EP3509951B1 - Système et procédé d'emballage de poudres - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'emballage de poudres Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3509951B1
EP3509951B1 EP17780888.8A EP17780888A EP3509951B1 EP 3509951 B1 EP3509951 B1 EP 3509951B1 EP 17780888 A EP17780888 A EP 17780888A EP 3509951 B1 EP3509951 B1 EP 3509951B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
powders
opening
air
packaging
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EP17780888.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3509951A1 (fr
Inventor
Gino Rapparini
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ICA SpA
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ICA SpA
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Priority claimed from IT102016000091025A external-priority patent/IT201600091025A1/it
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Publication of EP3509951A1 publication Critical patent/EP3509951A1/fr
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    • 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
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B65B1/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders
    • B65B1/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders of screw type
    • 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
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/20—Reducing volume of filled material
    • B65B1/26—Reducing volume of filled material by pneumatic means, e.g. suction
    • 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
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
    • B65B1/40—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by timing of filling operations
    • B65B1/42—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by timing of filling operations and arresting flow by cut-off means
    • 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
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • 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
    • B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
    • B65B2210/10—Means for removing bridges formed by the material or article, e.g. anti-clogging devices
    • 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
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/001—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves
    • B65B39/004—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves moving linearly
    • B65B39/005—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves moving linearly transverse to flow direction

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns the field of packaging of powders.
  • the present invention concerns a system for packaging powders.
  • the present invention concerns a method for packaging such powders.
  • Packages containing powdered materials like for example flour are found on the market in extremely large quantities. Industrially, screw conveyors are used to convey the powdered material inside the package where it will be enclosed. The optimisation of the filling process of such packages is demanding since a powdered material has an amount of air inside it that thus increases the volume thereof and makes precise weighing thereof difficult.
  • the operating principle is based on the continuous extraction of the air existing, under normal conditions, between the particles of product, through the creation of vacuum inside the tube for conveying the powders inside the machine.
  • the flow rate of powders inside the conveying tube is subject to substantial variations due to the fact that the powders, even if compacted, are not homogeneous but rather are in discontinuous or non-homogeneous blocks. Feeding systems and methods such as described above are known from DE2553879A1 , CA895493A , CN201406192Y or JP2004091011A .
  • the present invention tackles the problem of allowing powders to be packaged with high precision in the dosing of the product.
  • the present invention is based on the idea of making a vacuum area inside the tube where the powder is transported and inside the hopper. Given that the vacuum area extends to inside the hopper, the flow of powder is effectively drawn, the powder is effectively compacted and the flow rate is kept constant, thus allowing the dosing of the product to be controlled with high precision.
  • the terms “above”, “below”, “lower”, and “upper”, unless specified otherwise, refer to the condition of the various elements considering a section view of the final architecture of the packaging system in which the package occupies the lowest level.
  • the terms “downstream” and “upstream” refer to the direction of the flow of powdered material towards the package in which it is packaged.
  • a system for packaging powders comprising a hopper adapted for receiving the powders and a first tube comprising an inlet connected to the hopper, wherein the first tube internally comprises an screw conveyor configured so as to rotate about an axis inside the first tube so as to convey the powders towards an outlet of the first tube, wherein the first tube is made of filtering material and is arranged inside a second tube so as to make a gap between the first tube and the second tube, wherein the gap is configured so as to be able to be sealed and wherein the second tube comprises a first opening configured to be able to suck air from the gap and from the hopper.
  • the packaging system according to this embodiment makes it possible to suck the air contained inside the hopper and the first tube through its outer surface. Through such suction the powder is drawn directly from inside the hopper thus keeping the flow rate constant. Moreover, the powder sucked inside the first tube is uniformly compacted and the screw conveyor can thus convey the compacted powder towards the outlet. In this way, it is possible to very precisely control the dosing of the product exiting the system according to this embodiment of the invention.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the first opening of the second tube is positioned close to the inlet of the first tube, for example a first distance from the inlet of the first tube less than half of the total length of the first tube.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to remove air from inside the first tube close to the inlet of the tube connected to the hopper. In this way, the suction of air from inside the hopper is promoted and made more effective.
  • the distance of the first opening from the inlet of the first tube is less than 1/3 of the total length of the first tube, even more preferably less than 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9 or 1/10 of the total length of the first tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the first opening is connected to a vacuum pump.
  • the suction pressure of the vacuum pump can be of the order of a tenth of a bar, for example it can be in the range from 0.2 bar to 0.6 bar.
  • a system for packaging powders is provided further comprising a pressure sensor positioned inside the hopper so as to be able to adjust the vacuum pump based on the detected measurement.
  • a pressure sensor positioned inside the hopper so as to be able to adjust the vacuum pump based on the detected measurement.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the pressure sensor positioned inside the hopper is connected to a controller for controlling the pressure.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to automatically adjust the pressure level inside the hopper from the signal detected by the pressure sensor, and thus to adjust the pressure according to a predetermined depression value so as to obtain a constant flow rate of powders.
  • a pressure sensor can preferably be a depression sensor configured so as to detect a pressure difference with the outside.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the depression sensor is positioned a vertical distance from the upper end of the first tube greater than half of the height of the hopper, more preferably greater than 3/4 of the height of the hopper.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the second tube comprises a second opening to be able to blow air inside said gap.
  • the air blown makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube.
  • the degree of compacting constant, equal to a predetermined degree of compacting. Indeed, it has been observed that in the case of excessive compacting of the powders through suction from the first opening, the advancing of the powders in the system could be blocked. Thanks to the presence of the second opening it is thus possible to partially compensate for the suction effect from the first opening and precisely control the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • the air blown can for example be air at atmospheric pressure.
  • This second opening is preferably connected to a valve which can be directly connected with the atmosphere or to a chamber with controlled atmosphere.
  • the pressure will preferably be equal to atmospheric pressure or less so as not to require the presence of a compressor. Indeed, thanks to the depression that is created inside the gap due to the suction of air, the air at atmospheric pressure (in the case of opening of the valve) will be drawn inside the gap thus adjusting the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • the air that is introduced through the second opening can be replaced by a controlled gas atmosphere, preferably inert gases, even more preferably a single inert gas, for example nitrogen.
  • a controlled gas atmosphere preferably inert gases, even more preferably a single inert gas, for example nitrogen.
  • the air blown through the second opening is cold air, for example with a temperature comprised between 15°C and 30°C.
  • the temperature inside the first tube tends to rise by friction, which for example can occur between the screw conveyor and the compacted powders or also between the first tube (which is made of filtering material and thus rough) and the compacted powders.
  • the cold air blown thus allows the temperature inside the first tube to be reduced. In this way, it is possible to prevent an overheating of the system (which can occur at a temperature of the mechanical members above 50-60°C) but particularly it is possible to protect the quality of the powdered material from possible deterioration due to high temperatures.
