Filling apparatus and method for automatically filling a container

Abstract

Filling apparatus (10) and method for automatically filling containers (100) for smoking articles with a desired metered amount of non-coherent material (M) of fibrous type. The apparatus (10) comprises first and second filling stations (A2, A4) having one or more than one conveying device (22) each and configured to respectively convey a first and a second amount of non-coherent material (M) into each container (100), wherein said second filling station (A4) is arranged along a processing line downstream of said first filling station (A2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a filling apparatus and method for automatically filling empty containers, such as shells or capsules for smoking articles. Each container includes an open end through which a non-continuous material of an oily and / or resinous fibrous type can be inserted. The apparatus and method according to the invention can automatically perform precise and controlled filling of each container in a very fast processing cycle, thereby achieving high productivity. Background Technology

[0002] In the automated production of smoking products such as cigarettes (especially using machines with high productivity), it is known that an important aspect to consider and a technical problem to be overcome is the insertion of smoking materials, such as non-continuous materials (such as tobacco, other flammable smoking substances or combinations thereof), into containers, such as shells, at a filling station. This filling station can also be associated with upstream stations for supplying the containers, and downstream stations for packaging, dispensing, and possibly packaging the finished smoking products.

[0003] Regarding the insertion of smoking materials, it is known to prepare a strip of paper to hold a non-continuous material, typically comprising tobacco. The paper strip is then wrapped to form a single tubular shell containing the non-continuous material, which is then cut to size according to the desired form to obtain individual smoking articles.

[0004] It is also known to use devices for inserting the aforementioned discontinuous materials into containers, which use a pneumatic motion system to move the discontinuous materials from a hopper into each container, for example, a casing for a smoking article. These known devices have the disadvantage of reducing the chemophysical properties of the discontinuous materials they handle.

[0005] Known devices for filling a container with a metered amount of flammable, suction material are also described in patent documents DE3226654A1 and US3404742A. These solutions provide a system capable of preparing a predetermined amount of such material, typically below the required metered amount, and selectively adding more than one remaining amount after checking the weight of the relevant quantity.

[0006] However, the aforementioned known techniques do not allow for automated container filling to obtain finished products, which may also include leafy materials other than tobacco. These materials possess various unique characteristics, relating not only to their chemical and physical properties but also, for example, the ability to contain resins and oils. In particular, these substances make moving discontinuous materials very difficult because they tend to adhere to surfaces in contact with them, and they also reduce equipment efficiency, especially at high hourly production rates, such as those on the order of 7,000 finished products per hour. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve in a novel and original manner is to provide an apparatus and a method for the automatic filling of containers, which can also handle discontinuous materials containing substances that are difficult to feed in very narrow spaces with very small dimensions (e.g., tubular capsules or shells for smoking articles with diameters on the order of millimeters), taking into account the need for very precise metering (on the order of one-tenth of a gram), and to achieve the aforementioned goal of high hourly productivity, which means that the average production time for each individual finished product is on the order of about half a second.

[0008] Currently, in fact, there is no filling equipment or method that can solve the above technical problems and achieve the above objectives under the existing technology.

[0009] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a filling device and an improved filling method for automatically filling containers (e.g., shells or capsules for smoking products), said filling device and method being simple and reliable, and simultaneously achieving the aforementioned high productivity, thus solving the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device and an improved filling method for automatically filling containers, wherein the filling device and method can prevent discontinuous material from adhering or sticking to the surface of the supply element and instead facilitate delivery to the interior of each container.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device and method for automatically filling containers, the filling device and method allowing for accurate and reliable metering of discontinuous material in each container to be filled and in all containers, such that all containers contain exactly the same required amount of discontinuous material.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device and an improved filling method for automatically filling containers, wherein the filling of containers can be carried out continuously and in parallel, so that multiple containers can be filled at the same time.

[0013] The applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to obtain these and other objectives and advantages.

[0014] This invention is proposed and is characterized by the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variations of the main inventive concept.

[0015] In order to achieve the above objectives and to solve the aforementioned technical problems in a novel and original manner, and to achieve unexpected positive results, the present invention relates to a filling device for automatically filling a container with a required metered amount of non-continuous fiber material.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a first filling station, the first filling station including a first filling assembly having one or more conveying devices configured to convey a first amount of discontinuous material into each container.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes at least a second filling station arranged downstream of the first filling station along the processing line and including a second filling assembly having one or more additional conveying devices configured to convey a second quantity of discontinuous material into each container in which the first quantity of discontinuous material has already been conveyed in the first filling station.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes a compression device arranged downstream of the first filling station and configured to be selectively inserted into the container after the first amount of discontinuous material has been delivered, thereby compressing the discontinuous material before delivering the second amount of discontinuous material to the second filling station.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes a third loading station arranged downstream of the second loading station along the processing line and comprising a third loading assembly having one or more additional conveying devices configured to convey a quantity of discontinuous material supplemented relative to the sum of the first and second quantities, in order to obtain the required metered quantity of discontinuous material.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the extrusion device includes a first extrusion member arranged in a first extrusion station located downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station, thereby extruding the first amount of discontinuous material before the second filling station delivers the second amount of discontinuous material.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the extrusion device includes a second extrusion member arranged in a second extrusion station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station, thereby extruding the second amount of discontinuous material before the third filling station delivers a supplementary amount of discontinuous material until the required metered amount of discontinuous material is reached.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, each conveying device includes a weighing device for weighing discontinuous material, and the device further includes a control device configured to control the conveying device based on the weighing performed by the weighing device, thereby progressively conveying a required amount of discontinuous material as the container moves along the processing line.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the filling device further includes a forming device arranged upstream of the first filling station and configured to selectively insert into the empty container to eliminate any wrinkles or creases present therein.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, each conveying device includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member defining means for metering the discontinuous material, and cooperating with each other to convey a determined amount of discontinuous material equal to a portion of the desired metering amount into each of the containers.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are configured to rotate at corresponding angular velocities different from each other and in opposite directions of rotation, such that they together transport the non-continuous material toward the container.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, each of the more than one transport device includes a transport member having a funnel shape, the wider portion of the funnel being located at the top and disposed below the first and second rotating members, while the narrower portion is located at the bottom, configured and sized for selective insertion into one of the containers.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying member is a vibration type, configured to vibrate during the conveying of the discontinuous material in order to prevent the discontinuous material already conveyed by the first and second rotating members from being accidentally left inside the conveying member.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the transport member is connected to a corresponding actuator that enables the transport member to move so as to vibrate.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying member corresponds to the narrowest portion at the bottom occupying less than 150 mm in horizontal cross-section. 2 The surface.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the first rotating member has a plurality of sharp elements arranged at fixed intervals at an angle and in a plurality of parallel rows on its cylindrical surface; and the second rotating member has a diameter smaller than that of the first rotating member, and has a plurality of teeth arranged at fixed intervals at an angle, in a plurality of parallel rows and axially offset relative to the sharp elements on its cylindrical surface.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the filling method according to the invention for automatically filling a container with a desired amount of non-continuous material of a fibrous type includes a conveying step, wherein one or more conveying devices convey a determined amount of the non-continuous material as part of the desired amount into each of the containers.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying step includes a first sub-step of filling the container with a first amount of discontinuous material, the first sub-step being carried out in a first filling station including a first filling assembly comprising at least one of the conveying devices. The method further includes at least a second sub-step of filling the container with a second amount of discontinuous material, the second sub-step being carried out in a second filling station arranged downstream of the first filling station along a processing line, and including a second filling assembly having one or more additional conveying devices configured to convey the second amount of discontinuous material into each of the containers in which the first amount of discontinuous material has already been conveyed in the first filling sub-step.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further includes at least one extrusion step, which is carried out after the first filling sub-step by an extrusion device arranged downstream of the first filling station, wherein the extrusion device is selectively inserted into the container that has been at least partially filled with the discontinuous material, thereby extruding the latter.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying step further includes a third filling sub-step implemented in a third filling station arranged downstream of the second filling station along the processing line and including a third filling assembly having one or more additional conveying devices configured to convey a quantity of discontinuous material supplemented relative to the sum of the first and second quantities, in order to obtain the required metered quantity of discontinuous material.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, in the first filling sub-step, a first amount comprising between 25% and 35% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered; in the second filling sub-step, a second amount comprising between 45% and 55% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered; and in the third filling sub-step, a supplementary amount comprising between 15% and 25% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment of the method, in the first filling sub-step, approximately 30% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered; in the second filling sub-step, approximately 50% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered; and in the third filling sub-step, approximately 20% of the required amount of discontinuous material is delivered.

