Apparatus for manufacturing a balloon and related method for manufacturing a balloon

Abstract

The invention describes an apparatus for manufacturing a bladder, comprising: a receiving station (ST1) for receiving a bladder body (8) having a bottom (2) and a side wall (3), which in combination define a filling cavity (4) having an opening (5) opposite the bottom (2) and a flange (6) positioned around said opening (5); a forming station (ST2) for manufacturing the sealing ring (10), comprising means (7) for feeding the sheet (12) unwound from the roll (B); a coupling station (ST3) for coupling said sealing rings (10) with a respective bladder body (8), the coupling station being configured to couple each sealing ring (10) to the bladder body (8) at a respective flange (6); a welding station (ST4) configured to weld the ring (10) to a respective bladder body (8); a plurality of groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of receptacles (S) for receiving the bladder body (8) and a plurality of groups of manipulating means (9) for receptacles (S); an etching device (11) configured for etching the sheet (12), creating a pre-cut line along an edge of the sealing ring (10) such that a central portion of the sealing ring (10) is separated from the etched sheet (12); a plurality of separating elements (38) configured to separate the sealing ring (10), which has been etched onto the sheet (12), from the sheet (12) and to bring the sealing ring (10) into contact with the flange (6) at a coupling station (ST3), the etching device (11) operating at an etching station (ST5) remote from and separate from the coupling station (ST3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a bladder and an associated method for manufacturing a bladder. Background Art

[0002] In the food sector, the prior art teaches the manufacture of capsules or containers containing food pre-preparations, which can be used in beverage dispensing machines.

[0003] Generally speaking, these bladders are made from a sheet of aluminum foil or other deformable material that is cut and appropriately deformed to define a space for the product and to form an outer housing.

[0004] According to an alternative technique, the capsule can be produced by means of a material injection process.

[0005] The housing has a bottom wall, side walls and a peripheral flange defining a cavity.

[0006] It should be noted that the product is contained within the cavity and that the capsule has an opening on the opposite side relative to the bottom wall.

[0007] After the product has been inserted through the opening, prior art techniques include using an aluminum sheet or a multi-layer plastic film to close the opening in an airtight manner, thereby sealing the product within the cavity.

[0008] One problem encountered in bladders made from sheets of aluminium or other material is the difficulty in ensuring a seal between the peripheral flange of the bladder and the outer casing of the bladder of the dispensing machine.

[0009] In practice, the flange is approximately a few tenths of a millimeter and therefore has a small thickness and is easily deformed.

[0010] Sealing is important in order to prevent product seepage in the dispensing machine during beverage preparation, in order also to allow the beverage to be produced in perfect quality conditions and to keep the dispensing machine in perfect efficiency and cleanliness conditions.

[0011] In order to improve the sealing of the capsule relative to the housing of the dispensing machine, a sealing element (ring) (for example made of an elastic material) is usually applied to the capsule.

[0012] The sealing element usually has the shape of a ring and is inserted on the side wall of the capsule in contact with the flange. When the capsule is inserted in a dispensing machine, the sealing element flattens against the contact element of the shell of the capsule of the dispensing machine, so that the deformation ensures a certain seal.

[0013] According to prior art machines for making capsules, the sealing element is made of elastic material and may consist of a ring elastically inserted on the side wall of the capsule or fixed thereto in contact with the surface of the flange facing the opposite side relative to the opening of the cavity of the capsule.

[0014] The ring can also be made by applying (according to different techniques) a combination of elastomer, silicone, plastic material in liquid or viscous form on the outer surface of the capsule and subsequently hardening said combination.

[0015] However, the annular sealing element is complex and expensive to manufacture, thus increasing the production costs of the bladder.

[0016] There is therefore an urgent need to provide an apparatus for manufacturing capsules which can advantageously operate at reduced costs using environmentally friendly materials without adversely affecting perfect cleanliness, safety and reliability, while being able to manufacture capsules that guarantee an optimal seal with the dispensing machine once used. Summary of the invention

[0017] The object of the present invention is therefore to meet the need expressed in the introduction, that is to say to provide an apparatus and a method for producing a capsule for beverages which can be operated with perfect cleanliness, safety and reliability.

