IT202000029162A1 - DOSING STATION FOR A PRODUCT IN POWDER INTO A CONTAINER, AS WELL AS METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR DOSING THIS PRODUCT AND PACKAGING PLANT FOR THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

STATION FOR DOSING A PRODUCT IN POWDER INTO A CONTAINER, AS WELL AS? METHOD AND DOSING SOFTWARE OF THIS PRODUCT AND PACKAGING PLANT OF THE SAME

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention relates to the technical field of industrial plant engineering, and particularly relates to a dosing station for a powder product.

The present invention also has for object a method and a dosage software of this product in powder form.

The present invention also relates to a powder product packaging plant which includes the above-mentioned dosing station, or which uses the above-mentioned dosing method and/or software.

State of the art

Packaging systems for powdered products are known which include in sequence a station for preparing a container for the powdered product, a station for dosing the same into the container and a station for closing the container, so as to obtain the packaged product in the container.

A recognized drawback of these systems? the poor dosing precision of the containers, which leads to rather large weight differences in the packaged containers.

Another drawback of these types of systems? their high danger, due to the circulation of dust in the area surrounding the plant.

In fact, these dusts can be inhaled by operators with all the consequences of the case or, in critical concentrations, lead to explosions.

Presentation of the invention

Purpose of the present invention? that of obviating the drawbacks illustrated above by providing a dosing station for powdered products which is highly efficient and relatively inexpensive.

Another purpose of the present invention ? provide a dosing station for high safety powder products.

Another purpose of the present invention ? provide a dosing station for powdered products which allows for high dosing precision.

These purposes, as well as others that will be more? explained below, are reached by a dosing station of a powder product in accordance with what is described and/or claimed and/or illustrated herein.

In particular, the dosing station will ensure the dosage in safety of a quantity? subsidiary of a powder product, and will include:

- means for discharging the powdered product having an outlet for the same;

- a support surface for at least one container located below the outlet;

- weighing means located below the support surface and cooperating with it to weigh the powdered product discharged into the at least one container;

- first suction means operatively connected to the outlet mouth to suck up the powder product coming out of the same, the first suction means including at least one hood element having a work surface intended to remain facing the peripheral edge of the at least one container when placed on the table top.

The latter and the at least one hood element are mutually movable between a proximal position in which the work surface and the peripheral edge are in mutual contact and a distal position in which they are mutually spaced. Am I otherwise? control means operatively connected to said support plane, at least one hood element, unloading means and weighing means are provided.

The control means are configured to control the activation of the unloading means only following the reciprocal movement of the supporting surface and at least one hood element from the distal to the proximal position.

The control means are also configured to control the reciprocal movement of the supporting plane and at least one hood element from the proximal to the distal position following the achievement of at least a first predetermined or settable weighing threshold by the weighing means.

In this way, it will be It is possible to guarantee the unloading of the powdered product in complete safety, since? during the download the same will be? sucked in by the first suction means without coming out of the container.

Advantageously, the control means could also be configured to control the interruption of the unloading of the powdered product upon reaching this first predetermined or settable weighing threshold.

Conveniently, the at least one hood element above may comprising at least a first suction intake, the first suction means further including a first suction line fluidically connected therewith and first means for regulating the flow passing inside the first suction line.

It is specified that in this document with the term ?flow? and derivatives means the flow rate of fluid possibly mixed with solid in a passage section.

Advantageously, the control means can be operatively connected to the first adjustment means to control its passage from a first operating condition in which the flow passing inside the first suction line is ? greater than at least one second operating condition in which the flow sucked into the same ? minor in response to the achievement of a third predetermined or settable weighing threshold by the weighing means.

Preferably, the third weighing threshold could be lower than the first weighing threshold.

Thanks to these characteristics, the achievement of quantities? predetermined quantity of powdered product in at least one container, the aspirated flow will be able to be decreased.

