23K 103/00 - Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
B41J 2/475 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material for heating selectively
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
30.
METHOD FOR MOUNTING GRIPPING MEMBERS ON A DEVICE FOR CONVEYING PREFORMS
The invention relates to a method for mounting gripping members (34B) of a device (22) for conveying preforms (12) which comprises: - movable supports (32); - gripping members (34B) stored in a storage facility (52); the method comprising: - steps (E1) of transporting a gripping member (34B) by means of a robotic arm (46); - steps (E2) of mounting the gripping member (34B) thus transported on the movable support (32) by means of the robotic arm (46); - steps (E3) of automatically verifying the conformity of the gripping member (34B) by optical analysis by means of a device (60) having an optical sensor. The invention is characterised in that each step (E3) of verifying a gripping member (34B) is carried out before the start of the step (E2) of mounting the next gripping member (34B) on its associated movable support (32).
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
31.
UNIT FOR THE THERMAL CONDITIONING OF PREFORMS WITH INTEGRATED MAGAZINE
The invention relates to a unit (16) for the thermal conditioning of preforms (4), the unit comprising: - an enclosure (23) in which the preforms (4) are thermally conditioned; - radiation sources (22) extending inside the enclosure (23); - a conveying means (26) extending inside the enclosure and comprising first gripping members (30) for moving the preforms along a conveying path (T), wherein at least one portion of the conveying path extends in line with the radiation sources, characterised in that it also comprises at least one magazine (57) extending inside the enclosure (23), in line with at least one portion of the conveying path (T).
There is described a labelling machine (1) for labelling containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the labelling machine (1) comprising a conveyor ( 6) for containers, and a plurality of labelling modules (7; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d), wherein the labelling machine (1) is configured so that each labelling module (7) can be selectively controlled in an active state, whereby it operates on the flow of containers, or in an inactive state, whereby it does not operate on the flow of containers; wherein the labelling machine (1) is configured so that each active labelling module (7) can selectively operate on one or more respective series (2a; 2b; 2c; 2d) of said series, which respective series (2a; 2b; 2c; 2d) are thereby associated to the labelling module (7); and wherein the labelling machine (1) is configured so that each active labelling module (7) can selectively adopt one of a plurality of operative conditions, each operative condition being associated to a respective type of label (3a; 3b) applicable on the containers (2) by the labelling module (7), so that when a labelling module (7) adopts a given operative condition such labelling module (7) applies the corresponding associated type of label (3a; 3b).
The invention relates to a facility for manufacturing thermoplastic receptacles, the facility comprising: - a moulding cavity (13) capable of accommodating a hollow body (12); - a nozzle (14) connected to the hollow body (12); - a sliding stretch rod (16) for stretching the hollow body (12); - a pre-blow pipe (20) connecting the nozzle (14) to a source (18) of pre-blow fluid; - a pre-blow valve (22) interposed in the pre-blow pipe (20); - the pre-blow pipe (20) comprising a restricted flow section (24); characterised in that a bypass pipe (36) is arranged in parallel with respect to the restricted flow section (24), wherein a bypass valve (38) is interposed in the bypass pipe (36).
The present invention relates to a device (1) for transferring containers (2), comprising: - a conveying means (3) which transports the containers (2) continuously, the containers (2) circulating therein one behind the other on at least two columns (21) parallel to one another in a first direction X; - at least one inlet conveyor (4) in the continuation of the conveying means (3); - at least one outlet conveyor (5) extending from the inlet conveyor (4), in a direction transverse to the first direction X; - a tool (6) for transferring the containers (2) from the inlet conveyor (4) to the outlet conveyor (5); - a selection station (7) able to group the containers (2) together in at least two rows (20) of containers (2) according to a predefined configuration; - a means (8) for positioning and aligning the containers (2) in a group (200) according to the predefined configuration, the group (200) comprising at least two ordered rows (20) of the containers (2), characterised in that the selection station (7) is located between the conveying means (3) and the inlet conveyor (4) and in that the tool (6) simultaneously transfers at least two ordered rows (20) of these containers (2). The present invention also relates to a method for transferring containers and to a container packaging facility.
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 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 47/82 - Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
B65B 21/04 - Arranging, assembling, feeding, or orientating the bottles prior to introduction into, or after removal from, containers
The invention relates to a device (54) for decontaminating preforms (12), the device comprising: - a device (22) for conveying preforms (12) via their neck (16); - a confinement tunnel (56); at least one chamber (68) adjacent to the tunnel (56) supplied with a decontamination agent; - at least one partition (60) separating the chamber (68) from the tunnel (56), the partition (60) having holes (72) for releasing the decontamination agent; characterised in that it comprises closure means (74) that are controlled so as to move between a fully closed position, in which they selectively close the release holes (72) located above a minimum height (Hmin), and a fully open position, in which the release holes (72) located below the maximum height (Hmax) are open.
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
A61L 2/16 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor using chemical substances
A61L 2/00 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor
The invention relates to a device (54) for decontaminating preforms (12), the device, in particular, being made of a thermoplastic material and comprising: - a device (22) for conveying preforms (12) fitted with members (40) for gripping each preform (12) moving longitudinally along a given transport path (26); - a confinement tunnel (56) through which a section of the given transport path (26) passes; - at least one device (67) for spraying a stream (F) of decontaminating agent into the tunnel (56) transversely in the direction of an opposite wall (58) of the tunnel (56), while intersecting the transport path (26) of the preforms (12) in a decontamination zone (69); characterised in that the decontamination device (54) is fitted with means (80, 84) for heating the opposite wall (58) in order to prevent the decontaminating agent from condensing on an internal face (76) of the opposite wall (58).
The invention relates to an inspection device comprising a device (14) for conveying a preform (1), the conveying device being arranged so as to at least rotate the preform (1) about its axis (A) at a predetermined speed of rotation, and an image acquisition device (16) arranged so as to acquire images within a fixed field of view (18). The image acquisition device (16) is arranged so as to acquire at least two images of the preform (1) on the conveying device (14) while the preform (1) is within the field of view (18) of the image acquisition device (16), the interval between the acquisition of the two images being determined at least according to the speed of rotation, so that the preform (1) has two different angular orientations in the acquired images.
The invention relates to a production device (4) comprising: a stretch rod (14); - a first valve (30) movable between an open position and a closed position; - at least one second valve (36) movable between an open position and a closed position. The first control device (32) is controlled according to a position signal for the stretch rod (14) and the second control device (38) is controlled by a time signal according to a predetermined first time that has elapsed since a change in state of the first valve (30) between the closed position and the open position.
The invention relates to a device (10) for aligning and straightening preforms, which comprises a bowl centrifuge (20) comprising: - a central plate (28) rotating about a vertical axis (B); - a peripheral rail (52); - a peripheral gap (56) which extends at least along an angular sector (20B) for straightening the preforms (12); characterised in that it comprises an annular peripheral plate (34) which is mounted so as to rotate about the central plate (28) independently of the central plate (28), the gap (56) being delimited between the rail (52) and a circular outer edge (26) of the peripheral plate (34).
