Dosing station and dosing method for a plant for processing capsules for beverages and plant for processing capsules for beverages

Abstract

A method for filling capsules (9) for preparing beverages with a dosed quantity of a food product for preparing a beverage comprising: - providing a dosing station (14) which comprises an m number of dosing devices (15; 21, 22); - providing sets of elements (3) for conveying capsules (9) to be filled in which the number of conveying elements (3) is the same as the number of dosing devices (15; 21, 22) in the dosing station (14), each conveying element (3) carrying at least two capsules (9); - advancing a first set of conveying elements (3) in an advancement direction (F; F1) and stopping the first set of conveying elements when a mouth (9b) of a first conveying element (3a), which reaches the dosing station (14), is aligned with a dispensing nozzle (16a; 23a) of a first dosing device (15a; 21a); - dispensing to said capsule (9), through said first dosing device (15a; 21a), a dosed quantity of a food product for preparing a beverage, whereas the other dosing devices (15; 21, 22) of the dosing station (14) remain inactive. A dosing station (14) for a plant (1) for processing capsules (9) for preparing beverages comprising a plurality of dosing devices (15; 21, 22), arranged in a first group (17; 19) and in a second group (18; 20) aligned in an advancement direction (F; F1) of the capsules (9) and staggered one with respect to the other. A plant (1) for processing capsules for preparing beverages, in which there are movable, in an advancement direction (F; F1), sets of elements (3) for conveying said capsules (9), comprises a dosing station (14) provided with a plurality of dosing devices (15; 21, 22), arranged in a first group (17; 19) and in a second group (18; 20) aligned in said advancement direction (F; F1) and staggered one with respect to the other. An element (3) for conveying capsules (9) for a plant for preparing beverages, comprising a support element (12) provided with at least two cavities (13) each of which is designed to house a capsule (9), wherein said at least two cavities (13) are aligned in a direction (F2) that is perpendicular to an advancement direction (F; F1) of said conveying element in said plant (1).

Description

Dosing station and dosing method for a plant for processing capsules for beverages and plant for processing capsules for beveragesBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing station and a dosing method for a plant for processing capsules for preparing beverages, that is capsules designed to contain a product through which a beverage such as, for example, coffee, tea, or other beverages may be prepared., in which capsules are conveyed along the plant by means of a magnetic conveying system

[0002] The invention also relates to a plant for processing capsules for beverages.

[0003] A plant for processing capsules for beverages may comprise a plurality of processing stations, in which there is carried out a plurality of operations for processing capsules, such as, for example: a first cutting and welding station in which closing discs, each of which is inserted into a respective capsule and welded to its bottom, are cut from an aluminium sheet, or made of a multi-layer material comprising at least one aluminium layer; a second cutting and welding station in which disc-shaped filters, one for each capsule, which are subsequently inserted into the respective capsules and welded therein, are cut from a sheet of filter material; a dosing station, in which a dosed quantity of a product for preparing a beverage is introduced into each capsule;- a station for suctioning and cleaning the edge of the capsules in which the edge of each capsule is cleaned of any particles present thereon, which could hinder the welding of the closing film on the edge;- a weighing station, in which the capsules are weighed individually, to verify whether the dosage of the product for preparing a beverage in each capsule was correct; an inerting station in which the air contained in the capsules is suctioned and inert gas, for example nitrogen, is blown into the capsules to create, in the product introduced into the capsules an inert atmosphere which prevents, or at least, reduces the risk of fermentation or oxidation of the product to the minimum; a third cutting and welding station in which discs for closing the capsules, which are welded to the flange of each capsule to seal it hermetically, are cut from an aluminium sheet;- an inlet station, in which the capsules to be filled are introduced into the plant; an outlet station in which the filled and sealed capsules are removed from the plant.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] The prior art discloses plants for processing capsules for preparing beverages, comprising a rail along which processing stations are arranged. The capsules are conveyed along the rail by conveying elements, which move along the rail forming a magnetic conveying system therewith.

[0005] For example, plants of this type are disclosed in EP 3 281 879 Al, DE 102016212 227 Al, WO 2013 / 093763, WO 2021 / 024051, and WO 2021 / 229426.

[0006] In the plants disclosed in the documents mentioned above, the bodies of the capsules are conveyed in the various stations of the plant through conveying elements each of which is provided with a plurality of seats, not less than six, each of which can house the body of a capsule, wherein the seats are arranged on rows oriented perpendicularly or parallel to the conveying direction of capsules.

[0007] In each station for processing the capsules, the processing time, that is the time required to carry out a certain operation on the capsule, for example filling the capsule or cutting and welding the closing film, etcetera, may be different from that of the other stations, while the movement velocity of each conveying element and the number of capsules in each of them is constant, that is all the conveying elements move at the same velocity, corresponding to the conveying velocity of the capsules along the plant.