Advantageously, the unloading means could comprise a silo with an outlet port placed above the outlet mouth and fluidly connected therewith. Will they be able to? second suction means fluidically connected to this outlet port are also provided. The control means can be configured to control the selective activation of the second suction means only when the support surface and the at least one hood element are not in a proximal position. In this way, the second suction means can be inactive when the support surface and the at least one hood element are in a proximal position.

Preferably, the control means can be configured to control the activation of the first suction means both when the supporting surface and at least one hood element are in the proximal position and when they are in the distal position. In other words, the first suction means can always be active regardless of the relative position of the support surface and at least one hood element.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the dosing station could further comprising a substantially closed working chamber located below the outlet mouth. This work chamber can understand:

- the support surface;

- at least one first opening for entry and/or exit of the at least one container;

- at least one second opening located in correspondence with the outlet and sized to allow the work surface and/or the peripheral edge to pass through it when the support surface and at least one first suction hood are in the proximal position.

Preferably, the work chamber can be fluidly connectable with third suction means.

Thanks to the above, in the event of undesirable powder product spills from at least one container during unloading, the container will remain the same. confined in the work chamber and preferably sucked in by the suction means acting therein, so as to ensure maximum operator safety.

Preferably, the? At least a first opening can? be the entrance to the work room, the latter also including an exit opposite the entrance. Means may be provided for the advancement of at least one container from the entrance to the exit passing through the support surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can a method of dosing a powder product using the above dosing station should be envisaged, which envisages the following phases in sequence:

- reciprocal movement of the support plane and at least one hood element from the distal to the proximal position;

- unloading of the powdered product into at least one container placed on the supporting surface by means of the unloading means until at least a first predetermined weighing threshold is reached or that can be set by the weighing means;

- reciprocal movement of said support surface and at least one hood element from the proximal to the distal position.

Conveniently, during the unloading phase, the powder product can be sucked in through the first intake port. The flow passing inside the first suction line could be greater or less respectively before and after reaching a weighing threshold lower than the first weighing threshold.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can a software program for dosing a powder product is provided, able to be executed by a processor associated with the above processing station to carry out the steps of the method described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can a plant for packaging a powdered product in containers should be provided, comprising:

- at least one empty container loading station;

- the above dosing station;

- at least one container closing station where the powder product is dosed state;

- at least one unloading station for full closed containers;

- means for advancing the containers from the loading station to the unloading station passing through the dosing and closing stations.

The dependent claims define advantageous aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawings in which:

FIG.1 ? a schematic top view of the plant 1;

FIG.2 ? a schematic sectional view of the dosing station 100;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic sectional views of some details of the dosing station 100 of FIG. 2 in two distinct operating positions;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic sectional views of some enlarged details of the dosing station 100 of FIG. 2 in two further distinct operating positions;

FIG.7 ? a further schematic sectional view of the dosing station 100 in the operative position of FIG.5;

FIG.8 ? a schematic front view of the sealing station 200;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic front views of some details of the sealing station 200 of FIG.8 in two distinct operating positions;

FIGS.9A and 10A are side schematic views of some details of the sealing station 200 of FIG.8 in the operative positions of FIGS.9 and 10;

FIGS. 10B to 14 are schematic views of some enlarged details of the sealing station 200 of FIG.8 in further operating positions.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments With reference to the figures cited, a plant 1 is described for packaging a powdered product P in containers C.

The powder product P will be able to be of any type, for example a rubber compound, an edible flour, a cosmetic mixture or the like.

Even container C will be able to be of any type, and preferably potr? be a bag made of flexible polymeric material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Even if in the following we will refer? to a bag in flexible polymeric material, it is understood that the container C will be able to be of any type without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In general, the plant 1 can? comprising a loading station 10 of empty bags C, a station 100 for dosing the powdered product P into the bags C to fill them, a closing station 200 of the full bags C and an unloading station 50 of the full closed bags C.

Will they be able to? feed means 11 of the bags C from the loading station 10 to the unloading station 50 passing through the dosing stations 100 and closing stations 200.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the forwarding means 11 could include a conveyor of the pilgrim-step type.

