Apparatus for compression molding of concave objects

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a supply device (2) for supplying at least one polymeric material, a cutting section (5) for cutting a unit portion (4) of polymeric material from the polymeric material supplied by the supply device (2), a mould (6) including at least half moulds, at least one of which is movable towards the other half moulds for compression moulding an object from the unit portion (4), at least one conveying section (7), suction means and blowing means. The conveying section (7) includes a pressing section (10) having a contact surface (10a) and a transfer surface (8).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing concave objects, in particular containers, by compression moulding.

[0002] The device according to the invention may for example be used to manufacture capsules designed to contain a powder or granular material, such as coffee, for the preparation of a fluid of a beverage or other food product. Alternatively, the device according to the invention may be used to manufacture preforms designed to be subjected to a blowing or stretch-blow process to form a container, such as a bottle. More generally, the device according to the invention may be used to manufacture any type of container, such as a glass, jar or bowl, or other concave object, such as a cap for a container.

[0003] The device according to the invention allows the production of monomaterial concave objects, starting from any polymer material that can be subjected to compression moulding, or alternatively, the device according to the invention allows the production of concave objects having a multi-layer structure, i.e. having walls formed by two or more layers made of different polymer materials and placed one on top of the other. [Background technology]

[0004] There are also devices in the prior art for manufacturing objects with compression-molded unit quantities of polymeric material. The prior art devices comprise an extruder for distributing the polymeric material and a number of moulds, each having a male part with a punch and a female part with a cavity. The prior art devices also comprise a number of conveying parts, each of which transports the unit quantities of polymeric material from the extruder to the mould.

[0005] In the mould of the prior art device, for example, the female part is placed under the male part with the cavity of the female part facing up. After the unit dose of polymeric material is cut from the extruder, it is released from the conveying part towards the inside of the cavity of the female part, so that the unit dose falls from the top towards the bottom of the cavity.

[0006] Alternatively, the male part is placed under the female part with the male punch facing up. A unit dose of polymeric material is released from the conveyor onto the male punch after being cut from the extruder.

[0007] The male and female parts are thus moved towards each other to deform the unit mass and thereby form it according to a desired shape.

[0008] Although prior art devices can operate satisfactorily in many cases, they present challenges, particularly, but not exclusively, when it is necessary to compression mold multi-layered doses, i.e., doses that include multiple layers made of different materials, where accurate placement of the dose inside the mold is a particularly critical operation.

[0009] In some cases, prior art devices can produce defective objects because the unit dose was not properly placed within the mold.

[0010] Moreover, the polymeric material unit may not be cut off from the conveyor or may remain partially attached to the conveyor due to the temperature it reaches, resulting in an object with reduced thickness or non-uniform material distribution. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore a technical objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of overcoming the problems of the prior art.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for compression molding a plurality of unit doses each including at least one polymeric material that can be properly positioned within said mold.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which there is no risk of the unit dose - even partially - remaining attached to the carrier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The above mentioned technical objectives and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a device having the technical features recited in one or more claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0015] The present invention relates to - a dispensing device for dispensing at least one polymeric material; a cutting section for cutting unit portions of polymeric material from the polymeric material dispensed by the dispensing device; - a mold having two half moulds, at least one of said half moulds being movable towards the other of said half moulds to compression mould an object from said unit portion; - at least one transport movable along a closed path defined between said dispenser and said mould and configured to obtain said unit portions from said dispenser and thereafter release said unit portions into said mould; - suction and blowing means connected or connectable to said conveying section and selectively actuatable to retain or release said unit doses; The present invention includes an apparatus comprising:

[0016] The conveying unit is configured to perform a rotational motion about an axis of rotation intersecting the closed path between a first orientation in which the unit portion is received by the conveying unit and a second orientation in which the unit portion is released onto the mold.

[0017] The conveying portion includes a pressing portion having a contact surface.

[0018] The carrier also has a transfer surface that is designed to define contact with the unit dose and is defined by the contact surface and a surface surrounding the carrier that surrounds the pressure portion.

