EP2681119A1 - Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope. - Google Patents

Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope.

Info

Publication number
EP2681119A1
EP2681119A1 EP12707924.2A EP12707924A EP2681119A1 EP 2681119 A1 EP2681119 A1 EP 2681119A1 EP 12707924 A EP12707924 A EP 12707924A EP 2681119 A1 EP2681119 A1 EP 2681119A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outer wrapper
sealing
wrapper sheet
filter bag
carrousel
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP12707924.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2681119B1 (en
Inventor
Roberto Conti
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 Industries SRL
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 Industries SRL filed Critical IMA Industries SRL
Publication of EP2681119A1 publication Critical patent/EP2681119A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2681119B1 publication Critical patent/EP2681119B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
    • B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
    • B65B29/04—Attaching, or forming and attaching, string handles or tags to tea bags
    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
    • B65B11/28—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a curved path, e.g. on rotary tables or turrets
    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/48—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by folding a wrapper, e.g. a pocketed wrapper, and securing its opposed free margins to enclose contents
    • 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
    • B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
    • B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
    • B65B29/028—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package packaging infusion material into filter bags
    • 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
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/808—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package for immersion in the liquid to release part or all of their contents, e.g. tea bags

Definitions

  • Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope.
  • This invention relates to a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion, such as tea, coffee, camomile, etc. with an outer wrapper envelope.
  • the overall machine comprises a plurality of stations, which are arranged one after another, in which the above-mentioned filter bags are produced.
  • Each filter bag contains a metered quantity of product enclosed in a corresponding lobe of the filter bag.
  • the filter bags may be single-lobed or double-lobed and, according to various prior art solutions, there may subsequently be associated with them a string connecting the filter bag to a pickup tag which is connected to the free end of the string.
  • this may involve operations to create knots, or heat-sealing, or joining with a heat-sealable stamp, or other prior art techniques.
  • the string and the pickup tag are suitably positioned on the filter bag formed in that way (for example, they are wrapped around the filter bag and associated with it or tucked into it), forming a product ready for the final packaging in suitable containers or boxes.
  • a further procedure present in such machines is the further individual packaging of filter bags using an outer wrapper sheet suitably folded around the filter bag and closed on it by means of heat-sealing.
  • the outer wrapper envelope is closed in two separate ways: on two longitudinal sides or edges of the outer wrapper sheet if the sheet has a folded opening edge; or on three sides of the outer wrapper sheet, consisting of two longitudinal edges and one transversal end edge, in the case of a simple outer wrapper, that is to say, without an opening edge.
  • the opening edge is present, it is in any case held in place by subsequent heat-sealing of the longitudinal edges.
  • predetermined groups of the filter bags with outer wrapper are packed in boxes.
  • the hopper-style guide and the pusher unit guide the filter bag and the piece of paper towards a pickup gripper which is part of a movement station comprising a carrousel with a plurality of radial pickup grippers.
  • the rotation of the carrousel causes the filter bag and the piece of paper to reach a series of positions corresponding to: a station equipped with a sealer for the free edges of the filter bag; a station equipped with grippers for folding the free edge of the outer wrapper towards the rest of the piece of outer wrapper paper (held there by the carrousel grippers) and, finally, a station equipped with grippers for gripping and picking up the packet towards an external unit for sealing the longitudinal edges of the outer wrapper.
  • a further machine solution has a station for movement of the filter bags which comprises a plurality of grippers for gripping an individual filter bag, the grippers being arranged radially on a rotary carrousel.
  • the rotation of the carrousel causes the filter bags to arrive close to stations for application of the string and the tag to each other and, subsequently, to the filter bag.
  • a further rotation takes the filter bag close to a station for feeding a continuous web from which, by cutting, it is possible to obtain the sheet that will form the outer wrapper for the related filter bag.
  • the filter bag is translated by grippers, radially away from the rotary wheel, to allow feeding of the outer wrapper sheet between the grippers of the wheel and the filter bag itself, which is again moved towards the grippers to allow the sheet to be folded in a "U" over and around the filter bag.
  • the filter bag with the sheet folded in a "U" shape is transferred to a station equipped with a single sealer which seals the transversal end edge of the folded sheet.
  • a further rotation of the carrousel takes the partly closed packet into contact with a pair or rollers for pressing the edges and for moving the partly closed packet away from the carrousel.
