WO2022118152A1

WO2022118152A1 - Dosing station of a powder product in a container, as well as method and software for dosing this product and packaging plant thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2022118152A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/061005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonello Turle
Original assignee: Color Service S.R.L.
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2022-06-09

Abstract

A station for safely dosing a controlled amount of a powdered product (P) in at least one container (C). The dosing station comprises: means (120,121,126) for discharging the powdered product (P); a support surface (130); means (131) for weighing the powdered product (P); first suction means (150,151,152) for suctioning the powdered product (P) comprising at least one movable hood element (150) designed to rest on the peripheral edge (E) of the container (C) when arranged on the support surface (130). Control means (110) configured to control the activation of the discharge means (120,121,126) only upon the mutual displacement of the support surface (130) and of the hood element (150) from a distal position to a proximal position and to control the reverse displacement upon reaching of a first weighing threshold (P1) are provided for.

Description

DOSING STATION OF A POWDER PRODUCT IN A CONTAINER, AS WELL AS METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR DOSING THIS PRODUCT AND PACKAGING PLANT THEREOF

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

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

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method and software for dosing such powdered product.

In addition, the present invention relates to a powdered product packaging plant which includes the aforementioned dosing station, or which uses the aforementioned dosing method and/or software.

State of the Art

Plants for packaging powdered products which sequentially include a station for preparing a container for the powdered product, a station for dosing the powdered product in the container and a station for closing the container, so as to obtain the product packaged in the container, are known.

A recognised drawback of such plants lies in the poor dosing precision of the containers, which entails rather significant weight differences in the packaged containers.

A further drawback of such types of plants lies in the high danger thereof, due to the circulation of powders in the area surrounding the plant.

As a matter of fact, these powders could be inhaled by the operators with all the entailed consequences or, in critical concentrations, could lead to explosions.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks outlined above by providing a station for dosing powdered product that is highly efficient and cost-effective.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a station for dosing powdered products that is highly safe.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a station for dosing powdered products that allows a high dosing precision.

These and other objects which will be more apparent hereinafter are attained by a station for dosing a powdered product as described and/or claimed and/or illustrated herein. In particular, the dosing station will ensure the safe dosing of a controlled amount of a powdered product, and it will comprise:

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

- a surface for supporting the at least one container arranged below said outlet mouth;

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

- first suction means operatively connected with the outlet mouth to suction the powdered product exiting therefrom, said first suction means including at least one hood element having a work surface designed to remain faced to the peripheral edge of the at least one container when arranged on said support surface.

The latter and the at least one hood element are mutually movable between a proximal position in which the work surface and the peripheral edge are mutually in contact and a distal position in which the same are mutually spaced. Control means operatively connected with said support surface, at least one hood element, discharge means and weighing means are also provided for.

The control means are configured to control the activation of the discharge means only upon the mutual displacement of the support surface and at least one hood element from the distal to the proximal position.

Furthermore, the control means are configured to control the mutual displacement of the support surface and at least one hood element from the proximal to the distal position upon reaching at least one first predetermined or settable weighing threshold by the weighing means.

This will allow to guarantee the discharge of the powdered product in complete safety, given that during the discharge it will be suctioned by the first suction means without leaking from the container.

Advantageously, the control means may further be configured to control the shut off of the discharge of the powdered product upon reaching such first predetermined or settable weighing threshold.

Suitably, the aforementioned at least one hood element may comprise at least one first suction intake, the first suction means further including a first suction line fluidically connected therewith and first means for adjusting the flow passing through the first suction line.

It should be observed that in the present document the expression "flow" and derivatives is used to indicate the flow rate of the fluid possibly mixed with solid in a through-flow section.

Advantageously, the control means may be operatively connected to the first adjustment means to control their through-flow from a first operating condition in which the flow passing through the first suction line is greater than at least one second operating condition in which the flow suctioned therein is lower in response upon reaching a third predetermined or settable weighing threshold by the weighing means.

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

Due to these characteristics, upon reaching a predetermined amount of powdered product in the at least one container, the suctioned flow may be reduced.

Advantageously, the discharge means may comprise a silo with an outlet port arranged above the outlet mouth and fluidically connected thereto. Second suction means fluidically connected with such outlet port may also be provided for. The control means may be configured to control the selective activation of the second suction means only when the support surface and the at least one hood element are not in the proximal position. In this manner, the second suction means may be inactive when the support surface and the at least one hood element are in the proximal position.

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

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the dosing station may further comprise a substantially closed working chamber arranged below the outlet mouth. This working chamber may comprise:

- the support surface;

- at least one first opening for the entry and/or the exit of the at least one container; - at least one second opening arranged at the outlet mouth, said at least one second opening being sized to allow the flow of the work surface and/or of the peripheral edge therethrough when the support surface and at least one first suction hood are in the proximal position;

Preferably, the working chamber may be fluidically connectable with third suction means.