  • a system for packaging powders is provided further comprising a pressure sensor positioned inside the gap and configured so as to be able to adjust the amount of air blown through the second opening based on the detected pressure value.
  • a pressure sensor positioned inside the gap and configured so as to be able to adjust the amount of air blown through the second opening based on the detected pressure value.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to prevent excessive compacting of the powders.
  • control from the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (which can for example be a depression sensor) can be combined with the control from the temperature detected so as to have a single controller capable of adjusting the amount of air blown both from the depression and from the temperature detected.
  • the air blown through the second opening is dry air, for example it can have a relative humidity comprised between 30% and 50%. Dry air allows the product not to be loaded with moisture avoiding hardening it.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the second opening is positioned close to the outlet of the first tube, for example a distance from the inlet of the first tube greater than half of the total length of the first tube.
  • This solution makes it possible to blow the cold air into the gap directly close to the outlet of the tube so as to be able to cool the outer surface of the first tube along most of its length.
  • the distance of the second opening from the inlet of the first tube is preferably greater than 2/3 of the total length of the first tube, even more preferably greater than 3/4 of the total length of the first tube, even more preferably greater than 4/5 of the length of the first tube and even more preferably greater than 5/6 of the length of the first tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the second opening is connected to a regulator.
  • a system for packaging powders in which inside the second tube there is a spiral configured so as to convey air from the second opening to the first opening.
  • the definition of a path of the air inside the second tube makes it possible to effectively convey the air blown inside the gap on a large portion of the outer surface of the first tube.
  • a system for packaging powders further comprising one or more temperature detectors to detect the temperature of one or more components of the system.
  • the system can advantageously be configured to adjust one or more of the physical parameters of the air or of the gas introduced through the second opening based on the detected temperature. For example, the temperature of the air introduced can be adjusted based on the temperature detected. Moreover, for example, the pressure or the relative humidity of the air introduced can also be adjusted based on the temperature detected.
  • a system for packaging powders in which a shutter is arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • the shutter makes it possible to control the dosing of the product with high precision. For example, if, due to the high degree of compacting and/or the depression inside the first tube, a part of the powders exiting from the first tube remains anchored to it and does not detach by gravity, through the shutter it is possible to extremely precisely cut the amount of compacted powder to be inserted inside the package arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • such a shutter can be formed by a pair of plates which make it possible to effectively cut the amount of powder as well as ensure closure of the tube. Therefore, the loss of product in the passage from one package to be filled to the next is avoided.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the shutter is formed by a pair of opposite plates.
  • Such a solution is particularly advantageous since such a type of closure is quicker with respect to the case in which the shutter is made up of a single plate. This is because with a pair of plates the distance travelled by each plate is half.
  • a second advantage concerns the fact that with a pair of plates the problem of the movement of the remainder in outlet is prevented. Indeed, in the case in which there is a single plate, the remainder in outlet, not having a counter-resistance, would be moved along the closing direction of the plate.
  • a system for packaging powders in which a rotatable terminal is arranged at the outlet of the first tube; the rotatable terminal internally comprises cutting means configured so as to cut the compacted powders exiting from the first tube when the rotatable terminal rotates.
  • a system for packaging powders in which a conical terminal is arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • This thanks to the conical shape, makes it possible to effectively convey the compacted powders inside the package arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the conical terminal has a plurality of grooves on its outside. This, through convection, makes it possible to effectively cool also the compacted powder present inside the first tube at the conical terminal.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the first tube is made of sintered porous metal, for example steel, copper alloy or nickel alloy, with high uniformity of the pores.
  • a material for example of such a material is PORAL® of Sintertech.
  • a metallic material like for example steel or bronze provides good rigidity. This characteristic is advantageous given that the first tube internally has a movement member such as the screw conveyor which conveys the compacted powders.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the first tube made of filtering material has a filtering fineness proportioned to the minimum dimension of the grain size of the powder to be packaged. This makes it possible to have a vast range of usable powders.
  • the filtering fineness can be adapted for filtering up to 99.9% of powders having a diameter greater than or equal to 35.0 ⁇ m, 26.0 ⁇ m, 20.0 ⁇ m, 14.0 ⁇ m, 12.0 ⁇ m, 13.0 ⁇ m, 8.6 ⁇ m, 7.5 ⁇ m, 6.0 ⁇ m, 5.0 ⁇ m, 3.6 ⁇ m, 3.0 ⁇ m, 2.3 ⁇ m, 1.2 ⁇ m, 1.0 ⁇ m or 0.5 ⁇ m.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the second tube comprises a third opening to be able to feed the gap with pressurised air. This makes it possible to prevent long stopping periods of the system caused by possible clogging, for example by the clogging of the first tube. A clogged condition of the system can be effectively solved by feeding the third opening with pressurised air.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the dimensions of the system and of its components can be enlarged and reduced proportionally. This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to use it both for small and large amounts of material to be inserted in each package.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the first tube is connected to an extension tube positioned downstream of the first tube; wherein the screw conveyor extends longitudinally in the extension tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the system comprises a rotatable terminal close to the outlet of the extension tube; the rotatable terminal internally comprises cutting means configured so as to cut the compacted powders exiting from the extension tube when the rotatable terminal rotates.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to cut the powders exiting from the extension tube and to obtain more precise dosing of the product exiting from the screw conveyor. This is because, due to the high degree of compacting and/or the depression inside the first tube, a part of the powders exiting from the first tube remains anchored to it and does not detach by gravity.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the extension tube is arranged inside a rotatable tube; wherein the rotatable tube is rotatable about the extension tube; wherein the rotatable terminal is connected to the rotatable tube so as to be able to rotate with it.
  • the second tube can be replaced by any other structure capable of connecting the rotatable terminal with the upper flange, like for example a grid.
  • a further alternative is represented by a system of rods capable of mechanically connecting the rotatable terminal with the upper flange.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the extension tube and the rotatable tube are concentric.
  • This solution is advantageous since it makes it possible to have a particularly compact system since, as stated, it is formed by two concentric tubes.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the cutting means are a plurality of wires arranged like a fan.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it allows the compacted powders to be cut by carrying out a rotation of the rotatable terminal and in the same way there is no need to make the rotatable terminal go back to the starting position after having carried out said cutting.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the centre of the fan coincides with the axis of the extension tube.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to have a symmetrical cut and thus to have cutting means that occupy an amount of space that can be reduced to the point of having a diameter equal to the diameter of the extension tube.
  • a system for packaging powders that further comprises a vertical packager comprising a forming tube configured so as to receive a film coming from a reel; the forming tube internally contains the extension tube.
  • a system for packaging powders is provided in which the extension tube and the forming tube are concentric. This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to have a system of packaging compacted powders having three concentric tubes and therefore symmetrical and particularly compact. Such a system is both capable of cutting the powders effectively and of conveying the aforementioned powders inside packages made through such a vertical packager.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the forming tube has at least one opening configured so as to be able to blow gas inside the forming tube.