[0018] Said object is fully achieved by a device and a method for producing a capsule for beverages according to the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example only and do not limit the scope of the invention, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing a bladder equipped with a sealing ring according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of some details of the device of FIG. 1 , which relates to a first zone of the station for feeding the capsules;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of some details of the device of FIG. 1 , which relates to a second zone of the station for feeding the capsules;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Certain details of the equipment (more specifically, the Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of an apparatus for transporting capsules (a conveyor);

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 some details of the device (more specifically, the device used to release the Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a device (a region of a bladder) made of

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 some details of the equipment (more specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of a first area of ​​a station for manufacturing a sealing ring for a capsule of an apparatus of FIG.

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 some details of the equipment (more specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of a second area of ​​a station for manufacturing a sealing ring for a capsule of an apparatus of FIG.

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 some details of the equipment (more specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of a third area of ​​a station for manufacturing a sealing ring for a bladder-like member of an apparatus of FIG.

[0028] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective view according to different cross-sectional planes showing details of a shearing device for manufacturing a sealing ring;

[0029] Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig.11 yes Figure 1 some details of the equipment (more specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 (a region of a sealing station for a sealing ring of a capsule);

[0030] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B Schematic diagram showing the components in different positions Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig.11 a station for sealing a sealing ring for a bladder is shown;

[0031] Fig.13 and Fig.14 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of some details of the equipment;

[0032] Fig.15 and Fig.16 Schematically shows the Figure 1 A device for treating a bladder in which the sealing ring is not coupled to the bladder body and is coupled to the bladder body, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular to Figures 1 to 14 , an apparatus according to the invention, generally designated 100 , is used for manufacturing a capsule.

[0034] The device 100 comprises a receiving station ST1 for receiving a capsule body 8 having a bottom 2 and side walls 3 which in combination define a filling cavity 4 provided with an opening 5 opposite the bottom 2 and a flange 6 positioned around said opening.

[0035] The capsule body 8 is Fig.15 Fully shown in.

[0036] The receiving station ST1 includes a container 31 designed to accommodate the capsule body 8 (the container 31 is filled with the unfastened capsule body 8 ).

[0037] The container 31 releases the capsules to the conveyor 32 which appropriately conveys them to a predetermined release area 43 (at Figure 3 ).

[0038] The device 100 comprises a pick-up device 34 in the release area 43 , the pick-up device 34 comprising a plurality of pick-up units 35 .

[0039] Each pick-up unit 35 is equipped with a suction cup to allow picking up a single capsule body 8 from the conveyor 32 .

[0040] It should be noted that the pick-up device 34 releases the capsule body 8 to a continuous conveyor 14 (at Figure 4 ), the transmitter 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0041] According to another aspect, the apparatus 100 comprises a station ST2 for manufacturing the sealing ring 10, the station ST2 comprising a means for feeding a sheet 12 unwound from a roll B (in Figure 6 Device 7) is clearly visible in the figure.

[0042] Preferably, the sheet 12 is made of paper material.

[0043] According to another aspect, the device 100 comprises a station ST3 for coupling said sealing rings 10 with a respective capsule body 8 (brightly visible in FIG. 10 ), configured for coupling each sealing ring 10 to the capsule body 8 at a respective flange 6 .

[0044] The coupling station ST3 comprises a plurality of separation elements 38 , preferably defined by punches 45 , configured to separate the sealing ring 10 from the sheet 12 and to position the sealing ring 10 on the flange 6 of the capsule body 8 at the coupling station ST3 .

[0045] Fig.16 By way of example, a bladder body 8 is shown with a sealing ring 10 applied thereto.

[0046] The device also comprises a sealing station ST4 designed to seal the ring 10 to the corresponding capsule body 8 (at Fig.11 and Fig. 12A clearly visible in the figure).

[0047] In addition, the device 100 includes multiple groups G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 (for simplicity, only six groups are indicated in the accompanying drawings) of seats S for receiving the sac-like body 8 and a device 9 for manipulating the multiple groups G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 receiving seats S, and the device 9 is configured to allow the sac-like body 8 to be manipulated between the station ST1 for receiving the sac-like body 8, the station ST3 for connecting the sealing ring 10 with the corresponding sac-like body 8, and the sealing station ST4.

[0048] The apparatus 100 further comprises an etching device 11 which is designed to etch the sheet 12, producing a pre-cut line 33 along the (outer) edge of the sealing ring 10, so that the central portion of the sealing ring 10 is separated from the etched sheet 12, while the sealing ring 12 remains anchored on the sheet 12 by means of an anchor point on the sheet 12 defined by the pre-cut line 33.

