G.D S.p.A.

A machine (1) for the inspection of containers (2), preferably of the pharmaceutical industry and at least partially filled comprises: a conveyor drum (3), which can rotate around a vertical axis (V), configured to receive a plurality of containers (2), each carried in a rotary manner so as to rotate on itself, and to transport the containers (2) along a first circular path (C1) in a first advancing direction (A); an inspection unit (4) for inspecting at least one container (2); and an operating assembly (5), which moves the inspection unit (4) back and forth along a second path (C2), at least partially parallel to the first path (C1); the operating assembly (5) can be operated in a synchronous manner with the drum (3) so that, in use, the inspection unit (4) follows the container (2); the inspection unit (4) comprises at least one high-voltage leak detection system (6) for controlling the integrity of the container (2) by applying an electric field.

A machine (100) for forming segments (S) for the industry of smoking articles comprising a supply station (200) configured to supply a first web (N) of filling material along an advancing direction (A). The machine (100) comprises a collection station (300) having a converging conduit (301) configured to receive the first web (N) and gradually collect it, and a wrapping station (400) configured to receive the first web (N) and wrap it. The machine (100) comprises a cutting station (500) for cutting the continuous rod (B) into segments (S) having a predefined length. The converging conduit (301) is defined at the bottom by a guiding body (302) forming a longitudinal groove, and it is defined at the top by a cover element (303) configured to define, at least partly, the converging trend of the conduit (301). The collection station (300) comprises vibrating means (600) configured to vibrate the cover element (303) while the first web (N) passes through the converging conduit (301).

A machine (100) for forming segments (S) for the industry of smoking articles, comprising a supply station (200) configured to supply a first web (N), and a collection station (300) having a converging conduit (301) configured to receive the first web (N) and gradually collect it. The converging conduit (301) extends between an inlet opening (I) and an outlet opening (U) of the first web (N). The converging conduit (301) is defined at the bottom by a guiding body (301a) forming a longitudinal groove and defined at the top by a cover element (301b) configured to define, at least partly, the converging trend of the conduit (301). The cover element (301b) comprises a plurality of blowing openings (302) configured to introduce a fluid flow into the converging conduit (301) so that the fluid flow is arranged at least partly between an inner surface (301b') of the cover element (301b) and the first web (N) in an at least partially shaped form. The blowing openings (302) are arranged in a terminal section (T) of the cover element (301b).

The present invention relates to a selective tilting device of a sheet electrode, which is to say, to a method for selectively flipping said electrode.The present invention is moreover intended for an apparatus for the manufacture of electrochemical cells or semi-finished electrochemical cell products which employs the aforementioned selective flipping device of the sheet electrode, as well as the method implemented by such device.In particular, the present invention is intended for use in the manufacture of electrochemical cells comprising an alternating and stacked plurality of positive and negative electrodes, with an interposed separation layer in dielectric material, so-called prismatic cells.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling a sheet electrode, which is to say, to a method for handling an electrode, depending on its sequential feeding for downstream processing, typically the manufacture of an electrochemical cell or of a semi-finished electrochemical cell product.

A laser drilling station (S) for bar-shaped tobacco industry articles (A) wrapped in a wrapper, comprising a transport cylinder (100) configured to advance each article (A) along an advancement path passing through a drilling area (P). The station (S) further comprises at least one laser drilling device (200) configured to operate the drilling of the wrapper of an article (A) arranged in the drilling area (P), and a counter-roller (300) located in the drilling area (P), above the article (A), and configured to cause a rolling of the article (A). The counter-roller (300) is operated by a motor (600). The station (S) further comprises a detection device (400) configured to perform at least one optical inspection of a front surface (F) of each article (A) in the drilling area (P) and a control unit (500) connected to the detection device (400) and to the motor (600) of the counter-roller (300) and configured to control the motor of the counter-roller (300) according to the outcome of the optical inspection carried out.

An apparatus (10) for performing a first and a second operation on containers (100) is described, comprising:- a transport line (20) for advancing a succession of containers (100) arranged in a row along a transport path (K), according to a stepwise advancement movement;- a first operational station (50) for performing the first operation on the containers (100) transported along the transport path (K); and- a second operational station (80) for performing the second operation on the containers (100) transported along the transport path (K);wherein said second operational station (80) is arranged downstream of said first operational station (50), along said transport path (K).The apparatus (10) is characterized in that said transport line (20) comprises a first section (22) configured to move the containers (100) according to a stepwise advancement movement defined by a first advancement step (S1) and by a first movement cycle (M1), and a second section (24) configured to move the containers (100) according to a stepwise advancement movement defined by a second advancement step (S2) and by a second movement cycle (M2).The apparatus comprises a transfer unit (200) for transferring the containers (100) from a terminal region of said first section (22) to an initial region of said second section (24).

A machine (2) for loading and threading a material web (N) for a manufacturing and/or packaging plant (1) of the tobacco industry; wherein the machine (2) is configured to be arranged separately and spaced apart from at least another machine (MC; MP) of the manufacturing and/or packaging plant (1); the machine (2) for loading and threading comprises:a loading unit (5) configured to accommodate a reel (3) of material web (N) at a loading station (SC); anda threading unit (6) configured to receive at a receiving station (SR) a terminal end (4) of the material web (N) from the reel (3) accommodated by the loading unit (5); the threading unit (6) comprises a conveying device (10) configured to move the terminal end (4) from the receiving station (SR) to a delivery station (SD) at which the terminal end (4) is deliverable to the other machine (MP, MC) of the manufacturing and/or packaging plant (1) of the tobacco industry.

A machine and method for forming an electrochemical cell, wherein a conveying assembly (1000) is used in the machine and method comprising an idle roller (100) having a geometric axis (X) and an operating surface (101) configured to be engaged at least partially by a strip element (10) adapted to be dragged in a longitudinal direction thereof. The idle roller (100) comprises a shell (120) with a primary portion (120a) having a thickness that is substantially uniform along the geometric axis (X) and not exceeding 1 mm. The shell (120) can be coupled to at least one rotoidal joint member (200) defining an axis of rotation and connecting the idle roller (100 to a support structure (400). The conveying assembly (1000) comprises a support device (500) including two coupling portions (501, 502) configured to couple to the idle roller (100) in a rotatable manner about the geometric axis (X), and at least one sensor device (1001, 1002) connected to one of said coupling portions (501, 502) and to the idle roller (100) and configured to detect a stress mutually transmitted between said coupling portion (501, 502) and the idle roller (100).

An apparatus (27) for identifying the position of electrochemical cell elements in a stacking plane comprises a measurement device (34) configured to take measurement data representative of the distance between a first vertex (V1) and a second vertex (F1) of an electrochemical cell element (100) to be deposited on a stacking plane (25); a detection device (28) placed in a display relationship with control areas (29) defined at a stacking plane (25), wherein the detection device (28) is configured to detect a plurality of display data of said electrochemical cell element (100) in said control areas (29); a processing unit (33) operatively associated with said measurement device (34) and said detection device (28). The control unit (33) is configured to: obtain said measurement data; on the basis of the measurement data obtained, calculate a first distance (D1) between the first vertex (V1) of the electrochemical cell element (100) and the second vertex (F1) of the electrochemical cell element (100); obtain the plurality of display data; on the basis of the plurality of display data obtained, determine a first position identifying a position of the first vertex (V1) of the electrochemical cell element (100); on the basis of the calculation of the first distance (D1) and on the basis of the determination of the first position, determine a second position identifying a position of the second vertex (F1) of the electrochemical cell element (100).