Conveniently, in the case of containers C in the form of a bag of flexible polymeric material, the closing station 200 will be able to be a sealing station thereof, for example by heat sealing.

Even if in the following we will refer? to a sealing station for bags made of flexible polymeric material, it is understood that the closing station 200 will be able to be of any type without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

So in itself? known, the flexible polymeric material will be able to be unwound from a reel 12 and with this the bags C can be packaged at the loading station 10.

Advantageously, once the bags C have been made, they can be inserted into suitable support means, which for example can comprise a jar 20 with a fixed base 21 and a mobile outer jacket 22, the function of which can be be more clearer? forward.

The fixed base 21 will be able to be vacuum-packed by means of vacuum means V, so that the bottom F of the bags C adheres to the walls of the jar 20. Conveniently, the end portion? C? of bags C potr? be elastically blocked outside the vessels 20 by means of elastic means 24.

Thus, each bag C presenter? an inlet I for the powder product P defined by a peripheral edge E placed upwards.

Each vase 20, therefore, will come occupied by a bag C from the loading station 10 to the sealing station 200, where will it be? removed from the respective jar 20, sealed and conveyed towards the unloading station 50. For their part, the empty jars 20 will be conveyed again towards the loading station 10, where they will be occupied by a new bag C to restart the cycle.

In the dosing station 100 each bag C will be filled with a quantity? subsidiary of the powdered product P, which can? be predetermined or set through appropriate control means, which may for example include a?unit? microprocessor 110.

To this end, suitable means for discharging the powdered product P can be provided, which can for example be made in accordance with the teachings of the patent application EP3733558.

Pi? in particular, the means for unloading the powdered product P may comprise a silo 120 with an outlet door 121, an unloading auger 122 located inside the silo 120 and a scraping device 123 located at the outlet door 121, which can I unload into a hopper 124 equipped with an outlet 125.

Advantageously, moreover, at the outlet door 121 and upstream of the hopper 124 it will be possible to be provided a movable shutter element 126, which could? move between two or more? positions in which the passage section for the powder product P varies. For this purpose, the movable shutter element 126 can present at least one? opening 127, which preferably can? have a diameter at least equal to that of the outlet port 121.

To protect the outlet 125 potr? a movable protection element 128 can be placed, able to collect the residues of powdered product P which may come out after the dosing. Are these residues collected in the collection portion 128? by means of the mobile doctor blade 129.

Inferior to the means of discharge, and pi? precisely below the outlet mouth 125, could it? a support surface 130 for the vase 20 containing the bag C must be placed.

Below this support surface 130, weighing means can be provided, for example a load cell 131, able to weigh the powdered product P discharged into the bag C. For this purpose, the load cell 131 can cooperate with the support plan 130.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the load cell 131 will be able to be movable between a rest position, illustrated for example in FIG. 3, in which ? operatively disconnected from the support plane 130 and a working position in which ? operatively connected to the same support plane 130, illustrated for example in FIG. 4, to weigh the powdered product P discharged into bag C.

In correspondence with the support surface 130 could it? a substantially fluidically closed working chamber 140 can be placed which can be connected to suction means, for example through the intakes 141.

This work chamber 140 could comprise an inlet 142 for the jar 20 with the empty bag C, an outlet 143 for the jar 20 with the full bag C and an upper opening 144 in correspondence with the outlet mouth 125.

Conveniently, the opening 144 can? be sized to allow the vessel 20 to pass through it once placed on the support surface 130.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, around the outlet mouth 125 it will be possible to be placed a mobile hood element 150, which could? understand a plurality of suction intakes 151 fluidly connected to a fixed suction hood 152, with a diameter greater than that of the mobile hood element 150 and connected to a centralized suction system, which can? be of any type, for example by means of pipes 153 and 160.

