CH717843A2 - Machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for drinks. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (1) for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, the contents of which are in a protective atmosphere, the machine comprising at least one transport system (2) for capsules comprising one or more radial supports (21), and at least one welding system (3) comprising a carousel (31), one or more upper pistons each comprising at least one gasket, one or more lower pistons each comprising at least one gasket, one or more fluid extraction means, one or more means of introduction of fluids and one or more welding means contained in the one or more upper pistons and coaxial to them, and where the one or more upper pistons and the one or more lower pistons are vertically coaxial with the one or more supports radial (21). The one or more radial supports (21) comprise one or more fluid communication channels (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d); the one or more upper pistons (32), the one or more lower pistons (34), and the one or more radial supports are adapted to form a sealed containment chamber for a capsule.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages and to a method for producing such capsules using the machine of the invention.

[0002] Automatic machines for the preparation of beverages such as tea and coffee that use disposable capsules have been on the market for some time. Such machines are appreciated by consumers for their ease of use and for the large variety of drinks that can be prepared without effort.

[0003] It is known that strongly aromatic beverages such as tea and coffee rapidly change their organoleptic qualities in contact with the oxygen present in the air. Coffee in particular quickly loses its aromas during grinding and must be used quickly unless it is stored under a protective atmosphere.

[0004] The production of disposable capsules for beverages therefore necessarily requires the introduction of this protective atmosphere inside the hermetically sealed capsule, so that the capsule can be used without loss of quality even after several months.

[0005] The introduction of a protective atmosphere consequently requires a previous step of extracting the air present in the capsule by means of a vacuum pump or similar procedure. However, the removal of the air normally generates a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the capsule which can damage the capsule itself, as well as causing aspiration and spreading of the contents of the capsule with consequent reduction of productivity and economy of the production process.

[0006] There is therefore a need to produce such disposable capsules without damaging them. Additionally, the machine may be capable of producing such capsules without dispersing their contents, while maintaining a high degree of protection of the aforesaid content. The technical task proposed by the present invention is, therefore, to provide a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages which allows to eliminate the technical drawbacks complained of in the known art.

[0007] Within the scope of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a method of continuous production of such capsules through the machine of the invention.

[0008] The technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention are achieved by realizing a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, comprising at least one transport system for capsules comprising one or more radial supports, and at least one welding system comprising a carousel, one or more upper pistons each comprising at least one gasket, one or more lower pistons each comprising at least one gasket, one or more fluid extraction means, one or more fluid introduction means and one or more welding means contained in the one or more upper pistons and coaxial to them, and where the one or more upper pistons and the one or more lower pistons are vertically coaxial with the one or more radial supports such machine characterized in that the one or more radial supports comprise one or more fluid communication channels; and in that the one or more upper pistons, the one or more lower pistons, and the one or more radial supports are adapted to form a sealed containment chamber for a capsule.

In addition, the method of the present invention comprises the following steps carried out continuously and cyclically: a. Provide a disposable beverage capsule (50) in a radial holder (21); b. Place a lid (51) on the capsule; c. Secure the lid with one or more staples (52) so that the lid allows the communication of fluids between the inside and the outside of the capsule (50); d. Transporting the radial support (21) comprising the capsule (50) in the carousel (31); And. Modulate the radial speed of the upper piston (32), of the lower piston (34) and of the radial support (21) so that they are coaxially aligned and that their relative speed is zero; f. Operate the upper piston (32) so that the gasket (33) abuts the upper portion of the radial support (21) outside the fluid communication channels (22); g. Operate the lower piston (34) so that the gasket (35) comes into contact with the lower portion of the radial support (21), thus forming a chamber (39) around the capsule (50) defined by the upper piston (32), from the radial support (21), from the fluid communication channels (22), and from the lower piston (34); h. Operate the fluid extraction means (36) to reduce the pressure in the capsule (50) and chamber (39); the. Operate the fluid introduction means (37) to increase the pressure in the capsule (50) and chamber (39); j. Activate the sealing means (38) to hermetically close the capsule (50) and the lid (51); k. Separate the upper piston (32) and the lower piston (34) from the radial support (21); L. Eject the capsule (50).

