Apparatus and method for supplying capsules
By adjusting the capsule orientation using sensors and orientation devices, the problems of inaccurate capsule supply and bulky equipment in existing technologies are solved, achieving efficient and reliable capsule supply and defect detection, thereby improving the production efficiency and product quality of the filling machine.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- IMA IND MASCH AUTOMATICHE SPA
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing capsule supply equipment suffers from inaccurate capsule orientation, bulky and complex structure, and difficulty in detecting and eliminating defective capsules, resulting in low filling efficiency and product waste.
A sensor device is used to detect capsule orientation. Combined with an orientation device and a blocking device, the capsule orientation is adjusted by rotating 180 degrees. The entire process is controlled by a control unit to ensure that capsules are supplied in the correct orientation and to identify and eliminate defective capsules.
It achieves accurate directional supply of capsules, improves the production efficiency of the filling machine, reduces waste of defective capsules, and the equipment is compact and easy and reliable to operate.
Smart Images
Figure CN118043018B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an automated machine for filling capsules or opercula or similar elements with pharmaceutical and food products, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for feeding capsules to an automated filling machine. Background Technology
[0002] Various types of filling machines are known to be arranged to fill capsules with pharmaceutical or food products in liquid form, powder, granules, tablets, microtablets, pills, etc., especially cap-body capsules made of hard gelatin.
[0003] Known filling machines typically include a transfer device that moves the capsules through different operating stations.
[0004] A known transfer device in a filling machine includes a transfer tower or wheel that rotates about a vertical axis and is equipped with a container suitable for receiving capsules, and multiple operating stations arranged around the transfer tower to perform operations on the capsules. The transfer tower moves the capsules through the operating stations by rotating, and the operating stations typically include a feeding station, one or more dispensing stations, a capsule sealing station, and a disposal station for non-compliant capsules.
[0005] The supply station is equipped with a supply device that picks up empty capsules from a hopper or bin, and after correctly orienting them, typically with the cap positioned above the body relative to the vertical supply direction, inserts the capsules into the container of the transfer tower. A suitable device opens the capsules by separating the cap from the body.
[0006] One or more ingredient stations dispense their respective product ingredients into the capsule body.
[0007] In the closed station, the caps are recoupled to their respective bodies to close and reassemble the caps of the dispensed materials delivered from the filling machine.
[0008] At the waste disposal station, non-compliant capsules are rejected, for example, because they have double caps, or because they contain too much or too little product, which is verified by measuring the weight of the capsules at the previous weighing station before the filling machine.
[0009] The supply station's supply equipment includes one or more supply pipes that are parallel to each other and nearly vertical, drawing capsules from an overlying cassette or hopper in bulk and conveying them to a container in the transfer tower. Each supply pipe allows multiple capsules to be arranged in a single row, aligned on top of each other, and falling by gravity. A blocking device allows a single capsule to exit sequentially from its respective supply pipe and enter a container in the lower part of the transfer tower.
[0010] The number of supply pipelines is equal to the number of containers located in the transfer tower sector of the supply station.
[0011] The orientation device is associated with each supply pipe to orient the capsules so that they are typically inserted into the corresponding receptacle with the cap on top and the body on the bottom.
[0012] The known orientation device includes a horizontal and a vertical actuator element for each supply pipe, which acts on a capsule that remains blocked inside where the pipe cross-section narrows. More precisely, the width of the pipe is slightly smaller than the width of the capsule cap, thus keeping the capsule cap blocked in the absence of external force. However, due to the slight disturbance thus generated and the elasticity of the material used to manufacture the capsule (hard gelatin), the capsule can be easily rotated and then moved inside the pipe in the lower chamber of the transfer tower by the horizontal actuator element acting in a direction almost orthogonal to the pipe and the vertical actuator element acting inside the pipe. The shape of the abutting portions of the horizontal and vertical actuator elements allows each capsule to rotate, thereby inserting it into the chamber of the transfer tower with the cap on top and the body on the bottom.
[0013] For example, US2011 / 0146843 and WO2013 / 168086 describe capsule supply equipment for filling machines equipped with such orientation devices.