[0008] All this leads to the fact that the productivity of the plant is influenced by the processing station which requires longest processing time, given that, all the conveying elements having the same velocity, it is not possible to differentiate the velocity of the individual conveying elements to take into account the various processing times. Therefore, in the various stations, the movements of one conveying element between one processing station and the subsequent one can occur at time intervals equal to the processing time of the station that requires the longest processing time.

[0009] In particular, the productivity of the plant, that is the N maximum number of capsules that can be filled withing a pre-established time Ti, depends on the number of capsules that can be filled in the dosing station at each dosing cycle, said number being equal to the number of dosing devices present in the dosing station.

[0010] Furthermore, all processing stations must have the same number of operating elements, which is equal to the number of capsules of each conveying element or of groups of adjacent conveying elements, which makes it impossible to optimise the processing stations with reference to the number of operating units in each station and the cycle time of each station.

[0011] Furthermore, a plant subject of the Italian patent IT 102019000003631, on behalf of the Applicant of this patent application, which comprises a loop-shaped rail along which there is arranged a plurality of processing stations in which a plurality of processing operations is carried out on the capsules, is known. The capsules are conveyed along the rail by means of conveying elements which form a magnetic conveying system with the rail. Each conveying element conveys a single capsule, and it can move independently from the other conveying elements.

[0012] This type of plant can be managed much more flexibly compared to the plants disclosed in the documents mentioned above in paragraph

[0005] , so as to optimise the productivity of the plant, due to the fact that each of the individual capsules can be moved independently from the others along the entire plant, with the possibility of changing the movement velocity of the individual capsules and the centre distances between the capsules, so as to adapt the movement modes of the capsules to the structure and to the operating modes of the individual processing stations arranged along the plant.

[0013] The dosing station of the plant comprises a plurality of dosing devices arranged on only one row, parallel to an advancement direction of the conveying elements.

[0014] In all plants disclosed in the prior art documents mentioned above, a maximum number of capsules equal to the number of dosing devices present in the dosing station can be filled in each dosing cycle.

[0015] The duration T of a dosing cycle is given by the sum of a time ti, required to introduce into the dosing station a number of capsules equal to the number of dosing devices present in the station, a time t2, required to fill the capsules with the dosed quantity of food product required, and a time t3, required to release the capsules from the dosing station.

[0016] Assuming that there is no interruption between one dosing cycle and the subsequent one, the productivity of the plant, that is the N maximum number of capsules which can be filled within a predetermined time interval Ti is equal to N=n*Ti / T, wherein n is the number of dosing devices in the dosing station. Therefore, the n number of dosing devices influences the productivity of the plant.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention aims at providing a dosing method and a dosing station for a plant for processing capsules for preparing beverages which allows to significantly increase the productivity of the plant with respect to the prior art plants, allowing to double the number of capsules that can be filled at each dosing cycle, considering a same number of dosing devices in the dosing station with respect to the prior art plants.

[0018] According to the invention, it is envisaged to use conveying elements each of which carry at least two capsules aligned in a direction parallel to the advancement direction of the conveying elements in the plant and a dosing station in which the dosing devices are arranged on two parallel rows aligned along said advancement direction and staggered with respect to each other in said advancement direction.

[0019] The use of conveying elements each of which conveys two capsules and the arrangement of the dosing elements on two rows staggered parallel to each other allows to fill a number of capsules equal to twice the dosing elements present in the dosing station at each dosing cycle, as will be explained in greater detail below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a plant for processing capsules for preparing beverages, provided with a dosing station according to the invention, in a first dosing operating step;Figure 2 is an elevational view of the plant of Figure 1;Figure 3 is a view of the plant of Figure 1, according to the line of section III-III in Figure 2;Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the plant of Figure 1, in a second dosing operating step;Figure 5 is an elevational view of the plant of Figure 4;Figure 6 is a view of the plant of Figure 4, according to the line of section VI- VI in Figure 5;Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the plant of Figure 1, in a third dosing operating step;Figure 8 is an elevational view of the plant of Figure 7;Figure 9 is a view of the plant of Figure 7, according to the line of section IX-IX in Figure 8;Figure 10 is a schematic partial perspective view of a variant of the plant for preparing beverages of Figure 1, in a first dosing operating step;Figure 11 is a view of the plant of Figure 10, according to the line of section XI-XI in Figure 10;Figure 12 is a schematic partial perspective view of the plant of Figure 10, in a second dosing operating step;Figure 13 is a view of the plant of Figure 12, according to the line of section XIII-XIII in Figure 12;Figure 14 is a schematic partial perspective view of the plant of Figure 10, in a third dosing operating step;Figure 15 is a view of the plant of Figure 14, according to the line of section XV-XV in Figure 14;Figure 16 is an elevational view of an element for conveying capsules used in a plant according to the invention;Figure 17 is a perspective view of the element for conveying capsules of Figure 16;Figure 18 is a top view of the element for conveying capsules of figure 16 and Figure 19 is a schematic view of a capsule for preparing beverages.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference to the figures, a plant 1 according to the invention comprises a magnetic conveying system, which operates according to the principle of the linear electric motor and it comprises a loop-shaped rail 2 along which there are slidable conveying elements 3, each of which conveys a respective pair of capsules 9. The rail 2 comprises two rectilinear portions 2a which are parallel to each other, connected by two curvilinear portions 2b, 2c.

