CN110691738A

CN110691738A - Machine and method for making encapsulated articles

Info

Publication number: CN110691738A
Application number: CN201780076000.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 菲奥伦佐·德拉盖蒂
Original assignee: Gima TT SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2016-10-10
Filing date: 2017-10-10
Publication date: 2020-01-14
Also published as: EP3523205B1; PL3523205T3; EP3523205A1; WO2018069297A1; IT201600101450A1

Abstract

A unit for cutting filters (26) associated with capsules (22), comprising a positioning device (44), the positioning device (40) being configured to receive and guide at least one rod (40), the at least one rod (40) being made of a filtering material pre-cut to a desired size, a plurality of filters (26) being made from the at least one rod (40); a cutting device (62) configured to cut at least one rod (40), sequentially making a single filter (26), the length of the single filter (26) being a fraction of the length of the rod (40); a thrust member (52), the thrust member (52) cooperating with the cutting device (62) and being configured so as to advance the rod (40) stepwise along the cutting path (C) in coordination with the cutting action, so as to make a single filter (26) from the rod (40); a retaining member (68, 69), the retaining member (68, 69) being associated with the cutting device (62) and cooperating with the positioning device (44). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a filter (26) associated with a capsule (22), and to a machine and a connection method for manufacturing an encapsulated product (20).

Description

Machine and method for making encapsulated articles

Technical Field

The embodiments described herein relate to a machine for manufacturing capsules comprising a reagent product and a filter and a corresponding method.

In particular, embodiments described herein relate to a machine that produces encapsulated articles that may be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other vaporization or flavoring equipment.

Background

Encapsulated articles are known for inhalation or smoking of substances contained therein and may be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other inhalation devices which are typically provided with a reservoir for a liquid, such as water or an aqueous mixture, and a vaporisation or nebuliser device. The encapsulated articles in question generally comprise a container or capsule containing a predefined dose or quantity of a particular product or reagent substance, for example tobacco or other substance to be inhaled; and a filter. The suction or inhalation action generated by the user generates a suction air flow in which the evaporated or aerosolized liquid is drawn, thereby forcing the suction air flow through the reagent substance. The channel extracts or draws a flavouring substance and/or an active ingredient contained in the same reagent substance, which is then aspirated or inhaled by the user.

In such capsules, the product and the filter are held in place by means of special closing elements which prevent the product and/or the filter from leaving, but at the same time allow the passage of the steam, fumes and/or aromas to the outside.

For example, capsules are known containing a dose of tobacco and a filter, which can be used in a suitable device or electronic cigarette, the capsule having means to heat the tobacco dose.

The capsule production in question brings about the following problems: the filter is cut to the exact length required and inserted correctly into the capsule.

The filters are generally obtained from a length of filter material, which is provided in a substantially cylindrical rod or bar, shaped according to their function and pre-cut to the desired size, from which a plurality of individual filters are obtained, the length of which is a fraction of the length of the rod from which the individual filters are made.

Each time, therefore, the rod must be cut to size, with minimum tolerances, both to minimize any possible production waste and refuse, and to obtain a filter of optimal length for the function performed by the rod, and to maintain a correct housing in the capsule, also in order not to take up space for other things.

A known machine for cutting to size the individual elongated elements is described in patent application WO-a 1-2016/124297. This document relates to a cutting machine suitable for cutting rolls of paper or similar cellulose-based products having a high axial dimension into individual rolls. The machine comprises a device for gripping the rolls while they are being cut. Clamping devices are provided upstream and downstream of the cutting area to hold the rolls against the thrust exerted on them by the cutting blades.

One drawback of this machine is that it does not allow to cut precisely and accurately elements having a very small diameter, such as for example the rods from which the filter can be obtained. In fact, the machine described in this document does not allow to firmly and reliably grip the rods of the filter during cutting, since the clamping device comprised by the machine is not suitable for holding the rods of the filter due to its narrow and elongated shape, and to the nature of the material from which the rods are made, which is flexible, not rigid.

Therefore, there is a need to obtain a machine and a method for manufacturing encapsulated articles of the above-mentioned type which allow the operations of filling and closing the capsules to be carried out quickly and automatically.

In view of market requirements, the machine and method must be able to support high production mechanisms.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for obtaining capsules that allow in particular to obtain filters of determined length and to reduce to a minimum any possible production waste and waste.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for obtaining complete capsules in a very fast time and with a very high quality level.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for obtaining a filter and for filling and closing capsules which is simple and efficient to manufacture and use.

Another object is to obtain a method and a connecting machine which are easy to manufacture, manage and maintain.

Another purpose is to obtain a machine and a connection method that allow to obtain filters suitable for this purpose from rods or strips and to position them in capsules in the desired position.

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.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

Embodiments described herein relate to a machine for manufacturing encapsulated articles. The article comprises a container or capsule, in this case having a closed bottom (advantageously, having holes), containing a dose of reagent product; a filter disposed above the reagent product; and a closure element attached to the container and configured to hold the filter in place and seal the entire filter, but at the same time allow steam and/or aroma to pass outwardly.

According to the invention, the reagent product may be tobacco or other material, depending on the destination and/or use of the capsule.

According to some embodiments, the reagent product may be in powder form, chopped, granular form, bar form, or the like.

For example, the capsule may be used in association with an electronic cigarette, a vaporisation device or a device known in the smoking article art as a "carboniser" and provided with a resistance and a resistive feed line to heat the reagent product and generate a fragrance/vapour which may be inhaled by a user in a similar manner to conventional smoking articles.

According to other embodiments, the capsule can also be applied in an evaporator/vaporizer device of a device for drugs, antiparasitic substances or for perfuming rooms, provided with means adapted to heat the agent product in the capsule and obtain an aroma/vapor.

According to some embodiments, the filter is obtained from a substantially cylindrical rod, of suitable material, size and configuration, and is selected according to the size of the capsule, the type of product and the requirements of use of the capsule.