In the light of the above, should the powdered product undesirably spill from the at least one container during discharge, the same will remain confined in the working chamber and preferably suctioned by the suction means acting therein, so as to guarantee the maximum safety of the operators.

Preferably, the at least one first opening may be the inlet of the working chamber, the latter further comprising an outlet opposite to the inlet. Means for the advancement of the at least one container from the inlet to the outlet passing through the support surface may be provided for.

The dependent claims 2 to 9 define advantageous aspects of the aforementioned invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there may be provided for a method of dosing a powdered product by means of the aforementioned dosing station, which sequentially provides for the steps of:

- mutual displacement of the support surface and at least one hood element from the distal to the proximal position;

- discharge of the powdered product into the at least one container arranged on the support surface by means of said discharge means until when the weighing means reach at least one predetermined or settable first weighing threshold;

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

Suitably, during the discharge step the powdered product may be suctioned through the first suction intake. The flow passing through the first suction line may be greater or lower, respectively before and after reaching a weighing threshold lower than the first weighing threshold.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there may be provided for a software program for dosing a powdered product, suitable to be run by a processor associated with the processing station to carry out the aforementioned steps of the method described above.

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

- at least one station for loading empty containers;

- the aforementioned dosing station;

- at least one station for closing the containers in which the powdered product was dosed;

- at least one station for unloading said filled closed containers;

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

On the other hand, there may be provided for a station for sealing bags made of polymeric material containing powdered products as described and/or claimed and/or illustrated herein.

In particular, the sealing station may comprise:

- first means for supporting a bag made of flexible polymeric material containing a powdered product;

- second means for supporting the bag arranged above the first support means;

- means for lifting the bag from the first to the second support means;

- means for sealing the bag;

- first means for suctioning the powdered product comprising at least one suction nozzle.

There may be provided for control means operatively connected with the lifting means, the sealing means and the first suction means to control the insertion of the at least one suction nozzle into the bag before the lifting means lift the bag from the first support means.

Furthermore, the control means may be configured to control the removal of the at least one suction nozzle from the bag after the latter has been deposited on the second support means by the lifting means and the sealing thereof by the sealing means.

The control means may further be configured to control the activation of the suction means at least during the lifting of the bag by the lifting means.

In the light of the above, the sealing station will be particularly safe. Advantageously, the lifting means may include means for gripping the bag arranged above the first support means and movable between a first inoperative position spaced apart from the bag and a first operative position in which they interact therewith to pick it up. The control means may be configured to initially control the actuation of the gripping means and the insertion of the at least one suction nozzle into the bag when the bag is in contact with the first support means and subsequently the lifting of the gripping means and of the at least one suction nozzle to detach the bag from the first support means and place it on the second support means.

Suitably, the lifting means may include at least one vertically movable slider between at least one lower operative position and at least one upper operative position on which there may be mounted the at least one suction nozzle, the gripping means and the sealing means.

The control means may be configured to sequentially control: the actuation of the gripping means and the insertion of the at least one suction nozzle into the bag when the at least one slider is in the lower operative position; the displacement of the at least one slider from the lower to the upper operative position; the actuation of the sealing means when the at least one slider is in the upper operative position and the bag is in contact with the second support means.

According to a further aspect of the invention relating to the sealing station, there may be provided for a method for sealing bags made of flexible polymeric material containing powdered products by means of the aforementioned sealing station, comprising the steps of:

- inserting the at least one suction nozzle into the bag placed on the first support means;

- lifting the bag from the first support means to the second support means;

- sealing the bag arranged on the second support means;

- removing the at least one suction nozzle from the bag; wherein further provided for is a suction step carried out by means of the at least one suction nozzle which occurs at least during the lifting step.

According to a further aspect of the invention relating to the sealing station, there may be provided for a software program for sealing a powdered product, suitable to be run by a processor associated with the aforementioned processing station to carry out the steps of the method described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention relating to the sealing station, there may be provided for a plant for packaging powdered products in bags made of flexible polymeric material, comprising:

- at least one station for loading empty bags;

- at least one station for dosing the powdered product into each of said bags to fill them;

- the aforementioned station for sealing the bags;

- at least one station for unloading the sealed filled bags;

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

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top schematic view of the plant 1;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the mentioned figures, herein described is a plant 1 for packaging a powdered product P in containers C.

The powdered product P may be of any type, for example a rubber compound, a food flour a cosmetic mixture or the like.

The container C may also be of any type, and preferably it may be a bag made of flexible polymeric material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. Although hereinafter reference will be made to a bag made of flexible polymeric material, it is clear that the container C may be of any type without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In general, the plant 1 may comprise a station 10 for loading empty bags C, a station 100 for dosing the powdered product P into the bags C to fill them, a station 200 for closing the filled bags C and a station 50 for unloading closed filled bags C.

Means 11 for advancing the bags C from the loading station 10 to the unloading station 50 passing through the dosing 100 and closing 200 station may also be provided for.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the advancement means 11 may include a conveyor of the pilger type.