[0022] The rail 2 may comprise a plurality of rectilinear and curvilinear portions, in which the curvilinear portions may have a different angular amplitude, which allows to obtain different configurations of the rail, depending on the production needs and space available for the plant.

[0023] The conveying element 3 (Figure 16) is provided with a body 4 which has a lower appendage 5 to which there is fixed a pair of first rolling elements 6, which are arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to a longitudinal axis A of the conveying element 3 and they are free to rotate around a respective rotation axis parallel to said longitudinal axis A. The first rolling elements 6 are arranged preferably staggered in the direction of said longitudinal axis A.

[0024] At the upper part, the body 4 is provided with a pair of further rolling elements 7 whose lateral faces 7a have a section substantially triangular-shaped. Also, the further rolling elements 7 are preferably staggered in the direction of the longitudinal axis A.

[0025] The staggered arrangement of the first rolling elements 6 and of the second rolling elements 7 is used to increase the stability of the conveying element 3 during the motion thereof along the rail 2.

[0026] At the lower part, the rail 2 is provided with a support surface 10, against which the first rolling elements 6 rest while the conveying element 3 moves along the rail 2.

[0027] The rail 2 is further provided with guide grooves 11, into which the second rolling elements 7 are inserted, when the conveying element 3 is mounted on the rail 2. The guide grooves 11 have a shape complementary to the shape of the lateral faces 7a of the second rolling elements 7.

[0028] The rail 2 is provided with a metal core, on which there are arranged electrical windings configured so that, when they are supplied with an alternating electric current, generate a magnetic field which moves along the rail 2 with a movement velocity which can be adjusted by adjusting the current intensity in the electrical windings.

[0029] The body 4 of each conveying element is provided with at least one permanent magnet which, thanks to the interaction between its magnetic field and the metal of the core of the rail 2, allows the conveying element 3 to adhere to the rail 2 and keep it adhered thereto. Furthermore, the interaction between the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and the mobile magnetic field generated by the windings of the core of the rail 2 allows to move the conveying element 3 along the rail 2, in an advancement direction, indicated by anarrow F in Figures 1 to 9 and an arrow Fl, in figures 11, 13 and 15, with velocity which can be adjusted by varying the current intensity in the windings of the core.

[0030] At the upper part, the body 4 terminates in a support element 8, on which there may be fitted a support element 12, provided with cavities 13, each of which is configured to accommodate a capsule 9, provided with a flange-shaped edge 9a and with a mouth 9b placed in communication with a cavity 9c within the capsule 9.

[0031] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures, each support element 12 is provided with only two cavities 13 aligned in a direction F2 (Figure 18) perpendicular to the advancement direction of the conveying elements 3, indicated by an arrow F in Figures 1 to 9 and by an arrow Fl in figures 11, 13 and 15.

[0032] The support element 12 is interchangeable, so as to enable support elements 12 adapted to accommodate capsules of different sizes to be fitted on the conveying element 3.

[0033] This enables to easily manage a change of size of the capsules being processed, either by replacing the support elements 12 on the conveying elements 3 with other support elements 12 for the new size of capsules, or by replacing the conveying elements 3 on the rail 2 with other conveying elements 3 equipped with supports 12 for the new-size capsules.

[0034] The support element 12 may also be provided with a number of cavities 13 greater than two.

[0035] Along the rail 2 there is arranged a plurality of processing stations in each one of which there is carried out a different processing on the capsules 9, which are conveyed in the processing stations through conveying elements 3.

[0036] For clarity purposes, the figures show only one of the processing stations, in particular a dosing station 14, in which the capsules 9 are filled with a dosed quantity of a food product in the form of powder, granules, leaves, etc. for preparing a beverage, for example, tea, coffee, cocoa, or other products adapted to be used for preparing a beverage.

