FILLING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING OF CONTAINERS - Patent application

Abstract

A filling apparatus (10) and method for filling a plurality of containers (100) with desired metered amounts of a fiber-type incoherent material (M), the filling apparatus (10) having first and second filling stations (A2, A4) each equipped with one or more delivery devices (22) configured to deliver first and second amounts of the incoherent material (M) to each of the containers (100), the second filling station (A4) being positioned downstream of the first filling station (A2) along a work line.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling device and a method for automatically filling empty containers, such as casings for smoking devices or capsules, each of which is provided with an open end into which an incoherent material of fibrous type, which may have an oily and / or resinous nature, can be inserted. The device and the method according to the invention are able to automatically carry out a precise and controlled filling of each container in very fast working cycles so as to achieve a high productivity. [Background technology]

[0002] In the automated production of smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, particularly using highly productive machines, one of the important aspects to consider and one of the technical problems to overcome is the insertion of smoking material, be it incoherent material, e.g. tobacco, other smokable substances or a combination thereof, into containers, e.g. casings, in a filling station, which may also associate an upstream arranged station for feeding the containers with downstream arranged packaging stations, distribution stations and possibly stations for packaging the finished smoking articles.

[0003] With regard to the insertion of smoking material, it is known to prepare a piece of paper onto which the incoherent material, usually consisting of tobacco, is deposited, which is then rolled to form a single tubular casing containing the incoherent material and then cut to size to obtain individual smoking articles according to the desired format.

[0004] It is also known to use devices for inserting such incoherent material into containers, which utilize a pneumatic transfer system to transfer the incoherent material from a receiving hopper to the interior of each container, e.g. casings for smoking articles. Such known devices have the drawback of degrading the chemical and physical properties of the incoherent material that they process.

[0005] Known devices for filling containers with metered amounts of smokable material are also described in the patent documents DE 3226654 A1 and US 3404742. These solutions provide systems which allow the preparation of a predetermined amount of such material, usually an amount less than the desired metered amount, to which one or more residual amounts can then be selectively added after the weight of the amounts concerned has been checked.

[0006] However, the above known techniques do not allow for the automatic filling of containers to obtain final products that also contain leaf materials other than tobacco, which have different properties, inter alia, related to the chemical-physical properties of the material and, for example, the resins, oils, etc., that they may contain, etc. In particular, these substances tend to adhere to the surfaces with which the material comes into contact, reducing the efficiency of the equipment, making the transfer of incoherent materials very difficult, especially when a high productivity per hour is desired, for example of the order of 7000 finished products.

[0007] The technical problem that the present invention seeks to solve in a new and original way is to provide an apparatus and to complete a method for the automatic filling of containers, even when the incoherent material has very small dimensions and contains substances that make it difficult to feed it in very narrow spaces, such as, for example, capsules or casings for smoking articles that are tubular and have a diameter of the order of a few millimeters, and furthermore, taking into account that the metering has to be very precise, in the order of tenths of a gram, and the aim is to achieve the abovementioned high hourly productivity, which means that the average production time for each finished product is in the order of about 0.5 seconds.

[0008] In fact, currently, there is no filling device or method in the art that can solve the above technical problems and achieve the above objectives.

[0009] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for automatically filling containers, such as casings of smoking articles or capsules, which is simple and reliable and can achieve high productivity at the same time, and to solve the above technical problems by completing the filling method, so as to improve productivity.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling apparatus and perfect a filling method for automatically filling containers that can prevent incoherent material from gluing or sticking to the surfaces of the feed elements, and instead can be easily transported inside each container.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to make available a filling device and method for automatically filling containers that allows for a very accurate and reliable metering of incoherent material in each container and in all containers that are to be filled, so that all containers contain exactly the same desired amount of incoherent material.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling apparatus and method for automatically filling containers in which the filling of containers can be performed both serially and in parallel so that multiple containers can be filled simultaneously.

[0013] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

[0015] In accordance with the above objectives and in order to solve the above technical problems in a new and original way and to achieve surprisingly good results, the present invention relates to a filling device for automatically filling a container with a desired metered amount of fibrous incoherent material.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a first filling station including a first filling assembly having one or more delivery devices configured to deliver a first amount of incoherent material to each container.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes at least one second filling station disposed downstream from the first filling station along the line of work and including a second filling assembly having one or more additional delivery devices configured to deliver a second amount of incoherent material to each of the plurality of containers to which a first amount of incoherent material has already been delivered at the first filling station.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a pressing means positioned downstream of the first filling station and configured to be selectively inserted into the plurality of containers after the first quantity of incoherent material has been delivered to press the incoherent material prior to delivering the second quantity of incoherent material to the second filling station.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a third filling station positioned downstream from the second filling station along the work line and having a third filling assembly comprising one or more additional delivery devices capable of delivering a quantity of the incoherent material complementary to the first quantity and the second quantity to obtain the desired metered quantity of the incoherent material (M).

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the pressing means comprises a plurality of first pressing members arranged in a first pressing station located downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station, which presses the first quantity of incoherent material before the second filling station delivers the second quantity of incoherent material.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the pressing means comprises a plurality of second pressing members arranged in a second pressing station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station, pressing the second amount of incoherent material before the third filling station delivers the complementary amount of incoherent material until the metered desired amount of incoherent material is reached.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of delivery devices comprises a metering means for metering the incoherent material, and the filling apparatus further comprises control means configured to direct the delivery devices as a function of the metering performed by the metering means to gradually deliver the desired metered amounts of the incoherent material as the plurality of containers advance along the work line.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the filling apparatus further comprises a molding means disposed upstream of the first filling station and configured to be selectively inserted into the empty container to remove wrinkles and creases present in the container.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of delivery devices defines a means for metering the incoherent material and includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member configured to cooperate with each other to deliver to each of the plurality of containers a predetermined metered amount of the incoherent material equal to a portion of the metered desired amount.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are configured to rotate at different angular velocities and in opposite rotational directions so as to both transport the incoherent material towards the container.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, each of the one or more delivery devices comprises a conveying member disposed below the first rotating member and the second rotating member, substantially funnel-shaped with a wider portion at an upper portion and a narrower portion at a bottom, and sized and configured for selective insertion into one of the plurality of containers.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying member is vibrating and configured to vibrate during conveying of the incoherent material so as to prevent the incoherent material delivered by the first rotating member and the second rotating member from unintentionally remaining within the conveying member.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the transport members are connected to corresponding actuators capable of moving the transport members in an oscillating manner.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying member has a width of 150 mm, measured in horizontal section, corresponding to the narrowest part of the base. 2 It occupies a smaller surface area than

