EP3523207B1

EP3523207B1 - Machine and method for making encapsulated articles

Info

Publication number: EP3523207B1
Application number: EP17780132.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fiorenzo Draghetti; Luca Galletti
Original assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2016-10-10
Filing date: 2017-10-10
Publication date: 2020-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-10
Also published as: CN110139803A; IT201600101508A1; EP3523207A1; WO2018069328A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a machine, and a corresponding method, to make a capsule containing a reagent product and a filter.
In particular, embodiments described here concern a machine for making encapsulated articles which can be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other vaporization or flavoring devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Encapsulated articles are known, for the inhalation or inspiration of substances contained therein, and can be used, for example, in electronic cigarettes or other inhalation devices, typically provided with a reservoir for a liquid, such as water or an aqueous mixture, and a vaporization or atomizer device.
The encapsulated articles in question generally comprise a container or capsule containing a predetermined dose or amount of a particular product or reagent substance, such as tobacco, or other substance to be inhaled, and a filter.
The aspirating or inhaling action produced by the user creates a stream of aspirated air in which the vaporized or atomized liquid is drawn, forcing it to pass through said reagent substance. This passage extracts or draws flavoring substances and/or active ingredients contained in the same reagent substance which are then aspirated or inhaled by the user.
In such capsules, the product and the filter are kept in position by means of special closing elements which prevent the product and/or the filter from exiting, but at the same time allow the passage of vapors, fumes and/or aromas to the outside.
For example, capsules are known containing a dose of tobacco, and a filter, which can be used in suitable devices, or electronic cigarettes, provided with means for heating the tobacco dose.
In the production of such encapsulated articles, one of the most common problems concerns the closure of the capsules, which not only requires high execution times but often also does not allow to obtain a correct and efficient sealing, at the same time allowing the passage of steam and/or aromas towards the outside.
Automatic packaging machines are known for producing such encapsulated articles, as for example the ones disclosed by EP-A-0.257.230 and WO-A-2017/051350 .
In the prior art, other automatic packaging machines are also know in neighboring technical fields, such as for example for producing capsules for beverage. Examples of this kind of machines are disclosed in the documents WO-A-2016/088023 and WO-A-2014/136015 .
In this kind of packaging machine for producing capsules or encapsulated articles one problem arises during the closure of the capsules. In fact, before the sealing step, the closing element must be positioned onto the respective capsule. One problem of this machine is thus to place and center the closing element with respect to the capsule in the correct position with accuracy and precision. In fact, if the closing element is not correctly positioned and centered, the subsequent sealing step may not ensure either a strong adhesion of the closing element to the capsule or the complete airtightness of the inside of the capsule.
Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill after reading the remaining part of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments that follow, although it is clear that the description of the state of the art connected to the present description must not be considered an admission that what is described here is already known from the state of the prior art.
There is therefore a need to provide a machine and a corresponding method for the production of an encapsulated article of the type described above which overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art and allow to perform closing operations of such capsules quickly and automatically.
One purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and the corresponding method for the production of encapsulated articles that allow to obtain correctly closed capsules and at the same time to have high production rates.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
Embodiments described here concern a machine to make articles in capsule form. Said articles comprise a container, or capsule, having, in this case, a closed bottom, advantageously holed, containing a dose of reagent product, a filter disposed above the reagent product, and a closing element, attached to the container and configured to hold the filter positioned and seal the whole, but at the same time allowing the passage of vapor and/or aromas toward the outside.
According to the invention the reagent product can be tobacco, or another substance, depending on the destination and/or use of said capsule.
In accordance with some embodiments, the reagent product can be in powder from, chopped, minced, in grains, in bars, etc.
For example, the capsules can be applied in association with electronic cigarettes, vaporization devices, or devices called "carbonizers" in the sector of smoking articles, and provided with a resistance and a resistance feed to heat the reagent product and produce aromas/vapors that can be breathed in by a user in a similar way to a traditional smoking article.
According to other embodiments, the capsules can also be applied in evaporizer/vaporizer devices for medicinal substances, anti-parasitic substances, or devices to perfume a room, provided with means suitable to heat the reagent product in the capsule and obtain aromas/vapors.
The machine according to the invention in its general constitution, advantageously comprises a capsule feed station, in which the empty capsules are correctly fed and oriented, an exit station, from which the completed capsule is removed and sent to subsequent packing steps, and a transfer device, provided with one or more receiver members each suitable to receive one or more capsules and transfer them from the capsule feed station to the exit station along a transfer path.