[0037] The dosing station 14 comprises a plurality of dosing devices 15, 21, 22 each of which is provided with a dispensing nozzle 16, 23, 24 through which a dosed quantity of a food product is introduced into a respective capsule 9.

[0038] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, the dosing station 14 is arranged along one of the rectilinear portions 2a of the rail 2. However, the dosing station may also be arranged in one of the curvilinear portions 2b, 2c of the rail 2, as shown in the Figures 10 to 15.

[0039] With reference to figures 1 to 9, the dosing station 14 comprises a first group 17 of dosing devices 15 and a second group 18 of dosing devices 15. The dosing devices 15 of the first group 17 and of the second group 18 are arranged on two rows parallel to each other and to the advancement direction F of the conveying elements 3 along the portion 2a of the rail 2.

[0040] The distance H between two adjacent dosing devices 15 in the same row is equal to twice the centre distance K between two adjacent conveying elements 3, into which the capsules 9 are inserted.

[0041] The dosing devices 15 of the first group 17 and of the second group 18 are staggered with respect to each other in said advancement direction F, so that the dosing devices 15 of the first group 17 are staggered with respect to the dosing devices 15 of the second group 18 by a quantity D, preferably equal to this centre distance K between two adjacent conveying elements 3.

[0042] The arrangement of dosing devices 15 and the use of conveying elements 3 each of which carries at least two capsules 9, aligned in a direction Fl perpendicular to the advancement direction F of the conveying elements 3, allow to fill an n number of capsules equal to twice the m number of dosing devices 15 in the dosing station at each dosing cycle.

[0043] At each dosing cycle, a set of conveying elements 3, consisting of a number of conveying elements 3 equal to the m number of dosing elements present in the dosing station, is delivered to the dosing station 14.

[0044] The conveying elements 3 are preferably arranged adjacent to each other so that there is substantially no space between a conveying element 3 and the conveying elements 3 adjacent thereto. There could also be a space between two adjacent conveying elements 3, provided that this space is the same for each pair of adjacent conveying elements 3 and therefore the centre distance between adjacent conveying elements 3 is constant.

[0045] Given that each conveying element 3 carries two capsules 9, the n number of capsules that are delivered to the dosing station for each dosing cycle is twice with respect to the m number of dosing elements, that is n=2m.

[0046] In a first step of the dosing cycle (Figures 1 to 3), the conveying elements 3 of a first set of conveying elements 3, consisting of m conveying elements 3, on arrival at the dosing station 14 are stopped when the mouth 9b of a capsule 9 of the first conveying element 3a, which reaches the dosing station 14, is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 16a of the first dosing device 15a when viewed in the advancement direction F, which inj ects into the cavitydevices 15 will remain inactive.

[0047] In a second step of the dosing cycle (Figures 4 to 6) the conveying elements 3 of the first set of conveying elements 3 are moved in the advancement direction F, until they are aligned with the dosing devices 15, so that the mouth of a capsule of the last conveying element 3b which reaches the dosing station 14 is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 16a of the first dosing device 15a. The dispensing nozzles 16 of all dispensing devices 15 are now at the mouth 9b of a respective capsule 9 to be filled.

[0048] At this point, the dosing devices 15 dispense in each of the respective capsules 9 the dosed quantity of a food product, so that at the end of the second dosing step half plus one of the capsules conveyed by the conveying elements 3 are filled.

[0049] In a third step of the dosing cycle (Figures 7 to 9), the conveying elements 3 of the first set of conveying elements 3 are advanced by a distance equal to the distance between adjacent conveying elements 3, which is the centre distance K. With this movement, the mouths 9b of all capsules 9 that have not yet been filled are below the dispensing nozzle 16 of a respective dosing 15, while the dispensing nozzle 16a of the first dosing device 15a is beyond the last conveying element 3b.

[0050] At this point, all dosing devices 15, except for the first dosing device 15a, are now actuated to complete the filling of the capsules conveyed by the conveying elements 3 of the first set of conveying elements 3.

[0051] Lastly, the first set of conveying elements 3 is moved away from the dosing station 14 and a second set of conveying elements 3 is advanced into dosing station 14.

[0052] Alternatively, while conveying elements 3 of the first set of conveying elements are advanced by said distance K, a second set of conveying elements 3 is advanced simultaneously along rail 2 until a mouth 9b of a capsule 9 of a first conveying element is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 16a of the first dosing device 15a.

[0053] At this point, all dosing devices 15 are now actuated in order to complete the filling of the capsules 9 conveyed by the first set of conveying elements 3 and to begin the filling of the capsules 9 conveyed by the second set of conveying elements 3 without interruption.

[0054] Figures 10 to 15 show the steps for filling the capsules 9 conveyed by the conveying elements 3, in a dosing station 14 arranged along one of the curvilinear portions of the rail 2, for example the curvilinear portion 2b.