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the first rotating member comprises a plurality of sharp elements arranged in parallel rows and angularly equally spaced on its cylindrical surface, and the second rotating member has a diameter smaller than that of the first rotating member and comprises a plurality of teeth arranged in parallel rows and angularly equally spaced on its cylindrical surface, axially offset with respect to the sharp elements.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, a filling method of the present invention for automatically filling a plurality of containers with a measured desired amount of a fiber-type incoherent material includes a delivery step in which one or more delivery devices deliver a measured, predetermined amount of the incoherent material to each of the plurality of containers, the amount being equal to a portion of the measured desired amount.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the delivering step comprises a first filling sub-step of filling the container with a first amount of the incoherent material at a first filling station having a first filling assembly including at least one of the delivery devices, and the method further comprises at least one second filling sub-step of filling the container with a second amount of the incoherent material at a second filling station located downstream from the first filling station along the work line and including a second filling assembly including one or more additional delivery devices configured to deliver the second amount of the incoherent material to each of the containers to which the first amount of the incoherent material has already been delivered in the first filling sub-step.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a pressing step, performed by a pressing means arranged downstream of the first filling station, in which after the first filling sub-step, the pressing means is selectively inserted into the container filled with at least a portion of the incoherent material in order to press the incoherent material.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the delivery step further includes a third filling sub-step performed at a third filling station located downstream from the second filling station along the work line and having a third filling assembly including one or more additional delivery devices configured to deliver an amount of the incoherent material complementary to the first amount and the second amount to obtain the metered desired amount of the incoherent material.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, in the first filling sub-step, a first amount of the incoherent material is delivered that is between 25% and 35% of the measured desired amount, in the second filling sub-step, a second amount of the incoherent material is delivered that is between 45% and 55% of the measured desired amount, and in the third filling sub-step, a third amount of the incoherent material is delivered that is between 15% and 25% of the measured desired amount.

[0036] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in a more preferred embodiment of the method, in the first filling sub-step, a first amount of the incoherent material is delivered which is 30% of the measured desired amount, in the second filling sub-step, a second amount of the incoherent material is delivered which is 50% of the measured desired amount, and in the third filling sub-step, a third amount of the incoherent material is delivered which is 20% of the measured desired amount.

[0037] In either case, the final filling step, which according to the embodiments described herein is the third filling sub-step, involves delivering a complementary amount of the incoherent material to the amount already delivered to the container, based on the measured desired amount that needs to be filled later.

[0038] The distribution of the quantities delivered to the different filling stations has the advantage that only the last filling station, i.e. the third filling station, can be equipped with a metering element having a high sensitivity, reliability and speed of carrying out the measurement, which makes it possible to equip the earlier filling stations, i.e. the first and second filling stations, with a metering element having a lower performance and therefore cheaper performance.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes a first pressing step performed by a first pressing member in a first pressing station located downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station, pressing the first amount of the incoherent material, and a second pressing step performed by a second pressing member in a second pressing station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station, pressing the second amount of the incoherent material.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling method further includes a molding step, which is performed by a molding means located upstream of the first filling station prior to the delivery step, and which selectively inserts the molding means into the empty container so as to remove wrinkles and creases present in the container during the molding step.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of delivering the amount of incoherent material by rotating first and second rotating members included in each of the plurality of delivery devices and operating in concert with each other.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further includes rotating a conveying member included in each of the plurality of delivery devices, the conveying member having a substantially funnel shape with a wider portion at an upper portion and a narrower portion at a bottom portion, and configured and sized for selective insertion into one of the plurality of containers.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises both a metering step, performed by metering means included in each of the plurality of delivery devices, of metering the incoherent material, and a step of controlling the delivery step, performed by control means configured to instruct the delivery devices as a function of the metering performed by the metering means to gradually deliver the desired metered amounts of the incoherent material as the plurality of containers advance along the work line.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the metering and controlling steps are preferably performed continuously or at programmed time intervals during the delivery step.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a transporting step of transporting the plurality of containers by means of a transport device having a transport member configured to slide on a fixed guide, the transporting step comprising transporting the plurality of containers along the work line parallel to the work direction, passing sequentially through at least the first filling station and the second filling station, and stopping at each of the first filling station and the second filling station for a time equal to a cycle time, thereby enabling partial and staged filling of the plurality of containers.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes sequentially performing the molding step, the first filling sub-step in which a first amount of the incoherent material is delivered, the first pressing step in which the first amount is pressed by means of a first pressing station located downstream of the first filling station and upstream of a second filling station, the second filling sub-step in which a second amount of the incoherent material is delivered, the second pressing step in which the second amount is pressed by a second pressing station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of a third filling station, and finally the third filling sub-step.

[0047] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] 1 is a front schematic view of a filling device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device that includes or is linked to the device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a container suitable for being processed by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view of the first detail shown in FIG. 5; [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of another detail shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in an idle position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the device in the operating position. [Figure 10] 2 is a front view showing another part of the device shown in FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the portion shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view, on an enlarged scale, of another portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 13] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of an electronic control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] It must be made clear that in this specification and in the claims, terms such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, front, rear, high, low, inside and outside, together with their tendencies of expression, are intended to better explain the invention with reference to the drawings, and should in no way be used to limit the scope of the invention itself, or the field of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0050] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should recognize that certain sizes or features in the drawings may be enlarged, distorted, or illustrated in an unconventional or disproportionate manner in order to provide a more easily understandable version of the present invention. In the following description, when a size and / or value is specified, the size and / or value is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present invention, unless the size and / or value is stated in the appended claims.