B65G 47/14 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic means during feeding
F26B 5/08 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by centrifugal treatment
40.
SAFETY SYSTEM FOR A MANIPULATING GROUP FOR MANIPULATING PACKAGING MATERIALS
Safety system (1, 1') for a vertically movable suspended load corresponding to a manipulation group (10) for manipulating packaging materials, comprising: a stopping device (2) configured for being vertically integral with the group (10); a first safety body (3) which is configured for being vertically extended while being fixed to a vertical upright (5), the first safety body (3) being provided with a respective plurality of holes (31) which are distributed along the extension of said body (3); a second safety body (4; 4') which is configured for adopting an operative position in which the second body (4, 4') is vertically extended with the first body (3) being interposed between said second body (4) and said upright (5), the second body (4; 4') being provided with a respective plurality of recesses (41; 41') which are distributed along the extension of said second body (4, 4').
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewingSafety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
B65B 9/13 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the preformed tubular webs being supplied in a flattened state
Caps sterilizer (1) comprising a rail (3) for guiding a movement of the caps (Z), a chamber (6), the rail (3) passing through the chamber (6) so that said movement is through the chamber (6), and a vibration system (5) configured for generating a vibration of said rail (3) during said movement.
A61L 2/02 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor using physical phenomena
B65G 27/16 - Applications of devices for generating or transmitting jigging movements of vibrators, i.e. devices for producing movements of high frequency and small amplitude
B67B 1/03 - Pretreatment of stoppers, e.g. cleaning, steaming, heating, impregnating or coatingApplying resilient rings to stoppers
B67B 3/00 - Closing bottles, jars, or similar containers by applying caps
B67C 7/00 - Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottlesProcesses or devices for at least two of these operations
42.
LABELLING MACHINE CONFIGURED FOR LABELLING CONTAINERS BY MEANS OF PARTIAL LABELS BY SLIDING APPLICATION
There is described a labelling machine (1) for labelling containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, and comprising: a carousel (6) for advancing a plurality of containers (2) to be labelled; a feed roller (10) for feeding a web (4) of labelling material along a feed path (P); a cutting unit (12) arranged along the feed path (P) and configured for repeatedly cutting the web (4) thereby separating a sequence of labels (2) therefrom; a transfer drum (13) rotatable about a rotation axis (X) and configured to sequentially receive the labels (3) and to transfer such labels (3) to an application station (A) for the application thereof onto respective containers (2); the transfer drum (13) comprises at least one retaining sector (15) configured to receive and retain a label (3) and including a leading pad (15a) configured for retaining a leading end (3a) of the label (3) and a trailing pad (15b) configured for retaining a trailing end (3b) of the label (3); the labelling machine (1) is configured for labelling the containers (2) by means of partial labels (3).
A gripper (11) for gripping a web (6) of labeling material comprising: a gripping body (15) equipped with a cavity (17); and a trapping body (16) which acts directly on the web (6) of material and is movable along a direction (D) which is transversal to the gripping body (15) between a gripping position, in which the trapping body (16) at least partially engages the cavity (17) in such a way as to trap the web (6) of labeling material between the gripping body (15) and the trapping body (16), and a release position, in which the trapping body (16) frees the cavity (17) so as to release the web (6) of labeling material.
The present invention relates to a moulding unit (1) for manufacturing a container from a plastic preform, this moulding unit (1) having at least: a mould (3) comprising a wall formed by two hinged half-moulds (3A, 3B), a mould bottom, the mould bottom being pierced at the centre thereof with an opening, an actuator comprising a piston and a rod at the end of which is mounted an insert capable of sliding through the opening of the mould bottom, between a so-called extended position and a so-called retracted position, and a saddle (14) on which the mould bottom is mounted, the saddle (14) comprising at least a lower stage (14A) and an upper stage (14B) mounted on the upper stage (14A), the upper end of the lower stage (14A) of the saddle (14) carries a so-called wear ring (19) provided with a groove (20) in which, in the closed position of the mould (3), jaws (21) mounted on the half-moulds (3A, 3B) engage, the moulding unit is characterised in that it has at least one spacer (23) inserted removably between the lower stage (14A) and the upper stage (14B) of the saddle (14) so that the spacer (23) extends above the wear ring (19), the spacer (23) being provided with a through-hole forming part of the recess (17) in which the piston (16) of the actuator (15) is mounted, and in that the lower stage (14A) of the saddle (14) is provided with a lower bore forming part of the recess (17) for the piston (16) of the actuator (15).
The present invention relates to a moulding unit for manufacturing a container from a plastics preform, this moulding unit comprising at least: a mould having, at a lower end, a lower opening; a mould base (8) which fits into the lower opening and has an upper surface defining an at least partial impression of the bottom of the container, the mould base (8) having an opening at its centre; a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston and a rod at the end of which an insert is mounted, which insert is able to slide through the opening in the mould base (8); and a saddle (14) on which the mould base (8) is mounted, the saddle (14) comprising at least a lower stage (14A) and an upper stage (14B) mounted on the lower stage (14A), the saddle (14) internally defining a housing in which the piston of the hydraulic cylinder is mounted. The moulding unit is noteworthy in that the saddle (14) comprises at least one cooling circuit (20) comprising at least two pipes (21) in which a cooling fluid circulates and which extend through substantially cylindrical bores (22) made in the wall of the lower stage (14A) and the upper stage (14B) of the saddle (14), the external diameter of the pipes (21) being smaller than the internal diameter of the cylindrical bores (22) in order to form a secondary cooling circuit in which air circulates.
The present invention relates to a moulding unit (1) for manufacturing a container from a plastic preform (2), this moulding unit (1) having at least: a mould (3) comprising a wall (4) formed by two hinged half-moulds (3A, 3B) defining an internal cavity (5) distributed about a main axis of the mould (3) and defining at least partially an impression (6) for a side wall or body and having, at a lower end, a lower opening (7), a mould bottom (8) which fits into the lower opening (7) and has an upper surface defining an at least partial impression for the bottom of the container, the mould bottom (8) being pierced at its centre by an opening (9), an actuator (15) comprising a piston (16) and a rod (17) at the end of which is mounted an insert (10) capable of sliding through the opening (9) of the mould bottom (8), between an extended position, in which a free end of the insert (10) protrudes with respect to the mould bottom (8), and a retracted position, in which the free end of the insert (10) is situated in the vicinity of the mould bottom (8), and a saddle (14) on which the mould bottom (8) is mounted, the saddle (14) comprising at least a lower stage (14A) and an upper stage (14B) mounted on the lower stage (14A), the saddle (14) internally defining a recess (17) in which the piston (16) of the actuator (15) is mounted; the moulding unit being characterised in that the mould bottom (8) and/or the insert (10) comprise pneumatic means for detaching the wall from the bottom of the blown container, the pneumatic detachment means simultaneously providing cooling of the bottom of the blown container.