[0055] The dosing station 14 comprises a first group 19 of dosing devices 21 arranged along a first circumference arc and a second group 20 of dosing devices 22 arranged along a second circumference arc that is concentric with respect to the first circumference arc.

[0056] The dosing devices in the first group 19 are marked with reference numerals 2 la- 216, while dosing devices in the second group 20 are marked with reference numerals 22a- 22e.

[0057] The first group 19 of dosing devices 21 comprises a first subgroup of dosing devices 21a-21c, arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, and a second subgroup of dosing devices 21d-21e, which are also arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other.

[0058] Between the first subgroup of dosing devices 21a-21c and the second subgroup of dosing devices 21d-21e there is an angular distance equal to 2a.

[0059] The second group 20 of dosing devices 22 comprises a third subgroup of dosing devices 22a-22b arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, and a fourth subgroup of dosing devices 22c-22e, which are also arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other.

[0060] Between the third subgroup of dosing devices 22a-22b and the fourth subgroup of dosing devices 22c-22e there is an angular distance equal to 2a.

[0061] The dosing devices 21a-21c of the first subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices 22a-22b of the third subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal to a / 2.

[0062] Similarly, dosing devices 21d-21e of the second subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices 22c-22e of the fourth subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal to a / 2.

[0063] The arrangement of dosing devices 21, 22 and the use of conveying elements 3 each of which carries two capsules 9, aligned in a direction F2 perpendicular to the advancement direction F 1 of the conveying elements 3, allow to fill an n number of capsules equal to twice the m number of dosing devices present in the dosing station, at each dosing cycle 14.

[0064] At each dosing cycle, a set of conveying elements 3, consisting of a number of conveying elements 3 equal to the m number of dosing devices 21, 22 present in the dosing station 14, is delivered to the dosing station 14.

[0065] The conveying elements 3 are preferably arranged adjacent to each other so that in the curvilinear portion 2b of rail 2, at which there is arranged the dosing station 14, are arranged so that the angular distance between two adjacent conveying elements is equal to a / 2.

[0066] Given that each conveying element 3 carries two capsules 9, the n number of capsules that are delivered to the dosing station for each dosing cycle is twice with respect to the m number of dosing elements, that is n=2m.

[0067] Hereinafter, the expressions “first” and “last” referring to a conveying element 3 or dosing device 21a-21e, 22a-22e refer to the position of the conveying element or of the dosing device when viewed in the advancement direction Fl.

[0068] In a first step of the dosing cycle (Figures 10 and 11), the conveying elements 3 of a first set of m conveying elements 3, on arrival at the dosing station 14 are stopped when the mouth 9b of a first capsule 9 of a first conveying element 3a, which reaches the dosing station 14, is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 23a of the first dosing device 21a, of the first subgroup of dosing devices 21a-21e, which injects into the cavity 9c of the capsule 9 a pre-determined dosed quantity of food product, while the other dosing devices 21b- 21e, 22a- 22e remain inactive.

[0069] In a second step of the dosing cycle (Figures 12 and 13), the first set of conveying elements 3 moves in the advancement direction Fl, splitting into a first group G1 and a second group G2, both consisting of the same number of conveying elements 3.

[0070] The first group G1 of conveying elements 3 is arranged at the second subgroup of dosing elements 21d-21e and at the fourth subgroup of dosing elements 22c-22e, being aligned with them so that the mouth 9b of a second capsule 9 of the first conveying element 3a is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 24e of the last dosing device 22e of the fourth subgroup of dosing devices.

[0071] The second group G2 of conveying elements 3 is arranged at the first subgroup of dosing elements 21a-21c and at the third subgroup of dosing elements 22a-22b, being aligned with them so that the mouth 9b of a capsule 9 of the last conveying element 3b is aligned with a dispensing nozzle 23 a of the first dosing device 21a of the first subgroup of dosing elements 21a-21c. The dispensing nozzles 23a-23e, 24a-24e of all dispensing devices 21a-21e, 22a-22e are now at the mouth 9b of a respective capsule 9 to be filled.

[0072] At this point, the dosing devices 21, 22 dispense in each of the respective capsules 9 the dosed quantity of a food product, so that at the end of the second dosing step half plus one of the capsules 9 conveyed by the conveying elements 3 are filled.

