WO2022058370A1

WO2022058370A1 - Machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2022058370A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/075361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Scrivani
Original assignee: Rychiger Ag
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-09-15
Publication date: 2022-03-24

Abstract

A machine (1) for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, comprising at least a transport system (2) for capsules comprising one or more radial supports (21), and at least a welding system (3) comprising a carousel (31), one or more upper pistons (32) each one comprising at least a gasket (33), one or more lower pistons (34) each one comprising at least a gasket (35), one or more fluid extraction means (36), one or more fluid introduction means (37) and one or more welding means (38) contained in the one or more upper pistons (32) and coaxial thereto, and wherein the one or more upper pistons (32) and the one or more lower pistons (34) are vertically coaxial with the one or more radial supports (21) such machine the one or more radial supports (21) comprise one or more fluid communication channels (22); and in that the one or more upper pistons (32), the one or more lower pistons (34), and the one or more radial supports (21) are adapted to form a sealed chamber (39) for containing a capsule.

Description

Machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages and to a method for the production of such capsules by using the invention machine.

Background Art

Automatic machines for the preparation of beverages such as tea and coffee, which exploit disposable capsules, have been on the market for some time. Such machines are appreciated by consumers thanks to their ease of use and the great variety of beverages which can be prepared effortlessly.

It is known that strongly aromatic beverages, such as tea or coffee, change quickly their organoleptic qualities in contact with the oxygen present in the air. Coffee in particular loses quickly its own aroma during the grinding procedures and it has to be used quickly unless it is kept under protective atmosphere.

The production of disposable capsules for beverages then necessarily requires the introduction of such protective atmosphere inside the hermetically closed capsule, so that the capsule can be used without losing quality even after several months.

The introduction of a protective atmosphere consequently requires a previous step of extracting the air present in the capsule by means of a vacuum pump or analogous process. However, the air removal normally produces a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the capsule which can damage the capsule itself, in addition to causing suction and scattering of the capsule content with consequent reduction in productivity and cheapness of the production process.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the need is felt for producing such disposable capsules without damaging them. Additionally, the machine can be capable of producing such capsules without dispersing the content thereof, while maintaining a high protection level of the above-mentioned content.

The technical task the present invention proposes, then, is to implement a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages allowing to eliminate the complained technical drawbacks of known art.

Within this technical task an object of the invention is to provide a method for the production of such capsules through the invention machine.

The technical task, as well as these and other objects, according to the present invention are reached by implementing a machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, comprising at least a transport system for capsules comprising one or more radial supports, and at least a welding system comprising a carousel, one or more upper pistons each one comprising at least a gasket, one or more lower pistons each one comprising at least a gasket, one or more fluid extraction means, one or more fluid introduction means and one or more welding means contained in the one or more upper pistons and coaxial thereto, and wherein the one or more upper pistons and the one or more lower pistons are vertically coaxial with the one or more radial supports such machine characterized in that the one or more radial supports comprise one or more fluid communication channels; and in that the one or more upper pistons, the one or more lower pistons, and the one or more radial supports are adapted to form a sealed chamber for containing a capsule.

Moreover, the method of the present invention comprises the following steps performed continuously and cyclically: a. Supplying a disposable capsule (50) for beverages in a radial support (21); b. Placing a cover (51) on the capsule; c. Securing the cover with one or more tacks (52) so that the cover enables the communication of fluids between the inside and the outside of the capsule (50); d. Transporting the radial support (21) comprising the capsule (50) into the carousel (31); e. Modulating the radial speed of the upper piston (32), of the lower piston (34) and of the radial support (21) so that they are coaxially aligned and their relative speed is null; f. Activating the upper piston (32) so that the gasket (33) abuts on the upper portion of the radial support (21) outside the fluid communication channels (22); g. Activating the lower piston (34) so that the gasket (35) abuts on the lower portion of the radial support (21), thus forming a chamber (39) around the capsule (50) defined by the upper piston (32), by the radial support (21), by the fluid communication channels (22), and by the lower piston (34); h. Activating the fluid extraction means (36) so as to reduce the pressure in the capsule (50) and in the chamber (39); i. Activating the fluid introduction means (37) so as to increase the pressure in the capsule (50) and in the chamber (39); j. Activating the welding means (38) so as to hermetically close the capsule (50) and the cover (51); k. Separating the upper piston (32) and the lower piston (34) from the radial support (21); l. Ejecting the capsule (50).