  • a system for packaging powders is provided in which the opening is positioned close to the upper edge of the forming tube. This provision is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible not to hamper the unwinding of the reel on the outer surface of the forming tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the forming tube internally contains the rotatable tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the rotatable terminal comprises an inner opening concentric with the extension tube so as to convey the powders through the opening; wherein the cutting means are positioned inside the opening.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the inner opening of the rotatable terminal has a maximum diameter equal to the inner diameter of said first tube.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the inner opening of the rotatable terminal is cylindrical in shape, wherein the axis of the cylinder coincides with the axis of the screw conveyor.
  • a system for packaging powders in which the inner opening of the rotatable terminal is frusto-conical in shape; wherein the axis of the cone coincides with the axis of the screw conveyor.
  • a system for packaging powders comprises at least one opening in the feeding tube of the hopper so as to be able to blow gas into the product that is fed inside the hopper.
  • an inert gas like for example nitrogen.
  • the opening can be provided in the hopper itself.
  • a method for packaging powders in containers through a system that conveys the powders through a hopper and a first tube connected to the hopper towards the containers, wherein the method comprises the following step:
  • the powder is effectively drawn from inside the hopper and is uniformly compacted. In this way, it is possible to keep the flow rate of the system constant. In this way, it is possible to control the dosing of the product exiting towards the containers with high precision.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of cutting such compacted powders exiting from the first tube so as to dose the amount of powders to be inserted in the containers. This makes it possible to further optimise the precision of dosing of the product exiting towards the containers.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of cutting such compacted powders exiting from the first tube, for example through the closing of a shutter, so as to dose the amount of powders to be inserted in the containers.
  • the cutting makes it possible to control the dosing of the product with high precision. For example, if due to the high degree of compacting and/or the depression inside the first tube a part of the powders exiting from the first tube remains anchored to it and does not detach by gravity, through the shutter it is possible to extremely precisely cut the amount of compacted powder to be inserted inside the package arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the cutting of the powders exiting from the first tube is carried out through the rotation of a rotatable terminal internally comprising cutting means and positioned close to the outlet of an extension tube positioned below the first tube; wherein the extension tube is connected to the first tube.
  • This method is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to cut the powders exiting from the first tube and to obtain a more precise dosing of the product exiting from the screw conveyor. This is because, due to the high degree of compacting and/or the depression inside the first tube, a part of the powders exiting from the first tube remains anchored to it and does not detach by gravity. Through the cutting means it is thus possible to extremely precisely cut the amount of compacted powder to be inserted inside the package arranged at the outlet of the first tube.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the cutting of the powders exiting from the first tube is carried out through the rotation of a rotatable terminal internally comprising cutting means.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the rotation of the rotatable terminal is provided by the rotation of a rotatable tube about its axis, wherein the extension tube is contained inside the rotatable tube; wherein the rotatable terminal is connected to the rotatable tube.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the rotation of the rotatable terminal is provided by the rotation of a rotatable tube about its axis.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the rotatable terminal is rotated by an angle greater than or equal to the angular distance between two cutting means.
  • a method for packaging powders that further comprises a step of forming tubular elements through a vertical packager so as to convey the compacted powders inside the tubular elements; wherein the vertical packager comprises a forming tube around which a film coming from a reel is received.
  • a method for packaging powders that further comprises a step of introducing gas into the gap formed between the forming tube and the rotatable tube through an opening of the forming tube so as to compensate for the depression inside the tubular elements.
  • Such a solution has two particular advantages: the first concerns the possibility of compensating for the depression inside the package preventing possible damage to it, and the second advantage concerns the possibility of cooling the tubes by introducing particularly cold gas.
  • a method is provided for packaging powders that further comprises a step of introducing gas into the forming tube so as to compensate for the depression inside the tubular elements.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of introducing air inside the gap so as to adjust the degree of compactness of the powders inside the first tube.
  • the air blown makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube. Indeed, it has been observed that in the case of excessive compacting of the powders through suction from the first opening, the advancing of the powders in the system could be obstructed. Thanks to the presence of the second opening it is thus possible to compensate for the suction effect from the first opening and to precisely control the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • the air blown can be air at atmospheric pressure, or a controlled atmosphere.
  • Such a step of introducing air inside the gap is preferably carried out at the same time as the step of sucking air from the inner region of the hopper and of the first tube so as to have continuous control of the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • an inert gas preferably nitrogen.
  • Such a solution is particularly advantageous since: by combining this introduction of gas with the removal of air from the first opening it is thus possible to obtain a compacted gas having a low amount of air inside it and such air will have an extremely low amount of oxygen. This is because the air contained inside the system has been "enriched" with nitrogen. Therefore, such a provision is particularly advantageous in the case in which powders are being handled that require an extremely low amount of oxygen to prevent possible oxidation, such as coffee.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the amount of air blown through the second opening is adjusted from the signal of a pressure sensor positioned inside the gap so as to detect the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to prevent excessive compacting of the powders.
  • control from the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (which can for example be a depression sensor) can be combined with the control from the temperature detected so as to have a single controller capable of adjusting the amount of air blown both from the pressure and from the temperature detected.
  • a method is provided further comprising a step of detecting the temperature of one or more of the components of the system and a step of introducing air inside the first tube, wherein one or more of the parameters of the air introduced from temperature, pressure or relative humidity is adjusted based on the temperature detected.
  • a method in which the suction of air from the inner region of the hopper and of the first tube so as to compact the powders is carried out through a vacuum pump in which the vacuum pump is adjusted from a pressure measurement detected through a pressure sensor positioned inside the hopper.
  • a method in which the suction of air from the inner region of the hopper and of the first tube so as to compact the powders is carried out from a signal detected by a pressure sensor positioned inside the hopper and connected to a controller for controlling the vacuum pump, wherein such detection is preferably carried out a vertical distance from the first tube equal to at least half the height of the hopper.
  • a method for packaging powders that further comprises a step of introducing gas inside the hopper.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to create a controlled atmosphere inside the hopper like for example an oxygen-poor atmosphere. This thus makes it possible to effectively reduce the amount of oxygen contained inside the first tube.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the gas introduced into the hopper is an inert gas, preferably nitrogen.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the step of filling a package is carried out at the same time as the step of cutting the package previously filled.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of introducing air on the outer surface of said first tube so as to cool said first tube.
  • the air blown can for example have a temperature comprised between 15°C and 30°C.
  • the temperature of the system can tend to increase by friction between the parts of the system and the compacted powder.
  • the cold air blown thus makes it possible to lower the temperature inside the first tube. In this way, it is possible to prevent overheating of the system (which occurs for example at a temperature of the mechanical members above 50-60°C) but particularly it is possible to protect the quality of the powdered material from possible deterioration due to high temperatures.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of introducing dry air inside the first tube, for example with a relative humidity comprised between 30% and 50%.
  • the dry air makes it possible not to load the product with moisture avoiding hardening it.
