WO2018069297A1

WO2018069297A1 - Machine and method for making encapsulated articles

Info

Publication number: WO2018069297A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/075775
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: EP3523205B1; PL3523205T3; EP3523205A1; IT201600101450A1; CN110691738A

Abstract

Unit for cutting filters (26) associable with capsules (22) comprising 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), a cutting device (62) configured to cut at least a rod (40), sequentially making single filters (26), the length of which is a fraction of the length of the rod (40), a thrust member (52) able to cooperate with the cutting device (62) and configured to make the rod (40) advance along a cutting path (C) in steps coordinated with the cutting action in order to make single filters (26) from the rod (40), holding members (68, 69) associated with the cutting device (62) and cooperating with the positioning device (44). The invention also concerns a method for making 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 than intended for other things.

A known machine for cutting to size a single elongated element is described in the patent application WO-A1-2016/124297. This document concerns a cutting machine suitable for cutting rolls of paper or similar cellulose-based products, having a high axial size, into single rolls. The machine comprises a device to clamp the rolls while they are being cut. Upstream and downstream of the cutting area clamping devices are provided, to hold the rolls against the thrust exerted on them by the cutting blade.

One disadvantage of this machine is that it is not able to cut, accurately and precisely, elements that have a very small diameter, such as for example the rods from which said filters can be obtained. Indeed, the machine described in this document is not able to clamp firmly and reliably the rods for filters during cutting, because the clamping devices that it includes are not suitable to hold a rod for filters due to its shape, narrow and elongated, and due to the properties of the material of which it is made, which is flexible, not rigid.

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.

The positioning device cooperates with a thrust member configured to feed a rod along a cutting path, and position it on each occasion in a predefined position with respect to the cutting device.

The positioning device is also provided with holding members cooperating with the cutting device and/or with the positioning device and configured to hold a rod above and below the cutting device at least during the cutting of the rod, preventing the rotation thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the filter cutting unit comprises holding members, associated with the cutting device and cooperating with the positioning device to hold the rod, both upstream and downstream of the cutting device along the cutting path, at least while the rod is being cut.

According to possible solutions, the filter cutting unit comprises first holding members, configured to temporarily hold a head end of a rod, and positioned below the cutting device, and second holding members, configured to temporarily hold the rod above the cutting device. By providing two holding members above and below the cutting device allows to obtain a clean and precise cut of the rods on each occasion, thus obtaining filters having the desired length with very restrictive tolerances, without burrs or breaks.

According to some embodiments, the first holding members and/or the second holding members are mobile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the holding members define a support plate rotatable around an axis to transfer on each occasion respective filters held by them, from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit, to a second position aligned with an introduction device into which the filters are introduced in respective capsules.

According to other embodiments, the first holding members comprise ribs, or protrusions, disposed in the longitudinal direction, configured to exert a lateral and localized pressure on the rod held therein.

According to a variant, the first holding members have means for opening and releasing the filter.

Embodiments described here also concern a method for making filters, which provides to:

- receive a rod of material suitable to make filters in a positioning device from a transfer tube;

- position and hold the rod on each occasion with its head end in a desired reference position with respect to the cutting device;

- feed the rod to the cutting device by making it advance step-wise through a thrust member;

- hold the rod above and below the cutting device at least during the cutting of the rod by the cutting device to obtain filters having a desired and precise length.

According to one aspect of the present invention, while the rod is held, the method to make filters provides to transfer on each occasion the respective filters obtained by cutting the rod from a first position, aligned with the filter cutting unit, to a second position, aligned with a device to introduce the filters into respective capsules.

In preferred embodiments, the same holding members both hold the rod and transfer the respective filters.

According to other embodiments, the first holding members and the second holding members are activated/deactivated according to the drive of the thrust member. In particular, when the thrust member is making the end of a rod advance step-wise, the holding members are deactivated, and when the thrust member has completed a step, the holding members are activated and remain active at least during the cutting phase.

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 embodiments 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. 8-11 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 include 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 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 11 to the exit station 15 along a transfer path P.

According to possible embodiments, a plurality of intermediate operating stations can be disposed along the transfer path P between the capsule feed station 1 1 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.

According to other possible embodiments, the housing seatings 44 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 11 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 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 variations, 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 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 coordinate 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 by 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 device 62.

According to some embodiments, the position of positioning 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

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 configured to receive one or more filters 26.

In one embodiment, the support plate 64 is 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 respective filters 26, in particular received in the receptacles 66 of at least one sector 65 from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit 42 to a second position aligned with an introduction device 43 to introduce the filters into respective capsules 22.

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.

In one embodiment, the support plate 64 is defined by the holding members 68, 69.

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 first holding members 68 can comprise a fixed portion 64a, and a plurality of mobile portions 64b, for example one for each sector 65.

According to possible solutions, for example described with reference to fig. 4a, the fixed portion 64a is provided, in particular, 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.

In some embodiments, the fixed portion 64a and the mobile portion 64b define the support plate 64.

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.

