Capsule cutting device and method

Abstract

A cutting device and method for forming an opening prevention device on a closure capsule of a container, wherein the capsule engages an engagement member and rolls on a cutting device, the cutting device performing at least two perpendicular or inclined cuts on the relatively small capsule positioned at a mutual inverse angular distance, from the time a first blade performs the first perpendicular or inclined cut to the time a second blade performs the second perpendicular or inclined cut, the capsule performing an integer number of complete revolutions plus a spin of less than the aforesaid angular distance, the two blades being arranged at a relatively large mutual inverse distance.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This invention relates to a cutting apparatus and method for cutting capsules for use in closed containers such as bottles, and particularly for producing anti-opening devices in plastic capsules.

[0002] Specifically (but not exclusively), the present invention relates to a cutting apparatus and method for producing "tethered" type capsules, that is, capsules that remain attached to a container even after they have been opened.

[0003] Patent publication WO 2021 / 186403 A1 illustrates a cutting method and cutting device according to the preamble of the first claim, the cutting device forming an anti-opening opening device on a pouch and including at least one longitudinal blade for performing at least one circumferential cut and at least two transverse blades for performing at least two vertical or oblique cuts spaced at an angle to each other by a given angle, wherein the angle is intended to be measured with reference to the geometric axis of the pouch.

[0004] The various aspects of prior art are subject to improvement. Specifically, there is a need to improve the cutting precision of the pouch to ensure the formation of a compliant and highly functional anti-opening device. Furthermore, there is a need to form the anti-opening device through a cutting operation that reduces the risk of causing unwanted deformation in the pouch, which could induce inaccuracies in the formation of the anti-opening device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and / or method that can overcome one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a cutting apparatus and / or method that replaces the prior art.

[0007] One advantage is that it provides a simple and inexpensive device for fabricating opening devices on capsules.

[0008] One advantage is that it allows for precise cutting to obtain an opening device that meets the specifications of a plug-type bladder.

[0009] One advantage is that it provides an anti-opening device that perfectly functions as a closure for the container.

[0010] One advantage is reduced deformation of the capsule during the cutting operation, especially for tethered capsules.

[0011] These objectives and advantages, as well as other objectives and advantages, are achieved by cutting devices and / or methods according to one or more of the claims set forth below.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cutting method includes the steps of: advancing a capsule along a forward path and rolling the capsule on a cutting device comprising at least two transverse blades, the at least two transverse blades performing at least two vertical or oblique cuts on the capsule, the at least two vertical or oblique cuts being spaced apart from each other by a set angular distance in the circumferential direction with reference to the geometric axis of the capsule, wherein the two transverse blades are arranged along the forward path with a sufficiently large mutual reciprocal distance such that from the time when the first transverse blade performs (in particular, begins to perform) the first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade performs (in particular, begins to perform) the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule performs a self-rotation equal to one or two full revolutions or, in any case, equal to an integer number of full revolutions plus or minus the aforementioned angular distance of the cut by rolling on the cutting device.

[0013] The cutting method can provide, in particular, a relatively large reciprocal distance for the transverse blade along the forward path of the capsule, that is, greater than the reciprocal circumferential distance of the cuts performed by the blade on the sidewall of the capsule, such that the execution of the first vertical or oblique cut does not interfere with the execution of the second vertical or oblique cut, and vice versa.

[0014] The aforementioned angular distance cut on the sidewall of the capsule is equal to an angle not greater than half a rotation angle, such that during the period from the execution of the first vertical or inclined cut to the execution of the second vertical or inclined cut, the capsule can perform a self-rotation greater than half a rotation angle by rolling on the cutting device.

[0015] The aforementioned angular distance may be, in particular, less than one-third of the rotation angle, such that during the period from the first vertical or inclined cut to the second vertical or inclined cut, the capsule can perform a self-rotation greater than two-thirds of the rotation angle by rolling on the cutting device (in particular, the self-rotation is equal to the full rotation plus or minus the aforementioned angular distance).

