Manufacturing machine and manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product

Abstract

A manufacturing machine (6) and a manufacturing method for the production of pouches (1), each containing a quantity (2) of a loose product. The following are provided: a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed a wrapping material band (12); a second feeding unit (14) configured to feed the quantities (2) of loose product; a wrapping system, which forms the wrapping material band (12) so as to make the pouches (1); a conveying device (15), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system and is configured to move the wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1) along a moving direction (D); a cutting unit (16), which is arranged along the conveying device (15) and is configured to at least partially cut out each pouch (1) within the wrapping material band (12); an inspection unit (22), which is arranged in an inspection station (S3) upstream of the cutting unit (16) and is configured to capture an image (23) of at least one pouch (1) coupled to the wrapping material band (12); and a control unit (24) configured to determine a position, along the moving direction (D), of the pouch (1) located in the inspection station (S3) by analysing the image (23).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000020008 filed on September 9, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and to a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product (namely of a product without a defined shape).

[0003] The present invention is advantageously applied to the production of snus pouches (namely permeable small bags, each containing a prepacked quantity of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use), to which the following discussion will explicitly refer, without thereby losing generality.PRIOR ART

[0004] Currently, snus pouches are produced with an FFS ("Form, Fill & Seal") production process and thus have a rectangular shape and each have a longitudinal seal and a pair of transverse seals.

[0005] A known manufacturing machine (for example, as is described in patent application WO2008114128A2) for the production of snus pouches is of FFS type and comprises: a conveying device for conveying a wrapping material band along a manufacturing path; a wrapping station arranged along the manufacturing path and in which the wrapping material band is wrapped so as to form a tubular wrap having a longitudinal development around a wrapping duct; a longitudinal sealing unit for longitudinally sealing the tubular wrap in the area of an overlapping area of the wrapping material band; a feeding device of the loose material for feeding in sequence the quantities of loose product into the tubular wrap; a transverse sealing unit for transversely sealing the tubular wrap so as to form an alternated sequence of sealing areas and areas containing a quantity of loose product; and a cutting unit for transversely cutting the tubular wrap in the area of the sealing areas so as to separate the single snus pouches.

[0006] Currently, the cutting unit is integrated in the transverse sealing unit and utilises blades (knives) for cyclically mechanically cutting the wrapping material band.

[0007] Patent application US2015096263A1 describes a thermo-forming packaging machine comprising a first forming station for forming a tray with a base film and a second forming station for forming a lid with a top film.

[0008] Patent US9334074B2 describes a method for cutting packages out of a composite film in a packaging machine provided with thermo-forming.

[0009] Patent application EP2730401A2 describes a machine having a horizontal development for forming and filling flexible containers.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product, said manufacturing machine and manufacturing method allowing obtaining pouches having a shape which is different from the traditional rectangular shape and, at the same time, also allowing achieving high productivity guaranteeing high qualitative standards and enabling a simple and quick change of size.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product are provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

[0012] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming integral part of the present description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a perspective view, a side view and a plan view, respectively, of a snus pouch; Figure 4 is an exploded side view of the snus pouch of Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a manufacturing machine which obtains the snus pouches of the type of that of Figures 1, 2 and 3; and Figure 6 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of part of the manufacturing machine of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of an optical control unit of the manufacturing machine of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a control station in the area of the optical control unit of Figure 8; and Figures 10 and 11 are two schematic views of as many images captured by the optical control unit of Figure 8. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a snus pouch which contains, on the inside, a quantity 2 of snus (illustrated in Figure 4), namely of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use. A loose product is a product that does not have a defined shape, namely a product without its own shape and which thus adapts to the shape of the container containing it. A loose product can be liquid or gelatinous or granular. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus is a loose product (i.e. without a defined shape) of granular type containing, for example, tobacco and / or nicotine.

[0015] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus pouch 1 has in plan a circular shape, but according to other embodiments the snus pouch 1 could have in plan different and more or less regular shapes, for example a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

[0016] According to what is illustrated in Figure 4, the snus pouch 1 comprises two cup-shaped elements 3 which are overlapped so as to delimit between them a closed volume in which the quantity 2 of snus is housed; each element 3 has a flat edge 4 which runs all the way around the element 3 so that the two flat edges 4 of the two elements 3 overlap and are joined by a seal 5 which is closed on itself (namely has an annular shape without head or tail). In other words, the pouch has one sole annular seal 5 (closed on itself without head or tail) which connects the two elements 3 to each other. It is understood that not necessarily both two elements 3 are cup-shaped; for example, one of them could be cup-shaped and the other one could be flat.

[0017] In Figure 5, reference numeral 6 indicates, as a whole, a manufacturing machine which produces the snus pouches 1.

[0018] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises a frame which rests on a floor and has a vertical support wall (the "front" wall of the manufacturing machine 6 and coinciding with the plane of Figure 5) on which all the operating components concurring to the production of the snus pouches 1 are mounted.

[0019] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises a first forming conveyor 7 which has at least one first pocket 10 which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch 1 and a second forming conveyor 7 which is coupled to the first forming conveyor 7 so as to define a joining area 9 comprised between the two forming conveyors 7.

[0020] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the two forming conveyors 7 each comprise a forming drum 7. In particular, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises two forming drums 7 (substantially identical to each other) which are mounted so as to rotate with a law of intermittent motion (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases) around respective rotation axes 8 which are horizontal and parallel to each other (and perpendicular to the plane of Figure 5).

[0021] The two forming drums 7 are cooperating with (coupled to) each other and are arranged on top of each other so as to define a joining area 9 between them comprised between the two forming drums 7; namely the two forming drums 7 are arranged vertically aligned at different heights so that one forming drum 7 is on top and the other forming drum 7 is underneath.

[0022] Each forming conveyor 7 has a plurality of pockets 10 (better illustrated in Figure 9), each of which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the snus pouch 1; in particular, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. Namely each pocket 10 (or seat 10) is a recess which is hollowed on the outer surface of the respective forming conveyor 7 and reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each forming conveyor 7 has more groups (in particular, eight groups) of pockets 10, each having a series of pockets 10 (in particular, eight pockets 10) arranged side by side and aligned parallel to the rotation axis 8. In this manner, in the joining area 9 defined between the two forming conveyors 7, at every working cycle, a series of snus pouches 1 (in particular, eight snus pouches 1) are formed equal to the number of pockets 10 of each group. According to other embodiments not illustrated, the number of groups of pockets 10 of each forming conveyor 7 and / or the number of pockets 10 of each group could be different.

[0023] Each pocket 10 of a forming conveyor 7 always cooperates with a same corresponding pocket 10 of the other forming conveyor 7 and, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative a shape of a corresponding half (namely of a cup-shaped element 3) of the snus pouch 1 so that the two pockets 10 together reproduce in negative the shape of the snus pouch 1. Alternatively, one of the two forming conveyors 7 could be without the pockets 10.

[0024] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises two feeding units 11 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is configured to feed, in a respective feeding station S1 arranged upstream of the joining area 9 with respect to the moving of the forming conveyor 7 (in particular with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective forming drum 7), a respective wrapping material band 12 which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the respective forming conveyor 7. In this manner, in the joining area 9, the two forming conveyors 7 convey the two wrapping material bands 12 towards each other so that the two wrapping material bands 12 overlap and by joining form the snus pouches 1.