[0014] Document DE 102004004357 discloses a machine for filling hard gelatin capsules with a pharmaceutical powder product. The machine includes a hopper adapted to hold multiple empty capsules, a supply pipe for sequentially conveying capsules from the hopper to a lower capsule holder element, and a capsule orientation device for correctly orienting the capsules. The orientation device includes a rotating drum with a radially through-recess, adapted to sequentially receive one capsule from the supply pipe. Specifically, the supply pipe includes a first inclined descent channel that allows a capsule to descend sequentially by gravity, and this first inclined descent channel leads to a second horizontal channel in which the capsule is stopped, and then pushed by a horizontal pusher within the radial recess of the rotating drum. Based on the initial orientation of the capsule detected by a sensor, the rotating drum is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. o Thus, with proper rotation, the drum releases each capsule with the desired orientation into a lower vertical conduit that guides the capsule holder element. Summary of the Invention
[0015] The object of the present invention is to improve a known supply device that is arranged to supply a filling machine with a capsule or similar element.
[0016] Another objective is to provide a compact and lightweight supply device that is simple and reliable in structure and operation.
[0017] A further objective is to manufacture a feeding device that allows for the detection of any defective capsules coming from the hopper.
[0018] In a first aspect of the invention, a supply device associated with the filling machine is provided.
[0019] In a second aspect of the invention, a method for supplying capsules is provided. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, wherein:
[0021] - Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the supply device of the present invention in the first operating step;
[0022] - Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line II-II;
[0023] - Figure 3 It is similar to Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows the supply equipment in the second operating step;
[0024] - Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of line IV-IV;
[0025] - Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows the supply equipment in the third operating step;
[0026] - Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of line IV-IV;
[0027] - Figure 7 It is similar to Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows the supply equipment in the fourth operating step;
[0028] - Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of line VIII-VIII;
[0029] - Figure 9 It is similar to Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows the supply equipment in the fifth operating step;
[0030] - Figure 10 It is along Figure 9A cross-sectional view of line XX;
[0031] - Figure 11 It is similar to Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows the supply equipment in the sixth operating step;
[0032] - Figure 12 It is along Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of line XII-XII;
[0033] - Figure 13 This is a front view of two capsules supplied by the supply device of the present invention, the two capsules being arranged in a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the direction of movement, respectively. Detailed Implementation
[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 12 The diagram schematically illustrates a supply device 1 according to the invention, which is connected to a filling machine 200 to supply its transfer device 201 with capsules 100, formed of a cap 101 and a body 102, particularly made of hard gelatin.
[0035] The transfer device 201 includes, for example, a transfer wheel or tower of a known type, which is provided with a container 202 adapted to receive the capsule 100 from the supply device 1.
[0036] The supply device 1 includes a container or hopper 20 adapted to hold a plurality of capsules 100, and at least one supply pipe 2 for removing the capsules 100 from the hopper 20 and conveying them toward the transfer device 201, the capsules 100 being aligned one after another in contact along the supply direction X to form a single row. More precisely, the supply direction X is almost vertical, and the capsules 100 are arranged in the supply pipe 2 with their respective longitudinal axes W (the axis of symmetry of the capsule along the longer dimension) parallel to the supply direction X and able to slide freely from the hopper 20, in particular, fall onto the transfer device 201, along the supply pipe 2 by gravity.
[0037] The supply device 1 further includes a sensor device 3 associated with the supply conduit 2 and configured to detect the orientation A and B of the capsules 100 within the supply conduit 2. More specifically, the sensor device 3 is configured to detect the relative position between the cap 101 and the body 102 of each capsule 100 as it passes through the supply conduit 2, in order to detect whether each capsule 100 has a predetermined first orientation A, considered correct, relative to the supply direction X, between the cap 101 and the body 102, or a second orientation B, which is opposite to the first orientation and considered incorrect.
[0038] The capsule 100 inside the hopper 20 is actually inserted into the supply pipe 2 in a random orientation, either with the body 102 facing the transfer device 201, i.e. downward in the first orientation A, or with the cover 101 facing the transfer device 201, i.e. downward in the second orientation B.
[0039] Typically, the desired orientation of the capsule 100 in a filling machine is a first orientation A with the body 102 facing downwards, to allow the cap 101 to be more easily disengaged (and subsequently coupled).
