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EP3523207B1 - Machine et procédé de fabrication d'articles encapsulés - Google Patents

Machine et procédé de fabrication d'articles encapsulés Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3523207B1
EP3523207B1 EP17780132.1A EP17780132A EP3523207B1 EP 3523207 B1 EP3523207 B1 EP 3523207B1 EP 17780132 A EP17780132 A EP 17780132A EP 3523207 B1 EP3523207 B1 EP 3523207B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closing element
capsule
closing
engagement
welding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17780132.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3523207A1 (fr
Inventor
Fiorenzo Draghetti
Luca Galletti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Original Assignee
IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA filed Critical IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Publication of EP3523207A1 publication Critical patent/EP3523207A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3523207B1 publication Critical patent/EP3523207B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/161—Sealing filled ampoules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/22—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding
    • B65B51/225—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding by ultrasonic welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2807—Feeding closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
    • B65B7/2878—Securing closures on containers by heat-sealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/14—Adding more than one type of material or article to the same package

Definitions

  • Embodiments described here concern a machine, and a corresponding method, to make a capsule containing a reagent product and a filter.
  • embodiments described here concern a machine for making encapsulated articles which can be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other vaporization or flavoring devices.
  • Encapsulated articles are known, for the inhalation or inspiration of substances contained therein, and can be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other inhalation devices, typically provided with a reservoir for a liquid, such as water or an aqueous mixture, and a vaporization or atomizer device.
  • a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture
  • a vaporization or atomizer device typically provided with a vaporization or atomizer device.
  • the encapsulated articles in question generally comprise a container or capsule containing a predetermined dose or amount of a particular product or reagent substance, such as tobacco, or other substance to be inhaled, and a filter.
  • the aspirating or inhaling action produced by the user creates a stream of aspirated air in which the vaporized or atomized liquid is drawn, forcing it to pass through said reagent substance.
  • This passage extracts or draws flavoring substances and/or active ingredients contained in the same reagent substance which are then aspirated or inhaled by the user.
  • the product and the filter are kept in position by means of special closing elements which prevent the product and/or the filter from exiting, but at the same time allow the passage of vapors, fumes and/or aromas to the outside.
  • capsules are known containing a dose of tobacco, and a filter, which can be used in suitable devices, or electronic cigarettes, provided with means for heating the tobacco dose.
  • One purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and the corresponding method for the production of encapsulated articles that allow to obtain correctly closed capsules and at the same time to have high production rates.
  • the Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
  • Embodiments described here concern a machine to make articles in capsule form.
  • Said articles comprise a container, or capsule, having, in this case, a closed bottom, advantageously holed, containing a dose of reagent product, a filter disposed above the reagent product, and a closing element, attached to the container and configured to hold the filter positioned and seal the whole, but at the same time allowing the passage of vapor and/or aromas toward the outside.
  • the reagent product can be tobacco, or another substance, depending on the destination and/or use of said capsule.
  • the reagent product can be in powder from, chopped, minced, in grains, in bars, etc.
  • the capsules can be applied in association with electronic cigarettes, vaporization devices, or devices called "carbonizers" in the sector of smoking articles, and provided with a resistance and a resistance feed to heat the reagent product and produce aromas/vapors that can be breathed in by a user in a similar way to a traditional smoking article.
  • the capsules can also be applied in evaporizer/vaporizer devices for medicinal substances, anti-parasitic substances, or devices to perfume a room, provided with means suitable to heat the reagent product in the capsule and obtain aromas/vapors.
  • the machine according to the invention in its general constitution, advantageously comprises a capsule feed station, in which the empty capsules are correctly fed and oriented, an exit station, from which the completed capsule is removed and sent to subsequent packing steps, and a transfer device, provided with one or more receiver members each suitable to receive one or more capsules and transfer them from the capsule feed station to the exit station along a transfer path.
  • the machine can include a station to meter and introduce the reagent product, a station to cut and insert filters, and a station to close the capsules.
  • the machine comprises, in correspondence with the capsule closing station, a closing unit to stabilize the content of the capsules with at least a closing element to form an encapsulated article, so as to obtain a correct and efficient positioning leaving free the passage of the fumes and/or vapors that the reagent product possibly produces.