[0025] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises two insertion devices 13 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is coupled to a respective forming conveyor 7 and between the respective feeding station S1 and the joining area 9 and is configured to push the respective wrapping material band 12 into the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7. Namely, each insertion device 13 locally deforms the respective wrapping material band 12 so as to insert the wrapping material band 12 into the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 so that the wrapping material band 12 covers the pockets 10; in this manner, in each pocket 10, the wrapping material band 12 assumes the shape of a cup-shaped element 3, namely the shape of a half snus pouch 1. In accordance with different embodiments, the machine could be without said insertion devices 13 or provide for only one insertion device 13 (for example in the case where only one of the two forming conveyors 7 provides for the pockets 10).

[0026] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises one single feeding unit 14 (schematically illustrated in Figure 5) configured to feed, in a feeding station S2 arranged between the feeding station S1 (in particular between the respective insertion device 13) and the joining area 9, a plurality of quantities 2 of snus into the pockets 10 of a group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 covered by the respective wrapping material band 12 (i.e. with the interposition of the respective wrapping material band 12). Namely one single feeding unit 14 is provided coupled to only one of the two forming conveyors 7 so as to feed into the pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 the quantities 2 of snus (which are held inside the pockets 10 by the sucking action of the pockets 10).

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming conveyor 7 is heated at least around the corresponding pockets 10 so as to obtain a heat sealing (which requires the simultaneous application of heat and pressure) of the two wrapping material bands 12 in the joining area 9, namely so as to make around each snus pouch 1 the respective annular seal 5 which is closed so as to form a ring around the edge 4 of the snus pouch 1.

[0028] In other words, the two forming conveyors 7 constitute a wrapping system which forms the two wrapping material bands 12 around the quantities 2 of snus for making the snus pouches 1; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, the wrapping system described in the accompanying figures is replaced by a different wrapping system based on the FFS ("Form, Fill & Seal") technology which utilises one single wrapping material band 12 which is folded on itself in a tube-like manner.

[0029] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a conveying device 15, which is arranged downstream of the two forming drums 7 and is configured to impart a moving movement along a moving direction D to the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and in which a sequence of rows of snus pouches 1 is present. The conveying device 15 is configured to move the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 according to a law of intermittent movement (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases).

[0030] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a cutting unit 16, which is arranged downstream of the two forming conveyors 7 (namely downstream of the wrapping system) and along the moving direction D and is configured to cut out the snus pouches 1 within the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12. According to a possible embodiment, the cutting unit 16 mechanically (namely by means of the movement of cutting elements which slide with respect to one another in the area of the cutting lines) cut the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 around the snus pouches 1. According to an alternative embodiment, the cutting unit 16 laser cuts the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 around the snus pouches 1.

[0031] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an output conveyor 17 (better visible in Figure 6), which receives the snus pouches 1 from the cutting unit 16 and transports them towards an output of the manufacturing machine 6; in particular, the output conveyor 17 comprises a conveyor belt which has a law of intermittent motion (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases), is wrapped so as to form a ring around two end pulleys, and has a horizontal transport branch on which the snus pouches 1 are placed one after the other during a stop phase.

[0032] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a transfer unit 18 configured to collect a group of snus pouches 1 cut out by the cutting unit 16 and release the group of snus pouches 1 on the output conveyor 17. In particular, the transfer unit 18 comprises a support drum 19 mounted so as to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis 20 (and parallel to the rotation axes 8) and four groups of sucking retrieving heads 21 mounted on the support drum 19 (alternatively only two groups of sucking retrieving heads 21 or one sole group of sucking retrieving heads 21 could be provided). The rotation (with law of intermittent motion) of the support drum 19 around the rotation axis 20 leads each group of sucking retrieving heads 21 first in the area of the cutting unit 16 so as to engage (grab) a group of snus pouches 1 immediately before the action of the cutting unit 16 (namely immediately before the cutting unit 16 cuts out the snus pouches 1 from the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 freeing the snus pouches 1 from, namely making them independent of, the wrapping material bands 12) and subsequently in the area of the underlying output conveyor 17 so as to release the group of snus pouches 1 on the output conveyor 17.

[0033] In other words, each group of sucking retrieving heads 21 of the transfer unit 18 grabs (engages, holds) a corresponding group of snus pouches 1 which are located in the area of the cutting unit 16 before the cutting unit 16 starts cutting and therefore the cutting unit 16 cuts around the group of snus pouches 1 held by the group of sucking retrieving heads 21; in this manner, once the cuts are completed, the group of snus pouches 1 does not fall by gravity but remains in contact with the group of sucking retrieving heads 21, which are subsequently moved towards the output conveyor 17 on which they release the group of snus pouches 1.

[0034] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an inspection (examination, verification, control) unit 22, which is arranged in an inspection station S3 located along the moving direction D and upstream of the cutting unit 16. The inspection unit 22 is configured to capture at least one image 23 (illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) of a group of snus pouches 1 which transit in the area of the inspection device 22, namely which are located in the inspection station S3. A control unit 24 is further provided which is configured, by analysing the images 23 captured by the inspection device 22, to establish whether each snus pouch 1 is defective (namely does not have a sufficient quantity 2 of loose product) and / or to temporarily deactivate the cutting unit 16 and / or the transfer unit 18 in the area of a defective snus pouch 1. The control unit 24 is also configured to adjust the conveying of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 enclosing the snus pouches 1 so as to align (phase, step) the snus pouches 1 enclosed by the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with the cutting unit 16 so as to guarantee that the cut occurs with precision around the snus pouches 1.

[0035] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, under the cutting unit 16 a collection conveyor 25 is provided (possibly coupled to a shredding device), which receives the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 after the cut (separation) of the snus pouches 1 and to receive also possible defective snus pouches 1 which were not cut by the cutting unit 16 and therefore were not retrieved by the transfer unit 18 and possible defective snus pouches 1 which were cut by the cutting unit 16 and, after being initially grabbed by the transfer unit 18, are left falling from the transfer unit 18. Preferably, the shredding device arranged upstream of the collection conveyor 25 transversely (namely perpendicular to the moving direction D) cuts what remains of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 so as to produce a series of thin strips.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the conveying device 15 comprises an adjustment roller 26 which is arranged upstream of the cutting unit 16 and of the inspection unit 22 and is mounted so as to rotate in an idle manner around a rotation axis 27 (parallel to the rotation axes 8). The overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 partially wrap themselves around the adjustment roller 26. According to a preferred embodiment, the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 wrap themselves around the adjustment roller 26 by approximately 180° forming a "U". The conveying device 15 also comprises an actuator device 28 configured to move the adjustment roller 26 radially, namely perpendicular to the rotation axis 27; in this manner, the movement of the adjustment roller 26 imparted by the actuator device 28 can move the adjustment roller 26 close to the cutting unit 16 (reducing the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16) or can move the adjustment roller 26 away from the cutting unit 16 (increasing the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16). Therefore, the control unit 24 can, by controlling the actuator device 28 for moving the adjustment roller 26, vary the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16 and therefore vary the alignment of the snus pouches 1 with the cutting unit 16.

[0037] As described in the foregoing and as is well illustrated in Figure 9, the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 contain a sequence of rows of snus pouches 1, each of which consists, for example, of eight snus pouches 1 aligned transversely (namely perpendicular to the moving direction D of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 along the conveying device 15).

[0038] In use, the control unit 24 determines a (longitudinal) position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 captured by the inspection unit 22; namely the control unit 24 determines a possible difference between the actual position and the (nominal) desired position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 captured by the inspection unit 22. Then, the control unit 24 adjusts the conveying device 15 (by acting on the adjustment roller 26) depending on the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 operating, consequently, a feedback control of the position, along the moving direction D, of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1. In other words, the control unit 24 corrects the position, along the moving direction D, of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect (namely has a significant deviation with respect to the desired position).

