WO2018069288A1

WO2018069288A1 - Machine and method for making encapsulated articles

Info

Publication number: WO2018069288A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/075764
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fiorenzo Draghetti
Original assignee: Gima Tt S.P.A.
Priority date: 2016-10-10
Filing date: 2017-10-10
Publication date: 2018-04-19
Also published as: PL3523204T3; EP3523204A1; EP3523204B1; IT201600101433A1; CN110248872A

Abstract

Unit for cutting filters (26) associable with capsules (22), comprising a positioning device (44) of a rod (40) made of filtering material pre-cut to size, a cutting device (62) configured to cut the at least one rod (40), and make single filters (26) from the rod (40), and a thrust member (52) cooperating with the cutting device (62) and configured to make the rod (40) advance. The present invention also concerns a method to make filters (26) associable with capsules (22), a machine, and the connected method to make encapsulated articles (20).

Description

"MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING ENCAPSULATED ARTICLES"

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 predefined dose or amount of a particular product or reagent substance, for example 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.

The production of the capsules in question poses the problem of cutting the filter to a desired and precise length and inserting it correctly into the capsules.

The filter is normally obtained from segments of filtering material provided in substantially cylindrical rods or sticks conformed according to their function and pre-cut to size, from which to obtain a plurality of single filters having a length which is a fraction of the length of the rod from which they are made.

The rods must therefore be cut on each occasion to a certain size, with minimum tolerances, both to reduce to a minimum any possible production scrap and waste, and to obtain filters of optimal length for the function they perform, and to remain correctly housed in the capsules, and also so as not to occupy spaces intended for other things.

An example of a known machine for making filters is described by the patent application WO- Al -2006/0041 11. This machine is particularly suitable for making bi- component filters. The machine described by this document comprises four feed hoppers to feed the components for the filter, and an equal number of drums to transfer the components for the filter from the hoppers to a system for moving the filters. A plurality of blades are associated with each drum, to cut to size the components for the filter during their transfer to the movement system.

One disadvantage of this machine is that the cutting operation is not precise and accurate, and therefore does not allow to obtain rods of the desired length. Indeed, the cut is made during the transfer of the filter components on the drum, on which the components are held according to known techniques, for example by pneumatic systems. It is easy to understand that small variations in the position of the filter components on the drum with respect to the position required cause an imprecise and inaccurate cut of the rods.

There is therefore a need to obtain a machine and a method for making encapsulated articles of the type described above that allow to perform the operations of filling and closing the capsules quickly and automatically.

Given market requirements, the machine and method must be able to support high production regimes.

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

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method to obtain complete capsules in very rapid times and with an extremely high quality level.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a device to obtain the filters and to fill and close the capsule, which is efficient and simple to make and use.

Another purpose is to obtain a method and a connected machine that is simple to make, manage and maintain.

Another purpose is to obtain a machine and a connected method which allows to obtain, from rods or a strip, filters suitable for the purpose, and to locate them in the capsules in the desired position.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

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 encapsulated articles. 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 keep the filter positioned and to 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.

According to 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.

According to some embodiments, the filters are obtained from substantially cylindrical rods, of suitable material, size and conformation and selected according to the size of the capsule, the type of product and the requirements of use of the capsule.

According to a variant, the invention is also applied when strips are used instead of rods.

Hereafter we will advantageously consider the case where the filters are obtained from rods, already ready for use, or obtained by cutting a strip of product into rods or suchlike.

The machine according to the invention, in its general constitution, advantageously comprises a capsule feed station, in which the empty capsules are fed, correctly oriented, an exit station, from which the complete capsule is removed and sent to subsequent packaging 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.

According to some embodiments, along the transfer path, the machine can comprise a station for metering and introducing the reagent product, a station for cutting and inserting the filters, and a capsule closing station.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises, in correspondence with the station for cutting and inserting the filters, a unit for cutting filters configured to cut filters to a desired and precise length and a unit to insert filters into the capsules.

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

In this way the possible off-cuts of material are obtained only after the rod has been cut, thus facilitating discharge and guaranteeing at the same time that with each cutting of the rod a filter of the desired length is obtained, with very limited tolerances.

According to possible solutions, the positioning device comprises reception means suitable to receive and contain a rod, and provided with at least a housing compartment with a section substantially coordinated to the cross section of the filter, with an entrance aperture, and an exit aperture cooperating with the cutting device.

