WO2022084918A1 - Device and method for filling a capsule with a powdered food product for preparing beverages - Google Patents

Device and method for filling a capsule with a powdered food product for preparing beverages Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022084918A1
WO2022084918A1 PCT/IB2021/059728 IB2021059728W WO2022084918A1 WO 2022084918 A1 WO2022084918 A1 WO 2022084918A1 IB 2021059728 W IB2021059728 W IB 2021059728W WO 2022084918 A1 WO2022084918 A1 WO 2022084918A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cavity
food product
capsule
powdered food
opening
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/059728
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrea Bartoli
Original Assignee
Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sarong Societa' Per Azioni filed Critical Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Publication of WO2022084918A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022084918A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B65B1/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders
    • B65B1/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders of screw type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
    • B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
    • B65B29/022—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package packaging infusion material into capsules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and a method for filling a capsule with a food product, in particular a powdered food product, for preparing beverages.
  • the filling systems known from the prior art blow nitrogen inside the capsules during the introduction of the powdered food product. Further, the capsules can be filled in an environment, for example a tunnel, with a nitrogen atmosphere.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product that enables the air initially contained inside the capsules to be almost totally eliminated, so as to prevent, after sealing of the capsules, that phenomena of oxidation and fermentation of the powdered food product contained therein being able to occur.
  • Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product that is cheap to make.
  • the objects of the invention are achieved with a device for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product according to claim 1 and with a method for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product according to claim 9.
  • Figure l is a partially sectioned elevation view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the device in Figure 1, in a first operating position
  • Figure 3 is the detail of Figure 2, in a second operating position
  • Figure 4 is a partially sectioned elevation view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the device in Figure 2, in a first operating position
  • Figure 6 is the detail of Figure 5, in a second operating position
  • Figure 7 is the detail of Figure 5, in a third operating position.
  • FIG. 1 a first embodiment is illustrated of a device 1 according to the invention, that is used in a filling station for filling capsules 2 (which is not shown) in which a plurality of devices is generally present 1.
  • the empty capsules 2 to be filled are conveyed to the filling station by a conveying system of known type, for example a magnetic conveying system like that described in patent application W02020/183430 in the name of the applicant.
  • an open cavity 22 is defined, communicating with an environment outside the capsule 2 through an opening 6 surrounded by a flange 7, said cavity 22 being intended to receive a powdered food product for preparing a beverage, for example coffee powder.
  • Each device 1 comprises a tank 3, for example a hopper, containing a powdered food product with which the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 have to be filled; a feeding mechanism 4, for example a screw feeder, driven by a motor 15, with which the powdered food product is removed from the tank 3 and introduced into the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 and a closing ring 5 intended to close the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2, during filling of the capsules 2 with the powdered food product.
  • the closing ring 5 is inserted into an annular seat 16, obtained in a lower end part 19 of a liner 17 of the screw feeder 4, that ends with a dispensing port 18, through which the powdered food product is introduced into the cavity 22 of a capsule 2.
  • the closing ring 5 has a first part 8, which has a first outer diameter DI greater than a diameter D of the opening 6, for example about equal to an outer diameter of the flange 7 of a capsule 2, and a second part 20, placed below the first part 8, that has a second outer diameter D2 ⁇ D1, selected so as to enable said lower part 20 to be inserted with clearance into the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of the capsules 2 to close the opening 6 during filling of the cavity 22.
  • annular chamber 9 is defined that communicates with a conduit 10, which passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring 5, through which an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be fed into the annular chamber 9 to then be delivered inside the cavity 22.
  • an inert gas for example nitrogen
  • Each capsule 2 reaches the filling station inserted into a support element 11, fitted to a respective conveying element (which is not illustrated), for example a conveying element of the type illustrated in W02020/183430, to which the reader is referred for a description of the conveying element.
  • the support element 11 comprises a fixed part 12 and a movable part 13, in which a seat 14 is obtained into which a capsule 2 can be inserted.
  • the movable part 13 can be moved in a direction of an axis A of the device 1, between a rest position, shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, and an operating position, shown in Figures 3 and 7.