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection unit 22 is arranged in the proximity of the cutting unit 16. In particular, the inspection unit 22 is arranged at less than five (preferably three) moving steps of the conveying device 15 from the cutting unit 16 and for example the inspection unit 22 is arranged at two moving steps of the conveying device 15 from the cutting unit 16 (namely a row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 reaches the cutting unit 16 after two moving steps of the conveying device 15).

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection unit 22 enables or disables the operation of the cutting unit 16 depending on the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3; namely, the control unit 24 enables the operation of the cutting unit 16 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is correct (i.e. its deviation with respect to the desired position falls within the admitted tolerance) and disables the operation of the cutting unit 16 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect (i.e. its deviation with respect to the desired position exceeds the admitted tolerance). In other words, the inspection unit 22 is arranged in the proximity of the cutting unit 16 and therefore if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is correct, also the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16 will be correct and therefore the cutting unit 16 is in the conditions for operating correctly; whereas, if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect, also the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16 will be incorrect and therefore the cutting unit 16 is not in the conditions of operating correctly (therefore it is possible not to cut while waiting to correct the position error).

[0041] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the inspection unit 22 comprises a camera 29, which is configured to capture the image 23 of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 and frames a first surface of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12, and a lighting device 30 which is configured to emit light towards a second surface of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 opposite the first surface so that the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 are located between the camera 29 and the lighting device 30. In other words, the lighting device 30 is arranged to generate a backlighting of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 since the light which it generates arrives behind the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with respect to the camera 29.

[0042] According to what is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the conveying device 15 comprises two (fixed or movable) side plates 31 and 32, which are arranged in the area of the inspection station S3 at the two opposite sides of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and provide a lateral (transverse, namely perpendicular to the moving direction D) containment to the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 guiding their movement. The position of the side plates 31 and 32 is adjustable when the manufacturing machine 6 is still so as to obtain an optimal transverse, namely perpendicular to the moving direction D, alignment of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with the cutting unit 16.

[0043] The side plates 31 and 32 are framed by the camera 29 and are thus (at least partially) visible in the images 23 captured by the camera 29 (as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11).

[0044] The side plate 32 has a visible (in particular visible in the images 23 captured by the camera 29 as is shown in Figures 10 and 11) reference element 33, which constitutes a longitudinal (namely along the moving direction D) position reference. The control unit 24 determines the (longitudinal) position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 and comparing in the image 23 the position of the reference element 33 with respect to the position of the snus pouches 1; in other words, in each image 23, the reference element 33 constitutes the longitudinal position reference utilised to measure the (longitudinal) position of the row of snus pouches 1 along the moving direction D. According to a preferred embodiment, the reference element 33 consists of a through opening, through which the light emitted by the lighting device 30 passes; in this manner and as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, in each image 23, the reference element 33 appears as a light blade inside a dark area (since the side plate 33 which is completely opaque does not let the light emitted by the lighting device 30 pass) and it is thus very well identifiable.

[0045] As mentioned in the foregoing, the lighting device 30 generates a backlighting of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 and therefore in the images 23 the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 appear back-lighted (an effect obtained when the subject is illuminated from behind); the wrapping material is much more permeable to light than the quantities 2 of loose product and therefore in the images 23 (as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) the quantities 2 of loose product appear as "dark spots" within a brighter area. Consequently, the control unit 24 identifies in each image 23 darker areas and associates the darker areas with the quantities 2 of loose product contained in the snus pouches 1.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit 24 determines, by analysing the corresponding image 23, the position, along the moving direction D, of each snus pouch 1 present in the image 23 (namely each snus pouch 1 of the same row), so as to determine an average position, along the moving direction D, of all the snus pouches 1 present in the image 23 (namely of all the snus pouches 1 of the same row). Therefore, in order to adjust the conveying device 15 and enable or disable the cutting unit 16 as described in the foregoing, the control unit 24 utilises the average position, along the moving direction D, of all the snus pouches 1 present in the image 23 (namely of all the snus pouches 1 of the same row).

[0047] In other words, the control unit 24 is configured to adjust (both longitudinally and transversely) a relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 depending on the position of the row of pouches 1 along the moving direction D; in this manner, the cutting unit 16 is always correctly aligned (both longitudinally and transversely) with the row of pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16.

[0048] The adjustment of the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 is preferably performed both in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction; alternatively, the adjustment of the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 could be performed only in longitudinal direction or only in transverse direction.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 is invariable (namely is not modifiable since the cutting unit 16 is rigidly mounted on a support frame of the manufacturing machine 6 without the possibility of making any movement); consequently, the control unit 24 is configured to adjust the conveying device 15 depending on the position of the row of pouches 1 along the moving direction D so as to adjust the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the row of pouches 1. According to a different embodiment not illustrated, the position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 is variable (namely the cutting unit 16 is mounted on a trolley that moves both longitudinally and transversely under the control of an actuator device); consequently, the control unit 24 is configured to move both longitudinally and transversely the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 so as to adjust the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the row of pouches 1.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment, in use the control unit 24 determines, by analysing the corresponding image 23, the amount of loose product present in the quantity 2 of loose product contained in each snus pouch 1 of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3. In particular, the control unit 24 estimates the amount of loose product present in the quantity 2 of loose product contained in a snus pouch 1 depending on the extension of the corresponding darker area in the image 23 and / or depending on the colour of the corresponding darker area in the image 23; in other words, the more the corresponding darker area in the image 23 is extended and the more the colour of the corresponding darker area in the image 23 is intense (black), the greater the quantity 2 of loose product contained in a snus pouch 1. Figure 10 represents eight quantities 2 of loose product substantially identical and in accordance with the specifications; therefore, all the snus pouches 1 of the row located in the inspection station S3 are well formed. Whereas, Figure 11 represents a quantity 2 of loose product not in accordance with the specifications (namely having an insufficient amount of loose product) and therefore the corresponding snus pouch 1 will have to be rejected.

[0051] Consequently, in use, the control unit 24 causes a snus pouch 1 to be rejected if the amount of loose product present in the respective quantity 2 of loose product is insufficient (namely is less than an acceptability threshold value). Generally this single rejection of a snus pouch 1 is performed by temporarily deactivating, only in the area of the snus pouch 1 to be rejected, the cutting unit 16 (therefore the defective snus pouch 1 is not separated from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and continues together with the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 towards the collection container 25 downstream of the cutting unit 16) or temporarily deactivating, only in the area of the snus pouch 1 to be rejected, the transfer unit 18 (therefore the defective snus pouch 1 is initially retrieved by the transfer unit 18 and then left falling towards the collection container 25 without arriving at the output conveyor 17). According to a possible embodiment, when the amount of loose product is insufficient in at least a predetermined number of snus pouches 1 of a same row (for example in at least half of the snus pouches 1 of a same row), then the control unit 24 causes the entire row of snus pouches 1 to be rejected temporarily deactivating the cutting unit 16 (therefore the entire row of snus pouches 1 is not separated from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and continues together with the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 towards the collection container 25 downstream of the cutting unit 16).

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the camera 29 of the inspection unit 22 is arranged within a sealed case provided with a transparent glass through which the camera 29 frames the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 in the inspection station S3; preferably, the transparent glass is kept clean by means of air blows (namely an air blade) which can be continuous or intermittent (in this case the air blows are activated in the motion phases of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 when the camera 29 is not capturing the images 23).