  • a method for packaging powders through a packaging system comprising a hopper that receives the powders and a first tube that comprises an inlet connected to the hopper, wherein the first tube internally comprises an screw conveyor that rotates about an axis inside the first tube so as to convey the powders towards the outlet of the first tube; wherein the first tube is made of filtering material and is arranged inside a second tube so as to make a gap between the first tube and the second tube, wherein the gap is configured so as to be able to be sealed; wherein the second tube comprises a first opening through which, based on the present method, a step of sucking air from the gap and from the hopper is carried out.
  • a method for packaging powders further comprising a step of introducing air inside the gap through a second opening of the second tube.
  • the air blown makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube. In this way, it is possible to keep the degree of compacting constant, equal to a predetermined degree of compacting. It has indeed been observed that in the case of excessive compacting of the powders through suction from the first opening, the advancing of the powders in the system could be obstructed. Thanks to the presence of the second opening it is thus possible to compensate for the suction effect from the first opening and to precisely control the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • the air blown can for example be air at atmospheric pressure.
  • the air blown through the second opening is cold air, for example with a temperature comprised between 15°C and 30°C.
  • the temperature inside the first tube tends to rise by friction, which for example can occur between the screw conveyor and the compacted powders or also between the first tube (which is made of filtering material and thus rough) and the compacted powders.
  • the cold air blown thus makes it possible to lower the temperature inside the first tube. In this way it is possible to prevent overheating of the system (which can occur at a temperature of the mechanical members above 50-60°C) but particularly it is possible to protect the quality of the powdered material from possible deterioration due to high temperatures.
  • the air blown through the second opening is dry air, for example it can have a relative humidity comprised between 30% and 50%.
  • the dry air makes it possible not to load the product with moisture avoiding hardening it.
  • a method for packaging powders in which the air blown inside the second opening is adjusted through a regulator. This makes it possible to precisely adjust the amount of air blown inside the cavity according to the desired degree of compacting of the powders.
  • FIG 1 schematically shows a system for packaging powders 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system for packaging powders 100 comprises a dosing group D that makes it possible to dose the desired amount of powder inside packages S.
  • the packages can be arranged at the outlet of the dosing group D, for example through a carousel or similar.
  • the system for packaging powders 100 further comprises an inlet of the powders through a centralised general feeding system AG.
  • the feeding system is connected to a buffer container AD which is configured so as to collect the powders in inlet and transfer them through a feeding tube TP to the dosing group D.
  • the dosing group D comprises a hopper T connected to a first tube TC made of filtering material.
  • the first tube TC internally comprises an screw conveyor C that is configured so as to be able to rotate inside the first tube TC about its axis ac.
  • the screw conveyor C can be actuated by a motorisation group M that does not allow the rotation thereof.
  • the volumetric flow rate exiting from the screw conveyor C can thus be controlled by adjusting the rotation speed of the screw conveyor C about its axis ac.
  • the first tube TC is inserted inside a second tube CT, for example a sealable tube.
  • a gap I is formed between the outer region of the first tube TC and the inner region of the second tube CT .
  • the gap is configured so as to be able to be sealed.
  • the upper and lower ends of the gap I are sealed through two O-rings OR arranged respectively at the two ends of the gap.
  • the second tube CT comprises a first opening T1.
  • the first opening T1 is configured to be able to suck air from the gap I and from the hopper T.
  • an area of depression is formed inside the gap I.
  • the area of depression thanks to the fact that the first tube is made of filtering material, also extends both in the region of the screw conveyor and up to inside the hopper T.
  • the first opening T1 is positioned close to the inlet of the first tube TC. This makes it possible to remove air from inside the first tube already close to the inlet of the powders inside the first tube and thus promote the suction of air up to inside the hopper.
  • Figure 3 shows that the first opening T1 is positioned a distance D1 from the inlet of the first tube T1.
  • the distance D1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is less than half of the total length L of the first tube TC. Moreover, the distance D1 can preferably be less than 1/3 of the length L of the first tube, and even more preferably less than 1/4 of the length L.
  • the first opening T1 can be connected to a vacuum pump P. This makes it possible to remove large amounts of air from the first tube so as to be able to form a large vacuum area inside the gap I, the first tube TC and the hopper T.
  • the second tube CT has a second opening T2 configured so as to be able to blow air, for example cold and/or dry air, inside the gap.
  • the air blown makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening T1 so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube TC. In this way it is possible to keep the degree of compacting constant, equal to a predetermined degree of compacting.
  • the second opening T2 can be configured so as to be able to more generally blow any type of gas, for example an inert gas such as nitrogen.
  • the temperature inside the first tube can tend to rise by friction.
  • friction is for example that between the screw conveyor and the compacted powders or between the first tube, which is made of filtering material and thus rough, and the compacted powders.
  • the air blown makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube TC. This makes it possible to reduce the probability of blocking of the advancing of the powders in the system due to excessive compacting of the powders.
  • the second opening T2 is positioned close to the outlet of the first tube TC. This makes it possible to blow cold air into the cavity I even close to the outlet UT of the first tube TC so as to effectively cool the outer surface of the first tube TC along much of its length L.
  • the figure shows that the second opening T2 is arranged a distance D2 from the inlet Ul of the first tube TC.
  • the distance D2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is greater than half of the length L of the first tube.
  • the second distance D2 can preferably be greater than 2/3 of the length L of the first tube TC, and even more preferably greater than 3/4 of the length L, even more preferably greater than 4/5 of the length L and even more preferably greater than 5/6 of the length L.
  • the second opening T2 is connected to a regulator REG1 capable of adjusting the amount of air to be blown inside the cavity I depending on the desired degree of compacting of the powders. Therefore, different degrees of compacting of the powders can be carried out depending on the type of powders to be packaged. For some types of powders, excessive compacting of the powders could indeed cause difficulties in the rotation of the screw conveyor C. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to have a control over the degree of compacting to make it possible to use the system for packaging powders 100 with a wide variety of powders.
  • the regulator REG1 which can be represented for example by a simple adjustment valve, can be directly connected with the atmosphere or be directly connected to a chamber at controlled atmosphere.
  • the pressure of the gas inserted can be equal to atmospheric pressure. Indeed, thanks to the depression that is created inside the gap I due to the suction of air, the air at atmospheric pressure (in the case in which the regulator REG1 is also partially open) will be drawn inside the gap I thus adjusting the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • a conical terminal CON is arranged that extends the first tube TC in the longitudinal direction reducing the section thereof. This makes it possible, thanks to the conical shape and therefore to the reduction in section, to effectively convey the powders coming from the screw conveyor C inside a package S.
  • grooves are made on its outer surface that increase the outer surface of the conical terminal CON and therefore its heat exchange coefficient.
  • the output UT of the first tube TC which according to an embodiment described previously is in turn connected to the conical terminal CON coincides with the outlet of the compacted powders to be inserted inside the container S.
  • a shutter R Downstream of this outlet a shutter R is arranged which is fixed directly to the second tube CT.