According to a variant, the invention also applies when a strip is used instead of a rod.

Thereafter, we will advantageously consider the following: the filter is obtained from rods that are ready for use, or by cutting the product strip into rods or the like.

The machine according to the invention advantageously comprises, in its general construction, a capsule infeed station in which empty capsules are fed in the correct orientation; an outlet station from which the whole capsule is removed to be sent to a subsequent packaging step; and a transfer device provided with one or more receiver members, each adapted to receive one or more capsules and to transfer them along a transfer path from a capsule feeding station to an outlet station.

According to some embodiments, along the transport path, the machine may comprise a station for metering and introducing the reagent product, a station for cutting and inserting the filter, and a capsule closing station.

According to one aspect of the invention, in correspondence with the station for cutting and inserting the filter, the machine comprises a unit for cutting the filter, configured to cut the filter to the precise length desired; and a unit for inserting the filter into the capsule.

According to some embodiments, the filter cutting unit comprises a cutting device and a positioning device configured to position each time a new rod, which with its head end is located in a desired reference position with respect to the cutting device.

The positioning means cooperate with a thrust member configured to feed the bars along the cutting path and to position the bars each time in a predefined position with respect to the cutting device.

The positioning device is further provided with a holding member cooperating with the cutting device and/or the positioning device and configured to hold the bar above and below the cutting device at least during cutting of the bar, thereby preventing rotation of the bar.

According to one aspect of the invention, the filter cutting unit comprises a retaining member associated with the cutting device and cooperating with the positioning device so as to retain the rods upstream and downstream of the cutting device along the cutting path, at least while the rods are severed.

According to a possible solution, the filter cutting unit comprises a first retaining member configured to temporarily retain the head end of the rod and positioned below the cutting device; and a second retaining member configured to temporarily retain the rod above the cutting device.

By providing two holding members above and below the cutting device, it allows to obtain a clean and precise cut of the rod at a time, so as to obtain a filter having the required length and with very tight tolerances, without burrs or breaks.

According to some embodiments, the first retaining member and/or the second retaining member is/are movable.

According to one aspect of the invention, the retaining member defines a support plate which is rotatable about an axis so as to transfer each time a respective filter retained by the retaining member from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit to a second position aligned with the introduction device which introduces the filter into a respective capsule.

According to other embodiments, the first retaining member comprises a rib or protrusion arranged in the longitudinal direction configured to exert lateral and local pressure on the rod retained therein.

According to a variant, the first retaining member has means for opening and releasing the filter.

Embodiments described herein also relate to a method of manufacturing a filter, the method providing:

-receiving a rod from the transfer tube in the positioning device, the rod being made of a material suitable for making a filter;

-positioning and holding the rod each time with the head end of the rod in a desired reference position with respect to the cutting device;

-feeding the rod to the cutting device by advancing it progressively through the thrust member;

-keeping the rod above and below the cutting device at least during the cutting thereof by the cutting device, in order to obtain a filter having the required precise length.

According to an aspect of the present invention, while holding the rod, the method of manufacturing the filter provides: each time the individual filter obtained by means of the cutting bar is transferred from a first position, aligned with the filter cutting unit, to a second position, aligned with the device for introducing the filter into the respective capsule.

In a preferred embodiment, the same retaining members all retain the rods and convey the respective filters.

According to other embodiments, the first holding member and the second holding member are activated/deactivated in accordance with driving of the thrust member. In particular, the retaining member is deactivated when the thrust member is advancing the end of the rod stepwise, and is activated and remains active at least during the cutting phase when the thrust member completes one step.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present application will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application.

The various aspects and features described in this specification may be applied separately where possible. These individual aspects (e.g. aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims) may be the subject of divisional applications.

It should be understood that any aspect or feature found in the claims that is known is not to be claimed and should be the subject of disclaimer.

Drawings

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic top view of a machine for manufacturing encapsulated articles according to embodiments described herein;

figures 2a and 2b show an exploded view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an encapsulated article according to embodiments described herein;

figure 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the station of the device in figure 1;

figure 4 is a partial top schematic view of the station in figure 3, with some elements removed so as to enable the others to be seen;

figure 4a is an enlarged detail of figure 4;

figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of figure 3 with the extractor in the filling position;

figure 6 is the cross-sectional view in figure 3 with the extractor in the cutting position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4;

figures 8 to 11 are cross-sectional views of a subsequent step of the jumper and of the cutting filter;

fig. 8a and 9a are enlarged details of fig. 8 and 9, respectively.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be readily combined with other embodiments without further elaboration.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. For example, because features illustrated or described are part of one embodiment, they can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is to be understood that the invention is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that this description is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components as described in the following description using the figures. This description may provide other embodiments, and may be obtained or carried out in various other ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The embodiments described herein using the figures relate to a machine 10 for manufacturing encapsulated articles 20. In particular, machine 10 may be advantageously used for manufacturing an encapsulated article 20 for inhaling or breathing a substance contained therein, for example associated with a vaporizer or a flavouring device, such as an electronic cigarette or the like.

Fig. 2a and 2b show a possible embodiment of an article 20 of the type in question, the article 20 comprising a container 22, also called capsule, the container 22 defining a housing cavity 27, the housing cavity 27 being adapted to contain inside it a dose of reagent product 24 and a filter 26.

By way of non-limiting example, the filter 26 may comprise cellulose acetate, cotton, paper, or a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the bottom of the container 22 is provided with holes of various sizes to allow air, steam, etc. to pass through them, but at the same time prevent the reagent product 24 from exiting through them.

According to the present invention, the reagent product 24 may be tobacco or other material relevant to the destination and/or use of the article 20.

According to some embodiments, the reagent product may be in powder form, chopped, ground, granular form, prilled form, or the like.