Suitably, on the fluidic line which includes the latter, suitable means for regulating the flow could be placed, for example a guillotine valve 156 which regulates the passage section of the air and of any aspirated powder product. However, it is understood that the means for regulating the flow could be any, not necessarily acting on the passage section but for example acting on the suction flow rate, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

The mobile hood element 150 could? have a lower working surface 154, preferably defined by a sealing element 155, for example an elastomeric gasket. The work surface 154 will be able to be facing the peripheral edge E of the bag C when the jar 20 ? placed on the support surface 130.

On the 124 hopper can I Is there a 124 intake port? also connected with suitable suction means through the pipes 124?? and 161. The means of aspiration to which ? is the suction intake 124 fluidly connected? they may be the same ones to which the sockets 151 are connected or different from these.

The unit microprocessor 110 potr? properly check the various parts of the dosing station 100, with which it will be? operationally connected, to ensure its functioning. It is understood that the operational connection will be able be of any type, for example of a physical type via electric cables, limit switches, actuators and the like, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? execute a computer program capable of sequentially carrying out the phases of moving the hood element 150 from the distal to the proximal position, unloading the powder product P into the bag C placed on the support surface 130 until the load cell 131 reaches a predetermined or settable weighing threshold P1 and reverse movement of the hood element 150 from the proximal to the distal position.

In particular, the first unloading phase will take place only after the can 20 transported by the transport means 11 reaches the support surface 130 entering the work chamber 140 through the inlet 142, as illustrated in FIG.3.

At that point, the load cell 131 lifts from the rest position and goes into the working position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, at the same time lifting the jar 20 so that the peripheral edge E of the bag C remains close to the of the upper opening 144 of the working chamber 140.

It is understood that even if in the present description a working chamber 140 is illustrated with an inlet 142 opposite to the outlet 143, the same working chamber 140 can be have a single inlet / outlet opening without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Subsequently, the work surface 154 of the moving hood element 150 contacts the peripheral edge E of the bag C placed in the vessel 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5 which illustrates the proximal position of the support surface 130 and of the hood element 150. In this way, the inside of the bag C is fluidically disconnected from the surrounding environment and ? exclusively in fluid connection with the silo 120 and the first suction means through the suction inlets 151.

For this purpose, it will be necessary that the mobile protection element 128 passes from the closed position, illustrated for example in FIG. 2, to the open position, illustrated for example in FIG. 7. For this purpose, the movable protection element 128 can move along a substantially horizontal sliding plane.

It is understood that even if in the present description the support surface 130 and the hood element 150 are both movable, only one of them can be moved. be mobile and the other fixed without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

At that point, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? command the activation of the first suction means with the guillotine valve in the maximum opening position, therefore with maximum flow, and the activation of the auger 122 until a second intermediate weighing threshold P2 is reached, lower than the first weighing threshold P1 .

Once this threshold has been reached, the auger 122 will be able to be arrested, and can the scraping device 123 must be activated until the final weight threshold P1 is reached.

At the same time, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? act on the guillotine valve 156 to close it progressively, decreasing the passage section for the air and any aspirated solid and therefore decreasing the suction flow. There? can I take place when the load cell 131 reaches the threshold P2 or upon reaching a third threshold P3 different from the second threshold P2.

Once the final weighing threshold P3 has been reached, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? lift the hood element 150, spacing the work surface 154 from the peripheral edge E of the bag C placed in the jar 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6 which illustrates the proximal position of the support surface 130 and of the hood element 150.

In this way, the inside of bag C is once again fluidly connected with the surrounding environment. In this circumstance a cloud of powdered product could be created.

In order to aspirate the latter, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? activate the second suction means, which will suck through the suction inlet 124?. At the same time, the unit? microprocessor 110 potr? bring the slide valve 156 back to the maximum open position, in order to have the maximum possible suction flow.

At the same time, the movable protection element 128 will be able to return to the closed position, and the transport means 11 will be able to pick up the jar 20 with the full bag C to transport it to the next work station 200 passing through the outlet 143 of the work chamber 140.