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an inspection unit 34, which is arranged along the output conveyor 17 and is configured to capture an image of each snus pouch 1 carried by the output conveyor 17; the control unit 24, by analysing the images captured by the inspection unit 34, establishes whether or not the corresponding snus pouches 1 are in accordance with the specifications and consequently causes a single rejection of snus pouches 1 arranged downstream of the inspection unit 34. In particular, the images captured by the inspection unit 34 are analysed by the control unit 24 so as to verify the outer shape of the snus pouches 1, namely whether the snus pouches 1 have been correctly cut by the cutting unit 16; consequently, the analysis of the images captured by the inspection unit 34 is complementary to the analysis of the images 23 captured by the inspection unit 22, since the images 23 are captured by the inspection unit 22 before the cut.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, the cutting unit 16 completely cuts around each snus pouch 1 so that the snus pouch 1 is entirely free from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and from the other snus pouches 1. In this embodiment, all the cutting lines made by the cutting unit 16 provide for a complete separation everywhere.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment, the cutting unit 16 does not completely cut around each snus pouch 1 so as to leave each connected snus pouch 1 linked to at least another snus pouch 1 but preferably to a group of other snus pouches 1 along pre-weakened connection lines which in use are easily tearable, namely by applying a relatively modest traction force. In this embodiment, some cutting lines obtained by the cutting unit 16 provide for a complete separation, whereas other cutting lines obtained by the cutting unit 16 only provide for a weakening, for example, a cut with joining points so as to allow a following tear. Preferably, the cutting unit 16 is formed so as to separate from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 a group of snus pouches 1 provided with at least a remaining piece of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 which constitutes a joining element connected to all the snus pouches 1 composing the group by means of respective pre-weakened connection lines, namely by means of respective tearable connection lines.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of snus; alternatively, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of a loose product different from the snus (for example tea or other powdered herb mixtures for infusion or for other uses).

[0057] The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0058] The manufacturing machine 6 described above has numerous advantages.

[0059] Firstly, the manufacturing machine 6 described above allows achieving high hourly productivity while guaranteeing a high qualitative standard. This result is (also) obtained thanks to the fact that the positioning of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 in the area of the cutting unit 1 is always very precise owing to a continuous verification and to a consequent continuous correction of the position of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 along the moving direction D. This result is (also) obtained thanks to the fact that all the snus pouches 1 not in accordance in an efficient (namely without false negatives and therefore without rejecting acceptable snus pouches 1) and effective (namely without false positives, namely not identifying defective snus pouches 1) manner are rejected.

[0060] Furthermore, the manufacturing machine 6 described above is particularly compact and allows an operator who is in the proximity of the manufacturing machine 6 to reach with his / her hands all the various parts of the manufacturing machine 6 without having to make unnatural movements.

[0061] Finally, the manufacturing machine 6 described above is relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture.LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0062] 1snus pouch 2quantity 3cup-shaped element 4edges 5seal 6manufacturing machine 7forming drums 8rotation axes 9joining area 10pockets 11feeding unit 12wrapping material band 13insertion devices 14feeding unit 15conveying conveyor 16cutting unit 17output conveyor 18transfer unit 19support drum 20rotation axis 21retrieving arm 22inspection unit 23image 24control unit 25collection container 26adjustment roller 27rotation axis 28actuator device 29camera 30lighting device 31fixed side plate 32fixed side plate 33reference element 34inspection unit S1feeding station S2feeding station S3inspection station Dmoving direction

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a snus pouch which contains, on the inside, a quantity 2 of snus (illustrated in Figure 4), namely of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use. A loose product is a product that does not have a defined shape, namely a product without its own shape and which thus adapts to the shape of the container containing it. A loose product can be liquid or gelatinous or granular. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus is a loose product (i.e. without a defined shape) of granular type containing, for example, tobacco and / or nicotine.

[0015]In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus pouch 1 has in plan a circular shape, but according to other embodiments the snus pouch 1 could have in plan different and more or less regular shapes, for example a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

[0016]According to what is illustr...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000020008 filed on September 9, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and to a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product (namely of a product without a defined shape).

[0003] The present invention is advantageously applied to the production of snus pouches (namely permeable small bags, each containing a prepacked quantity of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use), to which the following discussion will explicitly refer, without thereby losing generality.PRIOR ART

[0004] Currently, snus pouches are produced with an FFS ("Form, Fill & Seal") production process and thus have a rectangular shape and each have a longitudinal seal and a pair of transverse seals.

[0005] A known manufacturing machine (for example, as is described in patent application WO2008114128A2) for the production of snus pouches is of FFS type and comprises: a conveying device for conveying a wrapping material band along a manufacturing path; a wrapping station arranged along the manufacturing path and in which the wrapping material band is wrapped so as to form a tubular wrap having a longitudinal development around a wrapping duct; a longitudinal sealing unit for longitudinally sealing the tubular wrap in the area of an overlapping area of the wrapping material band; a feeding device of the loose material for feeding in sequence the quantities of loose product into the tubular wrap; a transverse sealing unit for transversely sealing the tubular wrap so as to form an alternated sequence of sealing areas and areas containing a quantity of loose product; and a cutting unit for transversely cutting the tubular wrap in the area of the sealing areas so as to separate the single snus pouches.

[0006] Currently, the cutting unit is integrated in the transverse sealing unit and utilises blades (knives) for cyclically mechanically cutting the wrapping material band.

[0007] Patent application US2015096263A1 describes a thermo-forming packaging machine comprising a first forming station for forming a tray with a base film and a second forming station for forming a lid with a top film.

[0008] Patent US9334074B2 describes a method for cutting packages out of a composite film in a packaging machine provided with thermo-forming.

[0009] Patent application EP2730401A2 describes a machine having a horizontal development for forming and filling flexible containers.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product, said manufacturing machine and manufacturing method allowing obtaining pouches having a shape which is different from the traditional rectangular shape and, at the same time, also allowing achieving high productivity guaranteeing high qualitative standards and enabling a simple and quick change of size.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method for the production of pouches, each containing a quantity of a loose product are provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

[0012] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming integral part of the present description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a perspective view, a side view and a plan view, respectively, of a snus pouch; Figure 4 is an exploded side view of the snus pouch of Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a manufacturing machine which obtains the snus pouches of the type of that of Figures 1, 2 and 3; and Figure 6 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of part of the manufacturing machine of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of an optical control unit of the manufacturing machine of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a control station in the area of the optical control unit of Figure 8; and Figures 10 and 11 are two schematic views of as many images captured by the optical control unit of Figure 8. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a snus pouch which contains, on the inside, a quantity 2 of snus (illustrated in Figure 4), namely of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use. A loose product is a product that does not have a defined shape, namely a product without its own shape and which thus adapts to the shape of the container containing it. A loose product can be liquid or gelatinous or granular. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus is a loose product (i.e. without a defined shape) of granular type containing, for example, tobacco and / or nicotine.

[0015] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus pouch 1 has in plan a circular shape, but according to other embodiments the snus pouch 1 could have in plan different and more or less regular shapes, for example a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

[0016] According to what is illustrated in Figure 4, the snus pouch 1 comprises two cup-shaped elements 3 which are overlapped so as to delimit between them a closed volume in which the quantity 2 of snus is housed; each element 3 has a flat edge 4 which runs all the way around the element 3 so that the two flat edges 4 of the two elements 3 overlap and are joined by a seal 5 which is closed on itself (namely has an annular shape without head or tail). In other words, the pouch has one sole annular seal 5 (closed on itself without head or tail) which connects the two elements 3 to each other. It is understood that not necessarily both two elements 3 are cup-shaped; for example, one of them could be cup-shaped and the other one could be flat.