According to a possible embodiment, the article 20 may also comprise a closing element 28, the closing element 28 being configured to close the capsule 22 so that the dose of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 do not exit from the housing cavity 27.

According to a possible embodiment, the capsule 22 may have a substantially tubular shape with a desired cross-sectional shape, such as, for example, a circle or a polygon, characterized by an equivalent diameter. In the case of a cylindrical capsule 22, the equivalent diameter corresponds to the diameter of a circular section.

According to a possible embodiment, the capsule 22 has a first closed end 22a and a second end 22b, the second end 22b being opposite the first end 22a, the second end 22b having an aperture 23, the dose of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 being introducible through the aperture 23.

According to a possible embodiment, the capsule 22 may comprise an abutment portion 25, the outer equivalent diameter of the abutment portion 25 being greater than the average size of the equivalent diameter of the capsule 22. For example, the abutment portion 25 may comprise an annular crown, a protrusion or the like, so as to provide a certain predefined abutment reference for the closing element 28 when the closing element 28 closes the capsule 22.

According to a possible embodiment, the closing element 28 has a shape that cooperates with the capsule 22 and may have a hole 28a or a plurality of holes. The aperture 28a allows the substance produced by the dose of reagent product 24 during use to pass from the inside to the outside of the capsule 22 through the filter 26. In this way, in the case of application to an electronic cigarette, a user can smoke the aroma of tobacco in a manner similar to that of a conventional smoking article.

According to a possible embodiment, the closing element 28 may have an annular shape and in this case is also called a ring.

According to a possible embodiment, the capsule 22 may comprise a positioning abutment 29 inside the housing cavity 27, which positioning abutment 29 is configured to hold the filter 26 in a certain predefined position in the housing cavity 27.

The production of the encapsulated articles 20 requires several successive steps to be performed one after the other. In particular, according to a possible formulation of the invention, the operating steps provide for supplying at least one capsule 22, inserting inside it a suitable dose of reagent product 24, then inserting a filter 26 sized according to production requirements to close the capsule 22 with a closing element 28, and supplying the obtained encapsulated product 20 to other work stations in order to perform possible other operating steps.

According to a possible embodiment, the applicant has studied, experimented and manufactured a machine 10 which allows to perform these operations quickly and accurately, one after the other.

According to a possible embodiment, the machine 10 for manufacturing the encapsulated articles 20 may comprise a capsule feed station 11, also called capsule inlet station; and an exit station 15 from which the encapsulation bladder 20 is removed and sent to a subsequent workstation or for packaging.

According to a possible embodiment, the exit station 15 may provide for performing one or more control operations on the obtained articles 20 (such as, for example, weight, sealing, size, etc.) before delivering the encapsulated articles 20.

According to a possible embodiment, the machine 10 may comprise a conveying device 16, the conveying device 16 being provided with one or more receiver members 18, each receiver member 18 being adapted to receive one or more capsules 22 and being configured to convey and position the capsules 22 along a conveying path P from the capsule feeding station 11 to the outlet station 15.

According to a possible embodiment, a plurality of intermediate operating stations, indicated in the figures by the

numbers

12, 13, 14, may be provided along the conveying path P one after the other between the inlet station 11 or the capsule feeding station and the outlet station.

According to a possible solution, the machine 10 may comprise a station 12 for metering and introducing the reagent products, a station 13 for cutting and inserting the filters, and a capsule closing station 14.

According to some embodiments, the transfer device 16 may comprise a transfer wheel 17, which transfer wheel 17 is provided with at least one receiver member 18 on its circumference.

With reference to the figures, the transfer wheel 17 is configured to rotate about its own central axis X so as to arrange along the path P receiver members 18 each time corresponding to a work station of the machine 10.

It should be noted that this is only one possible embodiment of the transfer device 16 and does not exclude that it may comprise other similar transfer mechanisms, such as for example linear transfer mechanisms or other types.

According to some embodiments, the transfer wheel 17 may be rotated stepwise, i.e. intermittently, to move the receiver member 18 along the transfer path P each time.

According to some embodiments, the receiver member 18 may include a support plate 32, the support plate 32 being provided with an established number of housing seats 34, into which the capsules 22 may be inserted.

According to some embodiments, the housing seat 34 may be a through hole made in the support plate 32, wherein the capsule 22 is positioned with the lower part of the abutting portion 25 of the capsule resting on the support plate 32.

According to other possible embodiments, the housing seat 34 may be shaped in cooperation with the segments or abutment portions 25 of the capsule 22 so as to hold the latter in position and prevent them from moving at least laterally and downwards.

According to some embodiments, each support plate 32 includes the same number of housing mounts 34, e.g., six as shown, but the number may be smaller or larger.

According to some embodiments, in the capsule feeding station 11, a capsule feeding device 22 (not shown) is provided and is configured to position a capsule 22 oriented with an upwardly facing aperture 23 in each housing 34 of the receiver member 18, which is positioned in correspondence with the capsule feeding station 11.

According to some embodiments, the reagent product metering and introduction station 12 may comprise a dosing and introduction device (not shown) configured to be introduced into each capsule 22 present in a receptacle mechanism 18, the receptacle mechanism 18 being located in said reagent product metering and introduction station 12, the required weight and/or volume of a dose of reagent product 24 depending on the size and/or production requirements of the housing cavity 27.

With reference to fig. 1, downstream of the reagent product metering and introduction station 12, along the conveying path P, there is a filter cutting and insertion station 13, in which filter cutting and insertion station 13 there may be provided a filter cutting unit 42, which filter cutting unit 12 will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the filter cutting and insertion station 13 being configured to cut the filters 26 to the specific length required.

An introduction device 43 may also be present in the filter cutting and insertion station 13 to introduce a filter 26, which may be found in the filter cutting and insertion station 13, above the dose of reagent product 24, into each capsule 22 present in the receiver member 18.

