System for delivering a dose of a polymer material and corresponding delivery method

Abstract

A system for delivering a dose of a polymer material is described, the system comprising a head for supplying the polymer material and at least one conveying device, the conveying device being provided with a conveying wall, the conveying device being configured to advance along a path through the supply head to deliver a dose obtained from the polymer material supplied from the supply head to the conveying wall; and wherein the supply head comprises a conduit, the conduit being provided with a straight discharge area extending along an axis, the discharge area being configured to supply the polymer material to a supply discharge portion. The discharge area comprises at least a first area and a second area facing each other, the supply head having at least one variant configuration in which the first area and the second area are asymmetric to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area, thereby controlling the supply direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion and delivered to the conveying wall. A method for delivering a dose of a polymer material from a supply head to a conveying device and a method for supplying a dose are also proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for transferring a dose of polymer material from a supply head to a delivery device and a corresponding method for transferring the dose.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a system for delivering doses of polymeric material which can be advantageously used in an apparatus for producing concave articles, in particular containers, by compression moulding, and to a corresponding delivery method.

[0003] The polymer material supplied by the supply head according to the invention and transferred to the conveying device can be used, for example, to produce articles, such as capsules, designed to contain powdered or granular substances (such as coffee, etc.) for preparing beverages or other food product fluids. Alternatively, the polymer material supplied by the supply head and transferred to the conveying device according to the invention can be used to produce articles, such as preforms, designed to be subjected to a blow molding or stretch-blow molding process to form containers such as bottles. More generally, the polymer material can be used to manufacture any type of article, such as a glass, a can or a bowl. Background Art

[0004] The polymer material may consist of a single material, or it may comprise a multilayer structure made of several superimposed layers of polymer materials that are different from each other.

[0005] A compression molding apparatus of known type comprises a supply head for supplying polymer material and at least one delivery device for collecting the dose of polymer material supplied from the supply head and delivering the dose of polymer material. A compression molding apparatus of known type also comprises a separation device for separating the dose of polymer material from the remaining polymer material supplied and a compression mold receiving the dose delivered by the delivery device.

[0006] In the compression mould of the prior art apparatus, the compression mould is provided with a male mould element and a female mould element positioned below the male mould element such that the cavity of the female mould element faces upwards. After having been separated from the supply head, a dose of polymer material is released from a delivery device into the interior of the cavity of the female mould element, which causes the dose to fall from the top of the cavity towards the bottom. Subsequently, the male mould element and the female mould element are moved towards each other to deform the dose, thereby shaping the dose into the desired geometric shape.

[0007] Correct release of the dose inside the mould is a particularly critical operation on which the quality of the produced article depends and which is influenced by the position of the dose in the delivery device.

[0008] In fact, the conveying means comprise a conveying surface configured to collect the dose during its passage through the supply head and to keep it attached to the conveying surface until the moment of release in the compression mould. The position of the dose in the conveying surface thus determines the position at which it is released into the mould and therefore directly determines the quality of the produced article.

[0009] Such a device is shown in international patent application WO 2017 / 064601 of the same applicant.

[0010] To ensure that the dose is attached to the delivery surface at the desired position, the polymer material must be supplied in the correct supply direction. This ensures that the separation device correctly separates the dose from the remaining polymer material and most importantly that the delivery surface intercepts the entire dose in the correct position.

[0011] If the polymer material is supplied in a substantially rectilinear, more precisely vertical, direction, the polymer material is supplied in the correct supply direction.

[0012] In other words, the correct supply direction substantially coincides with the axis of the rectilinear discharge region of the supply conduit in which the polymer material flows.

[0013] In practice, the polymer material is supplied in a molten state.

[0014] However, the supply direction of the polymer material depends on the following conditions: the pressure and velocity of the polymer material in the discharge area, the type of the polymer material, and the irregularity of the temperature distribution in the molten polymer material, which determines the viscosity distribution inside it.

[0015] Therefore, if we consider a system for delivering a dose of polymer material, the system comprising a supply head and at least one delivery device, the polymer material may be supplied from the delivery head in an undesired direction and thus the dose may remain attached to the delivery surface in an incorrect position. This may make it difficult to mold a good with the required quality, since even the release of the dose in the mold may not be in the correct position.

[0016] The separating device may also cause a change in the direction of supply of the dose. In fact, the separating device may be associated with the conveying device, in that it is made as a cutting edge of the conveying device, or it may be made as a movable element, such as a cutting blade movable independently of the conveying device, with a cutting direction opposite to the direction of advancement of the conveying device. In particular in the last case, an impact may occur between the supplied polymer material and the cutting blade, so as to change the direction of the supplied polymer material and thus the direction of the dose.

[0017] Therefore, also in this case, the dose may remain attached to the delivery surface in an incorrect position, making it difficult to mold a commercial product with the required quality.

[0018] It is known from patent document JP2005319667 that, in order to control the supply direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply head, the supply head is provided with a pin which is inserted into the discharge area parallel to the longitudinal axis of the discharge area itself in order to prevent disturbances and stratify the flow of the polymer material to be supplied. The pin is fixed to the supply head at a bend in the supply duct and extends through the bend in the discharge area, which is located downstream of the bend.

[0019] A drawback of the supply head described in the above document is that the presence of a bend in the supply conduit for the polymer material requires that the feed supplied by the supply head be positioned at right angles to the discharge area.

[0020] The shape of the supply head is obviously very specific and restrictive and cannot be used in compression moulding equipment where the supply of polymer material is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the discharge area.

[0021] According to patent document JPH0834047, a supply head is provided with a plurality of heating elements which are close to a discharge portion for supplying polymer material and each heating element is controlled individually. The problem with the supply head described in the above document is that the temperature distribution of the polymer material at the supply discharge portion cannot be controlled in an accurate manner due to the thermal inertia of the polymer material.

[0022] JPH05345347 discloses an extrusion molding apparatus suitable for extruding a multilayer film, in which a plurality of layers are laminated and the distribution of thickness is controlled in the width direction.