[0051] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numbers have been used wherever possible in the drawings to identify identical common elements, it being understood that elements and features of the same embodiment may be suitably combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further description.

[0052] With reference to Figure 1, a filling device 10 according to the present invention for automatically filling a plurality of containers 100 (see Figure 3), e.g. casings for smoking articles or capsules, is configured to be associated with or part of a machine 200 (see Figure 2) for the production of smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, capsules, etc.

[0053] The apparatus 10 is configured to fill a plurality of containers 100 with oily and / or resinous fibrous material, e.g., incoherent material M, such as chopped or shredded leaf material derived from tobacco or other plants or other substances, e.g., of a smokable type, or combinations thereof.

[0054] The machine 200 is shown diagrammatically in a block diagram in Fig. 2 and comprises in turn a feed station 201, for example configured to feed a number of containers 100, followed by an apparatus 10 constituting a filling station, a packaging station 202 configured to package the already filled containers 100, for example by properly closing them, to produce a final product, such as a smoking article or a capsule, and a delivery station 203 for transferring the final product towards a packing station 205, possibly located outside the machine 200. However, the machine 200 is not limited to this configuration. The machine 200 may further comprise a suitable transport device 206 capable of transporting the containers 100 along the entire working line from the feed station 201 (see the left side of Fig. 2) to the packing station 205 (see the right side of Fig. 2), for example along a working direction X, preferably along a straight and horizontal direction. However, the machine 200 is not limited to this configuration.

[0055] The feed station 201, the packaging station 202, the delivery station 203, the packing station 205, and the transport device 206 may be of any known or later developed type, or the transport device 206 may be of a type described, for example, in a related patent application for an industrial invention filed by the same applicant as the present patent application.

[0056] For example, the transport device 206 comprises a transport member 207 having the shape and function of a shuttle and configured to slide on fixed guides 209 in the working X-direction. According to the example provided here, the transport member 207 has four hollow and penetrating pedestals 210, each of the four pedestals 210 having, for example, a truncated cone shape having a size that matches the size of the container 100, or at least its lower part. In the example provided here, the size of each pedestal 210 is such that when each container 100 is inserted in the pedestal 210, it protrudes by a few millimeters not only from the top surface of the transport member 207 but also from the bottom surface of the transport member 207 (see Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10).

[0057] It is clear that the number of pedestals 210 may be other than four, and it is understood that this number will affect the hourly productivity of the machine 200. In fact, if a definite cycle time TC is required for each of the different stations 201, 202, 203 and 205 and the apparatus 10, or for the slower apparatuses among them, to perform one work cycle, the hourly productivity of the machine 200 will be equal to 3600 divided by the cycle time TC, multiplied by the number of pedestals 210 of each transport member 207. In fact, the work is performed in parallel on the four pedestals 210.

[0058] Each pedestal 210 is substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis Y and is configured to accommodate one container 100 inserted vertically from top to bottom (see Figures 4, 5, 9 and 10).

[0059] The distance D between two adjacent pedestals 210 is determined during the design phase of the device 10 and / or machine 200 and is suitable for managing multiple containers 100, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0060] As a non-limiting example, the machine 200 is capable of preparing each product, such as a smoking article or capsule, in a very short time, i.e. with a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds, so that the machine 200 has an hourly productivity of producing about 7000 smoking articles, since in each of the stations 201, 202, 203 and 205 and in the apparatus 10, four containers 100 are worked simultaneously and in parallel, for example to form filled smoking articles or capsules.

[0061] Before describing the device 10 and its operation in detail, an example of a container 100 (FIG. 3) will be described. In particular, in the following description, the container 100 is formed as a casing for producing smoking articles. However, it may also be any other type of container suitable for containing a capsule or an incoherent material M.

[0062] Each container 100 is made from a sheet of material, such as very thin paper or other material suitable for producing cigarettes or other smokable products, and is typically provided with a filter 101 of a known type.

[0063] The length L of the container 100 can vary depending on the resulting smoking article, and is, for example, between about 60 mm and about 150 mm.

[0064] Moreover, each container 100 may have a frusto-conical shape with a first end 102 corresponding to the filter 101 and a second open end 103 having a larger diameter than the first end and configured for inserting the incoherent material M inside the filter 101. On average, the diameter of each container 100 is on the order of a few millimeters, for example between 6 and 8 millimeters, similar to the diameter of a conventional cigarette.

[0065] When container 100 is a capsule, it will have, for example, a truncated cone or hemisphere shape and will have a closed first end and an open second end opposite the first end configured for insertion of the incoherent material.

[0066] The apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) comprises a series of operational units mounted on a fixed structure 11, each arranged at its own work station. The operational units and stations are arranged adjacent to one another in succession along a work line parallel to the work X direction. Looking at FIG. 1, the arrangement in which the operational units and stations are arranged on the work line is such that there is a progressive order of intervention from left to right, as will become apparent from the description of the operation of the apparatus given below.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operational unit comprises at least a first filling assembly 12 configured to fill a container 100 with an incoherent material M (see FIG. 3), which will be described in more detail below.

[0068] According to another embodiment of the present invention, upstream of the first filling assembly 12 is a molding assembly 13 (FIG. 1).

[0069] According to another embodiment of the invention, the working unit further comprises a second filling assembly 14 identical to the first filling assembly 12 and possibly a third filling assembly 15 .

[0070] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the working unit further comprises a first pressure means, i.e. a first pressure assembly 16, arranged downstream of the first filling assembly 12 and, optionally, a second pressure means, i.e. a second pressure assembly 17, arranged downstream of the second filling assembly 15.

[0071] The first filling assembly 12 (see FIG. 8) comprises a movable structure 19 which slides vertically on a vertical guide 20 of the fixed structure 11 .

[0072] At the top of the movable structure 19 is mounted a hopper 21 suitable for containing the incoherent material M used to fill the container 100, below which are arranged four delivery devices 22 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0073] As will be described in detail below, the first filling assembly 12 further comprises weighing means, for example configured as a weighing unit 23 (see Figures 5, 6, 8 and 9), arranged below the four delivery devices 22 and suitable for measuring the weight of each container 100 during a first filling sub-step in the step of delivering incoherent material M into the container 100.