[0019] The pressing portion is movable between a stored position in which the contact surface is flush with the surrounding surface and a protruding position in which the contact surface protrudes relative to the surrounding surface.

[0020] The pressing portion has a plurality of through holes on the contact surface that are connected or connectable to the suction means and the blowing means so as to selectively provide fluid communication between the unit amount and the suction means for holding the unit amount or the blowing means for releasing the unit amount.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to position the unit amount in the mold more accurately than in the prior art. In fact, the conveying unit changes the unit amount from the first orientation to the second orientation, thereby directing the unit amount toward the mold, and the invention combining the pressing unit and the air blowing means makes it possible to supply the unit amount to the mold.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the two half molds are male and female, respectively.

[0023] The conveying portion is thus enabled by the pressing portion and the blowing means to release the unit portion into the male portion in such a way as to reduce the risk of the unit portion being positioned off-center or asymmetrically within the mould.

[0024] Moreover, as the portion is released onto the male part, the part of the portion that first touches the mould is intended to form the inner surface of the moulded object as it comes into contact with the male part, thus improving the quality of the moulded object by eliminating the risk of having marks on the outer surface of the moulded object as the portion cools.

[0025] The male portion has an upper surface, i.e. a support area, which is substantially horizontal.

[0026] In the second position, the transfer portion - and thus the unit portion - lies on a substantially horizontal plane, so that the pusher is also configured to move vertically towards the mould.

[0027] This prevents the unit doses from being placed in an angled position which could result in uneven filling of the mold.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing device may comprise a coextrusion device that dispenses a continuous multi-layer coextruded structure including at least two layers of different materials.

[0029] In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one cutting portion for cutting a unit portion of polymeric material from the polymeric material dispensed by the dispensing device.

[0030] The cutting section may be supported by the conveying section.

[0031] Alternatively, the cutting section may be located upstream of and separate from the conveying section.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cutting portion is configured to cut unit portions having a parallelepiped shape from a continuous structure dispensed by the dispensing device.

[0033] Said unit portions having a parallelepiped shape are particularly easily obtained by simply cutting the flat extruded section without generating waste.

[0034] Moreover, the unit portion, which has a parallelepiped shape, is defined by a flat surface, more precisely, the surface of the unit portion which is designed to rest on the male part is flat in this case, so that it is possible to obtain a good stability of the placement of the unit portion on the male part, even if the male part does not have side walls.

[0035] The stability of placing the unit dose on the male part is further increased if the male part is defined above by a transverse surface defining a flat area for supporting the unit dose.

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the non-limiting description that follows of a non-exclusive embodiment of a device for producing concave objects, in particular containers, by compression moulding. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided purely for the purpose of illustration, without limiting the scope of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3F] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 3G] FIG. 3 is a detail of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating various processing steps in the apparatus. [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic diagram of components of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic diagram of components of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 4C]1 is a schematic diagram of components of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 5A] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the components of FIGS. 4A-4C. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the components of FIGS. 4A-4C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the number 1 indicates as a whole an apparatus for producing concave objects, in particular containers, by compression moulding.

[0039] The term container may mean, for example, a capsule for coffee, or any other substance containing a fluid or foodstuff that can be extracted by means of a jar, glass or bowl. Alternatively, the device 1 may be used to manufacture preforms intended to form containers by blow moulding. It is also possible to use the device 1 for manufacturing caps for containers.

[0040] The apparatus 1 comprises a dispensing device 2 for dispensing at least one polymeric material. For example, the dispensing device 2 may comprise a coextrusion device for dispensing a continuous coextruded structure 3 comprising multiple layers of different polymeric materials.

[0041] In other words, the dispensing device 2 may be configured to dispense a monolithic polymeric material, i.e. made of a single polymeric material, or it may be made of a multi-layered polymeric material, i.e. formed by several layers made side by side of different polymeric materials.