In accordance with some embodiments, along the transfer path, the machine can include a station to meter and introduce the reagent product, a station to cut and insert filters, and a station to close the capsules.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises, in correspondence with the capsule closing station, a closing unit to stabilize the content of the capsules with at least a closing element to form an encapsulated article, so as to obtain a correct and efficient positioning leaving free the passage of the fumes and/or vapors that the reagent product possibly produces.
According to possible embodiments, the closing unit can include an engagement device able to position a closing element in cooperation with the aperture of the capsule, and a welding device to weld the closing element to the capsule.
According to a possible variant, the engagement device acquires the closing element and moves it in relation to the aperture of the capsule.
Another variant is the fact that the engagement device acquires the closing element from a vertical, horizontal or inclined delivery member.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the engagement device is also configured to temporarily position the closing element at a desired engagement angle θ, said engagement angle θ defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane π of the aperture of the capsule and a second lying plane γ of the closing element.
In accordance with another aspect, the welding device moves the closing element in direct connection with the edge of the designated capsule and welds it thereto.
These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some forms of embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.
The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics described in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.
It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine to make encapsulated articles in accordance with embodiments described here;
figs. 2a and 2b are respectively an exploded view and a section view of encapsulated articles in accordance with embodiments described here;
fig. 3 is a view from above of a closing station of a machine in accordance with embodiments described here;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of a closing station of a machine in accordance with embodiments described here;
fig. 5 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a closing station of a machine in accordance with embodiments described here;
figs. 6-8 shows successive steps of a closing method used with a machine in accordance with embodiments described here;
figs. 9 to 12 show some details of a closing unit during the closing of the encapsulated articles in accordance with embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described here, using the attached drawings, concern a machine 10 for making encapsulated articles 20.
Figs. 2a and 2b show a possible embodiment of an article 20 of the type in question comprising a container 22, also called capsule, defining a containing compartment 27 suitable to contain inside it a dose of a reagent product 24 and a filter 26.
By way of non-restrictive example, the filter 26 can comprise cellulose acetate, cotton, paper, or combinations thereof.
According to some embodiments, the bottom of the container 22 is provided with holes of sizes such as to allow the passage of air, vapors or the like through them, but at the same time preventing the reagent product 24 from exiting through them.
According to the invention, reagent product 24 can be tobacco, or another substance, in relation to the destination and/or use of article 20.
According to some embodiments, the reagent product can be in powder, minced, ground, in grains, small bars, etc.
According to possible embodiments, the article 20 can also comprise a closing element 28 configured to close the capsule 22 so that the dose of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 do not exit from the containing compartment 27.
According to possible embodiments, the capsule 22 can have a substantially tubular shape having a desired section shape, such as for example circular or polygonal, characterized by an equivalent diameter. In the case of a cylindrical capsule 22 the equivalent diameter corresponds to the diameter of the circular section.
According to possible embodiments, the capsule 22 has a first closed end 22a and a second end 22b, opposite the first end 22a, having an aperture 23 through which the doses of reagent product 24 and the filter 26 can be introduced.
According to possible embodiments, the capsule 22 can comprise an abutment portion 25 having an outer equivalent diameter greater than the mean size of the equivalent diameter of the capsule 22. For example, the abutment portion 25 can comprise an annular crown, protrusions, grooves or other, so as to provide a certain and predetermined abutment reference to the closing element 28 when it is put to close the capsule 22.
According to possible embodiments, the capsule 22 can comprise a positioning seating 29 inside the containing compartment 27 configured to keep the filter 26 in a predefined and certain position in the containing compartment 27.
According to possible embodiments, the closing element 28 has a shape mating with the capsule 22 and can have an aperture 28a or a plurality of holes. The aperture 28a allows the substances produced from the dose of reagent product 24 during use to pass from inside the capsule 22 to the outside, through the filter 26. In this way, in the case of application to electronic cigarettes, a user can aspirate the aroma of the tobacco in a similar way to what happens with traditional smoking articles.
According to possible embodiments, the closing element 28 can have an annular shape, that is, the continuous closing part with holes.
The aperture 28a allows the substances produced from the dose of reagent product 24 to pass from the inside of the capsule 22 to the outside, passing through the filter 26 during use.
The production of an encapsulated article 20 entails performing several successive steps one after the other. In particular, according to possible formulations of the present invention, the operative steps provide to supply at least one capsule 22, to insert inside it a suitably dosed reagent product 24 and subsequently a filter 26 sized according to production requirements, to close the capsule 22 with the closing element 28, and to supply the encapsulated article 20 obtained to further work stations in order to perform possible further operational steps.