[0049] Etching device 11 Fig. 9 This is clearly visible in Figure 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of separating elements 38 configured to separate the sealing rings 10 that have been etched on the sheet 12 from the sheet 12 and to move them into contact with the flange 6 in the coupling station ST3 .

[0051] The separation device 38 is positioned at the coupling station ST3.

[0052] Fig. 10B A sheet 12 is shown in which different sealing rings 10 have been etched with the aid of a shearing device 18: it should be noted that the central portion (disc) of each sheet, bounded by the innermost edge of the sealing ring 10, is removed, whereas the line 33 (pre-cut) of the outermost edge of the sealing ring 10 is shown with a dotted line.

[0053] The dashed line 33 of the outermost edge of the respective sealing ring 10 comprises a preferential pre-cut line 33 defined by the actual notch and the portion of the sheet 12 that allows the ring 10 to remain coupled to the rest of the sheet 12 .

[0054] It should be noted that the etching device 11 is located at an etching station ST5 (at a position remote from and separate from the connection station ST3). Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ), more precisely in an etching station ST5 which is not superimposed on the path of seat S.

[0055] More specifically, in practice, the etching station ST5 does not affect the path of the capsule body 8, that is, it is not positioned above the capsule body 8. In this way, the waste material produced does not affect the capsule body 8, thereby preventing the capsule body 8 from being accidentally contaminated by dust.

[0056] Refer to Figure 10 and Fig.11 A sealing station ST4 is shown, which comprises a plurality of sealing elements 39 .

[0057] Each sealing element 39 operates on the capsule body 8 .

[0058] Preferably, the sealing element 39 heat seals the sealing ring 10 to the bladder body 8. According to this aspect, the sealing element 39 comprises a heating element.

[0059] It should be noted that the sealing element 39 is located above the conveyor 14 and can be in the non-operating position (in Fig. 12A ) and the operating position (shown in Fig. 12B , ie, a sealing position), in which the sealing element 39 does not contact the sealing ring 10, and in which the sealing element 39 contacts the sealing ring 10 to seal the sealing ring 10 to the bladder body 8.

[0060] The sealing station ST4 is configured to allow simultaneous activation of several groups of seats S on the capsule body 8 (in Fig.11 Shown in ) (preferably, three sets of seats S).

[0061] The device 100 further comprises a plurality of contact elements 40 .

[0062] The contact element 40 is positioned at the sealing station ST4 .

[0063] The contact elements 40 are shaped to match the cavity 4 of the capsule body 8 and each contact element also has a movable flange 41 configured to abut on the flange 6 of the capsule body 8 positioned in the seat S at the sealing station ST4 .

[0064] The contact element 40 may be in the non-operating position ( Fig. 12A shown) and operating position ( Fig. 12B vertical movement between

[0065] The contact device 40 is located below the capsule body 8 .

[0066] It should be noted that the capsule bodies 8 are transported by the conveyor 14 in the respective seats S with the openings 5 ​​facing downwards.

[0067] exist Fig. 12B The operating position shown performs the sealing: in this position, the movable flange 41 of each contact element 40 is in contact with the flange 6 of the capsule body 8 positioned in the seat S and the sealing element 39 is in contact with the sealing ring 10 to perform the sealing.

[0068] According to another aspect, the plurality of groups of seats S for receiving the capsule body 8 comprises a first group ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) of seats for receiving and a second group ( G4 , G5 , G6 ) of seats S for receiving.

[0069] These first (G1, G2, G3) and second (G4, G5, G6) groups of receptacles are distinct and independent of one another with respect to manipulation, as described in more detail below.

[0070] In essence, and more precisely, each set of receiving seats belonging to the first or second group comprises seats S aligned in a direction Y transverse to the direction X of the transfer seats (e.g. Figure 4 shown).

[0071] More specifically, along the conveying direction X, the first groups ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) alternate with the second groups ( G4 , G5 , G6 ), that is, along the conveying direction X there is an alternation of first and second groups of seats S.

[0072] It should be noted that the device 9 for manipulating the plurality of groups of receiving seats S comprises a first manipulating device 9A for manipulating the first group ( G1 , G2, G3 ) of receiving seats S and a second manipulating device 9B for manipulating the second group ( G4, G5, G6 ) of receiving seats S.

[0073] The first manipulator 9A and the second manipulator 9B are independent of each other so as to allow independent manipulation of the first ( G1 , G2, G3 ) and second ( G4, G5, G6 ) groups of receptacles S, respectively.

[0074] In short, the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receptacles S and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receptacles S operate independently of each other, as described in more detail below.