[0042] The distributor 2 comprises an outlet opening having a rectangular or square shape for dispensing a continuous structure shaped like a strip having a rectangular or square cross section. If the cross section of the strip is rectangular, the base of the rectangle may be much larger than the height, even if this condition is not necessary. According to the attached drawings, the outlet opening faces downwards so as to dispense the continuous structure 3 downwards along a vertical or substantially vertical outlet direction. However, this condition is not necessary.

[0043] In other words, the dispensing device 2 is configured to dispense unit portions 4 having the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0044] According to embodiments not shown, the outlet opening can have a shape different from a rectangular or square shape in order to dispense continuous structures with other types of cross-sections, for example a cylindrical cross-section.

[0045] The device 1 also comprises a cutting section 5 for cutting unit portions 4 of the polymeric material (ie the continuous structure 3 ) from the polymeric material dispensed by the dispensing device 2 .

[0046] According to the illustrated example, there are multiple cuts 5. Alternatively, a cut 5 may be made near the exit opening and may be operated to cut unit doses 4 from the continuous structure 3.

[0047] The apparatus 1 also comprises a mould 6 comprising two half moulds, at least one of which is movable towards the other so as to compression mould an object from the unit portion 4. Preferably, the mould 6 may mean a structure made or capable of being made like a carousel, on which a number of half moulds are provided.

[0048] Preferably, two half moulds may be made, female and male parts 6a aligned to each other along a moulding axis which may be perpendicular, for example as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The male part 6a may be shaped like a punch and is arranged to form the inner surface of an object, for example a coffee capsule. The male part 6a may be arranged below the female part, so that the female part has a downwards facing moulding cavity.

[0050] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the male portion may be located above the female portion.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, the punch of the male part 6 a has a flat support area 6 b for the unit dose 4 .

[0052] The apparatus 1 comprises at least one transfer 7 configured to obtain a unit portion from the dispensing device 2 and subsequently release the unit portion into a mould 6 .

[0053] The transport part 7 is movable along a closed path defined between the dispensing device 2 and the mould 6 .

[0054] Preferably, the carrier 7 is made in the form of a blade.

[0055] Preferably, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of conveyors 7 movable in succession along a closed path between the dispensing device 2 and the moulds 6 .

[0056] Preferably, as shown in the accompanying drawings, a cutting portion 5 is included or defined at an end for obtaining unit portions 4 of the conveying portion 7 .

[0057] Each cutting portion 5 is associated with, and in particular supported by, a respective conveyor 7. For example, each cutting portion 5 may be shaped as a cutting edge that defines a conveyor surface 8.

[0058] Thus, according to this embodiment, the carrier 7 is made in the form of a blade.

[0059] The transport 7 is also configured to perform a rotational movement about a relative axis that intersects the closed path in order to rotate between the first and second orientations.

[0060] According to a first orientation shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the unit portion 4 is received by the conveying part 7. According to the attached figures, the first orientation is substantially vertical according to the exit direction of the continuous structure 3 from the dispenser 2. Alternatively, if the dispenser 2 does not dispense the material in a vertical direction, the first orientation is also not vertical.

[0061] According to a second orientation shown in Figures 3A, 3F and 3G, the unit dose 4 is released onto the mould 6. According to the accompanying drawings, the second orientation is substantially horizontal according to the upper surface of the male part 6a, i.e. the support area 6b.

[0062] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 1 comprises a transport device 9 comprising a central support 9a, rotatable about a relative axis and configured to move at least one transport part 7 along a closed path. The transport device 9 also comprises means for adjusting the orientation 9b configured to move the transport part 7 between a first orientation and a second orientation.

[0063] The central support 9a is configured to support a plurality of conveying sections, and the means for adjusting the orientation 9b is configured to selectively move each conveying section 7 between a first orientation and a second orientation along a closed path when the respective conveying section 7 is close to the distribution device 2 or the mold 6.

[0064] In other words, the transport parts 7 are configured to change their relative orientation during movement along the closed path.