According to a variant, the receiving position of the rod, or strip, is not coherent with the cutting to size position of the individual filters.

According to other embodiments, the positioning device comprises guide means that, during the cutting operations, are aligned with the receiving means.

According to some embodiments, the positioning device comprises a thrust member, cooperating with the receiving means and with the guide means, and configured to thrust the rod along a cutting path toward the cutting position of the individual filter.

According to some embodiments, before cutting, the initial part of the filter is associated with mobile holding means of the gripper type.

There are also control and alignment means of the rods that prevent the autonomous advance of the rods toward the cutting device.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to make filters for encapsulated articles, which provides to:

- receive a rod made of suitable material to make filters, in receiving means with at least one housing compartment, with an entrance aperture, and an exit aperture cooperating with the cutting device;

- make the rod advance step-wise in the receiving means, at a distance correlated to the sizes of the filter;

- cut the rod on each occasion with the cutting device to obtain the filters of a desired length.

The method also provides to align the head end of the rod by means of control and alignment members.

According to a variant, the method also provides to move the receiving means from a filling position in which they receive a rod, to a cutting position in which they are aligned with fixed guide means and with the position in which the cutting device operates.

According to other embodiments, the step of aligning the head end of the rod in the drawer provides to clamp the head end of the rod, preventing it from advancing autonomously toward the cutting device by means of an alignment portion with a gradually decreasing section.

According to other embodiments, when the thrust member is below the receiving means and cooperates with the fixed guide means, the method provides to move the receiving means from the cutting position to the filling position to receive a new rod in the at least one housing compartment.

In this way, the time needed to fill the receiving means with a new rod, and the time for the thrust member to rise, are carried out partly at the same time, so that the downtimes of repositioning the individual components are at least partly used and recovered, and the cutting unit can work substantially continuously.

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 respectively show exploded and in section an encapsulated article in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 3 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a station of the apparatus in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 is a partly schematic view from above of the station in fig. 3 in which some elements have been removed in order to be able to see other elements;

- fig. 4a is an enlarged detail of fig. 4;

- fig. 5 is a view of the section in fig. 3 with the drawer in the filling position;

- fig. 6 is a view of the section in fig. 3 with the drawer in the cutting position;

- fig. 7 is a section view along the line VII-VII of fig. 4;

- figs. 8-1 1 are section views of subsequent steps of positioning the rod and cutting the filters;

- figs. 8a and 9a are enlarged details respectively of fig. 8 and fig. 9.

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

We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall comprise all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

Embodiments described here, using the attached drawings, concern a machine 10 for making encapsulated articles 20. In particular, the machine 10 can advantageously be used to make encapsulated articles 20 for inhaling or breathing in the substances contained therein, for example in association with vaporizer or flavoring devices, such as electronic cigarettes or suchlike.

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 suchlike through them, but at the same time preventing the reagent product 24 from exiting through them.

According to the invention, the 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, or other, so as to provide a certain and predefined abutment reference to the closing element 28 when it is put to close the capsule 22.

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, and in this case is also called a ring.

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.

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 other work stations in order to perform possible other 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 1 1, 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 1 1 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, 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 step- wise, 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 and the aperture 23 facing upward.

According to other possible embodiments, the housing seatings 34 can be conformed 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 downward.

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 1 1 , 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 1 1 a capsule 22 oriented with the aperture 23 facing upward.

According to some embodiments, the reagent product metering and introducing 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 and introducing station 12, a dose of reagent product 24 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 and introducing station 12, along the transfer path P, there is the filter cutting and insertion station 13, in which a filter cutting unit 42 can be disposed, which will be described in more detail hereafter, configured to cut the filters 26 to a desired and specific length.

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

According to some embodiments, downstream of the filter cutting and insertion station 13, along the transfer path P, the capsule closing station 14 can be provided. In this station 14 there can be a unit to close the capsules 22, not shown, configured to feed the closing elements 28, to position them on the capsules 22 and attach them to them. 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 20 obtained and transfer them to subsequent packaging stations.

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

According to some embodiments, the rods 40 can have an overall length corresponding to about 20-30 times the length of a single filter 26. For example, a rod 40 can be about 110-130mm long, and each filter 26 can have a length comprised between about 4.5mm and about 5mm.

For example, according to possible embodiments, the feed device 38 can comprise transfer tubes 39, disposed adjacent to each other and configured to feed the rods 40 with their head end 40a facing the filter cutting unit 42.