  • the movement away takes the packet towards a drum equipped with holders for accommodating individual packets.
  • the rotation of the drum moves the packet positioned in the holder until it is facing a sealing plate which, effectively, concludes closing of the outer wrapper by sealing the two longitudinal edges.
  • a further rotation of the drum moves the closed packet produced in that way towards a station for stacking and final packaging in suitable containment boxes.
  • the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion with an outer wrapper envelope which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope which can reduce the machine overall costs and dimensions.
  • a further aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with an outer wrapper which can rapidly produce the final packet, keeping packet quality high ,
  • the machine for packaging filter bags in related closed outer wrappers comprises sealing units operating on the sheet folded into a "U" shape to form an individual closed outer wrapper packet.
  • These sealing units are positioned along a circular operating path for the filter bags and the outer wrapper sheet formed by a carrousel, and downstream of a wrapping station.
  • the sealing units are designed to join at least two longitudinal end edges of the outer wrapper sheet which is positioned, together with the filter bag, on the carrousel.
  • This structure and layout of the sealing units therefore allows definitive closing of the packet while the filter bag and the outer wrapper sheet are still positioned on the carrousel.
  • the sealing units are designed to join the two longitudinal edges and the transversal end edge of the sheet with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet j oining zones.
  • This sealing units structure also allows the obtainment of a simplified outer wrapper closing configuration, without changing the machine architecture.
  • the sealing units are connected to a control unit programmed for selecting a first sealing configuration for sealing only the two longitudinal edges, or a second sealing configuration for sealing the three edges of the outer wrapper sheet in a "U" shape,
  • This feature makes the machine extremely flexible in sealing operations, being able to provide two different closing configurations, depending on the type of outer wrapper to be produced, always rapidly and safely and with the packet still on the movement carrousel.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filter bag and a first embodiment of an outer wrapper packet for the filter bag, made with the machine according to this invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second outer wrapper packet for the filter bag, made with the machine according to this invention
  • Figure 3 is a schematic front view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the machine for packaging filter bags with an outer wrapper;
  • Figures 4 and 5 are both schematic front views of a detail P from Figure 3, in particular the sealing units for the outer wrapper, illustrated in two different configurations, respectively non-operating and operating;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view, reversed for greater clarity, of the sealing units from Figures 4 and 5.
  • the machine 5 is designed to produce filter bags 1 containing products for infusion (such as tea, coffee, camomile, etc.) and to individually package them in closed outer wrapper 2 sheets.
  • products for infusion such as tea, coffee, camomile, etc.
  • the filter bag 1 made by the machine 5 comprises (see Figure 1 for a non- limiting example) at least one lobe for containing a metered quantity of product and a string 3 for connecting the lobe to a pickup tag 4, the lobe and the tag being associated with respective ends of the string 3.
  • the filter bag 1 is made with a single lobe, or with two lobes, without thereby limiting the invention.
  • the machine 5 for packaging these filter bags 1 comprises a set of components for producing the filter bag 1 and the corresponding outer wrapper 2.
  • the machine 5 comprises a first reel 17 for feeding a web of filter paper along a path PI (substantially horizontal) for intercepting a metering unit 18 for individual metered quantities of product which are deposited on the web.
  • Filter paper web feeding then brings it to intercept a folder 19 for forming a continuous tube of filter paper and a sealer 20 for forming a sequence of closed chambers containing individual metered quantities of product.
  • the machine 5 comprises gripper units 22 for feeding the individual filter bags 1 (single- or double-lobed) towards a carrousel 6 for packaging and moving the filter bags 1.
  • the carrousel 6 moves the filter bag 1, in steps, along a circular operating path C (indicated with an arrow in Figure 3).
  • the carrousel 6 comprises (see also Figures 4 and 5) a plurality of grippers 13 projecting radially from the carrousel 6 for retaining individual filter bags 1 which are fed by the gripper units 22.
  • the machine 5 also comprises a series of stations arranged one after another along the circular operating path C of the carrousel 6 for intercepting the filter bag 1 and completely packaging it:
  • station 24 for application of the tag 4 to the string 3, the station 24 comprising a reel 24a for feeding a continuous strip of paper which is cut into individual tags 4;
  • a wrapping station 7 positioned along the circular operating path C and comprising folder units 8 designed to fold a fiat sheet 2 of outer wrapper material along a transversal axis of it around the filter bag 1, thus forming a "U"-shaped wrapper around the filter bag 1.
  • the sheet 2 is fed, in the form of a continuous web, from a reel 7a.
  • sealing station 30 comprising sealing units 9 operating on the sheet 2 folded in a "U" shape, for forming an individual closed outer wrapper packet.
