Automatic container filling apparatus and method

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 method for automatically filling empty containers such as, for example, casings for smoking articles or capsules. Each of these containers has an open end into which an incoherent material of a fibrous type, which may have oily and / or resinous properties, can be inserted. The device and method according to the present invention can automatically perform an accurate and controlled filling of each container in a very fast working cycle so as to achieve high productivity.

Background Art

[0002] In the automatic production of smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, using particularly productive machines, one important aspect to be considered and one technical problem to be overcome is the insertion of an incoherent material, such as, for example, tobacco, other smokable substances, or combinations thereof, into a container within a filling station, such as a casing. It is also possible to associate a station for feeding the containers, arranged upstream, with a packaging station, a distribution station, and, optionally, a station for packaging the finished smoking articles, arranged downstream.

[0003] Regarding the insertion of the smoking material, it is known to prepare a strip of paper for depositing an incoherent material, which usually consists of tobacco. The strip of paper is then wound to form a single tubular casing containing the incoherent material and is then cut to a predetermined size in order to obtain individual smoking articles according to the desired format.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known that devices are used to insert the incoherent material described above into containers, which utilize a pneumatic transfer system to move the incoherent material from a storage hopper into the interior of each container, such as a casing for smoking supplies. Such known devices have the drawback of degrading the chemophysical properties of the incoherent material being processed.

[0005] Known apparatuses for filling containers with measured amounts of smokeable material are also described in the German Patent Application Publication No. 3226654 and the U.S. Patent No. 3404742. These solutions provide a system that can prepare a predetermined amount of such material, usually less than the desired measured amount. After the weight of the amount in question is checked, one or more remaining amounts can be selectively added to this material.

[0006] However, the known technologies described above cannot automatically fill containers to obtain final products that include non-tobacco leaf materials, for example, which have various properties related to the chemical and physical properties of the materials and, for example, the resins and oils they may contain. In particular, these substances tend to adhere to the surfaces that the material comes into contact with, reducing the efficiency of the equipment, making the movement of incoherent materials extremely difficult, especially when high productivity per hour is desired, for example, when it is desired to achieve around 7,000 finished products.

[0007] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve in a novel and original way is to provide an apparatus for automatic container filling and to perfect the method for doing so. Furthermore, it enables automatic container filling even when the incoherent material has substances that make feeding the incoherent material difficult in very small sizes and very narrow spaces, such as capsules or casings for smoking products that are tubular and have a diameter of a few millimeters. Moreover, considering that weighing needs to be done with very high precision on the order of one-tenth of a gram, and that the goal is to achieve the high productivity per hour mentioned above, this means that the average production time for each finished product is on the order of approximately 0.5 seconds.

[0008] In fact, at present, there are no filling apparatuses or methods in the field of technology that can solve the above technical problems and achieve the above objectives.

[0009] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems by providing a filling device that automatically fills containers, such as smoking supplies or capsule casings, which is simple, reliable, and simultaneously achieves high productivity, and by completing the filling method to improve productivity.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for automatically filling containers and to complete a filling method that can prevent incoherent material from gluing or sticking to the surface of feed elements and instead allow it to be easily transported into the interior of each container.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to make available a filling apparatus and method for automatically filling containers, which enables highly accurate and reliable weighing of incoherent material in each container and in all containers to be filled, so that all containers contain the exact same amount of incoherent material as desired.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container filling apparatus that can automatically fill containers, and to complete a filling method, such that the filling of containers can be performed serially and in parallel, so that multiple containers can be filled simultaneously.

[0013] The applicant has conceived, tested, and embodied the present invention in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objectives and advantages. [Overview of the project]

[0014] The present invention is characterized by the independent claims. Dependent claims describe other features of the present invention or variations of the principal idea of ​​the invention.

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

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a first filling station having 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 present invention, the apparatus comprises at least one second filling station located downstream of the first filling station along a work line and comprising a second filling assembly having one or more additional delivery devices. The one or more additional delivery devices are configured to deliver a second amount of the incoherent material to each of the plurality of containers from which a first amount of the 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 amount of incoherent material has been delivered, in order to press the incoherent material before delivering the second amount of incoherent material to the second filling station.