According to other embodiments, in correspondence with the open end of the transfer tubes 39 facing toward the filter cutting unit 42, detection devices 41 can be provided, configured to detect the presence of a rod 40 inside the transfer tube 39. The detection devices 41 can be, for example, optical sensors, or suchlike.

According to some embodiments, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises a positioning device 44 configured to position the head end 40a of a rod on each occasion with respect to a cutting device 62.

According to some embodiments, the cutting unit 42 also comprises a thrust member 52 configured to thrust the rod 40 step-wise along a cutting path C by advancing the head end 40a by a determinate portion at a time, equal to length of a filter 26, toward the cutting device 62.

According to some embodiments, the positioning device 44 comprises means to control and align a rod 40, of which at least one alignment member 45 configured to position and maintain the head end 40a of the rod 40 in a determinate reference position. The alignment member 45 in particular is configured to interfere with the head end 40a of the rod 40, proximal with respect to the cutting device 62, preventing any autonomous advancement thereof by clamping it in a determinate reference position. In this way, it is also possible to determine a reference position of the tail end 40b of the rod 40, distal from the cutting device 62, on which the thrust member 52 acts.

In particular, the alignment member 45 can be defined by a tapered portion, with a diameter that gradually decreases, suitable to define a friction force or a progressive resistance on the rod 40. The friction force cannot be overcome by the weight of the rod 40, which is made of very light material, but can be overcome by the action of the thrust member 52 on its tail end 40b.

According to possible solutions, the alignment member 45 also comprises at least partly circumferential compression means, suitable to compress circumferentially in a desired manner at least the head end 40a of the rod 40.

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

According to some embodiments, the compression means can be disposed directly below the alignment member 45.

According to possible solutions, the positioning device 44 comprises, as a means for receiving the rod, an upper drawer or hopper 46, mobile and provided with at least one housing compartment 47 suitable to receive and contain a rod 40.

According to some embodiments, the drawer 46 is mobile between a first filling position (fig. 5), in which it is aligned with a transfer tube 39 defining a passage for a rod 40 from the transfer tube 39 to the housing compartment 47, and a second cutting position (fig. 6) in which it is aligned with the cutting device 62.

According to alternative embodiments, the drawer 46 is fixed, and is disposed in a position such that each housing compartment 47 is aligned with the transfer tube 39. In this case, three abutment members are provided, of a known type, which alternately allow or prevent the passage of the rods 40 from the transfer tubes 39 to the housing compartments 47. In some embodiments, the abutment members can be configured as compression means that press on the rods 40 to prevent their advance. In these embodiments, after having thrust the rod 40 inside the housing compartment 47 so as to cause it to advance step- wise along the cutting path C, the thrust member 52 moves away from the drawer 46 to return to a start-of-travel position where it contacts the distal end 40b of a new rod 40. In some embodiments, while the thrust member 52 moves from the end-of-travel position to the start-of-travel position, the new rod 40 slides inside the housing compartment 47 so that when the thrust member 52 reaches the start-of-travel position, it can press on the new rod 40, which has advantageously been positioned while the thrust member 52 is moving, that is, at least partly exploiting the return travel of the thrust member 52.

In general, embodiments described here provide that the thrust member 52 and the drawer 46 are mobile with respect to each other. In other words, a relative movement of the thrust member 52 and the drawer 46 is provided, which can be obtained irrespectively either by keeping one stationary while the other is moving, or by moving both at different speeds and with different laws of motion.

In particular, the relative movement of the thrust member 52 and the drawer 46 is a combined movement in at least two directions.

In one embodiment, the thrust member 52 is mobile with respect to the drawer 46 both in a substantially vertical direction and also in a substantially horizontal direction. During the movement of the thrust member 52 in the vertical direction, the thrust member 52 is engaged with the drawer 46 to press the rod 40 toward the cutting device 62. Thanks to the movement of the thrust member 52 in the substantially horizontal direction, the thrust member 52 can respectively engage with or disengage from the drawer 46. In this way it is possible to fill the housing compartments 47 with respective new rods 40 while the thrust member 52 moves toward the start-of-travel position outside the drawer 46.

According to possible embodiments, the transfer tubes 39 can be inclined by about 3- 4° with respect to the vertical direction. According to these embodiments, the drawer 46 is tilted and, in the filling position, can tilt with respect to the vertical by an angle correlated with that of the transfer tubes 39. In this way an inclined passage for the rod 40 is formed, which can slide inside the housing compartment 47. The rod 40 is very light, and any minimal interference could prevent its correct descent.