  • these sealing units 9 are positioned along the circular operating path C, downstream of the wrapping station 7, and are designed to join at least two longitudinal end edges 2a and 2b of the outer wrapper sheet 2 which is positioned, with the filter bag 1 inside it, on the carrousel 6.
  • the presence of the only sealing units 9 along the circular path C allows the obtainment of a definitive filter bag and outer wrapper sheet packet 2 while they are both still on the carrousel 6, without the need for further steps.
  • the sealing units 9 are separate from the carrousel 6.
  • the sealing units 9 are designed to join the two longitudinal edges 2a and 2b and the transversal end edge 2c with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet 2 joining zones.
  • the sealing units 9 are designed to join the two longitudinal edges 2a and 2b and the transversal end edge 2c of the outer wrapper sheet in the same step.
  • the sealing units 9 are connected to a control unit 10 programmed for selecting a first sealing configuration for sealing only the two longitudinal edges 2a, 2b (Figure 1), or a second, "U"-shaped sealing configuration for the three edges 2a, 2b, 2c of the outer wrapper sheet ( Figure 2).
  • the control unit 10 is illustrated with a block in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and may be integrated in a central control unit for the machine 5.
  • the sealing units 9 comprise a gripper with two amis 9a, 9b facing each other and articulated on at least one shared shaft 11, 12 for moving between an open, non-operating position ( Figure 4) and an operating sealing position, closed on the outer wrapper sheet 2 ( Figure 5).
  • each arm 9a, 9b has a "U"-shaped configuration defined by linear sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 designed to intercept the corresponding edges 2a, 2b, 2c of the outer wrapper sheet 2.
  • a linear end transversal sealing edge B3 of each arm 9a, 9b is operatively independent with respect to the two remaining longitudinal sealing edges Bl, B2 of the same arm 9a, 9b.
  • the edge B3 is activated or deactivated depending on the type of outer wrapper to be produced.
  • the three linear sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 are fixed, in particular integral, with each other and are activated simultaneously for producing a filter bag 1 with a closed outer wrapper 2 having three sealed edges.
  • the wrapping station 7 is equipped with a folder element for further folding the opening edge 2d of the outer wrapper 2 (this component is of the known type and therefore is not described in detail).
  • this component is of the known type and therefore is not described in detail.
  • sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 are knurled stretches equipped with heating elements which can be activated by the control unit 10.
  • the two arms 9a, 9b are articulated or keyed about an axis X, on corresponding shafts 11 and 12 which are coaxial with each other.
  • a first shaft 11 contains the second shaft 12 and the two shafts can rotate independently of one another.
  • each arm 9a, 9b is connected to respective lever units 14 for moving the two arms 9a, 9b between the non-operating and operating positions, in such a way that they are synchronised with the stepping movement of the carrousel 6.
  • lever units 14 are controlled by cam profiles 14a, 14b (illustrated with a dashed line) for movement of the lever units 14 synchronised with the carrousel 6.
  • the machine 5 comprises a pickup device 17, advantageously of the gripper type, which extracts the filter bag 1 with the related closed outer wrapper 2 from the carrousel 2 to a stacking channel 16 through a pair of rollers 15a and 15b which are positioned downstream of the sealing units 9 relative to the direction of feed of the circular path C.
  • the packet obtained on the carrousel 6 is picked up by the gripper pickup device 17, passed through the rollers 15a and 15b with a radial movement away from the carrousel 6 and brought directly over the stacking channel 16 for a subsequent boxing step.
  • This invention also provides a method for sealing outer wrapper sheets 2 for filter bags 1 in the machine 5.
  • the method comprises at least the following steps: - preparing an outer wrapper sheet 2 on a carrousel 6 designed to move the filter bags 1 along a circular operating path C;
  • sealing units 9 which are positioned along the circular operating path C and is on at least two longitudinal edges 2 a, 2b of the sheet 2 which is positioned on the carrousel 6.
  • the step of closing the sheet 2 comprises the sealing of three edges, that is to say, sealing the two longitudinal edges 2a, 2b and sealing the transversal end edge 2c of the sheet 2 with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet 2 joining zones.
  • This folding step is carried out along the operating path C and with the filter bag 1 and the sheet 2 both positioned on the carrousel 6.
  • the machine and the method described above fulfil the preset aims thanks to an extremely compact, functional and flexible structure of the system for sealing the outer wrappers.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A machine for packaging filter bags (1) for products for infusion in related closed outer wrappers (2) comprises: a carrousel (6) for moving the filter bag (1) along a circular operating path (C); a wrapping station (7) positioned along the operating path (C) for folding a flat sheet (2) of outer wrapper material along a transversal axis around the filter bag (1) thus forming a "U"-shaped outer wrapper around the filter bag (1); sealing units (9) operating on the sheet (2) folded in a "U"-shape, for forming an individual closed outer wrapper; the sealing units (9) being positioned along the circular operating path (C), downstream of the wrapping station (7), and being designed to join at least two longitudinal end edges (2a, 2b) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) which is positioned, together with the filter bag (1), on the carrousel (6).