[0075] It should be noted that the device 100 comprises a control unit 13 configured to control the first 9A and second 9B manipulators in a manner allowing the stepwise manipulation of the first (G1, G2, G3) and second (G4, G5, G6) groups of receptacles S, respectively.

[0076] The expression "manipulation step by step" is used to indicate that the manipulation of the first manipulation device 9A and the second manipulation device 9B is periodically started / stopped according to a predetermined time frequency (corresponding to steps).

[0077] More precisely, the control unit 13 is configured for controlling said first manipulator 9A and said second manipulator 9B so as to allow the manipulation of the receptacle S according to the following temporal sequence which is repeated cyclically:

[0078] - a first movement phase, in which said first manipulator (9A) is activated and said second manipulator (9B) is deactivated, in order to move said first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S) closer to said second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S); followed by

[0079] - a second movement phase, in which said first manipulator (9A) is activated and said second manipulator (9B) is activated simultaneously in order to move said first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S) and said second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S) simultaneously; followed by

[0080] - A third movement phase, in which said second manipulator (9B) is activated and said first manipulator (9A) is deactivated, in order to move said second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S) away from said first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S).

[0081] The above time sequence is repeated cyclically to move each group of seats S between the various stations.

[0082] In practice, the groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of seats S move along a closed path, preferably a circular path, defined by the conveyor 14, so that they cyclically come into contact with the various stations receiving the capsule bodies 8 and perform on them the operations that will be described in more detail below.

[0083] The operating device 9 is described in more detail below.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, the manipulation device 9 comprises a loop conveyor 14 configured to define a closed loop path P for manipulating a plurality of groups of receptacles S. As shown in FIG.

[0085] More specifically, the first manipulator 9A comprises a first loop conveyor 14A configured to define a first closed-loop path for manipulating the first group ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) of receptacles.

[0086] The second manipulating device 9B comprises a second loop conveyor 14B configured to define a second closed-loop path for manipulating the receptacles S of the second group ( G4 , G5 , G6 ).

[0087] It should be noted that, in practice, the first annular path and the second annular path coincide.

[0088] The first conveyor 14A comprises a first drive unit 15A and a first belt 16A extending in a loop.

[0089] The first belt 16A includes a pair of belts 16A′ and 16A″ positioned on opposite sides relative to the conveying direction X of the seat S.

[0090] The first belt 16A is connected to a first drive unit 15A for being driven and to a first group ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) of receptacles for manipulating them.

[0091] Similarly, the second conveyor 14A includes a second driving unit 15B and a second belt 16B.

[0092] The second belt 16B includes a pair of belts 16B′ and 16B″ positioned on opposite sides relative to the conveying direction X of the seat S.

[0093] The second belt 16B extends in a loop and is connected to the second drive unit 15B to be actuated.

[0094] It should be noted that a second belt 16B is positioned alongside said first belt 16A and is connected to a second set of receptacles S for manipulating the receptacles S.

[0095] More specifically, band 16A' is beside band 16B' and band 16A" is beside band 16B".

[0096] With reference to the longitudinal transport direction X of the receptacle S, the first belts 16A are positioned substantially parallel along the transverse direction Y at a predetermined distance.

[0097] Similarly, with reference to the longitudinal transport direction X of the receptacle S, the first belts 16A are positioned substantially in parallel along the transverse direction Y at a predetermined distance.

[0098] Each group ( G1 , G2 , G3 , G4 , G5 , G6 ) of seats S comprises a respective connection body 32 in which the seat S is formed and connected on both sides to the first belt 16A or, alternatively, to the second belt 16B.

[0099] The seat S is shaped to accommodate the capsule body 8 with the opening 5 positioned downwardly.

[0100] The stations (respectively station ST1 for receiving capsule body 8, station ST3 for coupling sealing ring 10 with corresponding capsule body 8, sealing station ST4) are positioned at first conveyor 14A and second conveyor 14B, that is, they affect the areas connected to conveyors 14A and 14B.

[0101] On the other hand, the etching station ST5 is positioned in a spatial region that does not affect the first conveyor 14A and the second conveyor 14B.

[0102] In this way, advantageously, waste generated by the etching device 9 during etching does not affect the areas of the conveyors 14A and 14B where the capsule bodies 8 are positioned in the respective seats S, thus improving the overall cleanliness, efficiency and food safety of the apparatus 100 .

[0103] In fact, it should be noted that the first loop conveyor 14A and the second loop conveyor 14B are configured so that the path of the first group of seats S and the path of the second group of seats S are substantially identical.