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

[0020] According to another aspect of the present 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 amount of incoherent material before the second filling station delivers the second amount of incoherent material.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the pressing means comprises a plurality of second pressing members arranged at a second pressing station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station, which presses 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 present invention, each of the plurality of delivery devices includes measuring means for measuring the incoherent material, and the filling device gradually delivers the measured desired amount of the incoherent material as the plurality of containers advance along the work line. The filling device further includes control means configured to instruct the delivery device as a function of the measurement performed by the measuring means.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling device further includes shaping means disposed upstream of the first filling station and configured to remove wrinkles and creases present in the container by being selectively inserted into the empty container.

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

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

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the one or more delivery devices includes a conveying member disposed below the first rotating member and the second rotating member, having a wide upper portion and a narrow bottom portion, and having a substantially funnel shape, and being configured to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers.

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

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the conveying member is connected to a corresponding actuator that can be moved to vibrate the conveying member.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the conveying member occupies a surface that is less than 150 mm when measured in a horizontal cross-section corresponding to the narrowest part of the bottom. 2 than that.

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

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, a filling method according to 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 equal to a part of the measured desired amount to each of the plurality of containers.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, the delivery step is performed at a first filling station having a first filling assembly comprising at least one of the delivery devices, and comprises a first filling substep of filling the containers with a first amount of the incoherent material. The method further comprises at least one second filling substep, performed at a second filling station located downstream of the first filling station along a work line, and having a second filling assembly comprising one or more additional delivery devices configured in the first filling substep to deliver a second amount of the incoherent material to each of the containers that have already been delivered with a first amount of the incoherent material, and comprising filling the containers with a second amount of the incoherent material.

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

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the delivery step further comprises a third filling substep, which is performed at a third filling station having a third filling assembly that is located downstream of the second filling station along the work line and has an additional delivery device configured to deliver an amount of the incoherent material that is complementary to the first and second amounts and to obtain the metered desired amount of the incoherent material.

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

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, in a more preferred embodiment of the method, in the first filling substep, a first amount of the incoherent material is delivered, which is 30% of the metered desired amount; in the second filling substep, a second amount of the incoherent material is delivered, which is 50% of the metered desired amount; and in the third filling substep, a third amount of the incoherent material is delivered, which is 20% of the metered desired amount.

[0037] In any case, the final filling step, which is a third filling substep according to the embodiments described herein, delivers an amount of the incoherent material that is complementary to the amount already delivered to the container, with reference to a measured desired amount that needs to be filled later.

[0038] The distribution of quantities delivered to different filling stations offers the advantage of placing a weighing element with superior sensitivity, reliability, and measurement speed only at the final filling station, i.e., the third filling station. This allows for the placement of lower-performance, and therefore less expensive, weighing elements at the earlier filling stations, i.e., the first and second filling stations.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises: a first pressing step performed by a first pressing member at a first pressing station located downstream of the first filling station and upstream of the second filling station, for pressing a first amount of the incoherent material; and a second pressing step performed by a second pressing member at a second pressing station located downstream of the second filling station and upstream of the third filling station, for pressing a second amount of the incoherent material.

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

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the step of delivering the amount of the incoherent material by rotating a first rotating member and a second rotating member, which are included in each of the plurality of delivery devices and operate in cooperation with each other.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of rotating a transport member, which is included in each of the plurality of delivery devices, has a substantially funnel shape having a wider portion at the top and a narrower portion at the bottom, and is configured to be sized to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers.

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

[0044] According to another aspect of the present invention, the metering step and the control step are preferably performed continuously or at programmed time intervals during the delivery step.

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

[0046] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method is to sequentially perform the molding step, the first filling substep 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 the second filling station, the second filling substep 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 the third filling station, and finally the third filling substep.