[0017] In Figure 5, reference numeral 6 indicates, as a whole, a manufacturing machine which produces the snus pouches 1.

[0018] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises a frame which rests on a floor and has a vertical support wall (the "front" wall of the manufacturing machine 6 and coinciding with the plane of Figure 5) on which all the operating components concurring to the production of the snus pouches 1 are mounted.

[0019] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises a first forming conveyor 7 which has at least one first pocket 10 which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the pouch 1 and a second forming conveyor 7 which is coupled to the first forming conveyor 7 so as to define a joining area 9 comprised between the two forming conveyors 7.

[0020] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the two forming conveyors 7 each comprise a forming drum 7. In particular, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises two forming drums 7 (substantially identical to each other) which are mounted so as to rotate with a law of intermittent motion (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases) around respective rotation axes 8 which are horizontal and parallel to each other (and perpendicular to the plane of Figure 5).

[0021] The two forming drums 7 are cooperating with (coupled to) each other and are arranged on top of each other so as to define a joining area 9 between them comprised between the two forming drums 7; namely the two forming drums 7 are arranged vertically aligned at different heights so that one forming drum 7 is on top and the other forming drum 7 is underneath.

[0022] Each forming conveyor 7 has a plurality of pockets 10 (better illustrated in Figure 9), each of which reproduces in negative part of a shape of the snus pouch 1; in particular, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. Namely each pocket 10 (or seat 10) is a recess which is hollowed on the outer surface of the respective forming conveyor 7 and reproduces in negative the shape of one of the two cup-shaped elements 3 which together constitute the snus pouch 1. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each forming conveyor 7 has more groups (in particular, eight groups) of pockets 10, each having a series of pockets 10 (in particular, eight pockets 10) arranged side by side and aligned parallel to the rotation axis 8. In this manner, in the joining area 9 defined between the two forming conveyors 7, at every working cycle, a series of snus pouches 1 (in particular, eight snus pouches 1) are formed equal to the number of pockets 10 of each group. According to other embodiments not illustrated, the number of groups of pockets 10 of each forming conveyor 7 and / or the number of pockets 10 of each group could be different.

[0023] Each pocket 10 of a forming conveyor 7 always cooperates with a same corresponding pocket 10 of the other forming conveyor 7 and, in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each pocket 10 reproduces in negative a shape of a corresponding half (namely of a cup-shaped element 3) of the snus pouch 1 so that the two pockets 10 together reproduce in negative the shape of the snus pouch 1. Alternatively, one of the two forming conveyors 7 could be without the pockets 10.

[0024] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises two feeding units 11 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is configured to feed, in a respective feeding station S1 arranged upstream of the joining area 9 with respect to the moving of the forming conveyor 7 (in particular with respect to the direction of rotation of the respective forming drum 7), a respective wrapping material band 12 which wraps itself around part of the periphery of the respective forming conveyor 7. In this manner, in the joining area 9, the two forming conveyors 7 convey the two wrapping material bands 12 towards each other so that the two wrapping material bands 12 overlap and by joining form the snus pouches 1.

[0025] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises two insertion devices 13 (substantially identical to each other), each of which is coupled to a respective forming conveyor 7 and between the respective feeding station S1 and the joining area 9 and is configured to push the respective wrapping material band 12 into the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7. Namely, each insertion device 13 locally deforms the respective wrapping material band 12 so as to insert the wrapping material band 12 into the pockets 10 of a same group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 so that the wrapping material band 12 covers the pockets 10; in this manner, in each pocket 10, the wrapping material band 12 assumes the shape of a cup-shaped element 3, namely the shape of a half snus pouch 1. In accordance with different embodiments, the machine could be without said insertion devices 13 or provide for only one insertion device 13 (for example in the case where only one of the two forming conveyors 7 provides for the pockets 10).

[0026] The manufacturing machine 6 comprises one single feeding unit 14 (schematically illustrated in Figure 5) configured to feed, in a feeding station S2 arranged between the feeding station S1 (in particular between the respective insertion device 13) and the joining area 9, a plurality of quantities 2 of snus into the pockets 10 of a group of pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 covered by the respective wrapping material band 12 (i.e. with the interposition of the respective wrapping material band 12). Namely one single feeding unit 14 is provided coupled to only one of the two forming conveyors 7 so as to feed into the pockets 10 of the respective forming conveyor 7 the quantities 2 of snus (which are held inside the pockets 10 by the sucking action of the pockets 10).

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one forming conveyor 7 is heated at least around the corresponding pockets 10 so as to obtain a heat sealing (which requires the simultaneous application of heat and pressure) of the two wrapping material bands 12 in the joining area 9, namely so as to make around each snus pouch 1 the respective annular seal 5 which is closed so as to form a ring around the edge 4 of the snus pouch 1.

[0028] In other words, the two forming conveyors 7 constitute a wrapping system which forms the two wrapping material bands 12 around the quantities 2 of snus for making the snus pouches 1; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, the wrapping system described in the accompanying figures is replaced by a different wrapping system based on the FFS ("Form, Fill & Seal") technology which utilises one single wrapping material band 12 which is folded on itself in a tube-like manner.

[0029] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a conveying device 15, which is arranged downstream of the two forming drums 7 and is configured to impart a moving movement along a moving direction D to the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and in which a sequence of rows of snus pouches 1 is present. The conveying device 15 is configured to move the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 according to a law of intermittent movement (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases).

[0030] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a cutting unit 16, which is arranged downstream of the two forming conveyors 7 (namely downstream of the wrapping system) and along the moving direction D and is configured to cut out the snus pouches 1 within the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12. According to a possible embodiment, the cutting unit 16 mechanically (namely by means of the movement of cutting elements which slide with respect to one another in the area of the cutting lines) cut the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 around the snus pouches 1. According to an alternative embodiment, the cutting unit 16 laser cuts the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 around the snus pouches 1.

[0031] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an output conveyor 17 (better visible in Figure 6), which receives the snus pouches 1 from the cutting unit 16 and transports them towards an output of the manufacturing machine 6; in particular, the output conveyor 17 comprises a conveyor belt which has a law of intermittent motion (namely a law of motion which cyclically alternates motion phases and stop phases), is wrapped so as to form a ring around two end pulleys, and has a horizontal transport branch on which the snus pouches 1 are placed one after the other during a stop phase.

[0032] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises a transfer unit 18 configured to collect a group of snus pouches 1 cut out by the cutting unit 16 and release the group of snus pouches 1 on the output conveyor 17. In particular, the transfer unit 18 comprises a support drum 19 mounted so as to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis 20 (and parallel to the rotation axes 8) and four groups of sucking retrieving heads 21 mounted on the support drum 19 (alternatively only two groups of sucking retrieving heads 21 or one sole group of sucking retrieving heads 21 could be provided). The rotation (with law of intermittent motion) of the support drum 19 around the rotation axis 20 leads each group of sucking retrieving heads 21 first in the area of the cutting unit 16 so as to engage (grab) a group of snus pouches 1 immediately before the action of the cutting unit 16 (namely immediately before the cutting unit 16 cuts out the snus pouches 1 from the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 freeing the snus pouches 1 from, namely making them independent of, the wrapping material bands 12) and subsequently in the area of the underlying output conveyor 17 so as to release the group of snus pouches 1 on the output conveyor 17.