[0023] US4869406A discloses a discharge control device suitable for controlling the discharge of molten materials, the discharge control device comprising a variable opening formed between two cylinders with parallel axes, the variable opening avoiding severe interference with the molten flow. The rotation of the cylinders is provided by two parallel drive shafts driven in a mutually meshing manner.

[0024] WO2013052829 discloses a feed block for forming a laminate, wherein the thickness of an extrudate forming the laminate can be adjusted. The feed block comprises: a housing having a primary inlet; one or more secondary inlets; and a laminate outlet, wherein extrusion in laminate form is performed at an approximate location where the primary flow path and / or one or more secondary flow paths are juxtaposed. The approximate location is internal to the feed block relative to the laminate outlet.

[0025] EP0078760 discloses a variable gate for casting molten metal or non-metallic materials, the variable gate comprising two cylinders with parallel axes and a common contact line, the cylinders being synchronously rotatable around their axes. Each cylinder has a groove with a variable cross section, so that the two grooves cooperate to form a symmetrical opening.

[0026] JPS57207018 discloses a cutting device for accurately cutting plastic material in length and weight, in which a circumferential portion of a distal end of a hole of a nozzle is used as a fixed cutter.

[0027] US2014057081 discloses a device for producing and / or applying a substantially planar material combination formed by at least two surface areas, wherein the device comprises a conveying unit defining a travel direction and having a conveying surface. The device also comprises an application unit comprising an application nozzle having a slit-shaped outlet, the application nozzle allowing a first surface area made of a first extrudate and a second surface area made of a second extrudate to be extruded onto the conveying surface.

[0028] WO2016005951A1 discloses a method for continuous foaming of a panel, which comprises multiple outer layers of a web material, with an intermediate layer of insulating foam interposed between these outer layers. The method comprises the following steps: supplying a first web material and a second web material to a dispensing station, wherein the first web material and the second web material are precursors of the outer layers, and dispensing a liquid reaction mixture intended for generating the intermediate layer of insulating foam in the dispensing station.

[0029] WO2018150782A1 discloses a rubber extrusion device and a manufacturing method. A mold attached to the head of the rubber extrusion device includes an extrusion port variable member arranged at the front end of the extrusion flow path and moving in a direction to thereby change the area of ​​the extrusion port. Summary of the invention

[0030] In this context, the technical purpose of the present invention is to propose a system for delivering doses of polymer material, the system comprising a supply head for the polymer material and at least one device for delivering the dose supplied from the supply head, the system overcoming at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0031] The object of the present invention is to improve systems for delivering doses, wherein in particular but not exclusively the polymer material has a multilayer structure.

[0032] An object of the present invention is to provide a system for delivering doses of polymer material which allows the direction of supply of the polymer material to be controlled so that the polymer material adopts a desired supply direction allowing the dose obtained from the system to be correctly positioned inside a compression mould.

[0033] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system for supplying doses of polymer material, wherein, although the polymer material is supplied in a desired supply direction, there are no design constraints in the positioning of the polymer material and the supply direction can be precisely controlled.

[0034] Another technical aim of the present invention is to propose a method for supplying polymer material which overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide a supply method which allows controlling the direction in which the polymer material is supplied.

[0036] A different technical object of the present invention is to propose a method for transferring a dose of polymer material from a supply head to a delivery device which overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0037] A different object of the present invention is to provide a method for delivering a dose which allows attaching a dose of polymeric material to a delivery device in a desired position so that the dose is released in the compression mould in the correct position.

[0038] The technical purposes and objectives specified above are substantially achieved by different embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] These objects are also achieved by the additional features described below, including one or more technical features described in the present invention.

[0040] According to the present invention, there is a system for delivering a dose of polymer material, the system comprising: a supply head for supplying polymer material and at least one conveying device, the conveying device being provided with a conveying wall, the conveying device being configured to advance along a path through the supply head to convey a dose obtained from the polymer material supplied from the supply head to the conveying wall; and wherein the supply head comprises a conduit, the conduit being provided with a straight discharge area extending along an axis, the discharge area leading to a supply discharge portion and being configured to supply the polymer material to the supply discharge portion; wherein the discharge area comprises at least a first area and a second area facing each other, the supply head having at least one variation configuration (variation) configuration), in which the first area and the second area are asymmetric to interfere with the flow of polymer material in the discharge area so as to control the supply direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion and transferred to the conveying wall; wherein the interference with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area is configured to guide the polymer material to a desired supply direction relative to the conveying wall, the desired supply direction is inclined, and the distal end of the dose is closer to the conveying wall than the proximal end of the dose; and the transfer system includes a separation device, which is used to separate the dose of polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion from the remaining polymer material, so that the obtained dose is collected by the conveying device.

[0041] Thanks to the system for delivering doses according to the invention, discontinuities can be introduced in the discharge area of ​​the supply conduit of the supply head to locally change the speed of the polymer material in the discharge area so as to promote the desired supply direction of the polymer material, which allows the conveying device to intercept the dose in the correct desired position.

[0042] Due to the asymmetry in the discharge area, the flow of polymer material flowing in the discharge area itself is disturbed and thus the supply direction of the polymer material can be controlled.

[0043] Local variations in the viscosity of the material and the relative temperature in the supply head produce secondary effects.

[0044] Advantageously, in a variant configuration, the asymmetry existing between the first zone and the second zone can be applied to any supply head, regardless of the configuration of the supply head supplying polymer material, since this asymmetry occurs in the rectilinear discharge zone of the supply duct.

[0045] It should also be noted that even if there is a device for separating the doses in the delivery system which can change the supply direction of the polymer material itself, since it is possible to control the direction in which the polymer material is supplied, it is possible to compensate for this change and ensure that the doses are delivered to the delivery wall of the delivery device in the correct direction.

[0046] According to one form, the first and second regions are positioned inside the discharge region and, in a variant configuration, in order to produce this asymmetry, the first and second regions extend laterally to the axis in different ways, thereby varying the conveying cross section of the discharge region.