[0037] In any case, in the final filling step (the third filling sub-step in the embodiments described herein), it is set to deliver a non-continuous amount of material, relative to the amount previously delivered into the container, with reference to the required metering amount to be filled into the container.

[0038] The distribution of the quantities delivered at different loading stations advantageously allows weighing components with high sensitivity, reliable measurement performance, and speed to be arranged only at the last loading station, i.e., the third loading station. This allows for the arrangement of weighing components with fewer operations and therefore lower costs at the earlier loading stations (i.e., the first and second loading stations).

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further includes a first extrusion step and a second extrusion step, the first extrusion step being performed by a first extrusion member in a first extrusion station to extrude the first amount of discontinuous material, the first extrusion station being arranged downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station, the second extrusion step being performed by a second extrusion member in a second extrusion station to extrude the second amount of discontinuous material, the second extrusion station being arranged downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, the filling method further includes a forming step prior to the conveying step, the forming step being carried out by a forming device arranged upstream of the first filling station, so as to selectively insert the forming device into the empty container, thereby eliminating any wrinkles or creases present in the container.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, the method is configured to convey the amount of discontinuous material by rotating a first rotating member and a second rotating member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member being included in each of the conveying devices and cooperating with each other to convey the amount of discontinuous material.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further includes rotating a transport member included in each of the conveying devices, the transport member having a generally funnel shape, the wider portion of the funnel located at the top and disposed below the first and second rotating members; while the narrower portion is located at the bottom, configured and sized for selective insertion into one of the containers.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes a weighing step and a conveying step controlled by a control device, wherein the weighing step is configured to weigh the discontinuous material by means of a weighing device included in each of the conveying devices, and the control device is configured to control the conveying devices based on the weighing performed by the weighing devices, thereby conveying a required amount of discontinuous material step by step as the container moves along the processing line.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, during the conveying step, the weighing and control steps are preferably performed continuously or at programmed time intervals.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further includes the step of transporting the container by means of a transport device comprising a transport member configured to slide on a fixed guide rail, wherein the transport step is configured to transport the container along the processing line parallel to the processing direction, thereby passing sequentially at least in the first filling station and in the second filling station, and stopping at each of them for an amount of time equal to the cycle time, so as to allow for partial and gradual filling of the container.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the method is configured to be performed sequentially: a forming step; a first filling sub-step in which a first amount of discontinuous material is conveyed; a first step in which the first amount is extruded through a first extrusion station, the first extrusion station being arranged downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station; a second filling sub-step in which a second amount of discontinuous material is conveyed; a second step in which the second amount is extruded in a second extrusion station, the second extrusion station being arranged downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station; and a final third filling sub-step. Attached Figure Description

[0047] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] - Figure 1 A front view of a loading device according to one embodiment of the invention is shown schematically.

[0049] - Figure 2 For including Figure 1 The device or capable of interacting with Figure 1 A block diagram of the machines associated with the device;

[0050] - Figure 3 To be suitable for Figure 1 A schematic side view of the container being processed by the equipment;

[0051] - Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic and simplified 3D view of a portion of the device at an enlarged scale;

[0052] - Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partially sectional front view of a portion of the device shown.

[0053] - Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partially cut-out and enlarged front view of the first detail;

[0054] - Figure 7 for Figure 5 Another detailed magnified front view;

[0055] - Figure 8 for Figure 4 A partially sectional side view of a portion of the device shown, wherein the device is shown in an idle position;

[0056] - Figure 9 To and Figure 8 A similar view shows the device in an operational position;

[0057] - Figure 10 for Figure 1 A magnified front view of another part of the device;

[0058] - Figure 11 for Figure 10 Partially cut side view of a portion;

[0059] - Figure 12 for Figure 1 A magnified partial sectional side view of another detail of the device;

[0060] - Figure 13 for Figure 1 An example block diagram illustrating the operation of the electronic control unit of the device.