[0074] Hopper 21 comprises at least a front wall 24 and a rear wall 25, both of which are vertical, and a base 26 which is inclined downwardly at an angle α (see FIG. 8), for example between about 30° and about 45°.

[0075] Disposed within the hopper 21 are four feed members 27, each aligned along a corresponding feed axis S parallel to the base 26. It is noted that the hopper 21 and the four feed members 27 define a means for feeding incoherent material M.

[0076] The lower portion of the front wall 24 of the hopper 21 has four through holes 29 (see FIG. 5) that are substantially centrally located with respect to the feed axis S and configured to allow the outflow of incoherent material M that is moved by the feed members 27 towards the corresponding delivery devices 22.

[0077] Each feed member 27 comprises a moving element 30, e.g. having a helical shape (see Figures 4 and 5), attached to the rear wall 25 of the hopper 21 and to a rotating shaft of a first actuator 31 (see Figure 8) which rotates the moving element 30. The moving element 30 is configured to cause a movement that advances the incoherent material M towards the corresponding through hole 29, substantially without applying compression to the material itself.

[0078] According to a variant not shown in the drawings, a single first actuator 31 can rotate four movement elements 30 simultaneously.

[0079] A groove is formed on the inner surface of the base 26, i.e., inside the hopper 21, and beneath each moving element 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), configured to promote the outflow of the incoherent material M towards the corresponding through hole 29.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the four delivery devices 22 are mounted on the movable structure 19 (see FIG. 8), are made using substantially vertical identical plates 32, and are shaped to have four substantially vertical conveying cavities 33 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The four conveying cavities 33 are provided for each delivery device 22, and have four through holes 29 at the top. Each conveying cavity 33 is shaped to vertically guide the incoherent material M coming out of the hopper 21, and does not hinder its downward fall.

[0081] The four transport cavities 33 are sealed at the front by a sealing plate 35 (see FIG. 8) made of a transparent material, for example plastic or glass, so that the flow of incoherent material M therein can be viewed.

[0082] Each conveying cavity 33 has at its bottom an exit opening 36 (see Figs. 5 and 7) aligned along a vertical axis V and is shaped in such a way that in its vicinity two pedestals are made, namely a first pedestal 37 and a second pedestal 38, which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the vertical axis V. In particular, the two pedestals 37, 38 are defined by partial cylindrical surfaces and have a common area. Two metering rollers 40, 41 are rotatably mounted in the two pedestals 37, 38, respectively, and rotate in opposite directions about two substantially horizontal rotation axes T and U, which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the vertical axis V. The rotation axes T are substantially vertically aligned with the corresponding holes 29. In the example provided here, each first metering roller 40 is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction in order to convey the incoherent material M coming from the hopper 21 towards the corresponding exit opening 36.

[0083] The four vertical axes V are spaced apart from one another by a distance D which is the same as the distance between the seats 210 of the same conveying member 207 .

[0084] In the embodiment described herein, the rotation axis T and rotation axis U of each delivery device 22 lie on the same horizontal plane P1 or P2. Furthermore, to optimize the overall size and maintain the distance D between the vertical axes V, the horizontal planes P1 and P2 of each delivery device 22 are vertically offset with respect to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, starting from the left, the horizontal plane P1 associated with the first and third delivery devices 22 is lower than the horizontal plane P2 associated with the second and fourth delivery devices 22.

[0085] The first metering roller 40 of each delivery device 22 is provided on its cylindrical surface with a number of sharp elements 42 distributed at regular intervals, for example one every approximately 12°, and aligned in rows parallel to the axis of rotation T (see FIG. 7). The outer diameter of the sharp elements 42 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding first seat 37.

[0086] The second metering roller 41 of each delivery device 22 has a diameter smaller than that of the first metering roller 40 and is provided on its cylindrical surface with a number of teeth 43 that are equally spaced, for example one every approximately 60°, aligned in rows parallel to the axis of rotation U and axially offset with respect to the sharp elements 42. The outer diameter of the teeth 43 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding second seat 38.

[0087] Furthermore, for each delivery device 22, the center distance between the rotation axes T and U, the diameters of the metering rollers 40 and 41, and the outer diameters of the sharp elements 42 and teeth 43 are selected such that the latter intersect along the vertical axis V without contacting each other.

[0088] The first metering roller 40 is configured to rotate at a relatively low first angular velocity ω1 on the order of about 25 revolutions per minute and serves to transport and guide the incoherent material M coming from the through holes 29 with the sharp elements 42 to the second metering roller 41. Instead, the second metering roller 41 is configured to rotate in the opposite direction, i.e., counterclockwise, at a relatively high second angular velocity ω2 on the order of about 750 revolutions per minute.

[0089] Furthermore, in each conveying cavity 33, a sector 45 of the first pedestal 37 adjacent to the second pedestal 38 defines a calibrated path for the incoherent material M so that the amount of incoherent material M fed by the first metering roller 40 towards the second metering roller can be easily controlled. A precise metering of the incoherent material M is then performed as a function of the rotation amplitude of the first metering roller 40.

[0090] The second metering roller 41 rotates at a second, relatively large angular velocity ω2 and serves to completely remove the incoherent material M in contact with the first metering roller 40 and force it downwards substantially along the direction of the vertical axis V into the exit opening 36.

[0091] The four first metering rollers 40 are adapted to be selectively rotated by four corresponding second actuators 46 (see FIG. 8 ) connected thereto by four corresponding shafts 44. The four second metering rollers 41 are adapted to be selectively rotated by four corresponding third actuators 47 connected thereto by four corresponding shafts 48. For ease of illustration, only two second actuators 46 and two third actuators 47 are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8 .

[0092] Alternatively, a single actuator, or a different number of actuators, can direct two or more metering rollers 40 and / or 41 .

[0093] Within each of the four conveying cavities 33 is an agitating member 49 (see Figures 4 and 5), which may include or consist of a vertical rod, which may be curved, configured, for example, to facilitate the descent of the incoherent material M towards the corresponding first metering roller 40.