According to possible variants, a blowing member 37 can be provided, disposed in correspondence with the exit aperture of each transfer tube 39 and configured to emit a puff of air on the tail end 40b of the rod 40 when the drawer 46 is located in the filling position, facilitating the descent of the rod 40 into the respective housing compartment 47.

According to possible solutions, the drawer 46 comprises a plurality of housing compartments 47 aligned one to the other and in a coordinated position with the transfer tubes 39, in a number coordinated with that of the housing seatings 34 in the receiving members 18, for example six, as shown in the attached drawings.

According to some embodiments, each housing compartment 47 has a tubular shape, with a section substantially coordinated with the cross section of a rod 40, with an entrance aperture facing toward the exit end of a transfer tube 39, and an exit aperture at the opposite end.

According to other embodiments, in correspondence with the exit aperture, the housing compartment 47 has an alignment portion 47a that defines the alignment member 45. In particular, the alignment portion 47a has a section which gradually decreases until it has a section substantially equal to that of a rod 40, which can therefore advance in it only if it is subjected to the action of the thrust member 52.

According to other embodiments, the housing compartment 47 can have a mouth portion 47b having a funnel or truncated cone shape, with a wider section in correspondence with the entrance aperture to facilitate the introduction of the rod 40, and facilitate the downward sliding thereof.

According to some embodiments, the positioning device 44 comprises fixed guide means 53, advantageously provided with a plurality of guide channels 60. Each guide channel 60 is configured to allow the passage of the rod 40 to the cutting device 62, keeping it in the correct position. Advantageously, the guide channels 60 can each be disposed aligned with a respective housing compartment 47 of the aforesaid drawer 46 when the latter is in the cutting position.

According to some embodiments, each guide channel 60 comprises an alignment portion 49 that defines an alignment member 45 having a conical section which gradually decreases until it is substantially equal to the diameter of a rod 40.

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

Being unable to advance autonomously due to the effect of the compression means, the rod 40 aligns with the head end 40a in correspondence with at least one of the alignment portions 47a and 49, and from there is made to advance with defined and precise steps by the action of the thrust member 52.

According to some embodiments, the thrust member 52 can cooperate with the drawer 46 when it is in the cutting position, and with the guide channels 60 when the drawer 46 is in the filling position.

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

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

According to possible embodiments, the thrust member 52 comprises a thrust element 54 which can be positioned in contact with the tail end 40b of a rod 40, able to act on it to thrust it downward.

According to other embodiments, the thrust element 54 has transverse sizes slightly less than that of a slit 46a, thus being able to pass through it to disengage from the drawer 46.

According to some embodiments, the thrust member 52 comprises a drive member 55 connected to the thrust element 54 and configured to move it step-wise in a vertical direction, parallel to the longitudinal development of the drawer 46.

On each occasion a step of the thrust member 52 will correspond to the desired length of a filter 26.

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

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

According to possible embodiments, a single thrust element 54 can be provided, configured to simultaneously thrust all the rods 40 present in their respective housing compartments 47 with the same step. For example, according to embodiments described using the attached drawings, in which there are six housing compartments 47, the thrust element 54 can comprise a comb 58 provided with six teeth 59, each suitable to act on the tail end 40b of a rod 40 contained in the respective housing compartment 47.

According to possible solutions, it can be provided that the thrust element 54 can be provided with a feeler member, or a sensor, suitable to detect the position of the tail ends 40b to verify their actual position.

According to possible solutions, the positioning device 44 comprises a shutter element 50, configured to close the aperture of the transfer tube 39 when the drawer 46 moves to the cutting position, preventing the downward passage of other rods 40. According to some embodiments, the shutter element 50 can be, for example, a tongue provided on the drawer 46 which protrudes in a transverse direction with respect to the housing compartments 47 and is suitable to be positioned, in the cutting position of the drawer 46, to close the transfer tube 39.

The thrust member 52 can be configured to move a rod on each occasion by a distance of about 0.4-0.6mm, preferably 0.45-0.55mm, toward the cutting device, so as to obtain filters 26 always having the same set length. According to some embodiments, the thrust member 52 can be driven by a stepper electric motor, so as to advantageously position the rod 40 at a precise position every time with respect to the cutting unit 42.