[0047] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings and will become apparent from the following description of some of its embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0048] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a filling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the equipment including or associated with the device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of a container suitable for processing by the apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, at an enlarged scale. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the device shown. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of the first detail section. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows a magnified front view of other details. [Figure 8] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device in the idle position. [Figure 9] This diagram is similar to Figure 8, and the device is in the operating position. [Figure 10] This is a front view showing another part of the device shown in Figure 1, at an enlarged scale. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view. [Figure 12] This is a partial cross-sectional side view showing another part of the device shown in Figure 1, at an enlarged scale. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the electronic control unit of the device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0049] It should be made clear that, in this specification and in the claims, terms such as horizontal, vertical, front, rear, height, low, internal, and external, along with the tendency of their expression, are intended to better describe the invention with reference to the drawings and should never be used to limit the scope of the invention itself or the field of protection as 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 shown in unconventional or disproportionate ways in order to provide a more easily understandable version of the present invention. Whereever sizes and / or values ​​are specified in the following description, unless those sizes and / or values ​​are described in the appended claims, they are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings whenever possible to identify identical common elements. It is understood that elements and features of the same embodiment can be combined with or incorporated into other embodiments as appropriate, without further explanation.

[0052] Referring to Figure 1, the filling apparatus 10 according to the present invention, for automatically filling multiple containers 100 (see Figure 3), for example, casings for smoking products or capsules, is configured to be associated with or part of a machine 200 (see Figure 2) for manufacturing smoking products such as cigarettes or capsules.

[0053] The apparatus 10 is configured to fill multiple containers 100 with oily and / or resinous fibrous materials, such as incoherent material M, which are derived from tobacco or other plants, or other substances of a smokeable type, or a combination thereof, such as minced or shredded leaf material.

[0054] The machine 200 is schematically shown in the block diagram of Figure 2 and comprises, for example, a feed station 201 configured to feed multiple containers 100, followed by a device 10 constituting a filling station, a packaging station 202 configured to package the already filled containers 100, for example, by properly sealing them to produce a final product such as smoking supplies or capsules, and a distribution station 203 that optionally transfers the final product to a packing station 205 located outside the machine 200. However, the machine 200 is not limited to this configuration. The machine 200 may further include a suitable transport device 206 having the function of transporting the containers 100 along the entire work line from the feed station 201 (see left side of Figure 2) to the packing station 205 (see right side of Figure 2), for example, along the work direction X, preferably in a linear and horizontal direction. However, the machine 200 is not limited to this configuration.

[0055] The feed station 201, packaging station 202, distribution station 203, packing station 205, and transport device 206 may be of any known type or of a type to be developed in the future. Alternatively, 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 this patent application.

[0056] For example, the transport device 206 includes a transport member 207 having the shape and function of a shuttle and configured to slide in the working X direction on a fixed guide 209. According to the example provided herein, the transport member 207 has four hollow, penetrating bases 210, each of which has a frustoconical shape having a size to match, for example, a container 100, or at least the size of its lower part. In the example provided herein, the size of each base 210 is such that when each container 100 is inserted into the base 210, it protrudes by several 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 machine 200. In fact, if a fixed cycle time TC is required to perform one work cycle with each of the different stations 201, 202, 203, and 205 and the device 10, or with the slower device among them, the hourly productivity of machine 200 will be equal to 3600 divided by the cycle time TC, and then multiplied by the number of pedestals 210 for each transport member 207. In fact, with four pedestals 210, the work is performed in parallel.

[0058] Each base 210 is substantially symmetrical with respect to 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 apparatus 10 and / or machine 200 and is suitable for managing multiple containers 100, as will be described in detail below.

[0060] As a non-limiting example, since machine 200 can prepare each product, such as smoking supplies or capsules, in a very short time, i.e., with a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds, machine 200 has an hourly productivity of producing about 7,000 smoking supplies. This is because four containers 100 work simultaneously and in parallel at stations 201, 202, 203, and 205 and in apparatus 10, for example, to form filled smoking supplies or capsules.

[0061] Before describing the apparatus 10 and its operation in detail, an example of the container 100 (Figure 3) will be described. In particular, in the following description, the container 100 is formed as a casing for manufacturing smoking supplies. However, it may be another type of container suitable for housing capsules or incoherent material M.