According to some embodiments, downstream of the filter cutting and insertion station 13, along the conveying path P, a capsule closing station 14 may be provided. In the station 14, there may be a unit (not shown) for closing the capsule 22 configured to feed a closing element 28 to position the closing element 28 on the capsule 22 and to attach the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.

Finally, at the exit station 15, means for controlling the obtained product, and/or removal means (not shown) configured to remove the obtained encapsulated article 20 and to convey it to a subsequent packaging station, may be provided.

According to some embodiments, a filter cutting unit 42 is connected to and cooperates with a feed device 38, the feed device 38 being configured to supply rods 40 made of a suitable material for making the filter 26.

According to some embodiments, the overall length of the rod 40 corresponds to about 20 to 30 times the length of a single filter 26. For example, the length of the rod 40 may be about 110 to 130mm, and the length of each filter 26 is comprised between about 4.5mm and about 5 mm.

For example, according to a possible embodiment, the feeding device 38 may comprise conveying pipes 39, which conveying pipes 39 are arranged adjacent to each other and are configured to feed rods 40, wherein the head ends 40a of the rods 40 face the filter cutting unit 42.

According to other embodiments, in correspondence with the open end of the conveying tube 39 facing the filter cutting unit 42, a detection device 41 may be provided, the detection device 41 being configured to detect the presence of the rod 40 inside the conveying tube 39. The detection device 41 may be, for example, an optical sensor or the like.

According to some embodiments, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises a positioning device 44, which positioning device 44 is configured to position the head end 40a of the rod each time relative to the cutting device 62.

According to some embodiments, the cutting unit 42 further comprises a thrust member 52, the thrust member 52 being configured to progressively push the rod 40 along the cutting path C by advancing the head end 40a towards the cutting device 62 a determined portion at a time, the determined portion being equal to the length of the filter 26.

According to some embodiments, the positioning device 44 comprises means of controlling and aligning the rod 40, at least one alignment member 45 of the rod 40 being configured to position and maintain the head end 40a of the rod 40 in a determined reference position. In particular, the alignment member 45 is configured to interfere with the head end 40a of the rod 40, proximal with respect to the cutting device 62, preventing any automatic advancement thereof by clamping it in a determined reference position. In this way, it is also possible to determine a reference position of the rear end 40b of the bar 40, which is remote from the cutting device 62, on which the thrust member 52 acts.

In particular, the alignment member 45 may be defined by a tapered portion, wherein the diameter of the tapered portion is gradually reduced, the tapered portion being adapted to define a friction or progressive resistance force on the rod 40. The weight of the rod 40 cannot overcome the friction, the rod 40 being made of a very light material, but can be overcome by the thrust member 52 acting on its rear end 40 b.

According to a possible solution, the alignment member 45 further comprises at least partially circumferential compression means adapted to circumferentially compress at least the head end 40a of the rod 40 in a desired manner.

According to some embodiments, the compression means is located near the cutting device 62 and is configured to prevent the rod 40 from moving independently.

According to some embodiments, the compression device may be disposed directly below alignment member 45.

According to a possible solution, the positioning device 44 comprises, as means for receiving the rod, an upper scoop or scoop 46, which upper scoop or scoop 46 is mobile and is provided with at least one housing cavity 47, which housing cavity 47 is adapted to receive and contain the rod 40.

According to some embodiments, the dip 46 is moved between a first filling position (fig. 5) in which it is aligned with the transfer tube 39, the transfer tube 39 defining the passage of the rod 40 from the transfer tube 39 to the housing cavity 47, and a second cutting position (fig. 6) in which it is aligned with the cutting apparatus 62.

According to a possible embodiment, the conveying tube 39 may be inclined by about 3-4 ° with respect to the vertical. According to these embodiments, dip 46 is inclined and, in the filling position, may be inclined with respect to the vertical by an angle related to the angle of transfer pipe 39. In this way, an inclined passage of the rod 40 is formed, which rod 40 can slide inside the housing cavity 47. The rod 40 is very light and any minimal obstruction prevents it from descending correctly.

According to a possible variant, a blowing member 37 may be provided, which blowing member 37 is arranged in correspondence with the outlet aperture of each transfer tube 39 and is configured to emit a blast of air on the tail end 40b of the rod 40 when the dip-catcher 46 is in the filling position, so as to facilitate the descent of the rod 40 into the respective housing cavity 47.

According to a possible solution, the dip 46 comprises a plurality of housing cavities 47, the housing cavities 47 being aligned with each other and in a coordinated position with the transfer tube 39, the number of housing cavities 47 being coordinated with the number of housing seats 34 in the receiving member 18, for example six, as shown in the accompanying figures.

According to some embodiments, each housing cavity 47 has a tubular shape with a section substantially congruent with the cross-section of the rod 40, with an inlet hole facing the outlet end of the transfer tube 39, and with an outlet hole at the opposite end.

According to other embodiments, the housing cavity 47 has an alignment portion 47a, corresponding to the outlet aperture, the alignment portion 47a defining the alignment member 45. In particular, the alignment portion 47a has a section that is progressively reduced until the section is substantially equal to that of the rod 40, so that the rod 40 can advance therein only when the rod 40 is subjected to the action of the thrust member 52.

According to other embodiments, the housing cavity 47 may have a mouth 47b having a funnel or truncated cone shape, with a wider section corresponding to the inlet hole to facilitate introduction of the rod 40 and its downward sliding.

According to some embodiments, the positioning device 44 comprises a fixed guide means 53, which fixed guide means 53 is advantageously provided with a plurality of guide channels 60. Each guide channel 60 is configured to allow the rod 40 to pass to the cutting device 62, thus keeping it in the correct position. Advantageously, when the aforementioned dippers 46 are in the cutting position, the guide channels 60 can each be arranged in alignment with a respective housing cavity 47 of the aforementioned dippers 46.