[0010] Other characteristics of the present invention are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the machine according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view of the machine for the production of disposable capsules for beverages; figure 2 shows a section of the carousel during the piston closing operation; Figure 3 shows a section of the carousel during the operation of extracting and introducing fluids; figure 4 shows a section of the carousel during the welding operation.

[0012] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a machine for the production of disposable capsules for beverages is shown, indicated as a whole with the reference number 1.

[0013] The machine comprises two main parts, in particular a transport system for the capsules 2 and a sealing system for the capsules 3.

[0014] The transport system for the capsules 2 comprises one or more radial supports 21 inside which rests a capsule 50 provided with a lid 51. The lid 51 is hooked to the capsule 50 by means of one or more points 52. In the detail of figure 1 four points 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d are visible. These tacking 52 allow to stop the lid 51 on the capsule 50, but to maintain a communication of fluids between the inside and the outside of the capsule, since the tacking does not hermetically close the capsule 50 with the lid 51. The tacking 52 are obtained by means of known methods.

[0015] In the radial support 21 there are one or more communication channels for fluids 22. In the detail of Figure 1, four communication channels for fluids 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are visible. As will be seen below, these fluid communication channels 22 make it possible to connect all portions of the machine so that the extraction and introduction of fluids before the welding operation does not create a pressure difference between the interior and the outside of the capsule, thus preventing the capsule from being crushed or damaged.

[0016] The welding system 3 comprises a carousel 31 which operates continuously and cyclically, allowing increased productivity.

[0017] In Figure 2 it is possible to observe a vertical section of the carousel 31, in which an upper piston 32 and a lower piston 34 are visible, vertically coaxial with each other. A gasket 33 is associated with the upper piston 32, while a gasket 35 is associated with the lower piston 34. In the upper piston 33 there are also welding means 38 which are also vertically coaxial with the pistons 32 and 34, which weld the lid 51 to the capsule 50. Said welding means 38 can be electric or induction or suitable for any other welding method known in the art to hermetically join the two parts of the capsule.

[0018] There are also a means of extracting fluids 36 and a means of introducing fluids 37. These means of extracting 36 and introducing 37 fluids are shown in figure 2 connected to the upper piston 32, but can also be connected to the support radial 21 or to the lower piston 34. For constructive convenience it is not necessary that they are both connected to the same part, but they can also be connected to different parts.

[0019] Since the machine 1 operates continuously and cyclically, when the radial support 21 enters the carousel 31 its radial speed must be controlled and adapted so that it is arranged coaxially vertically with the two pistons 32 and 34, and so that the relative speed of these parts is zero.

[0020] In the operation of closing the pistons 32, 34 on the radial support 21, the upper piston 32 abuts through the gasket 33 on the upper part of the radial support 21. It should be noted that the gasket 33 is located outside the means of communication of fluids 22, which are therefore enclosed by the gasket 33. The diameter of the gasket 33 is therefore greater than the maximum distance between the means of communication of fluids 22. Subsequently, the piston 34 abuts through the gasket 35 on the lower part of the radial support 21.

[0021] As can be seen from Figure 3, after the closure of the two pistons 32, 34 on the radial support 21 a chamber 39 is formed around the capsule 50 kept in communication of fluids by one or more communication channels of fluids 22. In the section of figure 3 two such channels 22a and 22c can be distinguished.

[0022] After closing the chamber 39, the fluid extraction means 36 extract the atmosphere present in the chamber itself, while the fluid introduction means 37 replace this said atmosphere with an inert gas. By inert gas we mean any combination of gas that allows to avoid oxidation and in general the degradation of the contents of the capsule by forming a protective atmosphere. Preferably, the inert gas comprises nitrogen, argon, or a combination of these gases.

[0023] The operation of replacing the atmosphere in the chamber 39 is carried out along the rotation around the axis of the carousel 31, without interrupting the movement of the machine.