Suitably, in case of containers C in the form of a bag made of flexible polymeric material, the closing station 200 may be a station for sealing the same, for example by means of heat sealing.

Although hereinafter reference will be made to a station for sealing bags made of flexible polymeric material, it is clear that the closing station 200 may be of any type without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In a per se known manner, the flexible polymeric material may be unwound from a reel 12 and the bags C may be packaged with therewith at the loading station 10.

Advantageously, once made the bags C may be inserted into appropriate support means, which for example may comprise a vessel 20 with a fixed base 21 and movable outer jacket 22, whose function will be clearer hereinafter.

The fixed base 21 may be arranged under vacuum by means of vacuum means V, so that the bottom F of the bags C adheres to the walls of the vessel 20. Suitably, the end portion C' of the bags C may be elastically locked outside the vessels 20 by means of elastic means 24.

In this manner, each bag C will have an inlet I for the powdered product P defined by a peripheral edge E arranged upwards.

Therefore, each vessel 20 will be occupied by a bag C from the loading station 10 up to the sealing station 200, where it will be removed from the respective vessel 20, sealed and conveyed towards the unloading station 50. On their part, the empty vessels 20 will be once again conveyed toward the loading station 10, where they will be occupied by a new bag C to restart the cycle.

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

To this end, there may be provided for suitable means for discharging the powdered product P, which may for example be made as disclosed by the patent application EP3733558.

More particularly, the means for discharging the powdered product P may comprise a silo 120 with an outlet port 121, a discharge auger 122 arranged inside the silo 120 and a scraping device 123 arranged at the outlet port 121, which may discharge into a hopper 124 provided with an outlet mouth 125.

Furthermore, advantageously, at the outlet port 121 and upstream of the hopper 124 there may be provided for a movable shutter-like element 126, which may move between two or more positions in which the through-flow section for the powdered product P varies. To this end, the movable shutter-like element 126 may have at least one opening 127, which may preferably have a diameter at least equal to that of the outlet port 121.

A movable protection element 128, suitable to collect the residues of powdered product P that could spill after dosing, may be arranged to protect the outlet mouth 125. Such residues are collected in the collection portion 128' by means of the movable blade 129.

Below the discharge means, and more precisely below the outlet mouth 125, there may be arranged a surface 130 for supporting the vessel 20 containing the bag C.

Below such support surface 130 there may be provided for weighing means, for example a load cell 131, suitable to weigh the powdered product P discharged into the bag C. To this end, the load cell 131 may cooperate with the support surface 130. In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, the load cell 131 may be movable between an inoperative position, illustrated for example in FIG. 3, in which it is operatively disconnected from the support surface 130 and an operative position in which it is operatively connected with the support surface 130, illustrated for example in FIG. 4, to weigh the powdered product P discharged into the bag C.

A substantially closed working chamber 140 which can be fluidically connected with suction means, for example through the intakes 141 may be arranged at the support surface 130.

Such working chamber 140 may comprise an inlet 142 for the vessel 20 with the empty bag C, an outlet 143 for the vessel 20 with the filled bag C and an upper opening 144 at the outlet mouth 125.

Suitably, the opening 144 may be dimensioned to allow the flow through the vessel 20 once arranged on the support surface 130.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, a movable hood element 150, which may comprise a plurality of suction intakes 151 fluidically connected with a fixed suction hood 152, with diameter larger than that of the movable hood element 150 and connected to a centralised suction system, which may be of any type, for example by means of the ducts 153 and 160 may be arranged around the outlet mouth 125.

Suitable flow adjustment means, for example a slide valve 156 which adjusts the section for the through-flow of air or possible suctioned powdered product may be suitably arranged on the fluidic line which includes the ducts. However, it is clear that the flow adjustment means may be of any type, not necessarily acting on the through-flow section but for example acting on the suction flow rate, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

The movable hood element 150 may have a lower work surface 154, preferably defined by a sealing element 155, for example an elastomeric gasket. The work surface 154 may be faced to the peripheral edge E of the bag C when the vessel 20 is arranged on the support surface 130.

A suction intake 124' also connected to appropriate suction means by means of ducts 124" and 161 may be present on the hopper 124. The suction means to which the suction intake 124' is fluidically connected may be the same to which the intakes 151 are connected or different therefrom. The microprocessor unit 110 may suitably control the various parts of the closing station 100, with which it will be operatively connected, to guarantee the operation thereof. It is clear that the operative connection may be of any type, for example of the physical type by means of electrical cables, limit switches, actuators and the like, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor unit 110 may run a computer program suitable to sequentially carry out the steps for displacing the hood element 150 from the distal to the proximal position, discharge of the powdered product P in the bag C arranged on the support surface 130 until the load cell 131 reaches a predetermined or settable weighing threshold Pl and reverse displacement of the hood element 150 from the proximal to the distal position.

In particular, the first discharge step will occur only after the vessel 20 conveyed by the conveying means 11 reaches the support surface 130 entering into the working chamber 140 through the entrance 142, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

At that point, the load cell 131 moves form the inoperative position to the operative position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, while at the same time lifting the vessel 20 so that the peripheral edge E of the bag C remains in proximity of the upper opening 144 of the working chamber 140.

