Transfer device

Description

1 / 19 TRANSFER DEVICE

[001] The invention relates to a transfer device of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

[002] The object of the invention is a transfer device that finds application mainly, but not exclusively, in the industrial production of bagged products. In particular, it finds application in the production of food products in sealed sachets.

[003] Currently, equipment is known for producing bagged products such as, for example, sachets containing liquid food products, such as sauces (e.g., mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup) or olive oil. These devices perform the dual function of producing the sachets that serve to contain the product, as well as packaging and introducing the product inside the sachet.

[004] Equipment for the production of bagged products typically consists of an inlet, such as a hopper, a dosing device, product conveying channels and a unit for the production and filling of the sachets.

[005] The inlet can be a hopper into which the product to be transported to subsequent units is introduced.

[006] The dispensing unit performs the function of transferring the selected quantity to the next units, to properly fill the sachets. Downstream of the dispensing unit, transport channels allow the transfer of the measured product to the filling units. These typically consist of elements that can transport the portions that will make up the sachets, such as sheets. These can be arranged in pairs and transported by side-by-side, counter-rotating cylinders that carry the two sheets so that they face each other in the gap between the cylinders. The sachets are sealed along the Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 7 / 37 2 / 19 edges and filled with the product from the transport channels.

[007] The state of the art that we have just described includes some important disadvantages.

[008] In particular, equipment for the production of products contained in sealed sachets has the disadvantage of not allowing high productivity.

[009] In this situation, the underlying technical task of this invention is to design an improved transfer device that is capable of substantially overcoming at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[010] In the context of this technical task, an important objective of the invention is to obtain a transfer device that has high productivity.

[011] Another important objective of the invention is to create a transfer device that can reduce the energy consumption associated with its use.

[012] Furthermore, another important objective of the invention is to create a transfer device with less component complexity.

[013] The technical task and specified objectives are achieved by a transfer device as claimed in the appended claim 1.

[014] The preferred modalities are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[015] The features and benefits of the invention will be explained below, in the detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 8 / 37 3 / 19 Figure 1 shows a transfer device and a machine, according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a section of a transfer device, according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a section of a transfer device, according to the invention, in a first configuration; Figure 4 shows a section of a transfer device, according to the invention, in a second configuration; Figure 5 shows a machine according to the invention; and Figure 6 shows a section of a part of a machine, according to the invention.

[016] In this document, measurements, values, formats and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like “approximately” or other similar terms, such as “about” or “substantially”, should be understood as subject to measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, primarily, to a slight variation in the value, measurement, format or geometric reference with which they are associated. For example, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a variation not exceeding 10% of the value itself.

[017] Furthermore, when used, terms such as “first”, “second”, “superior”, “inferior”, “principal” and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relation or a relative position, but may simply be used to distinguish more clearly between their different components.

[018] Unless otherwise specified, as resulting from the discussions below, terms such as Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 9 / 37 4 / 19 “processing”, “informatics”, “determination”, “computing” or similar terms refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities from computer system registers and / or memories, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computing systems, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[019] The measurements and data reported in this text should be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533:1975).

[020] With reference to the figures, the transfer device, according to the invention, is indicated globally by the number 1. It is a device designed to transfer a product 10. The product can be a liquid product. In particular, product 10 can be a food product such as, for example, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.

[021] Device 1 includes an inlet portion 3. It is suitable for receiving and transporting product 10. In particular, inlet portion 3 preferably includes a hopper. This is advantageous because it allows product 10 to be transported more efficiently.

[022] Device 1 includes at least one dispensing unit 2. It performs the function of allowing the transfer of a predetermined quantity of product 10. Dispensing unit 2 defines at least one inlet opening 20. This is the opening through which the product is introduced into dispensing unit 2. The inlet opening 20 is connected to the fluid passage with the inlet portion 3. In addition, dispensing unit 2 defines an outlet opening 21. The outlet opening is the opening that allows the transfer of the predetermined quantity of product 10, once selected and transported out of dispensing unit 2. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 37 5 / 19

[023] Each dispensing unit 2 advantageously includes a first transport element 22. It defines a first housing 22a. The first housing 22a is a volume within which the product 10 can be introduced. In fact, the first transport element 22 is configured to transport a predetermined quantity of the product 10 from the inlet opening 20 to the first housing 22a. Furthermore, the first transport element 22 is configured to transfer the first predetermined quantity of the product 10 from the first housing 22a to the outlet opening 21.