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),

- 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 along a cutting path (C) in steps coordinated with the cutting action in order to make said single filters (26) from the rod (40),

- holding members (68, 69) associated with said cutting device (62) and cooperating with said positioning device (44), said holding members (68, 69) being configured to hold said at least one rod (40) both upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C), at least during the cutting of said rod (40);

- wherein said holding members (68, 69) define a support plate (64) rotatable around an axis (Y) to transfer on each occasion respective filters (26) held by them from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit (42), to a second position aligned with an introduction device (43) to introduce said filters (26) into respective capsules (22).

2. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 1 , characterized in that said holding members (68, 69) comprise first holding members (68), configured to temporarily hold the head end (40a) of said rod (40), positioned below said cutting device (62), and second holding members (69), configured to temporarily hold said rod (40) above said cutting device (62).

3. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 2, characterized in that said first holding members (68) are defined by a fixed portion (64a), and by at least one mobile portion (64b), said fixed portion (64a) being provided with recesses (70) cooperating with mating recesses (71) provided in said at least one mobile portion (64b), said joined recesses (70, 71) being suitable to define receptacles (66) suitable to receive and clamp the head end (40a) of said rod (40).

4. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 3, characterized in that ribs or protuberances (72) are provided on the lateral surfaces of said recesses (70, 71), and are configured to exert a localized pressure on the rod (40) when the portions (64a, 64b) are associated.

5. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore from 2 to 4, characterized in that said second holding member (69) comprises at least a mobile member (76) exerting a substantially orthogonal thrust on the rod (40) toward a fixed portion (77), which contrasts said rod (40).

6. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 5, characterized in that said fixed portion (77) is defined by an internal wall of at least one fixed guide channel (60) of said positioning device (44).

7. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said support plate (64) rotatable around an axis (Y) to transfer on each occasion respective filters (26) held by said first holding members (68) from said first to said second position is defined by said portions (64a, 64b).

8. Unit for cutting filters as in claim 7, characterized in that said axis (Y) is located, with respect to said rod (40), in a position opposite said cutting device (62).

9. Unit for cutting filters as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said thrust member (52) is configured to make a head end (40a) of the rod (40) advance step- wise along said cutting path (C), proximal with respect to said cutting device (62), acting on a tail end (40b) of the rod (40), distal with respect to said cutting device (62), positioning said head end (40a) on each occasion in a predefined cutting position with respect to said cutting device (62).

10. 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 material suitable to make filters (26) in a positioning device (44);

- position and maintain said rod (40) on each occasion with its head end (40a) at a desired position in relation to a cutting device (62);

- make said rod (40) advance along a cutting path (C) in steps coordinated with the cutting action by means of a thrust member (52);

- cut the head ends (40a) of the rods (40) on each occasion to a length defined and equal to the length of a filter (26) using said cutting device (62),

wherein said method provides to hold said rod (40) using holding members (68, 69) upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C) at least during the cutting of said rod (40) by said cutting device (62) in order to obtain filters (26) with clean and precise cuts, and also provides, during said holding operation, to transfer on each occasion respective filters (26) held by said holding members (68, 69) from a first position aligned with the filter cutting unit (42), to a second position aligned with an introduction device (43) to introduce said filters (26) into respective capsules (22).

11. Method as in claim 10, characterized in that it provides to hold said rod (40) temporarily below said cutting device (62) by means of first holding members (68) defined by a fixed portion (64a), and at least a mobile portion (64b) moving toward and away from said fixed portion (64a), said portions (64a, 64b) being provided with respective mating recesses (70, 71) which, when said mobile portion (64b) is coordinated with said fixed portion (64a), define receptacles (66) suitable to contain and hold said head end (40a) of said rod (40).

12. Method as in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it provides to hold said rod (40) above said cutting device (62) by means of second holding members (69) comprising at least a mobile member (76) exerting a thrust orthogonal to the axis of the rod (40) and on this, toward a fixed portion (77).

13. Method as in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it provides to keep temporarily active only said first holding members (68) after the cutting step, and to move said first holding members (68) with at least one filter (26) held therein in correspondence with an introduction device (43) and to introduce said at least one filter (26) into at least one capsule (22) above a dose of reagent product (24) already present.

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

- a capsule feeding 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 dose 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 (1 1) 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 for cutting filters as in any of the claims from 1 to 9 and a filter insertion unit (43).

15. 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 (11) to an exit station (15) along a transfer path (P), said method providing, along said path (P):

- to meter a dose 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 dose of reagent product (24) in a station (13) for cutting and inserting the filters;

- to apply a closing element (28) to said capsules (22) in a capsule closing station (14); said method providing to cut said filter (26) with the method for making filters as in any of the claims from 10 to 13.

16. 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:

- holding members (68, 69) associated with said cutting device (62) and cooperating with said positioning device (44), said holding members (68, 69) being configured to hold said at least one rod (40) both upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C), at least during the cutting of said rod (40).

17. 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:

wherein said method provides to hold said rod (40) using holding members (68, 69) upstream and downstream of said cutting device (62) along said cutting path (C) at least during the cutting of said rod (40) by said cutting device (62) in order to obtain filters (26) with clean and precise cuts.