[0094] For example, four agitation members 49 (see FIG. 5 ) are attached to a horizontal bar 50 disposed on the plate 32. A fourth actuator 51 is connected to the horizontal bar 50 for moving the horizontal bar 50 such that the four agitation members 49 vibrate and / or move within the corresponding four conveying cavities 33.

[0095] Each delivery device 22 has a substantially funnel-shaped conveying member 52 (see Figures 5, 7 and 9) arranged below and in the vicinity of the outlet opening 36 and coaxial with a corresponding vertical axis V.

[0096] Each conveying member 52 is configured to receive the incoherent material M coming from the outlet opening 36 and convey it into the container 100. In particular, each conveying member 52 has a lower portion 53 formed as a cylindrical tube having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the second end 103 (see Figures 3 and 7) of the container 100. As a non-limiting example, the surface measured in a horizontal cross section corresponding to the lower portion 53 is about 75 mm 2 From about 115 mm 2 In either case, it is approximately 150 mm 2 1. The lower parts 53 have ends that are beveled in a direction opposite to the working direction X to produce pointed ends 54 (see FIG. 5). Indeed, during operation of the device 10, as will be explained in more detail below, each lower part 53 is selectively partially introduced into the second end 103 of the container 100, and this shape of the lower parts 53 facilitates their introduction into the container 100.

[0097] The four conveying members 52 are connected to one or more fifth actuators 55 (Figures 8 and 9) capable of vibrating the conveying members 52 to promote the flow of the incoherent material M downward and thus into the corresponding container 100.

[0098] The selective vertical movement of the movable structure 19 relative to the vertical guide 20 is directed by a sixth actuator 56 (see FIG. 8) connected to a first slider 57 which slides on the vertical guide 20 in order to displace the lower parts 53 of the four conveying members 52 between an idle position PR1 (see FIG. 8), in which the lower parts 53 are elevated by a few millimeters above the container 100 below which they are located, and a lowered operating position PO1 (see FIG. 9), in which the lower parts 53 are inserted into the second end 103 of the container 100, or vice versa. The first slider 57 is therefore a part of the movable structure 19. The amount of movement C of the first slider 57, which is equal to the distance between the two positions PR1 and PO1, depends on the length L of the container 100.

[0099] The metering unit 23 (see FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9 ) is disposed below the conveying member 207 and is partially housed within a lower cavity 211 of the fixed guide 209 .

[0100] The weighing unit 23 comprises a support plate 59 attached to the fixed structure 11, on which are mounted four weighing members 60 which are coaxial with the four vertical axes V and which themselves each comprise or consist, for example, of a load cell of known type.

[0101] Each metering member 60 (see FIG. 6 ) includes an inclined wall 61 configured to associate with the second end 102 of the same container 100 over the same container 100 while the container 100 is moved in the direction of operation X by the transport member 207. The container 100 stops in a substantially central position relative to the metering members 60 so that the container 100 is weighed both when empty and when at least partially filled with the incoherent material M.

[0102] According to another embodiment, not shown, each metering member 60 is configured to be axially displaced by a corresponding actuator between an idle position slightly away from the corresponding first end 102 of the container 100 and a raised operating position in which it is raised into contact with the same first end 102, so that the same container 100 is metered both when empty and when at least partially full of incoherent material M.

[0103] As will be described in more detail below, the forming assembly 13 (see Figures 1, 10 and 11) is positioned adjacent to the feed station 201 (see Figure 2) and serves to remove any wrinkles or creases present in the container 100, particularly in the case of casings for smoking articles prior to filling.

[0104] The forming assembly 13 (see Figures 10 and 11) comprises a substantially horizontal support element 62 mounted on a second slider 63 which slides vertically on a vertical guide 65 of the fixed structure 11. Four conical elements 66 are mounted on the support element 62, which are identical to one another and each have a shape and dimensions which substantially correspond to the shape and dimensions of the interior of the container 100. The four conical elements 66 are each arranged on a corresponding vertical axis R, spaced apart from one another by a distance D which is the same as the distance separating the seats 210 of the same transport member 207.

[0105] A seventh actuator 67 (see FIG. 11) of a type known per se is connected to the second slider 63 in order to command the selective lowering of the second slider 63 from an idle position PR2, in which the conical element 66 is distant from the underlying container 100, to a lowered operating position PO2, in which the same conical element 66 is inserted into the container 100 and reaches, for example, the vicinity of the filter 101, and vice versa.

[0106] One or more control devices 69 may be associated with the molding assembly 13 upstream and / or downstream, although only one of them, configured to ascertain the shape of the container 100, is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11 .

[0107] Each pressing assembly 16, 17 (see Figures 1 and 12) is substantially the same as the forming assembly 13, except that the four conical elements are replaced by four vertical bars 70. The four vertical bars 70 are formed, for example, cylindrically shaped and have the function of selectively penetrating the interior of the container 100 containing the incoherent material M and lightly pressing them.

[0108] Each of the four vertical bars 70 is disposed along a corresponding vertical axis W. The four vertical axes W are spaced apart from one another by the same distance D that the seats 210 of the same carrier member 207 are spaced apart.

[0109] Each pressing assembly 16 , 17 comprises a substantially horizontal support element 71 mounted on a third slider 72 which slides vertically on a vertical guide 73 of the fixed structure 11 and is controlled by an eighth actuator 75 .

[0110] The four vertical bars 70 are attached to the support elements 71 and are vertically movable in both directions along corresponding vertical axes W between an elevated idle position PR3, away from the underlying container 100, and a lowered operating position PO3, in which their ends are partially inserted inside the container 100 and lightly press against the incoherent material M, and vice versa.

[0111] It is clear that the movement of each of the four vertical bars 70 depends on the amount of incoherent material M present inside the corresponding container 100 .

[0112] The apparatus 10 further comprises means for controlling its own operation, for example configured as an electronic control unit 76 (see FIG. 13 ), in particular of programmable type, configured to control one or more, possibly all, of the actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, 55, 56, 67, 75 and to receive signals from each control device 69 and / or from other sensors or control devices, not shown, associated with the different assemblies of the apparatus 10. The electronic control unit 76, or other non-illustrated control devices connected thereto, for example other control units of the machine 200, can instruct the transport device 205 in a similar manner.