Description

Description
Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope.
Technical Field
This invention relates to a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion, such as tea, coffee, camomile, etc. with an outer wrapper envelope. Background Art
At present in the technical field of machines for producing filter bags it is known that the overall machine comprises a plurality of stations, which are arranged one after another, in which the above-mentioned filter bags are produced.
Each filter bag contains a metered quantity of product enclosed in a corresponding lobe of the filter bag.
Depending on the type of product and the type of machine model, the filter bags may be single-lobed or double-lobed and, according to various prior art solutions, there may subsequently be associated with them a string connecting the filter bag to a pickup tag which is connected to the free end of the string.
Regarding the association of the string to the filter bag, this may involve operations to create knots, or heat-sealing, or joining with a heat-sealable stamp, or other prior art techniques.
Similarly, the various above-mentioned joining procedures are carried out to join the string to the tag.
The string and the pickup tag are suitably positioned on the filter bag formed in that way (for example, they are wrapped around the filter bag and associated with it or tucked into it), forming a product ready for the final packaging in suitable containers or boxes.
A further procedure present in such machines is the further individual packaging of filter bags using an outer wrapper sheet suitably folded around the filter bag and closed on it by means of heat-sealing.
Normally, the outer wrapper envelope is closed in two separate ways: on two longitudinal sides or edges of the outer wrapper sheet if the sheet has a folded opening edge; or on three sides of the outer wrapper sheet, consisting of two longitudinal edges and one transversal end edge, in the case of a simple outer wrapper, that is to say, without an opening edge.
If the opening edge is present, it is in any case held in place by subsequent heat-sealing of the longitudinal edges.
At the end of this procedure, predetermined groups of the filter bags with outer wrapper are packed in boxes.
The operation for packaging filter bags in related closed outer wrappers having folded opening edges is known from patent document US 4,853,071. In the machines according to that document, producing double-lobed filter bags, along a feed direction the filter bag complete with string and tag is placed on a piece of paper forming the outer wrapper. As they are fed forward together, the filter bag and the piece of paper are folded into a "U" shape by the combination of a hopper-style guide and a pusher unit.
The hopper-style guide and the pusher unit guide the filter bag and the piece of paper towards a pickup gripper which is part of a movement station comprising a carrousel with a plurality of radial pickup grippers.
The rotation of the carrousel causes the filter bag and the piece of paper to reach a series of positions corresponding to: a station equipped with a sealer for the free edges of the filter bag; a station equipped with grippers for folding the free edge of the outer wrapper towards the rest of the piece of outer wrapper paper (held there by the carrousel grippers) and, finally, a station equipped with grippers for gripping and picking up the packet towards an external unit for sealing the longitudinal edges of the outer wrapper.
A further machine solution has a station for movement of the filter bags which comprises a plurality of grippers for gripping an individual filter bag, the grippers being arranged radially on a rotary carrousel. The rotation of the carrousel causes the filter bags to arrive close to stations for application of the string and the tag to each other and, subsequently, to the filter bag.
A further rotation takes the filter bag close to a station for feeding a continuous web from which, by cutting, it is possible to obtain the sheet that will form the outer wrapper for the related filter bag.
Close to that station, the filter bag is translated by grippers, radially away from the rotary wheel, to allow feeding of the outer wrapper sheet between the grippers of the wheel and the filter bag itself, which is again moved towards the grippers to allow the sheet to be folded in a "U" over and around the filter bag.
After this folding, the filter bag with the sheet folded in a "U" shape is transferred to a station equipped with a single sealer which seals the transversal end edge of the folded sheet.
A further rotation of the carrousel takes the partly closed packet into contact with a pair or rollers for pressing the edges and for moving the partly closed packet away from the carrousel.
The movement away takes the packet towards a drum equipped with holders for accommodating individual packets.
The rotation of the drum moves the packet positioned in the holder until it is facing a sealing plate which, effectively, concludes closing of the outer wrapper by sealing the two longitudinal edges.
A further rotation of the drum moves the closed packet produced in that way towards a station for stacking and final packaging in suitable containment boxes.
However, both of the solutions described above have disadvantages due to the presence of two or more sealing units which are separate and positioned at different points on the machine.
This "dispersion" of the sealing zones in the machine causes an increase in operating components and the related units for moving them so that they operate in a way synchronised with the rest of the stations. Consequently, the machine has larger dimensions and there is an increase in overall costs. It should also be noticed that, by having different packet sealing zones, as well as adding retaining elements for the filter bag and outer wrapper for the transit steps between the various stations, the definitive closing of the packet may be of lower quality.
Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion with an outer wrapper envelope which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
In particular, the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope which can reduce the machine overall costs and dimensions.
A further aim of this invention is to provide a machine for packaging filter bags with an outer wrapper which can rapidly produce the final packet, keeping packet quality high ,