[0073] In a third step of the dosing cycle (Figures 14 and 15), all conveying elements 3 of the first group G1 and of the second group G2 are advanced in said advancement direction Fl by an angular distance equal to a / 2 and a first conveying element 3c of the second group G2 is advanced further to be arranged at the tail of the first group Gl. With this movement, the mouths 9b of all capsules 9 that have not yet been filled are under the dispensing nozzles 23b-23e of the dispensing devices 21b-21e and under the dispensing nozzles 24a-24e of the dispensing devices 22a-22e, while nozzle 23 a of the first dosing device 21a is on the outside of the first set of conveying elements 3, behind the last conveying element 3b.

[0074] At this point, the dosing devices 21b-21e, 22a-22e are actuated, while the dosing device 21a remains inactive, to complete the filling of the capsules conveyed by the first set of conveying elements 3. Lastly, the first set of conveying elements 3 is moved away from the dosing station and a second set of conveying elements 3 is advanced into dosing station 14.

[0075] Alternatively, while the conveying elements 3 of the first set of conveying elements move to the position shown in Figure 15, for carrying out the third step of the dosing cycle, a second set of conveying elements 3 is advanced until a mouth 9b of a capsule 9 of a first conveying element 3 a of the second set of conveying elements 3 is aligned with the dispensing nozzle 23a of the first dosing device 21a of the first subgroup of dosing elements 21a-21c.

[0076] At this point, all dosing devices 21, 22 are now actuated in order to complete the filling of the capsules 9 conveyed by the first set of conveying elements 3 and to begin the filling of the capsules 9 conveyed by the second set of conveying elements 3 without interruption.

[0077] Lastly, the first set of conveying elements 3 is moved away from the dosing station 14 and the second set of conveying elements 3 is advanced into dosing station 14, until it moves to the position shown in Figure 13.

[0078] Ultimately, an n number of capsules equal to twice the m number of dosing elements 21, 22, is filled for each dosing cycle.

[0079] The plant, according to the invention, compared to the prior art plants for processing and filling capsule for preparing beverages, allows to double the number of capsules that arefilled at each dosing cycle, considering the same number of dosing devices in the dosing station, increasing the productivity of the plant, without increasing the manufacturing cost of the dosing station.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for filling capsules (9) for preparing beverages with a dosed quantity of a food product for preparing a beverage, characterised in that it comprises: providing a dosing station (14) which comprises an m number of dosing devices (15; 21, 22) in which each dosing device comprises a dispensing nozzle (16; 23, 24); providing sets of elements (3) for conveying capsules (9) to be filled in which the number of conveying elements (3) is the same as the number of dosing devices (15; 21, 22) in the dosing station (14), each conveying element (3) carrying at least two capsules (9), each capsule (9) being provided with a mouth (9b) through which a food product for preparing a beverage can be introduced into a cavity (9c) of the capsule (9); advancing a first set of conveying elements (3) in an advancement direction (F; Fl) and stopping the first set of conveying elements when a mouth (9b) of a first conveying element (3a), which reaches the dosing station (14), is aligned with a dispensing nozzle (16a; 23a) of a first dosing device (15a; 21a); wherein said at least two capsules (9) are aligned in a further direction (F2) that is perpendicular to said advancement direction (F; Fl); dispensing to said capsule (9), through said first dosing device (15a; 21a), a dosed quantity of a food product for preparing a beverage, whereas the other dosing devices (15; 21, 22) of the dosing station (14) remain inactive.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein each conveying element (3) carries only two capsules (9) aligned in said further direction (F2).

3. Method according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said dosing devices (15) comprise a first group (17) of dosing devices (15) and a second group (18) of dosing devices (15) arranged on two rows (17, 18) that are parallel to one another and staggered one with respect to the other by a distance (D).

4. Method according to claim 1, or 2, wherein the dosing station (14) comprises a first group (19) of dosing devices (21) arranged along a first circumference arc and asecond group (20) of dosing devices (22) arranged along a second circumference arc that is concentric with respect to the first circumference arc.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the first group (19) of dosing devices (21) comprises a first subgroup of dosing devices (21a-21c), arranged at an angular distance a with respect to each other, and a second subgroup of dosing devices (21d- 21e), devices that are also arranged at an angular distance a with respect to each other, wherein between the first subgroup of dosing devices (21a-21c) and the second subgroup of dosing devices (21d-21e) there is an angular distance equal to 2a.