  • the device la comprises a tank 3, for example a hopper, containing a powdered food product with which the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 have to be filled; a screw feeder 4, driven by a motor 15, with which the powdered food product is removed from the tank 3 and introduced into the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 and a closing ring 5a intended to close the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2, during filling of the cavity 22 with the powdered food product.
  • a tank 3 for example a hopper, containing a powdered food product with which the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 have to be filled
  • a screw feeder 4 driven by a motor 15, with which the powdered food product is removed from the tank 3 and introduced into the cavities 22 of the capsules 2
  • a closing ring 5a intended to close the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2, during filling of the cavity 22 with the powdered food product.
  • the closing ring 5a is inserted into an annular seat 16, obtained in a lower end part 19 of a liner 17 of the screw feeder 4, that ends with a dispensing port 18, through which the powdered food product is introduced into the cavity 22 of a capsule 2.
  • the closing ring 5a has a first part 8a, which has a first outer diameter DI greater than a diameter D of the opening 6, for example about equal to an outer diameter of the flange 7 of a capsule 2 and a second part 20a, placed below the first part 8a, that has a second outer diameter D2 ⁇ D1, selected so as to enable said lower part 20a to be inserted into the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2.
  • the closing ring 5a unlike the closing ring 5, which is fixed, can slide in the annular seat 16 between a first position, illustrated in Figure 5, in which a lower end 21a of the closing ring 5a is aligned with the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4 and a second position, illustrated in Figure 6, in which said lower end 21a protrudes downwards with respect to said dispensing port 18.
  • the closing ring 5a is slided by an actuating element, which is not shown.
  • annular chamber 9 is defined that communicates with a conduit 10a, that passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring 5a, through which an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be fed into the annular chamber 9a to then be delivered inside the cavity 22.
  • an inert gas for example nitrogen
  • the inert gas is delivered to the conduit 10 of the closing ring 5, from which it passes into the annular chamber 9 and, from there, is delivered to the inside of the cavity 22, expelling the air contained therein and replacing the air.
  • the movable part 13 of the support element 12 is moved parallel to the axis A of the device 1 in its operating position, until the first part 8 of the closing ring 5 rests on the flange 7 of the capsules 2 and the second part 20 of the closing ring 5 is inserted into the opening 6 of the cavity 22, closing the cavity 22.
  • the screw feeder 4 is started up, which delivers the powdered food product inside the cavity 22.
  • the inert gas is mixed thoroughly with the powdered food product, so as to prevent, at the end of the filling of the capsules 2, when the capsule is conveyed outside the filling station, the air being able to penetrate inside the mass of powdered food product.
  • a capsule 2 When a capsule 2 reaches the filling station, the capsule 2 is so positioned that the opening 6 of the cavity 22 is aligned with the port 18 of the screw feeder 4.
  • the movable part 13 of the support element 11 is in its rest position. Between the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4 and the opening 6 of the cavity 22, a distance D3, for example of a few millimetres, exists.
  • the inert gas is delivered to the conduit 10a of the closing ring 5a, from which it passes into the annular chamber 9a and from the annular chamber 9a it is delivered inside the cavity 22, expelling the air contained therein and replacing the air.
  • the closing ring 5a Upon termination of the step of washing the capsules 2, the closing ring 5a is moved downwards from the actuating element, in a direction parallel to the axis A of the device 1, to said second position, until the first part 8a of the closing ring 5 rests on the flange 7 of the capsules 2, closing the cavity 22. [0038] Subsequently, whilst the introduction of the inert gas to the cavity 22 is maintained, the screw feeder 4 is started up that delivers a set quantity of powdered food product inside the cavity 22.
  • the inert gas is mixed thoroughly with the powdered food product, so as to eliminate possible pockets of air present in the mass of the powdered food product and prevent pockets of air being able to remain near the bottom of the capsules 2, at the end of filling thereof; said pockets of air being very difficult to eliminate after filling of the capsules 2.
  • the movable part 13 of the support element 12 is moved upwards parallel to the axis A of the device 1 and pushes upwards the closing ring 5a, returning the closing ring 5a to said first position, in which the lower end 21a of the closing ring 5a is aligned on the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4.
  • the closing ring 5a When the closing ring 5a reaches said first position, the lower end 20a thereof penetrates the opening 6 of the cavity 22 and presses on the product in powder form present in the cavity 22, compacting the product. Simultaneously, delivery of inert gas to the cavity 22 is interrupted and the screw feeder 4 is stopped to prevent the problem of so- called ‘refining” of the powdered food product caused by the excessive tangential forces that would be created if the screw feeder were maintained rotating during compacting of the powdered food product in the cavity 22.
  • the movable part 13 of the support element 11 is returned to the rest position and the support element 11 with the capsule 2 is taken outside the filling station to other processing stations, for example to a sealing station for sealing the capsules.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)