[0061] We need to clarify that the wording and terminology used in this specification and claims, such as the terms "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "back," "high," "low," "inner," and "outer," and their deflection angles, serve only to better illustrate the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and shall not be used in any way to limit the scope of the invention itself or the field of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0062] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain dimensions or features in the accompanying drawings may have been enlarged, distorted, or shown in an unconventional or disproportionate manner to provide a more easily understood version of the invention. When dimensions and / or numerical values ​​are specified in the following description, they are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, unless such dimensions and / or numerical values ​​are present in the appended claims.

[0063] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same common elements in the figures where possible. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. Detailed Implementation

[0064] Reference Figure 1 According to the present invention, an automatic filling container 100 ( Figure 3 For example, an automatic filling device 10 for filling casings or capsules of smoking products is configured to work with machine 200. Figure 2 It is associated with or part of machine 200, which is used to produce smoking products, such as cigarettes, capsules, etc.

[0065] The device 10 is configured to fill the container 100 with an oily and / or resinous fibrous material, such as a non-contiguous material M, such as chopped or minced leafy material extracted from tobacco or other plants, or other substances, such as flammable, smokeable materials, or combinations thereof.

[0066] Machine 200 was with Figure 2 The block diagram illustrates the process, and for example, includes, in sequence, a supply station 201 configured to supply containers 100, followed by a filling station 10, then a packing station 202 configured to pack the filled containers 100 (e.g., fully close them to produce a finished product such as a smoking product or capsule), and then a distribution station 203, for example, to deliver the finished product to a packaging station 205, which may be outside the machine 200; however, the machine 200 is not limited thereto. The machine 200 may also include suitable transport equipment 206, which has the function of transporting containers 100 from the supply station 201 (in the process line) along the entire processing line. Figure 2 (Located on the left) transported to packaging station 205 (in Figure 2 The function of the machine (located on the right) is, for example, along the processing direction X, preferably in a straight line and horizontally; however, the machine 200 is not limited to this.

[0067] The supply station 201, packing station 202, distribution station 203, packaging station 205, and transport equipment 206 can be of any known type or equipment to be developed in the future. Alternatively, for example, transport equipment 206 can be of the type described in a related industrial invention application filed by the same applicant as this patent application.

[0068] For example, transport device 205 includes a transport member 207 having the shape and function of a shuttle, configured to slide along a processing direction X on a fixed guide rail 209. In the example provided herein, transport member 207 includes four hollow, through-type bases 210, each base 210 having, for example, a frustoconical shape matching the size of container 100 or at least matching the lower dimension of container 100. In the example provided herein, each base 210 is sized such that when container 100 is inserted into base 210, each container 100 protrudes not only from the upper surface of transport member 207 but also from its base by several millimeters. Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 ).

[0069] It is clear that the number of bases 210 can also be different from four, but it is understood that their number affects the hourly productivity of machine 200. In fact, if a definite cycle time TC, expressed in seconds, is required in each of the different stations 201, 202, 203, and 205, and in device 10, or in the slower one, to execute a processing cycle, then the hourly productivity of machine 200 will be equal to 3600 divided by the cycle time TC, multiplied by the number of bases 210 for each transport component 207. In fact, processing is carried out in parallel in the four bases 210.

[0070] Each base 210 is symmetrical about a generally vertical axis Y and is configured to accommodate a container 100 inserted vertically from top to bottom. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 ).

[0071] The distance D between two adjacent bases 210 is determined during the design phase of the device 10 and / or machine 200, and is suitable for managing multiple containers 100, as will be described in detail below.

[0072] With non-restrictive instructions, machine 200 is able to produce each product, such as a smoking product or capsule, in a very short time (i.e., a cycle time of about two seconds TC), thus enabling it to have an hourly production rate of about 7,000 smoking products, precisely because four containers 100 are processed simultaneously and therefore in parallel at each of stations 201, 202, 203 and 205 and in device 10, thereby forming, for example, filled smoking products or capsules.

[0073] Before describing device 10 and its operation in detail, we will now describe an example of container 100. Figure 3 In particular, in the following description, container 100 is considered as a shell for producing smoking articles; however, it may also be a capsule or any other type of container suitable for containing non-continuous material M.

[0074] Each container 100 is made of a sheet material, such as very thin paper or other material suitable for making cigarettes or other flammable smoking products, and is typically provided with a filter 101 of a known type.

[0075] The container 100 has a length L that can vary depending on the smoking product to be obtained, and includes, for example, between about 60 mm and about 150 mm.

[0076] Furthermore, each container 100 can be truncated conical and include a first end 102 corresponding to the filter tip 101 and a second open end 103 with a diameter greater than the first end, and is configured to insert non-continuous material M into the container 100. Typically, the diameter of each container 100 is on the order of several millimeters, for example, 6 to 8 millimeters, like the diameter of a conventional cigarette.

[0077] If container 100 is a capsule, it will, for example, have a truncated cone or hemispherical shape, and it will also include a closed first end and an open second end opposite to the first end for inserting a non-continuous material M.

[0078] Equipment 10 ( Figure 1 This includes a series of processing units mounted on a fixed structure 11, each processing unit arranged in a corresponding processing station. The processing units and stations are arranged sequentially and adjacent to each other along a processing line parallel to the processing direction X; the arrangement of the processing units and stations on the processing line is such that it allows for easy viewing. Figure 1 There is a progressive sequence of interventions from left to right, which will be clarified in the description of the operation of the equipment described below.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, the processing unit includes at least a first filling assembly 12 configured to fill the container 100 with a non-continuous material M. Figure 3 And will be described in detail below.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the invention, a forming component 13 is present upstream of the first filling component 12. Figure 1 ).

[0081] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit further includes a second loading assembly 14 and may also include a third loading assembly 15, the second loading assembly 14 and the third loading assembly 15 being the same as the first loading assembly 12.

[0082] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit further includes a first extrusion device or a first extrusion assembly 16 disposed downstream of the first filling assembly 12, and may also include a second extrusion device or a second extrusion assembly 17 disposed downstream of the second filling assembly 15.

[0083] First loading assembly 12 ( Figure 8 It includes a movable structure 19 that slides vertically on a vertical guide rail 20 of a fixed structure 11.

[0084] At the upper part of the movable structure 19, a hopper 21 is installed to contain non-continuous material M to be used for filling container 100, and four conveying devices 22 are arranged below the hopper 21. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each of the containers 100 is configured to be filled on the base 210 of the transport component 207.

[0085] The first loading assembly 12 also includes a weighing device, for example configured as a weighing unit 23. Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The four conveying devices 22 are arranged below each other and are adapted to weigh each container 100 during the first filling sub-step of the step of conveying the non-continuous material M into the container 100, as will be described in detail below.