[0113] In general, movements performed using any of the actuators described above may be accomplished using electric motors or other types of actuation, for example, pneumatic or hydrodynamic.

[0114] Furthermore, any movement of the various components of the operational unit described above may be subject to one or more controllers of a known type not shown in the figures, which send one or more feedback signals to the electronic control unit 76 so that the electronic control unit 76 can control the different actuators to optimize the manner in which the different containers 100 are filled.

[0115] The operation of the device 10 described so far, which corresponds to the method according to the invention, comprises the following steps.

[0116] Starting from an initial state in which all the above-mentioned operating units are in an idle position, in order to automatically fill the multiple containers 100 with the incoherent material M, the electronic control unit 76 (Figure 2) directly or indirectly instructs the transport device 205 so that a first transport member 207 carrying four containers 100, each positioned on a corresponding pedestal 210 (see Figure 1), moves into a first forming station A1 located just below the forming assembly 13, with the axes Y of the four pedestals 210 aligned with the four vertical axes R of the conical elements 66.

[0117] The control device 69 (see FIG. 11) checks the shape of each empty container 100 and sends a signal to the electronic control unit 76 regarding the presence of any defective container 100, thereby preventing the defective container 100 from being filled, thereby preventing waste of incoherent material M.

[0118] The electronic control unit 76 then commands the forming assembly 13 (see Figures 1, 10 and 11) to perform the forming step, during which the seventh actuator 67 (see Figure 11) lowers the second slider 63 together with the four conical elements 66 attached thereto from the idle position PR2 to the working position PO2, whereby the four conical elements 66 penetrate into the interior of the container 100 and remove any wrinkles or folds, after which they return to the idle position PR2.

[0119] The above-described forming process is carried out with a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds.

[0120] Once the above-mentioned forming step is completed, the first transport member 207 (see FIG. 1) is displaced by one pitch PT towards the first filling assembly 12, i.e. towards the right in the working X-direction. In the example provided here, the pitch PT is equal to four times the distance D between two adjacent seats 210 of the transport member 207. This allows the first transport member 207 to reach the first filling station A2, which is just below the four delivery devices 22 and directly above the metering unit 23. At the same time, the second transport member 207 is taken up into the first forming station A1, and the forming assembly 13 performs a forming step in the other four corresponding containers 100 placed in the seats 210 of the second transport member 207, similar to the method described above.

[0121] In the first filling station A2, the four axes Y of the four seats 210 of the first conveying member 207 coincide with four vertical axes V (see FIG. 5).

[0122] In displacement towards the first filling station A2, the container 100 positioned inside the base 210 slides with its second end 102 resting on the inclined wall 61 (see Figures 5 and 6) and is lifted until it rests on top of the measuring member 60, stopping substantially in its central position.

[0123] The electronic control unit 76 then directs a first weighing step in which the still empty containers 100 are weighed to detect their respective weights, i.e. their tare weights, and a substantially simultaneous first delivery step in controlling the molding step at the first molding station A1.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the electronic control unit 76 activates corresponding actuators to raise the four weighing members 60 against corresponding first ends 102 of the container 100, and then lifts the containers 100 appropriately to detect their respective weights.

[0125] At the same time, the electronic control unit 76 commands the start of the delivery step, in particular the first filling sub-step, in which the sixth actuator 56 first lowers the mobile structure 19 to take the lower part 53 of the mobile structure 19 into the second end 103 of the container 100 (see the operating position PO1 shown in FIG. 9). Advantageously, the electronic control unit 76 can command the sixth actuator 56 to lower the mobile structure 19 so that the tip part 54 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) of the lower part 53 enters the second end 103 of the container 100 first, starting substantially from the center of the latter, while the first transport member 207 is still moving towards the first filling station A2. In this way, the relative movement between the lowering of the tip part 54 and the advancement of the container 100 allows a possible restructuring of the second end 103 of the container 100 by the lower part, preventing the occurrence of wrinkles and folds in the container.

[0126] It should be made clear that the first filling sub-step is performed whilst the electronic control unit 76 continuously maintains the weighing step active so that the weight of each container 100 associated with the corresponding weighing unit 60 is continuously detected.

[0127] Immediately thereafter or simultaneously, the electronic control unit 76 directs the activation of each of the actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, 55 which drive the moving element 30 in the hopper 21, the stirring member 49 in the conveying cavity 33, the metering rollers 40, 41 and the conveying member 52, and performs an initial metered filling of the desired amount of incoherent material M in the container 100.

[0128] In some embodiments of the present invention, the electronic control unit 76 can selectively activate each of the first actuators 31 so that a constant amount of incoherent material M is always present on the corresponding first metering roller 40 within the corresponding conveying cavity 33.

[0129] Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the electronic control unit 76 can selectively operate the fourth actuator 51 to drive the agitating member 49 at periodic timing, even if the periodicity is longer than the cycle time TC.

[0130] 1, the complete filling of the containers 100 is carried out using three filling assemblies 12, 14, 15, such that in this first filling sub-step, about one third of the total amount of incoherent material M, i.e. for example about 0.30 to 0.33 grams of incoherent material M, is inserted into each container 100.

[0131] In particular, in each delivery device 22, the downward sliding of the incoherent material M into the conveying cavity 33 is optimized by the stirring member 49. Each first metering roller 40 collects the incoherent material M present in the conveying cavity 33 by means of the sharp element 42 and conveys it towards the second metering roller 41 which presses the incoherent material M towards the outlet opening 36. The vibration of the conveying member 52 located below facilitates the sliding of all the incoherent material M towards the corresponding container 100.

[0132] It should be noted that regardless of the amount of incoherent material M delivered by each feed member 27 to the corresponding conveying cavity 33 in a unit time, the actual amount of incoherent material M delivered into each container 100 is directly proportional to the amplitude of rotation of each first metering roller 40 and is always measured by the corresponding metering member 60.