[0033] In other words, each group of sucking retrieving heads 21 of the transfer unit 18 grabs (engages, holds) a corresponding group of snus pouches 1 which are located in the area of the cutting unit 16 before the cutting unit 16 starts cutting and therefore the cutting unit 16 cuts around the group of snus pouches 1 held by the group of sucking retrieving heads 21; in this manner, once the cuts are completed, the group of snus pouches 1 does not fall by gravity but remains in contact with the group of sucking retrieving heads 21, which are subsequently moved towards the output conveyor 17 on which they release the group of snus pouches 1.

[0034] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an inspection (examination, verification, control) unit 22, which is arranged in an inspection station S3 located along the moving direction D and upstream of the cutting unit 16. The inspection unit 22 is configured to capture at least one image 23 (illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) of a group of snus pouches 1 which transit in the area of the inspection device 22, namely which are located in the inspection station S3. A control unit 24 is further provided which is configured, by analysing the images 23 captured by the inspection device 22, to establish whether each snus pouch 1 is defective (namely does not have a sufficient quantity 2 of loose product) and / or to temporarily deactivate the cutting unit 16 and / or the transfer unit 18 in the area of a defective snus pouch 1. The control unit 24 is also configured to adjust the conveying of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 enclosing the snus pouches 1 so as to align (phase, step) the snus pouches 1 enclosed by the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with the cutting unit 16 so as to guarantee that the cut occurs with precision around the snus pouches 1.

[0035] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, under the cutting unit 16 a collection conveyor 25 is provided (possibly coupled to a shredding device), which receives the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 after the cut (separation) of the snus pouches 1 and to receive also possible defective snus pouches 1 which were not cut by the cutting unit 16 and therefore were not retrieved by the transfer unit 18 and possible defective snus pouches 1 which were cut by the cutting unit 16 and, after being initially grabbed by the transfer unit 18, are left falling from the transfer unit 18. Preferably, the shredding device arranged upstream of the collection conveyor 25 transversely (namely perpendicular to the moving direction D) cuts what remains of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 so as to produce a series of thin strips.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the conveying device 15 comprises an adjustment roller 26 which is arranged upstream of the cutting unit 16 and of the inspection unit 22 and is mounted so as to rotate in an idle manner around a rotation axis 27 (parallel to the rotation axes 8). The overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 partially wrap themselves around the adjustment roller 26. According to a preferred embodiment, the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 wrap themselves around the adjustment roller 26 by approximately 180° forming a "U". The conveying device 15 also comprises an actuator device 28 configured to move the adjustment roller 26 radially, namely perpendicular to the rotation axis 27; in this manner, the movement of the adjustment roller 26 imparted by the actuator device 28 can move the adjustment roller 26 close to the cutting unit 16 (reducing the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16) or can move the adjustment roller 26 away from the cutting unit 16 (increasing the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16). Therefore, the control unit 24 can, by controlling the actuator device 28 for moving the adjustment roller 26, vary the distance that the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 must travel so as to arrive at the cutting unit 16 and therefore vary the alignment of the snus pouches 1 with the cutting unit 16.

[0037] As described in the foregoing and as is well illustrated in Figure 9, the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 contain a sequence of rows of snus pouches 1, each of which consists, for example, of eight snus pouches 1 aligned transversely (namely perpendicular to the moving direction D of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 along the conveying device 15).

[0038] In use, the control unit 24 determines a (longitudinal) position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 captured by the inspection unit 22; namely the control unit 24 determines a possible difference between the actual position and the (nominal) desired position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 captured by the inspection unit 22. Then, the control unit 24 adjusts the conveying device 15 (by acting on the adjustment roller 26) depending on the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 operating, consequently, a feedback control of the position, along the moving direction D, of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1. In other words, the control unit 24 corrects the position, along the moving direction D, of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect (namely has a significant deviation with respect to the desired position).

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection unit 22 is arranged in the proximity of the cutting unit 16. In particular, the inspection unit 22 is arranged at less than five (preferably three) moving steps of the conveying device 15 from the cutting unit 16 and for example the inspection unit 22 is arranged at two moving steps of the conveying device 15 from the cutting unit 16 (namely a row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 reaches the cutting unit 16 after two moving steps of the conveying device 15).

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection unit 22 enables or disables the operation of the cutting unit 16 depending on the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3; namely, the control unit 24 enables the operation of the cutting unit 16 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is correct (i.e. its deviation with respect to the desired position falls within the admitted tolerance) and disables the operation of the cutting unit 16 if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect (i.e. its deviation with respect to the desired position exceeds the admitted tolerance). In other words, the inspection unit 22 is arranged in the proximity of the cutting unit 16 and therefore if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is correct, also the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16 will be correct and therefore the cutting unit 16 is in the conditions for operating correctly; whereas, if the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 is incorrect, also the position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16 will be incorrect and therefore the cutting unit 16 is not in the conditions of operating correctly (therefore it is possible not to cut while waiting to correct the position error).

[0041] According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the inspection unit 22 comprises a camera 29, which is configured to capture the image 23 of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 and frames a first surface of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12, and a lighting device 30 which is configured to emit light towards a second surface of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 opposite the first surface so that the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 are located between the camera 29 and the lighting device 30. In other words, the lighting device 30 is arranged to generate a backlighting of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 since the light which it generates arrives behind the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with respect to the camera 29.

[0042] According to what is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the conveying device 15 comprises two (fixed or movable) side plates 31 and 32, which are arranged in the area of the inspection station S3 at the two opposite sides of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and provide a lateral (transverse, namely perpendicular to the moving direction D) containment to the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 guiding their movement. The position of the side plates 31 and 32 is adjustable when the manufacturing machine 6 is still so as to obtain an optimal transverse, namely perpendicular to the moving direction D, alignment of the overlapped wrapping material bands 12 with the cutting unit 16.

[0043] The side plates 31 and 32 are framed by the camera 29 and are thus (at least partially) visible in the images 23 captured by the camera 29 (as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11).

[0044] The side plate 32 has a visible (in particular visible in the images 23 captured by the camera 29 as is shown in Figures 10 and 11) reference element 33, which constitutes a longitudinal (namely along the moving direction D) position reference. The control unit 24 determines the (longitudinal) position, along the moving direction D, of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3 by analysing the corresponding image 23 and comparing in the image 23 the position of the reference element 33 with respect to the position of the snus pouches 1; in other words, in each image 23, the reference element 33 constitutes the longitudinal position reference utilised to measure the (longitudinal) position of the row of snus pouches 1 along the moving direction D. According to a preferred embodiment, the reference element 33 consists of a through opening, through which the light emitted by the lighting device 30 passes; in this manner and as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, in each image 23, the reference element 33 appears as a light blade inside a dark area (since the side plate 33 which is completely opaque does not let the light emitted by the lighting device 30 pass) and it is thus very well identifiable.

[0045] As mentioned in the foregoing, the lighting device 30 generates a backlighting of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 and therefore in the images 23 the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 containing the snus pouches 1 appear back-lighted (an effect obtained when the subject is illuminated from behind); the wrapping material is much more permeable to light than the quantities 2 of loose product and therefore in the images 23 (as is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) the quantities 2 of loose product appear as "dark spots" within a brighter area. Consequently, the control unit 24 identifies in each image 23 darker areas and associates the darker areas with the quantities 2 of loose product contained in the snus pouches 1.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit 24 determines, by analysing the corresponding image 23, the position, along the moving direction D, of each snus pouch 1 present in the image 23 (namely each snus pouch 1 of the same row), so as to determine an average position, along the moving direction D, of all the snus pouches 1 present in the image 23 (namely of all the snus pouches 1 of the same row). Therefore, in order to adjust the conveying device 15 and enable or disable the cutting unit 16 as described in the foregoing, the control unit 24 utilises the average position, along the moving direction D, of all the snus pouches 1 present in the image 23 (namely of all the snus pouches 1 of the same row).