[0047] Due to the fact that the first and second regions of the supply head locally change the conveying cross section, in a variant configuration local discontinuities in the flow of polymer material can be produced in a very simple and inexpensive manner.

[0048] The flow is disrupted and can thus be directed into the desired supply direction.

[0049] In another form, the first region projects transversely toward the axis and the second region has no projection.

[0050] The conveying cross section of the discharge area is thereby changed by intervening only in the first region of the discharge area and keeping the other regions unchanged.

[0051] According to another form, the supply head further has a resting configuration in which the first area and the second area are symmetrical relative to each other, and comprises deformation means configured to position the supply head in the deformation configuration or in the resting configuration.

[0052] Thanks to this variant arrangement, the configuration of the supply head can be varied in a simple and inexpensive manner depending on the type of polymer material supplied and its characteristics.

[0053] According to an alternative form, the first region and the second region extend to the supply discharge portion of the discharge region and extend axially in different ways, thereby changing the shape of the supply discharge portion. In other words, the first edge of the first region and the second edge of the second region that at least partially define the supply discharge portion are axially offset, and for example the first edge extends beyond the second edge.

[0054] Due to the fact that the shape of the supply discharge section has been changed, the fluid flow of the polymer material in contact with the first area continues to remain in contact with the discharge area, while the remaining fluid flow from the second area has escaped from the supply discharge section and this has changed the discharge direction of the supplied polymer material, which can be transferred to the conveying device.

[0055] According to one form of the present invention, there is also provided a method for supplying a polymer material, the method comprising the steps of:

[0056] - feeding the polymer material to a supply discharge portion of the supply head through a straight discharge area extending along the axis;

[0057] - the first area and the second area facing each other in the discharge area are configured in a modified configuration, in which the first area and the second area are asymmetrical to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area, thereby controlling the supply direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge part; wherein the control of the supply direction includes:

[0058] - Directing the disturbed polymer material into the desired supply direction.

[0059] Thanks to this supply method, the control of the supply direction is simple and cheap, since it is based on an asymmetrical arrangement between facing areas of the discharge area of ​​the supply head, which can disturb the flow of the polymer material and thereby guide it in a desired direction.

[0060] In one form, there is the step of selecting a desired supply direction relative to a conveying wall of the conveying device.

[0061] Due to this form, the method according to the invention allows the desired supply direction to be selected relative to the conveying wall, for example taking into account the mutual inclination between the conveying wall and the supply direction.

[0062] According to the invention, there is also a method for transferring a dose of polymer material from a supply head to a delivery device, wherein the delivery device comprises a delivery wall, the method comprising the following steps:

[0063] - supplying polymer material from a supply head in a supply direction;

[0064] -Control the supply direction of polymer materials;

[0065] - separating the dose of polymer material from the polymer material supplied from the supply head;

[0066] - moving the delivery wall towards the supply head and delivering a dose of polymer material to the delivery wall;

[0067] -Wherein, the controlling the supply direction of the polymer material comprises:

[0068] - feeding the polymer material to a supply discharge of a supply head through a straight discharge area, which extends along an axis and opens into the supply discharge;

[0069] - configuring the first and second regions of the discharge region facing each other to be in a modified configuration in which the first and second regions are asymmetrical to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge region, thereby controlling the supply direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion;

[0070] - directing the disturbed polymer material into a desired supply direction;

[0071] - selecting the desired supply direction relative to a conveying wall of the conveying device;

[0072] - Inclining the supplied polymer material towards the delivery wall such that, during delivery of a dose, the distal end of the dose is closer to the delivery wall than the proximal end of the dose.

[0073] The conveying wall may be flat.

[0074] Due to the transfer method according to the invention, the polymer material supplied from the supply head in the supply direction controlled by the supply method according to the invention is positioned inclined towards the delivery wall of the delivery device so that after separation of the dose it can fully adhere to the delivery wall.

[0075] It is thus possible, by forcing the supply direction, to cause the dose to adhere correctly in the delivery wall and to improve the quality of the release of the dose into the compression mould, thereby ensuring a better quality of the article produced by the compression mould.

[0076] In a variant, it is advantageous to use the supply method according to the invention to effectively control the desired supply direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The invention may be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in which:

[0078] Figure 1 is a top view of a supply head for polymer materials, the supply head comprising a supply conduit having a discharge area, the discharge area being provided with an axis, which leads to a supply discharge portion, the discharge area being a parallelepiped having a rectangular cross section;

[0079] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The supply header is along Figure 1 A sectional view of a sectional plane II-II of the supply head comprising a variant device made as a roller, wherein in the stationary configuration the first region and the second region of the discharge duct are symmetrical and face each other and extend inside the duct;

[0080] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a system for delivering a dose according to the present invention, the system comprising Figure 1 A supply head and a delivery device for collecting doses supplied from the supply head are shown along the sectional plane III-III, wherein the variant device is in Figure 2 In the static structure;

[0081] Figure 4 yes Figure 3sectional view of a modification device in which the modification device is in a modification configuration in which the first region and the second region are asymmetrical to each other;

[0082] Figure 4a yes Figure 4 The enlarged view shows that the Figure 4 A cylindrical portion in the form of a roller;

[0083] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 Section plane II-II Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a variant of a supply head comprising a variant of a variant device made as a pin, wherein in the stationary configuration, a first region and a second region of the discharge duct extend inside the duct and are symmetrical;

[0084] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a variation of a delivery system comprising Figure 3 The conveyor and along Figure 1 The cross-sectional plane III-III shows Figure 5 Supply head, where Figure 5 The variant device is in a static configuration;

[0085] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of Figure 5 The variant device is in a variant configuration in which the first region and the second region are asymmetrical to each other;

[0086] Figure 8 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional plane III-III shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a variant of a supply head, in which the supply head has a first area and a second area, which are asymmetric with respect to each other and extend to a supply discharge portion, and the first area and the second area have corresponding first edges and second edges, which at least partially define a supply discharge portion offset along an axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Figures 1 to 8 A supply head 1 is shown for polymer material (not shown), which is separated from the rest of the polymer material by a separating device (not shown), such as a knife, to form doses 2 .