The present invention relates to an installation (9) for the plasma treatment of containers in order to deposit a barrier coating on the interior and/or exterior wall of said containers, said installation (9) being positioned between a unit (2) for manufacturing the containers and a unit (10) for filling said containers, characterized in that it comprises at least one container-distribution conveyor (8) comprising an inlet (E) at the container-manufacturing unit (2) and an outlet (S) at the container-filling unit (10), at least two plasma-treatment units (12, 13) for the plasma-treatment of said containers, said plasma-treatment units (12, 13) being positioned at the periphery of the distribution conveyor (8) between the inlet (E) and the outlet (S), and the distribution conveyor (8) defines, facing each plasma-treatment unit (12, 13), a loading point (C) at which one container in two is taken from the distribution conveyor (8), to be transferred to and treated in the plasma-treatment unit (12, 13), and an unloading point (D) at which the treated containers are transferred from the plasma-treatment unit (12, 13) to said distribution conveyor (8), the containers taken at the loading point (C) of the second plasma-treatment unit (12, 13) being different from the containers taken at the loading point of the first plasma-treatment unit (12, 13) upstream of the second plasma-treatment unit (12, 13).
C23C 16/04 - Coating on selected surface areas, e.g. using masks
C23C 16/50 - Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the method of coating using electric discharges
C23C 16/54 - Apparatus specially adapted for continuous coating
B29C 49/42 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B05D 1/00 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
B05D 7/22 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
48.
DECORATION MACHINE FOR DECORATING CONTAINERS WITH GROUPS OF FIXED LASER DEVICES
There is described decoration machine (1) for decorating containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product with a decoration having at least one first decoration portion (A1), the decoration machine comprising: - a fixed frame (7); - a conveyor (3) for advancing a sequence of containers (2) along a decoration path (D), by means of a movement of the conveyor (3) with respect to the frame (7); - a first decoration system (5) comprising a respective group of laser devices (6) arranged at the decoration path (D) and supported by the frame (7); wherein each laser device (6) of the first decoration system (5) is associated with the first decoration portion (A1) to engrave said first decoration portion (A1).
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
49.
DEVICE FOR EJECTING PREFORMS FOR A FACILITY FOR MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS MADE OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL FROM PREFORMS BY MEANS OF BLOW-MOULDING
havingcomprisinghavingcomprisingcomprisingcomprising at least one spinner nose (28) which is attached to the mandrel (25), the spinner nose (28) being intended to receive the neck (6) of the preform (3), and an ejector (29) which has a substantially cylindrical shape and of which one of the ends forms what is referred to as an ejection surface for the preform (3). The device is characterised in that it comprises at least one finger (35).
The invention relates to a method for controlling a forming unit of a facility for manufacturing containers by forming, in particular by stretch blow-moulding, preforms made of thermoplastic material. The preforms pass through a thermal conditioning unit in which the preforms are exposed to heating electromagnetic radiation, and a forming unit in which each preform is placed in a mould of a blow-moulding station. The preform is then subjected to a stretching force by an elongation rod and to at least one pressure of a forming fluid. The method comprises at least the following steps: a first step (E1) of measuring the absorption spectrum and/or the emission spectrum of a wall of the preform before entering the forming unit; a second step (E2) of determining at least one blow-moulding parameter based on the measurement of the absorption spectrum and/or the emission spectrum from the first step (E1); a third step (E3) of application, in which the blow-moulding parameter is applied to the blow-moulding station.
The present invention relates to a tool (10), a device (9) and a unit (7) for transferring products (1). In particular, the tool (10) comprises a frame (11) provided with parallel arms (12) and with parallel members (13) that extend vertically, suspended at an attachment point (15) in rotation with each of the arms (12); the members (13) being movable under the action of motorized means (14) and by way of mechanical hinges allowing, on the one hand, the members (13) to be separated and brought closer together and, on the other hand, the members (13) to be kept parallel, forming a deformable parallelogram. In addition, each hinge comprises a first link (16) fixedly mounted at the attachment point (15) and a second link (17) mounted, at one end, at a point (18) of rotation with the other end of the first link (16), the other end of the second link (17) being pivotably mounted at the attachment point (15), the attachment point (15) being mounted so as to be able to slide along a slide (120) of the arm (12).
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
B65G 47/82 - Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
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
52.
CONTAINER, IN PARTICULAR A BOTTLE, MADE OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL HAVING IMPROVED VERTICAL LOAD STRENGTH
The present invention relates to a container (1), in particular a bottle, made of thermoplastic material manufactured by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding a heated preform, the container comprising a bottom (2) and a neck (3) which are connected to a body (4), the neck (3) and the bottom (2) being substantially rigid and the body (4) extending vertically and comprising an axially central part (5) surrounded by an axially lower part (6) and by an axially upper part (7) which form joining areas with the bottom (2) and the neck (3), at least one of the lower (6), central (5) and upper (7) parts of the body (4) comprising at least one flexible raised area (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) and/or at least one rigid recessed area (11a, 11b), the container (1) being noteworthy in that the rigid recessed area (11a, 11b) comprises a plurality of flexible elements (15) so as to increase the internal pressure and thereby increase the vertical load strength value of the container (1).
Manipulator (1) for manipulating containers, comprising: a head (2);a gripper (3) for gripping the containers and supported by the head (2), the gripper (3) comprising a first jaw (31) and a second jaw (32), so that a movement of the first jaw (31) and the second jaw (32) with respect to the head (2) corresponds to a regulation of the opening degree of the gripper (3), and a space (S) is defined between the jaws (31) and (32) to grip the containers; a first motor (41) for generating said movement of the jaws (31) and (32);a second motor (42) for rotating the head (2) on itself, around a rotational axis (X) of the head (2), the first motor (41) being mounted on the head (2) along the rotational axis (X) of the head (2), the head (2) supporting the gripper (3) to make the gripper (3) integral with the rotational motion of the head (2) on itself; a first transmission device (9) for converting the rotation in output from the first motor (41) in the movement of the jaws (31) and (32).
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
The present invention relates to a system for managing a production line comprising at least one machine, the system comprising at least one human-machine interface (20), referred to as HMI, which is connected to a programmable logic controller (19), referred to as PLC, of a machine of the production line, and/or a portable terminal (23), the system being characterised in that it comprises at least one remote terminal (21) rigidly connected to the machine or to a safety enclosure (22) of the machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, the remote terminal (21) comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal (23) within a determined perimeter and means for connecting the portable terminal (23) to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, the portable terminal (23) comprising an emergency stop which is automatically connected to the system for managing the emergency stop of the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine when the portable terminal (23) is detected within the determined perimeter and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine.