[0133] Indeed, the electronic control unit 76 continues to execute the weighing steps during each filling sub-step and, when the desired weight of the container 100 is reached, stops the delivery of the incoherent material M and disables the corresponding actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, 55. Immediately thereafter, the electronic control unit 76 commands the sixth actuator 56 to return the movable structure 19 upwards to the idle position PR1 (see FIG. 8).

[0134] The end of each filling sub-step of each delivery device 22 is commanded by the electronic control unit 76 on the basis of both the data provided by the metering member 60 during the metering step and statistical data predicting the amount of incoherent material M actually conveyed in the container 100 after the command to stop the first metering roller 40 and the second metering roller 41, thus making it possible to meter the incoherent material M very accurately in each container 100. Indeed, as a function of the vertical distance between the metering rollers 40, 41, which are on different horizontal planes (P1 and P2), and the container 100, a residual amount of non-uniform incoherent material M may fall into the latter after the metering rollers 40, 41 have stopped.

[0135] The above-mentioned first filling sub-step and the corresponding metering step are also carried out overall within a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds.

[0136] Once these steps are completed, the first conveying member 207 (see FIG. 1) is displaced further towards the first pressing assembly 16, i.e. towards the right in the working direction X, by one pitch PT. This brings the conveying member 207 to the first pressing station A3, located just below the four vertical bars 70. At the same time, the third conveying member 207 is taken into the first forming station A1, where the forming assembly 13 performs the forming step as described above on the other four corresponding containers 100 located in the seats 210 of the third conveying member 207. And the second conveying member 207 is taken into the first filling station A2, where the first filling assembly 12 performs the first filling sub-step and a simultaneous metering step as described above on the other four corresponding containers 100 located in the seats 210 of the second conveying member 207.

[0137] In the first pressing station A3, the four axes Y of the four pedestals 210 of the first conveying member 207 coincide with the four vertical axes W of the vertical bar 70 of the first pressing assembly 16.

[0138] The electronic control unit 76 commands the forming and metering steps at the two stations A1 and A2, as well as the first delivery sub-step, as described above, while also ordering the first pressing step by the first pressing assembly 16 at the first pressing station A3. In particular, the electronic control unit 76 commands the eighth actuator 75 (see Figures 1 and 12) to lower the four vertical bars 70 from the idle position PR3 to the operating position PO3 and partially insert them into the corresponding containers 100, thereby lightly pressing the incoherent material M contained therein to make it more uniform, without over-flattening it.

[0139] Subsequently, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the eighth actuator 75 to return the four vertical bars 70 to the idle position PR3. This first pressing step is also performed within a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds.

[0140] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pressing step is followed by a second filling sub-step with a corresponding metering step and, optionally, by a third filling sub-step with a corresponding metering step.

[0141] In the example provided herein, in the second filling sub-step, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the second filling assembly 14 to insert about half of the total amount of incoherent material M, i.e., for example, 0.5 grams, into each container 100. In the third filling sub-step, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the third filling assembly 15 to insert into each container 100 a complementary amount of incoherent material M to the material already present therein, in order to reach the total amount of incoherent material M to be provided. In the example provided herein, this complementary amount is equal to about 0.2 grams.

[0142] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 10 may not have a third filling station and a corresponding third filling sub-step, but may only comprise a first and a second filling station at which corresponding filling sub-steps are performed, where it is clear that the second amount of incoherent material delivered by the second filling station complements the first amount of incoherent material provided by the first filling station in terms of the desired metered amount.

[0143] Furthermore, if three filling sub-steps and an equal number of metering steps are provided, between the second and third of these a second pressing step is carried out by a second pressing assembly 17 (see FIG. 1).

[0144] In this case, similar to above, a second metering step and a second filling sub-step substantially similar to the first metering step and the first filling sub-step described above can be performed by displacing all the support members 207 one pitch PT at a time from left to right until the first of them, then all the other support members 207, are first loaded into the second filling station corresponding to the second filling assembly 14. Then, a second pressing step substantially similar to the first pressing step described above can be performed until they are loaded into the second pressing station A5 corresponding to the second pressing assembly 17. Finally, a third metering step and a third filling sub-step substantially similar to the first metering step and the first filling sub-step described above can be performed until they are loaded into the third filling station A6 corresponding to the third filling assembly 15.

[0145] At the end of all steps, the container 100 is filled with the desired amount of incoherent material M and the support member 207 can be transferred from the apparatus 10 to an adjacent packaging station 202 (see FIG. 2) of the machine 200, for example by a transport device 206.

[0146] A suitably programmed electronic control unit 76 can simultaneously manage all the different steps of forming, folding and delivery, including the various incremental filling and pressing sub-steps described above, in coordination with the advancement of the conveying member 207 along the fixed guide 209.

[0147] Thus, all objectives are achieved by the above-described filling apparatus 10 and the above-described filling method, including precision in filling each container 100 with incoherent material M and high time productivity resulting in approximately 7,000 filled containers 100 corresponding to the same amount of finished product.

[0148] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of components or steps may be made to the filling device 10 and method for automatically filling containers described hereinabove without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0149] For example, in one simplified embodiment of the present invention, each filling assembly 12, 14, and 15 may have a number of delivery devices 22 different from four, i.e., only one, or more than four delivery devices 22, and may have a similar shape, and similarly for the pushing assembly.

[0150] Also, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that many other equivalent forms of filling devices and methods for automatically filling containers are certainly realizable within the field of the invention. In the following claims, the only purpose of the references in parentheses is to improve readability and they must not be considered as limiting elements with respect to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A filling device (10) for filling a plurality of containers (100) with a measured desired amount of an incoherent material (M) of a fiber type, a first filling station (A2) having a first filling assembly (12) comprising one or more delivery devices (22) configured to deliver a first amount of the incoherent material (M) to each of the containers (100); at least one second filling station (A4) having a second filling assembly (14) disposed downstream of the first filling station (A2) along the work line and comprising one or more additional delivery devices (22) configured to deliver a second amount of the incoherent material (M) to each of the containers (100) of the first filling station (A2) to which the first amount of the incoherent material (M) has already been delivered; pressing means (16, 17) disposed downstream of the first filling station (A2) and configured to be selectively inserted into the container (100) after the first amount of the incoherent material (M) has already been delivered for pressing the incoherent material (M) before delivering the second amount of the incoherent material (M) to the second filling station (A4); A filling device (10), characterized in that it comprises.