[024] The dispensing unit 2 also advantageously includes a second transport element 23. It can be entirely analogous to the first transport element 22. In fact, it defines a second housing 23a. The second transport element 23 is configured to transport a predetermined quantity of product 10 from the inlet opening 20 to the second housing 23a. Furthermore, it is configured to transfer the second predetermined quantity of product 10 from the second housing 23a to the outlet opening 21.

[025] In this regard, at least one of the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 preferably includes a piston. It may be a single-acting piston or a double-acting piston.

[026] In embodiments where the first transport element 22 is a piston, the first housing 22a corresponds to the inner chamber of the piston. Therefore, the first housing 22a has a variable volume, depending on the position of the moving wall of the piston. When the predetermined quantity of product 10 is introduced into the first housing 22a, there is an increase in the volume of the first housing 22a. When the predetermined quantity of product 10 is transported through the outlet opening 21, the moving wall of the piston reduces the volume of the first housing 22a. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 37 6 / 19 consequently moves the predetermined quantity of product 10 out of the first housing 22a and towards the outlet opening 21.

[027] Similarly, in embodiments where the second transport element 23 is a piston, the second housing 23a corresponds to the inner chamber of the piston. Therefore, the second housing 23a has a variable volume, depending on the position of the moving wall of the piston. When the predetermined quantity of product 10 is introduced into the second housing 23a, there is an increase in the volume of the second housing 23a. When the predetermined quantity of product 10 is transported through the outlet opening 21, the moving wall of the piston reduces the volume of the second housing 23a, consequently moving the predetermined quantity of product 10 out of the second housing 23a and towards the outlet opening 21.

[028] The pistons, as transport elements 22, 23, have the advantage of being able to create a vacuum within their respective housings 22a, 23a. Therefore, the product 10 coming from the inlet opening 20 is effectively sucked into the corresponding housing 22a, 23a. This solution allows increasing the speed at which the transport and dosing operation of the product 10 is carried out. In fact, gravity is not used to carry out the transport, but the product 10 is transported mechanically. Furthermore, the presence of a piston allows advantageously selecting the predetermined quantity of the product 10 in proportion to the stroke of the moving wall, which consequently establishes the size that the housing reaches when the product 10 is introduced into it. This solution makes the device 1 more versatile and allows its application to different quantities of the product 10. In addition, the presence of pistons also facilitates the application of the device 1 to different types of products 10.

[029] Device 1 advantageously includes a separation element 24. This is a movable element and is configured at least to separate the first housing 22a from the second housing 23a. In fact, Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 12 / 37 7 / 19 the two housings 22a and 23a perform their functions independently, and the quantity of product 10 that passes through one of the two housings does not preferentially pass through the other. In one embodiment of the device 1, the separation element 24 can be in the form of a movable wall. Therefore, it is able to keep the first housing 22a and the second housing 23a separated at any stage of transport and dosing.

[030] In particular, the separation element 24 advantageously defines a first configuration. In the first configuration, the inlet opening 20 is connected with fluid passage to the first housing 22a. Simultaneously, the second housing 23a is connected with fluid passage to the outlet opening 21. Therefore, in the first configuration, the first transport element 22 can transport the product 10 within the first housing 22a until the predetermined quantity is reached, while the second transport element 23 can transport the product 10 from the second housing 23a to the outlet opening 21.

[031] The separation element 24 also advantageously defines a second configuration. In the second configuration, the inlet opening 20 is connected with fluid passage to the second housing 23a. Simultaneously, the first housing 22a is connected with fluid passage to the outlet opening 21. Therefore, in the second configuration, the second transport element 23 can transport the product 10 within the second housing 23a until the predetermined quantity is reached, while the first transport element 22 can transport the product 10 from the first housing 22a to the outlet opening 21.