[0065] Each transport part is connected to an arm 9c supported by a central body 9a, and the means for adjusting the orientation 9b are arranged to rotate each transport part 7 about the arm 9c coinciding with the axis of rotation of the transport part 7.

[0066] To this end, the conveying device 9 is configured to move the conveying part 7 along a path directed from a capture position (where the dispensing device 2 is present and the conveying part 7 captures the unit portion 4) and a discharge position (where the mould 6 is present and the conveying part 7 discharges the unit portion 4 in the mould 6). In this context, the means for adjusting the orientation 9b are preferably configured to adjust the orientation of the unit portion 4 from the capture position to the release position during the second half of the closed path. In the accompanying drawings, the axis of rotation of the central body 9a is parallel to the shaping direction of the mould 6.

[0067] The device 1 also comprises suction means and blowing means connected or connectable to the carrier 7 and selectively operable to retain or release the unit dose 4, respectively.

[0068] In other words, the suction means are configured to retain the unit dose 4 on the carrier 7 , while the blowing means are configured to release the unit dose 4 .

[0069] Preferably, the suction means may be provided by a vacuum source.

[0070] Preferably, the blowing means may be provided by a source of compressed air.

[0071] The conveying section 7 further comprises a pressing section 10 with a contact surface 10a, a conveying surface 8 designed to define contact with the unit portion 4 and defined by the contact surface 10a and a peripheral surface 10b of the conveying section 7 surrounding the pressing section 10.

[0072] The pressing portion 10 is movable between a stored position (eg, as shown in FIG. 4A) and a protruding position (eg, as shown in FIG. 4B).

[0073] In the stored position, the contact surface 10a is arranged flush with the peripheral surface 10b and thus defines a conveying surface 8. This configuration is suitable for picking up and conveying unit portions 4.

[0074] In the projecting position, the contact surface 10 a projects relative to the surrounding surface 10 b (ie relative to the conveying surface 8 ) for ejecting the unit dose 4 into the mould 6 .

[0075] Preferably, the pressure part 10 is made in the form of a piston defining a contact surface 10a having a circular or square shape.

[0076] The conveying surface 8 is sized so that the unit dose 4 (single layer or multi-layer) adheres to the conveying surface 8 to minimize deformation of the unit dose 4 during conveying.

[0077] Preferably, the conveying surface 8 is sized so as to have an area larger than the surface of the unit dose 4 .

[0078] Preferably, the contact surface 10 a is sized to have a smaller area than the surface of the unit dose 4 in such a way as to facilitate pushing and removal of the unit dose 4 from the conveying surface 8 .

[0079] The pusher 10 is therefore a mechanical member which at the right moment pushes the unit dose 4 downwards (in the configuration of the accompanying drawings) helping it to be removed from the conveying surface 8 and released into the mould 6 .

[0080] The pressing part 10 is provided on the contact surface 10a with a number of passage holes 11 which are connected or connectable to the suction means and the blowing means and are configured to selectively establish fluid communication between the unit dose and the suction means or the blowing means.

[0081] Preferably, the plurality of holes 11 are distributed around the periphery of the contact surface 10a, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0082] Alternatively, the plurality of holes 11 are distributed over the entire contact surface 10a.

[0083] In this context, by means of the passage holes 11 the suction means are configured to prevent detachment of the unit dose 4 from the conveying surface 8. In other words, the suction means are configured to hold the unit dose 4 in contact with the conveying surface 8 during its path from the acquisition position to the release position.

[0084] For example, a number of passage holes 11 open on the contact surface 10a to establish fluid communication between the unit dose 4 interacting with the conveying surface 8 and a vacuum source.

[0085] Also in this context, by means of the passage holes 11 the blowing means is configured to easily remove the unit portion 4 from the surface when the conveying part 7 is in the release position. In other words, the combined movement of the pressing part 10 and the action of the blowing means through the passage holes 11 ensure a correct removal of the unit portion 4 from the conveying part as well as a correct positioning of the unit portion 4 on the mould 6.