According to some embodiments, the position of the thrust member 52 is controlled on each occasion by an encoder. In particular, by means of the encoder, the alignment position of the head end 40a of the rod 40 can be defined and, according to this, knowing the length of the rod 40, the reference position of the tail end 40b can be defined, and hence the upper end-of-travel position of the thrust member 52.

According to some embodiments, actuation means can be provided, suitable to move in a coordinated but autonomous and independent manner, respectively the drawer 46 and the thrust member 52.

According to the embodiments described using figs. 5-11, the cooperation between the thrust member 52 and the drawer 46 allows to work substantially continuously.

When the thrust element 54 of the thrust member 52 is below the drawer 46, the drawer 46 can advantageously be released from the thrust element 54 and can move to the filling position (fig. 10). During the filling of the drawer 46, the thrust member 52 continues to thrust downward the remaining part of the rod 40 in use, one step at a time, until reaching the lower end-of-travel position.

Subsequently, it can return to the upper end-of-travel position, ready to position itself again in contact with the new rods 40 when the drawer 46 returns to the cutting position (fig. 1 1).

In this way, the time needed for repositioning the thrust member 52, between the end-of-travel position at the bottom to the end-of-travel position at the top, is advantageously occupied by the step of filling the drawer 46.

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

According to possible embodiments, described for example with reference to figs. 3 and 4, the cutting device 62 can comprise two disc blades 63.

In these embodiments, the two disc blades 63 can be disposed partly overlapping each other and aligned on slightly offset planes to allow the rotation thereof without reciprocal interference and thus allow a tangential cutting action of the rod 40.

According to some embodiments, the disc blades 63 can be aligned with their parallel axes of rotation XI, X2 along an axis Z. According to these solutions, the disc blades 63 can be connected to drive devices, configured to make them rotate, for example at speeds of about 1000 revolutions per minute.

According to other embodiments, the disc blades 63 can be connected to drive members 61 , configured to move them with respect to a pin toward/away from the guide channel 60. The disc blades 63, for example, can be pivoted so as to oscillate by an angle 2a with respect to the axis Z, where a is comprised, for example, between about 8° and about 15°. In particular, the disc blades 63 can oscillate while continuing to rotate at high speed with respect to their axes XI, X2, thus guaranteeing a clean and precise cut of the rod 40.

According to embodiments described using fig. 4, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises a support plate 64 provided with receptacles 66 each suitable to accommodate and hold a filter 26.

The support plate 64 is advantageously positioned below the cutting device 62, with the receptacles 66 aligned with the exit ends of the guide channels 60 of the positioning device 44.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 can comprise four sectors 65, disposed equidistantly on its circumference, each provided with a number of receptacles 66 equal to the number of the housing compartments 47.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 can be rotatable around an axis Y to transfer on each occasion a sector 65 from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit 42 to a second position aligned with the introduction device 43.

According to other embodiments, the support plate 64 can be positioned in a third position, in which it can be provided to expel the off-cuts of the rods 40. According to some embodiments, the third position can be disposed between the first and second position.

According to some embodiments described, for example, with reference to figs. 4, 4a, 8a and 9a, the filter cutting unit 42 comprises holding members 68, 69 suitable to cooperate with the cutting device 62 and/or with the positioning device 44 and configured to hold a rod 40 while it is being cut.

Advantageously, the holding members 68, 69 temporarily block the rod 40 axially in the desired travel along the cutting path C, and prevent the angular displacement and twisting of the rod 40, thus preventing the rod 40, during cutting, from rotating on itself because of the rotary cutting action. In possible implementations, the holding members 68, 69 are configured as a gripper, and are thus suitable to hold the rod 40 during cutting by means of a gripping action.

According to possible solutions, a first holding member 68 is provided, configured to hold the head end 40a of the rod 40, and positioned below the cutting device 62.

According to possible solutions, a second holding member 69 is provided, configured to hold the rod 40 above the cutting device 62. In this way, the rod 40, being held both above and below the zone on which the disc blades 63 act, does not tend to rotate due to the rotation of the latter, and a clean cut is obtained without any burrs.

According to some embodiments, each receptacle 66 can be, or comprise, a first holding member 68.

According to some embodiments, the support plate 64 can comprise a fixed portion 64a, and a plurality of mobile portions 64b, one for each sector 65.