[032] Both configurations advantageously allow the simultaneous introduction of product 10 and the output of dispensing unit 2. Consequently, device 1 allows greater productivity in the dosing and transport operations of product 10. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 13 / 37 8 / 19

[033] In this regard, the separation element 24 is configured to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa. Therefore, switching between the two configurations causes the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 to alternately and simultaneously perform the dosing operations at the inlet of the dispensing unit 2 and the transport operations at its outlet, making the process faster. The movement of the separation element 24 allows switching between configurations and therefore the repetition of simultaneous operations by the two transport elements 22 and 23.

[034] In this regard, at least one of the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 is preferably also configured to transport the predetermined quantity of product 10 into the first and second housings 22a and 23a, respectively, when the separation element 24 is in the first and second configuration, respectively. Furthermore, at least one of the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 is preferably also configured to transport the predetermined quantity of product 10 into the first and second housings 22a and 23a, respectively, at the outlet opening 21, when the separation element 24 is in the second and first configuration, respectively.

[035] The predetermined quantity of product 10 can be the same for both transport elements 22 and 23. In particular, the same quantity allows for an increased dosing rate when product 10 is the same for both transport elements 22 and 23. There are possible embodiments in which the predetermined quantity is different between the two transport elements.

[036] In device 1, when the separation element 24 is in the first configuration, product 10 is loaded into the first housing 22a and product 10 is discharged from the second housing 23a. Therefore, a Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 14 / 37 The 9 / 19 dispensing unit allows you to load product 10 as described above, perform the dosing, and dispense the predetermined quantity of product 10.

[037] Furthermore, when the separation element 24 is in the second configuration, product 10 is loaded into the second housing 23a and product 10 is unloaded from the first housing 22a.

[038] Therefore, in the first configuration, loading and dosing are done by the first transport element 22, while unloading the predetermined quantity of the dosed product 10 is done by the second transport element 23 and vice versa.

[039] In some designs, the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 preferably comprise mutually and integrally linked pistons. This arrangement is advantageous for making the movement of both transport elements 22 and 23 simultaneous. These movements can then be synchronized with the movement of the separation element 24, in such a way that the predetermined quantity of the desired product 10 can be dosed. The link that makes the first transport element 22 and the second transport element 23 integral can be achieved by linking the moving elements of each piston, respectively integral, to the moving walls of the housings 22a and 23a.

[040] If both pistons have the same dimensions and shape, the predetermined quantities of product 10 will be the same. During the transition to the first configuration, the piston corresponding to the first transport element 22 moves the movable wall, in such a way that it increases the volume of the first housing 22a. Therefore, as a result of the solidary link between the two pistons, the piston corresponding to the second transport element 23 moves the corresponding movable wall, in such a way that it reduces the volume of the second housing 23a. Both movable walls can be moved in the same direction. For example, they can make a Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 15 / 37 10 / 19 Simultaneous translational movement. When the separating element 24 changes to the second configuration, the piston corresponding to the second transport element 23 moves the movable wall, in such a way that it increases the volume of the second housing 23a. Therefore, as a result of the solidary link between the two pistons, the piston corresponding to the first transport element 22 moves the corresponding movable wall, in such a way that it reduces the volume of the first housing 22a. The simultaneous movement of the two pistons, in the second configuration, can occur in the opposite direction to that of the first configuration.

[041] Sensors may be present to detect the position of the two pistons, in such a way that their movements allow loading and unloading operations, as described above, depending on the configuration assumed by the separation element 24.

[042] The separation element 24 changes from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa, preferably by means of a rotational movement.

[043] The rotational motion can occur around a rotation axis 2a. The rotational motion is transmitted to the separating element 24 by means of a rotation shaft 6. It is preferably integral with the separating element 24. The shaft 6 can be aligned with the rotation axis 2a. The shaft 6 can be integral with the means of movement. For example, the means of movement can include a motor capable of rotating the shaft 6.

[044] In some embodiments of device 1, the dispensing unit may include a cylindrical chamber with an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation 2a. The separating element 24 may be a sealing wall, with ends countermolded to the chamber walls. In addition, the ends of the wall must be able to slide along Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 16 / 37 11 / 19 of the camera partitions. The wall can develop primarily along a plane parallel to the rotation axis 2a and lie along the axis itself.