6. Method according to claim 4, or 5, wherein the second group (20) of dosing devices (22) comprises a third subgroup of dosing devices (22a-22b), arranged at an angular distance a with respect to each other, and a fourth subgroup of dosing devices (22c- 22e), devices that are also arranged at an angular distance a with respect to each other, wherein between the third subgroup of dosing devices (22a-22b) and the fourth subgroup of dosing devices (22c-22e) there is an angular distance equal to 2a.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the dosing devices (21a-21c) of the first subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices (22a- 22b) of the third subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal to a / 2 and the dosing devices (21d-21e) of the second subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices (22c-22e) of the fourth subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal to a / 2.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising, after said dispensing: moving said first set of conveying elements (3) in the advancement direction (F) and stopping it when a mouth (9b) of a capsule (9) of a last conveying element (3b) of the first set of conveying elements (3) is aligned with the dispensing nozzle (16a) of the first dosing device (15a) and the dispensing nozzle (16) of each of the other dosing devices (15) is aligned with the mouth (9b) of a respective capsule (9) to be filled;actuating all the dosing devices (15) to introduce into the respective capsules (9) said dosed quantity of food product for preparing a beverage.

9. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising, after said dispensing: moving a first group (Gl) of conveying elements (3) of said first set of conveying elements (3) until it is aligned with said second subgroup of dosing elements (21d-21e) and said fourth subgroup of dosing elements (22c-22e), so that a mouth (9b) of a second capsule (9) of the first conveying element (3 a) is aligned with a dispensing nozzle (24e) of a last dosing device (22e) of the fourth subgroup of dosing devices; moving a second group (G2) of conveying elements (3) of said first set of conveying elements (3) until it is aligned with said first subgroup of dosing elements (21a-21c) and said third subgroup of dosing elements (22a-22b), so that a mouth (9b) of a capsule (9) of a last conveying element (3b) is aligned with a dispensing nozzle (23a) of a first dosing device (21a) of the first subgroup of dosing elements (21a-21c); actuating all the dosing devices (21, 22) to introduce into the respective capsules (9) said dosed quantity of food product for preparing a beverage.- wherein said first group (Gl) and said second group (G2) of conveying elements (3) comprise the same number of conveying elements (3).

10. Method according to claim 8, further comprising, after said actuating: advancing said first set of conveying elements (3) by a distance equal to said distance (D) so that the mouths (9b) of all the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled are aligned with the dispensing nozzle (16) of a respective dosing device (15), whereas the dispensing nozzle (16a) of the first dosing device (15a), is beyond the last conveying element (3b) of the set of conveying elements (3); actuating the dosing devices (15) once again except for the first dosing device (15a), which remains inactive, so as to dispense said dosed quantity of food product for preparing a beverage in the cavities (9c) of the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled; removing said first set of conveying elements (3) from the dosing station (14) andadvancing a second set of conveying elements (3) towards the dosing station (14).

11. Method according to claim 8, further comprising, after said actuating: advancing said first group of conveying elements (3) by a distance equal to said distance (D) so that the mouths (9b) of all the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled are aligned with the dispensing nozzle (16) of a respective dosing device (15), whereas the dispensing nozzle (16a) of the first dosing device (15a), is beyond the last conveying element (3b) of the group of conveying elements (3); advancing a second set of conveying elements (3) until a mouth (9b) of a capsule (9) of a first conveying element (3a) of said second set of conveying elements (3) is aligned with the dispensing nozzle (16a) of the first dosing device (15a); actuating all the dosing devices (15) once again so as to dispense said dosed quantity of food product for preparing a beverage in the cavities (9c) of the capsules of the first set of conveying elements (3) that have not yet been filled and in the cavity (9c) of the capsule (9) of the first conveying element (3 a) of the second set of conveying elements, which is aligned with the dispensing nozzle (16a) of the first dosing device (15a); removing said first set of conveying elements from the dosing station (14) and advancing a second set of conveying elements (3) to the dosing station (14).

12. Method according to claim 9, further comprising, after said actuating: advancing all the conveying elements (3) of the first group (Gl) and of the second group (G2) in said advancement direction (Fl) by an angular distance equal to a / 2 and further advancing a first conveying element (3 c) of the second group (G2) until it is arranged at the tail of the first group (Gl), so that the mouths (9b) of all the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled are under the dispensing nozzles (23b-23e) of the dispensing devices (21b-21e) and under the dispensing nozzles (24a-24e) of the dispensing devices (22a-22e), whereas the dispensing nozzle (23a) of the first dosing device (21a) is outside the first set of conveying elements (3), behind the last conveying element (3b); further actuating all the dosing devices (21, 22) except for the first dosing device (21a), which remains inactive, so as to dispense said dosed quantity of foodproduct for preparing a beverage in the cavities (9c) of the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled; removing said first set of conveying elements (3) from the dosing station (14) and advancing a second set of conveying elements (3) towards the dosing station (14).