G05B 19/409 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panelNumerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters
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]
G05B 19/05 - Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
The present invention relates to a system for managing a production line (100) comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least one human-machine interface (20), referred to as HMI, connected to a programmable logic controller (19), referred to as PLC, of a machine of said production line (100), and/or a portable terminal (23), and a production control system (25), referred to as MES, noteworthy in that it comprises at least one remote terminal (21) joined to the machine or to a safety enclosure (22) of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, said remote terminal (21) comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal (23) within a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal (23) to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, and in that said portable terminal (23) comprises means for connecting simultaneously to at least two wireless networks, a first wireless network being dedicated to each machine of the production line (100), via the remote terminal (21), and a second wireless network being dedicated to the production control system (25) (MES) such that said portable terminal (23) is connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and/or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine when said portable terminal (23) is detected within the determined perimeter of a remote terminal (21) and said portable terminal (23) is connected continuously to the production control system (25) (MES).
G05B 19/05 - Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
G05B 19/409 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panelNumerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters
56.
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HOLLOW BODIES WITH RECIRCULATION OF THE FORMING FLUID
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing hollow bodies (12) by stretch-blow moulding, the method comprising: - a pre-blowing phase (S1) for pre-blowing the hollow body (12) by injecting forming fluid at a supply pressure (P1); - an intermediate blowing phase (S2) for blowing the hollow body (12) at a second intermediate blowing pressure (Pf2) controlled so as to maintain equilibrium with a storage pressure (R1) of a first tank (22); - a first phase (S5) of recovering the forming fluid; - a second phase (S6) of recovering the forming fluid via a second storage tank (24) having a storage pressure (R2); characterised in that, when the difference between the second storage pressure (R2) and the first supply pressure (P1) becomes lower than a threshold (Th1), the second blowing pressure (Pf2) is lowered below its equilibrium value.
The present invention relates to a filling head (1) for filling containers (B) with a pourable product, with a single conduit (4) for flushing the container before the product delivery in a production mode, and for recirculating a cleaning fluid in a cleaning mode, and to a filling machine (10) comprising the head (1).
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 3/04 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus without applying pressure
58.
PALLETIZING HEAD FOR CONTAINERS, WITH VERTICALLY MOVABLE CAM
Palletizing head (1) for palletizing containers, comprising a roller curtain (2) having two rollers conveyors (21, 22) which can be guided by a frame ( 3) to increase an horizontal distance between them, a double door (23) horizontally located between the conveyor s (21, 22), and a vertically movable cam (4) to control the inclination of each door leaf (231; 232) with respect to a respective conveyor (21; 22) as a function of the horizontal distance.
There is described a decoration machine (1) for decorating containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the machine (1) comprising, for each group of container support members (4), a respective laser decoration unit (5) for engraving a decoration on the containers (2) supported by the support members (4) of the group; wherein each laser decoration unit (5) comprises: a respective laser source (6) configured to emit a laser beam (L); at least two respective laser engraving devices (7), each configured to receive the laser beam (L) and each associated with one respective support member (4) of the group for engraving a container (2) supported thereon by means of said laser beam ( L), each device (7) being integral with the advancement of the associated support member (4); and a respective switching device (8) operatively interposed between the laser source (6) and each laser engraving device (7 ) of the unit (5), the switching device (8) being configured for selectively directing the laser beam (L) towards each engraving device (7) of the unit (5).
B41J 2/44 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
A multi-functional collector (11) is provided, which is configured for establishing with a low mechanical complexity the interface between the return circuit (6), the rotative fluid distributor (9), and the rotative electrical coupling (10).
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 3/22 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus Details
61.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPENING OF A FLAP OF AN OVERPRESSURE CHAMBER
The invention relates to a control method for a facility (10) for producing containers (12), the facility comprising: - a first protective chamber (14) containing at least one blowing unit (16); - a second containment chamber (18) adjoining the first chamber (14) by a shared partition (22) and containing a filling unit (20); - an opening (24) made in the shared partition (22) for transferring the containers (12); - the flap (26) for shutting off the opening (24); - means (38) for maintaining an overpressure in the second chamber (18), the overpressure having an operational value (P1) higher than a sterilisation maintenance threshold (P2); characterised in that the opening speed (V) of the shut-off flap (26) is controlled so that the overpressure is maintained between the operational value (P1) and the sterilisation maintenance threshold (P2).
Decoration machine (1) for decorating containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the machine (1) comprising: - a rotary conveyor (3) for conveying a plurality of containers (2) along a decoration path (D) by means of a rotary movement; - a plurality of support members (4) mounted on the conveyor (3) for being advanced by the conveyor (3) along the decoration path (D), each support member (4) being integral with said rotary movement and configured to support in advancement a respective container (2); - a plurality of decorating units (5) each configured to print or engrave a decoration on a respective container (2); wherein each decorating unit (5) is mounted on the conveyor (3), is integral with the rotary movement of the conveyor (3), and is arranged for decorating each container (2) being supported and conveyed along decoration path (D) by a respective support member (4), each decorating unit (5) being associated to the respective support member (4), for printing or engraving a decoration on the respective container (2) supported and conveyed thereon.
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
B41F 17/18 - Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles or material, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length on curved surfaces of articles of varying cross-section, e.g. bottles, lamp glasses
B65C 3/16 - Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
63.
FILLING MACHINE FOR A POURABLE PRODUCT WITH ADDITION OF AT LEAST ONE POLYPHENOL
Method (1) for filling a container (2) with a pourable product, comprising : pasteurizing at least internally the container (2) by means of a pasteurization fluid, preferably water, heated at a pasteurization temperature; adding at least one polyphenol to the product; after pasteurizing the container, filling the container (2) with the pourable product by delivering the product to the container.
Decorating machine (1) for decorating containers, comprising a monitoring unit (5) which is configured for automatically and visually monitoring the deformation of the containers being conveyed to automatically detect, based on the monitored deformation, the operative condition of at least one of the devices of the transporting units of the machine, and the level of defectiveness of the containers.
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]
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
66.
RINSING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS, WITH EFFICIENCY MONITORING STATION
Rinsing machine (1) for rinsing containers (B), comprising : a plurality of rinsing devices (2); a conveyor (3) for cyclically and sequentially conveying the devices (2) through an input station ( 4 ), where the devices (2) receive sequentially respective containers to be rinsed, and an output station (5), where the devices (2) release sequentially the rinsed containers; wherein: each device (2) comprises a respective nozzle (21) which can adopt a rinsing position with respect to the container (B), for rinsing the received container (B) by means of a flow of rinsing fluid, so that each device (2) is receiving the container (B) when the nozzle (21) is adopting the rinsing position with respect to the container (B); the conveyor (3) is configured for cyclically and sequentially conveying the devices (2) through a monitoring station (6), for monitoring the efficiency of each device (2), so that each device (2) is conveyed through the monitoring station (6) after having released the last rinsed container and before receiving the subsequent container to be rinsed.