According to some embodiments, each guide channel 60 includes an alignment portion 49, the alignment portion 49 defining an alignment member 45, the alignment member 45 having a tapered section that gradually decreases until the tapered section is substantially equal to the diameter of the rod 40.

According to these embodiments, the compression means may be defined by the portion of the guide channel 60 located between the alignment portion 49 and the cutting device 62.

The autonomous advancement is not possible due to the action of the compression means, in correspondence of at least one of the

alignment portions

47a and 49, the rod 40 is aligned with the head end 40a and is advanced from this head end 40a by the action of the thrust member 52 using the precise steps defined.

According to some embodiments, thrust member 52 may engage scoop 46 when it is in the cutting position and engage guide channel 60 when scoop 46 is in the filling position.

According to these embodiments, the scooper 46 is provided with slits 46a in the longitudinal direction, one for each housing cavity 47, which slits 46a allow lateral access to the respective housing cavity 47, through which slits the thrust member 52 can be operated.

According to some embodiments, each guide channel 60 further comprises a longitudinal hole 60a, which longitudinal hole 60a is aligned with the slit 46a of the housing cavity 47 in the cutting position of the drawer 46, along which longitudinal hole 60a the thrust member 52 can operate.

According to a possible embodiment, the thrust member 52 comprises a thrust element 54, which thrust element 54 can be positioned in contact with the rear end 40b of the rod 40, able to act on this rear end 40b to push it downwards.

According to other embodiments, thrust element 54 has a transverse dimension slightly smaller than that of slot 46a, and is therefore able to pass through it to disengage from scoop 46.

According to some embodiments, thrust member 52 comprises a drive member 55, which drive member 55 is connected to thrust element 54 and is configured to move it stepwise in a vertical direction parallel to the longitudinal development of extractor 46.

Each time, the step of the thrust member 52 will correspond to the desired length of the filter 26.

According to some embodiments, the drive member 55 can move the thrust element 54 between an upper end-of-travel position (established, for example, according to a defined reference position of the tail end 40b of the rod 40) and a lower end-of-travel position (established, for example, according to the position of the cutting device 62 or the number and/or length of filters 26 to be obtained).

According to a possible embodiment, the drive member 55 may be a linear actuator of the type comprising, for example, a fixed cylinder 56 and a shaft 57, which is able to slide in the cylinder 56 and to which the thrust element 54 is connected.

According to a possible embodiment, a single thrust element 54 may be provided, this single thrust element 54 being configured to push simultaneously all the rods 40 present in their respective housing cavities 47 by the same step. For example, according to the embodiment described using the figures, in which there are six housing cavities 47, thrust element 54 may comprise a comb 58, which comb 58 is provided with six teeth 59, each tooth being adapted to act on the tail end 40b of rod 40 contained in a respective housing cavity 47.

According to a possible solution, it may be provided that the thrust element 54 may be provided with a feeler member or sensor adapted to detect the position of the tail end 40b to verify their actual position.

According to a possible solution, positioning device 44 comprises a shutter element 50, which shutter element 50 is configured to close the hole of transfer tube 39 when dip 46 is moved to the cutting position, thus preventing the other rods 40 from passing downwards. According to some embodiments, for example, shutter element 50 may be a tongue provided on dip 46, which tongue protrudes in a transverse direction with respect to housing cavity 47 and is adapted to be positioned in a cutting position of dip 46 to close transfer tube 39.

The thrust member 52 can be configured to move the rod towards the cutting device by a distance of about 0.4 to 0.6mm, preferably 0.45 to 0.55mm, each time, in order to obtain a filter 26 always having the same set length. According to some embodiments, the thrust member 52 may be driven by a stepper motor in order to advantageously position the bar 40 in a precise position with respect to the cutting unit 42 each time.

According to some embodiments, the position of the thrust member 52 is controlled by an encoder each time. In particular, by means of the encoder, it is possible to define the alignment position of the head end 40a of the rod 40 and, from this, knowing the length of the rod 40, it is possible to define the reference position of the tail end 40b and, therefore, the upper end-of-travel position of the thrust member 52.

According to some embodiments, actuation means may be provided which are adapted to move scooper 46 and thrust member 52, respectively, in a coordinated but autonomous and independent manner.

According to the embodiment described using fig. 5-11, the cooperation between thrust member 52 and scoop 46 allows for substantially continuous operation.

When thrust element 54 of thrust member 52 is below scoop 46, scoop 46 may advantageously be released from thrust element 54 and may be moved to the filling position (fig. 10). During filling of the dip 46, the thrust member 52 continues to push the remainder of the rod 40 downwards, one step at a time, in use, until the end of the lower stroke position is reached.

Subsequently, when the dip 46 returns to the cutting position, it may return to the upper end-of-travel position, ready to position itself again in contact with the new rod 40 (fig. 11).

In this way, the time required to reposition thrust member 52 between the bottom end-of-travel position and the top end-of-travel position is advantageously taken up by the step of filling dip 46.

According to some embodiments, a cutting device 62 is provided below the fixed guide channel 60, the cutting device 62 being configured to cleanly and precisely cut the rod 40 to obtain a filter 26 of a desired length.

According to a possible embodiment, for example, as described with reference to fig. 3 and 4, the cutting device 62 may comprise two disc blades 63.

In these embodiments, the two disc blades 63 may be arranged partially overlapping each other and aligned on slightly offset planes to allow rotation thereof without interfering with each other and thus allowing a tangential cutting action of the lever 40.

According to some embodiments, the disc blades 63 may be aligned along the axis Z with their parallel rotation axes X1, X2. According to these solutions, the disc blades 63 may be connected to a drive device configured to rotate them, for example, at a speed of about 1000 revolutions per minute.