[0086] The hopper 21 includes at least a front wall 24, a rear wall 25, both of which are vertical, and a base 26 that slopes downward at an angle α. Figure 8 Angle α, for example, is between about 30° and about 45°.

[0087] Four supply members 27 are arranged inside the hopper 21, each supply member being arranged along a corresponding supply axis S parallel to the base 26. Note that the hopper 21 and the four supply members 27 define the means of supplying non-continuous material M.

[0088] The lower part of the front wall 24 of the hopper 21 has four through holes 29. Figure 5The four through holes are substantially centered relative to the supply axis S and are configured to allow the outflow of discontinuous material M that moves through the supply member 27 toward the corresponding conveying device 22.

[0089] Each supply component 27 includes a motion element 30. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The moving element, for example, has a spiral shape and is attached to the first actuator 31. Figure 8 The first actuator 31 is mounted on the rear wall 25 of the hopper 21 and configured to rotate on the axis of rotation of the motion element 30, thereby propelling the discontinuous material M toward the corresponding hole 29 without applying any pressure to the material itself.

[0090] According to a variation not shown in the accompanying drawings, a single first actuator 31 can cause four motion elements 30 to rotate simultaneously.

[0091] On the inner surface of the base 26, that is, inside the hopper 21, and below each moving element 30 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 Create a groove, which is configured to facilitate the outflow of discontinuous material M toward the corresponding hole 29.

[0092] In one embodiment of the invention, the four conveying devices 22 are made using the same plate 32, which is substantially vertical and attached to the movable structure 19. Figure 8 And it is shaped to have four substantially vertical transport cavities 33 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each conveying device 22 has a transport chamber 33 with four holes 29 opening at the top. Each transport chamber 33 is configured to vertically guide discontinuous material M from the hopper 21 and is shaped to not impede its downward fall.

[0093] The four transport chambers 33 are closed at the front end by a sealing plate 35. Figure 8 The enclosure can be made of a transparent material, such as plastic or glass, thereby allowing viewing of the flow of non-continuous material M within the transport cavity.

[0094] Each transport chamber 33 is shaped to have outlet holes 36 arranged along the vertical axis V at its lower part. Figure 5 and Figure 7Two bases 37 and 38, designated as a first base and a second base respectively, are formed near the outlet orifice, arranged on opposite sides relative to the vertical axis V. Specifically, the two bases 37 and 38 are defined by partially cylindrical surfaces and share a common area. Two metering rollers 40 and 41 are rotatably mounted in the two bases 37 and 38, rotating about two corresponding substantially horizontal axes of rotation T and U in opposite directions, also arranged on opposite sides relative to the vertical axis V. Each axis of rotation T is substantially vertically aligned with its corresponding orifice 29. In the example provided herein, each first metering roller 40 is configured to rotate clockwise, thereby conveying discontinuous material M from the hopper 21 to its corresponding outlet orifice 36.

[0095] The four vertical axes V are separated from each other by the same distance D, and the base 210 of the same transport component 207 is separated from said distance D.

[0096] In the embodiments described herein, the rotation axes T and U of each conveying device 22 are located on the same horizontal plane P1 or P2. Furthermore, to optimize the overall dimensions and carefully consider the distance D between the vertical axes V, the horizontal planes P1 and P2 of each conveying device 22 are offset from each other in the vertical direction. For example, refer to… Figure 5 The horizontal plane P1 associated with the first and third conveying devices 22 is lower than the horizontal plane P2 associated with the second and fourth conveying devices 22 starting from the left.

[0097] Each conveying device 22 has a first metering roller 40 with a plurality of sharp elements 42 on its cylindrical surface. Figure 7 The plurality of sharp elements are distributed at fixed intervals at an angle, for example, approximately one every 12°, and arranged in multiple rows parallel to the axis of rotation T. The outer diameter of the sharp element 42 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding first base 37.

[0098] Each conveying device 22 has a second metering roller 41 with a diameter smaller than that of the first metering roller 40, and has a plurality of teeth 43 on its cylindrical surface. The plurality of teeth are distributed at fixed intervals at an angle, for example, one every 60°, and are arranged in multiple rows parallel to the axis of rotation U and are axially offset relative to the sharp element 42. The outer diameter of the teeth 43 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding second base 38.

[0099] Furthermore, in each conveying device 22, the center distance between the rotation axes T and U, the diameters of the metering rollers 40 and 41, and the outer diameters of the sharp elements 42 and 43 are selected such that the latter intersect each other along the vertical axis V without contact.

[0100] The first metering roller 40 is configured to rotate at a first relatively low angular velocity ω1 (on the order of approximately 25 revolutions per minute) and has the function of conveying the non-continuous material M from the hole 29 by means of a sharp element 42 and guiding it toward the second metering roller 41, which is configured to rotate in the opposite direction (i.e., counterclockwise) at a second relatively high angular velocity ω2 (on the order of approximately 750 revolutions per minute).

[0101] Furthermore, in each transport cavity 33, the sector 45 of the first base 37 adjacent to the second base 38 defines a calibration channel for the discontinuous material M, so that the amount of the latter supplied by the first metering roller 40 toward the second metering roller 41 can be easily controlled, and the discontinuous material M can then be accurately metered according to the rotation amplitude of the first metering roller 40.

[0102] The second metering roller 41, rotating at a second relative high angular velocity ω2, has the function of completely removing the non-continuous material M that is in contact with the first metering roller 40 and pushing it downward into the outlet hole 36 substantially along the direction of the vertical axis V.

[0103] The four first metering rollers 40 pass through the four corresponding second actuators 46. Figure 8 The four second metering rollers 41 are selectively rotated via four corresponding third actuators 47, and are connected to them via four corresponding shafts 48. For simplicity, Figure 8 Two second actuators 46 and two third actuators 47 are shown only schematically.

[0104] Alternatively, a single actuator or a different number of actuators can control two or more metering rollers 40 and / or 41.

[0105] Each of the four transport chambers 33 contains a stirring component 49. Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, it includes vertical bars (which may be curved) or is composed of vertical bars, configured to facilitate the descent of discontinuous material M toward the corresponding first metering roller 40.

[0106] For example, four stirring components 49 ( Figure 5 A fourth actuator 51 is connected to the horizontal rod 50, which is arranged above the plate 32, and moves it so that the four stirring members 49 can vibrate and / or move within the corresponding four transport chambers 33.