[0016] In one embodiment, a cutting device for forming an anti-opening device on a closed sac of a container includes: a cutting device configured to cut the sac using at least two vertical or oblique cuts; and an engaging member configured to rotate the sac on the cutting device to perform the two vertical or oblique cuts, wherein the cutting device is configured such that from the time a first blade performs a first vertical or oblique cut to the time a second blade performs a second vertical or oblique cut, the sac performs a rotation greater than the aforementioned angular distance, for example, equal to one or two complete rotations (or an integer number of complete rotations) of the sac about its own axis plus or minus the aforementioned reciprocal angular distances of rotation cut on the sidewall of the sac.

[0017] The aforementioned reciprocal angular distances of vertical or oblique cuts on the capsule can be particularly relatively small, for example, angular distances not greater than half a rotation angle and / or less than one-third, one-quarter, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, one-eighth, one-ninth, one-tenth, one-twelfth, or one-fifteenth of a rotation angle.

[0018] Two vertical or oblique cuts may be located on the capsule and radially opposite each other, i.e., at a position equal to the reciprocal distance of half a revolution. In this case, the rotation performed by the capsule during the period from the execution of the first vertical or oblique cut to the execution of the second vertical or oblique cut may be the same as an integer number of full revolutions plus half revolutions.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cutting device may particularly include: an engaging member configured to engage the capsule; and a cutting device configured to cut the capsule while it rolls on the cutting device and engage with the engaging member to control the rolling of the capsule, wherein the cutting device includes a first transverse blade and a second transverse blade arranged at mutually opposing distances so that the engaging member can control the rolling of the capsule on the cutting device, such that from the time the first transverse blade performs a first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade performs a second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule performs a rotation angle greater than half a rotation angle and / or equal to one or two complete self-rotations plus or minus the mutually opposing angular distance that the aforementioned vertical or oblique cuts must have on the capsule.

[0020] The engaging member may include, in particular, at least one guiding device comprising at least one (fixed) mating element configured to engage the capsule (e.g., by friction of friction surfaces and / or by engaging knurled or notched surfaces) and disposed at the cutting device along the advancing path of the capsule.

[0021] The engaging member may particularly include at least one rotating engaging element, which is configured to engage the capsule and can move together with the capsule in the feeding direction along the forward path.

[0022] Due to the method and / or apparatus described above, it is possible to make two vertical or oblique cuts on the capsule by means of two transverse blades that must be positioned at a relatively small circumferential distance (however less than or at most equal to the circumferential distance of half the perimeter of the sidewall of the capsule to be cut), the two transverse blades being positioned along the path of the capsule at mutually opposing distances, the mutually opposing distances being relatively large (e.g., equal to an integer multiple of the perimeter of the sidewall of the capsule to be cut plus or minus the path distance of the circumferential distance cut on the sidewall, especially greater than the path distance of at least half the perimeter of the sidewall of the capsule).

[0023] It has been found that, due to the high cutting precision of the proposed solution, the anti-opening device meets the specifications, especially for the manufactured tethered bladder.

[0024] Furthermore, it has been established that configuring two transverse blades with a relatively large reciprocal path distance can reduce the mutual interference between various blades operating on the capsule and also reduce unwanted deformation on the capsule during the cutting operation, especially for tethered capsules. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention can be better understood and practiced by referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some embodiments as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A vertically elevated side view of one embodiment of the cutting device manufactured according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 The section is executed by a vertical cross-section plane of a part of the cutting device;

[0028] Figure 3 For use Figure 1 A perspective view of the cutting device in the cutting apparatus;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the cut device, showing the device's layered structure;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Top plan view of the cutting device;

[0031] Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 Show each Figure 4 The three components of the layered structure: the middle, the upper, and the lower;

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 3 Bottom plan view of the cutting device. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Referring to the diagram mentioned above, a general-indicating cutting device 1 has been utilized. The cutting device 1 can be used, for example, to cut pouches made of plastic. The cutting device 1 can be used, for example, to cut pouches for closed containers. The cutting device 1 can be used, for example, to form a weakening line or, preferably a break line, in the opening of a pouch for a closed container.

[0034] The opening device may particularly include an anti-opening opening device, which is suitable for ensuring the inviolability of the container and providing protection against the first opening of the container. The cutting device 1 may be particularly used to produce an opening device for a plug-type bladder, that is, a bladder that remains attached to the container even after it has been opened.

[0035] The cutting device 1 may include a forward path along which the capsule is fed in a feeding direction. Specifically, as in this embodiment, the forward path may be on a feeding plane, such as a horizontal feeding plane.