Label (L) application drum (3) configured, by rotating on itself around a rotational axis (Y), for sequentially transporting labels, and for sequentially applying the transported labels on respective containers (Bl, B2) that are being conveyed; the drum (3; 4) comprising a plurality of divisions (D) which are angularly distributed around the rotational axis (Y) of the drum (3; 4), each division (D) comprising a respective front pad (FP) for supporting a leading end (LE) of the label (L), during rotation of the drum (3; 4), and a respective back pad (BP) for supporting a trailing end (TE) of the label (L), during rotation of the drum (3; 4); wherein the drum (3; 4) (1) is configured for operating alternatively according to: a first operative mode, in which the label (L) is applied at least by an outwards movement of the front pad (FP) along the radial direction (R2) of the drum (3; 4); a second operative mode, in which the label (L) is applied by the front pad (FP) being maintained radially fixed with respect to the radial direction (R2) of the drum (3; 4), and by the back pad (BP).
Valve (1) for dosing aromas in containers, comprising: a motor (2); a motor-driven shaft (61), said motor (2) being able to produce an axial movement of the shaft (61); an outlet opening (5) for discharging an aroma, said opening being delimited by at least one wall (51); an axially 5 movable closing member (3) for regulating a flow of aroma in output from said outlet opening (5), said motor (2) being configured to axially move the closing member (3) by means of the axial movement of said shaft (61); wherein said valve comprises a magnetic coupling (4) between closing member (3) and shaft (61), so that said axial movement of the shaft (61) 10 causes a corresponding axial movement of the closing member (3), said magnetic coupling (40 being configured to allow a relative transverse movement of shaft (61) and closing member (3) [Fig. 1] 15
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
B67C 3/28 - Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
F16K 31/08 - Operating meansReleasing devices electricOperating meansReleasing devices magnetic using a magnet using a permanent magnet
69.
SYSTEM FOR INSERTING CANS IN A FILLING MACHINE WITH AIR FLOW THRUSTER DEVICE
A system (1) for inserting cans in a carousel (101) of a filling machine (10) is described, said system comprising:- a conveyor (2) for conveying the cans (L) and outputting them so that they are released to the carousel (101), said conveyor (2) comprising a star-wheel (21) which rotates about 5 an axis (X) so as to convey the cans with a rotating movement; - a gas thruster device (3) which comprises a nozzle (31) and a gas supply (32) and is configured so that the nozzle (31) receives the gas from the supply (32) and emits a flow of the gas received (F) sequentially towards each of the conveyed cans (L), in the same direction as the conveying direction, so 10 as to cause a thrusting action on the can in the same direction as the conveying direction.
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
70.
LABEL FEEDING SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH A RECOVERY MODE AND A VALIDATION MODE OF THE SENSOR DEVICE
There is described a label feeding system (15) for a labelling machine (1) comprising: a sensor device including an optical sensor (17) having a fixed field of view (FV); a feed roller (11) for longitudinally feeding a web (4) of labelling material along a feed path (P) and through said field of view (FV), the web (4) comprising a plurality of longitudinally joined labels (3), each label (3) having a plurality of longitudinal portions and an aesthetic feature (AF) arranged at a determined longitudinal portion; and a reference member (16) fixed with respect to the feed path (P) and to the field of view (FV) and arranged within the field of view (FV); the sensor device is configured for operating in a production mode according to which, sequentially for each label (3), the optical sensor (17) acquires an image (I) of the field of view (FV) at said determined longitudinal portion for detecting a linear distance between the respective aesthetic feature (AF) and the reference member (16); the sensor device is further configured for operating in a recovery mode according to which the optical sensor (17) acquires a number of images (I1, I2, 13) of the field of view (FV) for searching the aesthetic feature (AF), wherein each image (I1; I2; I3) of said number of images includes at least one longitudinal portion which is different from the other longitudinal portions included in the other images (I2, I3; I1, I3; I1, I2) of said number of images, so as to inspect all the different longitudinal portions during the recovery mode, by means of a single label (3) or cumulatively by means of a plurality of labels (3a, 3b, 3c).
Conveying system (11) for containers, comprising: - an auger (2) for conveying the containers by means of rotation of the auger (2) about itself. - a motor (13) for generating said rotation of the auger about itself; - a support device (1) for guiding the rotation of the auger (2) about itself, on a free longitudinal end (21) of the auger (2), said free end (21) defining a seat (211);the device (1) comprising: - a housing (4) which defines a duct (41) situated inside said housing (4); - a sleeve (6) axially slidable along said duct (41); - a pushrod (5) arranged through the sleeve (6); - a bearing assembly (7) inserted inside the sleeve (6) and axially integral with the sleeve (6);wherein said bearing assembly (7) renders said pushrod (5) axially integral with the sleeve (6), so that the pushrod (5) is able to move between a non-operative position, in which it is housed inside duct (41) and cannot engage said seat (211), and an operative position, in which it projects from said housing (4) so as to be able to engage said seat (211);wherein said bearing assembly allows the rotation of the pushrod (5) about itself and with respect to said housing (4) and said sleeve (6) so that said pushrod (5) may guide said rotation of the auger about itself by means of said operative position.
There is provided a cap feeding unit (6; 6'; 6'') for a capping machine (1) which is configured for capping containers (2), wherein the feeding unit comprises: a conveyor (7; 11) configured to receive caps (2a) to be applied on the containers (2), to advance the caps (2a) along a decorating path (D; K), and to feed decorated caps (2a) towards the capping machine for the application thereof on the containers (2); - a decorating module (8) which is operatively associated to the conveyor (7; 11) and which is configured to apply a decoration (8a) on each cap (2a) advanced along the decorating path (D; K);and wherein the feeding unit (6; 6'; 6'') is con figured so that the operation of the decorating module (8) is automatically synchronized with the operation of the capping machine (4).
Apparatus for automatically decorating containers, comprising: at least two decoration modules (51-53; 71-73), each of the modules being configured to operate in a decoration machine (4, 6) so as to decorate containers using at least one reel (B) of decorating material; at least one movable magazine (2); each movable magazine (2) of the apparatus comprising: a movable shuttle (21) which supports a robot (22), the movable shuttle defining a loading zone (23) configured to receive at least one reel (B1) loaded by an operator, and a stacking zone (24) configured to receive a stack (P) of reels (B); wherein the robot is configured to: define the stack (P) starting from the loaded reels; assemble at least one reel (B2) on any one of the modules, removing it from the stack (P).
A cooling machine (5) for cooling bases (3) of respective bottles (2) being conveyed; the cooling machine (5) comprises a central axial frame (6) provided with an axis (X) and a starwheel (7) positioned coaxially around the axial frame (6) and rotating around the axis (X) of said axial frame (6); the starwheel (7) comprises: an upper retaining ring (8) for retaining the bottles (2) to convey the bottles; and a lower section (9) being axially movable with respect to said retaining ring (8) for automatically adjusting a distance between the retaining ring (8) and the section (9) as a function of the format of the conveyed bottle (2); the section (9) comprises: a cooling circuit (11) for cooling the base (3) of the bottle (2) being conveyed; and a lower support ring (12) for supporting the cooling circuit (11).