  • the closing unit can include an engagement device able to position a closing element in cooperation with the aperture of the capsule, and a welding device to weld the closing element to the capsule.
  • the engagement device acquires the closing element and moves it in relation to the aperture of the capsule.
  • Another variant is the fact that the engagement device acquires the closing element from a vertical, horizontal or inclined delivery member.
  • the engagement device is also configured to temporarily position the closing element at a desired engagement angle ⁇ , said engagement angle ⁇ defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane ⁇ of the aperture of the capsule and a second lying plane ⁇ of the closing element.
  • the welding device moves the closing element in direct connection with the edge of the designated capsule and welds it thereto.
  • Embodiments described here, using the attached drawings, concern a machine 10 for making encapsulated articles 20.
  • Figs. 2a and 2b show a possible embodiment of an article 20 of the type in question comprising a container 22, also called capsule, defining a containing compartment 27 suitable to contain inside it a dose of a reagent product 24 and a filter 26.
  • the filter 26 can comprise cellulose acetate, cotton, paper, or combinations thereof.
  • the bottom of the container 22 is provided with holes of sizes such as to allow the passage of air, vapors or the like through them, but at the same time preventing the reagent product 24 from exiting through them.
  • reagent product 24 can be tobacco, or another substance, in relation to the destination and/or use of article 20.
  • the reagent product can be in powder, minced, ground, in grains, small bars, etc.
  • the article 20 can also comprise a closing element 28 configured to close the capsule 22 so that the dose of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 do not exit from the containing compartment 27.
  • the capsule 22 can have a substantially tubular shape having a desired section shape, such as for example circular or polygonal, characterized by an equivalent diameter.
  • a desired section shape such as for example circular or polygonal
  • the equivalent diameter corresponds to the diameter of the circular section.
  • the capsule 22 has a first closed end 22a and a second end 22b, opposite the first end 22a, having an aperture 23 through which the doses of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 can be introduced.
  • the capsule 22 can comprise an abutment portion 25 having an outer equivalent diameter greater than the mean size of the equivalent diameter of the capsule 22.
  • the abutment portion 25 can comprise an annular crown, protrusions, grooves or other, so as to provide a certain and predetermined abutment reference to the closing element 28 when it is put to close the capsule 22.
  • the capsule 22 can comprise a positioning seating 29 inside the containing compartment 27 configured to keep the filter 26 in a predefined and certain position in the containing compartment 27.
  • the closing element 28 has a shape mating with the capsule 22 and can have an aperture 28a or a plurality of holes.
  • the aperture 28a allows the substances produced from the dose of reagent product 24 during use to pass from inside the capsule 22 to the outside, through the filter 26. In this way, in the case of application to electronic cigarettes, a user can aspirate the aroma of the tobacco in a similar way to what happens with traditional smoking articles.
  • the closing element 28 can have an annular shape, that is, the continuous closing part with holes.
  • the aperture 28a allows the substances produced from the dose of reagent product 24 to pass from the inside of the capsule 22 to the outside, passing through the filter 26 during use.
  • an encapsulated article 20 entails performing several successive steps one after the other.
  • the operative steps provide to supply at least one capsule 22, to insert inside it a suitably dosed reagent product 24 and subsequently a filter 26 sized according to production requirements, to close the capsule 22 with the closing element 28, and to supply the encapsulated article 20 obtained to further work stations in order to perform possible further operational steps.
  • Applicant has studied, experimented and made a machine 10 that allows to perform these operations one after the other quickly and accurately.
  • the machine 10 for making encapsulated articles 20 can comprise a capsule feed station 11, also called capsule entrance station, and an exit station 15, from which the encapsulated capsules 20 are removed and sent to subsequent work stations or for packaging.
  • the exit station 15 can provide, before delivering the encapsulated articles 20, that one or more control operations are performed on the articles 20 obtained, such as for example on the weight, seal, size, or other.
  • the machine 10 can comprise a transfer device 16 provided with one or more receiver members 18, each suitable to receive one or more capsules 22 and configured to transfer and position the capsules 22 from the capsule feed station 11 to the exit station 15 along a transfer path P.