[045] In some embodiments of the device 1, the transport elements 22 and 23 may correspond only to the corresponding housings 22a and 23a. Specifically, each of the housings 22a and 23a may correspond to a portion of the cylindrical chamber delimited by the rotating separation element 24, as described previously in relation to the first and second configurations. Therefore, in these embodiments, the predetermined quantity of product 10 may be loaded into the dispensing unit 2, which receives, through the inlet opening 20, the product 10 with a constant flow. The separation element 24 may rotate at such an angle to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration and at the same angle in the opposite direction, to pass from the second configuration to the first configuration. The rotational movement of the separation element 24 may be completely oscillating around the axis of rotation 2a.

[046] Product 10 can be introduced into dispensing unit 2 in such a way that it enters into one of the two housings 22a or 23a alternately, depending on whether the separation element 24 is in the first or second configuration. Simultaneously, the housing that is not connected to the fluid passage with the inlet opening 20 is connected to the fluid passage with the outlet opening 21 and can discharge the previously introduced product 10 in a gravity-dosed quantity, passing it through the outlet opening 21.

[047] These models have the advantage of comprising fewer components and less device complexity 1.

[048] In implementations of device 1 comprising the cylindrical chamber described above, in dispensing unit 2 and transport elements 22 and 23 comprising pistons, the movable walls of the pistons can be moved along a direction perpendicular to the axis. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 17 / 37 12 / 19 rotation 2a. In particular, the first housing 22 and the second housing 23 can be mainly extended along the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 2a.

[049] Also in these embodiments, the separating element 24 can be moved alternately, as described above. Therefore, the separating element 24 can be moved in such a way that the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration occurs by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation 2a in the opposite direction to the rotational movement that allows the transition from the second configuration to the first configuration. Therefore, also in these embodiments, the overall movement of the separating element 24 can be oscillatory.

[050] In some alternative embodiments of the device 1 in which pistons are present, the separating element 24 can rotate continuously. Therefore, in these embodiments, the separating element 24 can rotate continuously in the same direction of rotation around the axis of rotation 2a.

[051] In general, the separating element 24 can stop the rotational movement when it reaches the positions corresponding to the first configuration and the second configuration, respectively, until the transport elements 22 and 23 have performed their respective transport operations in the given configuration, and then resume the movement, allowing the transition from one configuration to the other. The interruption of the movement can also be done for modes in which the separating element 24 always rotates in the same direction, around the axis of rotation 2a.

[052] The device may include sensors to determine the rotational speed of the shaft 6 proportionally to the translational motion of the moving piston walls. In designs where the moving walls are solidly connected, the sensors may determine the single translational speed for both walls proportionally to the speed of Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 18 / 37 13 / 19 spindle rotation 6.

[053] In general, device 1 may include control means. These may include a processor and commands that can be operated by a user. The control means may operate the rotation of the spindle 6, the translation of the moving walls of the pistons, and establish parameters such as, for example, the rotational speed of the spindle 6 and the translational speed of the moving walls. In addition, the control means may be operationally connected to sensors. The control means may be programmed to modify values ​​to match predetermined reference values.

[054] Device 1 preferably includes a plurality of dispensing units 2. They can operate simultaneously. Specifically, each inlet opening 20 of each of the dispensing units 2 in the plurality is preferably connected by fluid passage with the inlet portion 3. In some embodiments, device 1 may include a hopper defining a bottom connected by fluid passage with each inlet opening 20. Thus, simultaneous feeding of each dispensing unit 2 with the product 10 can be achieved.

[055] Each separation element 24 is preferably integral with the shaft 6. Therefore, the rotational movement moves each separation element 24 simultaneously. This can advantageously increase the productivity of the device 1, since the same rotating shaft 6 can perform simultaneous dosing in each of the dispensing units 2. Thus, multiple doses of the product 10 can be obtained simultaneously.