[0088] It should be noted that throughout the various drawings, like reference numerals will be associated with like components.

[0089] The supply head 1 may comprise a coextrusion device (not shown) for supplying a continuous coextrusion structure (not shown) of polymer material, the continuous coextrusion structure comprising a plurality of layers of polymer material different from each other, for example a central functional layer between two outer layers. The central functional layer may comprise a material having, for example, a barrier property to gases and / or oxygen and / or light. These outer layers (which may be identical or different from each other) may be made of materials designed to provide the desired mechanical and / or aesthetic properties to the article to be obtained. Corresponding auxiliary layers may be between the outer layers and the central layer, for example a layer of compatible material, the purpose of which is to improve the adhesion between the central layer and the outer layers.

[0090] Alternatively, the supply head 1 may comprise an extrusion device (not shown) positioned for extruding a continuous structure of a single material, ie made of a single polymer material rather than a plurality of polymer materials that are different from each other.

[0091] The supply head 1 comprises a duct 3 provided with a discharge area 4 which is rectilinear and extends along an axis Z. The discharge area 4 is configured to supply polymer material to a supply discharge 5 .

[0092] For example, to separate the doses 2, the knife can move in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis Z and tangential to the supply tap 5. In other words, the surface on which the knife can move forms an angle close to 90° with the axis Z and is also as close as possible to the supply tap 5.

[0093] The discharge area 4 is shaped as a prism with at least four faces, and the supply discharge part 5 has a rectangular shape in particular, so as to supply a continuous structure of polymer material, which is shaped as a strip with a rectangular cross section. Alternatively, in a form not shown, the supply discharge part 5 can also have a square or tubular shape. If the transverse cross section of the strip is rectangular, the base of the rectangle can be much larger than the height, but this condition is not necessary.

[0094] In the example shown in the figures, the supply discharge 5 faces downwards, since the supply head 1 is configured to supply the continuous structure downwards according to a vertical or substantially vertical discharge direction of the polymer material coinciding with the axis Z. However, as described below, this condition is not essential.

[0095] The supply head 1 according to the invention can be advantageously used in an apparatus (not shown) comprising a moulding carousel (not shown) rotatable about a respective axis positioned vertically. The moulding carousel is provided with a plurality of moulds (not shown) in a relevant peripheral region, each mould being configured to shape a dose 2 of polymer material in order to obtain a respective object by compression moulding.

[0096] The apparatus may include a transfer carousel (not shown) for collecting doses 2 of polymer material supplied from the supply head 1 and delivering the doses to the mold. The transfer carousel may include a plurality of delivery devices 6, Figure 3 and Figure 6 One of the delivery devices is shown in . Each delivery device 6 is positioned for delivering a dose 2 of polymer material, for example towards a moulding carousel.

[0097] The delivery device 6 comprises a delivery wall 601 which may be flat and which is configured to retain a dose 2 , which remains attached thereto, during movement of the delivery device 6 along a path P through the supply head 1 .

[0098] The delivery device 6 is thus configured to transfer the dose 2 obtained from the polymer material supplied by the supply head 1 to the delivery wall 601 .

[0099] The transfer carousel is configured to rotate about a vertical axis (not shown). During rotation, each conveying device 6 moves along a path P, which may be a closed path (eg, a circular path around a vertical axis) or an open path (eg, linear).

[0100] Along the path P, each delivery device 6 is also configured to perform a rotation about the axis H for changing the orientation of the collected doses 2 and delivering them to the mould transversely to the moulding direction.

[0101] Such a device is described in patent application WO 2017 / 064601 by the same applicant as the present invention.

[0102] The conveying wall 601 is Figure 3 and Figure 6 , and it is flat.

[0103] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not shown, the conveying means 6 may comprise an element with a U-shaped cross section, which does not change its relative orientation and which is stationary during the rotation in the path P through the supply head 1, if a plane at right angles to the vertical axis of rotation of the turntable is considered. In this case, the conveying wall may be the bottom wall of the "U", the doses still being delimited by the side arms of the "U".

[0104] Other arrangements of the delivery device 6 are also possible, provided that they are suitable for allowing the delivery device 6 to retain the polymer material during advancement through the supply head 1 .

[0105] According to the present invention, a system is provided, which comprises a supply head 1 and at least one conveying device 6, which is provided with a corresponding conveying wall 601 and is configured to advance along a path P passing through the supply head 1 so as to transfer a dose 2 obtained from the polymer material supplied from the supply head 1 to the conveying wall 601.

[0106] From the supply outfeed 5 the doses 2 are collected.

[0107] According to the present invention, the discharge area 4 includes at least a first area and a second area facing each other, and the supply head 1 has at least one variant structure, in which the first area and the second area are asymmetric to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area 4, thereby controlling the supply direction D of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge part 5 and transferred to the conveying wall 601.

[0108] The fact that the first and second regions are asymmetrical thus allows a disruption of the flow of the polymer material configured to direct it in a desired supply direction D relative to the conveying wall 601 .

[0109] The term "supply direction" D denotes the axis of symmetry of the supplied polymer material.

[0110] Due to the asymmetry between the first area and the second area in the modified configuration, the discharge area 4 of the supply head 1 can be varied in a localized manner to influence the flow of the polymer material, thereby changing the supply direction D.

[0111] The supply direction D of the polymer material coincides with the direction of supply of the doses 2 separated from the polymer material.

[0112] It is thus possible to control the way in which the delivery device 6 collects the doses 2 from the supply outfeed 5 by controlling the supply direction D and also to maximize the adhesion of the doses D to the delivery wall 601 of the delivery device 6 .

[0113] It should be noted that, due to the asymmetry, the disturbance of the flow of polymer material in the discharge area 4 is configured to direct the polymer material into the desired supply direction relative to the conveying wall 601 .