Other features of the present invention are further defined in the depending claims.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will result more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the machine according to the invention, illustrated by way of example and not with limitative purposes in the enclosed drawings. Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

Fig. 1 an overview of the machine for the production of disposable capsules for beverages;

Fig. 2 a section of the carousel during the procedure of closing the pistons;

Fig. 3 a section of the carousel during the procedure of extracting and introducing fluids;

Fig. 4 a section of the carousel during the welding procedure.

In the figures, the same components are given the same reference symbols.

Preferred embodiments

With reference to the mentioned figures, a machine is shown for the production of disposable capsules for beverages designated as a whole with the reference number 1 .

The machine comprises two main portions, in particular a transport system for the capsules 2 and a welding system of the capsules 3.

The transport system for the capsules 2 comprises one or more radial supports 21 inside thereof a capsule 50, equipped with a cover 51 , is rested. In particular, the upper face of the radial support 21 supports a flanged portion of the capsule 50, wherein the cover 51 is attached to the flanged portion. Each of the radial supports 21 has a conical section, delimiting an accommodation for the capsule 50 (cf. Fig. 2). The cover 51 is hooked to the capsule 50 by means of one or more tacks 52. In the detail of figure 1 four tacks 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d are visible. Such tacks 52 allow to secure the cover 51 on the capsule 50, but to maintain a fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the capsule, since the tack does not close hermetically the capsule 50 with the cover 51 . The tacks 52 are obtained through the known methods. In the radial support 21 there are one or more fluid communication channels 22. In particular, the radial support 21 features a plurality of fluid communication channels 22, in particular at least 3 fluid communication channels 22, arranged regularly along a circumference of an accommodation for the capsule 50 defined by the radial support 21 . In the detail of figure 1 four fluid communication channels 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are visible. The fluid communication channels 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d extend from an upper face of the respective radial support 21 into the conical section. They are oriented in a slant orientation with respect to the upper face of the radial support 20. Preferably, an angle of the fluid communication channels 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d with respect to the upper face of the radial support 21 is 45-80°. As it can be seen later, such fluid communication channels 22 allow to connect all portions of the machine so that the fluid extraction and introduction before the welding procedure do not create a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the capsule, thus avoiding that the capsule is squeezed or damaged.

The welding system 3 comprises a carousel 31 operating continuously and cyclically, by allowing an increased productivity.

In figure 2 it is possible to observe a vertical section of the carousel 31 , wherein an upper piston 32 and a lower piston 34, vertically coaxial therebetween, are visible. A gasket 33 is present associated to the upper piston 32, whereas a gasket 35 is present associated to the lower piston 34. In the upper piston 33 welding means 38, vertically coaxial to the pistons 32 and 34 too, providing for welding the cover 51 to the capsule 50, is also present. Such welding means 38 can be electric means or induction means or means suitable to any other welding method known in the art to join hermetically the two portions of the capsule.

Fluid extraction means 36 and fluid introduction means 37 are also present. Such fluid extraction means 36 and fluid introduction means 37 are shown in figure 2 connected to the upper piston 32, but they can also be connected to the radial support 21 or to the lower piston 34. For sake of construction, it is not necessary that they are both connected to the same portion, but they can also be connected to different portions.

