A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

Described is a machine for wrapping groups (1) of products in a roll, comprising: a packaging unit (2) positioned above a feed channel (3); a transfer element (5) configured for feeding, in a feed direction (V5), to the packaging unit (2) the groups (1) of products in a roll with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material (6); feed and positioning units (8) configured for feeding the sheet (6) of wrapping material inside the vertical channel (3), in a direction (T6) transversal to the direction (V5) for feeding the group (1) of products; the machine also comprises means (9) for controlled retaining and unwinding of the sheet (6) of wrapping material positioned along the vertical feed channel (3); a first movement unit (10) connected to the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) and configured to move the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) from a position of free passage of the sheet (6) of wrapping material to a position for bilateral retaining of the sheet (6) of wrapping material positioned in the channel (3); a second movement unit (11) connected to the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) and configured to move the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9), located in the retaining position, so as to unwind the sheet (6) of wrapping material in a controlled manner and at the movement of the transfer element (5) from the first lower operating position to a second upper operating position.

Described is a machine for wrapping groups (1) of products in a roll, comprising: a packaging unit (2) positioned above a feed channel (3); a transfer element (5) configured for feeding, in a feed direction (V5), to the packaging unit (2) the groups (1) of products in a roll with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material (6); feed and positioning units (8) configured for feeding the sheet (6) of wrapping material inside the vertical channel (3), in a direction (T6) transversal to the direction (V5) for feeding the group (1) of products; the machine also comprises means (9) for controlled retaining and unwinding of the sheet (6) of wrapping material positioned along the vertical feed channel (3); a first movement unit (10) connected to the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) and configured to move the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) from a position of free passage of the sheet (6) of wrapping material to a position for bilateral retaining of the sheet (6) of wrapping material positioned in the channel (3); a second movement unit (11) connected to the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9) and configured to move the controlled retaining and unwinding means (9), located in the retaining position, so as to unwind the sheet (6) of wrapping material in a controlled manner and at the movement of the transfer element (5) from the first lower operating position to a second upper operating position.

A tape-and-reel system for processing components is disclosed. In the embodiment, the tape-and-reel system includes a first carrier tape reel for holding unloaded carrier tape, a component loading system for loading components into pockets of the unloaded carrier tape, an air-guided cover tape feeder through which cover tape travels, an alignment tool for guiding the cover tape into alignment with the loaded carrier tape and adhering the cover tape to the loaded carrier tape to secure the components into the loaded carrier tape, and a second carrier tape reel for holding the loaded carrier tape.

A tape-and-reel system for processing components is disclosed. In the embodiment, the tape-and-reel system includes a first carrier tape reel for holding unloaded carrier tape, a component loading system for loading components into pockets of the unloaded carrier tape, an air-guided cover tape feeder through which cover tape travels, an alignment tool for guiding the cover tape into alignment with the loaded carrier tape and adhering the cover tape to the loaded carrier tape to secure the components into the loaded carrier tape, and a second carrier tape reel for holding the loaded carrier tape.

A blister sheet supply unit for a blister pack includes: a fork for supporting the second-lowest layered blister sheet positioned directly above the lowest layered blister sheet when a lifting plate moves from a backward movement position spaced apart from a plurality of blister sheets stacked at a time of being positioned at a support position to a forward movement position traversing the plurality of stacked blister sheets; and a stopper movable between a fall-restraining position at which the stopper prevents falling of the lowest layered blister sheet by blocking the left and the right end of the lowest layered blister sheet and a fall allowing position at which the stopper does not block the left and the right end of the lowest layered blister sheet.

A blister sheet supply unit for a blister pack includes: a fork for supporting the second-lowest layered blister sheet positioned directly above the lowest layered blister sheet when a lifting plate moves from a backward movement position spaced apart from a plurality of blister sheets stacked at a time of being positioned at a support position to a forward movement position traversing the plurality of stacked blister sheets; and a stopper movable between a fall-restraining position at which the stopper prevents falling of the lowest layered blister sheet by blocking the left and the right end of the lowest layered blister sheet and a fall allowing position at which the stopper does not block the left and the right end of the lowest layered blister sheet.

A method for producing a cardboard strip for packaging from a first plurality of cardboard sheets for packaging which are cyclically united to one another. The method includes providing a first plurality of cardboard sheets each having a first perimeter portion extending along a first flank of the cardboard sheet and a second perimeter portion extending along the second flank of the cardboard sheet and further includes reducing the thickness of first perimeter portion and the second perimeter portion of a given cardboard sheet. The given cardboard sheet and another cardboard sheet are approximated to one another, so that the second perimeter portion of the given cardboard sheet and the first perimeter portion of the other cardboard sheet, of reduced thickness from a preceding cycle, are mutually superposed. The second perimeter portion of the given cardboard sheet and the first perimeter portion of the other cardboard sheet are affixed to one another.

A method for producing a cardboard strip for packaging from a first plurality of cardboard sheets for packaging which are cyclically united to one another. The method includes providing a first plurality of cardboard sheets each having a first perimeter portion extending along a first flank of the cardboard sheet and a second perimeter portion extending along the second flank of the cardboard sheet and further includes reducing the thickness of first perimeter portion and the second perimeter portion of a given cardboard sheet. The given cardboard sheet and another cardboard sheet are approximated to one another, so that the second perimeter portion of the given cardboard sheet and the first perimeter portion of the other cardboard sheet, of reduced thickness from a preceding cycle, are mutually superposed. The second perimeter portion of the given cardboard sheet and the first perimeter portion of the other cardboard sheet are affixed to one another.