  • a transfer device 16 provided with one or more receiver members 18, each suitable to receive one or more capsules 22 and configured to transfer and position the capsules 22 from the capsule feed station 11 to the exit station 15 along a transfer path P.
  • a plurality of intermediate operating stations can be disposed along the transfer path P between the entrance station 11, or capsule feed, and the exit station, one after the other, indicated in the drawings by the numbers 12, 13, 14.
  • the machine 10 can comprise a station 12 for metering and introducing the reagent product 24, a station 13 for cutting and inserting the filters, and a capsule closing station 14.
  • the transfer device 16 can comprise a transfer wheel 17 provided on its periphery with at least one receiver member 18.
  • the transfer wheel 17 is configured to rotate around its own central axis X, so as to dispose the receiver members 18 on each occasion in correspondence with the work stations of the machine 10 along path P.
  • a transfer device 16 can comprise other similar transfer organs, such as for example a linear transfer organ or other type.
  • the transfer wheel 17 can rotate stepwise, that is, intermittently, moving the receiver members 18 on each occasion along the transfer path P.
  • the receiver members 18 can comprise a support plate 32 provided with an established number of housing seatings 34 in which the capsules 22 can be inserted.
  • the housing seatings 34 can be through holes made in the support plate 32, wherein the capsules 22 are positioned with the lower part of their abutment portion 25 resting on the support plate 32.
  • the housing seatings 44 can be configured mating with the section of the capsules 22, or the abutment portion 25, so as to hold the latter in position and prevent them from moving at least laterally and downwardly.
  • the capsules 22 possibly can be moved from the bottom upward. This allows to optimize the closing of the capsule 22 with the closing element 28.
  • each support plate 32 comprises the same number of housing seatings 34, for example six as shown in the drawings, but the number can also be smaller or larger.
  • capsule feed devices 22 are provided, not shown, and are configured to position in each housing 34 of the receiver member 18 positioned in correspondence with the capsule feed station 11 a capsule 22 oriented with the aperture 23 facing upward.
  • the reagent product metering station 12 can comprise dosage and introduction devices, not shown, configured to introduce into each capsule 22 present in the receiver organ 18 that is located in said reagent product metering station 12, a dose of reagent product 24, for example tobacco, of the desired weight and/or volume depending on the size of the containing compartment 27 and/or production requirements.
  • the cutting and insertion station 13 is configured to size and introduce at least one filter 26 in the capsules 22 and can comprise a cutting and filter insertion device configured to size the filters 26 and insert them inside the capsule 22.
  • the capsule closing station 14 downstream of the cutting and filter insertion station 13, can be provided along the transfer path P.
  • the capsule closing station 14 will be described in detail hereafter.
  • devices to control the product obtained can be provided, and/or removal means, not shown, configured to remove the encapsulated articles obtained and transfer them to subsequent packaging stations.
  • the capsule closing station 14 can comprise a closing unit 40 configured to close the aperture 23 of at least one capsule 22 with a closing element 28 to form an encapsulated article 20.
  • the capsule 22 contains at least one dose of reagent product 24 and a filter 26.
  • the closing element 28 is suitable to allow the fumes and/or vapors produced to pass from inside the encapsulated article 20.
  • the closing element 28 has one or more apertures 28a through which the fumes and/or the vapors produced inside the capsule 22 can come out.
  • closing element 28 is stably attached to the capsule 22 in its intended position.
  • the closing element 28 holds the filter 26 and the dose of reagent product 24 in position.
  • the closing element 28 can be attached to the capsule 22 by welding it to the edge of the aperture 23 and/or the abutment portion 25 and/or on the wall of the capsule 22.
  • the closing element unit 40 can comprise:
  • the welding device 45 moves the closing element 28 into position.
  • the engagement device 43 is configured to acquire at least one closing element 28 and to move it in relation to the aperture 23 of the capsule 22.
  • the engagement device 43 can be configured to acquire at least one closing element 28 from a vertical, or horizontal, or inclined delivery member 46.
  • the engagement device 43 is configured to position the closing element 28 temporarily, before the closing element 28 engages the capsule 22.
  • the engagement device 43 can also be configured to temporarily position at least one closing element 28 by an engagement angle ⁇ with respect to the desired aperture 23.