There is described a capping machine (1) for cappin g containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable produc t, the capping machine (1) comprising:- a first conveyor ( 3) for advancing a plurality of containers (2) along a cap ping path (C) and comprising a plurality of capping devi ces (4), each capping device being configured for cappi ng a respective container (2) advancing along the cappin g path (C);- a second conveyor (6) which is arranged opera tively downstream of the first conveyor (3) for receiving a 10 plurality of capped containers (2) therefrom, and configured for advancing the capped containers (2) along a decorating path (D); and a decorating module (7) which is operatively associated to the second conveyor (6 ) and configured for applying a decoration (8) on each ca p (2a) 15 of the capped containers (2) advancing along the decorating path (D); wherein the capping machine (1 ) is configured so that the operation of the decorating module (7) is synchronized with the operation of the cappi ng devices (4).
There is described a labelling machine (1) for labelling containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the labelling machine (1) comprising a sensor (14) being configured to sequentially monitor each labelled container (2), the sensor (14) preferably comprising a camera or a fotocamera; wherein the sensor (14) is configured for detecting, for each labelled container (2), a degree of adhesion of the label (3) on the container (2) and/or a degree of tightness of the label (3) on the container (2), and/or the presence of wrinkles (15) or ripples of the label (3) on the container (2), and for generating a first signal correlated with the detection; and wherein a control unit is configured for receiving said first signal and for automatically adjusting an angular velocity (W2) of the container support plates (8) as a function of said first signal.
The invention relates to a method for determining a value representative of the absorption coefficient (a) of a thermoplastic material constituting a preform (12), when the preform (12) is transported in a facility (10) for manufacturing containers by the shaping of preforms (12), the method being characterised in that it comprises: - a step (E1) of measuring a value representative of the transmittance (T) of infrared radiation through at least one wall (16) of the preform (12) during its movement; - a step (E2) of measuring the thickness (s) of the wall (16) of the preform (12) during its movement; and - a step (E3) of calculating the value representative of the absorption coefficient (a) of the plastics material independently of the thickness (s) of the preform (12) on the basis of the measurement of the value representative of the transmittance (T) and of the measurement of the thickness (s).
The invention relates to a method for controlling a heating station (30) of a facility (10) for manufacturing containers (11) by shaping preforms (12) made of thermoplastic material, the preforms (12) being transported along a production path (34) which passes through an area (42) for heating the preforms (12) using heating electromagnetic radiation that extends at least partially into the visible light range, characterised in that the method comprises: - a first step (E1) of measuring the absorption spectrum (σ(λ1)) of a wall (16) of a preform (12) in the visible light range upstream of the heating area (42); - a second step (E2) of controlling the power of the heating electromagnetic radiation on the basis of the absorption spectrum (σ(λ1)) measured during the first step, in order to heat the body (14) of the preforms to a set temperature.
Disclosed is a device for locking and/or unlocking (200) at least one spinner nose, mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device (26) that includes a plurality of supports and circulates along the frame (23); - a mandrel mounted on each support of the conveying device (26) so as to be able to rotate about the longitudinal mandrel axis, each mandrel comprising at least one attachment means (108) that secures the spinner nose to the mandrel, the spinner nose being able to receive the plastic preform; characterized in that the locking and/or unlocking device (200) further comprises means (206) for locking and/or unlocking the attachment means (108) securing the spinner nose to the mandrel and positioned in line with the conveying device (26).
The present invention relates to a device (1) for packaging at least two containers (2) in one batch, the containers (2) being bottles having a bottom (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans, for example, the device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2); the packaging device (1) being characterised in that the sheet (8) consists of a multilayer cellulose raw structure obtained by forming the multilayer cellulose raw structure from at least a first layer of dry-formed cellulose fibres and a second layer of a structure of cellulose fibre strips, by stacking the at least first layer and second layer in contact with one another and placing the stacked layers in a forming mould 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-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
B65D 71/50 - 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 otherwise than by folding a blank
The present invention relates to a container obtained by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding from a blank made of plastic material, which comprises a body consisting of a substantially cylindrical wall, a shoulder in the extension of said body at an upper end thereof, a neck in the extension of the shoulder, and a bottom of the petaloid type at the lower end of said body, said bottom comprising a wall of generally outwardly convex shape, from which at least three feet formed by protrusions protruding towards the outside of the container extend, these extending from a pellet-shaped central region of the bottom, where the material has remained substantially amorphous, towards a periphery of the bottom where the latter connects to the body, the most protruding parts or tops of the feet are coplanar and jointly form a base via which the container can rest on a flat surface, said base being circular and having a diameter referred to as the base diameter ϕa, and each foot having an end face which extends in a gentle slope from the central region of the bottom towards the bottom of said foot; said container is noteworthy in that said end face of each foot comprises at least two sections, a first so-called central section extending from the central region of the bottom in the direction of the top of the foot and having an outwardly facing concavity, and a second so-called peripheral section extending from the central section to the bottom of the foot and having an outwardly facing convexity.
Disclosed is a device (200) for locking and/or unlocking at least one spinner nose (64), mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device (26) that comprises a support and circulates along the frame (23); - a mandrel that is mounted on the support of the conveying device so as to be able to rotate about the longitudinal mandrel axis, each mandrel comprising at least: - an end provided with an attachment means that secures the spinner nose (64) to the mandrel; characterized in that the locking and/or unlocking device (200) comprises: - a means (234) for preventing each spinner nose (64) from rotating, and - a means (208) for locking and/or unlocking the attachment means securing the spinner nose (64) to the mandrel.
Disclosed is a device (85) for locking and/or unlocking at least one spinner nose, intended to be mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device that consists of a plurality of supports and circulates along the frame (23); - mandrels that are rotatably mounted on each support of the conveying device, each mandrel comprising at least one bayonet socket intended to receive a pin that is integral with the spinner nose, characterized in that the locking and/or unlocking device (85) comprises: - an angular pre-orientation means (88) for each mandrel; - a means for preventing each spinner nose (64) from rotating; and - a means for locking and/or unlocking (90) the bayonet securing the spinner nose to the mandrel.