These aims are fulfilled by the machine for packaging filter bags with products for infusion with an outer wrapper envelope according to this invention as described in the appended claims.
In particular, the machine for packaging filter bags in related closed outer wrappers comprises sealing units operating on the sheet folded into a "U" shape to form an individual closed outer wrapper packet. These sealing units are positioned along a circular operating path for the filter bags and the outer wrapper sheet formed by a carrousel, and downstream of a wrapping station. The sealing units are designed to join at least two longitudinal end edges of the outer wrapper sheet which is positioned, together with the filter bag, on the carrousel.
This structure and layout of the sealing units therefore allows definitive closing of the packet while the filter bag and the outer wrapper sheet are still positioned on the carrousel.
That allows the elimination of intermediate transit steps along the circular operating path, thus reducing the operating elements needed both for holding the filter bag and the outer wrapper sheet in the folded position, and for their transit in a series of stations, far from the carrousel, designed for packet definitive closing.
That also means a reduction of the machine overall dimensions.
Preferably, the sealing units are designed to join the two longitudinal edges and the transversal end edge of the sheet with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet j oining zones.
This sealing units structure also allows the obtainment of a simplified outer wrapper closing configuration, without changing the machine architecture.
Preferably, the sealing units are connected to a control unit programmed for selecting a first sealing configuration for sealing only the two longitudinal edges, or a second sealing configuration for sealing the three edges of the outer wrapper sheet in a "U" shape,
This feature makes the machine extremely flexible in sealing operations, being able to provide two different closing configurations, depending on the type of outer wrapper to be produced, always rapidly and safely and with the packet still on the movement carrousel.
Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filter bag and a first embodiment of an outer wrapper packet for the filter bag, made with the machine according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second outer wrapper packet for the filter bag, made with the machine according to this invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic front view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the machine for packaging filter bags with an outer wrapper;
Figures 4 and 5 are both schematic front views of a detail P from Figure 3, in particular the sealing units for the outer wrapper, illustrated in two different configurations, respectively non-operating and operating;
Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view, reversed for greater clarity, of the sealing units from Figures 4 and 5.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular with reference to Figure 3, the machine according to the invention is labelled 5. The machine 5 is designed to produce filter bags 1 containing products for infusion (such as tea, coffee, camomile, etc.) and to individually package them in closed outer wrapper 2 sheets.
The filter bag 1 made by the machine 5 comprises (see Figure 1 for a non- limiting example) at least one lobe for containing a metered quantity of product and a string 3 for connecting the lobe to a pickup tag 4, the lobe and the tag being associated with respective ends of the string 3.
The filter bag 1 is made with a single lobe, or with two lobes, without thereby limiting the invention.
The machine 5 for packaging these filter bags 1 comprises a set of components for producing the filter bag 1 and the corresponding outer wrapper 2.
In light of this, the machine 5 comprises a first reel 17 for feeding a web of filter paper along a path PI (substantially horizontal) for intercepting a metering unit 18 for individual metered quantities of product which are deposited on the web.
Filter paper web feeding then brings it to intercept a folder 19 for forming a continuous tube of filter paper and a sealer 20 for forming a sequence of closed chambers containing individual metered quantities of product.
Further feeding of the continuous tube of filter paper brings it to intercept a rotary knife 21 for separating the individual filter bags 1.
The machine 5 comprises gripper units 22 for feeding the individual filter bags 1 (single- or double-lobed) towards a carrousel 6 for packaging and moving the filter bags 1.
The components described above for forming the filter bag 1 are not described in detail, since they are of the known type.
The carrousel 6 moves the filter bag 1, in steps, along a circular operating path C (indicated with an arrow in Figure 3).
The carrousel 6 comprises (see also Figures 4 and 5) a plurality of grippers 13 projecting radially from the carrousel 6 for retaining individual filter bags 1 which are fed by the gripper units 22.
The machine 5 also comprises a series of stations arranged one after another along the circular operating path C of the carrousel 6 for intercepting the filter bag 1 and completely packaging it:
- a station 23 for application of the string 3 to the bag 1, the string 3 being fed from a spool 23 a;
- a station 24 for application of the tag 4 to the string 3, the station 24 comprising a reel 24a for feeding a continuous strip of paper which is cut into individual tags 4;
- a station 25 for knotting the string 3 to the tag 4 and joining both to the filter bag 1 ;
- a wrapping station 7 positioned along the circular operating path C and comprising folder units 8 designed to fold a fiat sheet 2 of outer wrapper material along a transversal axis of it around the filter bag 1, thus forming a "U"-shaped wrapper around the filter bag 1.
The sheet 2 is fed, in the form of a continuous web, from a reel 7a.
For these stations too, the components described are not described in detail, since they are of the known type.
Moreover, there is a fixed sealing station 30 comprising sealing units 9 operating on the sheet 2 folded in a "U" shape, for forming an individual closed outer wrapper packet.
