I.m.a. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.a.

Gianfranco Salmi

Claudio Trebbi

Luigi Cavina

Alessandro Bisi

Stefano Maccaferri

Paolo Tacchini

A method and work station (SV) for checking the integrity of packages (), in particular single-dose packages uses a first pressing device () for applying a reference force to one or a group of packages () for a predetermined time interval (Dt). The value of the force transmitted by the package () is detected using one or more load cells (6) positioned opposite to the first pressing device () with respect to the package (). The load cells detect the force transmitted through the package. Packages are rejected when the value of the force transmitted by the package () is lower than a critical force value (f*) which is a value of the force transmitted to the load cells by a good package. Before using the first pressing device for applying the reference force, a second pressing device is used to apply a test force to the package () for a time interval (Dt*) for preliminarily stressing the package () before the load cells detect the value of the force transmitted by the package () in response to the force applied by the first pressing device.

Method and a station for checking the integrity of packages, in particular single-dose packages

An operative unit ( ) advances containers ( ) along a conveying line ( ) and transfers the containers from the conveying line to one weighing station ( ) and vice-versa. An endless conveyor ( ) of the operative unit passes through the weighing station ( ) and a sliding track (S), on which the containers ( ) move, is disposed parallel to the conveyor ( ). Moving modules ( ) are removably fastened to the conveyor and move the containers ( ) on the sliding track (S) A platform ( ) forms a portion of the sliding track (S) and is situated in correspondence to the weighing station ( ). The containers ( ) supported by the platform ( ) are temporarily disengaged from the moving means ( ) and placed in the weighing station ( ).

Unit for advancing containers along a conveying line and for transferring the containers from the conveying line to a weighing station and vice-versa

A conveyor includes a support element (,), that defines a running surface (,), and an endless dragging belt (,). The belt (,) has seats (,) made, with inwards decreasing section, along one longitudinal edge located over a corresponding section of the surface (,). Containers (,) to be moved rest on the surface (,) and are kept in engagement with the belt (,) and in the seats by a lateral striker (,). The belt can be made of synthetic material with cogs (,), or of metallic material with smooth surfaces. The lateral striker (,) is a bar parallel to the straight active run (,) of the belt (,), and is moved in relation to the containers (,) size. The support and running surface (,) has indentations in one or more points (,), where there are plates (,) for moving the containers clear of the belt so as to allow additional operations on the containers.

Conveying system for carrying containers, especially bottles, through different working stations

All the carousels of the machine are provided with grippers for holding the flasks. A carousel with grippers (6) for holding the flask by the neck is followed by a carousel with grippers (7) for holding the flask by the body and so on. Between the jaws of each gripper there is provided in the middle region a vertical opposition element (35) fixed onto a horizontal slide (36) supported by the gripper body (33) and connected to a mechanism which modify the position of the said opposition element according to the diameter of the flasks. The opposition element is directed towards the flask with a concave-profile front face. The orbits (29, 30) along which the grippers of two consecutive carousels travel intersect each other in the zone where the flasks pass from one carousel to the other. In this zone the flask is immediately held between the opposition elements of the opposite grippers of the carousels, which open and close alternately. The opposition elements of one of the two consecutive carousels are spring-mounted. Preferably the opposition elements of the grippers of the operating carousels are immobile and the opposition elements of the grippers of the service carousels are spring-mounted. Special variable-profile cams control the transfer of the flasks between the carousels of the machine.

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Bologna, Italy

Gianfranco Salmi