2. Further comprising a third filling station (A6) having a third filling assembly (15) disposed downstream of the second filling station (A4) along the work line and comprising one or more additional delivery devices (22), The filling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more additional delivery devices (22) are configured to deliver a complementary amount of the incoherent material (M) with respect to the first amount and the second amount, so as to obtain the measured desired amount of the incoherent material (M).

3. The pressing means (16, 17) comprises a plurality of first pressing members (16) and a plurality of second pressing members (17) disposed at each of a first pressing station (A3) and a second pressing station (A5), The first pressing station (A3) is arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A4) so as to press the first amount of the incoherent material (M). The filling device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second pressing station (A5) is arranged downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6) so as to press the second amount of the incoherent material (M).

4. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) includes metering means (23) for metering the incoherent material (M). The filling device (10) further includes control means (76) configured to instruct the delivery device (22) as a function of the metering performed by the metering means (23) to gradually deliver the metered desired amount of the incoherent material (M) as the plurality of containers advance along the work line. The filling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The filling device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising shaping means (13, 66) arranged upstream of the first filling station (A2) and configured to remove wrinkles and folds present in the container (100) by being selectively inserted into the empty container (100).

6. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) defines means for metering the incoherent material (M) and includes a first rotating member (40) and a second rotating member (41) configured to cooperate with each other to deliver a metered predetermined amount of the incoherent material (M) equal to a part of the metered desired amount to each of the plurality of containers (100). The filling device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41) are configured to rotate in opposite rotational directions at different angular velocities (ω1, ω2) so as to convey the incoherent material (M) towards the container (100).

7. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) is disposed below the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41), has a wide portion at the top, and has a narrow portion (53) at the bottom, and has a substantially funnel shape, and includes a conveying member (52) configured to be sized to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers (100). The filling device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the conveying member (52) is configured to vibrate during conveyance of the incoherent material (M) so as to prevent the incoherent material (M) delivered by the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41) from remaining in the conveying member (52) unintentionally.

8. A filling method for automatically filling a plurality of containers (100) with a measured desired amount of a fibrous type of incoherent material (M), A delivery step in which one or more delivery devices (22) deliver a measured predetermined amount of the incoherent material (M) equal to a part of the measured desired amount to each of the plurality of containers (100), Performed at a first filling station (A2) having a first filling assembly (12) including at least one of the delivery devices (22), a first filling sub-step of filling the container (100) with a first amount of the incoherent material (M), and A delivery step having at least one second filling sub-step, which is performed at a second filling station (A4) having a second filling assembly (14) including one or more additional delivery devices (22) arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) along the work line and configured to deliver a second amount of the incoherent material (M) to each of the containers (100) into which the first amount of the incoherent material (M) has already been delivered, and filling the container (100) with the second amount of the incoherent material (M). Performed by pressing means (16, 17) arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2), after the first filling sub-step, for pressing the incoherent material (M), the pressing means (16, 17) is selectively inserted into the container (100) filled with at least a part of the incoherent material (M), a pressing step; A filling method, characterized by comprising. **Claim 9** The delivery step is arranged downstream of the second filling station (A4) along the work line, and delivers an amount of the incoherent material (M) that is complementary to the first amount and the second amount, and is configured to obtain the measured desired amount of the incoherent material (M). The filling method according to claim 8, further comprising a third filling sub-step performed at a third filling station (A6) having an additional one or more delivery devices (22). **Claim 10** In the first filling sub-step, deliver the first amount of the incoherent material (M) which is between 25% and 35%, preferably about 30% of the measured desired amount; In the second filling sub-step, deliver the second amount of the incoherent material (M) which is between 45% and 55%, preferably about 50% of the measured desired amount; The filling method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the third filling sub-step, a third amount of the incoherent material (M) which is between 15% and 25%, preferably about 20% of the measured desired amount is delivered. **Claim 11** The pressing step is Performed by a first pressing member (16) at a first pressing station (A3) arranged downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A4), a first pressing step for pressing the first amount of the incoherent material (M); Performed by a second pressing member (17) at a second pressing station (A5) arranged downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6), a second pressing step for pressing the second amount of the incoherent material (M); The filling method according to claim 9, characterized by comprising. **Claim 12** Further comprising a forming step performed by forming means (13, 66) disposed upstream of the first filling station (A2) before the delivery step, The filling method according to claim 8, wherein in the forming step, the forming means (13, 66) is selectively inserted into the empty container (100) so as to remove wrinkles and folds present in the container (100).

13. A step of delivering the amount of the incoherent material (M) by rotating a first rotating member (40) and a second rotating member (41); Further comprising a step of rotating a conveying member (52) included in each of the plurality of delivery devices (22). The first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41) are included in each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) and operate in cooperation with each other. The filling method according to claim 8, wherein the conveying member (52) has a substantially funnel shape having a wide portion at the top and a narrow portion (53) at the bottom, and is sized and configured to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers (100).

14. A weighing step of weighing the incoherent material (M) by weighing means (23) included in each of the plurality of delivery devices (22); A step of controlling the delivery step, performed by control means (76) configured to instruct the delivery device (22) as a function of the weighing to gradually deliver the weighed desired amount of the incoherent material (M) as the plurality of containers (100) advance along the work line. The filling method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of:

15. Further comprising a transporting step of transporting the plurality of containers (100) by means of a transporting device comprising a transporting member (207) configured to slide on a fixed guide (209). The conveying step conveys the plurality of containers (100) along the work line parallel to the work direction (X), sequentially passes at least the first filling station (A2) and the second filling station (A4), and at each of the first filling station (A2) and the second filling station (A4), stops for a time equal to the cycle time (TC), thereby enabling partial and stepwise filling of the plurality of containers (100). The filling method according to claim 8, characterized in that.

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