Abstract

A device (1) for filling a capsule (2) with a powdered food product for preparing beverages comprises a tank (3) containing said powdered food product, a feeding mechanism (4) for delivering said powdered food product to a cavity (22) of the capsule (2) and a closing ring (5; 5a) configured for closing an opening (6) of said cavity (22), in which said closing ring (5, 5a) is inserted into an annular seat (16) obtained in a lower end part (19) of a liner (17) of the feeding mechanism (4), wherein between the closing ring (5; 5a) and said lower end part (19) an annular chamber (9; 9a) is defined that communicates with a conduit (10; 10a), that passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring (5; 5a). A method for filling a capsule (2) with a powdered food product for preparing beverages, delivering said powdered food product to a cavity (22) of the capsule (2), through an opening (6) of the capsule (2) comprises the following steps: positioning the capsule (2) in a filling station below a filling device (1) comprising a feeding mechanism (4) for feeding said powdered food product, such that said opening (6) is aligned with a dispensing port (18) of said feeding mechanism (4), at a set distance (D3) from said dispensing port; delivering into said cavity (22) a flow of inert gas, so as to expel air contained in said cavity (22); dispensing to said cavity (22) a set quantity of said powdered food product by said feeding mechanism (4) continuing to deliver inert gas into said cavity (22); after said set quantity has been dispensed, stopping said feeding mechanism (4), interrupting the delivery of the inert gas to the cavity (22) and removing the capsule (2) from the filling station.