[0047] In other words, the control unit 24 is configured to adjust (both longitudinally and transversely) a relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 depending on the position of the row of pouches 1 along the moving direction D; in this manner, the cutting unit 16 is always correctly aligned (both longitudinally and transversely) with the row of pouches 1 located in the area of the cutting unit 16.

[0048] The adjustment of the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 is preferably performed both in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction; alternatively, the adjustment of the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to each row of pouches 1 could be performed only in longitudinal direction or only in transverse direction.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 is invariable (namely is not modifiable since the cutting unit 16 is rigidly mounted on a support frame of the manufacturing machine 6 without the possibility of making any movement); consequently, the control unit 24 is configured to adjust the conveying device 15 depending on the position of the row of pouches 1 along the moving direction D so as to adjust the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the row of pouches 1. According to a different embodiment not illustrated, the position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 is variable (namely the cutting unit 16 is mounted on a trolley that moves both longitudinally and transversely under the control of an actuator device); consequently, the control unit 24 is configured to move both longitudinally and transversely the cutting unit 16 with respect to the conveying device 15 so as to adjust the relative position of the cutting unit 16 with respect to the row of pouches 1.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment, in use the control unit 24 determines, by analysing the corresponding image 23, the amount of loose product present in the quantity 2 of loose product contained in each snus pouch 1 of the row of snus pouches 1 located in the inspection station S3. In particular, the control unit 24 estimates the amount of loose product present in the quantity 2 of loose product contained in a snus pouch 1 depending on the extension of the corresponding darker area in the image 23 and / or depending on the colour of the corresponding darker area in the image 23; in other words, the more the corresponding darker area in the image 23 is extended and the more the colour of the corresponding darker area in the image 23 is intense (black), the greater the quantity 2 of loose product contained in a snus pouch 1. Figure 10 represents eight quantities 2 of loose product substantially identical and in accordance with the specifications; therefore, all the snus pouches 1 of the row located in the inspection station S3 are well formed. Whereas, Figure 11 represents a quantity 2 of loose product not in accordance with the specifications (namely having an insufficient amount of loose product) and therefore the corresponding snus pouch 1 will have to be rejected.

[0051] Consequently, in use, the control unit 24 causes a snus pouch 1 to be rejected if the amount of loose product present in the respective quantity 2 of loose product is insufficient (namely is less than an acceptability threshold value). Generally this single rejection of a snus pouch 1 is performed by temporarily deactivating, only in the area of the snus pouch 1 to be rejected, the cutting unit 16 (therefore the defective snus pouch 1 is not separated from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and continues together with the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 towards the collection container 25 downstream of the cutting unit 16) or temporarily deactivating, only in the area of the snus pouch 1 to be rejected, the transfer unit 18 (therefore the defective snus pouch 1 is initially retrieved by the transfer unit 18 and then left falling towards the collection container 25 without arriving at the output conveyor 17). According to a possible embodiment, when the amount of loose product is insufficient in at least a predetermined number of snus pouches 1 of a same row (for example in at least half of the snus pouches 1 of a same row), then the control unit 24 causes the entire row of snus pouches 1 to be rejected temporarily deactivating the cutting unit 16 (therefore the entire row of snus pouches 1 is not separated from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and continues together with the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 towards the collection container 25 downstream of the cutting unit 16).

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the camera 29 of the inspection unit 22 is arranged within a sealed case provided with a transparent glass through which the camera 29 frames the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 in the inspection station S3; preferably, the transparent glass is kept clean by means of air blows (namely an air blade) which can be continuous or intermittent (in this case the air blows are activated in the motion phases of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 when the camera 29 is not capturing the images 23).

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the manufacturing machine 6 comprises an inspection unit 34, which is arranged along the output conveyor 17 and is configured to capture an image of each snus pouch 1 carried by the output conveyor 17; the control unit 24, by analysing the images captured by the inspection unit 34, establishes whether or not the corresponding snus pouches 1 are in accordance with the specifications and consequently causes a single rejection of snus pouches 1 arranged downstream of the inspection unit 34. In particular, the images captured by the inspection unit 34 are analysed by the control unit 24 so as to verify the outer shape of the snus pouches 1, namely whether the snus pouches 1 have been correctly cut by the cutting unit 16; consequently, the analysis of the images captured by the inspection unit 34 is complementary to the analysis of the images 23 captured by the inspection unit 22, since the images 23 are captured by the inspection unit 22 before the cut.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, the cutting unit 16 completely cuts around each snus pouch 1 so that the snus pouch 1 is entirely free from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 and from the other snus pouches 1. In this embodiment, all the cutting lines made by the cutting unit 16 provide for a complete separation everywhere.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment, the cutting unit 16 does not completely cut around each snus pouch 1 so as to leave each connected snus pouch 1 linked to at least another snus pouch 1 but preferably to a group of other snus pouches 1 along pre-weakened connection lines which in use are easily tearable, namely by applying a relatively modest traction force. In this embodiment, some cutting lines obtained by the cutting unit 16 provide for a complete separation, whereas other cutting lines obtained by the cutting unit 16 only provide for a weakening, for example, a cut with joining points so as to allow a following tear. Preferably, the cutting unit 16 is formed so as to separate from the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 a group of snus pouches 1 provided with at least a remaining piece of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 which constitutes a joining element connected to all the snus pouches 1 composing the group by means of respective pre-weakened connection lines, namely by means of respective tearable connection lines.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of snus; alternatively, the pouches 1 contain respective quantities 2 of a loose product different from the snus (for example tea or other powdered herb mixtures for infusion or for other uses).

[0057] The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0058] The manufacturing machine 6 described above has numerous advantages.

[0059] Firstly, the manufacturing machine 6 described above allows achieving high hourly productivity while guaranteeing a high qualitative standard. This result is (also) obtained thanks to the fact that the positioning of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 in the area of the cutting unit 1 is always very precise owing to a continuous verification and to a consequent continuous correction of the position of the two overlapped wrapping material bands 12 along the moving direction D. This result is (also) obtained thanks to the fact that all the snus pouches 1 not in accordance in an efficient (namely without false negatives and therefore without rejecting acceptable snus pouches 1) and effective (namely without false positives, namely not identifying defective snus pouches 1) manner are rejected.

[0060] Furthermore, the manufacturing machine 6 described above is particularly compact and allows an operator who is in the proximity of the manufacturing machine 6 to reach with his / her hands all the various parts of the manufacturing machine 6 without having to make unnatural movements.

[0061] Finally, the manufacturing machine 6 described above is relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture.LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0062] 1snus pouch 2quantity 3cup-shaped element 4edges 5seal 6manufacturing machine 7forming drums 8rotation axes 9joining area 10pockets 11feeding unit 12wrapping material band 13insertion devices 14feeding unit 15conveying conveyor 16cutting unit 17output conveyor 18transfer unit 19support drum 20rotation axis 21retrieving arm 22inspection unit 23image 24control unit 25collection container 26adjustment roller 27rotation axis 28actuator device 29camera 30lighting device 31fixed side plate 32fixed side plate 33reference element 34inspection unit S1feeding station S2feeding station S3inspection station Dmoving direction

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a snus pouch which contains, on the inside, a quantity 2 of snus (illustrated in Figure 4), namely of a tobacco- and / or nicotine-based loose and preferably moist product for oral use. A loose product is a product that does not have a defined shape, namely a product without its own shape and which thus adapts to the shape of the container containing it. A loose product can be liquid or gelatinous or granular. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus is a loose product (i.e. without a defined shape) of granular type containing, for example, tobacco and / or nicotine.