  • the shutter R is configured to be able to extremely precisely cut the amount of compacted powder to be inserted inside the package S.
  • the shutter R when it is closed, provides a lower closure to the first tube TC, thus supporting the compacted powders contained in the first tube TC.
  • the closure of the first tube TC is particularly advantageous as far as obtaining the vacuum is concerned since it makes it possible to provide a closed environment and therefore in which it is easier to obtain the vacuum.
  • a shutter R can for example be made up of a pair of opposite plates LR.
  • the closure through a pair of plates is faster than the case in which the shutter is made up of a single plate. Indeed, in the case in which there are two plates LR, the distance travelled by each plate LR is half.
  • a second advantage concerns the fact that with a pair of plates LR the problem of the movement of the compacted powders exiting from the first tube TC that remained anchored to it is prevented.
  • the first tube TC is made of filtering material.
  • the first tube TC is made of sintered porous metal.
  • the first tube TC therefore has a high rigidity due to the fact that it is made of metallic material. This ensures excellent stability thereof even during operation of the screw conveyor C which is in direct contact with the inside of the first tube TC.
  • An example of sintered porous material that can be used for this purpose is "PORAL".
  • the filtering fineness according to an embodiment of the present invention is proportioned to the minimum dimension of the grain size of the powder to be packaged.
  • Figure 3 shows that the second tube CT comprises a third opening T3 configured so as to be able to feed the gap I with pressurised air.
  • the pressurised air inserted inside the gap I makes it possible to free the system from possible clogging, for example from clogging of the filtering material from which the first tube TC is made. This prevents long stopping periods of the system caused by clogging.
  • the third opening T3 is arranged close to the first opening T1 so that the air inserted through the third opening flows in the opposite direction with respect to the direction generated by the combined action of the suction through the opening T1 and the introduction of air from the opening T2.
  • the pressurised air used to free the system from possible clogging can be inserted from the first opening T1.
  • FIG. 2b shows that the feeding tube TP has one or more openings ATP configured so as to be able to blow gas inside the feeding tube TP and therefore consequently also in the hopper T.
  • openings ATP can be found in any of the embodiments of the present invention.
  • the system for packaging powders 101 represented in figure 13 further comprises a vertical packager.
  • the system for packaging powders 100 also in this case the system comprises an inlet of the powders through a centralised general feeding system AG.
  • the feeding system is connected to a buffer container AD which is configured so as to collect the powders in inlet and transfer them through a feeding tube TP to the dosing group D.
  • the dosing group D makes it possible to dose the desired amount of powder inside the tubular element TS, from which the packages will then be formed.
  • Figures 14 and 15 respectively show a three-dimensional view and a section view of the system for packaging powders 101.
  • the system for packaging powders 101 comprises a first tube TC, a second tube CT, a gap I, a first opening T1, a second opening T2 and a third opening T3 having the same characteristics that they have in the system for packaging powders 100 presented above.
  • the first tube TC that internally comprises the screw conveyor C is connected to an extension tube TC' through a joining sleeve MG.
  • the extension tube TC' is for example made of stainless steel. Therefore, there will thus be a tube formed from a first tube TC made of filtering material and from an extension tube TC' having a solid structure.
  • the extension tube TC' can in any case be made with any filtering and non-filtering material.
  • the two tubes TC, TC' have the same inner diameter. Close to the outlet UT' of the extension tube TC' there is a rotatable terminal TI which internally comprises cutting means F.
  • the rotatable terminal TI which is cylindrical in shape, comprises an inner opening AP concentric with the extension tube TC' so as to convey the powders through it. Moreover, the cutting means F are positioned inside such an opening AP.
  • the extension tube TC' is inserted inside a rotatable tube TR. In this way, between the outer region of the extension tube TC' and the inner region of the rotatable tube TR a gap is formed.
  • the rotatable tube TR is rotatable about the extension tube TC'. Such a rotation is ensured, as shown in the figures, by a lever LC that is connected to an upper flange FS positioned in the upper part of the rotatable tube TR.
  • the rotatable tube TR is connected to the rotatable terminal TI so as to transmit the rotation to the terminal TI. Such a connection is ensured for example by a mechanical constraint.
  • the axes of the extension tube TC' and of the rotatable tube TR coincide.
  • a centring ring AO is positioned which ensures that the rotatable tube TR is always centred with respect to the extension tube TC'.
  • Such an element can be made for example of plastic, brass or bronze so as to help the sliding between the tubes thanks to the reduces friction coefficient of such materials.
  • the cutting means F represented in figure 24a , are represented by two wires arranged perpendicular to one another in a fan so as to form an angle of 90° between them.
  • the number of wires, their section and the dimensions are selected as a function of the type of powder to be dosed and of the degree of compacting of such a powder.
  • the cutting means F can also be made up of 5, 6 or even more wires. In the case in which there are four wires, the resulting angle between one wire and the other will be 45°.
  • Such wires can be replaced for example by blades or by knives that are installed in an analogous manner to the wires.
  • the wires are made from a strong material suitable for contact with food products like for example stainless steel.
  • it is also possible to use a food-grade plastic like fishing line which makes it possible to have very low thicknesses and despite this have great mechanical strength.
  • the cutting means F can also be formed from a grid having a plurality of openings. In this way, it is thus possible to have cutting means F consisting of multiple wires arranged woven together and forming a plurality of openings having any shape and size.
  • the cutting means F can also be made by removal of material from a lower terminal TI initially without cavities. In this case, through mechanical processing it is possible to remove material so as to form the wires in this case having a square section.
  • the centre of the fan of wires coincides with the axis of the extension tube TC' and thus consequently with the axis of the screw conveyor ac.
  • the system thus obtained, as described having central symmetry, has cutting means positioned at the centre of the extension tube TC'.
  • the opening AP of the rotatable terminal TI has a cylindrical shape, thus having a constant section along the vertical axis. Such a constant section has a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the extension tube TC'.
  • the length of the extension tube TC' is less than that of the rotatable tube TR.
  • the rotatable terminal is installed that is fixed to the rotatable tube TR.
  • the length of the two tubes can be the same and the rotatable terminal Tl' can be installed below the lower edge of the two tubes.
  • the opening AP of the rotatable terminal TIC has a frusto-conical shape, thus having a converging section along the vertical axis: the upper part close to the outlet of the extension tube TC' has a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the extension tube TC' whereas the lower part has a smaller diameter than the upper part.
  • the opening angle ⁇ of the cone can be adjusted depending on the degree of compacting and the type of material to be conveyed. According to the solution represented in the figures, the length of the extension tube TC' is less than that of the rotatable tube TR.
  • the rotatable terminal TI is installed which is fixed to the rotatable tube TR.
  • the length of the two tubes can be the same and the rotatable terminal TI'C can be installed below the lower edge of the two tubes.
  • the frusto-conical shape of the opening AP of the rotatable terminal TIC is advantageous since it makes it possible to further compact the powder to be dosed even in the horizontal direction, in particular contributing to eliminating the possible central cavity in the volume of powder compacted due to the central region of the screw conveyor.