[0104] According to another aspect, the feeding device 7 comprises rollers 17 (eg Figure 6 shown).

[0105] The sheet 12 is a sheet generally made of a paper material.

[0106] It should be noted that the feeding device 7 is configured to unwind the roll B at a constant speed without stopping, whereas the etching device 11 operates with the sheet at rest.

[0107] Essentially, according to the apparatus 100 , the sheet 12 , which is normally continuously unwound from the roll B, can be stopped in the predetermined area 33 corresponding to the etching station ST5 .

[0108] In this regard, to allow operation in this manner, the apparatus 100 includes a compensation zone 30 of variable length along the feed path of the sheet 12 .

[0109] Therefore, in the compensation area 30, the sheet 12 has a length along the unfolding path that is variable from a minimum value to a maximum value; the maximum length is reached when the sheet 12 is stationary at the etching station ST5 to be etched by the etching device 9, and the roll B unfolds at the same time (its unfolding causes elongation in the compensation area 30).

[0110] on the other hand, Figure 7 An auxiliary device 37 for pulling the sheet 12 is shown upstream of the etching station ST5 , which forms part of the apparatus 100 .

[0111] The auxiliary device 37 includes at least one pair of rollers 37A and 37B.

[0112] Preferably, the auxiliary driving device 37 can be coupled to the sheet 12 or separated from the sheet 12 .

[0113] The apparatus 100 also includes a main device 42 ( Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown), the main device 42 is preferably positioned downstream of the etching station ST5.

[0114] The means 42 for driving the sheet 12 preferably comprise a motor, preferably of the brushless type.

[0115] Furthermore, preferably, the apparatus 100 comprises a take-up reel (not shown) configured to take up the remaining portion of the sheet 12 in which the ring 10 has been manufactured, etched in the etching station ST5.

[0116] According to another aspect, the control unit 13 is configured to rotate the supporting and unwinding rollers 17 at a speed that is constant and coordinated with the maneuvering means 9 of the receiving seat G.

[0117] In practice, the device 100 comprises a drive unit (not shown) operatively connected to the support roller 17 to allow the same to rotate, and the control unit 13 is connected to the drive unit.

[0118] According to another aspect, the etching device 11 comprises a shearing device 18 comprising a plurality of cutting elements 19 which can be activated on the sheet 12 for etching the sheet 12 and defining a plurality of shapes defining the sealing ring 10 .

[0119] The shearing device 18 is Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Shown in.

[0120] According to an aspect, the shearing device 18 is configured such that the cutting element 19 operates in a cutting plane P in a substantially planar portion of the sheet 12 .

[0121] It should be noted that the shearing device 18 does not affect the area above the conveyor 14 in any way: in this way, waste and / or dust generated during shearing cannot affect the capsules.

[0122] According to one aspect, shearing device 18 operates on a portion of sheet 12 that is stopped (that is, under a stationary condition) beneath shearing device 18 .

[0123] According to another aspect, at the etching station ST5 , the apparatus 100 comprises a suction device 46 configured to act on the sheet 12 in order to separate the central portion from the sealing ring 10 etched on the sheet 12 .

[0124] According to an embodiment not shown, the etching device 11 comprises a pair of rotating etching elements which act in conjunction with one another to etch the sheet 12 and to produce thereon the shape of the sealing ring 10. According to this embodiment (not shown), it should be noted that one of the rotating elements is equipped with an etching element defining a punch (i.e., a "knife"), and the other of the rotating elements is provided with a cavity configured to receive the etching element, defining a mold.

[0125] The sheet 12 is interposed between said rotating elements. These rotating units operate the etching of the sheet 12 substantially in a coordinated manner during its rotation, that is to say, preferably, the sheet 12 is not stopped and the rotating units perform the etching during the pulling of the sheet 12 .

[0126] According to another aspect, the device 100 comprises means 21 for controlling the sealing ring 10 , configured for detecting parameters intrinsic to the shape and / or color and / or presence / absence of the sealing ring 10 on the sheet 12 after etching.

[0127] According to yet another aspect, the device 100 comprises means 22 for controlling the capsule body 8 , configured for detecting parameters intrinsic to the shape and / or colour and / or presence / absence of the capsule body 8 in said receptacle S.

[0128] According to another aspect, the device 100 includes a device 23 for controlling the seal, which is configured to detect parameters inherent to the shape and / or color and / or presence / absence of the assembly defined by the bladder body 8 and the sealing ring 10 sealed to each other, and the sealing control device 23 is positioned downstream of the sealing station ST4.