[0107] Each conveying device 22 also includes a handling component 52. Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 9It has a roughly funnel shape, is arranged below and close to the outlet orifice 36, and is coaxial with the corresponding vertical axis V.

[0108] Each conveying member 52 is configured to receive discontinuous material M from the outlet orifice 36 and convey it into the container 100. Specifically, each conveying member 52 has a cylindrical lower portion 53 with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the second end 103 of the container 100. Figure 3 and Figure 7 The outer diameter of ). By way of a non-limiting example, the surface measured on the horizontal section corresponding to the lower part 53 includes approximately 75 and approximately 115 mm. 2 Between, and in any case less than approximately 150mm 2 The lower part 53 has an end that is obliquely truncated in the direction opposite to the processing direction X, thereby producing a tip 54. Figure 5 In fact, during operation of the device 10, each lower portion 53 is selectively partially introduced into the second end 103 of the container 100, as will be described in detail below, and this configuration of the lower portion 53 facilitates its introduction into the container 100.

[0109] Four conveying components 52 are connected to one or more fifth actuators 55. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The one or more fifth actuators are able to vibrate, thereby facilitating the downward flow of the discontinuous material M and thus towards the corresponding container 100.

[0110] The sixth actuator 56 is connected to the first slider 57 that slides on the vertical guide rail 20. Figure 8 The selective vertical movement of the control mechanism 19 relative to the vertical guide rail 20 allows the lower part 53 of the four transport components 52 to move selectively in its idle position PR1. Figure 8 ) and descent operation position PO1 ( Figure 9 The displacement occurs between the two positions PR1 and PO1. In the idle position PR1, the same lower part 53 rises a few millimeters relative to the container 100 below. In the lowering operation position PO1, the lower part 53 inserts into the second end 103 of the container 100, and vice versa. Therefore, the first slider 57 is part of the movable structure 19. The stroke range C of the first slider 57, which is equal to the distance between the two positions PR1 and PO1, depends on the length L of the container 100.

[0111] Weighing unit 23 ( Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 It is arranged below the transport component 207 and partially housed in the lower cavity 211 of the fixed guide rail 209.

[0112] The weighing unit 23 includes a support plate 59 attached to the fixed structure 11, and four weighing components 60 are mounted on the support plate. The four weighing components are coaxial with four vertical axes V and each of them includes, for example, a weighing sensor of a known type or is composed of a weighing sensor of a known type.

[0113] Each weighing component 60 ( Figure 6 The weighing member 60 includes an inclined wall 61, which is configured to follow the second end 102 of the same container 100 above the inclined wall 61 as the container 100 moves along the processing direction X via the transport member 207. The container 100 stops at approximately the center position relative to the weighing member 60, so that it is weighed when it is empty and when it is at least partially filled with discontinuous material M.

[0114] According to another embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, each weighing member 60 is configured to axially displace between an idle position (slightly distanced from the corresponding first end 102 of the container 100) and a raised operating position (raised and in contact with the same end 102) by a corresponding actuator, thereby weighing the same container 100 when it is empty and when it is at least partially filled with discontinuous material M.

[0115] Molding component 13 ( Figure 1 , Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 ) and Supply Station 201 ( Figure 2 The containers are arranged adjacent to each other and have the function of eliminating any wrinkles or creases present in the container 100, especially before processing its filling, such as in reference. Figure 3 In the case of the casing of the smoking article described below, as will be described in detail.

[0116] Molding component 13 ( Figure 10 and Figure 11 The system includes a substantially horizontal support element 62 mounted on a second slider 63 that slides vertically on a vertical guide rail 65 of the fixed structure 11. Identical tapered elements 66 are attached to the support element 62, each tapered element having a shape and size substantially matching the interior of the container 100. Four tapered elements 66 are arranged on corresponding vertical axes R, which are equidistant from each other by a distance D, from which the base 210 of the identical transport member 207 is also equidistant from said distance D.

[0117] The seventh actuator 67 of the known type ( Figure 11It is connected to the second slider 63, thereby controlling its selective lowering from the idle position PR2 (conical element 66 away from the container 100 below) to the lowering operation position PO2 (the same conical element 66 is inserted into the container 100), for example, until it approaches the filter tip 101 of the container, and vice versa.

[0118] More than one control device 69 can be associated upstream and / or downstream of the forming component 13. Figure 11 Only one of them is shown schematically, which is suitable for inspecting the shape of container 100.

[0119] Here, in addition to replacing the four tapered elements 66 with four vertical rods 70, each extrusion assembly 16 and 17 ( Figure 1 , Figure 12 Similar to the forming component 13, the four vertical rods 70 are, for example, cylindrical and have the function of selectively entering into the container 100 containing the non-continuous material M, thereby subjecting it to slight compression.

[0120] Four vertical rods 70 are arranged along their respective vertical axes W. The four vertical axes W are separated from each other by the same distance D, and the base 210 of the same transport component 207 is also separated from the distance D.

[0121] Each extrusion assembly 16 and 17 includes a generally horizontal support element 71 mounted on a third slider 72 that slides vertically on a vertical guide rail 73 of the fixed structure 11 and is controlled by an eighth actuator 75.

[0122] Four vertical rods 70 are mounted on the support 71 and are movable in two directions along the corresponding vertical axis W between the raised idle position PR3 (which is away from the container 100 below) and the lowered operating position PO3 (whose end is partially inserted into the container 100 and slightly compresses the discontinuous material M), and vice versa.

[0123] It is clear that the stroke of each of the four vertical rods 70 depends on the amount of discontinuous material M present in the corresponding container 100.

[0124] Device 10 also includes means for controlling its operation, such as an electronic control unit 76. Figure 13 In particular, programmable types are configured to control one or more, or even all, of the actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, 55, 56, 67, and 75, and to receive signals from each control device 69 and / or from other sensors or control devices associated with different components of the device 10 and not shown in the figures. An electronic control unit 76, or another control component (not shown in the figures) connected to it, such as another control unit of the machine 200, is also capable of controlling the transport device 205.

[0125] Typically, any motion produced by using any of the above actuators can be obtained by an electric motor or any other type of actuation device, such as a pneumatic or hydrodynamic actuation device.