  • the frusto-conical shape makes it possible to facilitate the alignment between the product and the package to be filled.
  • a further variant, shown in figure 28e makes it possible to combine the advantages described above of having a cylindrical opening with those of having a conical opening.
  • the extension tube TC' is in this case replaced by an extension tube TC" having a frusto-conical shape at its lower end. Therefore, thanks to such a frusto-conical portion it is in this way possible to obtain a further compacting of the powders as described above.
  • the rotatable terminal TI is integrated directly in the centring ring AO, so as to form a single element.
  • the packaging system 101 further comprises a vertical packager which comprises a forming tube TF to make it possible to receive a film coming from a reel B.
  • a vertical packager which comprises a forming tube TF to make it possible to receive a film coming from a reel B.
  • a vertical welder (not represented in the figures) that allows the vertical welding of the packages and there are members (not present in the figures) capable of making the film slide towards the lower part of the forming tube TF.
  • the forming tube TF internally contains the rotatable tube TR and consequently also the extension tube TC'. Therefore, a gap is thus formed between the rotatable tube TR and the forming tube TF.
  • the axis of the forming tube TF coincides with the axis of the extension tube TC'.
  • FIG 16a in the upper part of the forming tube TF there is at least one opening AZ from which gas can be introduced inside the gap formed between the forming tube TF and the rotatable tube TR.
  • a gap as shown in figure 16b , has an increase in width proceeding from the top towards the bottom so as to be able to effectively convey gas coming from the opening AZ towards the tubular element TS.
  • an opening (not represented in the figures) can also be made on the outer upper surface of the rotatable tube TR, for example above the upper flange FS. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the opening AZ can be replaced with a plurality of openings so as to be able to blow gas along the entire length of the circumference and thus obtain better distribution.
  • the rotatable tube TR can be replaced by any other structure capable of connecting the rotatable terminal TI with the upper flange FS, like for example a grid. In this case the two aforementioned gaps will communicate.
  • An alternative is represented by a system of rods capable of mechanically connecting the rotatable terminal TI with the upper flange TS or by a tube machined inside it.
  • Figure 10b shows the filling of a capsule for producing beverages S3.
  • a depicted system can be arranged in combination with multiple systems the same as or similar to it so as to constitute a multi-track system, i.e. a system that makes it possible to feed a plurality of capsules S3 or in any case containers S in parallel and simultaneously.
  • a single hopper T is connected and feeds a plurality of first tubes T1 made of filtering material and arranged in combination so as to constitute a multi-track system capable of filling a plurality of capsules S3 or in any case containers S in parallel and simultaneously.
  • the gap I can be formed from a single second tube TC that contains the plurality of first tubes T1.
  • Figure 4 represents the initial step of feeding the hopper T with the powders coming from the centralised system AG.
  • the vacuum pump P is switched off and the regulators REG1 and REG2 are closed.
  • the powders thus tend to drop down by gravity and enter inside the first tube TC below.
  • the shutter R is closed. Therefore, thanks to the closing of the shutter R, a closure below the first tube TC is provided, thus supporting the compacted powders contained in the first tube TC.
  • the closure of the first tube TC is particularly advantageous as far as making the vacuum is concerned since it makes it possible to provide a closed environment and therefore in which it is easier to make the vacuum.
  • Figure 5 shows a step of sucking air from the inner region of the hopper T and of the first tube TC so as to compact the conveyed powders and to effectively draw the powders from inside the hopper T towards the first tube TC.
  • the vacuum pump P is activated so as to suck air through the first opening T1.
  • the screw conveyor C is actuated so as to push the compacted powder towards the outlet UT of the first tube TC.
  • the product thus begins to drop inside the first tube TC and to be compacted.
  • the screw conveyor C rotates in the clockwise direction SRC.
  • the direction of rotation SRC is dictated by the direction in which the screw conveyor C is mounted. In the case in which the screw conveyor C is mounted in the opposite direction, the direction of rotation would be anti-clockwise.
  • Figure 5 also shows that the regulator REG1 is opened so as to introduce air, for example cold and/or dry air from the opening T2.
  • the cold air introduced from the opening T2 makes it possible to cool the system, for example the first tube TC.
  • a common temperature sensor V for example pt100
  • V for example pt100
  • the system can be provided with a feedback control that, based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, adjusts the temperature of the cold air introduced through the second opening T2.
  • the cold air can be taken from a tank.
  • the feedback control can cool the air in the tank to the desired temperature.
  • the cold air can be taken from different tanks at different temperatures.
  • the feedback control can control from which tank to take the air.
  • the air blown from the opening T2 makes it possible to partially compensate for the air sucked through the first opening T1 so as to be able to control the degree of compacting of the powders inside the first tube. Indeed, it has been observed that in the case of excessive compacting of the powders through suction from the first opening, the advancing of the powders in the system could be obstructed. It is thus possible to partially compensate for the suction effect from the first opening by controlling the air flow introduced from the opening T2 obtaining a precise control of the degree of compacting of the powders and thus reducing the probability of blocking the advancing of the powders in the system.
  • the introduction of air through the second opening T2 causes a variation of the operative conditions of the vacuum pump P.
  • the air blown from the opening T2 can be replaced with an inert gas, like for example nitrogen.
  • an inert gas like for example nitrogen.
  • the suction pressure can for example reach a value of the order of a tenth of a bar, for example it can be in the range from 0.2 bar to 0.6 bar in the case in which the first regulator Reg1 is closed.
  • the suction pressure of the vacuum pump can be raised for example by 10 - 30% depending on the required degree of compacting and thus on how much air is blown inside the second opening.
  • the suction flow rate of the vacuum pump P can be controlled from a pressure or depression sensor (not depicted) positioned inside the hopper T.
  • a pressure or depression sensor not depicted
  • the powders in order to reach a constant flow rate inside the screw conveyor C it is important for the powders to be drawn directly from inside the hopper T by the depression formed there.
  • the pressure inside the hopper T is too high, there could be variations in flow rate inside the screw conveyor C, due to a non-homogeneous degree of compacting of the powders, which could result in errors in measuring the amount of product to be inserted in the package.
  • the depression inside the hopper T during the period of activity of the vacuum pump P will not be homogeneous in every point of the hopper T. Therefore, the adjustment will depend greatly on the point at which such a depression is measured. Indeed, the closer such a sensor is positioned to the first tube TC, the lower the value of the detected pressure will be.
  • the inventor has discovered that it is particularly advantageous to position for example the depression sensor a distance from the inlet of the first tube TC equal to at least half of the height of the hopper, more preferably at least 3/4 of the height of the hopper T so as to make it possible to effectively detect the influence of the vacuum pump P on the powders that enter the inlet of the hopper T.