[0129] According to yet another aspect, the device 100 comprises means 44 for controlling the correct coupling of the sealing rings 10 on the capsule body 8 , positioned downstream of or at the coupling station ST3 to check whether each sealing ring 10 has been correctly coupled to the relative capsule body.

[0130] Advantageously, the apparatus 100 is particularly efficient in allowing the production of capsules, guaranteeing optimal cleaning and conditions with a high level of food safety and hygiene.

[0131] Reference Figure 5 The apparatus 100 comprises a pick-up device 36 configured for picking up, by means of the conveyor 14 (more specifically, by means of the seat S), the capsule body 8 to which the sealing ring 10 has been applied.

[0132] The pickup device 36 releases the capsules to a subsequent delivery line (not shown) for storage and / or packaging.

[0133] According to another aspect, a method for manufacturing a bladder is defined, comprising the steps of:

[0134] - preparing a plurality of capsule bodies 8 having a bottom 2 and a side wall 3 which in combination define a filling cavity 4 provided with an opening 5 opposite the bottom 2 and a flange 6 positioned around said opening 5;

[0135] - Arrange the capsule body 8 in multiple groups of receiving seats S;

[0136] - moving said plurality of groups of receptacles S along a feed path, preferably in a closed loop;

[0137] - preparing a roll B of sheet material (preferably paper) and unrolling said roll B to make the sheet material 12 available;

[0138] - obtaining the sealing ring 10 from said sheet 12;

[0139] - coupling each sealing ring 10 to the respective capsule body 8 at the respective flange 6 in a coupling station ST3;

[0140] - Each sealing ring 10 is sealed to the body 8 into which it is inserted, and wherein the step of obtaining the capsule sealing ring 10 from the sheet 12 comprises the following sub-step: etching the sheet 12 by producing a pre-cut line 33 along the edge of the sealing ring 10, so that the central part of the sealing ring 10 having a disc-like shape is separated from the etched sheet 12, while the sealing ring 10 remains anchored to the sheet 12 by means of the anchor points present in the pre-cut line 33.

[0141] The step of coupling each sealing ring 10 to the corresponding bladder body 8 in the coupling station ST3 is preceded by a step of separating the sealing ring 10 etched on the sheet 12 from the sheet 12 .

[0142] The sub-step of etching the sheet 12 is performed in an etching station ST5 that is remote from and separate from the coupling station ST3 in which the step of separating the sealing ring 10 from the sheet 12 is performed.

[0143] According to another aspect, the step of positioning the capsule body 8 in multiple groups of receiving seats S includes the step of positioning a first portion of the capsule body 8 in a first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats and positioning a second portion of the capsule body 8 in a second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats.

[0144] Furthermore, the step of moving the plurality of groups of receptacles S along the feed path comprises the step of independently manipulating said first group ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) of receptacles relative to said second group ( G4 , G5 , G6 ) of receptacles S.

[0145] According to another aspect, the step of moving said plurality of groups of receptacles S along a feed path is performed with a stepwise movement.

[0146] In other words, stepwise manipulation presupposes stopping over time multiple groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of seats S at different stations or processing devices to allow simultaneous processing of different groups of capsule bodies 8. Generally speaking, during the stoppage, the capsule bodies 8 stationary at different stations / areas are processed or moved.

[0147] According to another aspect, the step of moving the plurality of groups of receiving seats S along the feed path comprises the following steps in the following time sequence which are repeated cyclically:

[0148] - moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats S closer to the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats S; then

[0149] - Simultaneously move the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats S and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats S; then

[0150] - moving said second group ( G4 , G5 , G6 ) of receptacles S away from said first group ( G1 , G2 , G3 ) of receptacles S.

[0151] It should be noted that preferably, the step of simultaneously moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats S and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats S comprises n steps, and the step of moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats S towards the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats S comprises m steps. According to one aspect, n>1, m>1 and m>n.

[0152] According to this aspect, during the movement of the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receptacles S towards the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receptacles S, a portion of the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receptacles S is held at the sealing station ST4.

[0153] According to another aspect, the step of moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seats closer to the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seats is performed by keeping the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seats in a fixed position, and the step of moving the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seats S away from the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seats S is performed by keeping the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seats S in a fixed position.