  • the engagement angle ⁇ can be defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane ⁇ of the aperture 23 and a second lying plane ⁇ of the closing element 28.
  • the engagement angle ⁇ is an acute angle.
  • acute angle we mean an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0°, that is, an acute angle other than a zero angle.
  • the angle defined between the first lying plane ⁇ of the aperture 23 and the second lying plane ⁇ of the closing element 28 is intended as a positive angle.
  • the engagement angle ⁇ can be less than 50°. According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle ⁇ can preferably be less than 45°. According to possible embodiments, even more preferably the engagement angle ⁇ can be less than 35°. According to a possible embodiment, the engagement angle ⁇ can be an angle of about 10°.
  • the engagement device 43 can be configured to position the closing element 28 in contact with the capsule 22 in an inclined position.
  • the welding device 45 can be configured to cooperate with the engagement device 43 to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, positioning the closing element 28 in contact with the abutment portion 25 when the at least one closing element 28 is marginally associated with the holding seating 44.
  • marginally associated we mean that it is only partially inside the holding seating 44 and is about to exit from it.
  • the engagement device 43 is configured to correctly position the closing element 28 in its seating, so that the welding device 45 only makes them solid.
  • the holding seatings 44 can be configured to receive or remove the closing elements 28, holding them by interference.
  • the mechanical interference between the holding seatings 44 and the closing element 28 may passively or actively generate a temporary deformation of the closing element 28. This deformation according to the invention is used to improve the positioning of the closing element 28 in the positioning and welding steps.
  • the holding seatings 44 due to a dimensional interference may deform the closing element 28.
  • the external dimensions of the closing element 28 i.e. the external diameter
  • the closing element 28 is deformed.
  • the closing element 28 is passively deformed.
  • the deformed closing element 28 may takes on the shape of an ellipse.
  • the holding seatings 44 may comprise movable jaws that are configured to move towards one another when they engage the closing element 28 and away from one another when they release the latter. This movement of the movable jaws of the holding seatings 44 may actively deform the closing element 28, which can temporarily take on the shape of an ellipse.
  • the closing unit 40 can comprise a conveyor device 41 configured to supply the closing elements 28 in succession to the engagement device 43.
  • the conveyor device 41 has at least one operating line 42 configured to convey the closing elements 28 along a movement path defined by said operating lines 42.
  • the closing elements 28 are conveyed to a delivery zone 42a where they are put in position so that the engagement device 43 can acquire them on each occasion.
  • a delivery member 46 can be provided in the delivery zone 42a, configured to associate the closing elements 28 with the engagement device 43, positioning them inside the holding seatings 44 provided for this purpose.
  • the delivery member 46 can comprise a mobile thruster that thrusts the closing elements 28 on each occasion into the holding seatings 44.
  • the delivery member 46 can be vertically or horizontally mobile, or along an inclined direction with respect to the holding seating 44.
  • closing elements 28 are conveyed keeping their connecting portion 28b, that is, the portion that will be welded onto the capsule 22, oriented to promote the gripping and positioning.
  • the closing elements 28 can be supplied to the conveyor device 41 already positioned, since said closing elements 28 are positioned, for example, by means of a vibrating container.
  • the vibrating container Due to the oscillation generated and to the conformation and weight of the closing elements 28, in the same way the vibrating container also allows to orient all the closing elements 28, with a low probability of having an opposite orientation.
  • the closing unit 40 can comprise, along the operating lines 42 that transfer the conveyor device 41, one or more control devices 47 configured to detect the orientation of the individual closing elements 28.
  • control device 47 can comprise a visual, infrared, or other type of sensor 48, able to detect the orientation of the closing elements 28 to indicate, if necessary, the presence of an incorrectly oriented closing element 28, so as to remove or reposition it correctly before it comes in correspondence to the capsule 22.
  • the control devices 47 are positioned above the conveyor device 41 with the sensors 48 oriented toward the closing elements 28.
  • the engagement device 43 is mobile with two degree of freedom.
  • one portion of the engagement device 43 can rotate around a first axis of rotation R1, whilst another portion of the engagement device 43 can rotate around a second axis of rotation R2.
  • the engagement device 43 can comprise a support body 49 mobile between at least one acquisition position of the closing elements 28 and an engagement position of the closing elements 28 with the capsules 22.