According to the invention, these sealing units 9 are positioned along the circular operating path C, downstream of the wrapping station 7, and are designed to join at least two longitudinal end edges 2a and 2b of the outer wrapper sheet 2 which is positioned, with the filter bag 1 inside it, on the carrousel 6.
Basically, the presence of the only sealing units 9 along the circular path C allows the obtainment of a definitive filter bag and outer wrapper sheet packet 2 while they are both still on the carrousel 6, without the need for further steps. The sealing units 9 are separate from the carrousel 6.
Preferably, the sealing units 9 are designed to join the two longitudinal edges 2a and 2b and the transversal end edge 2c with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet 2 joining zones. Preferably, the sealing units 9 are designed to join the two longitudinal edges 2a and 2b and the transversal end edge 2c of the outer wrapper sheet in the same step.
In light of this, the sealing units 9 are connected to a control unit 10 programmed for selecting a first sealing configuration for sealing only the two longitudinal edges 2a, 2b (Figure 1), or a second, "U"-shaped sealing configuration for the three edges 2a, 2b, 2c of the outer wrapper sheet (Figure 2).
The control unit 10 is illustrated with a block in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and may be integrated in a central control unit for the machine 5.
The sealing units 9 comprise a gripper with two amis 9a, 9b facing each other and articulated on at least one shared shaft 11, 12 for moving between an open, non-operating position (Figure 4) and an operating sealing position, closed on the outer wrapper sheet 2 (Figure 5).
Preferably, each arm 9a, 9b has a "U"-shaped configuration defined by linear sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 designed to intercept the corresponding edges 2a, 2b, 2c of the outer wrapper sheet 2.
In light of this, a linear end transversal sealing edge B3 of each arm 9a, 9b is operatively independent with respect to the two remaining longitudinal sealing edges Bl, B2 of the same arm 9a, 9b. In other words, as already indicated above, the edge B3 is activated or deactivated depending on the type of outer wrapper to be produced.
In the embodiment illustrated, the three linear sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 are fixed, in particular integral, with each other and are activated simultaneously for producing a filter bag 1 with a closed outer wrapper 2 having three sealed edges.
It should be noticed that, if producing the outer wrapper 2 with a free opening edge 2d, the wrapping station 7 is equipped with a folder element for further folding the opening edge 2d of the outer wrapper 2 (this component is of the known type and therefore is not described in detail). During the sealing step the sheet 2 and the filter bag 1 are held on the folded base of the outer wrapper sheet 2 by the corresponding radial gripper 13 projecting from the carrousel 6.
The particular "U" shape of the arms 9a and 9b together with the reduced size of the gripper 13 prevents any type of contact between the two components during this sealing step.
Preferably, the sealing edges Bl, B2, B3 are knurled stretches equipped with heating elements which can be activated by the control unit 10.
At a structural level, the two arms 9a, 9b are articulated or keyed about an axis X, on corresponding shafts 11 and 12 which are coaxial with each other. In other words, a first shaft 11 contains the second shaft 12 and the two shafts can rotate independently of one another.
Moreover, each arm 9a, 9b is connected to respective lever units 14 for moving the two arms 9a, 9b between the non-operating and operating positions, in such a way that they are synchronised with the stepping movement of the carrousel 6.
In turn, the lever units 14 are controlled by cam profiles 14a, 14b (illustrated with a dashed line) for movement of the lever units 14 synchronised with the carrousel 6.
Moreover, the machine 5 comprises a pickup device 17, advantageously of the gripper type, which extracts the filter bag 1 with the related closed outer wrapper 2 from the carrousel 2 to a stacking channel 16 through a pair of rollers 15a and 15b which are positioned downstream of the sealing units 9 relative to the direction of feed of the circular path C.
Basically, the packet obtained on the carrousel 6 is picked up by the gripper pickup device 17, passed through the rollers 15a and 15b with a radial movement away from the carrousel 6 and brought directly over the stacking channel 16 for a subsequent boxing step.
This invention also provides a method for sealing outer wrapper sheets 2 for filter bags 1 in the machine 5.
The method comprises at least the following steps: - preparing an outer wrapper sheet 2 on a carrousel 6 designed to move the filter bags 1 along a circular operating path C;
- folding the outer wrapper sheet 2 while simultaneously wrapping the filter bag 1 to form a "U "-shaped outer wrapper around the filter bag 1 directly on the carrousel 6;
- closing the outer wrapper sheet 2 on the filter bag 1 by means of sealing. The step of closing the sheet 2 is carried out by sealing units 9 which are positioned along the circular operating path C and is on at least two longitudinal edges 2 a, 2b of the sheet 2 which is positioned on the carrousel 6.
Preferably, the step of closing the sheet 2 comprises the sealing of three edges, that is to say, sealing the two longitudinal edges 2a, 2b and sealing the transversal end edge 2c of the sheet 2 with a "U"-shaped configuration of the outer wrapper sheet 2 joining zones.
If sealing only the two longitudinal edges 2a, 2bt before the closing step there is a step of folding a free end edge 2d of the outer wrapper sheet 2 towards an external surface of the sheet 2 itself, to form a packet opening flap.
This folding step is carried out along the operating path C and with the filter bag 1 and the sheet 2 both positioned on the carrousel 6.
The machine and the method described above fulfil the preset aims thanks to an extremely compact, functional and flexible structure of the system for sealing the outer wrappers.
The possibility of sealing the packet immediately after wrapping the outer wrapper sheet around the filter bag and while both are still on the carrousel allows a reduction in machine dimensions, simplification of the structure of some components, such as the retaining grippers, and the reduction or elimination of other components which, in the prior art solutions, were needed to obtain the closed final packet.