13. Method according to claim 9, further comprising, after said actuation: advancing all the conveying elements (3) of the first group (Gl) and of the second group (G2) in said advancement direction (Fl) by an angular distance equal to a / 2and further advancing a first conveying element (3 c) of the second group (G2) until it is arranged at the tail of the first group (Gl), so that the mouths (9b) of all the capsules (9) that have not yet been filled are under the dispensing nozzles (23b-23e) of the dispensing devices (21b-21e) and under the dispensing nozzles (24a-24e) of the dispensing devices (22a-22e), whereas the dispensing nozzle (23a) of the first dosing device (21a) is outside the first set of conveying elements (3), behind the last conveying element (3b); advancing a second set of conveying elements (3) until a mouth (9b) of a capsule (9) of a first conveying element (3a) of the second set of conveying elements (3) is aligned with the dispensing nozzle (23a) of the first dosing device (21a) of the first subgroup of dosing elements (21a-21c); further actuating all the dosing devices (21, 22); removing said first set of conveying elements (3) from the dosing station (14) and advancing said second set of conveying elements (3) to the dosing station (14).

14. Dosing station (14) for a plant (1) for processing capsules for preparing beverages, wherein said plant (1) comprises a loop-shaped rail (2), along which, in an advancement direction (F; Fl), sets of conveying elements (3) are slidable, each of which conveys at least two capsules (9) aligned in a direction (F2) that is perpendicular to said advancement direction (F; Fl), wherein said dosing station (14) comprises a plurality of dosing devices (15; 21, 22), each of which is provided with a dispensing nozzle (16; 23, 24), characterized in that the dosing devices (15) are arranged in a first group (17; 19) and in a second group (18; 20) aligned in said advancement direction (F; Fl) and staggered one with respect to the other.

15. Dosing station (14) according to claim 14, wherein the dosing devices (15) of said first group (17) and of said second group (18) are arranged on two rows that are parallel to one another, in which the dispensing devices (15) of said first group (17) are staggered with respect to the dispensing devices of said second group (18) by a distance (D) that is equal to a centre distance (K) of adjacent conveying elements (3) of said sets of conveying elements (3).

16. Dosing station according to claim 15, wherein a distance (H) between adjacent dosing devices (15) in said groups (17, 18) is equal to twice said centre distance (K).

17. Dosing station according to claim 14, wherein the dosing devices (21) of said first group (19) are arranged along a first circumference arc and the dosing devices (22) of said second group (20) are arranged along a second circumference arc concentric with respect to the first circumference arc.

18. Dosing station (14) according to claim 17, wherein the first group (19) of dosing devices (21) comprises a first subgroup of dosing devices (21a-21c), arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, and a second subgroup of dosing devices (21d-21e), which are also arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, wherein between the first subgroup of dosing devices (21a-21c) and the second subgroup of dosing devices (21d-21e) there is an angular distance equal to 2a19. Dosing station (14) according to claim 17, or 18, wherein the second group (20) of dosing devices (22) comprises a third subgroup of dosing devices (22a-22b), arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, and a fourth subgroup of dosing devices (22c-22e), which are also arranged at an angular distance a one with respect to the other, wherein between the third subgroup of dosing devices (22a-22b) and the fourth subgroup of dosing devices (22c-22e) there is an angular distance equal to 2a.

20. Dosing station (14) according to claim 19, wherein the dosing devices (21a-21c) of the first subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices (22a-22b) of the third subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal toa / 2, wherein the dosing devices (21d-21e) of the second subgroup of dosing devices are staggered with respect to the dosing devices (22c-22e) of the fourth subgroup of dosing devices by an angular distance equal to a / 221. Plant (1) for processing capsules for preparing beverages comprising a loop-shaped rail (2), along which, in an advancement direction (F; Fl), sets of conveying elements (3) are slidable, each of which conveys at least two capsules (9) aligned in a direction (F2) that is perpendicular to said advancement direction (F; Fl), characterized in that it comprises a dosing station (14) according to one of claims 14 to 16, or according to claim 14, or one of claims 17 to 20.

22. Plant according to claim 21, wherein said dosing station (14) is arranged along a rectilinear portion (2a) of said rail (2).

23. Plant according to claim 21, wherein said dosing station (14) is arranged along a curvilinear portion (2b, 2c) of said rail (2).

24. Element (3) for conveying capsules (9) for preparing beverages, usable in a plant (1) according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that it comprises a support element (12) provided with at least two cavities (13) each of which is designed to house a capsule (9), wherein said at least two cavities (13) are aligned in a direction (F2) that is perpendicular to an advancement direction (F; Fl) of said conveying element in said plant (1).

25. Element (3) for conveying capsules (9) for preparing beverages, according to claim 24, characterized in that said support element (12) is provided with only two cavities (13) aligned in said direction (F2).

26. Element (3) for conveying capsules (9) for preparing beverages, according to claim 24, characterized in that said support element (12) is provided with a number of cavities (13) greater than two.

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