[0015]In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the snus pouch 1 has in plan a circular shape, but according to other embodiments the snus pouch 1 could have in plan different and more or less regular shapes, for example a star shape, a triangular shape, a heart shape, a polygonal shape.

[0016]According to what is illustr...

Claims

1. A manufacturing machine (6) for the production of pouches (1), preferably pouches (1) each containing a quantity (2) of a loose product; the manufacturing machine (6) comprises: a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed a first wrapping material band (12); a second feeding unit (14) configured to feed the quantities (2) of loose product; a wrapping system, which forms the first wrapping material band (12) so as to make the pouches (1) containing the quantities (2) of loose product; a conveying device (15), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system and is configured to move the first wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1) along a moving direction (D); a cutting unit (16), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system and is configured to at least partially cut out each pouch (1) within the first wrapping material band (12); a first inspection unit (22), which is arranged in an inspection station (S3) upstream of the cutting unit (16) and is configured to capture a first image (23) of at least one pouch (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); and a control unit (24); the manufacturing machine (6) is characterized in that the control unit (24) is configured to determine a position, along the moving direction (D), of the pouch (1) located in the inspection station (S3) by analysing the first image (23) and is configured to adjust the conveying device (15) depending on the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D).

2. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to enable or disable the operation only and solely of the cutting unit (16) depending on the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D) leaving operating all the other components of the manufacturing machine (6).

3. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to enable the operation of the cutting unit (16), if the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D) is correct and to disable the operation only and solely of the cutting unit (16), if the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D) is incorrect.

4. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to correct the position of the first wrapping material band (12) along the moving direction (D), if the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D) is incorrect.

5. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 4, wherein the conveying device (15) comprises: an adjustment roller (26), around which the first wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1) partially wraps itself; and an actuator device (28), which is controlled by the control unit (24) and is configured to move the adjustment roller (26) so as to vary the position of the first wrapping material band (12) along the moving direction (D).

6. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 5, wherein the first inspection unit (22) comprises: a camera (29), which is configured to capture the first image (23) and frames a first surface of the first wrapping material band (12); and a lighting device (30), which is configured to emit light towards a second surface of the first wrapping material band (12) opposite the first surface so that the first wrapping material band (12) is located between the camera (29) and the lighting device (30).

7. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 6, wherein the conveying device (15) comprises at least one side plate (32), which is framed by the camera (29) so as to appear in the first image (23), laterally contains the first wrapping material band (12) and has a visible reference element (33), which constitutes a position reference.

8. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 7, wherein the reference element (33) consists of a through opening, through which the light emitted by the lighting device (30) passes.

9. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 8, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to identify, in the first image (23), a darker area and to associate the darker area with the quantity (2) of loose product contained in the pouch (1).

10. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 9, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to determine, by analysing the first image (23), the amount of loose product present in the quantity (2) of loose product contained in the pouch (1) and to cause the pouch (1) to be rejected, if the amount of loose product is insufficient.

11. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 10, wherein: the first inspection unit (22) is configured to capture the first image (23) of a plurality of pouches (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); the control unit (24) is configured to determine, by analysing the first image (23), the amount of loose product present in the quantity (2) of loose product contained in each pouch (1) and to cause the plurality of pouches (1) to be rejected, if the amount of loose product is insufficient in at least a predetermined number of pouches (1).

12. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 11, wherein: the first inspection unit (22) is configured to capture the first image (23) of a plurality of pouches (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); and the control unit (24) is configured to determine, by analysing the first image (23), the position, along the moving direction (D), of each pouch (1) present in the first image (23), to determine an average position, along the moving direction (D), of all the pouches (1) present in the first image (23) and to adjust the conveying device (15) depending on the average position, along the moving direction (D), of all the pouches (1) present in the first image (23).

13. The manufacturing machine (6) according to one of the claims from 1 to 12 and comprising a transfer unit (18), which is arranged in the area of the cutting unit (16) and is configured to engage each pouch (1) before the cutting unit (16) cuts the first wrapping material band (12) around the pouch (1), so that the pouch (1) is held by the transfer unit (18) during the entire execution of the cut and after the execution of the cut.

14. A manufacturing method for the production of pouches (1), preferably pouches (1) each containing a quantity (2) of a loose product; the manufacturing method comprises the steps of: feeding, by means of a first feeding unit (11), a first wrapping material band (12); feeding, by means of a second feeding unit (14), the quantities (2) of loose product; forming, by means of a wrapping system, the wrapping material band (12) so as to obtain the pouches (1) containing the quantities (2) of loose product; moving, by means of a conveying device (15) arranged downstream of the wrapping system, the first wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1); at least partially cutting out, by means of a cutting unit (16), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system, each pouch (1) within the wrapping material band (12); and capturing, by means of a first inspection unit (22), which is arranged in an inspection station (S3) upstream of the cutting unit (16), a first image (23) of at least one pouch (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); the manufacturing method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: determining a position, along the moving direction (D), of the pouch (1) located in the inspection station (S3) by analysing the first image (23); and adjusting the conveying device (15) depending on the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D).

15. A manufacturing machine (6) for the production of pouches (1), preferably pouches (1) each containing a quantity (2) of a loose product; the manufacturing machine (6) comprises: a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed a first wrapping material band (12); a second feeding unit (14) configured to feed the quantities (2) of loose product; a wrapping system, which forms the first wrapping material band (12) so as to make the pouches (1) containing the quantities (2) of loose product; a conveying device (15), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system and is configured to move the first wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1) along a moving direction (D); a cutting unit (16), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system and is configured to at least partially cut out each pouch (1) within the first wrapping material band (12); a first inspection unit (22), which is arranged in an inspection station (S3) upstream of the cutting unit (16) and is configured to capture a first image (23) of at least one pouch (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); and a control unit (24); the manufacturing machine (6) is characterized in that the control unit (24) is configured to determine a position, along the moving direction (D), of the pouch (1) located in the inspection station (S3) by analysing the first image (23) and is configured to adjust a relative position of the cutting unit (16) with respect to the pouch (1) depending on the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D).

16. The manufacturing machine (6) according to claim 15, wherein: the position of the cutting unit (16) with respect to the conveying device (15) is variable; and the control unit (24) is configured to move the cutting unit (16) with respect to the conveying device (15) so as to adjust the relative position of the cutting unit (16) with respect to the pouch (1).

17. A manufacturing method for the production of pouches (1), preferably pouches (1) each containing a quantity (2) of a loose product; the manufacturing method comprises the steps of: feeding, by means of a first feeding unit (11), a first wrapping material band (12); feeding, by means of a second feeding unit (14), the quantities (2) of loose product; forming, by means of a wrapping system, the wrapping material band (12) so as to obtain the pouches (1) containing the quantities (2) of loose product; moving, by means of a conveying device (15) arranged downstream of the wrapping system, the first wrapping material band (12) containing the pouches (1); at least partially cutting out, by means of a cutting unit (16), which is arranged downstream of the wrapping system, each pouch (1) within the wrapping material band (12); and capturing, by means of a first inspection unit (22), which is arranged in an inspection station (S3) upstream of the cutting unit (16), a first image (23) of at least one pouch (1) coupled to the first wrapping material band (12); the manufacturing method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: determining a position, along the moving direction (D), of the pouch (1) located in the inspection station (S3) by analysing the first image (23); and adjusting a relative position of the cutting unit (16) with respect to the pouch (1) depending on the position of the pouch (1) along the moving direction (D).

Images