[0040] For this purpose, the supply device 1 also includes an orientation device positioned downstream of the sensor device 3 and associated with the supply conduit 2 relative to the supply direction X, and configured to sequentially receive and accommodate a capsule 100 located inside the supply conduit 2, and then rotate each capsule 100, which has been detected by the sensor device 3 as having moved according to an erroneous second orientation B, by 180 degrees about a rotation axis Y substantially orthogonal to the supply direction X. o And the capsules 100, which have been detected by sensor device 3 as moving according to the correct first orientation A, pass through without rotation. In this way, when all the capsules 100 reach the lower transfer device 201, they have been oriented according to the first correct orientation A.
[0041] The supply conduit 2 includes a first section 2a located directly upstream of the orientation device and a second section 2b located between the orientation device and the transfer device 201. The first section 2a and the second section 2a are arranged vertically, particularly vertically along the supply direction X.
[0042] The orientation device includes an orientation element, which is substantially cylindrical, laterally mounted into the supply conduit 2 and rotatable about a rotation axis Y. The orientation element 4 is provided with a transverse through-seat 6, particularly almost orthogonal to the rotation axis Y, which is vertically aligned when a capsule 100 is received from the first section 2a of the supply conduit 2, particularly when the orientation element 4 is rotated to the through position P. The through-seat 6 is sized to accommodate a single capsule 100.
[0043] The supply device further includes a blocking device 7, which is positioned downstream of and adjacent to the directional device relative to the supply direction X, more precisely, relative to the direction of movement of the capsule 100 along the supply conduit 2, and can be inserted into the second section 2b of the supply conduit 2 to block the passage of the capsule 100, in particular to hold the capsule 100 inside the through cavity 6 of the directional element 4 arranged at the through position P.
[0044] The blocking device includes a blocking element 7 having a flat end portion 7a adapted to be inserted into a transverse groove 11 formed in a second section 2b of the supply conduit 2, adjacent to and below the directional device. Specifically, the transverse groove 11 is orthogonal to the supply direction X.
[0045] The blocking element 7 is in the blocking position C1 by a known type of actuator device not shown in the figures. Figure 1 ) and open position C2 ( Figure 9 The elements move linearly between the supply pipe 2 and the open position. In the blocked position, the blocking element is partially inserted into the transverse groove 11 through the end portion 7a. In the open position, the blocking element is dislodged from the supply pipe 2 and allows the capsule 100 to pass through.
[0046] The supply device further includes a stop device 8, which is positioned upstream and adjacent to the orientation device relative to the supply direction X, more precisely, relative to the direction of movement of the capsule 100 along the supply pipe 2, and can be inserted into the first section 2a of the supply pipe 2 to abut and stop the capsule 100, preventing it from being inserted into the orientation device, in particular into the through cavity 6 of the orientation element 4.
[0047] The stopping device includes stopping elements 8, each having a respective end portion 8a adapted for insertion into a lateral opening 12 formed in a first section 2a of the supply conduit 2 above and adjacent to the directional device. The stopping elements 8 are in abutment position R1 by respective actuator devices of a known type not shown in the figures. Figure 5 ) and disengagement position R2 ( Figure 1 The capsule 100 moves linearly between the two openings. In the abutting position, the stop element 8 is partially inserted into the lateral opening 12 so as to abut and stop the capsule 100 with its respective end portion 8a. In the disengaged position, the stop element 8 is disengaged from the supply pipe 2 and allows the capsule 100 to pass through.
[0048] The sensor device 3 is positioned upstream of and adjacent to the orientation element 4, and is specifically used to detect the first orientation A or the second orientation B of the capsule 100 which is blocked in the supply pipe 2 by the stop device 8.
[0049] The sensor device 3 includes, for example, an optical sensor that, in addition to detecting the orientation of the capsule 100, can also detect potential defects in the capsule 100, particularly the capsule 100 which is provided with two caps 101 coupled to the same body 102.
[0050] The supply device 1 includes a control unit 50, which is connected to the sensor device 3 and the drive device 14 of the orientation device, and is configured to control the drive device 14 based on signals transmitted by the sensor device 3 relating to the detected orientation (first orientation A or second orientation B) of the capsule 100. The control unit 50 also controls the actuators of the blocking device 7 and the stopping device 8.
[0051] The control unit can also be the control unit of the filling machine 200.
[0052] Drive unit 14 includes a rotary motor of a known type, such as an electric or pneumatic motor, which is connected to the directional element 4 and arranged to rotate the directional element about the rotation axis Y by 180 degrees. o .