According to other embodiments, the disc blades 63 may be connected to a drive member 61, which drive member 61 is configured to move them relative to the pin towards/away from the guide channel 60. For example, the disc blade 63 can be pivoted so as to oscillate by an angle 2 α with respect to the axis Z, where α is for example comprised between about 8 ° and about 15 °. In particular, the disc blades 63 can oscillate while continuing to rotate at high speed with respect to their axes X1, X2, thus ensuring a clean and precise cut of the bar 40.

According to the embodiment described using fig. 4, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises a support plate 64, the support plate 64 being configured to receive one or more filters 26.

In one embodiment, the support plate 64 is provided with receptacles 66, each adapted to receive and retain a filter 26.

The support plate 64 is advantageously positioned below the cutting device 62 with the receptacle 66 aligned with the outlet end of the guide channel 60 of the positioning device 44.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 may comprise four sectors 65, the four sectors 65 being arranged equidistantly on its circumference, each sector 65 being provided with a number of receptacles 66, the number of receptacles 66 being equal to the number of housing cavities 47.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 can be rotated about the axis Y so as to transfer each time the sectors 65 from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit 42 to a second position aligned with the introduction device 43 to introduce the filters into the respective capsules 22.

According to other embodiments, the support plate 64 may be positioned in a third position in which the support plate 64 may be disposed to eject the cut-out portion of the rod 40. According to some embodiments, the third position may be disposed between the first position and the second position.

According to some described embodiments, for example, with reference to fig. 4, 4a, 8a and 9a, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises holding

members

68, 69, the holding

members

68, 69 being adapted to cooperate with the cutting device 62 and/or the positioning device 44 and being configured to hold the bar 40 when the bar 40 is cut.

In one embodiment, the support plate 64 is defined by retaining

members

68, 69.

Advantageously, the retaining

members

68, 69 temporarily axially block the rod 40 in the required stroke along the cutting path C and prevent the angular displacement and torsion of the rod 40, thus preventing the rod 40 from rotating itself during cutting due to the rotary cutting action. In a possible implementation, the holding

members

68, 69 are configured as grippers and are therefore adapted to hold the bar 40 by means of a gripping action during cutting.

According to a possible solution, a first retaining member 68 is provided, which first retaining member 68 is configured to retain the head end 40a of the bar 40 and is positioned below the cutting device 62.

According to a possible solution, a second retaining member 69 is provided, this second retaining member 69 being configured to retain the bar 40 above the cutting device 62. In this way, the bars 40, which are held both above and below the area on which the disc blades 63 act, do not tend to rotate due to the rotation of the latter, and a clean cut is obtained without any burr.

According to some embodiments, each receptacle 66 may be or include a first retaining member 68.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 may include a fixed portion 64a and a plurality of moving portions 64b, one moving portion 64b per sector 65.

According to a possible solution, such as described with reference to fig. 4a, the fixed portion 64a is provided in each sector 65 with a recess 70, which recess 70 has a shape substantially mating with half the profile of the bar 40 and is adapted to cooperate with a mating recess 71 provided in each mobile portion 64b to define the receptacle 66.

In some embodiments, the fixed portion 64a and the moving portion 64b define the support plate 64.

According to some embodiments, for example, as described with reference to fig. 7, each moving portion 64b is associated with a drive member 78, which drive member 78 is configured to move it closer to and away from the fixed portion 64 a. In this way, a first retaining member 68 of the gripper or vice type is obtained, which first retaining member 68 acts simultaneously on all the head ends 40a of the bars 40 (for example, as six in the figures) fed by the positioning device 44.

According to some embodiments, the driving member 78 may comprise an actuating member 79, for example, a piston-type actuating member, the actuating member 79 being configured to move the moving portion 64b towards the fixed portion 64 a.

The drive member 78 may also include a resilient command member 80, the resilient command member 80 being configured to return the moving portion 64b to a condition that does not interfere with the fixed portion 64 a. The combined actuation of the actuation member 79 and the resilient command member 80 allows the moving portion 64b to move quickly and accurately relative to the fixed portion 64 a.

According to some embodiments, on the lateral surface of the

recesses

70, 71, a rib or protrusion 72 is provided, arranged in the longitudinal direction, which rib or protrusion 72 protrudes inside the receptacle 66 where the head end 40a of the stem 40 is located, and is configured to exert a transversal and local pressure thereon, preventing its rotation. According to a possible embodiment, the ribs 72 may be arranged offset from each other, for example by 120 °.

According to other embodiments, the second retaining member 69 may cooperate with the guide channel 60 so as to exert a pressure on the portion of the rod 40 contained therein in the transverse direction during the cutting step.

According to the described embodiment, for example, with reference to fig. 8a and 9a, the second retaining member 69 may comprise at least one moving member 76, for example a spindle or a rod, the at least one moving member 76 cooperating with a fixed portion 77 acting as a contrast. According to some embodiments, the moving member 76 exerts a pushing force on the rod 40 in the transverse direction, pushing the rod 40 towards the fixed part. According to some embodiments, the moving member may be substantially L-shaped, with the short side arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar 40 and able to act on this bar 40.

According to a possible solution, the fixing portion 77 is defined, for example, by the inner wall of each guide channel 60.

According to some embodiments, there is a moving member 76 cooperating with each guide channel 60.

According to some embodiments, each moving member 76 is connected and driven by a driving member 81, for example, connected to the long side of the L-shaped moving member 76.

According to a possible solution described, for example, with reference to fig. 7, the moving member 76 can be connected to a single driving member 81 and driven by the single driving member 81 to move together between a position that does not interfere with the lever 40 and a position that is in contact with the lever 40 and interferes with the lever 40.

According to some embodiments, the driving member 81 comprises an actuating member 82, for example a piston-type actuating member 82, the actuating member 82 being connected to a mechanical movement mechanism 83, the mechanical movement mechanism 83 converting the movement generated by the actuating member 82 into an axial movement of the moving member 76 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod 40 or of the guide channel 60.