[0126] Furthermore, each movement of the various components of the aforementioned processing unit can be passively transmitted to one or more known types of control devices not shown in the figures, which can send one or more feedback signals to the electronic control unit 76, enabling the latter to control different actuators, thereby optimizing the method of filling different containers 100.

[0127] The operation of the device 10 described herein, corresponding to the method according to the present invention, includes the following steps.

[0128] Starting from the initial state where all the above processing units are in their idle positions, in order to automatically fill the multiple containers 100 with non-continuous material M, the electronic control unit 76 ( Figure 2 Directly or indirectly controlling the transport equipment 205, so that the first transport component 207, which contains four containers 100 located in the respective bases 210, can directly or indirectly control the transport equipment 205, thereby enabling the first transport component 207 (which contains four containers 100 located in the respective bases 210) to be transported. Figure 1 It moves to the first forming station A1, just below the forming assembly 13, with the axis Y of the four bases 210 aligned with the four vertical axes R of the tapered element 66.

[0129] Control device 69 ( Figure 11 The shape of each empty container 100 is checked and a signal is sent to the electronic control unit 76 indicating the presence of any defective container 100, so that the latter is not filled, thus preventing any waste of non-continuous material M.

[0130] The electronic control unit 76 then controls the molding assembly 13 ( Figure 1 , Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 The seventh actuator 67 is controlled to perform the forming step, during which the forming step is carried out. Figure 11 The second slider 63, along with the four tapered elements 66 mounted thereon, is lowered from the idle position PR2 to the operating position PO2. In this way, the first tapered element 66 enters the container 100, thus eliminating any wrinkles or creases, and then returns to its idle position PR2.

[0131] The above forming steps are performed in a cycle time TC of approximately two seconds.

[0132] Once the above forming steps have been completed, the first transport component 207 ( Figure 1The first transport member 207 moves a distance PT toward the first loading assembly 12 (i.e., toward the right of the processing direction X). In the example provided herein, the distance PT is equal to four times the distance D between two adjacent bases 210 of the transport member 207. In this way, the first transport member 207 arrives at the first loading station A2, located directly below the four conveying devices 22 and above the weighing unit 23. Simultaneously, the second transport member 207 is fed into the first forming station A1, where, as described above, the forming assembly 13 will perform the forming steps in the first forming station A1 in the other four corresponding containers 100 located in the bases 210 of the second transport member 207.

[0133] In the first loading station A2, the four axes Y of the four bases 210 of the first transport component 207 are aligned with the four vertical axes V. Figure 5 ).

[0134] During the displacement toward the first loading station A2, the container 100 arranged in the base 210 slides together with its second end 102 on the inclined wall 61. Figure 5 and Figure 6 They rise until they stop at the top of the weighing member 60, at approximately the center position.

[0135] The electronic control unit 76 then controls the first weighing step while controlling the forming step in the first forming station A1, wherein the still empty containers 100 are weighed to detect the weight, i.e., the tare weight of each of them, and is substantially synchronized with the first conveying step.

[0136] According to another embodiment, the electronic control unit 76 activates the corresponding actuator, causing the four weighing members 60 to rise, thereby pressing against the corresponding first end 102 of the container 100, and then fully lifting the container 100 to detect the weight of each of them.

[0137] Simultaneously, the electronic control unit 76 controls the start of the conveying step, particularly the start of the first filling sub-step, wherein the sixth actuator 56 first lowers the movable structure 19 to thus feed the lower part 53 of the conveying member 52 into the second end 103 of the container 100. Figure 9 The operating position PO1 in the middle). Advantageously, the electronic control unit 76 can control the sixth actuator 56 to lower the active structure 19, so that the tip 54 of the lower part 53 ( Figure 5 and Figure 7 Basically, it enters the second end 103 of container 100 from the center of the latter, while the first transport member 207 continues to move toward the first loading station A2. In this way, the relative movement between the descent of the tip 54 and the advance of container 100 allows for possible modification of the second end 103 of container 100 through the lower part, and prevents wrinkles or creases from forming in the container.

[0138] It is important to clarify that while the electronic control unit 76 continues to maintain the weighing start step, the first filling sub-step is executed, so that the weight of each container 100 associated with the corresponding weighing unit 60 is continuously detected.

[0139] Immediately thereafter or simultaneously, the electronic control unit 76 controls the activation of actuators 31, 46, 47, 51 and 55 of the motion element 30 in the hopper 21, the stirring component 49 in the transport chamber 33, the metering rollers 40 and 41, and the transport component 52, thereby performing the first metering filling of the required amount of non-continuous material M into the container 100.

[0140] In some embodiments of the invention, the electronic control unit 76 is capable of selectively activating each first actuator 31 such that a defined amount of discontinuous material M is always present on the corresponding first metering roller 40 within the corresponding transport cavity 33.

[0141] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the electronic control unit 76 is capable of selectively activating the fourth actuator 51 to periodically (even for periods longer than the periodic time TC) drive the stirring member 49.

[0142] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, three filling components 12, 14 and 15 are used to fully fill the container 100, thereby placing approximately one-third of the total amount of the non-contiguous material M, i.e., for example, approximately 0.30-0.33 grams, into each container 100 in this first filling sub-step.

[0143] Specifically, in each conveying device 22, the stirring member 49 optimizes the downward sliding of discontinuous material M into the transport chamber 33. Each first metering roller 40 collects the discontinuous material M present in the transport chamber 33 via a sharp element 42 and transports it to a second metering roller 41, which pushes it toward the outlet orifice 36. Vibration of the lower transport member 52 facilitates the sliding of all discontinuous material M toward the corresponding container 100.

[0144] It should be noted that regardless of the amount of discontinuous material M conveyed by each supply component 27 toward the corresponding transport cavity 33 per unit time, the actual amount of discontinuous material M conveyed in each container 100 is proportional to the rotation amplitude of each first metering roller 40 and is continuously measured by the corresponding weighing component 60.

[0145] In fact, the electronic control unit 76 continues to perform the weighing step during each filling sub-step, and when the required weight of container 100 has been reached, it stops the conveying of discontinuous material M and deactivates the corresponding actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, and 55. Immediately afterwards, the electronic control unit 76 controls the sixth actuator 56 to return the movable structure 19 upward to the idle position PR1. Figure 8 ).

