Gima S.p.a.

Carlo Zaniboni

A device withdraws and opens cases for CD and the like, including a pair of shells of complementary shape, hinged along a hinge axis along one edge of the shells. A swinging arm equipped with suction cups withdraws single cases from a storage device and transfers the cases in a vertical feeding plane over a conveying line leading to a packaging section. Further suction cups, carried by a take over member, grip the case just withdrawn acting on the shells and open the case by rotation of the shells about the hinge axis. Then the take over member is moved in horizontal direction towards the conveying line to transfer the case from the opening position to a position in which the opened case is released on the conveying line for further processing.

Device for withdrawing and opening CD cases in a machine for packaging

A multilevel storage device for CD cases includes at least two conveyors, upper and lower, respectively, leading to a feeding station which receives groups of containers having relative hinged edges suitably oriented. A station loads groups of cases on the lower conveyor and a transfer unit which picks up the groups of cases from a downstream end of said lower conveyor to the upper conveyor when sensor means detect absence of groups of cases at an upstream end of the upper conveyor. Presence of groups of cases at a downstream end of the upper conveyor, before the feeding station is detected by other sensor means.

Multilevel storage device for containers, in particular CD cases

A device for introducing sleeves into cases for compact discs and the like, includes an assembly for withdrawing each time a single sleeve from a storage device. The withdrawing assembly transfer the sleeves to a feeding surface, substantially horizontal, in the region of a line for feeding these sleeves to further processing devices. An inserting head with gripping means for keeping the sleeve fed to the feeding surface, and with folding rollers for folding two edges of the sleeve over fold-around pieces, takes over and inserts the sleeve into an underlying case. The inserting head is moved between a sleeves gripping position and a position in which it inserts the sleeve in the case, that is in open configuration on a conveyor.

Device for introducing sleeves into cases for compact disc and the like

A closing device for book-like containers, with each container formed by a base and a cover of complementary shape hinged to the base along an edge, includes a first unit in which a grip is operated along a circular path coaxial with the hinge edge of a container situated below, while activation means and deactivation means open and close the grip. A second unit, situated downstream of the first unit is provided for snap-closing the covers of the containers.

Closing device for book-like containers

A compact disc packaging machine is disclosed for packaging trays, compact discs, booklets and inlay cards in a variety of different sized containers. The compact disc machine is compact in size and its primary functions are mechanically driven. Pneumatics are only used on approximately 10 percent of the machine functions. Because the components are within the easy reach of an operator, the compact disc packaging machine is operated without requiring the operator to circle the machine. Feeders and magazines provide supplies of trays, booklets, inlay cards and compact discs to the machine. The compact disc magazine uses multiple spindles to allow one spindle to be active while the other spindle is replaced. A pick-and-place mechanism lifts the inlay cards, booklets, trays and compact discs and positions them in an intermediate centering positions and then into compact disc boxes. Sensors are used to verify the existence and placement of those items in the boxes. The compact disc packaging machine of the present invention provides a reliable and easy to operate machine, minimizes down-time and is especially suited for small replicators and companies who are entering into the compact disc market.

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Castenaso, Italy

Carlo Zaniboni