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

[0063] The length L of container 100 can be varied depending on the smoking supplies being obtained, for example, between approximately 60 mm and approximately 150 mm.

[0064] Furthermore, each container 100 may have a frustoconical shape and may include 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 to insert the incoherent material M into the filter 101. On average, the diameter of each container 100 is about a few millimeters, for example, between 6 and 8 millimeters, similar to the diameter of a conventional cigarette.

[0065] If the container 100 is a capsule, it will have, for example, the shape of a frustocone or a hemisphere and will comprise a closed first end and a second end that is open on the opposite side of the first end and configured for the insertion of incoherent material.

[0066] The apparatus 10 (see Figure 1) comprises a series of work units mounted on a fixed structure 11, each work unit located in its own workstation. The work units and stations are arranged adjacent to each other in a continuous line parallel to the work X direction. As can be seen in Figure 1, the arrangement of the work units and stations on the work line is such that there is a gradual sequence of intervention from left to right, as will become clear from the description of the apparatus operation shown below.

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

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

[0069] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the work unit further comprises a second filling assembly 14, which is the same as the first filling assembly 12, and optionally a third filling assembly 15.

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

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

[0072] A hopper 21 suitable for accommodating incoherent material M used to fill container 100 is mounted on the upper part of the movable structure 19, and four delivery devices 22 (see Figures 4 and 5) are located below it.

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

[0074] The hopper 21 comprises at least a front wall 24 and a rear wall 25, both of which are vertical, and a base 26 that is inclined downward by an angle α (see Figure 8), for example, between approximately 30° and approximately 45°.

[0075] Inside the hopper 21 are four feed members 27, each positioned along a corresponding supply axis S parallel to the base 26. Note that the hopper 21 and the four feed members 27 define the means for supplying the incoherent material M.

[0076] At the bottom of the front wall 24 of the hopper 21 are four through-holes 29 (see Figure 5) that are substantially centered with respect to the feed axis S and configured to allow the outflow of incoherent material M which is moved by the feed member 27 toward the corresponding delivery device 22.

[0077] Each feed member 27 is attached to the rear wall 25 of the hopper 21 and includes a moving element 30 (see Figures 4 and 5), which is attached to the rotating shaft of a first actuator 31 (see Figure 8) that rotates the moving element 30, for example, having a helical shape. The moving element 30 is configured to cause the incoherent material M to move forward toward the corresponding through hole 29 without substantially compressing the material itself.

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

[0079] Grooves are formed on the inner surface of the base 26, i.e., the inside of the hopper 21, and below each moving element 30 (see Figures 4 and 5), configured to facilitate the outflow of incoherent material M toward the corresponding through-hole 29.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, four delivery devices 22 are mounted on a movable structure 19 (see Figure 8) and are made using substantially vertical, identical plates 32, and are shaped to have four substantially vertical transport cavities 33 (see Figures 4 and 5). There is one transport cavity 33 for each delivery device 22, and each has four through holes 29 at its top. Each transport cavity 33 guides the incoherent material M coming out of the hopper 21 in a vertical direction and is shaped not to obstruct its downward fall.

[0081] The four transport cavities 33 are sealed at the front by a sealed plate 35 (see Figure 8) made of a transparent material such as plastic or glass, so that the flow of the incoherent material M inside can be seen.

[0082] Each conveying cavity 33 has an outlet opening 36 (see Figures 5 and 7) at its lower part aligned along a vertical axis V, and is formed in such a shape that two pedestals, namely a first pedestal 37 and a second pedestal 38, are made nearby and positioned opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis V. In particular, the two pedestals 37, 38 are defined by a partial cylindrical surface and have a common area. Two weighing rollers 40, 41 are rotatably mounted within the two pedestals 37, 38, respectively, and rotate in opposite directions around two substantially horizontal rotation axes T and U, with rotation axes T and U positioned opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis V. Rotation axis T is aligned substantially perpendicular to the corresponding hole 29. In the example provided herein, each first weighing roller 40 is configured to rotate clockwise to convey incoherent material M coming from the hopper 21 toward the corresponding outlet opening 36.

[0083] The four vertical axes V are separated from each other by the same distance D as the distance between the bases 210 of the same transport member 207.

