A packaging machine for making filter bags with infusion products includes a plurality of processing stations defining a processing path for making filter bags with infusion products and an extraction station situated immediately downstream of the processing path. The extraction station comprises a stacking unit having a guide channel to allow the ordered and continuous feeding of the filter bags and a transfer device for transferring the filter bags coming from the processing path to the stacking unit. The stacking unit includes a connecting element positioned downstream of the processing stations and upstream of the guide channel for receiving as input from the transfer device the filter bags coming from the processing path. The connecting element is connected at the outlet with the guide channel and includes a chute surface having a curved stretch shaped to allow feeding of the filter bags along a feed direction.

The present invention discloses an equipment for winding medical tubing, employing automated, sequentially-arranged workstations (1, 5, 7) capable of operating simultaneously, comprising one or more conveying units (2), one or more bending units (3) for arranging medical tubing (10) in a U shape, one or more loading units (4), one or more winding stations (5) for winding medical tubing (10), one or more unloading units (6) and, optionally, one or more packaging units (7).

Robotic assembly systems and methods of assembling products using planar robots. Planar movers cooperate magnetically with stators to pick products provided on an infeed and place them in a pattern on an outfeed system, wherein the movers having a clamp having at least two opposing clamping surfaces whose relative positions are continuously adjustable by a force from an object external to the mover and the stator. Sensors and controllers cooperate to precisely move the movers on the stator, particularly as a group, for the movers to pick respective products at respective picking locations. Some systems permit packaging of multiple products.

A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.

A magnetic pouch clamp assembly includes a first and second clamping arms and a magnet assembly. The first clamping arms have respective, opposed first and second clamping surfaces. The second clamp arm is slidably connected to the first clamping arm such that the first and second clamping arms are movable between open and closed positions, with the first and second clamping surfaces being engaged in the closed position. The magnet assembly includes a first magnet having a first polarity carried by the first clamping arm and a second magnet having a second polarity carried by the second clamping arm, the first and second polarities being oriented such that a closing attractive force therebetween holds the first and second clamping surfaces in the closed position. A third magnet can be used to hold the clamping surfaces in the open position or to enhance closing forces.

The invention relates to a draft handler. The draft handler has a tool stem adapter for coupling to a robotic arm, and has a spatula for lifting a draft product and an elastomeric band for gripping the draft product. The robotic arm moves the draft handler to pick up the draft product in a first orientation from a first conveyor assembly, and to place the draft product on a second conveyor assembly, optionally in a second orientation.

A part packing system includes a bag holding machine including a part funnel having an opening configured to receive an end of a part and having a bag end manipulator holding first and second bag end gripper mechanisms that receive an end of the bag therebetween to open the end of the bag to form a mouth at the end of the bag. The bag end manipulator moves the first and second bag end gripper mechanisms to position the mouth of the bag immediately downstream of the opening of the part funnel. A part loading machine including a part manipulator holding the part and moving the part to a loading position upstream of the part funnel and moving the part gripper mechanism to load an end of the part through the opening in the part funnel into the mouth of the bag to load the part into the bag.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

The present invention relates to a simplified device and a process-technically simplified and also more rapidly applicable method for transporting readily cut and filled hose pieces within a machine for producing pouches filled with brewable material. The device according to the invention has a transport wheel which has several supports distributed over its circumference, each holding a pouch which are pivotally mounted on the transport wheel. In the method according to the invention, a hose piece for forming a pouch with at least one chamber between a head and a bottom is inserted in the radial direction into a support of the transport wheel. In a removal station the pouch is removed radially from the transport wheel with the bottom leading.