According to possible embodiments, Applicant has studied, experimented and made a machine 10 that allows to perform these operations one after the other quickly and accurately.
According to possible embodiments, the machine 10 for making encapsulated articles 20 can comprise a capsule feed station 11, also called capsule entrance station, and an exit station 15, from which the encapsulated capsules 20 are removed and sent to subsequent work stations or for packaging.
According to possible embodiments, the exit station 15 can provide, before delivering the encapsulated articles 20, that one or more control operations are performed on the articles 20 obtained, such as for example on the weight, seal, size, or other.
According to possible embodiments, the machine 10 can comprise a transfer device 16 provided with one or more receiver members 18, each suitable to receive one or more capsules 22 and configured to transfer and position the capsules 22 from the capsule feed station 11 to the exit station 15 along a transfer path P.
According to possible embodiments, a plurality of intermediate operating stations can be disposed along the transfer path P between the entrance station 11, or capsule feed, and the exit station, one after the other, indicated in the drawings by the numbers 12, 13, 14.
According to possible solutions, the machine 10 can comprise a station 12 for metering and introducing the reagent product 24, a station 13 for cutting and inserting the filters, and a capsule closing station 14.
According to some embodiments, the transfer device 16 can comprise a transfer wheel 17 provided on its periphery with at least one receiver member 18.
With reference to the drawings, the transfer wheel 17 is configured to rotate around its own central axis X, so as to dispose the receiver members 18 on each occasion in correspondence with the work stations of the machine 10 along path P.
It should be noted that this is only one possible embodiment of a transfer device 16 and does not exclude that it can comprise other similar transfer organs, such as for example a linear transfer organ or other type.
According to some embodiments, the transfer wheel 17 can rotate stepwise, that is, intermittently, moving the receiver members 18 on each occasion along the transfer path P.
According to some embodiments, the receiver members 18 can comprise a support plate 32 provided with an established number of housing seatings 34 in which the capsules 22 can be inserted.
According to some embodiments, the housing seatings 34 can be through holes made in the support plate 32, wherein the capsules 22 are positioned with the lower part of their abutment portion 25 resting on the support plate 32.
According to other possible embodiments, the housing seatings 44 can be configured mating with the section of the capsules 22, or the abutment portion 25, so as to hold the latter in position and prevent them from moving at least laterally and downwardly.
According to such possible embodiments, the capsules 22 possibly can be moved from the bottom upward. This allows to optimize the closing of the capsule 22 with the closing element 28.
According to some embodiments, each support plate 32 comprises the same number of housing seatings 34, for example six as shown in the drawings, but the number can also be smaller or larger.
According to some embodiments, in the capsule feed station 11, capsule feed devices 22 are provided, not shown, and are configured to position in each housing 34 of the receiver member 18 positioned in correspondence with the capsule feed station 11 a capsule 22 oriented with the aperture 23 facing upward.
According to some embodiments, the reagent product metering station 12 can comprise dosage and introduction devices, not shown, configured to introduce into each capsule 22 present in the receiver organ 18 that is located in said reagent product metering station 12, a dose of reagent product 24, for example tobacco, of the desired weight and/or volume depending on the size of the containing compartment 27 and/or production requirements.
With reference to Fig. 1, downstream of the reagent product metering station 12, along the transfer path P, there is the cutting and filter insertion station 13.
According to possible embodiments, not shown, the cutting and insertion station 13 is configured to size and introduce at least one filter 26 in the capsules 22 and can comprise a cutting and filter insertion device configured to size the filters 26 and insert them inside the capsule 22.
According to some embodiments, downstream of the cutting and filter insertion station 13, the capsule closing station 14 can be provided along the transfer path P. The capsule closing station 14 will be described in detail hereafter.
Finally, at the exit station 15, devices to control the product obtained can be provided, and/or removal means, not shown, configured to remove the encapsulated articles obtained and transfer them to subsequent packaging stations.
According to possible embodiments, the capsule closing station 14 can comprise a closing unit 40 configured to close the aperture 23 of at least one capsule 22 with a closing element 28 to form an encapsulated article 20.
At the time of closing, the capsule 22 contains at least one dose of reagent product 24 and a filter 26.
The closing element 28 is suitable to allow the fumes and/or vapors produced to pass from inside the encapsulated article 20.
According to possible embodiments, the closing element 28 has one or more apertures 28a through which the fumes and/or the vapors produced inside the capsule 22 can come out.
With the term "closing of capsule 22" we mean that the closing element 28 is stably attached to the capsule 22 in its intended position.
In this way, the closing element 28 holds the filter 26 and the dose of reagent product 24 in position. For example, the closing element 28 can be attached to the capsule 22 by welding it to the edge of the aperture 23 and/or the abutment portion 25 and/or on the wall of the capsule 22.
According to possible embodiments, the closing element unit 40 can comprise:

