A movement unit for moving a blank includes a drum, a blank with central and lateral panels, and a retention device for retaining the blank. The lateral panel has an end secured to the central panel by a folding zone and an opposite free end. The retention device is secured to the drum and includes a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and having first retention elements configured to retain the central panel, and a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and having second retention elements configured to retain the lateral panel.

A device for forming and applying accessory elements to a continuous band of absorbent material, includes a unit for feeding a continuous strip to a conveyor roller, a unit for cutting the strip in a continuous and alternating succession of first and second pieces, a first and a second roller rotating about respective axes parallel to the first direction, each including a movement device acting along a circumferential direction around the respective axis and configured for imparting to each unit a respective motion between positions for picking up and releasing the pieces. A unit for applying a pair of pieces to the band is equipped with a separating unit equipped with a spacer device for moving first and/or second carriages along a separating direction between closed and far axial positions, wherein the spacer device includes a plurality of linear actuators each associated with a respective first carriage.

A carousel for transporting articles includes: a body rotated by a motor around a main axis, a stationary cam around the main axis and a plurality of transfer units mounted on the body to rotate around the main axis. Each unit includes a transfer element having a radially external portion to retain or release an article. The element is pivoted on the body around an auxiliary axis radial to the main axis and is coupled to the body to move along the auxiliary axis. The element is coupled to the stationary cam to rotate around the auxiliary axis. A pair of auxiliary cams is coupled to the element and integral with the body and auxiliary cam-followers are interposed between the element and the auxiliary cam to move on the auxiliary cams during rotation of the element around the auxiliary axis and move the element along the auxiliary axis.

Sheet feeder (4) for a machine (1) for the processing of sheet material such as paper or films, having a drive shaft (10), which extends substantially perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction and is provided with at least one suction gripper (12), which is rotated above the sheet material, when the drive shaft (10) is driven, wherein the suction gripper (12) is repositionable between an inactive position, in which it does not cooperate with the sheet material, and an active position, in which it can grip on the top side of the sheet material and carry this along.

A carousel for transporting articles includes: a body rotated by a motor around a main axis, a stationary cam around the main axis and a plurality of transfer units mounted on the body to rotate around the main axis. Each unit includes a transfer element having a radially external portion to retain or release an article. The element is pivoted on the body around an auxiliary axis radial to the main axis and is coupled to the body to move along the auxiliary axis. The element is coupled to the stationary cam to rotate around the auxiliary axis. A pair of auxiliary cams is coupled to the element and integral with the body and auxiliary cam-followers are interposed between the element and the auxiliary cam to move on the auxiliary cams during rotation of the element around the auxiliary axis and move the element along the auxiliary axis.

A unit for applying first and second tabs, obtained from first and second webs, to a chassis web includes an applicator drum rotatable about an axis and including a main body. A plurality of carriers is movable between a lowered position close to the axis and a raised position away from the axis, each including a suction portion. A first carrier first suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. A second carrier includes second suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. The first suction portions alternate with the second non-suction portions and the first non-suction portions alternate with the second suction portions. A first system holds the first web on the applicator drum upstream of a cutting device. A second system holds the second web on the drum upstream of the cutting device.

A web cutting system is provided for use with a single transfer insert placement mechanism having at least one puck for transferring a discrete web and a continuous web feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous web wherein first and second rollers having substantially parallel axes and being aligned with one another form a nip at their juncture, an anvil is attached to one roller, a die is attached to the other roller, a vacuum source is coupled to one of the rollers, a plurality of vacuum apertures is formed in the same roller. One of the rollers is positioned adjacent to the single transfer insert placement mechanism and to the continuous web feeding mechanism. The continuous web is applied to one roller and at least one discrete web is transferred from the puck to the same roller after which a die cutting process of the webs occurs at the nip.

Sheet feeder (4) for a machine (1) for the processing of sheet material such as paper or films, having a drive shaft (10), which extends substantially perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction and is provided with at least one suction gripper (12), which is rotated above the sheet material, when the drive shaft (10) is driven, wherein the suction gripper (12) is repositionable between an inactive position, in which it does not cooperate with the sheet material, and an active position, in which it can grip on the top side of the sheet material and carry this along.

A device for forming and applying accessory elements to a continuous band of absorbent material, includes a unit for feeding a continuous strip to a conveyor roller, a unit for cutting the strip in a continuous and alternating succession of first and second pieces, a first and a second roller rotating about respective axes parallel to the first direction, each including a movement device acting along a circumferential direction around the respective axis and configured for imparting to each unit a respective motion between positions for picking up and releasing the pieces. A unit for applying a pair of pieces to the band is equipped with a separating unit equipped with a spacer device for moving first and/or second carriages along a separating direction between close and far axial positions, wherein the spacer device includes a plurality of linear actuators each associated with a respective first carriage.

A device for manufacturing fibrous board has a board carrier and a plurality of at least four cutting tools for separating a fibrous material, in particular strand-shaped or tape-shaped fibrous material into portions, and for depositing the portions. The board carrier is displaceable below the depositing cutting tools here through in at least one movement direction. The depositing cutting tools are substantially stationary and are disposed beside one another in such a manner that the portions of these depositing cutting tools may be simultaneously deposited beside one another on the board carrier.