METHOD FOR DETECTING THE ANGULAR POSITION OF A HOLLOW BODY BY TAKING AT LEAST ONE IMAGE OF THE NECK OF SAID HOLLOW BODY, AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD
The present invention relates to a method for detecting the angular orientation of hollow bodies (3) comprising a neck (5), of defined vertical main axis A, which is equipped with at least one marker (24) for determining its angular orientation, said neck (5) having at least one flange (7) and an annular groove (25) extending above said flange (7), the method comprising at least the following steps of taking at least one image of the neck (5) of the hollow body (3) by means of an image capture device (26) from an imaging position and in an imaging axis that are both defined with respect to the hollow body (3); and processing said at least one image in order to detect the angular position of the marker (24) relative to the imaging axis of the image capture device (26); said method being noteworthy in that the step of taking at least one image involves taking at least one image of the outer periphery of the neck (5) from an image capture device (26) positioned on the side of the hollow body (3), at the height of the neck (5) of said hollow body (3), such that the imaging axis of the image capture device (26) extends substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the hollow body (3), and in that each hollow body (3) has at least two distinct markers (24) positioned in the groove (25) extending above the flange (7) of the neck (5) of said hollow body (3), said markers (24) being positioned in the groove (25) such that at least one of the markers (24) is in the field of view of said image capture device (26) irrespective of the angular orientation of the hollow body (3). The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
The present invention relates to a device (1) for packaging at least two containers (2) in one batch, the containers (2) being bottles with a bottom (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, the device comprising at least one sheet (8) made from semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2); the packaging device (1) being characterised in that the sheet (8) has a substantially rectangular shape and includes at least two parallel rows of cups (15) that are substantially frusto-conical or hemispherical or frusto-pyramidal or the like, the inner wall of which is capable of bearing on the shoulder (5) of the containers (2) and the vertices of which are respectively provided with an opening (9) capable of receiving the neck (6) of a container (2).
B65D 71/50 - 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 otherwise than by folding a blank
86.
CONTAINER HAVING AN IMPROVED PETALOID BOTTOM, AND MOULD BOTTOM FOR PRODUCING SUCH A CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a container which is obtained by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding from a blank made of plastics material. The container comprises a body consisting of a substantially cylindrical wall, a shoulder in the extension of said body at an upper end thereof, a neck in the extension of the shoulder, and a petaloid bottom at the lower end of said body. The bottom includes a wall which has a generally outwardly convex shape and from which at least three feet extend. The feet are formed by protrusions projecting towards the outside of the container and extend from a central region of the pellet-shaped bottom where the material has remained substantially amorphous towards a periphery of the bottom where the bottom connects to the body. The most protruding parts or tops of the feet are coplanar and jointly form a seat by means of which the container can rest on a planar surface. The seat is circular and has a diameter referred to as seat diameter φa, and each foot has an end face which extends in a gentle slope from the central region of the bottom towards the base of said foot. The container is noteworthy in that each foot has two substantially planar flanks which each laterally border a valley, the flanks of the feet being connected to the valley by concave hollows, of which the radius of curvature is not constant from the central region to the connection region of each valley.
The present invention relates to a method for producing a container by stretch blow moulding, comprising at least the following steps: - placing a previously heated preform (9) in a blowing mould (4) having, in the closed position, a moulding cavity (7) forming the impression of the container to be blown; - closing said blowing mould (4); - blowing said preform (9) in the blowing mould (4) via a blowing nozzle (21) by introducing air at a high pressure P into said preform (9) and, substantially simultaneously, a step of stretching said preform (9) by inserting a stretch rod (5) inside said preform (9) to press against the bottom (14) of said preform (9) so as to facilitate the axial elongation thereof; - cooling the inside of said container thus formed by spraying air via said stretch rod (5) simultaneously with or subsequently to the degassing of the container, the cooling step being carried out by means of a stretch rod (5) comprising an inner cavity (16) made in its body (15) and at least one orifice (17) communicating with the inner cavity (16), the air at high pressure P introduced into the preform (9) during the blowing step being stored in the inner cavity (16) of the stretch rod (5) and then said air at high pressure P escaping from the orifice (17) of the stretch rod (5) so as to cool the container until the pressure in the inner cavity (16) of the stretch rod (5) is substantially equal to atmospheric pressure Pa of the air in the container after degassing of the container; - raising said stretch rod (5); - extracting said blow-moulded container by opening said blowing mould (4); said method being noteworthy in that the orifices (17) are cylindrical in shape, are at least five in number, and have a diameter greater than or equal to 2 millimetres (mm).
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a conveying device (1) for conveying items (2), the conveying device (1) comprising a conveyor belt (3) provided with a conveying surface (5), a drive motor (4) and a control unit (6). The method is characterised in that it comprises at least the steps of: - measuring a roughness coefficient (R) of the conveying surface (5); - transmitting the measurement to the control unit (6); - generating instructions for regulating the speed of the conveyor belt (3) in the form of a speed setpoint by means of the control unit (6) according to the measured roughness coefficient (R); and - transmitting the instructions to the conveying device (1). The invention also relates to a conveying facility (100) that implements the method of the invention.
B65G 45/22 - Cleaning devices comprising fluid applying means
B65G 43/02 - Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting detecting dangerous physical condition of load- carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating
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 (14), 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 surfaces (141) of the containers (14); - calculating (27) centres of gravity of the sets of pixels representing the upper surfaces (141) of the containers (14) of the plurality of containers (14) to obtain the position of each upper surface (141) of the containers (14).
One aspect of the invention relates to a method for characterising defects in a plurality of batches comprising a packaging means and at least two containers, the method comprising, for each batch: - acquiring an image of the current batch; - obtaining a defect of the current batch by classifying, by means of a supervised learning algorithm, the at least one acquired image as belonging to a class representative of the defect of the current batch; - associating a criticality level with the defect of the current batch from among a high, intermediate and low criticality level; - when the criticality level is high, performing a first predefined corrective action on the current batch; - when the criticality level is intermediate, checking that a number of previous associations having an intermediate criticality level with previous batch defects satisfies a first predefined rule; and, o if the first rule is satisfied, performing the first corrective action; o if the first rule is not satisfied, issuing an alert; - when the criticality level is low, checking that a number of previous associations having a low criticality level with previous batch defects satisfies a second predefined rule and, if the second predefined rule is satisfied, issuing the alert.
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]
B25B 11/00 - Work holders or positioners not covered by groups , e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders
B65B 57/02 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
91.
DEVICE FOR FOLDING A PACKAGING STRIP OF A BATCH OF CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to a device (2) for folding a packaging strip (1) of a batch of containers, the strip (1) being made of a material based on plant fibres, comprising means (3) for folding at least one longitudinal edge (102) of the strip (1), provided with a surface (5) unwinding from the bottom face (100) of the strip (1), with, on one side, at least one shoe (30) for folding the corresponding longitudinal edge (102), the shoe (30) comprising a profile section partially overlapping the surface (5) and inclined in a convergent manner along the longitudinal unwinding direction, so as to fold the corresponding longitudinal edge (102) of the strip (1) by overlapping its top face (101), the folding device (2) comprising, downstream, a pressing roller (6), mounted in alignment with the at least one shoe (30) and in free rotation bearing at the top against the unwinding surface (5).
An automated tracking system (20) in a packaging plant (1) for packaging a pourable product, the packaging plant having: a primary packaging machine (5), to produce sequentially a plurality of primary packaging units (6); a secondary packaging machine (9), to produce sequentially a plurality of secondary packaging units (10), each secondary packaging unit including a group of at least two primary packaging units (6); a first conveying unit (8), to transport the primary packaging units received from the primary packaging machine (5) to the secondary packaging machine (9). The automated tracking system is provided with: a first marking unit (22) to mark each primary packaging unit (6) in the primary packaging machine (5) with a respective primary marking; a second marking unit (24) to mark each secondary packaging unit (10) in the secondary packaging machine (9) with a respective secondary marking; a first imaging module (30), to image the first conveying unit (8); and a control unit (34) having: an acquisition module (35) to acquire a first set of information at least from the first marking unit (22), said first imaging module (30), and the second marking unit (24); and a prediction module (36) 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]
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
93.