  • the support body 49 is rotatably mobile around a first axis of rotation R1 which can be positioned orthogonal to the lying plane of the direction of movement of said support body 49.
  • the engagement device 43 comprises a removal member 50 with holding seatings 44 defined by a plurality of prongs 50a.
  • the prongs 50a may be moved one towards the other whey they engage the closing elements 28 and may be moved one away from the other when they release the closing element 28. In this embodiment the prongs 50a temporary deform the closing element 28 as explained above so as to improve his positioning and welding to the capsule 22.
  • the removal member 50 is conditioned in its position by the engagement device 43 between a removal position of the closing elements 28 and a position for engaging the closing elements 28 with the capsules 22.
  • the removal member 50 is advantageously rotatably connected to the support body 49, so as to rotate around a second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
  • the removal member 50 has a plurality of holding seatings 44 so that several closing elements 28 can be removed simultaneously.
  • the support body 49 has a structure comprising at least one support bracket 51 associated with a first drive pin 52 conditioning the position of the support body 49 and a second drive pin 53 conditioning the position of the removal member 50.
  • the first and second drive pins 52 and 53 respectively define the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
  • the support body 49 can have a structure comprising two lateral support brackets 51 connected to each other by means of the first drive pin 52 and a second drive pin 53 respectively defining the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
  • the second axis of rotation and positioning R2 can be parallel to the first axis of rotation R1.
  • the support body 49 and the removal member 50 can be selectively movable by means of independent movement members.
  • figs. 9-12 show the positions taken by the engagement device 43 to position the closing element 28 until it engages the capsule 22.
  • fig. 9 shows the removal step of the closing elements 28 in the holding seatings 44.
  • Figure 10 shows the step in which the support body 49 is rotated around the first axis of rotation R1 and, before the closing element 28 engages the capsule 22, the removal member 50 is rotated around the second axis of rotation and positioning R2, so as to incline the closing element 28 by a desired engagement angle ⁇ .
  • Fig. 11 shows the position of the engagement device 43 when the closing element 28 is in contact with the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22.
  • Fig. 12 shows a possible trajectory T, substantially like the arc of a circumference, along which the closing element 28 is positioned with a desired engagement angle ⁇ during removal, inclination and engagement.
  • the engagement device 43 is configured to move the closing element 28 according to a trajectory T shaped as an arc of circumference from his removal up to his engagement with the capsule 22.
  • the support body 49 and the removal member 50 are moved around rotation axes R1, R2 so that the resultant motion of the engagement device 53 is able to move the closing element 28 along an arc of circumference.
  • the welding device 45 can comprise a bearing structure 54 to which one or more welding members 55 are attached, able to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, said bearing structure 54 being mobile between an inactive position and at least one welding position.
  • the bearing structure 54 can have a structure comprising two lateral support brackets 56 rotatably connected to a fixed support 60 by means of a third drive pin 57 defining a third axis of rotation R3.
  • the third axis of rotation R3 can be parallel to the first axis of rotation R1.
  • Suitable movement means are also provided for the welding device 45, to move the mobile support structure 54 and thus the welding members 55 in a cadenced manner coordinated with the engagement device 43.
  • each welding member 55 can comprise a welding head 55a conformed mating with the shape of the closing element 28, the capsule 22 and the holding seating 44.
  • the welding head 55a is configured both to remove the closing element 28 from the holding seating 44 when the closing element 28 is in contact with the capsule 22, and to close the aperture 23 of the capsule 22 with the element of the closing element 28, and also to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
  • the welding head 55a can be fed by an electrical power source so that the closing element 28 can be welded to the capsule 22.
  • the welding member 55 can comprise a sonotrode, that is, an ultrasonic welding device, or a thermal welder, an electro-thermal welder or other type.
  • the welding head 55a is configured to remove the closing element 28 from the holding seating 44 when it is in contact with the capsule 22, until it closes the aperture 23 of the capsule 22 with the closing element 28, zeroing the engagement angle ⁇ , the welding head 55a being configured to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
  • the welding device 45 can comprise an abutment member 59 located below the capsules 22 and cooperating with the welding member 55 to provide a stable abutment upon which the capsule 22 rests during the welding of the element of the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
  • the abutment member 59 is configured to move in the opposite direction to the welding head 55a, for example, upward when the welding head 55a is moved downward.