It is clear that although the present description illustrates a working chamber 140 with an inlet opening 142 opposite to the outlet 143, the working chamber 140 may have a single inlet / outlet without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Subsequently, the work surface 154 of the movable hood element 150 abuts against the peripheral edge E of the bag C arranged in the vessel 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5 which illustrates the proximal position of the support surface 130 and of the hood element 150. Therefore, the internal of the bag C which is fluidically disconnected from the surrounding environment and it is exclusively fluidically connected with the silo 120 and the first suction means through the suction intakes 151.

To this end, it will be necessary for the movable protection element 128 to move from the closed position, illustrated for example in FIG. 2, to the open position, illustrated for example in FIG. 7. To this end, the movable protection element 128 may move along a substantially horizontal sliding plane.

It is clear that although the present description illustrates the support surface 130 and the hood element 150 both movable, only one of them may be mobile and the other fixed without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

At that point, the microprocessor unit 110 may control the activation of the first suction means with the slide valve in maximum opening position, therefore with maximum flow, and the activation of the auger 122 up to reaching a second intermediate weighing threshold P2, below the first weighing threshold Pl.

Upon reaching such threshold, the auger 122 may be stopped, and the scraping device 123 may be activated up to reaching the final weight threshold Pl.

At the same time, the microprocessor unit 110 may act on the slide valve 156 to close it progressively, reducing the section for the through-flow of air and the possible suctioned solid and therefore reducing the suction flow. This may occur when the load cell 131 reaches the threshold P2 or upon reaching a third threshold P3 different from the second threshold P2.

Upon reaching the final weighing threshold P3, the microprocessor unit 110 may lift the hood element 150, spacing the work surface 154 from the peripheral edge E of the bag C arranged in the vessel 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6 which illustrates the proximal position of the support surface 130 and of the hood element 150.

Therefore, the internal of the bag C is once again fluidically connected with the surrounding environment. A cloud of the powdered product could be created in this event.

In order to suction the latter, the microprocessor unit 110 may activate the second suction means, which will suction through the suction intake 124'. At the same time, the microprocessor unit 110 may return the slide valve 156 in the maximum opening position, so as to have the maximum possible suction flow.

At the same time, the movable protection element 128 may return to the closed position, and the conveying means 11 may pick up the vessel 20 with the filled bag C to convey it to the subsequent work station 200 passing through the outlet 143 of the working chamber 140.

During all the aforementioned steps, and in particular during the discharge, the suction means acting in the working chamber 140 through the intakes 141 may be active.

The aforementioned configuration will allow to provide an extremely quick and precise dosing of the powdered product P in the bags C at the same time guaranteeing total safety for the operators working in the plant 1. The selective actuation of the auger 122 in the first discharge step and of the scraping device 123 in the second step, actually allows to combine the dosing rate of the auger with the dosing precision of the scraping device.

Furthermore, the hermetic sealing of the bag C by means of the hood element 150 provided with suction intakes 151 during the discharge step guarantees an optimal suctioning of the powdered product, guaranteeing high level of safety.

However, when the amount of product P becomes such that the first suction means would lead to excessive suctioning thereof, distorting the precision and increasing the dosing times, the suction flow is preferably progressively decreased, up to the final weighing threshold.

Therefore, upon reaching the latter the suction hood 150 is lifted and the possible powder cloud which is generated may be suctioned by the second suction means preferably in cooperation with the former.

In order to further guarantee safety, the suction means acting in the working chamber 140 will also suction possible residues of powdered product P that might leak from the bag C during the discharge steps.

The weighing thresholds Pl, P2 and P3 may be selected based on various parameters, such as for example the volume of product to be filled, the volume of the bag, the suction power of the various suction means involved and so on and so forth.

The sealing station 200 may seal the bags C previously filled in the dosing station 100 in complete safety manner, therefore ensuring that the powdered product P does not leak from the bag C during processing.

To this end, the sealing station 200 may comprise a lower surface 205 for supporting the vessel 20 conveyed by the pilger conveyor 11 and, above the latter, a slider 210 vertically movable on guides 211 and an upper support surface 220.

The slider 210 may pick up the bag C from the vessel 20 to lift it, place it on the upper support surface 220 and seal it. Once sealed, the bag C is discharged toward the discharge station 50 through a conveyor belt system 51 provided with appropriate safety weighing means to verify the actual weight of the sealed bag C.

Before lifting the bag C from the vessel 20 and after the sealing thereof, which will occur after placing the bag C on the upper support surface 220, a pair of suction nozzles 230, which may be mounted on the slider 210 and an integral part of appropriate suction means 231 suitable to operate at least when lifting the bag C, and preferably up to sealing the bag C, may be inserted into the bag C.

This will allow to ensure that the powdered product P does not leak from the bag C during displacement and sealing.