According to a possible solution, the mechanical kinematic mechanism 83 may comprise a parallelogram or articulated quadrilateral mechanism configured to move the mobile member 76 forwards and backwards in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 40.

Specifically, the moving member 76 may be driven in a manner coordinated with the driving and movement of the thrust member 52 and the driving member of the moving portion 64 b.

According to the embodiment described using fig. 8a and 9a, during the movement step of the thrust member 52, the first and second retaining

members

68, 69 are inactive, i.e. the moving portion 64b is not in contact with the fixed portion 64a, and the moving member 76 does not exert any pressure on the rod 40 (fig. 8a), so that it descends into the respective guide channel 60 without interference.

When the thrust member 52 completes a step, the moving portion 64b comes into contact with the fixed portion 64a and the moving member 76 comes into contact with and interferes with the respective rod 40 to prevent its rotation and ensure accurate cutting (fig. 9 a).

After activation of the respective retaining

member

68, 69, the filter 26 is cut, bringing the blade 63 to the cutting position and then again to the inactive position.

After each cutting step is completed, the support plate 64 is rotated about the axis Y so that the sector 65 with the filter 26 held by the first holding member 68 corresponds to the second position aligned with the introduction device 43 and so that the new sector 65 is emptied below the cutting device 62 and is ready to receive the filter 26.

According to some embodiments, the introduction device 43 may be configured to eject the filters 26 from the first retaining means 68 of the sectors 65 aligned therewith and introduce them into the capsules 22, which capsules 22 are each time located in the filter cutting and insertion station 13.

In particular, the introduction device 43 and the first retaining member 68 can be driven in a coordinated manner so that, during the discharge of the filter 26, the mobile portion 64b of the corresponding sector 65 is at a distance from the fixed portion 64a, so as to release the filter 26, which filter 26 can be introduced into the capsule 22 by the introduction device 43.

According to some embodiments, the introduction device 43 may comprise an evacuation device 74, the evacuation device 74 being configured to evacuate the filter 26, thereby acting from above and pushing the filter 26 into the capsule 22 below.

According to a possible solution, the evacuation device 74 may comprise a plurality of channels 75, one end of which channels 75 is connected to the blowing device and is adapted to evacuate the filter 26 from the support plate 64 by means of a flow of pressurized air. According to a possible variant embodiment, the expulsion device 74 may be of the push-force type, configured to exert a mechanical pressure on the filter 26 and to insert this filter 26 in the underlying capsule 22.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the filter cutting unit as described heretofore, and to the corresponding method and machine for the manufacture of encapsulated articles, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of filter cutting unit, and corresponding method and machine for manufacturing encapsulated articles, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the reference in parentheses is to facilitate reading: they are not necessarily to be considered as constraints with respect to the field of protection claimed in a particular claim.

Claims

1. A cutting unit of a filter (26) of a capsule (22), the capsule (22) being particularly intended for inhaling or breathing a substance contained by the capsule (22), characterized in that the cutting unit comprises:

-a positioning device (44), the positioning device (44) being configured to receive and guide at least one rod (40), the rod (40) being made of a filtering material pre-cut to a desired size, a plurality of filters (26) being made from the at least one rod (40),

-a cutting device (62), the cutting device (62) being configured to cut said at least one stem (40), the individual filters (26) being manufactured in sequence, the length of the individual filters (26) being a fraction of the length of said stem (40);

-a thrust member (52), which thrust member (52) is cooperable with said cutting device (62) and is configured to advance said rod (40) stepwise along a cutting path (C) in coordination with a cutting action, so as to make said single filter (26) from the rod (40);

-a retaining member (68, 69), which retaining member (68, 69) is associated with said cutting device (62) and cooperates with said positioning device (44), said retaining member (68, 69) being configured to retain said at least one bar (40) upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C) at least during cutting of said bar (40);

-wherein said holding members (68, 69) define a support plate (64), the support plate (64) being rotatable about an axis (Y) so as to transfer each time a respective filter (26) held by the holding members (68, 69) from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit (42) to a second position aligned with an introduction device (43), the introduction device (43) introducing said filter (26) into a respective capsule (22).

2. The unit for cutting filters according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining members (68, 69) comprise a first retaining member (68), the first retaining member (68) being configured to temporarily retain the head end (40a) of the rod (40), below the cutting device (62); and a second retaining member (69), the second retaining member (69) being configured to temporarily retain the bar (40) above the cutting device (62).

3. Unit for cutting filters according to claim 2, characterized in that said first retaining member (68) is defined by a fixed portion (64a) and at least one mobile portion (64b), said fixed portion (64a) being provided with a recess (70), which recess (70) cooperates with a cooperating recess (71) provided in said at least one mobile portion (64b), said cooperating grooves (70, 71) being adapted to define a receptacle (66), which receptacle (66) is adapted to receive and grip the head end (40a) of said rod (40).

4. A unit for cutting filters, according to claim 3, characterized in that ribs or projections (72) are provided on the lateral surface of said recesses (70, 71) and are configured to exert a localized pressure on the stem (40) when the portions (64a, 64b) are associated.

5. The unit for cutting filters according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second retaining member (69) comprises at least one moving member (76), the at least one moving member (76) exerting on the rod (40) a substantially orthogonal thrust towards the fixed portion (77), which is contrasted with the rod (40).

6. A unit for cutting filters according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixed portion (77) is defined by an inner wall of at least one fixed guide channel (60) of the positioning device (44).

7. Unit for cutting filters according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the support plate (64) is defined by said portions (64a, 64b), the support plate (64) being rotatable about an axis (Y) so as to transfer each time a respective filter (26) held by the first holding member (68) from the first position to the second position.

8. Unit for cutting filters according to claim 7, characterized in that said axis (Y) is located opposite the cutting device (62) with respect to the stem (40).