[0024] In figure 4 it can be seen how, after having replaced the atmosphere in the chamber 39, the welding means 38 are operated on the lid 51 of the capsule 50 to obtain a hermetic closure which therefore traps the protective atmosphere in the capsule. Also during the welding operation the carousel 31 is in continuous movement. In the continuation of the continuous motion of the carousel 31 the two pistons 32 and 34 are separated from the radial support 21 so as to open the chamber 39 and subsequently the capsule 50 is expelled from the radial support 21. Once released from the capsule 50, the radial support 21 is available to accommodate a new capsule and thus continue production in a continuous and cyclical manner.

[0025] Thanks to the presence of the fluid communication channels 22 it is therefore possible to replace the atmosphere in the capsule 50 without causing damage to the capsule itself, since the pressure is identical between the outside (therefore in the chamber 39) and the inside of the capsule and therefore there is no pressure difference capable of crushing or damaging the walls of the capsule. Additionally, the presence of the lid 51 aimed at the capsule 50 before starting the fluid replacement operations allows to prevent the contents of the capsule from being aspirated during the evacuation operation.

[0026] Thanks to the machine of the present invention and to the method of operation of the machine of the present invention it is therefore possible to produce in a continuous, rapid and economical way disposable capsules for beverages whose content is in a protected atmosphere and which do not have structural defects of manufacture. The machine thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims (6)

1. Machine (1) for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, comprising at least one transport system (2) for capsules comprising one or more radial supports (21), and at least one sealing system (3) comprising a carousel ( 31), one or more upper pistons (32) each comprising at least one gasket (33), one or more lower pistons (34) each comprising at least one gasket (35), one or more fluid extraction means (36), one or more means for introducing fluids (37) and one or more welding means (38) contained in the one or more upper pistons (32) and coaxial to them, and where the one or more upper pistons (32) and the 'one or more lower pistons (34) are vertically coaxial with the one or more radial supports (21) this machine characterized in that the one or more radial supports (21) comprise one or more fluid communication channels (22 ), and by the fact that the one or more upper pistons (32), the one or more lower pistons (34), and the one or more on radial ports (21) are adapted to form a sealed containment chamber (39) for a capsule. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to claim 1, characterized in that said one or more means for extracting fluids (36) and / or said one or more means for introducing fluids (37) are placed in connection with said one or more upper pistons (32) and / or with said one or more lower pistons (34) and / or with said one or more radial supports (21). 3. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more fluid extraction means (36) are connected to one or more vacuum pumps. 4. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more welding means (38) are electric or induction. Method for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages by the machine of one of claims 1-4, comprising the following steps carried out continuously and cyclically: to. Provide a disposable beverage capsule (50) in a radial holder (21); b. Place a lid (51) on the capsule; c. Secure the lid with one or more points (52) so that the lid allows the communication of fluids between the inside and the outside of the capsule (50); d. Transporting the radial support (21) comprising the capsule (50) in the carousel (31); And. Modulate the radial speed of the upper piston (32), of the lower piston (34) and of the radial support (21) so that they are coaxially aligned and that their relative speed is zero; f. Operate the upper piston (32) so that the gasket (33) abuts the upper portion of the radial support (21) outside the fluid communication channels (22); g. Operate the lower piston (34) so that the gasket (35) comes into contact with the lower portion of the radial support (21), thus forming a chamber (39) around the capsule (50) defined by the upper piston (32), from the radial support (21), from the fluid communication channels (22), and from the lower piston (34); h. Operate the fluid extraction means (36) to reduce the pressure in the capsule (50) and chamber (39); the. Operate the fluid introduction means (37) to increase the pressure in the capsule (50) and chamber (39); j. Activate the sealing means (38) to hermetically close the capsule (50) and the lid (51); k. Separate the upper piston (32) and the lower piston (34) from the radial support (21); 1. Eject the capsule (50). The continuous method for the continuous production of disposable beverage capsules of claim 5, characterized in that the fluid introduced into the capsule (50) is an inert gas.