Since the machine 1 operates continuously and cyclically, when the radial support 21 enters the carousel 31 its radial speed must be controlled and adapted so that it coaxially arranges vertically with the two pistons 32 and 34, and so that the relative speed of these portions is null. For that purpose, a controller of the machine 1 is appropriately designed and/or programmed. Hence, the two pistons 32 and 34 as well as the respective radial support 21 together may accommodate a single capsule 50. The geometry of the two pistons 32 and 34 as well as of the radial support 21 is such that the capsule 50 is fittingly enclosed by the mentioned components.

In the procedure of closing the pistons 32, 34 on the radial support 21, the upper piston 32 abuts through the gasket 33 on the upper portion of the radial support 21. It is to be noted that the gasket 33 is outside the fluid communication means 22, which then are enclosed by the gasket 33. The diameter of the gasket 33 then is bigger than the maximum distance between the fluid communication means 22. Subsequently, the piston 34 abuts through the gasket 35 on the lower portion of the radial support 21.

As it can be seen in figure 3, after closing the two pistons 32, 34 on the radial support 21 a chamber 39 around the capsule 50 is formed, kept in fluid communication by the one or more fluid communication channels 22. In the section of figure 3 two such channels 22a and 22c can be distinguished. In the shown embodiment, the fluid extraction means 36 and fluid introduction means 37 lead into an upper portion of the sealed chamber 39, located above the accommodated capsule 50. The lower portion of the sealed chamber 39, below the capsule 50, has no orifices for gas exchange. However, the two portions of the chamber 39 are connected by the channels 22.

The shape of the sealed chamber 39 basically matches the outer shape of the capsule 50, leaving only a small volume between the capsule 50 and the inner walls of the chamber 39. This reduces the gas volume needed for the gas exchange and allows for fast operation of the machine. In particular, the corresponding volume below the flanged portion of the capsule 50, delimited by the radial support 21 and the lower piston 34 amounts to 10% of the capsule volume or less. In particular, as shown in the embodiment, the lower piston 34 features a seat-like portion for accommodating a floor portion of the capsule 50.

Subsequently to the closure of the chamber 39, the fluid extraction means 36 provides for extracting the atmosphere present in the chamber itself, whereas the fluid introduction means 37 replaces this said atmosphere with an inert gas. Under inert gas any gas combination is meant allowing to avoid oxidation and generally degradation of the capsule content by forming a protective atmosphere. Preferably, the inert gas comprises nitrogen, argon, or a combination of these gases.

The procedure of replacing the atmosphere in the chamber 39 is performed along the rotation around the axis of the carousel 31 , without interrupting the motion of the machine.

In figure 4 it can be seen that, after having replaced the atmosphere in the chamber 39, the welding means 38 is actuated on the cover 51 of the capsule 50 to obtain a hermetic closing which then traps the protective atmosphere in the capsule. Even during the welding procedure, the carousel 31 is continuously moving.

In the continuation of the continuous motion of the carousel 31 the two pistons 32 and 34 are separated from the radial support 21 so as to open the chamber 39 and subsequently the capsule 50 is ejected from the radial support 21. Once released from the capsule 50, the radial support 21 is available to house a new capsule and to continue the production then continuously and cyclically.

Thanks to the presence of the fluid communication channels 22 it is then possible to replace the atmosphere in the capsule 50 without causing damages to the capsule itself, since the pressure is identical between the outside (then in the chamber 39) and the inside of the capsule and there is no pressure difference capable of squeezing or damaging the walls of the capsule. Additionally, the presence of the cover 51 pointed at the capsule 50 before starting the fluid replacement procedures allows to avoid that the capsule content is sucked during the evacuation procedure.

Thanks to the machine of the present invention and to the machine operation method of the present invention it is then possible to produce continuously, in a quick and economic way the disposable capsules for beverages the content thereof is in protected atmosphere and which have no manufacturing structural defects.

The so-devised machine is susceptible to several modifications and variants, all within the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the used materials as well as the sizes, could be any one depending upon needs and state of art.