[0036] The cutting device 1 may particularly include a feeding member configured to feed the capsule along a forward path. The feeding member may particularly include a rotary rack 2 that rotates about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotary rack 2 may particularly carry multiple conveying units, each configured to convey the capsule.

[0037] Each conveying unit may include, in particular, a main shaft 3, which rotates under the control of a motor drive (in particular, about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary feeder) and is configured to engage the capsule 4 to cause the capsule to rotate so as to perform at least one cut of at least one weakening line by a cutting device, thereby forming an anti-opening opening device, particularly on the sidewall of the capsule. The main shaft 3 may be particularly disposed on a rotating main shaft support rotary feeder and may be distributed on the rotary feeder, spaced at an angle to each other.

[0038] The forward path of the capsule 4 can be defined by at least a portion of the circular trajectory executed by the rotating feeder 2 and the spindle 3, which engages the capsule. Each spindle 3 can be specifically positioned on the lower support base 5 of the capsule.

[0039] Each capsule 4 may include, in particular, a closing wall for closing the opening of the container and a side wall for coupling with the neck of the container. Each base 5 may be specifically configured to engage the closing wall of the capsule 4.

[0040] Each spindle 3 may be specifically constructed to engage the interior of the capsule 4, particularly in the hollow space defined by the side walls or edges of the capsule. The base 5 may be particularly rotatable about a rotation axis coaxial with the rotation axis of the spindle 3.

[0041] The feed member may include, in particular, known types of feed members not described in more detail herein.

[0042] The cutting device 1 may particularly include an engaging member configured to engage the bladder to roll the bladder on the cutting device 6, which will be further explained herein. The engaging member may particularly include at least one engaging element configured to engage the bladder and susceptible to rotation about a rotational axis and may particularly be configured to drag the rotating bladder. As in the specific embodiments disclosed herein, this engaging element may include a spindle 3. In other embodiments, this engaging element may particularly include a lower base 5.

[0043] The engaging member may particularly include a fixed guide device, which causes the bladder to roll by means of frictional coupling and / or by the engagement between the knurling of the guide device and the knurling on the bladder, the bladder advancing along its forward path.

[0044] The cutting device according to the invention may include an engaging member configured to cause a rolling element on the cutting device by engaging a rotating engaging component and / or by engaging a fixed guide device.

[0045] The meshing components (in this example, the main shaft 3) can, in particular, be rotated about their rotational axes by means of a motor component (e.g., by means of a motor component that rotates the rotary rack 2 by means of mechanical transmission connecting the rotational shaft of the rotary rack to the rotational shaft of the various meshing components) and can be constructed to engage the interior of the concave portion of each individual capsule 4. The rotational shafts of the various meshing components can be parallel to each other and parallel to the rotary rack axis, which the rotary rack can be driven by a motor to rotate about the rotary rack axis.

[0046] The cutting device 1 may particularly include a cutting element 6, which is configured to form at least one weakening line on the capsule fed along the forward path by a feeding member. The cutting element 6 may particularly be configured to cut the capsule 4 as the capsule rolls on the cutting element 6 and engage with a meshing member (e.g., with the spindle 3 and / or with a fixed guide).

[0047] The cutting device 6 may particularly include one or more longitudinal blades 7 configured to perform one or more annular cuts on the capsule. The cutting device 6 may particularly include at least one first transverse blade 8' configured to perform at least one first vertical or oblique cut on the capsule. The cutting device 6 may particularly include at least one second transverse blade 8'' configured to perform at least one second vertical or oblique cut on the capsule. In the illustrated embodiment, the two transverse blades 8' and 8'' are configured to perform two separate vertical cuts on the capsule. However, it is possible to use transverse blades configured to perform oblique cuts or partially vertical and partially oblique cuts.

[0048] The two transverse blades 8' and 8'' can be specifically configured such that two vertical or oblique cuts performed on the capsule are located at mutually opposing circumferential distances on the sidewalls of the capsule, referring to the axis of the capsule, which correspond to mutually opposing angular distances of angles in the circumferential direction that are no greater than half a rotation angle and / or less than one-third, one-quarter, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, or one-eighth of a rotation angle.