[0053] In a variant of the invention not shown in the accompanying drawings, the supply device 1 includes a plurality of supply pipes 2, which are parallel to each other, and each supply pipe is associated with a sensor device 3 and a directional device. The supply pipes 2 supplied by the same hopper 20 may be aligned in one or more rows.
[0054] The operation of the supply device 1 of the present invention, associated with the filling machine 200 for capsule 100, which is equipped with a transfer device 201 (for transferring capsules through several operating stations of the filling machine 200, not shown), in the first initial step is provided by: arranging the orienting device associated with the supply pipe 2 of capsule 100 in a stop position T so as to block the capsule 100 located upstream of the orienting device and from the hopper 20 in the supply pipe 2; moving the blocking device 7 to a blocking position C1 so as to block the supply pipe 2 downstream of the orienting device; and detecting the first orientation A or the second orientation B of the capsule 100 blocked in the supply pipe 2 (especially the capsule abutting the orienting device) with the sensor device 3.
[0055] In the second step, the directional device is rotated about the rotation axis Y to the passing position P by the drive device 14, so as to allow the capsule 100 adjacent to and abutting the directional device to be inserted into the through cavity 6 of the directional device. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).
[0056] In the third step, the stop device 8 is moved to the abutment position R1 to block the capsule 100 upstream of and adjacent to the orientation device in the supply pipe 100, and the sensor device 3 is activated to detect the first orientation A or the second orientation B of the blocked capsule 100. Figure 5 and Figure 6 ).
[0057] In the fourth step, if the capsule 100 contained in the through cavity 6 has a second orientation B, the orientation device rotates 180 degrees about the rotation axis Y.o The capsule is arranged to have a first orientation A, or if the capsule 100 already has a first orientation A, the orientation device does not rotate but remains fixed in position P. Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).
[0058] In the fifth step, the blocking device 7 moves to the open position C2 to open the supply pipe 2 and allow the capsule 100 arranged in the first configuration A to leave the directional device and fall toward the transfer device 201. Figure 9 and Figure 10 ).
[0059] In the sixth step, the blocking device 7 moves to the blocking position C1 to block the downstream supply pipe 2 of the directional device, and the stop device 8 moves to the disengagement position R2 to release the capsule 100 that can be inserted into the directional device (in particular into the through cavity 6 of the directional element 4).
[0060] Then repeat steps three, four, five, and six for each capsule 100 from hopper 20.
[0061] Because of the supply device 1 of the present invention, capsules 100 with the correct orientation (specifically, a first orientation A toward the transfer device 201 of the filling machine 100) can be supplied to the filling machine 200, in which the capsule body 102 faces downwards. The sensor device 3 allows, in fact, the orientation of each capsule 100 inside the supply pipe 2 to be detected in such a way that it allows the orientation device to be activated to rotate, and all capsules 200 from the hopper 20 with incorrect orientation (second orientation B) are flipped one by one, i.e., rotated 180 degrees. o .
[0062] Since the orientation and rotation orientation of the detection capsule 100 occur within a very short time, the supply device 1 of the present invention also allows for the supply of filling machines with high productivity.
[0063] The supply device 1 of the present invention is also particularly compact and lightweight, and its structure and operation are simple and reliable. The orientation device essentially comprises a single cylindrical orientation element assembled into the supply conduit 2 between its first section 2a and second section 2b, and is provided with a transverse through-seat 6 adapted to sequentially receive and accommodate one capsule. The orientation element 4 is directly actuated by the drive device 14 when necessary, particularly by rotating it 180 degrees. o The drive unit includes rotary motors of known types, such as electric or pneumatic motors, which are small in size and have limited cost.
[0064] The sensor device 3 also allows the identification of potentially defective capsules from the hopper 20, such as capsules 100 with two caps 101 coupled to the same body 102. In this way, these defective capsules can be discarded in the filling machine before filling the product or excluded during filling, avoiding waste of the dispensed product.
[0065] A method according to the present invention for supplying a capsule 100 formed of a cap 101 and a body 102 to a transfer device 201 of a filling machine 200 includes the following steps:
[0066] - A hopper 20 is arranged to accommodate multiple capsules 100;
[0067] - At least one supply pipe 2 is arranged, the supply pipe being configured to convey the capsule 100 from the hopper 20 toward the transfer device 201 of the filling machine 200 in a single row aligned along the supply direction X.