[0086] For example, the blowing means may comprise a compressed air source configured to remove the unit portions 4 from the conveying surface 8 by means of passage holes 11 .

[0087] For this purpose, the passage hole 11 is connected to a vacuum source when the conveying part 7 is about to take or has just taken the unit portion 4 from the supply device 2 so that the unit portion 4 remains fixed without undergoing unintended deformation, and is subsequently connected to a compressed air source when the conveying part 7 faces the mould 6 and the pressing part 10 is in the projected position. In other words, the conveying part 7 allows easier removal of the unit portion 4 from the conveying surface 8 so that the unit portion 4 can be fed to the mould 6 when required.

[0088] For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 4C, the conveying section 7 can be provided with a special inner duct 11a therein, which is arranged in communication with the passage hole 11 and with suction and / or blowing means, or can be used for suction or blowing air.

[0089] Preferably, the suction means and the blowing means are also in communication with a mechanism 12 for moving the pressing portion 10 and can be selectively actuated to move the pressing portion 10 between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0090] In other words, the movement of the pressing part 10 is performed by the above-mentioned movement mechanism 12 which can be actuated by suitable control or by suction means or blowing means.

[0091] Preferably, the movement mechanism 12 is composed of a guide portion within which a part of the pressing portion 10 can slide. In particular, the operation using the air blowing means (or the suction means) occurs by causing the movement between the stored position and the protruding position by the interaction between the air blowing means (or the suction means) and the inner surface of the pressing portion 10.

[0092] In other words, the blowing means introduces air against the inner wall of the pressing portion 10 and pushes it out from the stored position to the protruding position (FIG. 5A) (FIG. 5B).

[0093] Likewise, the action exerted by the suction means generates a force on the contact surface 10a, which causes the pressing part 10 to slide further in the relative guide, thereby returning the pressing part 10 to the retracted position (FIG. 5A).

[0094] Thus, according to this embodiment, the storage position of the pressing portion 10 comes from a suction means (i.e., a vacuum source) which holds the unit dose 4 against the conveying surface 8 by sucking in air, keeping the pressing portion 10 (i.e., the contact surface 10a) flush with the surrounding surface 10b, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0095] Similarly, the protruding position of the pressing portion 10 originates from a blowing means (i.e., a compressed air source) which blows air to eject the unit dose 4 from the conveying surface and keep the pressing portion 10 (i.e., contact surface 10a) spaced apart from the surrounding surface 10b, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0096] Preferably, an inner duct 11a may be used to communicate the suction method or the blowing method with the movement mechanism 12 so as to achieve both the retention or blowing of the unit dose 4 and the movement of the pressing portion 10 by activating the suction method or the blowing method, respectively.

[0097] Preferably, the conveying section 7 is provided with temperature regulating means for adjusting the temperature of the portion 4 during conveying, and / or the conveying section 7 is provided along a closed path.

[0098] Advantageously, temperature regulation means may be used to prevent the unit dose 4 from cooling or heating too much.

[0099] Preferably, the temperature regulating means comprises or can be formed as a heating means to prevent excessive cooling of the unit dose 4 during transport which may result in non-optimal compaction during formation of the object in the mould 6.

[0100] Alternatively, the temperature regulating means may comprise or be designed as cooling means for preventing excessive deposition of the unit doses 4 on the conveying part 7 in case the conveying part tends to overheat.

[0101] Preferably, the temperature regulation means comprises an inner duct 13 surrounding the pressing part 10 and arranged in fluid communication with a source of air or water.

[0102] Preferably, the blowing means and the suction means comprise temperature adjustment means, in other words the suction and blowing means can be selectively activated and used to adjust the temperature of the conveying section 7 during its movement in the closed path.

[0103] For example, after release of the unit dose 4 in the mould 6, the suction means can be activated to recall the pressing part 10 and cool the conveying part 7 so as to reduce its temperature after contact with the unit dose 4.