In order to avoid distorting the dosing carried out in the station 100, there arises the need to keep the suction nozzles 230 the farthest possible from the powdered product P. To this end, the suction nozzles 230 may preferably be inserted at the end portion C' of the bag C inserted into the vessel 20. The suction means 231 must be suitably adjusted.

Preferably, the suction means 231 will operate throughout the period of insertion of then suction nozzles 230 into the bag C, up to the sealing thereof.

Means for gripping the bag C, which may for example be defined by the two gripping devices 240, 241, and means for sealing the bag C, for example a heat-sealing unit 250 may be mounted on the slider 210.

It is clear that the mounting of the various components mentioned above on a single slider 210, although advantageous, is not necessary to the purposes of the present invention. It is clear that the various means mentioned above may move independently with respect to each other without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Likewise, there is no need for the presence of the means mentioned above, given that those mentioned in the attached claims are sufficient.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the two gripping devices 240, 241 may act sequentially, the first gripping device 240 to pick up the end portion C' of the bag C and the second gripping device 241 to firmly lock the end portion C' so as to allow the detachment of the bag C from the vessel 20 and the positioning thereof on the upper support surface 220.

To this end, the end portion C' must be released from the elastic means 24. To this end, the movable jacket 22 must be moved vertically with respect to the fixed base 21 of the vessel 20, so as to automatically release the end portion C' from the elastic means 24 thanks to the fact that the bottom F of the bag C remains in contact with the fixed base 21.

Suitable means for engagement with the jacket 22, for example a pair of stems 260 mounted on a slider 261 that is vertically movable on guides 262 which can be engaged on eyelets 25 obtained on the sides of the jacket 22 may be provided for in order to carry out the above. The vertical movement of the latter will be guided by slits 26 obtained in the jacket 22, movable with respect to a fixed centring pin 27 present on the fixed base 21.

Once the jacket 22 is in the lifted position, the end portion C' of the bag C may be gripped by the two gripping devices 240, 241.

To this end, the first gripping device 240 may include a pair of clamping elements 243 configured to clamp the end portion C' at the opposite slots 28 of the peripheral edge 23 of the movable jacket 22 and to translate along the direction Y to extend the end portion C' of the bag C along such direction once clamped.

Furthermore, the second gripping device 241 may include a pair of pressing elements 245 susceptible to press the end portion C' extended by the clamping elements 243 on opposite sides along the direction Y, so as to firmly lock it so as to allow the vertical displacement of the bag C.

Similarly to the dosing station 100, the sealing station 200 may also include control means for controlling the operation thereof. For example, the control means may include a microprocessor unit 270, which may be operatively connected to the various components mentioned above to control the actuation thereof. Similarly to the microprocessor unit 110, it is clear that the operative connection of the microprocessor unit 270 may be of any type, for example of the physical type by means of electrical cables, limit switches, actuators and the like, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor unit 270 may run a software program suitable to carry out the aforementioned steps.

Therefore, the microprocessor unit 270 may generally control the insertion of the suction nozzles 230 into the bag C, the lifting of the bag C from the vessel 20 and the positioning thereof on the surface 220, the sealing of the bag C and the removal of the suction nozzles 230. Furthermore, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the actuation of the suction means 231.

To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A, 10 and 10A, once the vessel 20 is on the support surface 205, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the actuation of the stems 260 ending up engaged in the eyelets 25, and subsequently the actuation of the slider 261 along the vertical guides 262. In this manner, the end portion C' of the bag C will be released from the elastic means 24, and it will be available for gripping by the gripping devices 240, 241.

Therefore, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the sequential actuation of the gripping device 240 and of the relative clamping elements 243, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and IOC firstly, and then of the gripping device 241 and of the relative pressing elements 245, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

In this manner, the bag C, which lies with the bottom F thereof on the fixed base 21 of the vessel 20 during all the steps mentioned above, will be spread and prepared for the vertical translation up to the upper support surface 220.

Before such translation, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the insertion of the suction nozzles 230 at the end portion C' of the bag C. This may occur automatically when actuating the gripping device 240, given that the suction nozzles 230 are integrally joined with the clamping elements 243. The translation of the latter along Y and the actuation of the pressing elements 245 will allow the suction nozzles 230 to remain interposed between the end portions C' of the bag C.

Furthermore, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the activation of the suction means 231 and the turning off of the vacuum means V.

At this point, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the displacement of the slider 210 along the guides 211, so as to lift the bag C from the base 21 of the vessel 20 up to the upper support surface 220.

Once the bag C has been placed on the latter, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the actuation of the sealing means 250 and the spacing apart of the gripping means 240, 241, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Only upon sealing the bag C, the microprocessor unit 270 may control the spacing apart of the sealing means 250 from the bag C and the removal of the suction nozzles 230, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

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

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, a substantially closed working chamber 280 which surrounds the working area of the sealing station 200, and in particular the area where the bag C lies during gripping, lifting and sealing may be provided for.