  • This also allows to maintain constant the pressure force of the welding head 55a on the closing elements 28, so that welding can be carried out with predefined and controlled parameters.
  • the abutment member 59 adjusts its thrust until it reaches the value of the preset pressure force.
  • the welding device 45 can be configured to remove the closing elements 28 from the holding seatings 44 so that the engagement device 43 can move to the acquisition position to receive or remove the closing elements 28 for the next step.
  • the present invention also concerns a closing method for closing the aperture 23 of at least one capsule 22 with a closing element 28 to form an encapsulated article 20, said capsule 22 containing at least one dose of reagent product 24 and a filter 26, said closing element 28 being able to let pass the fumes and/or vapors produced from inside the encapsulated article 20.
  • the closing method can comprise:
  • the positioning step provides to position the closing element 28 by an engagement angle ⁇ , since the engagement angle ⁇ is defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane ⁇ of the aperture 23 and a second lying plane ⁇ of the closing element 28.
  • the closing method can also comprise a step engaging the closing element 28 with the capsule 22 with an engagement angle ⁇ .
  • the engagement angle ⁇ is an acute angle.
  • acute angle we mean an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0°, that is, an acute angle other than the zero angle.
  • the closing element 28 is brought into contact with at least the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22 according to an engagement angle ⁇ .
  • the welding step provides that the closing element 28 is extracted from the engagement device 43 and positioned for welding by the specific welding member 55.
  • the positioning step provides to incline the closing element 28 by an engagement angle ⁇ of less than 50°.
  • the engagement angle ⁇ can preferably be less than 45°.
  • even more preferably the engagement angle ⁇ can be less than 35°.
  • the positioning step provides that the engagement angle ⁇ is about 10°.
  • the supply step provides that at least one of the holding seatings 44 receives or removes at least one closing element 28, holding it by mechanical interference.
  • the welding step provides that the welding device 45 welds the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, while the engagement device 43 moves into the acquisition position to receive subsequent closing elements 28.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Unité de fermeture pour fermer une ouverture (23) d'au moins une capsule (22) avec un élément de fermeture (28) pour former un article encapsulé (20), ladite unité de fermeture comprenant :
    - un dispositif de mise en prise (43) pourvu d'au moins un siège de maintien (44) configuré pour être temporairement associé audit élément de fermeture (28), ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) pouvant déplacer ledit siège de maintien (44) afin de positionner ledit élément de fermeture (28) en coopération avec ladite ouverture (23) de ladite capsule (22) ;
    - un dispositif de soudage (45) configuré pour souder ledit élément de fermeture (28) en connexion directe au moins avec une partie de butée (25) de ladite capsule (22), dans laquelle ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) est configuré pour positionner temporairement ledit élément de fermeture (28) à un angle de mis en prise (θ) par rapport à ladite ouverture (23), ledit angle de mise en prise (θ) étant défini comme l'angle compris entre un premier plan de couchage (π) de ladite ouverture (23) et un second plan de couchage (γ) dudit élément de fermeture (28), et dans laquelle ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) est également configuré pour disposer ledit au moins un élément de fermeture (28) dans une position inclinée, en contact avec ladite capsule (22) ; ladite unité de fermeture étant caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un siège de maintien (44) est configuré pour recevoir ou retirer lesdits éléments de fermeture (28) en les maintenant par interférence.
  2. Unité de fermeture selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit angle de mise en prise (θ) est un angle aigu supérieur à 0° et inférieur à 50°, notamment inférieur à 45°, plus particulièrement inférieur à 35°.
  3. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de soudage (45) est configuré pour coopérer avec ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) afin de souder ledit élément de fermeture (28) à ladite capsule (22), en positionnant ledit élément de fermeture (28) en contact avec ladite partie de butée (25) lorsque ledit élément de fermeture (28) est associé de manière marginale audit siège de maintien (44).
  4. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) comprend un corps de support (49) mobile entre au moins une position d'acquisition desdits éléments de fermeture (28) et une position de mise en prise desdits éléments de fermeture (28) avec lesdites capsules (22).