Description

Device and method for filling a capsule with a powdered food product for preparing beverages
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for filling a capsule with a food product, in particular a powdered food product, for preparing beverages.
[0002] It is known from the prior art that in order to ensure over time the integrity of the product with which the capsule is filled, air has to be removed from inside the capsules and be replaced with an inert gas, typically nitrogen.
[0003] Replacing the air with an inert gas is used to prevent, after sealing of the capsule, the product contained therein from undergoing oxidation and fermentation phenomena that may compromise the quality of the product and cause a pressure increase inside the capsules, because of gases generated by fermentation phenomena, with the risk of compromising the structural integrity of the capsules.
[0004] The filling systems known from the prior art blow nitrogen inside the capsules during the introduction of the powdered food product. Further, the capsules can be filled in an environment, for example a tunnel, with a nitrogen atmosphere.
[0005] The filling methods known from the state of the art are unable to remove all the air from the capsule during filling thereof, because a part of the air initially present in the capsule remains entrapped inside the powdered food product. Further, if the capsules are filled in a tunnel in which a nitrogen atmosphere is obtained, the cost of the filling apparatus is very high.
[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product that enables the air initially contained inside the capsules to be almost totally eliminated, so as to prevent, after sealing of the capsules, that phenomena of oxidation and fermentation of the powdered food product contained therein being able to occur.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product that is cheap to make.
[0008] The objects of the invention are achieved with a device for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product according to claim 1 and with a method for filling capsules for preparing beverages with a powdered food product according to claim 9.
[0009] Owing to the invention, it is possible to eliminate almost totally the air present inside a capsule for preparing beverages, so that the air does not mix with the powdered food product, so as to prevent phenomena of oxidation and fermentation of the powdered food product, after sealing of the capsule, and maintain substantially unaltered over time the organoleptic properties of the powdered food product with which the capsule has been filled.
[0010] Further advantages and features of the invention will be clear from the following description that is provided merely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure l is a partially sectioned elevation view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the device in Figure 1, in a first operating position;
Figure 3 is the detail of Figure 2, in a second operating position;
Figure 4 is a partially sectioned elevation view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention;
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the device in Figure 2, in a first operating position;
Figure 6 is the detail of Figure 5, in a second operating position;
Figure 7 is the detail of Figure 5, in a third operating position.
[0011] In Figure 1, a first embodiment is illustrated of a device 1 according to the invention, that is used in a filling station for filling capsules 2 (which is not shown) in which a plurality of devices is generally present 1.
[0012] The empty capsules 2 to be filled are conveyed to the filling station by a conveying system of known type, for example a magnetic conveying system like that described in patent application W02020/183430 in the name of the applicant.
[0013] Inside each capsule 2, an open cavity 22 is defined, communicating with an environment outside the capsule 2 through an opening 6 surrounded by a flange 7, said cavity 22 being intended to receive a powdered food product for preparing a beverage, for example coffee powder.
[0014] Each device 1 comprises a tank 3, for example a hopper, containing a powdered food product with which the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 have to be filled; a feeding mechanism 4, for example a screw feeder, driven by a motor 15, with which the powdered food product is removed from the tank 3 and introduced into the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 and a closing ring 5 intended to close the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2, during filling of the capsules 2 with the powdered food product. [0015] The closing ring 5 is inserted into an annular seat 16, obtained in a lower end part 19 of a liner 17 of the screw feeder 4, that ends with a dispensing port 18, through which the powdered food product is introduced into the cavity 22 of a capsule 2.
[0016] The closing ring 5 has a first part 8, which has a first outer diameter DI greater than a diameter D of the opening 6, for example about equal to an outer diameter of the flange 7 of a capsule 2, and a second part 20, placed below the first part 8, that has a second outer diameter D2<D1, selected so as to enable said lower part 20 to be inserted with clearance into the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of the capsules 2 to close the opening 6 during filling of the cavity 22.
[0017] Between the closing ring 5 and the lower end part 19 of the liner 17 an annular chamber 9 is defined that communicates with a conduit 10, which passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring 5, through which an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be fed into the annular chamber 9 to then be delivered inside the cavity 22.
[0018] Each capsule 2 reaches the filling station inserted into a support element 11, fitted to a respective conveying element (which is not illustrated), for example a conveying element of the type illustrated in W02020/183430, to which the reader is referred for a description of the conveying element.
[0019] The support element 11 comprises a fixed part 12 and a movable part 13, in which a seat 14 is obtained into which a capsule 2 can be inserted. The movable part 13 can be moved in a direction of an axis A of the device 1, between a rest position, shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, and an operating position, shown in Figures 3 and 7.
[0020] In Figures 4 to 7, a further embodiment is illustrated of a device la according to the invention.
[0021] Similarly to the device 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the device la comprises a tank 3, for example a hopper, containing a powdered food product with which the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 have to be filled; a screw feeder 4, driven by a motor 15, with which the powdered food product is removed from the tank 3 and introduced into the cavities 22 of the capsules 2 and a closing ring 5a intended to close the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2, during filling of the cavity 22 with the powdered food product.