[0114] For example, the desired delivery direction may be oblique and, as described below, the distal end of the dose 2 may be closer to the delivery wall 601 than its proximal end.

[0115] It should also be noted that the transfer system according to the invention may also include a separation device (i.e. a knife) to separate the dose 2 of polymer material supplied from the supply discharge section 5 from the remaining polymer material, the dose 2 obtained in this way being collected by the conveying device 6 and transferred to the conveying device.

[0116] As described above, the knife is movable relative to the supply head 1 and the conveying device 6. Even if impacts may occur between the knife and the supplied polymer material, which impacts may change the supply direction of the dose 2, in this case, the disturbance of the flow of the material in the supply outfeed 5 is also able to control the desired supply direction D relative to the conveying wall 601. In fact, by guiding the polymer material supplied from the supply outfeed 5, any changes caused by the knife can also be compensated.

[0117] Figures 1 to 7 A supply head 1 is shown, wherein there is a first region 401 and a second region 402 located inside the discharge region 4 .

[0118] In order to produce this asymmetry, the first region 401 and the second region 402 extend in different ways toward the axis Z and change the conveying cross section of the discharge region 4 .

[0119] In other words, the first region 401 and the second region 402 extend toward the axis Z in different ways relative to the corresponding regions around the discharge region 4 to introduce discontinuity on one side of the discharge region 4 and thus control the direction D of the supplied polymer material. The asymmetric nature is that the shape of the first region 401 is different from that of the second region 402.

[0120] For example, the first region 401 protrudes toward the axis Z, whereas the second region 402 does not protrude.

[0121] Thus, the fluid flow of the polymer material in contact with the first area 401 is slowed down, while on the opposite side, the flow of the supplied polymer material in contact with the second area 402 does not change its speed because the opposite side is not disturbed. This allows the supplied polymer material to be locally disturbed and the polymer material to be guided to the desired supply direction D.

[0122] The desired supply direction D may be a linear direction, whereby the polymer material is supplied substantially vertically.

[0123] However, the Applicant has observed that the desired supply direction may also be that the polymer material comes out in a direction inclined towards the delivery wall 601 as it advances through the delivery head 1 , so that during delivery of the dose 2 the distal end of the dose 2 is closer to the delivery wall 601 than its proximal end.

[0124] In other words, in a system comprising a supply head 1 and a delivery device 6, the disturbance of the flow may be configured to tilt the supplied polymer material towards the delivery wall 601 during the delivery of a dose 2, as described above.

[0125] For example, the presence of a slowed-down fluid flow of the polymer material in contact with the first region 401 changes the flow rate of the polymer material in the discharge region 4 and may cause a disturbance in the flow, causing the polymer material to tilt toward the conveying wall 601, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 7 shown.

[0126] This ensures that the dose 2 remains fully attached to the delivery wall 601 as the delivery wall moves along the path P through the delivery head 1 .

[0127] However, alternatively, in a manner not shown, the polymer material may be tilted away from the delivery wall 601 , ie the distal end of the dose 2 may be further from the delivery wall 601 than the proximal end.

[0128] Furthermore, the supply head 1 has a stationary configuration in which the first region 401 and the second region 402 are symmetrical so that the direction of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion 5 is not disturbed.

[0129] The supply head may be controllable between a deformed configuration and a rest configuration.

[0130] In fact, the supply head 1 comprises deformation means 7 which can be configured to position the supply head 1 in a deformation configuration or in a rest configuration.

[0131] The deformation device 7 is housed inside the supply head 1 but can be controlled from outside the supply head 1 to place it in a deformation configuration or in a rest configuration.

[0132] Thus, the operator can decide to place the deformation device 7 in a deformation configuration, so that the discharge area 4 is locally asymmetrical, thereby controlling the supply direction D of the polymer material, or not to place the deformation device in a deformation configuration.

[0133] At the same time, the variant configuration of the variant device 7 can be kept fixed if the possibility of configuring the variant device 7 is not of concern. For example, for some types of polymer materials, local discontinuities in the discharge area 4 may always be necessary to ensure the desired supply direction D.

[0134] In fact, as mentioned above, the supply direction D of the polymer material generally depends on a number of variables which are generally interconnected, including the type of polymer material to be supplied, i.e. it may be necessary to place the deformation device in the deformation configuration for one type of polymer material, but not for another type of polymer material.

[0135] like Figures 2 to 7 As shown, the second region 402 has no protruding portion, and the discharge region 4 includes an opening 403 positioned to face the second region 402 .

[0136] The deformation device 7 has a deformation surface which, when the deformation device 7 is in the deformation configuration, protrudes through the opening 403 to form the first area 401 .

[0137] On the other hand, when the deformation device 7 is in the rest configuration, the deformation surface is aligned with the opening 403 and with the region 404 of the discharge region 4 surrounding the opening 403 .

[0138] This means that, in the variant configuration, the asymmetry between the first region 401 and the second region 402 and the variant of the conveying cross section are given by the fact that only the first region 401 projects transversely toward the axis Z, while the second region 402, on the other hand, is aligned with the discharge region 4. In the second region 402, the discharge region 4 of the duct 3 remains unchanged.

[0139] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the variant device is made into a rotatable roller 701. The roller 701 has an axis of rotation X, which is located in a plane transverse to (specifically perpendicular to) the axis Z and is located at a predetermined distance from the axis Z. The roller 701 is accommodated in a through hole 8 of the supply head 1, through which the operator can rotate the roller in a manner not shown.

[0140] The roller 701 is provided with a lateral surface comprising at least one cylindrical surface 701a. The lateral surface of the roller 701 also comprises a flat surface 701b. The roller 701 is also delimited by opposite end faces 701c lying in a plane parallel to the axis Z.

[0141] In a modified configuration, a portion of the cylindrical surface 701a of the roller 701 protrudes through the opening 403 and defines a modified surface. Therefore, the first region 401 protruding relative to the region 404 surrounding the opening 403 is formed by the portion of the cylindrical surface of the roller 701 passing through the opening 403. The first region 401 in the modified configuration is curved.