Claims

Claims
1 , A machine for packaging filter bags (1) for products for infusion in related closed outer wrappers (2), comprising at least:
- a carrousel (6) for packaging and moving said filter bag (1) along a circular operating path (C);
- a wrapping station (7) positioned along the circular operating path (C) and comprising folding units (8) designed to fold a flat outer wrapper sheet (2) along a transversal axis of it about the filter bag (1) to form a "U"-shaped outer wrapper around the filter bag (1);
- sealing units (9) operating on the outer wrapper sheet (2) folded in a "U" shape to form an individual, closed packet;
characterised in that the sealing units (9) are positioned along the circular operating path (C)> downstream of the wrapping station (7), and designed to join at least two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) which is positioned, together with the filter bag (1), on said carrousel (6).
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the sealing units (9) are designed to join said two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b) and a transversal end edge (2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) in a "U"-shaped configuration.
3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the sealing units (9) are designed to join said two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b) and a transversal end edge (2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) in a "U"-shaped configuration; the sealing units (9) being connected to a control unit (10) programmed for selecting a first sealing configuration for sealing only the two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b), or a second sealing configuration for sealing the two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b) and a transversal end edge (2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2).
4. The machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the sealing units (9) comprise a gripper with two arms (9a, 9b) facing each other and articulated on at least one shared shaft (11, 12) for moving between an open, non- operating position and a closed, operating position for sealing edges (2a, 2b, 2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2).
5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein each arm (9a, 9b) has a "U"- shaped configuration defined by sealing edges (Bl, B2, B3) designed to intercept corresponding edges (2a, 2b, 2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2); the outer wrapper sheet (2) and the filter bag (1) being held on a folded base of the outer wrapper sheet (2) by a radial gripper (13) associated with, and projecting from, the carrousel (6).
6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein an end transversal sealing edge (B3) of each arm (9a, 9b) is operatively independent with respect to two remaining longitudinal sealing edges (Bl, B2) of the same arm (9a, 9b).
7. The machine according to any of the claims from 4 to 6, wherein the two arms (9a, 9b) are articulated, about an axis (X), on corresponding shafts (11, 12) which are coaxialiy with each other; each arm (9a, 9b) being comiected to respective lever units (14) for moving the two arms (9a, 9b) between said open non-operating and closed operating positions, in such a way that they are synchronised with the carrousel (6),
8. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising a pickup device (17) positioned downstream of the sealing units (9) along the circular operating path (C) for picking up an individual closed packet from the carrousel (6) towards a stacking channel (16) for the packets.
9. A method for packaging filter bags (1) for products for infusion in related closed outer wrappers (2), comprising at least the following steps:
- packaging the filter bags (1) in a related packaging machine; - preparing an outer wrapper sheet (2) on a carrousel (6) designed to package and move the filter bags (1) along a circular operating path (C);
- folding the outer wrapper sheet (2) while simultaneously wrapping the filter bag (1) to form a "U"-shaped outer wrapper around the filter bag (1) directly on the carrousel (6);
- closing the outer wrapper sheet (2) on the filter bag (1) by means of sealing;
characterised in that the step of closing the outer wrapper sheet (2) is carried out by sealing units (9) which are positioned along the circular operating path (C) and is on at least two longitudinal edges (2a, 2b) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) which is positioned, together with the filter bag (1), on the carrousel (6).
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of closing the outer wrapper sheet (2) also comprises a simultaneous step of sealing a transversal end edge (2c) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) in a "U"-shaped configuration.
11. The method according to claim 9, comprising, before the closing step, a step of folding a free end edge (2d) of the outer wrapper sheet (2) towards an external surface of the outer wrapper sheet (2), thus forming an opening flap for the packet; the step of folding the free end edge of the outer wrapper sheet being carried out along the circular operating path (C) and while the filter bag (1) and the outer wrapper sheet (2) are positioned on the carrousel (6).
EP12707924.2A 2011-03-01 2012-02-10 Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope Active EP2681119B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000094A ITBO20110094A1 (en) 2011-03-01 2011-03-01 MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BAGS - FILTER WITH INFUSION PRODUCTS AND WITH SOVRAINCARTO ENVELOPE
PCT/IB2012/050601 WO2012117308A1 (en) 2011-03-01 2012-02-10 Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2681119A1 true EP2681119A1 (en) 2014-01-08
EP2681119B1 EP2681119B1 (en) 2014-12-10

Family

ID=43976822

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12707924.2A Active EP2681119B1 (en) 2011-03-01 2012-02-10 Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2681119B1 (en)
CN (1) CN103402875B (en)
BR (1) BR112013022399B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2531394T3 (en)
IT (1) ITBO20110094A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012117308A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115231076A (en) * 2021-04-23 2022-10-25 德国蒂派克(Teepack）包装设备有限公司 Device and method for transporting cut and filled tube sections