According to possible solutions, for example described with reference to fig. 4a, the fixed portion 64a is provided in each sector 65 with recesses 70, having a shape substantially mating with half the profile of a rod 40, and suitable to cooperate with mating recesses 71 provided in each mobile portion 64b, to define the receptacles 66.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 7, each mobile portion 64b is associated with drive members 78 configured to move it closer to and away from the fixed portion 64a. In this way, first holding members 68 are obtained, of the gripper or vise type, which act simultaneously on all the head ends 40a of the rods 40 (for example, six, as in the attached drawings) fed by the positioning device 44. According to some embodiments, the drive members 78 can comprise actuation members 79, for example the piston type, configured to move the mobile portion 64b toward the fixed portion 64a.

The drive members 78 can also possibly comprise elastic command members 80, configured to return the mobile portion 64b into a condition of non-interference with the fixed portion 64a. The combined actuation of the actuation members 79 and the elastic command members 80 allows to move the mobile portion 64b quickly and precisely with respect to the fixed portion 64a.

According to some embodiments, on the lateral surfaces of the recesses 70, 71, ribs or protrusions 72 are provided, disposed in a longitudinal direction, which protrude inside the receptacle 66 in which the head end 40a of the rod 40 is positioned, and configured to exert a lateral and localized pressure on it, preventing it from rotating. According to possible embodiments, the ribs 72 can be disposed offset, for example by 120° to each other.

According to other embodiments, the second holding member 69 can cooperate with the guide channels 60, exerting a pressure in a lateral direction on the portion of the rod 40 contained therein during the cutting step.

According to embodiments described, for example, with reference to figs. 8a and 9a, the second holding member 69 can comprise at least one mobile member 76, for example a mandrel or rod, cooperating with a fixed portion 77 which acts as a contrast. According to some embodiments, the mobile member 76 exerts a thrust in the lateral direction on the rod 40, thrusting it against the fixed portion. According to some embodiments, the mobile member can be substantially L-shaped, with the short side disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 40 and able to act on it.

According to possible solutions, the fixed portion 77 is defined, for example, by an inner wall of each guide channel 60.

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

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

According to possible solutions described, for example, with reference to fig. 7, the mobile members 76 can be connected to and driven by a single drive member 81 to be moved together between a position of non-interference with the rods 40 and a position of contact and interference with them.

According to some embodiments, the drive member 81 comprises an actuation member 82, for example of the piston type, connected to a mechanical kinematism 83 which transforms the motion generated by the actuation member 82 into an axial movement of the mobile member 76 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod 40, or of the guide channel 60.

According to possible solutions, the mechanical kinematism 83 can comprise a parallelogram or articulated quadrilateral mechanism, configured to move the mobile member 76 forward and back in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rod 40.

In particular, the mobile members 76 can be driven in a coordinated manner to the drive and movement of the thrust member 52 and the drive members of the mobile portion 64b.

According to embodiments described using figs. 8a and 9a, in the movement step of the thrust member 52, the first and second holding members 68, 69 are not active, that is, the mobile portion 64b is not in contact with the fixed portion 64a, and the mobile members 76 do not exert any pressure on the rod 40 (fig. 8a), leaving it to descend into the respective guide channel 60 without interference.

When the thrust member 52 has completed a step, the mobile portion 64b is taken into contact with the fixed portion 64a and the mobile members 76 are in contact and interfering with the respective rod 40 in such a way as to prevent its rotation, and guarantee a precise cut (fig. 9a).

After the respective holding members 68, 69 are activated, the filters 26 are cut, taking the blades 63 to the cutting position, and then again to the inactive position.

At each cut of the rod 40, a new head end 40a of the rod 40 is made available on each occasion to the cutting device 62. This takes, after each cut, the head end 40a of the rod 40 to move toward the tail end 40b of the rod 40.

After each cutting step is completed, the support plate 64 rotates around the axis Y, taking the sector 65 with the filters 26 held by the first holding members 68 into correspondence with the second position aligned with the introduction device 43, and taking a new sector 65, empty and ready to receive the filters 26, below the cutting device 62. According to some embodiments, the introduction device 43 can be configured to expel the filters 26 from the first holding means 68 of the sector 65 aligned with it, and introduce them into the capsules 22 which on each occasion are located in the filter cutting and insertion station 13.