[0154] According to yet another aspect, the step of etching the sheet 12 to define the sealing ring 10 takes place with the sheet 12 in a stopped position, while the roll B continues to unwind (without stopping).

[0155] According to another aspect, the step of unwinding said roll B occurs at a constant speed.

[0156] According to another aspect, the step of etching the sheet 12 with pre-cut lines 33 to define the sealing rings 10 on the sheet 12 includes the step of cutting the sheet 12 using a plurality of shearing elements 19 for defining a corresponding plurality of shapes of sealing rings 10 on the roll B.

[0157] Furthermore, according to another aspect, during the step of cutting the shape of the sealing ring 10 from the sheet 12 , the shearing element 19 operates in a cutting plane P on a portion of the sheet 12 of said substantially planar log B.

[0158] According to another aspect, the step of separating the sealing ring 10 from the sheet 12 comprises a step of sucking the sealing ring 10 in such a way as to separate the sealing ring 10 etched in the roll B.

[0159] According to another aspect, the method further comprises a step of controlling the sealing ring 10 , wherein parameters intrinsic to the shape and / or the color of the sealing ring 10 are detected.

[0160] Furthermore, the method comprises a step of controlling said capsule body 8 , wherein parameters intrinsic to the shape and / or the color of the capsule body 8 are detected.

[0161] According to another aspect, the method also comprises a step of controlling the sealing, wherein shape and / or color parameters of the assembly defined by the capsule body 8 and the sealing ring 10 sealed to each other are detected.

[0162] According to another aspect, the step of coupling sealing ring 10 to bladder body 8 is performed by vertically moving sealing ring 10 and bladder body 8 relative to each other (more specifically, bladder body 8 remains in a predetermined vertical position when sealing ring 10 moves vertically).

[0163] It should be noted that the step of positioning said capsule body 8 in the sets of receiving seats S is performed by placing the capsule body 8 in the seats S resting with the flange 6 underneath and the bottom 2 at the top.

[0164] Advantageously, the proposed method for producing the capsule is particularly simple and effective with regard to cleanliness and food safety.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for manufacturing a bladder, comprising: a receiving station (ST1) for receiving a capsule body (8) having a bottom (2) and a side wall (3), the bottom (2) and the side wall (3) defining in combination a filling cavity (4), the filling cavity (4) being provided with an opening (5) opposite the bottom (2) and a flange (6) surrounding the opening, a forming station (ST2) for manufacturing a sealing ring (10), said forming station (ST2) comprising a feeding device (7) for feeding a sheet (12) unwound from a roll (B); a coupling station (ST3) for coupling the sealing ring (10) to the corresponding bladder body (8), the coupling station being configured to couple each sealing ring (10) to the bladder body (8) at the corresponding flange (6); a welding station (ST4) configured to weld the ring (10) to the corresponding bladder body (8); a plurality of groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) for receiving the capsule body (8) and a manipulation device (9) for the plurality of groups of receiving seats (S), the manipulation device (9) being configured to allow manipulation of the capsule body (8) between the receiving station (ST1) of the capsule body (8), the coupling station (ST3) for coupling the ring (10) to the corresponding capsule body (8), and the welding station (ST4), The device (1) is characterized in that the device (1) also includes an etching device (11), which is configured to etch the sheet (12) and form a pre-cut line along the edge of the sealing ring (10) so that the central part of the sealing ring (10) is separated from the etched sheet (12), and the sealing ring (10) is kept anchored on the sheet (12) by means of anchor points (20) spaced apart by the pre-cut line, and the device (1) also includes a plurality of separation elements (38), which are configured to separate the sealing ring (10) that has been etched onto the sheet (12) from the sheet (12) and make the sealing ring (10) contact the flange (6) at the connecting station (ST3), and the etching device (11) is operated at the etching station (ST5) which is away from the connecting station (ST3) and separated from the connecting station (ST3).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the multiple groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) include a first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats and a second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats, and wherein the operating device (9) of the multiple groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) includes a first operating device (9A) for operating the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S) and a second operating device (9B) for operating the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S), the first operating device (9A) and the second operating device (9B) being independent of each other so as to allow the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S) and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) to move independently respectively.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit (13) configured to control the first manipulator (9A) and the second manipulator (9B) so as to allow the receptacle (S) to move according to the following cyclically repetitive sequence: a first movement phase in which the first manipulator (9A) is activated and the second manipulator (9B) is deactivated in order to move the first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S) closer to the second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S); followed by a second movement phase, in which the first manipulator (9A) is activated and the second manipulator (9B) is simultaneously activated in order to simultaneously move the first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S) and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S); followed by A third movement phase, in which the second operating device (9B) is activated and the first operating device (9A) is deactivated, so as to move the second group (G4, G5, G6) of seats (S) away from the first group (G1, G2, G3) of seats (S).