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUA20163353A1 (en) * 2016-05-11 2017-11-11 I M A Industria Macch Automatiche S P A In Sigla Ima S P A DEVICE AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TETRAEDRIC FILTER BAGS
IT201600076483A1 (en) * 2016-07-21 2018-01-21 Ima Spa MACHINE FOR FORMING BAGS-FILTER WITH INFUSION PRODUCTS.
IT201700123953A1 (en) 2017-10-31 2019-05-01 Ima Spa Filter bag forming machine for infusion products.
PT3733383T (en) * 2019-05-02 2023-03-15 Teepack Spezialmaschinen Gmbh & Co Kg Device and method for producing a bag with a wrapper containing a brewable material
IT201900017489A1 (en) * 2019-09-30 2021-03-30 Ima Spa PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER BAGS WITH INFUSION PRODUCTS.
IT201900019812A1 (en) * 2019-10-28 2021-04-28 Ima Spa UNIT FOR OVERWRAPPING BAGS - FILTER FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS.
IT202000004321A1 (en) * 2020-03-02 2021-09-02 Ima Spa MACHINE FOR FORMING BAGS WITH INFUSION OR EXTRACTION PRODUCTS.
PT3909878T (en) * 2020-05-12 2022-09-20 Teepack Spezialmaschinen Gmbh & Co Kg Device for manufacturing a bag accommodated in an envelope
EP3909879B1 (en) * 2020-05-12 2023-10-18 Teepack Spezialmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG Device for manufacturing a bag accommodated in an envelope
IT202000019855A1 (en) 2020-08-10 2022-02-10 Ima Spa MACHINE FOR FORMING ENVELOPES WITH PRODUCTS FOR INFUSION OR EXTRACTION.
EP3960427A1 (en) 2020-08-31 2022-03-02 Teepack Spezialmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG Device for manufacturing a bag accommodated in an envelope

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1207631B (en) 1987-03-09 1989-05-25 Cestind Centro Studi Ind EQUIPMENT FOR THE PACKAGING OF SINGLE-PURPOSE FILTER BAGS IN BAGS IN CONTINUOUS PACKAGING MACHINES FOR FILTER BAGS
GB9314098D0 (en) * 1993-07-08 1993-08-18 Unilever Plc Apparatus and methods for producing packets
IT1320887B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2003-12-10 Ima Spa METHOD FOR PACKAGING BAGS - FILTER FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS IN RELATED CLOSED OVER-WRAPS AND RELEVANT IMPLEMENTING MACHINE
ITBO20020638A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-10 I M A Ind Macchine Automatich E S P A PACKAGING MACHINE, AND ITS OPERATING METHOD,
ITBO20060422A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2007-12-01 Ima Spa AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER BAGS FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS
IT1392017B1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2012-02-09 Ima Flavour S R L Ora Ima Ind S R L MACHINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BAGS-FILTERS IN BAGS WITH INFUSION PRODUCTS

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2012117308A1 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115231076A (en) * 2021-04-23 2022-10-25 德国蒂派克(Teepack）包装设备有限公司 Device and method for transporting cut and filled tube sections
CN115231076B (en) * 2021-04-23 2024-01-02 德国蒂派克(Teepack）包装设备有限公司 Device and method for transporting cut and filled tube sections

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2681119B1 (en) 2014-12-10
ITBO20110094A1 (en) 2012-09-02
CN103402875B (en) 2015-07-29
CN103402875A (en) 2013-11-20
BR112013022399A2 (en) 2017-05-30
BR112013022399B1 (en) 2020-07-21
ES2531394T3 (en) 2015-03-13
WO2012117308A1 (en) 2012-09-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2681119B1 (en) Machine for producing filter bags with products for infusion and with an outer wrapper envelope
EP2483163B1 (en) Method and machine for packing infusion products into capsules
EP2483160B1 (en) Machine for packing infusion products into capsules and featuring sealing unit
US10793347B2 (en) Machine for forming filter bags for infusion products
EP1384665B1 (en) Machine for making an infusion bag with a gathered thread attached to the tag
EP3186153B1 (en) Apparatus for producing packages of infusion products
CN111874303A (en) Method and apparatus for manufacturing a pouch provided with packets and containing infusible material
EP1384664B1 (en) Apparatus for automatically and continuously forming envelopes containing filter bags for infusion products
EP2563671B1 (en) Machine with vertical axis for making filter bags with infusion products
EP3186154B1 (en) Apparatus for producing packages of infusion products
WO2011039707A1 (en) Machine for packing infusion products into capsules
WO2007135539A1 (en) Machine and method for packaging and package so obtained
WO2014188396A1 (en) A flow-pack packing machine and flow-pack packing method for producing sealed packages
CN114641434B (en) Unit for overwrapping filter bags for infusion products and corresponding method
CN110831863B (en) Machine for making filter bags for infusion products
EP3426561B1 (en) Machine for making filter bags with infusion products

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130716

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20140724

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: CONTI, ROBERTO

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 700518

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602012004245

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150122

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2531394

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20150313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20150226 AND 20150304

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 700518

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20141210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150310

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150311

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150410

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150410

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602012004245

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150228

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150228

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20150911

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 5

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20120210

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141210

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230529

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240308

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240228

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240220

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240222

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240226

Year of fee payment: 13