[0142] In the rest configuration, a portion of the flat surface 701 b of the roller 701 is aligned with the opening, so that it defines a modified surface aligned with the surrounding area 404 .

[0143] according to Figure 4a In the form schematically shown in FIG. 7 , the roller 701 may have a plurality of angular sectors, each angular sector having a respective cylindrical surface provided with a respective curvature, the curvatures of these cylindrical portions being different from each other.

[0144] In other words, the roller 701 may be divided into angular lobes, each angular lobe having a cylindrical side surface of a different shape, for example, with a different curvature.

[0145] For example, the roller 701 may be divided into four angular sectors, each extending for example 90°. In a first angular sector, the side surface of the roller 701 may have a flat surface 701b, and in a second angular sector, the roller may have a first cylindrical surface 701a with a first curvature, for example with a curvature of Figure 4 The roller may have the same curvature as the cylindrical surface shown in , i.e., the first radius, in the third sector, the roller may have a second cylindrical surface 701a' with a second curvature, i.e., the second radius, as shown in Figure 4a As shown in the enlarged view of , and finally in the fourth angular sector, the roller can have a third cylindrical surface (not shown) with a third curvature, ie a third radius.

[0146] In the case of shaping the roller 701 as an angular sector, wherein the cylindrical surfaces 701a, 701a' have a plurality of different curvatures, by rotating the roller 701, a portion of the side surface of the roller can be revealed through the opening 403, which portion can be selected, for example, between the first cylindrical surface 701a, the second cylindrical surface 701a' or the third cylindrical surface. In other words, the modified surface can be selected in a modified configuration in such a way that, depending on the type of polymer material to be supplied, the modified surface is shaped to protrude more or less towards the axis Z.

[0147] However, it should be noted that roller 701 may be fixed in a position exposing one of the cylindrical surfaces and remain fixed without further adjustment.

[0148] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the variant means 7 is made as a pin 702. The pin 702 is accommodated in a corresponding compartment 9 which is open toward the outside.

[0149] The pin 702 has a front surface 702a defining a modified surface.

[0150] exist Figure 7 In the illustrated modified configuration, the pin 702 is in a forward position and the front surface 702a extends through the opening 403 to define the first region 401. The front surface 702a is shaped substantially similar to the opening 403.

[0151] The pin 702 is linearly movable away from and towards the axis Z in a movement direction which lies in a plane transverse to, in particular perpendicular to, the axis Z. The pin 702 is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position.

[0152] The advanced position of the pin 702 is adjustable to allow the passage cross section of the discharge area 4 to be adjusted.

[0153] In other words, how much the front surface 702a of the pin 702 protrudes relative to the surrounding area 404 can be adjusted.

[0154] It should be noted that this is an adjustment made before starting to supply the polymer material and that the adjustment depends on the rheological properties of the polymer material.

[0155] If for roller 701 the first area 401 is defined at the design stage by the curvature of a cylindrical surface, or if roller 701 has multiple angular sectors, by multiple curvatures of a cylindrical portion, the first area 401 formed using pins 702 can be adjusted so that it protrudes more or less.

[0156] However, it should be noted that the pin 702 may be secured in place and remain secured without further adjustment.

[0157] For the pin 702, the asymmetry between the first region 401 and the second region 402 is also determined by the shape of the front surface 702a of the pin 702, which may be rounded or substantially flat with chamfered edges.

[0158] For this purpose, in order to optimize the control of the supply direction D according to the type of polymer material, replaceable pins 702 may be provided, the front faces 702a of which have different curvatures, which are pronounced or less pronounced.

[0159] exist Figure 6 In the rest configuration, the pin 702 is in the retracted position and the front surface 702a is aligned with the area 404 of the discharge area 4 surrounding the opening 403 .

[0160] The pin 702 housed in the compartment 9 exposes a bottom surface 702b toward the outside of the supply head 1, in which there is an adjustment grub screw 702c, with which the operator can adjust the movement of the pin 702 between the advanced position and the retracted position. The operator can adjust how much the pin 702 extends in the discharge area 4 by adjusting the grub screw 702c.

[0161] According to a variant of the supply head 1 (not shown), in a variant configuration, the first zone 401 and the second zone 402 are positioned inside the discharge zone 4 and have different temperatures in order to change the local temperature distribution of the polymer material.

[0162] In other words, the first region 401 and the second region 402 are thermally conditioned in different ways and therefore have thermal asymmetry.

[0163] Thermal asymmetry is achieved by heating means powered by different voltages which therefore produce different powers. The direction of supply of the polymer material and, if necessary, its possible inclination can be displayed on a screen designed to be viewed by the machine operator.

[0164] Thermal treatment of the first region 401 and the second region 402 may also include differential cooling to better control thermal asymmetry.

[0165] Due to this thermal asymmetry within the discharge area 4 and thus away from the supply discharge 5, the temperature distribution in the polymer material can be controlled, thus ensuring that the supply direction D at the supply discharge 5 is the desired direction.

[0166] Figure 8 A variation of the supply head 1 is shown, wherein the discharge region 4 comprises a first region 405 and a second region 406 extending to the supply discharge portion 5 and having respective first edges 405a and second edges 406a at least partially defining the supply discharge portion 5.

[0167] In this variant, in a modified configuration, the first edge 405a and the second edge 406a are offset from each other along the axis Z.

[0168] For example, Figure 8 As shown, the supply outlet 5 is inclined relative to the axis Z and therefore the second edge 406 a is retracted relative to the first edge 405 a and the first area 405 protrudes from the second area 406 .

[0169] The first region 405 and the second region 406 at least face each other.

[0170] It should be noted that if the first area 405 and the second area 406 extend as far as the supply outlet 5, the modified configuration remains fixed.