During all the above phases, and in particular during the unloading, the suction means acting in the working chamber 140 through the inlets 141 can be active.

Thanks to the configuration above, sar? It is possible to carry out an extremely fast and precise dosage of the powdered product P into the bags C while guaranteeing total safety for the operators working on the plant 1.

The selective operation of the auger 122 in the first unloading phase and of the scraping device 123 in the second phase, in fact, allows to combine the speed dosing accuracy of the auger to the dosing accuracy of the scraper device.

The hermetic closure of the bag C by means of the hood element 150 equipped with suction inlets 151 during the unloading step also ensures optimal suction of the powdered product, guaranteeing high safety.

However, when the quantity? of product P becomes such that the first suction means would suck in too much, distorting the precision and increasing the dosing times, the suction flow is decreased, preferably progressively up to the final weighing threshold.

Once the latter is reached, then, the suction hood 150 is raised, and any cloud of dust that is generated can be removed. be sucked in by the second suction means preferably in cooperation with the first ones.

As a further guarantee of safety, the suction means acting in the working chamber 140 will also suck up any residues of powdered product P which may come out of the bag C during the unloading steps.

The weighing thresholds P1, P2 and P3 can be chosen on the basis of various parameters, such as for example the volume of product to be filled, the volume of the bag, the suction power of the various suction means involved and so on.

The sealing station 200 will be able to seal the bags C previously filled in the dosing station 100 in complete safety, ensuring that the powdered product P does not come out of the bag C during processing.

For this purpose, the sealing station 200 will be able to comprise a lower support surface 205 for the vase 20 transported by the pilgrim-step conveyor 11 and, above this, a trolley 210 movable vertically on guides 211 and an upper support surface 220.

The trolley 210 will be able take the bag C from the jar 20 to lift it, place it on the upper support surface 220 and seal it. Once sealed, the bag C is unloaded towards the unloading station 50 via a system of conveyor belts 51 equipped with suitable safety weighing means to check the actual weight of the sealed bag C.

Before the bag C is lifted from the jar 20 and after its sealing, which will take place after depositing the same bag C on the upper support surface 220, in bag C it will be possible to a pair of suction nozzles 230 can be inserted, which can be mounted on the trolley 210 and an integral part of suitable suction means 231 able to operate at least during the lifting of the bag C, and preferably until the sealing of the bag C.

In this way, it will be It is possible to ensure that the powder product P does not leak out of bag C during handling and sealing.

In order not to distort the dosage made in station 100, it will be? should keep the suction nozzles 230 as pi? far as possible from the powdered product P. For this purpose, the suction nozzles 230 can preferably be inserted at the end portion? C? of bag C inserted in jar 20. Will it be necessary? then suitably adjust the suction means 231.

Preferably, the suction means 231 will operate throughout the period of insertion of the suction nozzles 230 into the bag C, until it is sealed.

On the trolley 210 can be mounted means for gripping the bag C, which can for example be defined by the two gripping devices 240, 241, and means for sealing the bag C, for example a unit? of heat sealing 250.

It is understood that the assembly of the various above components on a single carriage 210, even if? advantageous, isn't it? necessary for the purposes of the present invention. It is understood that the various means mentioned above will be able to move independently of each other without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Likewise, right? the presence of all the above means is necessary, those mentioned in the attached claims being sufficient.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the two gripping devices 240, 241 will be able to act in sequence, the first gripping device 240 to grip the end portion? C? of bag C and the second gripping device 241 to firmly lock the end portion? C? so as to allow the bag C to be detached from the jar 20 and deposited on the upper support surface 220.

For this purpose, it will be necessary that the portion of the extremity? C? is released by the elastic means 24. To this end, it will be necessary? vertically move the movable jacket 22 with respect to the fixed base 21 of the bowl 20, so as to automatically withdraw the end portion? C? by the elastic means 24 thanks to the fact that the bottom F of the bag C remains in contact with the fixed base 21.