[0049] The first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut performed on the capsule 4 may, in particular, still be relatively close to each other, for example, at an angle to each other in the circumferential direction by an angle of rotation less than one-twentieth, one-fifteenth, one-twelfth, one-tenth, or one-ninth of a rotation angle, referring to the geometric axis of the capsule.

[0050] Nevertheless, two vertical or oblique cuts may be located on the sidewalls of the capsule completely opposite to each other, that is, separated by a half-turn angle.

[0051] The cutting device 1 may include, in particular, a control member (e.g., electronic and programmable) configured to control the feeding member by advancing the capsule along the forward path, and especially a control member configured to control the feeding member that causes the engaging member to rotate about its axis of rotation.

[0052] The control component can be specifically configured to control the feed component by rolling the bladder 4 on the cutting device 6 to create a weakening line.

[0053] The control member can be specifically configured such that the engagement member (configured to control the rolling of the capsule) rotates the capsule by a distance greater than the reciprocal angular distance between the cuts made on the capsule from the time the first transverse blade 8' performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade 8'' performs the second vertical or oblique cut.

[0054] The first transverse blade 8' and the second transverse blade 8'' can be configured along the forward path, especially with a relatively large reciprocal distance, so that when the engaging member (e.g., with the spindle 3 and / or with the fixed guide device) engages, the capsule 4 can roll (especially roll without sliding) on ​​the cutting device 6, considering that the path of the capsule is equal to an integer number of full rotations plus or minus the self-rotation of the reciprocal angular distance that will be obtained on the capsule and / or the self-rotation is greater than the reciprocal angular distance that will be obtained on the capsule.

[0055] It can also provide a method to position the transverse blades 8' and 8'' at a relatively large distance on the path of the capsule by guiding the rolling of the capsule through a fixed guide member.

[0056] In particular, it is possible to provide the time from when the first transverse blade 8' performs the first vertical or oblique cut to when the second transverse blade 8'' performs the second vertical or oblique cut by the capsule performing a self-rotation about its axis greater than at least half a rotation angle, that is, starting from the time when it performs the first vertical or oblique cut, the capsule rolling on the cutting device performs the second vertical or oblique cut after it has performed more than half a complete self-rotation.

[0057] Nevertheless, during the time elapsed between two vertical or oblique cuts, the capsule may perform an integer number of full rotations plus or minus the set distance that may exist between the two vertical or oblique cuts on the capsule.

[0058] The forward path may include at least one circular portion (defined by the rotation of the rotary feeder 2). The first transverse blade 8' and the second transverse blade 8'' may be arranged along the aforementioned circular portion at an angular distance greater than 5 sexagesimal degrees from each other, with reference to the geometric center of the circular portion (in particular, with reference to the rotation axis of the rotary feeder 2).

[0059] The first transverse blade 8' and the second transverse blade 8'' may be arranged, in particular, along the circular portion at a reciprocal angular distance of more than 10 sexagesimal units, or more than 15 sexagesimal units, or more than 20 sexagesimal units, or more than 25 sexagesimal units, or more than 30 sexagesimal units, with reference to the geometric center of the circular portion.

[0060] The cutting device 6 may particularly include at least two longitudinal blades 7 configured to perform at least two circumferential cuts on the capsule. The two longitudinal blades 7 may be respectively arranged on at least two geometric planes that are parallel to each other and spaced apart.

[0061] The two transverse blades 8' and 8'' can be particularly positioned within the space between the two aforementioned geometric planes. The first transverse blade 8' can be positioned particularly before the starting point of either longitudinal blade 7 (referring to the feeding direction of the capsule along the forward path). The second transverse blade 8'' can be particularly positioned (as in this example) after the starting point of the first longitudinal blade 7 (i.e., the longitudinal blade that first contacts the capsule 4) and before the subsequent longitudinal blade 7 (i.e., the longitudinal blade that later leaves the capsule 4).

[0062] Each longitudinal blade 7 may contain a relatively thin metal sheet having two dimensions (width and length) that are significantly larger than the third dimension (thickness).

[0063] Each longitudinal blade 7 may be specifically configured to form a weakening line having a circumferential or at least partially circumferential range, due to the self-rotation of the fed capsule. Each longitudinal blade 7 may be specifically configured to form a weakening line defined by a plurality of fracture-promoting bridges spaced at an angle to each other.