[0171] The supply outlet 5 may have different shapes and angles depending on the type of polymer material to be supplied. For example, if the inclination angle is close to 90°, the first region 405 and the second region 406 are almost aligned, while if there is a smaller inclination angle, the first region 405 and the second region 406 may also be offset a lot along the axis Z.

[0172] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not shown, the first edge 405a and the second edge 406a of the supply discharge portion 5 may be on different planes, so the supply discharge portion 5 may be on two levels and the second edge 406a is retracted relative to the first edge 405a. For example, the second area 406 may extend angularly only for a portion of the supply discharge portion 5, while the first area 405 may extend over the remaining angular portion.

[0173] The asymmetric supply discharge 5 causes the fluid flow of polymer material in contact with the first area 405 to be slowed down, while the polymer material supplied on the opposite side is free and does not change its speed.

[0174] This asymmetric arrangement of the first region 405 and the second region 406 locally disturbs the supplied polymer material and thus allows the polymer material to be guided into the desired supply direction D.

[0175] To allow a simple construction of the supply head 1, the supply head comprises an inner region 101 and an end region 102 which is removably mounted on the inner region 101. A portion of the discharge region 4 is formed on the end region 102, which comprises a first region 405 and a second region 406 which are offset from each other and extend to the supply discharge 5.

[0176] Thereby, the end region 102 of the supply head 1 can be removed and replaced by another end region having a supply outfeed 5 of a different shape, for example more or less inclined.

[0177] According to a form not shown, if the supply outfeed 5 is inclined relative to the axis Z, it may be advantageous to tilt the supply head 1 until the supply outfeed 5 is positioned in a plane substantially parallel and tangential to the plane of movement of the knife, so as to ensure that the knife separates the dose 2 from the rest of the polymer material supplied in the same plane as the supply outfeed 5.

[0178] For example, if the dose 2 has to be supplied vertically, the knife separates the dose 2 from the remaining polymer material in a substantially horizontal plane of movement.

[0179] If the supply outfeed 5 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis Z, it may be advantageous to position the supply head 1 rotated to an angle complementary to the inclination of the supply outfeed 5 so that the supply outfeed 5 is also positioned horizontally and tangential to the plane of movement of the knife.

[0180] In the rest configuration, the end region 102 of the supply head 1 has a symmetrical first region 405 and a second region 406 , ie the first edge 405 a and the second edge 406 a extend aligned with each other.

[0181] As mentioned above, a desired supply direction D imposed on this form of supply head 1 may also be that the polymer material escapes in a direction inclined towards the delivery wall 601 so that during delivery of the dose 2 along the path P the distal end of the dose 2 is closer to the delivery wall 601 than its proximal end.

[0182] For example, if the first region 405 slows down the polymer material and the first region 405 is upstream of the second region 406 in the direction of forward movement of the conveying wall along the path P, the polymer material is favored to bend and tilt toward the first region 405 itself (ie, toward the conveying wall 601).

[0183] In this case, the desired supply direction D is oblique.

[0184] As described above, if the cross-section of the supply discharge portion 5 is rectangular and the discharge area 4 is formed as a prism having at least four faces, if the first area 401 and the second area 402 are positioned inside the discharge area 4, the first area 401 and the second area 402 are positioned on opposite faces of the prism.

[0185] Likewise, if the first region 405 and the second region 406 extend to the supply outlet 5, and the supply outlet 5 is inclined, the first region 401 and the second region 402 are positioned on opposite faces of the prism.

[0186] In use, a method for supplying a polymer material is proposed, the method comprising the following steps:

[0187] - feeding the polymer material to the supply discharge 5 of the supply head 1 through a straight discharge area 4 extending along the axis Z;

[0188] - In a modified configuration, the first region 401 or 405 and the second region 402 or 406 (in the modified configuration, they are asymmetric) of the discharge region 4 that are opposite to each other are configured to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge region 4 so as to control the supply direction D of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion 5; wherein the control of the supply direction includes:

[0189] - Directing the disturbed polymer material into the desired supply direction.

[0190] In other words, the method comprises configuring an asymmetry in the discharge area, thereby creating a disturbance in the flow of polymer material supplied from the supply discharge 5 and thus directing the plastic material in a desired supply area.

[0191] Furthermore, the method comprises the step of selecting a desired supply direction relative to the conveying wall 601 of the conveying device 6 , for example, tilting the supplied polymer material.

[0192] The method further comprises the steps of positioning the first region 401 and the second region 402 inside the discharge region 4 and changing the conveying section of the discharge region 4 to create asymmetry such that the first region 401 and the second region 402 extend toward the axis Z differently.

[0193] Alternatively, the method may include positioning the first and second regions 401, 402 so that they extend to the discharge region 4 such that the first and second edges 405a, 406a at least partially defining the supply discharge 5 are offset from each other along the axis Z to create asymmetry.

[0194] In both cases, the method allows controlling the supply direction D of the polymer material into a desired direction in a simple and inexpensive manner.

[0195] A method for transferring a dose 2 of polymer material from a supply head 1 to a delivery device 6 comprising a delivery wall 601 is also proposed, the method comprising the following steps:

[0196] - supplying polymer material from the supply head 1 in a supply direction D;

[0197] - Controlling the supply direction D of the polymer material;

[0198] - separating the dose 2 of polymer material from the polymer material supplied from the supply head 1;

[0199] - moving the delivery wall 601 towards the supply head 1 and transferring a dose of polymer material to the delivery wall 601;

[0200] - wherein controlling the supply direction of the polymer material comprises: during the delivery of the dose 2 , the supplied polymer material is tilted towards the delivery wall 601 , ie the distal end of the dose 2 is closer to the delivery wall 601 than the proximal end thereof.

[0201] The supply direction D of the polymer material can be controlled by the supply method according to the invention, which comprises forming an asymmetry in the discharge region and guiding the disturbed plastic material into the desired supply direction by means of the asymmetry.

[0202] Due to the transfer method according to the invention, the dose 2 is advantageously moved obliquely towards the delivery wall 601, such as Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 This ensures that the dose 2 adheres to the delivery wall 601 in the desired manner to ensure an optimal release to the corresponding compression mould.