[056] Device 1 includes an outlet portion 4. It is connected to the fluid passage with the outlet opening 21. In particular, the outlet portion 4 performs the function of facilitating dose transfer, Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 19 / 37 14 / 19 or a predetermined quantity of product 10 discharged through the outlet opening 21. For example, the outlet portion 4 may include a flexible tubular element for transport from the outlet opening 21 to a distinct zone of the device 1 in which subsequent processing stages may be performed on product 10.

[057] In the embodiment of device 1 comprising multiple dispensing units 2, each of them includes a corresponding outlet portion 4. For example, device 1 may include flexible tubular elements, each connected to a fluid passage with an outlet opening 21. These flexible tubular elements may then transport the product 10 to successive processing stages.

[058] In this regard, the invention also includes a machine 8. This machine can be, for example, a machine for further processing of the products 10, once the dosing has been carried out. The machine 8 includes the device 1 and is preferably configured to produce sealed products 11. Therefore, the production of sealed products 11 is preferably done by introducing a product 10 into a container 12. The container 12 can perform the function of only containing the dosed product 10 or it can also perform the function of packaging with aesthetic properties.

[059] Machine 8 can perform at least the function of placing each predetermined quantity of product 10 inside a container 12 to make the sealed product 11. Machine 8 has the advantage of being able to produce sealed products 11 with high productivity.

[060] In some embodiments, machine 8 can also manufacture container 12, in addition to filling it with the dosed product 10. In this way, advantageously, multiple processing steps can be carried out with the same machine 8.

[061] In this regard, machine 8 preferably includes a sachet packaging machine. Therefore, the products Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 20 / 37 15 / 19 sealed 11 include filled sachets 110. They include sealed sachets 120 containing the product 10. For example, they may be sachets designed to contain food products, such as sauces or olive oil.

[062] In particular, machine 8 is preferably configured to transform at least one pair of sheets 121 into sachets 120. Therefore, machine 8 produces sachets 120 from sheets 121. In addition, machine 8 is configured to introduce product 10 into sachets 120 to obtain filled sachets 110.

[063] In particular, machine 8 comprises at least one drive unit 80. It is designed to move sheets 121 along a feed direction 8a. This is the direction along which the product 10 is introduced.

[064] The drive unit 80 may include a pair of rotating cylinders side by side and arranged in such a way that their respective axes are parallel. The two cylinders are counter-rotating. In addition, the cylinders may be arranged perpendicular to the feed direction 8a. Each of the two cylinders may transport one of the sheets 121. Therefore, the two sheets are transported in such a way that both are parallel to the feed direction 8a.

[065] The sachet packaging machine includes a sealing unit 81. It is designed to perform a sealing operation on the sheets 121 in order to obtain each of the sachets 120. In particular, the sealing unit 81 can be housed in the same drive unit 80. In fact, the pair of cylinders, or rollers, can perform both the function of moving and sealing the pair of sheets 121.

[066] For example, the heat-sealing devices may be resistive elements arranged in the cylinders, such that portions of the sheets 121 are sealed at the edges of the sheets 121. The orientations along which the heat-sealing is performed may be, for example, the Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 21 / 37 16 / 19 direction parallel to the axis of the cylinders and the direction parallel to the feed axis 8a. Different heat-sealing orientations are possible, depending on the shape of the sachet 120 to be made.

[067] In fact, the sealing unit 8 may also include portions with orientations different from those described in order to perform heat sealing along transverse directions.

[068] Therefore, the sheets 121 are preferably sealed along the feed direction 8a and along a sealing axis 8b. The latter is transverse to the feed direction 8a. In this way, the sachet packaging machine performs a heat seal. Each heat seal corresponds to the area, typically along the edge of each of the sachets 120 and then of the filled sachets 110.

[069] The sachet packaging machine comprises at least one filling unit 82. This is suitable for introducing the product 10 into each of said sachets 120.

[070] The sachet packaging machine preferably includes device 1. Specifically, device 1 is designed to transfer product 10 to the filling unit 82. In particular, device 1 performs the dosing of product 10 and the transfer to the filling unit 82 is done through the outlet portion 4. In some embodiments, the filling unit 82 may coincide with the outlet portion 4.