In particular, the introduction device 43 and the first holding members 68 can be driven in a coordinated manner, so that during the expulsion of the filters 26 the mobile portion 64b of the corresponding sector 65 is distanced from the fixed portion 64a, so as to free the filters 26 which can be introduced into the capsules 22 by the introduction device 43.

According to some embodiments, the introduction device 43 can comprise an expulsion device 74 configured to expel the filters 26, acting from above and thrusting them into the capsule 22 below.

According to possible solutions, the expulsion device 74 can comprise a plurality of channels 75, connected at one end to an air blowing device and suitable to expel the filters 26 from the support plate 64 by means of a pressurized stream of air. According to possible variant embodiments, the expulsion device 74 can be the thrust type, configured to exert mechanical pressure on the filters 26 and insert them into the capsules 22 below.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the filter cutting unit, the corresponding method and the machine for making encapsulated articles 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 filter cutting unit, the corresponding method and the machine for making encapsulated articles, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the 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

1. Unit for cutting filters (26) for capsules (22), in particular for capsules for inhaling or breathing in the substances contained in them, characterized in that said cutting unit comprises:

- a positioning device (44) configured to receive and guide at least a rod (40) made of filtering material pre-cut to size from which to make a plurality of filters (26), said positioning device (44) comprising a drawer (46) provided with a housing compartment (47) configured to receive at least one rod (40) and guide means (53) provided with one or more guide channels (60),

- a cutting device (62) configured to cut said at least one rod (40), sequentially making single filters (26), the length of which is a fraction of the length of said rod (40),

- a thrust member (52) able to cooperate with said cutting device (62) and configured to make said rod (40) advance step-wise acting on a tail end (40b) of said rod (40), distal with respect to said cutting device (62), in order to position a head end (40a) of said rod (40), opposite said tail end (40b), on each occasion in a predefined cutting position with respect to said cutting device (62), along a cutting path (C) through said drawer (46), and a respective guide channel (60) at least temporarily aligned during the advance of said rod (40),

- said positioning device (44) comprising at least an alignment member (45) configured to interfere with said head end (40a) of said rod (40), preventing an autonomous advance thereof, so as to define a desired predefined reference position, with respect to said cutting device (62), of the tail end (40b) on which said thrust member (52) acts.

2. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one alignment member (45) is configured to compress said rod (40) circumferentially in a desired manner in proximity to the head end (40a).

3. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one alignment member (45) comprises desired circumferential compression means of said rod (40), said compression means being located in the terminal part of said drawer (46) or in the initial part of said guide channel (60).

4. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said drawer (46) is mobile and said guide means (53) are fixed.

5. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 4, characterized in that said empty drawer (46) is mobile laterally from the cutting position aligned with said at least one guide channel (60) in order to be temporarily associated with a transfer tube (39) enabled to supply a new rod (40).

6. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said drawer (46) has at least one slit (46a) in a longitudinal direction that allows the movement of the thrust member (52) and the step- wise action of said thrust member (52) on the rod (40).

7. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said guide channel (60) has at least one longitudinal aperture (60a) that allows the movement of the thrust member (52) and the step-wise action of said thrust member (52) on the rod (40).

8. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that said drawer (46) is fixed and is disposed in a position such that said housing compartment (47) is aligned with a respective guide channel (60) so as to allow the advance of said rod (40).

9. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 8, characterized in that said drawer (46) and said guide channel (60) have respectively at least one slit (46a) and one longitudinal aperture (60a) that both extend in a longitudinal direction and that allow the movement of the thrust member (52) and the step-wise action of said thrust member (52) on the rod (40).

10. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said thrust member (52) is mobile away from said drawer (46) and from said guide channel (60) in order to move into proximity with said tail end (40b) of the rod (40) without interfering with said drawer (46) and with said guide channel (60).

11. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said head end (40a) of said rod (40) is positioned beyond said cutting device (62) by the longitudinal value of the filter (26), and cooperates there with a support plate (64).

12. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 11, characterized in that the support plate (64) has first openable holding members (68) with protuberances (72), configured to clamp the terminal part of the rod (40) or the filter (26).

13. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that there are second holding members (69) in the upper part of said cutting device (62), substantially mobile orthogonally to the axis of said rod (40).

14. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 10, characterized in that said second holding members (69) thrust said rod (40) against a seating present in said guide channel (60).