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first manipulation device (9A) includes a first loop conveyor (14A), the first loop conveyor (14A) being configured to define a first manipulation closed-loop path for the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S), and wherein the second manipulation device (9B) includes a second loop conveyor (14B), the second loop conveyor (14B) being configured to define a second manipulation closed-loop path for the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S), the first loop and the second loop are preferably parallel.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first conveyor (14A) includes a first belt (16A) formed along a loop and driven by a first driver (15A), the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S) are connected to the first belt (16A) to move with the first belt (16A), and wherein the second conveyor (14A) includes a second belt (16B) formed along a loop and driven by a second driver (15B), the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) are connected to the second belt (16B) to move with the second belt (16B), and the first belt and the second belt are arranged side by side.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding device (7) includes a support roller (17) for supporting and unrolling the roll (B), the feeding device (7) being configured to unroll the roll (B) at a constant speed, and the etching device (11) operating when the sheet (12) is in a stationary state.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the etching device (11) comprises a shear (18) comprising a plurality of cutting elements (19) operable on the sheet (12) to etch the sheet and define a plurality of the sealing rings (10).

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) comprises a suction device (46) configured to act on the sheet (12) to separate the central portion from the sealing ring (10) etched on the sheet (12).

9. A method for manufacturing a bladder, comprising the steps of: A plurality of bladder bodies (8) are provided, wherein the bladder bodies (8) have a bottom (2) and a side wall (3), wherein the bottom (2) and the side wall (3) define a filling cavity (4) in combination, wherein the filling cavity (4) is provided with an opening (5) opposite to the bottom (2) and a flange (6) arranged to surround the opening (5); Arranging the capsule body (8) in a plurality of receiving seats (S); moving said plurality of groups of receptacles (S) along a propulsion path, preferably in a closed loop; providing a roll (B) and unwinding the roll (B) to make the sheet (12) available; Obtaining a sealing ring (10) from the sheet (12); In a coupling station (ST3), each sealing ring (10) is coupled to a corresponding bladder body (8) at a corresponding flange (6); Each sealing ring (10) is welded to the body (8) connected thereto, wherein the step of obtaining the capsule sealing ring (10) from the sheet comprises the following sub-steps: etching the sheet (12) by producing pre-cut lines (33) along the edges of the sealing ring (10), so that the central part of the sealing ring (10) having a disc-like shape is separated from the etched sheet (12), while the sealing ring (10) remains anchored on the sheet (12) by means of anchor points spaced apart by the pre-cut lines (33), And wherein the step of connecting each sealing ring (10) to the corresponding bladder body (8) in the connecting station (ST3) is preceded by the step of separating the sealing ring (10) that has been etched on the sheet (12) from the sheet (12), and the sub-step of etching the sheet (12) is carried out in an etching station (ST5) that is away from the connecting station (ST3) and separate from the connecting station (ST3).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of arranging the capsule body (8) in multiple groups of receiving seats (S) includes the step of arranging the first part of the capsule body (8) in a first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S) and arranging the second part of the capsule body (8) in a second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S), and wherein the step of moving the multiple groups of receiving seats (S) along the advancement path includes the step of independently moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats relative to the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of moving the plurality of groups of receptacles (S) along the advancement path is performed stepwise and comprises the following steps in the following cyclic order: The first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats are moved closer to the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S); and then Simultaneously move the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats and the second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats; then The second group (G4, G5, G6) of receiving seats (S) are moved away from the first group (G1, G2, G3) of receiving seats (S).

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of moving the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seat closer to the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seat (S) is performed by keeping the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seat in a fixed position, and the step of moving the second group (G4, G5, G6) receiving seat (S) away from the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seat (S) is performed by keeping the first group (G1, G2, G3) receiving seat in a fixed position.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the step of etching the sheet (12) to form a sealing ring (10) on the sheet (12) comprises the step of punching the sheet (12) by means of a plurality of cutting elements (19) to define a plurality of the sealing rings (10) on the sheet (12).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the step of separating the sealing ring (10) from the sheet (12) comprises the step of sucking the sealing ring (10) so as to separate the sealing ring (10) from the sheet (12).

Images