[0068] - By means of sensor device 3, the relative position between the cap 101 and the body 102 of each capsule 100 as it passes through the supply pipe 2 is detected, so as to detect whether each capsule 100 has a predetermined first orientation A between the cap 101 and the body 102 relative to the supply direction X, or has a second orientation B that is opposite to the first orientation A and is considered incorrect.
[0069] - An orientation device associated with the supply conduit 2 and including a through-container 6 sized to allow the capsule 100 to pass through;
[0070] - The orientation device is arranged to have a vertical through-type housing 6; and
[0071] - By means of an orientation device (especially rotating to position P), each capsule 100, which has been detected by sensor device 3 as having moved according to the incorrect second orientation B, is rotated 180 degrees about a rotation axis Y substantially orthogonal to the supply direction X. o ;or
[0072] - Each capsule 100, which has been detected by sensor device 3 and is moving according to the correct first orientation A, is allowed to advance without rotation through the through-container 6 of the orientation device;
[0073] This ensures that all capsules 100 are oriented according to the correct first orientation A when they reach the transfer device 201, wherein the supply conduit 2 includes a first section 2a located directly upstream of the orientation device and a second section 2b located between the orientation device and the transfer device 201, the first section 2a and the second section 2b being vertically aligned.
[0074] The method further includes:
[0075] - A stop device 8 is arranged in association with the supply conduit 2, the stop device being located upstream and adjacent to the directional device relative to the supply direction X, and is configured to abut and block the advance of the capsule 100;
[0076] - Move the stop device 8 to the abutment position R1 to block the capsule 100 in the supply pipe 2; and
[0077] - The first orientation A or the second orientation B of the capsule 100 is detected by means of the sensor device 3.
[0078] The method also includes:
[0079] - The blocking device 7 is arranged downstream of and adjacent to the directional device relative to the supply direction X, and can be inserted into the second section 2b of the supply pipe 2 so as to block the passage of the capsule 100, in particular so as to keep the single capsule 100 inside the directional device;
[0080] - Move the blocking device 7 to the open position C2 to open the downstream supply pipe 2 of the directional device and allow the capsule 100 to leave the directional device and fall toward the transfer device 201.
[0081] The method further includes:
[0082] - Move the blocking device 7 to the blocking position C1 to block the downstream supply pipe 2 of the directional device; and
[0083] - Move the stop device 8 to the disengagement position R2 to release the capsule 100 and allow the orientation device to receive it.
[0084] The method includes rotating the orientation device by 180 degrees about a nearly orthogonal axis of rotation Y and the supply direction X. o In particular, the supply direction is basically vertical.
[0085] Capsules 100 from hopper 100 can also be arranged in supply pipe 2, particularly in a random orientation, with the longitudinal axis W of each capsule parallel to the supply direction X. Capsules 100 are arranged in a first orientation A, with their respective bodies 102 facing the transfer device 201, and in a second orientation B, with their respective caps 101 facing the transfer device 201.
[0086] The method further includes detecting potential defects in the capsule 100 by means of sensor device 3, particularly in capsules including two caps 101 coupled to the same body 102.
[0087] According to this method, the capsule 100 falls vertically along the first section 2a of the supply pipe 2 to reach the orientation device.
Claims
1. A feeding device (1) for feeding a filling machine (200) of a capsule (100) formed by a cap (101) and a body (102), comprising: - A hopper (20) suitable for holding multiple capsules (100); - At least one supply pipe (2) for conveying the capsule (100) from the hopper (20) toward the transfer device (201) of the filling machine (200) in a single row aligned along the supply direction (X); - Sensor device (3), the sensor device being associated with the supply conduit (2) and configured to detect the relative position between the cap (101) and the body (102) of each capsule (100) as it passes through the supply conduit (2), in order to detect whether each capsule (100) has a predetermined first orientation (A) relative to the supply direction (X) between the cap (101) and the body (102) that is considered correct, or a second orientation (B) opposite to the first orientation (A) that is considered incorrect; and - Orientation device, which is located downstream of the sensor device (3) and associated with the supply pipe (2) relative to the supply direction (X); The characteristic is that the orientation device is configured as follows: - Each capsule (100) that has been moved according to the second orientation (B) of the error detected by the sensor device (3) is rotated 180° about a rotation axis (Y) orthogonal to the supply direction (X). o ,and - Each capsule (100) that has been detected by the sensor device (3) and moved according to the correct first orientation (A) passes through without rotation. The supply conduit (2) includes a first section (2a) located directly upstream of the orientation device and a second section (2b) located between the orientation device and the transfer device (201), such that all the capsules are oriented according to the correct first orientation (A) when they reach the transfer device (201). The first section (2a) and the second section (2b) are arranged to be vertically aligned.