The working chamber 280 may comprise an inlet 281 arranged at the lower support surface 205 and an outlet 282 arranged at the upper support surface 220. Preferably, the working chamber 280 may be fluidically connectable with suction means by means of the duct 283. In this manner, any powdered product that might leak from the bag C during the processing will be suctioned without leaking from the working chamber 280. Suitably, the inlet 281 may be operatively connected with the outlet 143 of the working chamber 140, so as to form the protection tunnel 300 which operatively connects the working chamber 140 of the dosing station 100 and the working chamber 280 of the sealing station 200.

The tunnel 300 may have an inlet which may coincide with the outlet 143 of the working chamber 140 and an outlet may coincide with the inlet 281 of the working chamber 280. The tunnel 300 may be fluidically connected to suitable suction means, for example suction means acting in the working chamber 140 or those acting in the working chamber 280.

In this manner, any powdered product P that might leak from the bag C would be confined in one of the two working chambers 140, 280 or in the tunnel 300, and therefore suctioned without spilling outside.

Therefore, the plant 1 is extremely safe, both when inoperative and processing of the bag C in the stations 100 and 200 and during transportation between the two processing stations.

In light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-set objectives.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants. All details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A station for safely dosing a controlled amount of a powdered product (P) into at least one container (C), the latter comprising an inlet (I) for the powdered product (P) defined by a peripheral edge (E), the dosing station comprising:

- means (120, 121, 126) for discharging the powdered product (P) having an outlet mouth (125) for the same;

- a surface (130) for supporting the at least one container (C) arranged below said outlet mouth (125);

- weighing means (131) cooperating with said support surface (130) to weigh the powdered product (P) discharged into at least one container (C);

- first suction means (150, 151, 152, 153, 160) operatively connected with said outlet mouth (125) to suction the powdered product (P) exiting therefrom, said first suction means (150, 151, 152, 153, 160) including at least one hood element (150) having a work surface (154) designed to remain faced to the peripheral edge (E) of the at least one container (C) when arranged on said support surface (130); wherein said support surface (130) and said at least one hood element (150) are mutually movable between a proximal position in which said work surface (154) and said peripheral edge (E) are mutually proximal, preferably in mutual contact, and a distal position in which the same (154, E) are mutually distal; wherein the station further comprises control means (110) operatively connected with said support surface (130), at least one hood element (150), discharge means (120, 121, 126) and weighing means (131) for controlling the activation of said discharge means (120, 121, 126) only upon the mutual displacement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the distal to the proximal position, and preferably only upon reaching the latter; wherein said control means (110) are further configured to control the mutual displacement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the proximal to the distal position only when said weighing means (131) reach at least one first predetermined or settable weighing threshold (Pl), said control means (110) being preferably further configured to control the shut off of the discharge of the powdered product (P) upon reaching said at least one first predetermined or settable weighing threshold (Pl).

2. Station according to claim 1, wherein said discharge means further comprise:

- a silo (120) having an outlet port (121) fluidically connected or coincident with said outlet mouth (125) to define a powdered product discharge line (P);

- at least one movable shutter-like element (126) arranged on said discharge line to vary the section for the through-flow of the powdered product (P); wherein said control means (110) are configured to control the displacement of said at least one movable shutter-like element (126) to reduce section for the through-flow of the powdered product (P) when said weighing means (131) reach a second predetermined or settable weighing threshold (P2), said second weighing threshold (P2) being preferably lower than said first weighing threshold (Pl).

3. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said discharge means further comprise:

- at least one auger (122) for discharging the powdered product (P) arranged inside said silo (120);

- at least one scraping device (123) arranged at said outlet port (121); wherein said control means (110) are further configured to control the selective actuation of said at least one discharge auger (122) or said at least one scraping device (123) respectively before and after said weighing means (131) reach said second weighing threshold (P2).

4. Station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one hood element (150) comprises at least one first suction intake (151), said first suction means further including a first suction line (153, 160) fluidically connected with said at least one first suction intake (151) and first means (156) for adjusting the flow passing through said first suction line (153, 160), said control means (110) being operatively connected with said first adjustment means (156) for controlling the through-flow thereof from a first operative condition in which the flow passing through said first suction line (153, 160) is greater than at least one second operative condition in which the flow suctioned therein is lower in response when said weighing means (131) reach a third predetermined or settable weighing threshold (P3), said third weighing threshold (P3) being preferably lower than said first weighing threshold (Pl), said third weighing threshold (P3) preferably coinciding with said second weighing threshold (P2).

5. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said discharge means comprise a silo (120) having an outlet port (121) arranged above said outlet mouth (125) and fluidically connected therewith, second suction means (124', 124") fl uidica lly connected with said outlet port (121) being further provided for, said control means (110) being configured to control the selective activation of said second suction means (124', 124") only when said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) are not in proximal position, said control means (110) being preferably configured to control the activation of said first suction means (150, 151, 152) both when said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) are in the proximal position and when they are in distal position.

6. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said second suction means (124', 124") include at least one second suction intake (124') arranged above said outlet mouth (125), said at least one second suction intake (124') being preferably arranged in a hopper (124) - comprising said outlet mouth (125) - arranged at said outlet port (121).

7. Station according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a substantially closed working chamber (140) arranged below said outlet mouth (125) to surround said support surface (130), said working chamber (140) comprising:

- at least one first opening (142) for the entry and/or the exit of the at least one container (C) into and/or from said working chamber (140);

- at least one second opening (144) arranged at said outlet mouth (125), said at least one second opening (144) being sized to allow the flow of said work surface (154) and/or said peripheral edge (E) therethrough when said support surface (130) and at least one first suction hood (150) are in the proximal position;

Wherein said working chamber (140) is preferably fluidically connectable with third suction means (141).

8. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one first opening (142) is the inlet of said working chamber (140), the latter further comprising an outlet (143) opposite to said inlet (142), means (11, 20) being provided for the advancement of said at least one container (C) from said inlet (142) to said outlet (143) passing through said support surface (130).

9. Station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said weighing means include a weighing unit (131) movable between an inoperative position in which the latter is operatively disconnected from said support surface (130) and an operative position in which said weighing unit (131) is operatively connected with said support surface (130) to 21 weigh the powdered product (P) discharged into the at least one container (C), said control means (110) being operatively connected with said support surface (130) to control the displacement of said weighing unit (131) from the inoperative position to the operative position only when said at least one container (C) is on said support surface (130).

10. A method for safely dosing a controlled amount of a powdered product (P) into at least one container (C) by means of the dosing station according to one or more of the preceding claims, sequentially comprising the steps of:

- mutual displacement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the distal to the proximal position;

- discharge of the powdered product (P) into said at least one container (C) arranged on said support surface (130) by means of said discharge means (120, 121, 126) until when said weighing means (131) reach at least one predetermined or settable first weighing threshold (Pl);

- mutual displacement of said support surface (130) and at least one hood element (150) from the proximal to the distal position.

11. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the dosing station is according to claim 4, wherein during said step for discharging the powdered product (P) the latter suctioned through said first suction intake (151), a step for adjusting the flow passing through said first suction line (153, 160) being provided for so that it is respectively greater or lower respectively before and after reaching said third weighing threshold (P3) which is lower than said first weighing threshold (Pl).

12. A computer program for safely dosing a controlled amount of a powdered product (P) into at least one container (C) by means of the dosing station (100) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, the computer program comprising instructions which, once run by a processor included in the control means (110) of said dosing station (100), command the processor to carry out the method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A plant for the packaging of a powdered product (P) in containers (C), comprising:

- at least one station (10) for loading empty containers (C);

- at least one station (100) for dosing the powdered product (P) into each of said container (C) to fill them;

- at least one station (200) for closing said filled containers (C); 22

- at least one station (50) for unloading said filled closed containers (C);

- means (11) for advancing said containers (C) from said loading station (10) to said unloading station (50) passing through said dosing (100) and closing (200) stations; wherein said dosing station (100) is according to one or more of claims 1 to 9.

14. A station for the safe sealing of a bag (C) made of flexible polymeric material containing a powdered product (P), the sealing station comprising:

- first means (20, 205) for supporting the bag (C);

- second means (220) for supporting the bag (C) arranged above the first support means (20, 205);

- means (210, 240, 241) for lifting the bag (C) from said first support means (20, 205) to said second support means (220);

- means (250) for sealing the bag (C);

- first means (231) for suctioning the powdered product (P) comprising at least one suction nozzle (230);

- control means (270) operatively connected with said lifting means (210, 240, 241), said sealing means (250) and said first suction means (231) for controlling the insertion of said at least one suction nozzle (230) into the bag (C) before said lifting means (210, 240, 241) have lifted the bag (C) from said first support means (20, 205) and to control the removal of said at least one suction nozzle (230) from the bag (C) after the deposition of the latter (C) on said second support means (220) by said lifting means (210, 240, 241) and the sealing of the bag (C ) by said sealing means (250); in which said control means (270) are further configured to control the activation of said first suction means (231) at least during the lifting of the bag (C) by said lifting means (210, 240, 241).

15. Station according to claim 14, wherein said lifting means (210, 240, 241) include means (240, 241) for gripping the bag (C) arranged above said first support means (20, 205) and movable between a first inoperative position spaced apart from the bag (C) and a first inoperative position in which they interact therewith to pick it up, said control means (270) being configured to first control the actuation of said gripping means (240, 241) and the insertion of said at least one suction nozzle (231) into the bag (C) when the bag (C) is in contact with said first support means (20, 205) and subsequently the lifting of said gripping 23 means (240, 241) and of said at least one suction nozzle (230) to detach the bag (C) from said first support means (20, 205) and place it on said second support means (220).