[0146] The electronic control unit 76 controls the end of each filling sub-step of each conveying device 22 based on data provided by the weighing member 60 during the weighing step, and also based on predicted statistics of the amount of discontinuous material M actually transported into the container 100 after the stop commands of the first and second metering rollers 40 and 41. This allows for very accurate metering of the discontinuous material M in each container 100. In fact, depending on the vertical distance between the metering rollers 40 and 41 located at different horizontal planes (P1 and P2) and the container 100, there may be an uneven residual amount of discontinuous material M falling into the container 100 after the metering rollers 40 and 41 have stopped.

[0147] The first loading step and the corresponding weighing step are also carried out as a whole within a cycle time of approximately two seconds (TC).

[0148] Once these steps have been completed, the first transport component 207 ( Figure 1 The first transport member 207 is further displaced by a distance PT toward the first extrusion assembly 16 (i.e., to the right of the processing direction X). In this way, the first transport member 207 arrives at the first extrusion station A3, exactly below the four vertical bars 70. Simultaneously, the third transport member 207 is fed into the first forming station A1, where, as described above, the forming assembly 13 will perform the forming step in the first forming station A1 in four other corresponding containers 100 located in the base 210 of the third transport member 207, while the second transport member 207 is fed into the first filling station A2, where, as described above, the first filling assembly 12 will perform the first filling sub-step and the synchronous weighing step in the first filling station A2 in four other corresponding containers 100 located in the base 210 of the second transport member 207.

[0149] In the first extrusion station A3, the four axes Y of the four bases 210 of the first transport component 207 are aligned with the four vertical axes W of the vertical rod 70 of the first extrusion assembly 16.

[0150] While controlling the forming and weighing steps and the first conveying sub-step in the two stations A1 and A2 as described above, the electronic control unit 76 also controls the first extrusion step in the first extrusion station A3 via the first extrusion assembly 16. Specifically, the electronic control unit 76 controls the eighth actuator 75 ( Figure 1 and Figure 12 This causes the four vertical rods 70 to be lowered from the idle position PR3 to the operating position PO3 and partially inserted into the corresponding container 100, thereby performing a light compression on the non-continuous material M contained therein, making it more uniform rather than overly flattening it.

[0151] Subsequently, the electronic control unit 76 controls the eighth actuator 75 to return the four vertical rods 70 to the idle position PR3. This first pressing step is also carried out within a cycle time of approximately two seconds TC.

[0152] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that a second filling sub-step follows the first extrusion step in relation to the weighing step, and possibly a third filling sub-step with a corresponding weighing step.

[0153] In the example provided herein, in the second filling sub-step, the electronic control unit 76 controls the second filling assembly 14 to insert approximately half the total amount of the discontinuous material M, for example, approximately 0.5 grams, into each container 100. In the third filling sub-step, the electronic control unit 76 controls the third filling assembly 15 to insert discontinuous material into each container 100 relative to its existing material replenishment amount, thereby reaching the total amount of discontinuous material M provided. In the example provided herein, this replenishment amount can be equal to approximately 0.2 grams.

[0154] In an alternative embodiment, device 10 may include only a first loading station and a second loading station, with corresponding loading sub-steps performed at the first and second loading stations, since it does not have a third loading station and a corresponding third loading sub-step. In this case, it is clear that the second amount of discontinuous material delivered by the second loading station is a supplement to the first amount of discontinuous material delivered by the first loading station relative to the required metering amount.

[0155] Furthermore, if there are three filling sub-steps and the same number of weighing steps, then between the second and third steps, a second extrusion assembly 17 is used. Figure 1 Perform the second extrusion step.

[0156] In this case, as described above, all support members 207 are displaced from left to right by a distance PT until the first one, and then all the others, first enter the second filling station A4, corresponding to the second filling assembly 14, where a second weighing step and a second filling sub-step that are substantially the same as the first weighing step and the first filling sub-step described above can be implemented; then enter the second extrusion station A5, corresponding to the second extrusion assembly 17, where a second extrusion step that is substantially the same as the first extrusion step described above can be implemented; finally, enter the third filling station A6, corresponding to the third filling assembly 15, where a third weighing step and a third filling sub-step that are substantially the same as the first weighing step and the first filling sub-step described above can be implemented as possible.

[0157] At the end of all steps, container 100 will have been filled with the required amount of discontinuous material M, and support member 207 can be transferred from device 10 to adjacent packing station 202 of machine 200, for example, by transport device 206. Figure 2 ).

[0158] The properly programmed electronic control unit 76 is able to manage all the different steps of forming, folding, and conveying simultaneously, including the various sub-steps of progressive filling and extrusion, and coordinate with the advance of the transport component 207 along the fixed guide rail 209.

[0159] Therefore, all the above objectives are achieved by the filling equipment 10 and by the filling method described above, including the precise filling of each container 100 with non-continuous material M, and a high hourly productivity of approximately 7,000 containers 100 (corresponding to a similar amount of finished product).

[0160] It is clear that modifications and / or additions can be made to the apparatus 10 and method for automatically filling containers described so far without departing from the scope and range of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0161] For example, in a simplified embodiment of the invention, each filling assembly 12, 14 and 15 may have a number of conveying devices 22 different from four (i.e., even one, or much more than four), as well as similar forming and extrusion assemblies.

[0162] It is also clear that although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, those skilled in the art will certainly be able to implement many other equivalent forms of filling devices and methods for automated filling containers, all of which fall within the scope of the invention. In the following claims, the reference numerals in parentheses are for the sole purpose of aiding reading and should not be considered as limiting factors regarding the scope of protection defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A filling device (10) for filling a container (100) with a required metered amount of a fibrous, non-continuous material (M), comprising: A first filling station (A2) includes a first filling assembly (12) having one or more conveying devices (22) configured to convey a first quantity of discontinuous material (M) into each of the containers (100), wherein the device (10) is characterized in that it further includes at least one second filling station (A4) arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) along the processing line and including a second filling assembly (14) having another one or more conveying devices (22) configured to... The second amount of the discontinuous material (M) is conveyed to each of the containers (100) in which the first amount of the discontinuous material (M) has already been conveyed at the first filling station (A1), and the device is characterized in that it further includes a squeezing device (16, 17) arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) and configured to selectively insert into the container (100) after the first amount of the discontinuous material (M) has been conveyed, thereby squeezing the container before conveying the second amount of the discontinuous material (M) to the second filling station (A4).