2. The supply device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The orientation device includes an orientation element (4), which is cylindrical, assembled into the supply pipe (2) and rotatable about the rotation axis (Y). The orientation element (4) includes a through-receptacle (6) orthogonal to the rotation axis (Y). When the capsule (100) is received from the first section (2a), the through-receptacle is arranged vertically aligned and its dimensions are designed to accommodate a single capsule (100).
3. The supply device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a blocking device (7) positioned downstream of and adjacent to the direction of supply (X) and capable of being inserted into the second section (2b) of the supply conduit (2) to block the passage of the capsule (100) so as to retain a single capsule (100) within the direction of supply.
4. The supply device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a stop (8) positioned upstream and adjacent to the direction device relative to the supply direction (X), and configured to abut and stop the advance of the capsule (100).
5. The supply device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The sensor device (3) is positioned upstream of the stop device (8) relative to the supply direction (X).
6. The supply device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The stop device (8) is partially inserted into a lateral opening (12) made in the first section (2a) of the supply pipe (2) and is configured to be movable between an abutment position (R1) that blocks the fall of the capsule (100) and an ejection position (R2) that allows the capsule (100) to move.
7. The supply device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one supply pipe (2) is a plurality of supply pipes (2) arranged in parallel with each other, each supply pipe (2) being associated with its own sensor device (3) and its own orientation device.
8. The supply device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sensor device (3) is configured to detect potential defects in the capsule (100).
9. The supply device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a control unit (50) connected to the sensor device (3) and a drive device (14) of the orientation device, the control unit (50) being configured to control the drive device (14) based on signals transmitted by the sensor device (3) relating to the orientation of each capsule (100).
10. The supply device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The sensor device (3) is an optical type sensor device.
11. A method for supplying a capsule (100) formed of a cap (101) and a body (102) to a transfer device (201) of a filling machine (200), comprising: - Arrange a hopper (20) suitable for accommodating multiple capsules (100); - At least one supply pipe (2) is arranged, the supply pipe being configured to convey the capsule (100) from the hopper (20) toward the transfer device (201) of the filling machine (200) in a single row aligned along the supply direction (X); - As each capsule (100) passes through the supply pipe (2), the sensor device (3) detects the relative position between its cap (101) and body (102) to detect whether each capsule (100) has a predetermined first orientation (A) that is considered correct relative to the supply direction (X) between the cap (101) and the body (102), or has a second orientation (B) that is opposite to the first orientation (A) and is considered incorrect. - An orientation device associated with the supply conduit (2) and including a through-container (6) sized to allow the capsule (100) to pass through; Its characteristic is that it further includes: - The orientation device is arranged to have the vertical through-reception (6); and - Using the orientation device, each capsule (100) that has been moved according to the erroneous second orientation (B) detected by the sensor device (3) is rotated 180° about a rotation axis (Y) orthogonal to the supply direction (X). o Or allow each capsule (100) that has been detected by the sensor device (3) to move according to the correct first orientation (A) to advance through the through container (6) without rotation; This ensures that all the capsules (100) are oriented according to the correct first orientation (A) when they reach the transfer device (201), wherein the supply conduit (2) includes a first section (2a) located directly upstream of the orientation device and a second section (2b) located between the orientation device and the transfer device (201), the first section (2a) and the second section (2b) being arranged to be vertically aligned.
12. The method according to claim 11, comprising arranging the capsules (100) from the hopper (20) in the supply conduit (2), wherein the longitudinal axis (W) of each capsule is parallel to the supply direction (X), the capsules are arranged in a first orientation (A) when the bottom of each capsule (100) faces the transfer device (201), and the capsules are arranged in a second orientation (B) when the cap (101) of each capsule faces the transfer device (201).
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising detecting potential defects in the capsule (100) by means of the sensor device (3).
14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The capsule (100) arrives at the orientation device by falling vertically along the first section (2a).