  5. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) comprend un élément de retrait (50), ayant une pluralité desdits sièges de maintien (44) définis par une pluralité de dents (50a), ledit élément de retrait (50) étant conditionné par ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) entre une position de retrait desdits éléments de fermeture (28) et une position de mise en prise desdits éléments de fermeture (28) avec lesdites capsules (22).
  6. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que lesdits sièges de maintien (44) maintiennent ledit élément de fermeture (28) par une interférence mécanique et sont configurés pour déformer temporairement ledit élément de fermeture (28).
  7. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisée en ce que ledit corps de support (49) a une structure comprenant au moins un étrier de support (51) associé à une première broche d'entraînement (52) conditionnant la position dudit corps de support (49) et une seconde broche d'entraînement (53) conditionnant la position dudit élément de retrait (50), lesdites première et seconde broches d'entraînement (52, 53) définissant respectivement un premier axe de rotation (R1) et un second axe de rotation et de positionnement (R2).
  8. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43) est configuré pour déplacer ledit élément de fermeture (28) selon une trajectoire (T) en forme d'arc de circonférence depuis son retrait jusqu'à sa mise en prise avec ladite capsule (22).
  9. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de soudage (45) comprend une structure d'appui (54) à laquelle un ou plusieurs éléments de soudage (55) sont fixés, qui sont capables de souder ledit élément de fermeture (28)) ladite capsule (22), ladite structure d'appui (54) étant mobile entre une position inactive et au moins une position de soudage, dans laquelle lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments de soudage (55) comprennent chacun une tête de soudage (55a) configurée à la fois pour retirer ledit élément de fermeture (28) à partir dudit siège de maintien (44), lorsque ledit élément de fermeture (28) est en contact avec ladite capsule (22), et pour fermer ladite ouverture (23) de ladite capsule (22) avec ledit élément de fermeture (28), et également pour souder ledit élément de fermeture (28) à ladite capsule (22).
  10. Unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de soudage (45) comprend une sonotrode.
  11. Machine pour fabriquer un article encapsulé (20) comprenant une capsule (22) contenant au moins une dose de produit réactif (24) et un filtre (26), et un élément de fermeture (28) positionné pour fermer une ouverture (23) adaptée à laisser passer les fumées et/ou vapeurs produites depuis l'intérieur dudit article encapsulé (20), ladite machine comprenant :
    - un poste d'alimentation de capsules (11) configuré pour rendre disponible une pluralité desdites capsules (22) ;
    - un poste (12) pour doser le produit réactif, configurée pour doser et introduire ladite au moins une dose de produit réactif (24) dans lesdites capsules (22) ;
    - un poste (13) pour couper et insérer les filtres, configuré pour dimensionner et introduire au moins l'un desdits filtres (26) dans lesdites capsules (22) ;
    - un poste de sortie (15) configuré pour fournir à la sortie, ou à des postes de travail suivants, une pluralité desdits articles (20) obtenus ;
    - un dispositif de transfert (16) pourvu d'un ou plusieurs éléments récepteurs (18) configurés pour recevoir une pluralité desdites capsules (22), ledit dispositif de transfert (16) étant configuré pour transférer et positionner lesdites capsules (22) à partir dudit poste d'alimentation de capsules (11) vers ledit poste de sortie (15), le long d'un trajet de transfert (P),
    caractérisée en ce que ladite machine comprend également :
    - un poste de fermeture de capsules (14) pourvue d'au moins une unité de fermeture (40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, afin de fermer ladite ouverture (23) desdites capsules (22) pour former lesdits articles encapsulés (20).