an engagement device 43 provided with at least one holding seating 44 configured to be temporarily associated with a closing element 28, said engagement device 43 being able to move the holding seating 44 to position the closing element 28 in cooperation with the aperture 23 of the capsule 22;
a welding device 45 configured to weld the closing element 28 in direct connection at least with an abutment portion 25 of the corresponding capsule 22.

According to a variant, before welding, the welding device 45 moves the closing element 28 into position.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement device 43 is configured to acquire at least one closing element 28 and to move it in relation to the aperture 23 of the capsule 22.
According to further embodiments, the engagement device 43 can be configured to acquire at least one closing element 28 from a vertical, or horizontal, or inclined delivery member 46.
According to a possible embodiment, the engagement device 43 is configured to position the closing element 28 temporarily, before the closing element 28 engages the capsule 22.
According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the engagement device 43 can also be configured to temporarily position at least one closing element 28 by an engagement angle θ with respect to the desired aperture 23.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ can be defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane π of the aperture 23 and a second lying plane γ of the closing element 28.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ is an acute angle. By acute angle we mean an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0°, that is, an acute angle other than a zero angle. The angle defined between the first lying plane π of the aperture 23 and the second lying plane γ of the closing element 28 is intended as a positive angle.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ can be less than 50°. According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ can preferably be less than 45°. According to possible embodiments, even more preferably the engagement angle θ can be less than 35°. According to a possible embodiment, the engagement angle θ can be an angle of about 10°.
Applicant has found that the determinate intervals and values of the engagement angle θ ensure that the closing element 28 adheres to the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22 and remains in position even during welding by the welding device 45.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement device 43 can be configured to position the closing element 28 in contact with the capsule 22 in an inclined position.
According to possible embodiments, the welding device 45 can be configured to cooperate with the engagement device 43 to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, positioning the closing element 28 in contact with the abutment portion 25 when the at least one closing element 28 is marginally associated with the holding seating 44. By marginally associated we mean that it is only partially inside the holding seating 44 and is about to exit from it.
According to a variant, the engagement device 43 is configured to correctly position the closing element 28 in its seating, so that the welding device 45 only makes them solid.
According to possible embodiments, the holding seatings 44 can be configured to receive or remove the closing elements 28, holding them by interference.
In some embodiments, the mechanical interference between the holding seatings 44 and the closing element 28 may passively or actively generate a temporary deformation of the closing element 28. This deformation according to the invention is used to improve the positioning of the closing element 28 in the positioning and welding steps.
In one possible embodiment, the holding seatings 44 due to a dimensional interference may deform the closing element 28. For example, the external dimensions of the closing element 28 (i.e. the external diameter) is greater than the coupled dimensions of the holding seatings 44, and thus the closing element 28 is deformed. In this case, the closing element 28 is passively deformed. The deformed closing element 28 may takes on the shape of an ellipse.
In another possible embodiment, the holding seatings 44 may comprise movable jaws that are configured to move towards one another when they engage the closing element 28 and away from one another when they release the latter. This movement of the movable jaws of the holding seatings 44 may actively deform the closing element 28, which can temporarily take on the shape of an ellipse.
According to possible embodiments, the closing unit 40 can comprise a conveyor device 41 configured to supply the closing elements 28 in succession to the engagement device 43.
According to possible embodiments, the conveyor device 41 has at least one operating line 42 configured to convey the closing elements 28 along a movement path defined by said operating lines 42.
According to possible embodiments, the closing elements 28 are conveyed to a delivery zone 42a where they are put in position so that the engagement device 43 can acquire them on each occasion.