[071] The operation of device 1 and machine 8 described above in structural terms is described below.

[072] Product 10 is introduced into inlet portion 3. Through inlet opening 20, it enters dispensing unit 2. Specifically, when separation element 24 is in the first configuration, product 10 enters the first housing 22a and the first Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 22 / 37 17 / 19 Transport element 22 causes product 10 to enter the first housing 22a until the predetermined quantity is reached. For example, the first transport element 22 may be a piston which, through the movement of the movable wall, causes suction of product 10 into the first housing 22a. At the same time, the second transport element 23 may eject a predetermined quantity of product 10, passing it from the second housing 23a to the outlet opening 21. This operation may also be performed by means of a piston whose movable wall may slide in order to reduce the volume of the second housing 23a and transport the predetermined quantity of product 10 to the outlet of the dispensing unit 2. The movement of the movable walls of the two pistons may be simultaneous and in the same direction if they are aligned.

[073] When the separating element 24 changes to the second configuration, the second transport element 23 transports the product 10 within the second housing 23a until the predetermined quantity of product 10 is reached. At the same time, the first transport element 22 ejects the previously predetermined quantity of product 10. The transition from the first to the second configuration of the separating element 24 can occur by means of rotation around the rotation axis 2a. The rotational movement of the separating element 24 can occur in one direction when passing from the first to the second configuration and in the opposite direction when passing from the second to the first configuration. The rotational movement is achieved by means of the spindle 6, which is integral with the separating element 24. The rotation spindle 6 can simultaneously rotate the separating elements 24 of each of the various dispensing units 2.Therefore, product 10 entering the inlet portion 3 is simultaneously dosed into each of the dispensing units 2. The dosed product 10 passes through each of the outlet openings 21. Product 10 is transferred from the outlet opening to the outlet portion 4. For example, if outlet portion 4 is a tubular element, product 10 can be transferred to a machine 8. Once. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 23 / 37 18 / 19 transferred to machine 8, the dosed product 10 is placed inside a container 12.

[074] Specifically, when machine 8 is a sachet packaging machine, the drive unit 80 moves a pair of sheets 121 along direction 8a. The sealing unit 81 performs the heat sealing of the pair of sheets 121 along the feed direction 8a and along the sealing axis 8b, to obtain a sachet 120. The dosed product 10 from the output portion 4 is transferred to the filling unit 82 and transferred, along the feed direction 8a, into the sachet 120. The cylinders of the drive unit 80 rotate and perform the remaining heat seal(s) to seal the sachet 120 containing the product 10 and obtain a filled sachet 110. The dosing, transport, sachet filling and sealing process can be repeated.Furthermore, when there is a plurality of dispensing units 2, a plurality of output portions 4 can be positioned to simultaneously transport a plurality of doses of the product 10, each going to a filling unit 82 of the same machine 8. The same pair of cylinders, or rollers, can perform the movement and sealing of a plurality of sachets 120 and obtain a plurality of filled sachets 110.

[075] Device 1, according to the invention, achieves important advantages.

[076] In fact, device 1 achieves high productivity, thanks to the dosing process which can reduce the waiting time between one dosing step and the next. In particular, device 1 achieves twice the production speed of similar devices that use a single transport element.

[077] Device 1, therefore, can reduce the energy consumption associated with the process, which is related to increased productivity. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 24 / 37 19 / 19

[078] Furthermore, device 1 has the advantage of facilitating the construction of dispensing units. In fact, the separating element can be a movable or rotating wall, unlike known dispensing units, which use a rotating element within which molded channels are carved to align with the openings of the dispensing unit. In device 1, it is possible to have a greater tolerance in the alignment of the separating element in the possible configurations.

[079] In addition, device 1 can be part of a sachet packaging machine, which allows for greater productivity while maintaining the same process parameter values.