2. The filling device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a third loading station (A6) arranged downstream of the second loading station (A4) along the processing line and including a third loading assembly (15) having one or more additional conveying devices (22) configured to convey a quantity of discontinuous material (M) supplemented relative to the sum of the first and second quantities in order to obtain the required quantity of discontinuous material (M).

3. The filling device (10) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The extrusion apparatus (16, 17) includes a first extrusion member (16) and a second extrusion member (17) respectively arranged in a first extrusion station (A3) and a second extrusion station (A5), wherein the first extrusion station (A3) is arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A3) to extrude the first amount of discontinuous material (M), and the second extrusion station (A5) is arranged downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6) to extrude the second amount of discontinuous material (M).

4. The filling device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the conveying devices (22) includes a weighing device (23) for weighing the discontinuous material (M), and the filling equipment is characterized in that it also includes a control device (76) configured to control the conveying device (22) based on the weighing performed by the weighing device (23), thereby conveying the required amount of discontinuous material (M) step by step as the container moves along the processing line.

5. The filling device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a forming device (13, 66) arranged upstream of the first filling station (A2) and configured to selectively insert into the empty container (100) to eliminate any wrinkles or creases present therein.

6. The filling device (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the conveying devices (22) includes a first rotating member (40) and a second rotating member (41), the first rotating member and the second rotating member defining means for metering the discontinuous material (M) and configured to cooperate with each other to convey a determined amount of the discontinuous material (M) equal to a portion of the desired metering amount into each of the containers (100), and the filling device is characterized in that the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41) are configured to rotate at corresponding angular velocities (ω1, ω2) different from each other and in opposite directions of rotation, such that they together transport the discontinuous material (M) toward the container (100).

7. The filling device (10) as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the conveying devices (22) includes a conveying member (52) having a generally funnel shape, with a wider portion of the funnel located at the top and arranged below the first and second rotating members (40, 41), and a narrower portion (53) located at the bottom, configured and sized for selective insertion into one of the containers (100), and the filling device is characterized in that the conveying member (52) is configured to vibrate during the conveying of the discontinuous material (M) in order to prevent the discontinuous material (M) already conveyed by the first and second rotating members (40, 41) from being accidentally left inside the conveying member (52).

8. A filling method for automatically filling a container (100) with a required metered amount of fibrous noncontinuous material (M), comprising a conveying step, wherein one or more conveying devices (22) convey a determined amount of the noncontinuous material (M) equal to a portion of the required metered amount into each of the containers (100), wherein the conveying step comprises a first filling sub-step for filling the container (100) with a first amount of the noncontinuous material (M), the first filling sub-step being carried out in a first filling station (A2) comprising a first filling assembly (12) including at least one of the conveying devices (22), the method being characterized in that it at least includes filling the container (100) with a second amount of the noncontinuous material (M). The method is characterized by a second filling sub-step of the discontinuous material (M), which is carried out in a second filling station (A4) located downstream of the first filling station (A2) along the processing line and including a second filling assembly (14) having one or more additional conveying devices (22) configured to convey a second quantity of the discontinuous material (M) into each of the containers (100) in which the first quantity of the discontinuous material (M) has already been conveyed in the first filling sub-step. The method further includes an extrusion step, which is carried out after the first filling sub-step by extrusion devices (16, 17) located downstream of the first filling station (A2). The extrusion device (16, 17) is selectively inserted into the container (100) which is already partially filled with the discontinuous material (M), thereby extruding the discontinuous material (M).

9. The filling method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The conveying step further includes a third filling sub-step implemented in a third filling station (A6), which is arranged downstream of the second filling station (A4) along the processing line and includes a third filling assembly (15) having one or more additional conveying devices (22) configured to convey a quantity of discontinuous material (M) supplemented relative to the sum of the first and second quantities in order to obtain the required quantity of discontinuous material (M).

10. The filling method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first filling sub-step is configured to deliver a first amount comprising between 25% and 35% of the required quantity of discontinuous material (M); the second filling sub-step is configured to deliver a second amount comprising between 45% and 55% of the required quantity of discontinuous material (M); and the third filling sub-step is configured to deliver an amount comprising between 15% and 25% of the required quantity of discontinuous material (M).

11. The filling method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, In the first filling sub-step, a first quantity of 30% of the required amount of discontinuous material (M) is set to be delivered.

12. The filling method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, In the second filling sub-step, a second quantity of 50% of the required amount of discontinuous material (M) is provided.

13. The filling method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, In the third filling sub-step, the amount of discontinuous material (M) to be delivered is set to 20% of the required metered amount.

14. The filling method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The extrusion steps include a first extrusion step and a second extrusion step. The first extrusion step is performed by a first extrusion member (16) in a first extrusion station (A3) to extrude the first amount of discontinuous material (M). The first extrusion station is located downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A4). The second extrusion step is performed by a second extrusion member (17) in a second extrusion station (A5) to extrude the second amount of discontinuous material (M). The second extrusion station is located downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6).

15. The filling method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a forming step prior to the conveying step, which is carried out by a forming device (13, 66) arranged upstream of the first filling station (A2), wherein the forming device (13, 66) is configured to selectively insert into the empty container (100) to eliminate any wrinkles or creases present in the container (100).

16. The filling method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It includes conveying the amount of discontinuous material by rotating a first rotating member (40) and a second rotating member (41), the first rotating member and the second rotating member being included in each of the conveying devices (22) and cooperating with each other, and the filling method is characterized in that it further includes rotating a transport member (52) included in each of the conveying devices (22), the transport member having a generally funnel shape, the wider portion of the funnel being located at the top and arranged below the first and second rotating members (40, 41), while the narrower portion (53) is located at the bottom, configured and sized for selective insertion into one of the containers (100).

17. The filling method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It includes a weighing step, in which the discontinuous material (M) is weighed by a weighing device (23) included in each of the conveying devices (22), and the filling method is characterized in that it further includes a step of controlling the conveying step by a control device (76) configured to control the conveying device (22) according to the weighing performed by the weighing device (23), thereby progressively conveying the required amount of discontinuous material (M) as the container (100) moves along the processing line.

18. The filling method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It includes the step of transporting the container (100) by means of a transport device comprising a transport member (207) configured to slide on a fixed guide rail (209), wherein the transport step is configured to transport the container (100) along the processing line parallel to the processing direction (X), thereby passing sequentially at least in the first filling station (A2) and in the second filling station (A4), and stopping at each of them for an amount of time equal to the cycle time (TC) to allow for partial and progressive filling of the container (100).

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