CONTAINER MOULDING UNIT WITH BOTTOM DETACHMENT SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a moulding unit (1) for producing a container from a plastics preform (2), this moulding unit (1) having at least: a mould (3) comprising a wall (4) formed by two articulated half-moulds (3A, 3B) defining an internal cavity (5) distributed about a main axis of the mould (3) and defining at least partially an impression (6) for a side wall or body and having, at a lower end, a lower opening (7), a mould bottom (8) which fits into the lower opening (7) and has an upper surface defining an at least partial impression for the bottom of the container, the mould bottom (8) being penetrated at its centre by an opening (9), an actuator (15) comprising a piston (16) and a rod (17) at the end of which is mounted an insert (10) capable of sliding through said opening (9) of the mould bottom (8), between a deployed position, in which a free end of the insert (10) protrudes with respect to the mould bottom (8), and a retracted position, in which the free end of the insert (10) is situated in the vicinity of the mould bottom (8), and a saddle (14) on which the mould bottom (8) is mounted, said saddle (14) comprising at least a lower stage (14A) and an upper stage (14B) mounted on the lower stage (14A), said saddle (14) internally defining a housing (17) in which the piston (16) of the actuator (15) is mounted; said moulding unit is characterized in that the mould bottom (8) and/or the insert (10) comprises pneumatic means of detachment of the wall from the bottom of the blown container, said pneumatic detachment means simultaneously providing cooling of said bottom of the blown container.
The invention relates to a gripping device (1) to be mounted on a robot (2) in a palletizing installation, for loading, transporting and unloading of articles (3) such as boxes or crates, said device (1) comprising a support (5) for attachment to said robot (2) and a guide means (6) mounted on said support (5). The device is characterized in that it comprises: - at least two jaws (4) facing each other and mounted movably on said guide means (6), so as to clamp at least one article (3) by the sides, with said support (5) above said at least one article (3), - an actuating means (7) for moving said jaws (4) independently of each other along said guide means (6) between a spaced-apart position of said jaws (4) and a clamping position. The invention also relates to an installation for loading, transporting and unloading of articles (3), and to a method for palletizing articles (3).
Pad device (16; 17) of a label transfer drum (13) for a labelling machine (1), the labelling machine (1) being configured for labelling containers (2), the pad device (16; 17) comprising: a fixed frame (20) fixable to the transfer drum (13), the transfer drum (13) having a central rotation axis (Y); a pad support structure (21) mounted to the frame (20) in a movable manner; a pad (16a; 17a) which is integral with the pad support structure (21), the pad (16a; 17a) being configured for supporting a label end portion (3a; 3b), the support structure (21) being radially movable with respect to the frame (20) between a first retracted position, a second retracted position, and an extracted position, the pad (16a, 17a) being radially more recessed in the first retracted position than in the extracted position, and being radially more recessed in the second retracted position than in the first retracted position;; an abutment member (28) which is radially movable with respect to the frame (20), between a first radial position and a second radial position; and - elastic means (24) operatively interposed between the fixed frame (20) and the pad support structure (21), for biasing the pad support structure (21) against the abutment member (28), so that the first radial position of the abutment member (28) defines the first retracted position, and the second radial position of the abutment member (28) defines the second retracted position of the support structure (21).
Pad device (13; 15) of a label transfer drum (8) for a labelling machine (1), the labelling machine (1) being configured for labelling containers (2), the pad de vice (13; 15) comprising:- a fixed frame (17) fixable to the transfer drum (8), the transfer drum (8) having a central rotation axis (Y);- a pad support structure (18) mounted to the frame (17) in a movable manner;- a pad (14; 16) which is integral with the pad support structure (18), the pad (14; 16) being configured for supporting a label (6) end portion (10; 11), the support structure (18) being radially movable with respect to the frame (17) between a first retracted position and a second retracted position, the pad (14, 16) being radially more recessed in the second retracted position than in the first retracted position;- an abutment member (21) which is radially movable with respect to the frame (17), between a first radial position and a second radial position; and- elastic means (19) which are operatively interposed between the fixed frame (17) and the pad support structure (18), for biasing the pad support structure (18) against the abutment member (21), so that the first radial position of the abutment member (21) defines the first retracted position, and the second radial position of the abutment member (21) defines the second retracted position of the support structure (18).
The invention relates to a method for determining the thrust force (F) produced on preforms (14) of containers by an accumulation conveyor (22) comprising: - a pair of rails (34) for supporting the preforms (14); - at least one endless flexible element (42) comprising friction elements (44) with the preforms (14); - means for driving the endless flexible element (42) comprising a motor (54) which transmits a motor torque (Cm) to the endless flexible element (42); characterised in that it comprises: -a first step (E1) of determining the motor torque (Cm) provided to the endless flexible element (42); - a second step (E2) of estimating the thrust force (F) as a function of the motor torque (Cm) determined during the first step (E1).
B65G 43/02 - Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting detecting dangerous physical condition of load- carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating
98.
MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A MULTICHAMBER ROTARY UNION OF A ROTATIVE FILLING MACHINE
Filling machine (1) for filling containers with a pourable product, the machine (1) being configured for operating in a test mode and in a production mode, and comprising: a monitoring system (2) comprising an automatic control unit (CU), wherein, in the test mode, the system (2) is configured for performing, by means of the control unit (CU), a first pressurizing step, a first monitoring step and a second monitoring step.
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 3/22 - Bottling liquids or semiliquidsFilling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus Details
99.
LABEL FEEDING SYSTEM WITH VISUAL CONTROL OF THE FEEDING WITH EXTERNAL REFERENCE
A label feeding system (15) for a labelling machine (1) comprising: - a feed roller (11) for longitudinally feeding a web (4) of labelling material along a path (P), the web (4) comprising a plurality of longitudinally joined labels (2), each of which comprises a reference region (R); - a frame (8) supporting the feed roller (11), the feed roller (11) being configured for longitudinally feeding the web (4) by rotating with respect to the frame (8) with an angular speed; - a fixed reference member (16) which is fixed to the frame (8); - an optical sensor (17) defining a detection station (D) along the path (P), the sensor (17) being configured for detecting, wit h a detection frequency, at least one linear distance ( D1, D2) between the fixed reference member (16) and the reference region (R) of the label (2) being positioned in the station (D); - an automatic control device (18) configured for automatically controlling the detection frequency, to set the detection frequency preferably to the production speed of the machine (1); wherein the control device (18) is configured for automatically controlling an angular speed and/or an inclination of the feed roller (11) with respect to the frame (8), bas ed on said at least one distance.
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).
patents