According to possible embodiments, a delivery member 46 can be provided in the delivery zone 42a, configured to associate the closing elements 28 with the engagement device 43, positioning them inside the holding seatings 44 provided for this purpose.
According to a variant, the delivery member 46 can comprise a mobile thruster that thrusts the closing elements 28 on each occasion into the holding seatings 44. The delivery member 46 can be vertically or horizontally mobile, or along an inclined direction with respect to the holding seating 44.
It is obvious that the closing elements 28 are conveyed keeping their connecting portion 28b, that is, the portion that will be welded onto the capsule 22, oriented to promote the gripping and positioning.
According to possible embodiments, not shown, the closing elements 28 can be supplied to the conveyor device 41 already positioned, since said closing elements 28 are positioned, for example, by means of a vibrating container.
Due to the oscillation generated and to the conformation and weight of the closing elements 28, in the same way the vibrating container also allows to orient all the closing elements 28, with a low probability of having an opposite orientation.
According to possible embodiments, the closing unit 40 can comprise, along the operating lines 42 that transfer the conveyor device 41, one or more control devices 47 configured to detect the orientation of the individual closing elements 28.
For example, the control device 47 can comprise a visual, infrared, or other type of sensor 48, able to detect the orientation of the closing elements 28 to indicate, if necessary, the presence of an incorrectly oriented closing element 28, so as to remove or reposition it correctly before it comes in correspondence to the capsule 22.
With reference to the drawings, the control devices 47 are positioned above the conveyor device 41 with the sensors 48 oriented toward the closing elements 28.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the engagement device 43 is mobile with two degree of freedom. In one embodiment, one portion of the engagement device 43 can rotate around a first axis of rotation R1, whilst another portion of the engagement device 43 can rotate around a second axis of rotation R2.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement device 43 can comprise a support body 49 mobile between at least one acquisition position of the closing elements 28 and an engagement position of the closing elements 28 with the capsules 22.
According to a possible embodiment, the support body 49 is rotatably mobile around a first axis of rotation R1 which can be positioned orthogonal to the lying plane of the direction of movement of said support body 49.
According to a variant, the engagement device 43 comprises a removal member 50 with holding seatings 44 defined by a plurality of prongs 50a.
In one embodiment of this variant, the prongs 50a may be moved one towards the other whey they engage the closing elements 28 and may be moved one away from the other when they release the closing element 28. In this embodiment the prongs 50a temporary deform the closing element 28 as explained above so as to improve his positioning and welding to the capsule 22.
According to this variant, the removal member 50 is conditioned in its position by the engagement device 43 between a removal position of the closing elements 28 and a position for engaging the closing elements 28 with the capsules 22.
The removal member 50 is advantageously rotatably connected to the support body 49, so as to rotate around a second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
The removal member 50 has a plurality of holding seatings 44 so that several closing elements 28 can be removed simultaneously.
According to possible embodiments, the support body 49 has a structure comprising at least one support bracket 51 associated with a first drive pin 52 conditioning the position of the support body 49 and a second drive pin 53 conditioning the position of the removal member 50. In these embodiments, the first and second drive pins 52 and 53 respectively define the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
According to possible embodiments, shown in Fig. 5, the support body 49 can have a structure comprising two lateral support brackets 51 connected to each other by means of the first drive pin 52 and a second drive pin 53 respectively defining the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation and positioning R2.
In particular, according to the drawings, the second axis of rotation and positioning R2 can be parallel to the first axis of rotation R1.
According to possible embodiments, not shown, the support body 49 and the removal member 50 can be selectively movable by means of independent movement members.
This allows to position the holding seatings 44 in the delivery area 42a in a cadenced fashion, so as to receive the closing elements 28 and subsequently position them in contact with the capsules 22, inclining them during said movement even before they engage the capsules 22.
To clarify the trajectory performed on each occasion by the engagement device 43, figs. 9-12 show the positions taken by the engagement device 43 to position the closing element 28 until it engages the capsule 22. In particular, fig. 9 shows the removal step of the closing elements 28 in the holding seatings 44.