[080] Variations may be made to the invention that fall within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims. In this context, all details may be substituted for equivalent elements and any materials, shapes and dimensions may be used. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 25 / 37

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. DEVICE (1) for transferring a liquid product (10) comprising: - an inlet portion (3) suitable for receiving and transporting said product (10); - at least one dispensing unit (2) defining at least one inlet opening (20), connected with fluid passage to said inlet portion (3), and an outlet opening (21); - an outlet portion (4) connected with fluid passage to said outlet opening (21); and characterized in that: - each said dispensing unit (2) comprises: a first transport element (22), which defines a first housing (22a) and is configured to transport a predetermined quantity of said product (10) from said inlet opening (20) to said first housing (22a) and to transfer said first predetermined quantity of said product (10) from said first housing (22a) to said outlet opening (21);a second transport element (23), which defines a second housing (23a) and is configured to transport a predetermined quantity of said product (10) from said inlet opening (20) to said second housing (23a) and to transfer said predetermined quantity of said product (10) from said second housing (23a) to said outlet opening (21); a movable separation element (24) configured at least to: · separate said first housing (22a) from said Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 26 / 37 2 / 4 second housing (23a); · define a first configuration in which said inlet opening (20) is connected with fluid passage to said first housing (22a) and in which, simultaneously, said second housing (23a) is connected with fluid passage to said outlet opening (21);· define a second configuration in which the aforementioned inlet opening (20) is connected with fluid passage to the aforementioned second housing (23a) and in which, simultaneously, the aforementioned first housing (22a) is connected with fluid passage to the aforementioned outlet opening (21); · change from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

2. DEVICE (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said first and second transport elements (22, 23) is also configured to transport said predetermined quantity of said product (10) into said first and second housings (22a, 23a), respectively, when said separation element (24) is, respectively, in said first and second configurations, and to transport said predetermined quantity of said product (10), respectively, from said first and second housings (22a, 23a) to said outlet opening (21), when said separation element (24) is, respectively, in said second and first configurations.

3. DEVICE (1), according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said first transport element (22) and said second transport element (23) comprises a piston. Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 27 / 37 3 / 4 4. DEVICE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: - when said separation element (24) is in said first configuration, said product (10) is loaded into said first housing (22a) and said product (10) is discharged from said second housing (23a); - when said separation element (24) is in said second configuration, said product (10) is loaded into said second housing (23a) and said product (10) is discharged from said first housing (22a).

5. DEVICE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inlet portion (3) comprises a hopper.

6. DEVICE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said separation element (24) changes from said first configuration to said second configuration and vice versa, by means of a rotational movement around a rotation axis (2a), said rotational movement being transmitted to said separation element (24) by a rotation shaft (6) integral with said separation element (24) aligned with said rotation axis (2a).

7. DEVICE (1), according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of dispensing units (2), wherein each inlet opening (20) of each of said plurality of dispensing units (2) is connected with the fluid passage with said inlet portion (3), each said separation element (24) is integral with said shaft (6) and said rotational movement moves, simultaneously, each said separation element (24).

8. DEVICE (1), according at least to Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, page 28 / 37 4 / 4 claim 4, characterized in that said first transport element (22) and said second transport element (23) comprise pistons that are mutually solid together.

9. MACHINE (8) CONFIGURED TO PRODUCE SEALED PRODUCTS (11), BY INTRODUCING A PRODUCT (10) INTO A CONTAINER (12), characterized in that it comprises a device (1), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. MACHINE (8), according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a sachet packaging machine, said sealed products (11) comprising filled sachets (110), said filled sachets (110) comprising sealed sachets (120) containing said product (10), wherein said machine (8) is at least configured to convert at least one pair of sheets (121) into said sachets (120), to introduce said product (10) into said sachets (120) in order to obtain said filled sachets (110); - said machine (8) comprising at least: a drive unit (80), suitable for moving said sheets (121) along a feed direction (8a);a sealing unit (81) adapted to perform a sealing operation of said sheets (121), so as to obtain each of said sachets (120) and comprising at least one thermal sealing device adapted to seal said sheets (121) along said feed direction (8a) and along a sealing axis (8b), transverse to said feed direction (8a), performing a thermal seal; a filling unit (82) suitable for introducing said product (10) into each of said sachets (120); - said device (1) suitable for transferring said product (10) to said filling unit (82). Petition 870250008868, dated 03 / 02 / 2025, p. 29 / 37;

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