A machine for packaging soft products, including a conveyor defining a ring-shaped path having an active linear lower branch facing a feed plane and a non-active linear upper branch. Each of a plurality of carriages supports a tooth, projecting towards the feed plane during the passage on the lower branch, and configured for retaining and feeding along the feed plane the groups of products. A transfer device moves one group of products at a time, with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material folded into a “U” shape around the group, towards the feed plane and to a receiving compartment defined by a first and a second tooth, along a second direction transversal to a first direction. Each tooth includes a head permanently connected to the carriage and an operating portion in contact with the groups which can be separated from and reconnected to the head.

A product can be packaged by arranging the product on a support, providing a plastic film above the support with the product arranged between the support and the film sheet, and air tightly fixing the film to the support. The process can be implemented using an apparatus that includes a film supply assembly and a base equipment having an upper side defining one or more receiving areas, each being configured for receiving a respective product loaded support; an upper tool is configured for holding a film portion above the product loaded support and then heat sealing the film portion to the product loaded support. Each receiving area has a flat portion and elongated features protruding above the plane of flat portion.

A strapping tool has a tensioner for tightening a strap, a sealer for fixing together ends of the strap, a base, and a drive mounted on the base for operating the tensioner and sealer. The sealer or tensioner is a module removably attached to the base. A transponder is provided on the module and a reader on the base for wirelessly communicating with the transponder. A controller is connected to the reader for operating the tool.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A packaging material holder comprising a bent shaft including a first arm, a base portion, and a second arm, and a plurality of magnets attached to the second arm is provided. The first arm includes an end which permits a roll of packaging material having an opening larger than a diameter of the end of the first arm to be placed over the end of the first arm and contact the base portion. The plurality of magnets magnetically couple to a magnetic surface and support a mass of the packaging material holder and a mass of the roll of packaging material.

A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.

A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A packing cell for packing products in boxes includes a picking system for picking products and stacking them according to a stacking pattern, a support unit for the stacking process, with a rotatable horizontal shaft for placing a support platform in a predetermined angular position for the stacking process, and a box handling robot to transfer empty boxes towards the support unit and full boxes away from the support unit. A method includes placing the support platform in a predetermined angular position adjacent a product picking system, picking and stacking a number of products according to a stacking pattern on the support unit, and removing from the support unit, with a box handling robot, a box containing the stacked products.

A packing cell for packing products in boxes includes a picking system for picking products and stacking them according to a stacking pattern, a support unit for the stacking process, with a rotatable horizontal shaft for placing a support platform in a predetermined angular position for the stacking process, and a box handling robot to transfer empty boxes towards the support unit and full boxes away from the support unit. A method includes placing the support platform in a predetermined angular position adjacent a product picking system, picking and stacking a number of products according to a stacking pattern on the support unit, and removing from the support unit, with a box handling robot, a box containing the stacked products.