15. Method to make filters (26) for capsules (22), in particular for capsules for inhaling or breathing in the substances contained in them, characterized in that it provides to:

- receive a rod (40) made of filtering material pre-cut to size from which to make a plurality of filters (26), in a positioning device (44) comprising a drawer (46) provided with a housing compartment (47) configured to receive at least a rod (40) and guide means (53) provided with one or more guide channels (60);

- make said rod (40) advance step-wise, acting with a thrust member (52) on a tail end (40b) of said rod (40), distal with respect to said cutting device (62), in order to position a head end (40a) of said rod (40), opposite said tail end (40b), on each occasion in a predefined cutting position with respect to said cutting device (62), along a cutting path (C) through said drawer (46) and a respective guide channel (60), said thrust member (52) and said drawer (46) being mobile with respect to each other;

- cut the rod (40) on each occasion by a length defined by means of said cutting device (62) to obtain the filters (26),

wherein the method provides to interfere by means of an alignment member (45) with said head end (40a) of said rod (40), preventing any autonomous advance thereof, so as to define a desired predefined reference position, with respect to said cutting device (62), of the tail end (40b) on which said thrust member (52) acts.

16. Method as in claim 15, characterized in that it provides to:

- receive the rod (40) in said drawer (46) of said positioning device (44) located in a filling position in a housing compartment (47);

- position said drawer (46) in a position aligned with fixed guide means (53) and coordinated with said cutting device (62);

- align the head end (40a) of the rod (40) by means of said alignment members (45), said alignment members (45) holding the rod (40) circumferentially.

17. Method as in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it provides to compress the rod (40) acting at least partly on its circumference by means of compression means located in proximity to the cutting device (62) to prevent the rod (40) from moving autonomously.

18. Method as in any claim from 15 to 17, characterized in that said drawer (46) is mobile at least between a cutting position in which said drawer (46) is aligned with said respective guide channel (60) comprised in said fixed guide means (53), and a filling position in which said drawer (46) is misaligned with respect to said guide channel (60) and is aligned with at least one transfer tube (39) to receive a rod (40).

19. Method as in any of the claims from 15 to 18, characterized in that, in relation to the replacement of the finished rod (40), it provides to move said thrust member (52) from a lower end-of-travel position to an upper end-of-travel position and at the same time to associate said drawer (46) with a transfer tube (39) to receive a new rod (40) in the housing compartment (47).

20. Method as in any of the claims from 15 to 19, characterized in that, in relation to the replacement of the rod (40), it provides to move said thrust member (52) from an upper end-of-travel position to a lower end-of-travel position, making it advance stepwise to axially move the rod (40) axially each time by the desired value in relation to the cutting device (62).

21. Method as in claim 15, characterized in that it provides to keep said drawer (46) fixed in a position such as to be aligned with said respective guide channel (60) and with a respective transfer tube (39) suitable to convey the rods (40) toward said drawer (46), and in that it provides to move said thrust member (52) from a lower end-of-travel position to an upper end-of-travel position after having distanced it from said drawer (46) so that there is no interference between the latter and said thrust member (52), and at the same time to receive a new rod (40) in said housing compartment (47).

22. Machine to make encapsulated articles (20), characterized in that it comprises:

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

- an exit station (15), from which articles (20) comprising a capsule (22), inside which there is a quantity of reagent product (24) and a filter (26), with a closing element (28), are removed from the receiver members (18) and sent to subsequent packaging steps;

- a transfer device (16), provided with one or more receiver members (18), each suitable to receive one or more capsules (22) and transfer them from the capsule feed station

(11) to the exit station (15) along a transfer path (P), there being disposed along said path (P) a station (12) for metering and introducing the reagent product, a station (13) for cutting and inserting the filters, and a capsule closing station (14),

said machine comprising, in correspondence with said station (13) for cutting and inserting the filters, a unit (42) for cutting filters (26) as in any of the claims from 1 to 14 and a filter insertion unit (43).

23. Method to make encapsulated articles (20), characterized in that it provides to:

- feed oriented capsules (22) into suitable receiver members (18) located in a capsule feed station (11);

- transfer said capsules (22) by means of a transfer device (16) from said capsule feed station (1 1) to an exit station (15) along a transfer path (P), said method providing, along said path (P):

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

- to cut a filter (26) and insert it into a capsule (22) above said quantity of reagent product (24) in a station (13) for cutting and inserting the filters;

- to apply a closing element (28) to said capsule (22) in a capsule closing station (14); said method providing to cut said filter (26) with the method for making filters for capsules as in any of the claims from 15 to 21.