[0022] The closing ring 5a is inserted into an annular seat 16, obtained in a lower end part 19 of a liner 17 of the screw feeder 4, that ends with a dispensing port 18, through which the powdered food product is introduced into the cavity 22 of a capsule 2. [0023] The closing ring 5a has a first part 8a, which has a first outer diameter DI greater than a diameter D of the opening 6, for example about equal to an outer diameter of the flange 7 of a capsule 2 and a second part 20a, placed below the first part 8a, that has a second outer diameter D2<D1, selected so as to enable said lower part 20a to be inserted into the opening 6 of the cavity 22 of a capsule 2.
[0024] The closing ring 5a, unlike the closing ring 5, which is fixed, can slide in the annular seat 16 between a first position, illustrated in Figure 5, in which a lower end 21a of the closing ring 5a is aligned with the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4 and a second position, illustrated in Figure 6, in which said lower end 21a protrudes downwards with respect to said dispensing port 18. The closing ring 5a is slided by an actuating element, which is not shown.
[0025] Between the closing ring 5a and the lower end part 19 of the liner 17 an annular chamber 9 is defined that communicates with a conduit 10a, that passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring 5a, through which an inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be fed into the annular chamber 9a to then be delivered inside the cavity 22.
[0026] The operation of a device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 is now disclosed below.
[0027] When a capsule 2 reaches the filling station, the capsule 2 is so positioned that the opening 6 of the cavity 22 is aligned with the port of the screw feeder 4. The movable part 13 of the support element 11 is in its rest position. Between the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4 and the opening 6 of the cavity 22, a set distance D3 exists, for example of a few millimetres.
[0028] After the capsule 2 has been positioned as indicated above, a so-called washing procedure is started up for washing the capsules 2, the object of which is to expel from the inside of the cavity 22 the air contained therein and replace the air with inert gas, for example nitrogen.
[0029] For this purpose, the inert gas is delivered to the conduit 10 of the closing ring 5, from which it passes into the annular chamber 9 and, from there, is delivered to the inside of the cavity 22, expelling the air contained therein and replacing the air.
[0030] Upon termination of the step of washing the capsules 2, the movable part 13 of the support element 12 is moved parallel to the axis A of the device 1 in its operating position, until the first part 8 of the closing ring 5 rests on the flange 7 of the capsules 2 and the second part 20 of the closing ring 5 is inserted into the opening 6 of the cavity 22, closing the cavity 22.
[0031] Subsequently, whilst the introduction of the inert gas to the cavity 22 is maintained, the screw feeder 4 is started up, which delivers the powdered food product inside the cavity 22. During this operation, the inert gas is mixed thoroughly with the powdered food product, so as to prevent, at the end of the filling of the capsules 2, when the capsule is conveyed outside the filling station, the air being able to penetrate inside the mass of powdered food product.
[0032] At the end of filling the capsules 2, i.e. when a set quantity of powdered food product has been delivered to the cavity 22, delivery of inert gas to the cavity 22 is interrupted, the screw feeder 4 is stopped, the movable part 13 of the support element 11 is returned to the rest position and the support element 11 with the capsule 2 is taken outside the filling station to other processing stations, for example to a sealing station for sealing the capsules.
[0033] The operation is now disclosed below the operation of a device la in the further embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 4 to 7.
[0034] When a capsule 2 reaches the filling station, the capsule 2 is so positioned that the opening 6 of the cavity 22 is aligned with the port 18 of the screw feeder 4. The movable part 13 of the support element 11 is in its rest position. Between the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4 and the opening 6 of the cavity 22, a distance D3, for example of a few millimetres, exists.
[0035] After the capsule has been positioned as indicated above, a so-called washing procedure is started for washing the capsules 2, the purpose of which is to expel from the inside of the cavity 22 the air contained therein and to replace the air with an inert gas, for example nitrogen.
[0036] For this purpose, the inert gas is delivered to the conduit 10a of the closing ring 5a, from which it passes into the annular chamber 9a and from the annular chamber 9a it is delivered inside the cavity 22, expelling the air contained therein and replacing the air.
[0037] Upon termination of the step of washing the capsules 2, the closing ring 5a is moved downwards from the actuating element, in a direction parallel to the axis A of the device 1, to said second position, until the first part 8a of the closing ring 5 rests on the flange 7 of the capsules 2, closing the cavity 22. [0038] Subsequently, whilst the introduction of the inert gas to the cavity 22 is maintained, the screw feeder 4 is started up that delivers a set quantity of powdered food product inside the cavity 22. During this operation, the inert gas is mixed thoroughly with the powdered food product, so as to eliminate possible pockets of air present in the mass of the powdered food product and prevent pockets of air being able to remain near the bottom of the capsules 2, at the end of filling thereof; said pockets of air being very difficult to eliminate after filling of the capsules 2.
[0039] Towards the end of the step of filling the capsules 2, the movable part 13 of the support element 12 is moved upwards parallel to the axis A of the device 1 and pushes upwards the closing ring 5a, returning the closing ring 5a to said first position, in which the lower end 21a of the closing ring 5a is aligned on the dispensing port 18 of the screw feeder 4.
[0040] When the closing ring 5a reaches said first position, the lower end 20a thereof penetrates the opening 6 of the cavity 22 and presses on the product in powder form present in the cavity 22, compacting the product. Simultaneously, delivery of inert gas to the cavity 22 is interrupted and the screw feeder 4 is stopped to prevent the problem of so- called ‘refining” of the powdered food product caused by the excessive tangential forces that would be created if the screw feeder were maintained rotating during compacting of the powdered food product in the cavity 22.
[0041] After the step of compacting the powdered food product, the movable part 13 of the support element 11 is returned to the rest position and the support element 11 with the capsule 2 is taken outside the filling station to other processing stations, for example to a sealing station for sealing the capsules.