9. The unit for cutting filters according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thrust member (52) is configured to advance the head end (40a) of the rod (40) stepwise along the cutting path (C), acting on the tail end (40b) of the rod (40), each time positioning the head end (40a) in a predefined cutting position with respect to the cutting device (62), the head end (40a) of the rod (40) being proximal with respect to the cutting device (62), the tail end (40b) of the rod (40) being distal with respect to the cutting device (62).

10. A method for manufacturing a filter (26) for a capsule (22), the capsule (22) being particularly intended for inhalation or respiration of a substance contained in the capsule (22), characterized in that it provides:

-receiving a rod (40) in a positioning device (44), the rod (40) being made of a material suitable for manufacturing a filter (26);

-positioning and maintaining the rod (40) each time with the head end (40a) of the rod (40) in a desired position with respect to the cutting device (62);

-progressively advancing the rod (40) along a cutting path (C) by means of a thrust member (52) in coordination with a cutting action;

-cutting the head end (40a) of the rod (40) to a length defined and equal to the length of the filter (26) each time using said cutting device (62),

wherein the method provides: -holding the rods (40) along the cutting path (C) using holding means (68, 69) upstream and downstream of the cutting device (62) at least during the cutting of the rods (40) by the cutting device (62), in order to obtain filters (26) with clean and precise cut, and also providing: during said holding operation, each time the respective filter (26) held by said holding members (68, 69) is transferred from a first position, aligned with the filter cutting unit (42), to a second position, aligned with the introduction device (43) to introduce said filter (26) into the respective capsule (22).

11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that it provides: -temporarily retaining said bar (40) under said cutting device (62) by means of a first retaining member (68) defined by a fixed portion (64a), and at least one mobile portion (64b) moving towards and away from said fixed portion (64a), said portions (64a, 64b) being provided with respective cooperating recesses (70, 71), the cooperating recesses (70, 71) defining a receptacle (66) when said mobile portion (64b) cooperates with said fixed portion (64a), the receptacle (66) being adapted to contain and retain said head end (40a) of said bar (40).

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it provides: -holding said bar (40) above said cutting device (62) by means of a second holding member (69), said second holding member (69) comprising at least one moving member (76), which moving member (76) is orthogonal to the axis of the bar (40) towards a fixed portion (77) and exerts a thrust based thereon.

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it provides: -after the cutting step, only temporarily keeping the first retaining member (68) active, and-in correspondence with the introduction device (43), moving the first retaining member (68) in which the at least one filter (26) is retained, and introducing the at least one filter (26) into the at least one capsule (22) above the already present dose of reagent product (24).

14. A machine (20) for making encapsulated articles, characterized in that it comprises:

-a capsule feeding station (11) in which empty capsules (22) are fed correctly oriented into suitable receiver members (18);

-an outlet station (15) from which an article (20) comprising a capsule (22) with a closing element (28) coming from the outlet station (15) is removed from the receiver member (18) and sent to a subsequent packaging step, inside which capsule (22) there is a quantity of reagent product (24) and filter (26);

-a transfer device (16), the transfer device (16) being provided with one or more receiver members (18), each receiver member (18) being adapted to receive one or more capsules (22) and to transfer the one or more capsules (22) from a capsule feeding station (11) to an outlet station (15) along a transfer path (P), along which path (P) there are provided a station (12) for metering and introducing a reagent product, a station (13) for cutting and inserting a filter, and a capsule closing station (14);

in correspondence with said station for cutting and inserting filters (13), the machine comprises a unit for cutting filters according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a filter insertion unit (43).

15. A method of making an encapsulated article (20), characterized in that it provides:

-feeding the oriented capsules (22) into a suitable receiver member (18), the receiver member (18) being located in a capsule feeding station (11);

-transferring the capsules (22) along a transfer path (P) from the capsule infeed station (11) to an exit station (15) by means of a transfer device (16), along said path (P), the method providing:

-metering a quantity of reagent product (24) and introducing the reagent product (24) into each of said capsules (22) in a station (12) for metering and introducing the reagent product;

-cutting the filter (26) and inserting the filter (26) into the capsule (22) above said quantity of reagent products (24) in the station (13) for cutting and inserting the filter;

-applying a closing element (28) to the capsules (22) in a capsule closing station (14);

the method provides: -cutting the filter (26) using the method of manufacturing a filter according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

16. A cutting unit of a filter (26) of a capsule (22), the capsule (22) being particularly intended for the inhalation or inhalation of a substance contained therein, characterized in that it comprises:

-a positioning device (44), the positioning device (44) being configured to receive and guide at least one rod (40), the at least one rod (40) being made of a filtering material pre-cut to a desired size, a plurality of filters (26) being made from the at least one rod (40);

-a cutting device (62), the cutting device (62) being configured to cut the at least one stem (40), the individual filters (26) being manufactured in sequence, the length of the individual filters (26) being a fraction of the length of the stem (40),

-a thrust member (52), which thrust member (52) is cooperable with said cutting device (62) and is configured to advance said rod (40) stepwise along a cutting path (C) in coordination with a cutting action, in order to make said single filter (26) from the rod (40),

-a retaining member (68, 69), which retaining member (68, 69) is associated with said cutting device (62) and cooperates with said positioning device (44), said retaining member (68, 69) being configured to retain said at least one bar (40) upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C) at least during cutting of said bar (40).

17. A method for manufacturing a filter (26) for a capsule (22), the capsule (22) being intended for inhalation or inhalation of a substance contained therein, characterized in that it provides:

-stepwise advancing the rod (40) along a cutting path (C) in coordination with a cutting action by means of a thrust member (52);

wherein the method provides: -holding the rods (40) along the cutting path (C) using holding means (68, 69) upstream and downstream of the cutting device (62) at least during the cutting of the rods (40) by the cutting device (62), so as to obtain a filter (26) with clean and precise cut.