To achieve the above, suitable means of engagement with the jacket 22 could be provided, for example a pair of stems 260 mounted on a carriage 261 that moves vertically on guides 262 which can be engaged in eyelets 25 formed on the sides of the jacket 22. The vertical movement of this ?last will be? guided by slots 26 obtained in the same jacket 22, movable with respect to a fixed centering pin 27 present on the fixed base 21.

Once the shirt 22 ? in the raised position, the portion of the extremity? C? of bag C can be taken by the two gripping devices 240, 241.

For this purpose, the first gripping device 240 could include a pair of grippers 243 configured to grip the end portion? C? at the discontinuities? opposite sides 28 of the peripheral edge 23 of the movable jacket 22 and to translate along the direction Y to extend the end portion along this direction? C? of bag C once stapled.

Furthermore, the second gripping device 241 can include a pair of pressure elements 245 capable of pressing from opposite sides along the direction Y the end portion? C? extended by the gripper elements 243, so as to block it firmly to allow vertical movement of bag C.

Similarly to the dosing station 100, the sealing station 200 can also include control means for commanding its operation. For example, the means of control could include a?Unit? to microprocessor 270, which can? be operatively connected to the various components mentioned above to control their operation. Similarly to the unit? to microprocessor 110, it is understood that the operative connection of the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? be of any type, for example of a physical type via electric cables, limit switches, actuators and the like, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? execute a computer program suitable for carrying out the above steps.

In general, therefore, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the insertion of the suction nozzles 230 in the bag C, the lifting of the bag C from the jar 20 and its placing on the plane 220, the sealing of the bag C and the removal of the suction nozzles 230. Furthermore, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? control the actuation of the suction means 231.

To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A, 10 and 10A, once the vessel 20 ? on the support surface 205, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the actuation of the stems 260 to engage in the eyelets 25, and subsequently the actuation of the carriage 261 along the vertical guides 262. In this way, the end portion? C? of bag C will come? released by the elastic means 24, and sar? available for gripping by gripping devices 240, 241.

The unit microprocessor 270 potr? then command the actuation in sequence first of the gripping device 240 and of the relative gripper elements 243, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and 10C, and then of the gripping device 241 and of the relative pressure elements 245, as illustrated in FIG.11.

In this way the bag C, which during all the above phases rests with its bottom F on the fixed base 21 of the jar 20, will be stretched out and prepared for vertical translation up to the upper support surface 220.

Before this translation, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the insertion in correspondence of the portion of the extremity? C? of the bag C of the suction nozzles 230. The thing can? take place automatically when the gripping device 240 is actuated, since? the suction nozzles 230 are integral with the gripper elements 243. The translation along Y of the latter and the actuation of the pressure elements 245 will cause? so that the suction nozzles 230 remain interposed between the end portions? C? of bag C.

Furthermore, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the activation of the suction means 231 and the switching off of the vacuum means V.

At this point, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the movement of the trolley 210 along the guides 211, so as to lift the bag C from the base 21 of the jar 20 up to the upper support surface 220.

Once bag C ? deposited on the latter, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the actuation of the sealing means 250 and the removal of the gripping means 240, 241, as illustrated in FIG.12.

Only following the sealing of bag C, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the removal from the bag C of the sealing means 250 and the removal from the same of the suction nozzles 230, as illustrated in FIG.13.

Subsequently, the unit? microprocessor 270 potr? command the translation of the support surface 220 to convey the sealed bag C towards the unloading station 50.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, it may a substantially closed working chamber 280 should be provided which surrounds the working area of the sealing station 200, and in particular the area where the bag C rests during gripping, lifting and sealing.

The work chamber 280 will be able to comprise an inlet 281 placed in correspondence with the lower support plane 205 and an outlet 282 placed in correspondence with the upper support plane 220. Preferably, the working chamber 280 will be able to be fluidly connectable to suction means via line 283.