  • the inventor has discovered that to prevent oscillations in flow rate during the period of activity of the vacuum pump P it is particularly advantageous to directly connect the input signal coming from the pressure sensor in the hopper T with the regulator (not depicted) that controls the flow rate of the vacuum pump P. Indeed, as soon as the pressure sensor detects a pressure increase in the hopper T, the regulator can transmit a signal to the vacuum pump P thus increasing the suction flow rate of the pump P.
  • a pressure sensor (not depicted) inside the gap I so as to measure the depression inside the gap I and thus so as to be able to detect the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • Such a pressure sensor can be connected to the regulator REG1 of the second opening T2 so as to adjust the degree of opening of the regulator REG1 depending on the detected depression and thus the degree of compacting of the powders.
  • a pressure sensor is preferably positioned a distance from the first opening T1 greater than half of the length L of the first tube TC, more preferably a distance from the first opening T1 greater than 3/4 of the length L of the first tube TC.
  • Figure 6 shows that the first tube TC is completely filled with compacted powders which reach the level of the closed shutter R.
  • the shutter indeed blocks the passage of the powders.
  • the flow rate at the outlet of the screw conveyor C is constant and the rotation speed of the screw conveyor is a controllable parameter, it is possible to precisely control the amount of product exiting from the shutter R by adjusting the rotation time of the screw conveyor that rotates at the controlled speed.
  • Figure 9 shows that the shutter R is subsequently closed again. Through the closing of the shutter R the remainder RI of compacted powders exiting from the shutter R is thus cut and adds to the amount of powders already present in the package S.
  • Such precision is dependent on the amount of compacted powders to be inserted in the container S.
  • a container S containing 1Kg of compacted powders there can be 1 g.
  • the plates LR of the shutter R further ensure a closure of the tube and therefore avoid the loss of product in the passage from one package S to the next. Therefore, when a second package S2 reaches the outlet of the shutter R, as shown in figure 10 , the plates LR of the shutter reopen and the new package S2 can thus be filled.
  • the plates LR of the shutter R thanks to the fact that they are configured so as to be able to close the lower opening of the first tube TC, make it possible to increase the degree of vacuum inside the system, thus resulting in a greater degree of compacting.
  • Figure 11 shows the method for carrying out the cleaning of the first tube TC which is made of porous material.
  • the vacuum pump P is switched off and the regulator REG 1 is closed. Thereafter, the second regulator REG2 is opened and pressurised air flows inside the gap I. Inside the gap a maximum pressure of 5 - 6 bar can be reached so as to be able to effectively open the clogged pores.
  • Figure 12 schematically shows a system for packaging powders 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • a spiral IE configured so as to convey air from the second opening T2 to the first opening T1.
  • the definition of an air path makes it possible to effectively convey the air blown inside the cavity I on the entire perimeter of the outer surface of the first tube TC.
  • the spiral can be made by forming a threading F on the inner wall of the second tube CT.
  • the first tube TC is in contact with the threading F.
  • the path for the air is made between the turns of the threading.
  • Figure 12 in particular shows a cleaning step.
  • the cleaning operation is carried out for a packaging system 100 comprising a spiral IE inside the second tube CT.
  • a packaging system 100 comprising a spiral IE inside the second tube CT.
  • Such an operation comprises the same steps described with reference to figure 11 .
  • the pressurised air follows the path defined by the spiral IE.
  • Figure 21 represents the initial step of feeding the extension tube TC' with the compacted powders.
  • the vertical packager slides the film coming from the reel B downwards, welded longitudinally and arranged on the outer surface of the forming tube TF.
  • Such a film slides to the outlet of the forming tube TF so as to form a tubular element TS that in a second step, after filling a welding closed, will form the package.
  • the tubular element TS is welded at the bottom, and such a process will however be described hereinafter.
  • the rotation will be equal to 180°, in the case of two wires the rotation will be equal to 90°, in the case of four wires it will be equal to 45° and so on.
  • the number of wires is dependent on the type of powders and on the degree of compacting and it can be changed depending on which materials are being used. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the cutting system through a rotatable terminal TI can be used in the system 100 presented above by replacing for example the shutter R with the rotatable terminal TI that contains the cutting means F. The rotation of the rotatable terminal TI can in this case be ensured by the rotation of the second tube CT.
  • the lever LC allows the rotation of the flange FS in both directions: clockwise and anti-clockwise. Therefore, in the case depicted it is possible, once cutting has been carried out, to return to the starting position. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that in the case in which it is wished to avoid the step of returning to the starting position the lever LC can be replaced with a system that allows the upper flange FS to rotate 360° like for example gear, rack or similar systems.
  • Figure 25 represents a detail of the remainder RI still anchored to the outlet of the first tube. Following the rotation by 90° of the rotatable tube TR (represented in figure 26 ) and thus consequently the rotation of the rotatable terminal TI having cutting means F made up of two wires, the remainder is driven inside the tubular element TS so that the required amount of compacted powders is conveyed inside the tubular element TS.
  • the rotatable tube TR is brought back into the position where it was before the rotation described above.
  • the cutting would be carried out in the return step of the rotatable terminal TI. Therefore, the rotatable terminal TI will in this case be equipped with blades directed so as to be able to cut in the return step in the case in which blades have been selected as cutting means F.
  • they are cutting means TI represented by wires in this case there is not the problem of the cutting direction since they can be used without distinction in both of the cutting directions.
  • the amount of gas to be inserted inside the opening AZ is adjusted according to what depression is created inside the tubular element TS during the unwinding step.
  • a depression can indeed be different depending on the format of the package to be made and on the type of film used.
  • Such adjustment can for example be carried out through a tap.
  • gas can be introduced inside the opening ATP of the feeding tube TP.
  • a gas is preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen.
  • This solution is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to enrich the atmosphere inside the hopper T with an inert gas and thus reduce the amount of oxygen contained by percentage. In this way, combining the introduction of nitrogen with the suction from the opening T1 it is thus possible to obtain an oxygen-poor atmosphere.
  • Such an opening ATP can also be represented by a plurality of openings so as to be able to increase the amount of gas introduced.
  • openings (not depicted) can be carried out on the outer surface of the hopper T replacing or in addition to the opening ATP of the feeding tube.
  • the present invention makes it possible to substantially compact the powders to be packaged. This makes it possible to save, for the same weight, a substantial volume of the final package. For example, in the case of 1 Kg packages of flour, a reduction of the height of the packages by about 25 - 30 mm with respect to packages obtained with the systems and methods known in the state of the art has been observed. Moreover, by reducing the air inside the compacted powders and therefore the packages, the presence of gases, for example oxygen, which could deteriorate the packaged powders is substantially reduced. With the present invention benefits are thus obtained in terms of how long the properties of the packaged properties last, for example the organoleptic properties. Moreover, benefits are also obtained in economic terms, due to the saving of material necessary to form the packages.
  • the system based on the present invention can also be implemented with horizontal extension.
  • any other type of system for sucking air can also be used.
  • the present invention can be implemented with a plurality of air inlets and air outlets.