Claims

1. Device (1) for filling a capsule (2) with a powdered food product for preparing beverages comprising a tank (3) containing said powdered food product, a feeding mechanism (4) for delivering said powdered food product into a cavity (22) of the capsule (2), characterized in that it comprises a closing ring (5; 5a) configured for closing an opening (6) of said cavity (22), in which said closing ring (5, 5a) is inserted into an annular seat (16) obtained in a lower end part (19) of a liner (17) of the feeding mechanism (4), wherein between the closing ring (5; 5a) and said lower end part (19) an annular chamber (9; 9a) is defined that communicates with a conduit (10; 10a), that passes through the entire thickness of the closing ring (5; 5a).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said closing ring (5; 5a) has a first part (8; 8a), which has a first outer diameter (DI) greater than a diameter (D) of said opening (6), and a second part (20, 20a), placed below the first part (8a), that has a second outer diameter (D2), wherein said second outer diameter (D2) is less than said first outer diameter (DI).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first outer diameter (DI) is about equal to an outer diameter of a flange (7) of the capsules (2), that surrounds said opening (6).
4. Device (1) according to claim 2, or 3, wherein said second diameter (D2) is so chosen as to enable said lower part (20; 20a) to be inserted into the opening (6) of the cavity (22) to close the opening (6).
5. Device (1), according to one of the preceding claim, wherein said closing ring (5) is inserted fixed into said annular seat (16).
6. Device (1), according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said closing ring (5a) is movable in said annular seat (16) between a first position and a second position.
7. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein a lower end (21a) of the closing ring (5a) is aligned with a dispensing port (18) of the feeding mechanism (4), when the closing ring (5a) is in said first position, wherein said lower end (21a) protrudes downwards, with respect to said dispensing port (18), when the closing ring (5a) is in said second position.
8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said feeding mechanism (4) is a screw feeder.
9. Method for filling with a powdered food product a capsule (2) for preparing beverages, delivering said powdered food product into a cavity (22) of the capsule (2), through an opening (6) of the capsule (2) characterized in that it comprises the following steps: positioning the capsule (2) in a filling station below a filling device (1) comprising a feeding mechanism (4) of said powdered food product, so that said opening (6) is aligned with a dispensing port (18) of said feeding mechanism, at a set distance (D3) from said dispensing port; delivering to said cavity (22) a flow of inert gas, so as to expel air contained in said cavity (22); dispensing to said cavity (22) a set quantity of said powdered food product by said feeding mechanism (4) continuing to deliver inert gas to said cavity (22); after said quantity has been dispensed, stopping said feeding mechanism (4), interrupting the delivery of the inert gas to the cavity (22) and removing the capsule (2) from the filling station.
10. Method, according to claim 9, wherein before said dispensing the capsules (2) is pushed upwards until a lower part (20) of said filling device is inserted into said opening (6), closing said opening (6).
11. Method according to claim 9, wherein before said dispensing said opening (6) is closed by a movable part (5a) of said filling device (1).
12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising moving said capsule (2) upwards against said movable part (5a), until a lower part (20) of said filling device comes into contact with the powdered food product delivered to said cavity (22), compacting the powdered food product.
13. Method according to claim 12, further comprising stopping said feeding mechanism and interrupting delivering said inert gas to the cavity (22) when said lower part (20) of said filling device (1) comes into contact with said powdered food product.
PCT/IB2021/059728 2020-10-22 2021-10-21 Device and method for filling a capsule with a powdered food product for preparing beverages WO2022084918A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000025018A IT202000025018A1 (en) 2020-10-22 2020-10-22 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FILLING A CAPSULE WITH A FOODSTUFF IN POWDER FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRINKS
IT102020000025018 2020-10-22

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WO2022084918A1 true WO2022084918A1 (en) 2022-04-28

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69205232T2 (en) * 1991-07-05 1996-03-14 Nestle Sa Flexible coffee cassette with a stiffening element and process for its manufacture.
WO2016020822A1 (en) * 2014-08-06 2016-02-11 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. Unit and method for filling containers of single-use capsules for extraction or infusion beverages
DE102015122147A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-07-06 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Filling process for powder and suitable device
WO2020099989A1 (en) * 2018-11-12 2020-05-22 Opem S.P.A. Apparatus for packaging capsules under vacuum

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201900003631A1 (en) 2019-03-13 2020-09-13 Sarong Spa Beverage capsule processing plant

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69205232T2 (en) * 1991-07-05 1996-03-14 Nestle Sa Flexible coffee cassette with a stiffening element and process for its manufacture.
WO2016020822A1 (en) * 2014-08-06 2016-02-11 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. Unit and method for filling containers of single-use capsules for extraction or infusion beverages
DE102015122147A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-07-06 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Filling process for powder and suitable device
WO2020099989A1 (en) * 2018-11-12 2020-05-22 Opem S.P.A. Apparatus for packaging capsules under vacuum

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