In this way, any powdered product that should come out of bag C during processing will be? aspirated without leaving the work chamber 280. Conveniently, the entrance 281 can? be operatively connected with the outlet 143 of the working chamber 140, so as to form the protective tunnel 300 which operatively connects the working chamber 140 of the dosing station 100 and the working chamber 280 of the sealing station 200.

The tunnel 300 will be able have an entry that can? coincide with the outlet 143 of the working chamber 140 and an outlet which could? coincide with the entrance 281 of the work chamber 280. The tunnel 300 may? be fluidically connected to suitable suction means, for example the suction means acting in the working chamber 140 or those acting in the working chamber 280.

In this way, any powdered product P that escapes from the bag from the bag C would remain confined in one of the two working chambers 140, 280 or in the tunnel 300, and therefore sucked without going outside.

The plant 1 is therefore extremely safe, both during the stop and processing of the bag C in the stations 100 and 200 and during transport between the two processing stations.

From what has been described above, it is clear that the invention achieves the intended aims.

The invention? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations. All the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (13)

1. A station for the safe dosing of a quantity? controlled by a powder product (P) in at least one container (C), the latter comprising an inlet (I) for the powder product (P) defined by a peripheral edge (E), the dosing station comprising: - discharge means (120, 121, 126) of the powdered product (P) having an outlet mouth (125) for the same; - a support surface (130) for the at least one container (C) located below said outlet mouth (125); - weighing means (131) cooperating with said support surface (130) to weigh the powdered product (P) discharged into the at least one container (C); - first suction means (150, 151, 152, 153, 160) operatively connected with said outlet mouth (125) to suck the powder product (P) coming out of it, said first suction means (150, 151, 152 , 153, 160) including at least one hood element (150) having a work surface (154) intended to remain facing the peripheral edge (E) of the at least one container (C) when placed on said support surface (130 ); in which said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) are mutually movable between a proximal position in which said work surface (154) and said peripheral edge (E) are mutually proximal, preferably in mutual contact , and a distal position in which they (154, E) are mutually distal, in which the station also comprises control means (110) operatively connected with said support plane (130), at least one hood element (150) , unloading means (120, 121, 126) and weighing means (131) to control the activation of said unloading means (120, 121, 126) only following the reciprocal movement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the distal to the proximal position, and preferably only after reaching the latter; wherein said control means (110) are also configured to control the reciprocal movement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the proximal to the distal position following the achievement of at least a first threshold of predetermined or settable weighing (P1) by said weighing means (130), said control means (110) being furthermore preferably configured to command the interruption of the unloading of the powdered product (P) upon reaching said at least one first predetermined or settable weighing threshold (P1). 2. Station according to claim 1, wherein said unloading means further comprise: - a silo (120) having an outlet port (121) fluidically connected or coinciding with said outlet mouth (125) to define a discharge line of the powdered product (P); - at least one movable shutter element (126) placed on said discharge line to vary the passage section of the powdered product (P); wherein said control means (110) are configured to control the movement of said at least one movable shutter element (126) to reduce the passage section of the powdered product (P) following the achievement of a second weighing threshold ( P2) predetermined or settable by said weighing means (131), said second weighing threshold (P2) being preferably lower than said first weighing threshold (P1). 3. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said unloading means further comprise: - at least one unloading auger (122) of the powdered product (P) placed inside said silo (120); - at least one scraping device (123) located at said outlet port (121); wherein said control means (110) are further configured to control the selective operation of said at least one discharge auger (122) or of said at least one scraper device (123) respectively before and after said weighing means (131) reach said second weighing threshold (P2). 4. Station according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one hood element (150) comprises at least one first suction inlet (151), said first suction means further including a first suction line (153, 160) fluidically connected with said at least one first suction intake (151) and first regulation means (156) of the flow passing inside said first suction line (153, 160), said control means (110) being operatively connected with said first regulation means (156 ) to command its passage from a first operating condition in which the flow passing inside said first suction line (153, 160) ? greater than at least one second operating condition in which the flow sucked into the same ? lower in response to the achievement of a predetermined or settable third weighing threshold (P3) by said weighing means (131), said third weighing threshold (P3) being preferably lower than said first weighing threshold (P1), said third weighing threshold (P3) preferably coinciding with said second weighing threshold (P2). 5. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said unloading means comprise a silo (120) having an outlet door (121) located above said outlet mouth (125) and fluidly connected therewith, second means being also provided suction devices (124?, 124??) fluidly connected to said outlet port (121), said control means (110) being configured to control the selective activation of said second suction means (124?, 124??) only when said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) are not in a proximal position, said control means (110) being preferably configured to control the activation of said first suction means (150, 151 , 152) both when said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) are in a proximal position and when they are in a distal position. 6. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said second suction means (124?, 124??) include at least one second suction intake (124?) located above said outlet mouth (125), said at least one second intake suction pipe (124?) being preferably placed in a hopper (124) comprising said outlet mouth (125) placed in correspondence with said outlet port (121). 7. Station according to one or more? of the preceding claims, further comprising a substantially closed work chamber (140) placed below said outlet mouth (125) to surround said support surface (130), said work chamber (140) comprising: - at least one first opening (142) for the entry and/or exit of the at least one container (C) into and/or from said work chamber (140); - at least one second opening (144) placed in correspondence with said outlet mouth (125), said at least one second opening (144) being sized to allow the passage through it of said one work surface (154) and/or of said peripheral edge (E) when said support surface (130) and at least one first suction hood (150) are in the proximal position; In which said work chamber (140) ? preferably fluidly connectable with third suction means (141). The station according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one first opening (142) is the inlet of said working chamber (140), the latter further comprising an outlet (143) opposite to said inlet (142), means (11, 20) being provided for the advancement of said at least one container (C ) from said inlet (142) to said outlet (143) passing through said support plane (130). 9. Station according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said weighing means include a unit? weighing device (131) movable between a rest position in which the latter ? operatively disconnected from said support plane (130) is a working position in which said unit? weighing (131) ? operatively connected with said support surface (130) for weighing the powdered product (P) discharged into the at least one container (C), said control means (110) being operatively connected with said support surface (130) for command the movement of this unit? weighing (131) from the rest position to the working position only when said at least one container (C) ? on said support surface (130). 10. A method for safely dosing an amount? control of a powder product (P) in at least one container (C) by means of the dosing station in accordance with one or more? of the preceding claims, comprising in sequence the steps of: - reciprocal movement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the distal to the proximal position; - discharge of the powdered product (P) into said at least one container (C) placed on said support surface (130) by means of said discharge means (120, 121, 126) until at least one first weighing threshold is reached ( P1) predetermined or settable by said weighing means (131); - reciprocal movement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the proximal to the distal position. 11. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the dosing station is in accordance with claim 4, wherein during said phase of discharging the powdered product (P) the latter ? sucked in through said first suction intake (151), a phase for regulating the flow passing inside said first suction line (153, 160) being provided so that the same is respectively greater or lesser respectively before and after reaching of said third weighing threshold (P3) lower than said first weighing threshold (P1). 12. A computer program for safely dosing a quantity? control of a powder product (P) in at least one container (C) by the dosing station (100) in accordance with one or more? of claims 1 to 9, the computer program comprising instructions which, once executed by a processor included in the control means (110) of said dosing station (100), command the processor to execute the method according to claim 10 or 11. 13. A plant for packaging a powder product (P) in containers (C), comprising: - at least one loading station (10) for empty containers (C); - at least one station (100) for dosing the powdered product (P) into each of said containers (C) to fill them; - at least one closing station (200) of said full containers (C); - at least one unloading station (50) of said full closed containers (C); - feed means (11) of said containers (C) from said loading station (10) to said unloading station (50) passing through said dosing (100) and closing (200) stations; wherein said dosing station (100) ? in accordance with one or more of claims 1 to 9.