Unit and method for filling containers of single-use capsules for extraction or infusion beverages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10889397-B2
Application number	US-201515324541-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2015
Priority date	Aug 6, 2014
Publication date	Jan 12, 2021
Grant date	Jan 12, 2021

Abstract

Described is a unit for filling containers (2) forming single-use capsules (3) with a dose (33) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising: a line (4) for transport of the containers (2); a station (SR) for filling the containers (2) with a dose (33) of product and comprising: a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a device (10) for moving the first seat (S); a device (11) for adjusting the position of the first containing seat (S1) between a position (P1) for receiving the dose and a position (P2) for releasing the dose; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1); a substation (ST3) for releasing the dose (33) of product from the first containing seat (S1) to a container (2) transported by the transport line (4), the adjusting device (11) being configured to place the first containing seat (S1) in the receiving position (P1) at the substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) and in the release position (P2) at the substation (ST3) for releasing the dose (33).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A unit for filling containers with a dose of product, comprising:
a line for transporting containers along a movement path and provided with a plurality of supporting seats for the containers arranged in succession along the movement path;
a filling station for filling the containers with a dose of the product;
the filling station comprising:
a containing seat in a containing element and configured to receive a dose of the product;
a movement device configured to move the containing element about a rotational axis for moving the containing seat along a closed path;
an adjusting device configured to move the containing element radially relative to the rotational axis, for adjusting the position of the containing seat between a receiving position for receiving the dose of the product and a releasing position for releasing the dose of the product from the containing seat into one of the containers transported by the transport line;
a forming substation where the dose of the product is formed inside the containing seat, provided with a releasing device for feeding the dose of the product inside the containing seat, when the containing seat is at the receiving position;
a compacting substation where the dose of the product is compacted inside the containing seat, provided with a compacting element movable along a compacting axis, parallel to the rotational axis, between a raised position in which the compacting element is outside the containing seat and a lowered position in which the compacting element is inside the containing seat, the compacting element moving from the raised position to the lower position when the containing seat is at the receiving position; and
a releasing substation where the dose of the product is released by an ejection device from the containing seat into said one of the containers transported by the transport line, when the containing seat is positioned in the releasing position,
the adjusting device being driven to place the containing seat in the receiving position at the forming substation and in the releasing position at the releasing substation,
wherein the forming substation comprises a hopper containing the product and the releasing device extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end cooperating with the containing seat when the containing seat receives the dose of the product and a second end communicating with the hopper for creating a feeding flow of the product from the second end towards the first end, for feeding the product into the containing seat in the receiving position,
wherein the longitudinal axis of the releasing device is at an oblique angle of inclination to a horizontal plane, whereby the first and second ends are offset from a common axis which is parallel to the rotational axis; and
wherein the compacting substation is located along the closed path between the forming substation and the releasing substation, and the releasing device is removed from the containing seat when the compacting element moves from the raised position to the lowered position, whereby the compacting element does not interfere with the releasing device.

2. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the releasing device comprises at least one rotating element configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis.

3. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the containing seat is a through seat made in the containing element.

4. The filling unit according to claim 3 , comprising a housing configured to slidably house the containing element and having a first upper opening configured and arranged to allow the product to enter the containing seat when positioned at the receiving position, a second upper opening configured and arranged to allow an ejection element to eject the dose of product from the containing seat when positioned at the releasing position, a first lower opening configured and arranged to allow a first piston to form a bottom wall of the containing seat when the containing seat is in the receiving position, and a second lower opening configured and arranged to allow the product to escape from the containing seat when positioned at the releasing position.

5. The filling unit according to claim 4 , wherein the adjusting device is configured for placing the containing seat at the first upper and lower openings in the receiving position and at the second upper and lower openings in the releasing position.

6. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the releasing device comprises:
at least one rotating element configured to rotate about a respective longitudinal axis and having a plurality of blades extending radially from the respective longitudinal axis;
a filling chamber positioned downstream of the at least one rotating element with respect to flow of the product and defining a volume for receiving the product dose to be released inside the containing seat, the at least one rotating element of the releasing device being configured for creating a feed flow of the product from the hopper towards the filling chamber.

7. The filling unit according claim 6 , wherein the at least one rotating element of the releasing device is positioned inside a shell in communication with the hopper and with the filling chamber.

8. The filling unit according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one rotating element of the releasing device comprises a first rotary element and a second rotary element having a plurality of respective blades so as to create a feed flow of the product from the hopper towards the filling chamber.

9. The filling unit according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second rotary elements are mutually positioned so that a trajectory of the blades of one intercepts a trajectory of the blades of the other.

10. The filling unit according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second rotary elements are mutually positioned so that a trajectory of the blades of one is different from a trajectory of the blades of the other.

11. The filling unit according to claim 6 , wherein the containing seat has a circular shape, in cross-section, the filling chamber having an outlet portion with a shape, in cross-section, substantially the same as the shape in cross-section of the containing seat.

12. The filling unit according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one rotating element comprises an upper tapered portion, having a plurality of protrusions for moving the product inside the hopper.

13. The filling unit according to claim 6 , wherein the blades are positioned so that a surface of each blade is angularly inclined relative to a vertical plane.

14. The filling unit according to claim 6 , wherein the blades are positioned so that a surface of each blade is parallel relative to a vertical plane.

15. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the releasing device comprises at least one rotating element configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis and having a helical profile which extends between the first end and the second end, the longitudinal axis being stationary relative to the hopper.

16. The filling unit according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one rotating element of the releasing device comprises:
a first rotary element having a helical profile which extends between the first end and the second end, configured to rotate about a first longitudinal axis of rotation, stationary with respect to the hopper and angularly inclined to a horizontal plane, to create a feeding flow of the product, from the second end towards the first end which intercepts the containing seat, and to release the product inside the cont

Assignees

• Gima Spa
• Ima Spa

Inventors

• Rea Dario
• Castellari Pierluigi
• Baraccani Davide

Classifications

• B65D85/8055 Primary

  Means for influencing the liquid flow inside the package · CPC title

• B65B63/022

  using compressing chambers or plates moving in an endless path · CPC title

• B65B1/36

  by volumetric devices or methods (checking volume of filled material B65B1/48) · CPC title

• B65B29/022

  packaging infusion material into capsules · CPC title

• B65B29/02 Primary

  Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package · CPC title