[0104] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular to Figures 1, 2, 3A to 3G, the letters "A, B, C, D, E, F" indicate overall the various operational steps of the device 1 according to the invention.

[0105] FIG. 3A illustrates step “A” and identifies the position adopted by the conveyor 7 in the closed portion of the path defined between the mould 6 and the dispensing device 2 .

[0106] During this step, the conveying portion 7 adopts a substantially flat configuration and does not contain the unit dose 4 to be conveyed.

[0107] Preferably, during step "A" the pressing device 10 is placed in the retracted position. Alternatively, the pressing device 10 may be placed in the extended position, but must be placed back in the retracted position before contacting the unit dose 4 again.

[0108] Preferably, a temperature adjustment means may be in operation during step “A” to adjust the temperature of the transport section 7 previously altered by the temperature of the unit dose 4 .

[0109] During step "A", if the temperature adjustment means coincides with the suction or blowing means, it is possible to operate the means to suck or blow air through the ventilation holes 11 at a temperature suitable to obtain the desired adjustment.

[0110] 3B shows step "B" representing the configuration adopted by the conveying part 7 when approaching the dispensing device 2. In particular, the rotation of the conveying part 7 starts in the vicinity of the dispensing device 2 suitable for positioning it from the second orientation to the first orientation. Preferably, in this step "B", the means for adjusting the orientation 9b are activated, which rotate the conveying part 7 about its axis of rotation, i.e. around the arm 9c connecting the conveying part 7 to the central body 9a of the conveying device 9.

[0111] 3C and 3D show step “C” of identifying engagement of the carrier 7 with the unit dose 4. FIG.

[0112] In particular, Figure 3C shows the dispensing device 2 during the ejection of the continuous structure 3 of polymeric material, with the conveying part 7 now in a substantially vertical position, directed towards the continuous structure 3.

[0113] On the other hand, FIG. 3D shows a transport 7 designed to transport unit doses 4 obtained from the continuous structure 3, also in a vertical position.

[0114] The actual engagement of the unit dose 4 with the conveying part 7 takes place between Figures 3C and 3D. In particular, during this engagement, a cutting part 5 is interposed, which in the attached figures is defined on the conveying part 7 which cuts the unit dose 4 from the continuous structure 3. During the "cutting" of the unit dose 4 from the structure 3, the unit dose 4 comes into contact with the conveying surface 8, i.e. the contact surface 10a and part of the surrounding surface 10b. During this engagement, the suction means are also actuated to ensure retention of the unit dose 4 on the conveying surface 8.

[0115] On the other hand, Figure 3E shows step "D", which represents the configuration adopted by the conveyor 7 before it moves away from the dispensing device 2 towards the mould 6. More specifically, the conveyor 7 starts a rotation suitable to position it from a first orientation to a second orientation. The suction means are activated during this movement. Preferably, in this step "D" activates the means for correcting the orientation 9b that rotates and positions the conveyor 7 about its axis of rotation, namely around the arm 9c that connects the conveyor 7 to the central body 9a of the conveying device 9.

[0116] Meanwhile, Figure 3F shows step "D" of identifying a second orientation adopted by the transport part 7 before reaching the mould 6. During this process, both the transport part 7 and the unit portion 4 have a substantially horizontal orientation, and the suction means ensure retention of the unit portion 4 and prevent it from accidentally falling off.

[0117] Finally, Figure 3G shows step "F" identifying the release of the unit dose 4 in the mould 6. During this process, the pressing part 10 is activated so as to cut off the unit dose 4 from the conveying surface 8, i.e. from the peripheral surface 10b. After or simultaneously with the pressing movement in which the pressing part 10 is placed from the retracted position to the extended position, the suction means are deactivated and the blowing means are activated so as to remove the unit dose 4 also from the contact surface 10a.