  12. Méthode de fermeture pour fermer une ouverture (23) d'au moins une capsule (22) avec un élément de fermeture (28) pour former un article encapsulé (20), ladite méthode étant effectuée par une unité de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, et comprenant :
    - une étape de fourniture d'au moins un élément de fermeture (28) à un dispositif de mise en prise (43) ;
    - une étape de positionnement du au moins un élément de fermeture (28) en relation directe avec ladite ouverture (23) de ladite capsule (22) ;
    - une étape de soudage dans laquelle un dispositif de soudage (45) intègre ledit élément de fermeture (28) en connexion directe au moins avec une partie de butée (25) de ladite capsule (22) ;
    dans laquelle ladite étape de positionnement prévoit de positionner ledit élément de fermeture (28) selon un angle de mise en prise (θ), ledit angle de mise en prise (θ) étant défini comme l'angle compris entre un premier plan de couchage (π) de ladite ouverture (23) et un second plan de couchage (γ) dudit élément de fermeture (28) et dans laquelle la méthode comprend également une étape de mise en prise, avec ledit angle de mise en prise (θ), dudit élément de fermeture (28) avec ladite capsule (22) ; la méthode étant caractérisée en ce qu'un siège de maintien (44), qui est configuré pour être temporairement associé audit élément de fermeture (28), et qui est compris dans ledit dispositif de mise en prise (43), est configuré pour recevoir ou retirer lesdits éléments de fermeture (28) en les maintenant par interférence.
  13. Méthode selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que ledit angle de mise en prise (θ) est un angle aigu supérieur à 0°.
  14. Méthode selon la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisée en ce que ladite étape de mise en prise prévoit que ledit élément de fermeture (28) est mis en contact au moins avec ladite partie de butée (25) de ladite capsule (22) selon ledit angle de mise en prise (θ).
  15. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, caractérisée en ce que ladite étape de soudage prévoit que ledit élément de fermeture (28) est extrait dudit dispositif de mise en prise (43) et positionné pour un soudage au moyen d'un élément de soudage spécifique (55) dudit dispositif de soudage (45).
  16. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 15, caractérisée en ce que ladite étape de mise en prise prévoit de déplacer ledit élément de fermeture (28) selon une trajectoire (T) en forme d'arc de circonférence.
  17. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 16, caractérisée en ce que durant ladite étape de mise en prise, elle est prévue pour déformer temporairement ledit élément de fermeture (28).
EP17780132.1A 2016-10-10 2017-10-10 Machine et procédé de fabrication d'articles encapsulés Active EP3523207B1 (fr)

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IT102016000101508A IT201600101508A1 (it) 2016-10-10 2016-10-10 Macchina e metodo per la realizzazione di articoli in capsula
PCT/EP2017/075825 WO2018069328A1 (fr) 2016-10-10 2017-10-10 Machine et procédé de fabrication d'articles encapsulés

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GB201901198D0 (en) * 2019-01-29 2019-03-20 British American Tobacco Investments Ltd Method and apparatus for manufacturing a consumable unit for an inhalation device, and a consumable unit for an inhalation device
GB201901204D0 (en) * 2019-01-29 2019-03-20 British American Tobacco Investments Ltd Method and apparatus for manufacturing a consumable unit for an inhalation device, and a consumable unit for an inhalation device
IT202200010010A1 (it) * 2022-05-16 2023-11-16 Ima Spa Apparato per la realizzazione di capsule e relativo metodo di realizzazione di capsule.

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DE3626734A1 (de) * 1986-08-07 1988-02-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Maschine zum sortieren, fuellen und verschliessen von hohlkoerpern
CN202750708U (zh) * 2012-08-17 2013-02-27 深圳市愉康科技有限公司 电子烟的改良结构
EP2964536B1 (fr) * 2013-03-06 2017-02-01 GIMA S.p.A. Machine à capsule de boisson pour réaliser des capsules de boisson à usage unique
WO2014161089A1 (fr) * 2013-04-03 2014-10-09 2266170 Ontario Inc. Machine à dosettes et composants
CN103750570B (zh) * 2014-01-15 2016-02-24 林光榕 方便注液的电子烟及制造方法和注液方法
EP3094468B1 (fr) * 2014-01-17 2020-01-01 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. Dispositif à ultrasons pour le scellement et le découpage
WO2016088023A1 (fr) * 2014-12-01 2016-06-09 G.D S.P.A. Machine de fabrication en continu de capsules pour boisson
ITUB20153811A1 (it) * 2015-09-22 2017-03-22 Gd Spa Macchina per la produzione di cartucce per sigarette elettroniche e impianto per la produzione di confezioni contenenti dette cartucce per sigarette elettroniche.

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EP3523207A1 (fr) 2019-08-14
CN110139803A (zh) 2019-08-16

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