[0064] Each longitudinal blade 7 may include at least one discontinuous shearing edge due to the presence of multiple chambers or grooves. Each longitudinal blade 7 may include at least one shearing edge in the shape of a circumferential arc (e.g., located on a cutting plane parallel to the forward path of the capsule).

[0065] The engaging member and cutting device 4 can be configured such that the capsule can roll as it is fed to the cutting device 4 by the feeding member (especially on the detection member of the cutting device 4), while the blades 7, 8' and 8'' perform individual cuts on the sidewalls of the capsule to form an anti-opening opening device.

[0066] In this example, an apparatus with two transverse blades 8' and 8'' has been disclosed, even if three or more transverse blades can be used.

[0067] In operation, the cutting device can actuate a closed capsule for cutting a container to form an anti-opening device, wherein the capsule 4 rolls on the cutting device 6 and can engage with a meshing member that controls the rolling of the capsule as it moves along a forward path.

[0068] While the capsule 4 rolls on the cutting device 6, the blades 7, 8' and 8'' can respectively perform at least one circumferential cut, at least one first vertical or oblique cut and at least one second vertical or oblique cut on the capsule, wherein the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut can be angularly spaced from each other on the sidewall of the capsule by a determined angle in the circumferential direction, wherein the mutually opposite circumferential distance of the cut will be relatively small and in any case not greater than half the perimeter of the sidewall of the capsule that has been cut.

[0069] From the time the first transverse blade 8' performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade 8'' performs the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule can be induced to perform a rotation about the axis of the capsule greater than half a rotation angle (and / or the same as an integer number of full rotations plus or minus the reciprocal angular distance of the cuts on the capsule).

[0070] In fact, the feeding capsule 4 and the construction cutting device 6 are coordinated together to perform a second vertical or oblique cut after the capsule has been rotated. This rotation is approximately a full rotation (or an integer number of full rotations) with a difference, because the two vertical or oblique cuts cannot overlap each other, but are positioned at a preset distance (usually a relatively small reciprocal distance).

[0071] In this way, it is possible to consider arranging two transverse blades 8' and 8'' with a relatively large reciprocal distance along the path of the capsule 4, so that the cutting performed by the transverse blade does not disturb or interfere with the cutting performed by the other transverse blade, thus eliminating the risk of inaccuracy, deformation and error caused by the reciprocal movement that may affect the cutting operation performed by the two transverse blades 8' and 8''.

[0072] If the rolling of the capsule is guided by a rotating engagement member, the method may involve setting the transverse blades 8' and 8'' at appropriate reciprocal distances and controlling the rotating engagement member (e.g., spindle 3) to perform a relatively high rotation (greater than the reciprocal angular distance of the cuts on the capsule) from the time when the first transverse blade 8' performs a first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade 8'' performs a second vertical or oblique cut.

[0073] If the rolling of the capsule is guided by a fixed engaging member (e.g., by a guide device by friction and / or engagement), the method can be such that the transverse blades 8' and 8'' are set at an appropriate reciprocal distance, such that from the time the first transverse blade 8' performs a first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade 8'' performs a second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule, which is guided by the engaging member and rolls (especially without slippage), performs a relatively high rotation (greater than the reciprocal angular distance of the cuts on the capsule).

Claims

1. A cutting method for cutting a container closure (4) to form an opening device, wherein the closure rolls on a cutting device (6) comprising at least one longitudinal blade (7), at least one first transverse blade (8'), and at least one second transverse blade (8''), wherein while the closure (4) rolls on the cutting device (6), the blades (7, 8', 8'') respectively make at least one circumferential cut, at least one first vertical or oblique cut, and at least one second vertical or oblique cut on the closure, the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut being angularly spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction with reference to a geometric axis of the closure (4), and the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') being spaced apart from each other along the forward path of the closure, characterized in that... The mutual distance between the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') is greater than the mutual distance between the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut in the circumferential direction, and from the time when the first transverse blade (8'') performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade (8'') performs the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) performs a rotation about the geometric axis greater than the angular distance while rolling on the cutting device (6).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein from the time the first transverse blade (8') performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade (8'') performs the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) rotates about the geometric axis, the rotation being equal to one or two full revolutions of itself plus or minus the angular distance.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut are angularly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction at an angle not greater than half a circle, and wherein from the time when the first transverse blade (8') ends the execution of the first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade (8'') begins the execution of the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) performs a rotation of more than half a circle around the geometric axis while rolling on the cutting device (6).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut are angularly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction by less than one-third of a full circle, and from the time when the execution of the first vertical or oblique cut ends from the time when the execution of the second vertical or oblique cut begins from the time when the execution of the second vertical or oblique cut begins from the time when the second oblique cut begins, the capsule (4) rolls on the cutting device (6) while completing a rotation of more than two-thirds of a full circle around the geometric axis.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein from the time when the first transverse blade (8') performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade (8'') performs the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) performs a rotation about the geometric axis greater than one full turn while rolling.