Claims

1. A delivery system for delivering a dose (2) of a polymer material, comprising a supply head (1) for supplying the polymer material and comprising at least one delivery device (6), the delivery device being provided with a delivery wall (601), the delivery device (6) being configured to advance along a path (P) passing through the supply head (1), thereby being able to deliver a dose (2) obtained from the polymer material supplied from the supply head (1) to the delivery wall (601); and wherein, The supply head (1) comprises a pipe (3), wherein the pipe is provided with a straight discharge area (4) extending along an axis (Z), wherein the discharge area leads to a supply discharge portion (5) and is configured to supply the polymer material to the supply discharge portion (5); characterized in that the discharge area (4) comprises at least a first area (401; 405) and a second area (402; 406) facing each other, and the supply head (1) has at least one modified structure, in which the first area (401; 405) and the second area (402; 406) are asymmetric to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area (4), thereby controlling the polymer material from the supply The polymer material is supplied from the supply discharge section (5) and transferred to the supply direction (D) of the conveying wall (601); wherein the interference with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge area (4) is configured to guide the polymer material to the desired supply direction (D) relative to the conveying wall (601), and the desired supply direction is inclined, and makes the distal end of the dose (2) closer to the conveying wall (601) than the proximal end of the dose; and the transfer system includes a separation device, which is used to separate the dose (2) of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge section (5) from the remaining polymer material, so that the obtained dose (2) is collected by the conveying device (6).

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: In the modified configuration, the first region (401; 405) and the second region (402; 406) are positioned inside the discharge area (4) and extend differently towards the axis (Z), thereby changing the conveying cross section of the discharge area (4) to produce asymmetry.

3. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein: The supply head (1) further has a stationary structure, in which the first area (401) and the second area (402) are symmetrical relative to each other, and the supply head (1) includes a deformation device (7), which is configured to position the supply head (1) in the deformation structure or in the stationary structure, and the deformation device (7) is accommodated inside the supply head (1) and can be controlled from the outside of the supply head (1) between the deformation structure and the stationary structure.

4. The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein: The second region (402) has no protruding portion, and the discharge region (4) includes an opening (403) positioned opposite to the second region (402); and wherein the deformation device has a deformation surface, which extends through the opening (403) toward the axis (Z), and when the deformation device (7) is in the deformation structure, the deformation surface defines the first region (401).

5. The delivery system according to claim 4, wherein: The deformation device is a rotating roller having a rotation axis (X), the rotation axis being located in a plane perpendicular to the axis (Z), the roller being provided with a side surface, the side surface comprising at least one cylindrical surface (701a); wherein, when the supply head (1) is in the deformation structure, a portion of the cylindrical surface (701a) extends through the opening (403) and defines the deformation surface.

6. The delivery system according to claim 5, wherein: The roller (701) has a plurality of angular sectors, each angular sector having a respective cylindrical surface provided with a respective curvature, the curvatures of these cylindrical portions being different from each other.

7. The delivery system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The side surface further comprises a flat surface (701b); wherein, when the supply head (1) is in the stationary configuration, the flat surface (701b) is aligned with a region (404) of the discharge region (4) surrounding the opening (403).

8. The delivery system of claim 4, wherein: The deformation device is a pin, which includes a front surface (702a), and wherein, when the supply head (1) is in the deformation configuration, the pin (702) is in a forward position and the front surface (702a) protrudes through the opening (403) defining the deformation surface.

9. The delivery system according to claim 8, wherein: The pin (702) can move linearly along a movement line away from the axis (Z) and toward the axis, and the movement line is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis (Z), wherein the pin (702) can move between the forward position and the rearward position; the forward position of the pin (702) can be adjusted to allow adjustment of the transport section.

10. The delivery system of claim 9, wherein: When the supply head (1) is in the stationary configuration, the pin (702) is in the rearward position and the front surface (702a) of the pin (702) is aligned with an area (404) of the discharge area (4) surrounding the opening (403).

11. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein: The first region (405) and the second region (406) extend as far as the supply outlet (5) and have corresponding first edges (405a) and second edges (406a) that at least partially define the supply outlet (5), wherein, in the variant construction, the first edge (405a) and the second edge (406a) are offset relative to each other along the axis (Z).

12. The delivery system of claim 11, wherein: The supply head (1) comprises an inner region (101) and an end region (102), wherein the end region comprises the first region (405) and the second region (406), and the end region (102) is removably mounted on the inner region (101) so that the supply head (1) can be easily constructed.

13. The delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 12, wherein: The discharge area (4) is in the shape of a prism having at least four faces, and the first area (401) and the second area (402) are positioned on at least opposite faces of the prism.

14. A method for transferring a dose (2) of polymer material from a supply head (1) to a delivery device (6), wherein: The conveying device (6) comprises a conveying wall (601), and is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - supplying the polymer material from the supply head (1); - controlling the supply direction (D) of the polymer material; - separating a dose (2) of polymer material from the polymer material supplied by the supply head (1); - moving the delivery wall (601) forwards towards the supply head (1) and transferring the dose (2) of polymer material to the delivery wall (601); - wherein the controlling the supply direction (D) of the polymer material comprises: - feeding the polymer material to a supply discharge portion (5) of the supply head (1) through a straight discharge area (4), which extends along the axis (Z) and opens into the supply discharge portion (5); - configuring the first region (401) and the second region (402) facing each other of the discharge region (4) to be in a modified configuration, in which the first region and the second region are asymmetrical, so as to interfere with the flow of the polymer material in the discharge region (4), thereby controlling the supply direction (D) of the polymer material supplied from the supply discharge portion (5); - directing the disturbed polymer material into a desired supply direction (D); - selecting said desired supply direction (D) relative to a conveying wall (601) of the conveying device (6); - tilting the supplied polymer material towards the delivery wall (601) such that, during delivery of the dose (2), the distal end of the dose (2) is closer to the delivery wall (601) than the proximal end of the dose.

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