[0118] In other words, the pressing part 10 moves the unit portion 4 towards the mould 6 (in particular towards the support area 6b of the male part 6a) and the blowing means performs the actual separation of the unit portion 4 and its release in the mould 6 (i.e. resting on the upper surface of the male part 6a, i.e. on the support area 6b).

[0119] Advantageously, the above described device 1 is able to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0120] The joint action of the pressing part 10 and the blowing means ensures the release of the unit portion 4 in the mold 6. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the pressing part 10 and the blowing means enable the unit portion 4 on the support area 6b of the mold 6 to be released reliably.

[0121] Advantageously, the pressing unit 10 performs a first movement of the unit portion 4 towards the mould 6, so as to ensure that, once the unit portion 4 is released, any change in trajectory or abrupt landing of the unit portion 4 on the mould 6 is avoided, which could result in a non-optimal centred position of the unit portion. In other words, the precise positioning of the unit portion 4 in the mould 6 makes it possible to obtain a moulding with a more uniform and precise compression of the object, thus obtaining an object of the desired quality.

[0122] Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, since the unit dose 4 is deposited on the support area 6b of the male part 6a, the pressing part 10 and the blowing means ensure that the formation of undesired marks on the outer parts of the object being formed is prevented.

Claims

1. a dispensing device for dispensing at least one polymeric material; a cutting section for cutting a unit portion of polymeric material from the polymeric material dispensed by the dispensing device; a mold having two half molds, at least one of the half molds being movable towards the other of the half molds to compression mold an object from the unit portion; at least one transport movable along a closed path defined between the dispenser and the mold and configured to obtain the unit portions from the dispenser and thereafter release the unit portions into the mold; suction means and blowing means connected or connectable to said transport section and selectively actuatable to retain or release said unit doses; the at least one conveying unit is further configured to perform a rotational movement about an axis of rotation intersecting the closed path between a first orientation in which the unit portion is received by the conveying unit and a second orientation in which the unit portion is released onto the mold; the conveying part has a pressing part with a contact surface and a transfer surface, the transfer surface being designed to define a contact with the unit dose and being defined by the contact surface and a surface surrounding the conveying part surrounding the pressing part, the pressing portion is movable between a retracted position in which the contact surface is flush with a surrounding surface and a protruding position in which the contact surface protrudes relative to the surrounding surface to release the unit dose into the mold; The pressing part has a plurality of through holes on the contact surface, which are connected or connectable to the suction means and the blowing means so as to selectively fluidly communicate between the unit amount and the suction means for holding the unit amount or the blowing means for releasing the unit amount. Device.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the suction means and the blowing means are also in communication with a mechanism that moves the pressing portion and is selectively actuatable to move the pressing portion between the retracted position and the extended position.

3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying section comprises a temperature regulating means for regulating the temperature of the unit portions during transport and / or of the conveying section along the closed path.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the temperature adjustment means is defined by an internal duct surrounding the pressing portion and is provided in fluid communication with an air or water source.

5. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said suction means and said blowing means comprise said temperature adjustment means.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of through holes are distributed over the periphery of the contact surface.

7. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting portion is included or defined on the end of the conveying portion that obtains the unit portion.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is made of a blade or a cutting edge.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing part is made of a piston defining a contact surface having a circular or square shape.

10. 10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: a transfer device having a central support rotatable about an axis and configured to move the at least one conveying part along the closed path; and an orientation adjusting means configured to move the conveying part between the first orientation and the second orientation.

11. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, the central support is configured to support a plurality of transports; the means for adjusting the orientation is configured to selectively move each of the plurality of conveying units along the closed path between the first orientation and the second orientation as each of the plurality of conveying units approaches the dispenser or the mold. Device.

12. 12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, each of the plurality of conveying units is connected to an arm supported by the central support unit; the means for adjusting the orientation is configured to rotate each of the plurality of carriers about the arm coincident with the axis of rotation; Device.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the dispenser is configured to dispense parallelepiped shaped unit portions; one of the two mold halves has an upper end defined by a substantially flat area that supports the unit portion; Device.

Images