Figure 10 shows the step in which the support body 49 is rotated around the first axis of rotation R1 and, before the closing element 28 engages the capsule 22, the removal member 50 is rotated around the second axis of rotation and positioning R2, so as to incline the closing element 28 by a desired engagement angle θ.
Fig. 11 shows the position of the engagement device 43 when the closing element 28 is in contact with the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22.
Fig. 12 shows a possible trajectory T, substantially like the arc of a circumference, along which the closing element 28 is positioned with a desired engagement angle θ during removal, inclination and engagement.
In this embodiment, the engagement device 43 is configured to move the closing element 28 according to a trajectory T shaped as an arc of circumference from his removal up to his engagement with the capsule 22. In this embodiment, the support body 49 and the removal member 50 are moved around rotation axes R1, R2 so that the resultant motion of the engagement device 53 is able to move the closing element 28 along an arc of circumference.
According to possible embodiments, the welding device 45 can comprise a bearing structure 54 to which one or more welding members 55 are attached, able to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, said bearing structure 54 being mobile between an inactive position and at least one welding position.
According to possible embodiments, the bearing structure 54 can have a structure comprising two lateral support brackets 56 rotatably connected to a fixed support 60 by means of a third drive pin 57 defining a third axis of rotation R3.
The third axis of rotation R3 can be parallel to the first axis of rotation R1.
Suitable movement means are also provided for the welding device 45, to move the mobile support structure 54 and thus the welding members 55 in a cadenced manner coordinated with the engagement device 43.
According to possible embodiments, each welding member 55 can comprise a welding head 55a conformed mating with the shape of the closing element 28, the capsule 22 and the holding seating 44.
According to possible embodiments, the welding head 55a is configured both to remove the closing element 28 from the holding seating 44 when the closing element 28 is in contact with the capsule 22, and to close the aperture 23 of the capsule 22 with the element of the closing element 28, and also to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
The welding head 55a can be fed by an electrical power source so that the closing element 28 can be welded to the capsule 22.
For example, the welding member 55 can comprise a sonotrode, that is, an ultrasonic welding device, or a thermal welder, an electro-thermal welder or other type.
According to possible embodiments, the welding head 55a is configured to remove the closing element 28 from the holding seating 44 when it is in contact with the capsule 22, until it closes the aperture 23 of the capsule 22 with the closing element 28, zeroing the engagement angle θ, the welding head 55a being configured to weld the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
It is clear that the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22 provides a reference for correctly positioning the closing element 28.
According to possible embodiments, the welding device 45 can comprise an abutment member 59 located below the capsules 22 and cooperating with the welding member 55 to provide a stable abutment upon which the capsule 22 rests during the welding of the element of the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
The abutment member 59 is configured to move in the opposite direction to the welding head 55a, for example, upward when the welding head 55a is moved downward.
The reciprocal movement of the abutment member 59 with the welding member 55 allows to make the closing element 28 adhere properly to the capsule 22, so as to ensure the correct welding of the two parts.
This also allows to maintain constant the pressure force of the welding head 55a on the closing elements 28, so that welding can be carried out with predefined and controlled parameters.
In fact, in the event of a different pressure force than the preset parameters, the abutment member 59 adjusts its thrust until it reaches the value of the preset pressure force.
According to possible embodiments, the welding device 45 can be configured to remove the closing elements 28 from the holding seatings 44 so that the engagement device 43 can move to the acquisition position to receive or remove the closing elements 28 for the next step.
This allows the engagement device 43 to reposition itself in the acquisition position in masked time, while the welding device 45 welds the closing element 28 to the capsule 22.
According to other formulations, the present invention also concerns a closing method for closing the aperture 23 of at least one capsule 22 with a closing element 28 to form an encapsulated article 20, said capsule 22 containing at least one dose of reagent product 24 and a filter 26, said closing element 28 being able to let pass the fumes and/or vapors produced from inside the encapsulated article 20.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the closing method can comprise:

a step of supplying at least one closing element 28 to an engagement device 43;
a step of positioning the at least one closing element 28 in direct relation with the aperture 23 of the capsule 22;
a welding step in which a welding device 45 integrates the closing element 28 in direct connection with at least the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22.

According to possible embodiments, the positioning step provides to position the closing element 28 by an engagement angle θ, since the engagement angle θ is defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane π of the aperture 23 and a second lying plane γ of the closing element 28.
According to possible embodiments, the closing method can also comprise a step engaging the closing element 28 with the capsule 22 with an engagement angle θ.
According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ is an acute angle. By acute angle, we mean an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0°, that is, an acute angle other than the zero angle.
According to possible embodiments, the closing element 28 is brought into contact with at least the abutment portion 25 of the capsule 22 according to an engagement angle θ.
According to possible embodiments, the welding step provides that the closing element 28 is extracted from the engagement device 43 and positioned for welding by the specific welding member 55.
According to possible embodiments, the positioning step provides to incline the closing element 28 by an engagement angle θ of less than 50°. According to possible embodiments, the engagement angle θ can preferably be less than 45°. According to possible embodiments, even more preferably the engagement angle θ can be less than 35°. According to a possible embodiment, the positioning step provides that the engagement angle θ is about 10°.
According to possible embodiments, the supply step provides that at least one of the holding seatings 44 receives or removes at least one closing element 28, holding it by mechanical interference.
According to possible embodiments, the welding step provides that the welding device 45 welds the closing element 28 to the capsule 22, while the engagement device 43 moves into the acquisition position to receive subsequent closing elements 28.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine and method for making an encapsulated article as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of machine and method for making an encapsulated article, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.
In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