16. Station according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the bag (C) comprises a bottom (F) which houses the powdered product (P) and an end portion (C') opposite thereto, the bag (C) being supported by said first support means (20, 205) so that the end portion (C') is arranged at the upper part with respect to said bottom (F), wherein said gripping means (240, 241) and said at least one suction nozzle (230) are mutually configured so that the first former (240, 241) in said operative position interact with the end portion (C') of the bag (C) into which said at least one suction nozzle (230) is inserted.

17. Station according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said first support means (20, 205) include a first support surface (205) and at least one vessel (20) which can be rested on said first support surface (205) which includes an upper peripheral edge (23), the bag (C) being inserted into said at least one vessel (20) so as to have the end portion (C') at the peripheral edge (23) of said at least one vessel (20), said gripping means (240, 241) comprising at least one first and one second gripping device (240, 241) acting sequentially to take the end portion (C') of the bag (C) and to firmly block the latter so as to allow its detachment from said at least one vessel (20).

18. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one vessel (20) has a fixed base (21) fluidically communicating with vacuum means so that the bottom (F) of the bag (C) adheres to the internal thereof (20) and a movable jacket (22) on whose external the end portion (C') of the bag (C) is locked, there being provided for engagement means (260, 261) which are movable between a second inoperative position spaced apart from said at least one vessel (20) and a second operative position in which they interact therewith to engage the movable jacket (22), said engagement means (260, 261) being vertically movable, said control means (270) being configured to sequentially control first the movement of said engagement means (260, 261) from the second inoperative position to the second operative position and subsequently the vertical movement thereof (260, 261), so as to lift the movable jacket (22) of said at least one vessel (20) with respect to the fixed base (21) thus releasing the end portion (C') of the bag (C) thus making it accessible by said at least one first and one second gripping devices (240, 241).

19. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said movable jacket (22) at said peripheral edge (23) includes a pair of opposite slots (28), said first gripping device (240) 24 including a pair of clamping elements (243) configured to clamp the end portion (C') of the bag (C) at said opposite slots (28) and to translate along a longitudinal direction (Y) to extend - along the same longitudinal direction (Y) - the end portion (C') of the bag (C) once clamped, said second gripping device (241) including a pair of pressing elements (245) susceptible to press - from opposite sides along said longitudinal direction (Y) - the extended end portion (C') of the bag (C) and said at least one suction nozzle (230) inserted into the latter.

20. Station according to one or more of claims 14 to 19, wherein said lifting means (210, 240, 241) include at least one slider (210) vertically movable between at least one lower operative position and at least one upper operative position, said at least one suction nozzle (230), said gripping means (240, 241) and said sealing means (250) being mounted on said at least one first movable slider (210), said control means (270) being configured to sequentially control: the actuation of said gripping means (240, 241) and the insertion of said at least one suction nozzle (230) into the bag (C) when said at least one slider (210) is in said lower operative position; the displacement of said at least one slider (210) from the lower to the upper operative position; the actuation of said sealing means (250) when said at least one slider (210) is in said upper operative position and the bag (C) is in contact with the second support means (220).

21. Station according to the preceding claim, wherein said control means (270) are further configured to control the removal of the gripping means (240, 241) and the sealing means (250) from the bag (C) only when the latter is in contact with the second support means (220).

22. Station according to one or more of claims 14 to 21, further comprising a substantially closed working chamber (280) which surrounds:

- said first support means (20, 205);

- said second support means (220);

- said lifting means (210, 240, 241);

- said means (250) for sealing the bag (C); wherein said working chamber (280) comprises at least one first opening (281) for the entry of the bag (C) to be sealed arranged at said first support means (20, 205) and at 25 least one second opening (282) for the exit of the sealed bag (C) arranged at said second support means (220);

Wherein said working chamber (280) is preferably fluidically connectable with second suction means (283).

23. A method for safely sealing a bag (C) made of flexible polymeric material containing a powdered product (P) by means of the station according to one or more of claims 14 to 22, comprising the steps of:

- inserting said at least one suction nozzle (231) into the bag (C) placed on said first support means (205, 20);

- lifting the bag (C) from said first support means (205, 20) to said second support means (220);

- sealing the bag (C) arranged on said second support means (220);

- removing said at least one suction nozzle (230) from the bag (C); wherein further provided for is a suction step carried out by means of said at least one suction nozzle (230) at least during said lifting step.

24. A computer program for safely sealing a bag (C) made of flexible polymeric material containing a powdered product (P) by means of the station according to one or more of claims 14 to 22, the computer program comprising instructions which, once run by a processor included in the control means (270) of said sealing station (200), control the processor to carry out the method according to the preceding claim.

25. A plant for packaging a powdered product (P) in bags (C) made of flexible polymeric material, comprising:

- at least one station (10) for loading empty bags (C);

- at least one station (100) for dosing the powdered product (P) into each of said bags (C) to fill them;

- at least one station (200) for sealing said filled bags (C);

- at least one station (50) for unloading said filled closed bags (C);

- means (11) for advancing said bags (C) from said loading station (10) to said unloading station (50) passing through said dosing (100) and sealing (200) stations; wherein said sealing station (200) is according to one or more of claims 14 to 22.