  • the method and the system for packaging powders described in the present invention makes it possible to package any type of powdered material in any field.
  • An example of powdered material that can be packaged is flour, and more generally any type of powdered material present in the food industry.
  • Another example is represented by powders used in the building trade, for example lime.
  • a further example is represented by powders used to obtain beverages, for example ground coffee.
  • the first tube can for example be interchangeable so as to be able to be replaced to change the filtering fineness in the case in which there are big variations in the grain size of the powder to be packaged.
  • tubes can be replaced with any type of tubes, for example having sections of any shape like for example a square or polygonal section. It is clear for those skilled in the art that the term tube is meant in the widest sense to indicate any type of body having an inner cavity.
  • the shape of the rotatable terminal as well as the shape of the tubes is not constrained to being round.
  • the step of cutting the package is not constrained to being carried out through mechanical shearing since it could for example be carried out by laser cutting.
  • the present invention can be implemented with a plurality of openings so as to make the distribution of air as homogeneous as possible.

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Claims (10)

  1. Procédé de conditionnement de poudres dans des conteneurs (S) par l'intermédiaire d'un système (100, 101) qui transporte les poudres à travers une trémie (T) et un premier tube (TC) relié à ladite trémie (T) vers les conteneurs (S),
    ledit procédé comprend l'étape suivante consistant à :
    a) aspirer de l'air depuis la région intérieure de ladite trémie (T) et dudit premier tube (TC) de manière à compacter les poudres transportées ; et ledit procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre l'étape suivante consistant à :
    b) introduire du gaz de manière à ajuster le degré de compactage des poudres à l'intérieur dudit premier tube (TC).
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit gaz inséré pour ajuster le degré de compactage est un gaz inerte, de préférence de l'azote.
  3. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre une étape de détection de la température d'un ou plusieurs des composants dudit système (100, 101) et une étape d'introduction de gaz, de préférence de gaz inerte, de manière encore plus préférée d'azote, dans lequel un ou plusieurs des paramètres du gaz introduit parmi une température, une pression ou une humidité relative est ajusté sur la base de la température détectée.
  4. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres comprenant une trémie (T) adaptée pour recevoir les poudres et un premier tube (TC) comprenant une entrée (UI) reliée à ladite trémie (T), dans lequel ledit premier tube (TC) comprend intérieurement un convoyeur à vis (C) configuré de manière à tourner autour d'un axe (ac) à l'intérieur dudit premier tube (TC) de manière à transporter les poudres vers une sortie (UT) dudit premier tube (TC),
    ledit premier tube (TC) est constitué d'un matériau filtrant et est disposé à l'intérieur d'un second tube (CT) de manière à établir un espace (I) entre ledit premier tube (TC) et ledit second tube (CT), ledit espace (I) étant configuré de façon à pouvoir être scellé ; dans lequel ledit second tube (CT) comprend une première ouverture (T1) configurée pour pouvoir aspirer de l'air depuis ledit espace (I) et depuis ladite trémie (T)
    dans lequel ledit second tube (CT) comprend en outre une seconde ouverture (T2) configurée pour pouvoir souffler de l'air à l'intérieur dudit espace (I) et
    caractérisé en ce que ledit système (100, 101) comprend en outre un capteur de pression positionné à l'intérieur dudit espace (I) et le système (100, 101) étant configuré de manière à pouvoir ajuster la quantité d'air soufflé à travers ladite seconde ouverture (T2) sur la base de la pression détectée par ledit capteur de pression.
  5. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite première ouverture (T1) est positionnée à proximité de l'entrée (UI) dudit premier tube (TC), par exemple à une première distance (D1) de l'entrée (UI) dudit premier tube (TC) inférieure à la moitié de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC), de préférence inférieure à 1/3 de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC), de manière encore plus préférée inférieure à 1/4 de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC).
  6. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon l'une des revendications 4 ou 5, dans lequel ladite première ouverture (T1) est reliée à une pompe à vide (P).
  7. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, dans lequel ladite seconde ouverture (T2) est positionnée à proximité de la sortie (UT) dudit premier tube (TC), par exemple à une distance (D2) de l'entrée (UI) dudit premier tube (TC) supérieure à la moitié de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC), de préférence supérieure à 2/3 de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC), de manière encore plus préférée supérieure à 3/4 de la longueur totale (L) dudit premier tube (TC), de manière encore plus préférée supérieure à 4/5 de la longueur totale (L) et de manière encore plus préférée supérieure à 5/6 de la longueur totale (L).
  8. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, dans lequel ladite seconde ouverture (T2) est reliée à un régulateur (REG1).
  9. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon l'une des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel à l'intérieur dudit second tube (CT), il y a une spirale (IE) configurée de manière à transporter de l'air depuis ladite seconde ouverture (T2) jusqu'à ladite première ouverture (T1).
  10. Système (100, 101) de conditionnement de poudres selon l'une des revendications 6 à 9, comprenant en outre un ou plusieurs détecteurs de température (V) pour détecter la température d'un ou plusieurs composants du système (100), dans lequel le système est configuré pour ajuster un ou plusieurs des paramètres physiques parmi une température, une pression ou une humidité relative de l'air introduit à travers ladite seconde ouverture (T2) sur la base de la température détectée.
EP17780888.8A 2016-09-08 2017-09-08 Système et procédé d'emballage de poudres Active EP3509951B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102016000091025A IT201600091025A1 (it) 2016-09-08 2016-09-08 Sistema e metodo per il confezionamento di polveri
IT102016000122878A IT201600122878A1 (it) 2016-09-08 2016-12-02 Sistema e metodo per il confezionamento di polveri
PCT/IB2017/055425 WO2018047108A1 (fr) 2016-09-08 2017-09-08 Système et procédé d'emballage de poudres

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IT201800007634A1 (it) * 2018-07-30 2020-01-30 Pbl Srl Sistema e metodo di riempimento di una capsula
CN112356235B (zh) * 2020-10-26 2021-12-31 山东连环机械科技有限公司 一种陶土分批打包用土料分离机
CN113232917A (zh) * 2021-05-26 2021-08-10 湖南盛东生物科技有限公司 一种饲料酶制剂粉料的灌装装置及灌装方法

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DE2555347A1 (de) * 1975-12-09 1977-06-30 Celcommerz Inh Felix Rettenmai Sackpackpresse zum entlueften und verdichten von pulverfoermigen und feinkoernigen produkten (z.b. mehle) die rasch in saecke (z.b. plastiksaecke oder papiersaecke) abgefuellt werden
JP4150555B2 (ja) * 2002-09-02 2008-09-17 株式会社東京自働機械製作所 縦形粉粒体脱気充填装置
JP4544043B2 (ja) * 2005-06-08 2010-09-15 三菱エンジニアリングプラスチックス株式会社 粉体原料の供給装置および供給方法
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CA3035487A1 (fr) 2018-03-15
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CA3035487C (fr) 2021-04-27

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