Closing unit to close an aperture (23) of at least one capsule (22) with a closing element (28) to form an encapsulated article (20), said closing unit comprising:
- an engagement device (43) provided with at least a holding seating (44) configured to be temporarily associated with said closing element (28), said engagement device (43) being able to move said holding seating (44) in order to position said closing element (28) in cooperation with said aperture (23) of said capsule (22);

- a welding device (45) configured to weld said closing element (28) in direct connection at least with an abutment portion (25) of said capsule (22),
wherein said engagement device (43) is configured to temporarily position said closing element (28) at an engagement angle (θ) with respect to said aperture (23), said engagement angle (θ) being defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane (π) of said aperture (23) and a second lying plane (γ) of said closing element (28), and wherein said engagement device (43) is also configured to dispose said at least one closing element (28) in an inclined position, in contact with said capsule (22); said closing unit being characterized in that said at least a holding seating (44) is configured to receive or remove said closing elements (28) holding them by interference.
Closing unit as in claim 1, characterized in that said engagement angle (θ) is an acute angle greater than 0° and is less than 50°, in particular less than 45°, more in particular less than 35°.
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said welding device (45) is configured to cooperate with said engagement device (43) to weld said closing element (28) to said capsule (22), positioning said closing element (28) in contact with said abutment portion (25) when said closing element (28) is marginally associated with said holding seating (44).
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said engagement device (43) comprises a support body (49) mobile between at least a position of acquisition of said closing elements (28) and a position of engagement of said closing elements (28) with said capsules (22).
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said engagement device (43) comprises a removal member (50), having a plurality of said holding seatings (44) defined by a plurality of prongs (50a), said removal member (50) being conditioned by said engagement device (43) between a removal position of said closing elements (28) and an engagement position of said closing elements (28) with said capsules (22).
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said holding seatings (44) hold said closing element (28) through mechanical interference and are configured to temporary deform said closing element (28).
Closing unit as in any claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said support body (49) has a structure comprising at least a support bracket (51) associated with a first drive pin (52) conditioning the position of said support body (49) and a second drive pin (53) conditioning the position of said removal member (50), said first and said second drive pins (52, 53) respectively defining a first axis of rotation (R1) and a second axis of rotation and positioning (R2).
Closing unit as in any claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said engagement device (43) is configured to move said closing element (28) according to a trajectory (T) shaped as an arc of circumference from his removal to his engagement with said capsule (22).
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said welding device (45) comprises a bearing structure (54) to which one or more welding members (55) are attached, which are able to weld said closing element (28) to said capsule (22), said bearing structure (54) being mobile between an inactive position and at least a welding position, wherein said one or more welding members (55) each comprise a welding head (55a) configured both to remove said closing element (28) from said holding seating (44), when said closing element (28) is in contact with said capsule (22), and to close said aperture (23) of said capsule (22) with said closing element (28), and also to weld said closing element (28) to said capsule (22).
Closing unit as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said welding device (45) comprises a sonotrode.
Machine to make an encapsulated article (20) comprising a capsule (22) containing at least one dose of reagent product (24) and a filter (26), and a closing element (28) located to close an aperture (23) suitable to let the fumes and/or vapors produced pass from inside said encapsulated article (20), said machine comprising:
- a capsule feed station (11) configured to make a plurality of said capsules (22) available;

- a station (12) for metering the reagent product, configured to meter and introduce said at least one dose of reagent product (24) into said capsules (22);

- a station (13) for cutting and inserting the filters, configured to size and introduce at least one of said filters (26) into said capsules (22);

- an exit station (15) configured to supply at exit, or to subsequent work stations, a plurality of said articles (20) obtained;

- a transfer device (16) provided with one or more receiver members (18) configured to receive a plurality of said capsules (22), said transfer device (16) being configured to transfer and position said capsules (22) from said capsule feed station (11) to said exit station (15), along a transfer path (P),
characterized in that said machine also comprises:
- a capsule closing station (14) provided with at least a closing unit (40) as in any of the claims from 1 to 10, in order to close said aperture (23) of said capsules (22) to form said encapsulated articles (20).
Closing method to close an aperture (23) of at least one capsule (22) with a closing element (28) to form an encapsulated article (20), said method being carried out by a closing unit as in any of the claims 1 to 10 and comprising:
- a step of supplying at least a closing element (28) to an engagement device (43);

- a step of positioning the at least one closing element (28) in direct relation to said aperture (23) of said capsule (22);

- a welding step in which a welding device (45) integrates said closing element (28) in direct connection at least with an abutment portion (25) of said capsule (22);
wherein said positioning step provides to position said closing element (28) at an engagement angle (θ), said engagement angle (θ) being defined as the angle comprised between a first lying plane (π) of said aperture (23) and a second lying plane (γ) of said closing element (28) and wherein the method also comprises an engagement step, with said engagement angle (θ), of said closing element (28) with said capsule (22); the method being characterized in that a holding seating (44), that is configured to be temporarily associated with said closing element (28) and that it is comprised in said engagement device (43), is configured to receive or remove said closing elements (28) holding them by interference.
Method as in claim 12, characterized in that said engagement angle (θ) is an acute angle greater than 0°.
Method as in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said engagement step provides that said closing element (28) is put in contact at least with said abutment portion (25) of said capsule (22) according to said engagement angle (θ).
Method as in any of the claims from 12 to 14, characterized in that said welding step provides that said closing element (28) is extracted from said engagement device (43) and positioned for welding by means of a specific welding member (55) of said welding device (45).
Method as in any of the claims from 12 to 15, characterized in that said engagement step provides to move said closing element (28) according a trajectory (T) shaped as an arc of circumference.
Method as in any of the claims from 12 to 16, characterized in that during said engagement step it is provided to temporary deform said closing element (28).