Claims

9 Claims

1. A machine ( 1) for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages, comprising at least one transport system (2) for capsules comprising one or more radial supports (21), and at least one welding system (3) comprising a carousel (31), one or more upper pistons (32) each comprising at least one gasket (33), one or more lower pistons (34) each comprising at least one gasket (35), one or more fluid extraction means (36), one or more fluid introduction means (37) and one or more welding means (38) contained in the one or more upper pistons (32) and coaxial thereto, and wherein the one or more upper pistons (32) and the one or more lower pistons (34) are vertically coaxial with the one or more radial supports (21) such machine characterised in that the one or more radial supports (21) comprise one or more fluid communication channels (22); and in that the one or more upper pistons (32), the one or more lower pistons (34), and the one or more radial supports (21) are adapted to form a sealed chamber (39) for containing a capsule.

2. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to claim 1, characterised in that the one or more upper pistons (32), the one or more lower pistons (34) and the one or more radial supports (21) are designed to accommodate a single capsule within the sealed chamber (39) defined by one of the one or more upper pistons (32), one of the one or more lower pistons (34) and one of the one or more radial supports (21).

3. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by a controller adjusted to modulate a radial speed of the one or more upper pistons (32), of the one or more lower pistons (34) and of the one or more radial supports (21) so that they are coaxially aligned and their relative speed is null.

4. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said one or more fluid extraction means (36) and/or said one or more fluid introduction means (37) are placed in connection with said one or more upper pistons (32) and/or with said one or more lower pistons (34) and/or said one or more radial supports (21).

5. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said one or more fluid extraction means (36) are connected to one or more vacuum pumps.

6. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the fluid introduction means and the fluid extraction means lead into an upper portion of the sealed chamber (39), located above the accommodated capsule.

7. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the radial supports (21) have a conical section, delimiting an accommodation for the capsule, the fluid communication channels (22) extending from an upper face of the radial supports (21) into the conical section.

8. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to claim 7, characterised in that the fluid communication channels (22) are oriented in a slant orientation with respect to the upper face of the radial support (21).

9. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that each of the radial supports (21) comprises a plurality of fluid communication channels (22), in particular at least 3 fluid communication channels (22), arranged regularly along a circumference of an accommodation for the capsule defined by the radial support (21).

10. The machine for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said one or more welding means (38) are electrical or induction operated. 1 1 1. A method for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages by means of the machine according to one of claims 1-10, comprising the following steps performed continuously and cyclically: a. Supplying a disposable capsule (50) for beverages in a radial support (21); b. Placing a cover (51) on the capsule; c. Securing the cover with one or more tacks (52) so that the cover enables the communication of fluids between the inside and the outside of the capsule (50); d. Transporting the radial support (21) comprising the capsule (50) into the carousel (31); e. Modulating the radial speed of the upper piston (32), of the lower piston (34) and of the radial support (21) so that they are coaxially aligned and their relative speed is null; f. Activating the upper piston (32) so that the gasket (33) abuts on the upper portion of the radial support (21) outside the fluid communication channels (22); g. Activating the lower piston (34) so that the gasket (35) abuts on the lower portion of the radial support (21), thus forming a chamber (39) around the capsule (50) defined by the upper piston (32), by the radial support (21), by the fluid communication channels (22), and by the lower piston (34); h. Activating the fluid extraction means (36) so as to reduce the pressure in the capsule (50) and in the chamber (39); i. Activating the fluid introduction means (37) so as to increase the pressure in the capsule (50) and in the chamber (39); j. Activating the welding means (38) so as to hermetically close the capsule (50) and the cover (51); 12 k. Separating the upper piston (32) and the lower piston (34) from the radial support (21); l. Ejecting the capsule (50). The continuous method for the continuous production of disposable capsules for beverages according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the fluid introduced into the capsule (50) is an inert gas.