6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule (4) engages with an engagement member as it rolls on the cutting device (6), the engagement member causing the capsule to rotate about the geometric axis as required from the time when the first transverse blade performs the first vertical or oblique cut to the time when the second transverse blade performs the second vertical or oblique cut; the engagement member includes at least one fixed guide device and / or at least one rotating engagement component.

7. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one circumferential cut, the at least one first vertical or oblique cut, and the at least one second vertical or oblique cut are configured to form an opening device for a tethered sac.

8. A cutting apparatus for producing an opening device for a capsule, the cutting apparatus being used to perform the cutting method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the cutting apparatus comprising: Feeding components (2, 3, 5) are constructed to feed at least one capsule (4) along a feeding path. A cutting device (6) is configured along the feed path to cut the capsule while it rolls on the cutting device (6). The cutting device includes at least one longitudinal blade (7) for making at least one circumferential cut on the capsule (4), at least one first transverse blade (8') for making at least one first vertical or oblique cut on the capsule, and at least one second transverse blade (8'') for making at least one second vertical or oblique cut. The first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut are spaced apart by a determined angular distance in a circumferential direction, and the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') are spaced apart by a mutual distance along the forward path of the capsule. Engaging member, which is constructed to engage the capsule (4) and control the rolling of the capsule on the cutting device (6); Its features The mutual distance between the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') is greater than the mutual distance between the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut in the circumferential direction, and the cutting device includes a control member configured to control the engagement member such that from the time when the first vertical or oblique cut is made by the first transverse blade (8') to the time when the second transverse blade (8'') makes the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) performs a rotation about its own geometric axis greater than the determined angular distance, the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') are arranged along the feed path with the mutual distance to allow from the time when the first vertical or oblique cut is made by the first transverse blade (8') to the time when the second transverse blade (8'') makes the second vertical or oblique cut, the capsule (4) rolls on the cutting device (6) without slipping.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control member is configured to control the engagement member such that from the time the first transverse blade (8') makes the first vertical or oblique cut to the time the second transverse blade (8'') makes the second vertical or oblique cut, the bladder (4) performs a rotation about the geometric axis equal to an integer number of complete rotations plus or minus the angular distance between the first vertical or oblique cut and the second vertical or oblique cut while rolling.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the feed path includes at least one circular portion, and wherein, with reference to a geometric center of the circular portion, the first transverse blade (8') and the second transverse blade (8'') are arranged along the at least one circular portion at an angular distance from each other greater than 5 sexagesimal degrees.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cutting device (6) comprises at least two longitudinal blades (7) for performing at least two circumferential cuts on the capsule, the at least two longitudinal blades (7) being disposed on two parallel geometric planes and spaced apart from each other, and the at least one first transverse blade (8') and the at least one second transverse blade (8'') being disposed in a space between the two geometric planes.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the engaging member comprises at least one fixed guide device configured to engage with the bladder rolling on the cutting device (6) by frictional engagement and / or by mating.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the engaging member comprises a spindle (3) which is operable by means of a motor member about a rotation axis and is configured to engage within a concave portion of the capsule (4).

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the feeding member comprises a rotary feeder (2) carrying a plurality of engaging members, each of the plurality of engaging members being configured to engage with a separate capsule and being rotatable about a separate axis of rotation, the axes of rotation of the various engaging members being parallel to each other and parallel to a rotary feeder axis, the rotary feeder (2) being rotatable about the rotary feeder axis.

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