An infeed alignment device (10) for aligning a carton blank (14) such that a picking device can pick the carton blank. The infeed alignment device comprises an upper alignment member (11) for pushing on an upper part of the carton blank, a lower alignment member (12) for pushing on a lower part of the carton blank, and wherein the upper and/or lower alignment member is configured to push in a push direction on the top and/or the bottom of the carton blank such that the carton blank is in a picking position for the picking device.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one flap spreading head (12a, 12b), the flap spreading head being vertically mobile for insertion thereof into a container (3) to be processed and including first and second flap spreading blades (121.sub.1, 121.sub.2) mounted on pivots and an actuator (122.sub.1, 122.sub.2). The actuator is adapted to command rotation of the flap spreading blades that on rotating come into contact with flaps (R1a, R1b) and bring about spreading thereof by folds toward the exterior of the container.

The present invention is relative to a plant (100) for packaging products (P) arranged on a support (4), said plant comprising: a conveyor configured for moving a plurality of supports (4) along an advancement path (A); a plurality of packaging apparatuses (1), each configured for engaging a portion of a film (5a) with a support (4) for making a package (40); a transfer device (30) configured, in at least one operative condition, for transferring a support (4) from said conveyor (30) to a respective packaging apparatus (1). The transfer device (30) comprises: a guide (31) exhibiting a tract (T1) transverse to the advancement path (A) of the supports (4) and fixed with respect to said packaging apparatuses (1) at least when the transfer device (30) is in the operative condition; a displacement element (32) engaged with the guide (31) and configured for being moved, at least when the transfer device (30) is in said operative condition, along said tract (T1) and for intercepting a support (4) on the conveyor (20), moving it to the respective packaging apparatus (1). The present invention also regards a packaging process using said packaging plant.

The present invention is relative to a plant (100) for packaging products (P) arranged on a support (4), said plant comprising: a conveyor configured for moving a plurality of supports (4) along an advancement path (A); a plurality of packaging apparatuses (1), each configured for engaging a portion of a film (5a) with a support (4) for making a package (40); a transfer device (30) configured, in at least one operative condition, for transferring a support (4) from said conveyor (30) to a respective packaging apparatus (1). The transfer device (30) comprises: a guide (31) exhibiting a tract (T1) transverse to the advancement path (A) of the supports (4) and fixed with respect to said packaging apparatuses (1) at least when the transfer device (30) is in the operative condition; a displacement element (32) engaged with the guide (31) and configured for being moved, at least when the transfer device (30) is in said operative condition, along said tract (T1) and for intercepting a support (4) on the conveyor (20), moving it to the respective packaging apparatus (1). The present invention also regards a packaging process using said packaging plant.

In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward, the container is arranged in a transfer area, which is arranged next to a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by the linear motor transport device. After that, the at least one item to be packaged is moved from the transfer position to the transfer area, where the container is filled with the at least one item to be packaged. Then, the filled container is moved from the transfer area to the transport device and is transported onward by the transport device in the conveying direction.

In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward, the container is arranged in a transfer area, which is arranged next to a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by the linear motor transport device. After that, the at least one item to be packaged is moved from the transfer position to the transfer area, where the container is filled with the at least one item to be packaged. Then, the filled container is moved from the transfer area to the transport device and is transported onward by the transport device in the conveying direction.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

An infeed conveyor for a folding apparatus for folding semi-finalized packs containing a pourable product, the infeed conveyor being configured to receive the semi-finalized packs and to transfer the semi-finalized packs to a folding unit of the folding apparatus. The infeed conveyor comprises one or more pushing elements, a conveying device for advancing the pushing elements along an advancement path and a carrier for the semi-finalized packs. The infeed conveyor further comprises a distance detection device for measuring a distance between the pushing elements and the respective semi-finalized packs.

An infeed conveyor for a folding apparatus for folding semi-finalized packs containing a pourable product, the infeed conveyor being configured to receive the semi-finalized packs and to transfer the semi-finalized packs to a folding unit of the folding apparatus. The infeed conveyor comprises one or more pushing elements, a conveying device for advancing the pushing elements along an advancement path and a carrier for the semi-finalized packs. The infeed conveyor further comprises a distance detection device for measuring a distance between the pushing elements and the respective semi-finalized packs.