[0084] In the embodiments described herein, the rotation axes T and U of each delivery device 22 are located on the same horizontal plane P1 or P2. Furthermore, in order 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 offset perpendicularly to each other. For example, as shown in Figure 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] Each delivery device 22's first metering roller 40 is provided with a plurality of sharp elements 42 on its cylindrical surface, distributed at regular intervals, for example, one at every angle of approximately 12°, and aligned in multiple rows parallel to the rotation axis T (see Figure 7). The outer diameter of the sharp elements 42 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding first base 37.

[0086] Each delivery device 22's second metering roller 41 has a diameter smaller than that of the first metering roller 40, and has multiple teeth 43 distributed on its cylindrical surface at equal intervals, for example, one at every angle of about 60°, aligned in multiple rows parallel to the axis of rotation U, and offset axially with respect to the sharp element 42. The outer diameter of the teeth 43 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding second base 38.

[0087] Furthermore, for each delivery device 22, the center distance between the rotation axis T and the rotation axis U, the diameters of the weighing rollers 40 and 41, and the outer diameters of the sharp elements 42 and teeth 43 are selected so 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 of about 25 revolutions per minute, and has the function of conveying the incoherent material M coming from the through hole 29 together with the sharp element 42 and guiding it to the second metering roller 41. Conversely, the second metering roller 41 is configured to rotate in the opposite direction, i.e., counterclockwise, at a relatively high second angular velocity ω2 of about 750 revolutions per minute.

[0089] Furthermore, in each transport cavity 33, a sector 45 of the first base 37 adjacent to the second base 38 defines a calibration passage for the incoherent material M so that the amount of incoherent material M fed towards the second metering roller by the first metering roller 40 can be easily controlled. Then, accurate weighing of the incoherent material M is performed as a function of the rotational amplitude of the first metering roller 40.

[0090] The second metering roller 41 rotates at a relatively large second angular velocity ω2. The second metering roller 41 has the function of completely removing the incoherent material M that is in contact with the first metering roller 40 and pushing it downward substantially along the direction of the vertical axis V into the exit opening 36.

[0091] The four first weighing rollers 40 are designed to rotate selectively by four corresponding second actuators 46 (see Figure 8), which are connected to them by four corresponding shafts 44. The four second weighing rollers 41 are designed to rotate selectively by four corresponding third actuators 47, which are connected to them by four corresponding shafts 48. For simplicity of explanation, only the two second actuators 46 and the two third actuators 47 are schematically shown in Figure 8.

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

[0093] Inside each of the four transport cavities 33 is a stirring member 49 (see Figures 4 and 5) which may include or consist of a vertical rod, configured to facilitate the descent of the incoherent material M toward the corresponding first metering roller 40, and which may be formed in a curved shape.

[0094] For example, four stirring members 49 (see Figure 5) are attached to a horizontal bar 50 positioned on a plate 32. A fourth actuator 51 is connected to the horizontal bar 50 to move the horizontal bar 50 so that the four stirring members 49 vibrate and / or move within the corresponding four transport cavities 33.

[0095] Each delivery device 22 has a substantially funnel shape and includes a transport member 52 (see Figures 5, 7, and 9) positioned below and near the outlet opening 36, coaxially with the corresponding vertical axis V.

[0096] Each transport member 52 is configured to receive incoherent material M coming from the exit opening 36 and transport it into the container 100. In particular, each transport member 52 has a lower section 53 formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the second end 103 of the container 100 (see Figures 3 and 7). As a non-limiting example, the surface of the lower section 53, measured in a horizontal cross-section, is approximately 75 mm 2 From approximately 115mm 2 It is located between these two points, and in either case, it is approximately 150mm. 2 It is smaller than the lower part 53. The lower part 53 has a cut-off end in the opposite direction to the working direction X in order to produce a pointed end 54 (see Figure 5). In fact, during the operation of the device 10, each lower part 53 is selectively and partially introduced into the second end 103 of the container 100, as will be described in detail below, and this shape of the lower part 53 facilitates its introduction into the container 100.

[0097] The four transport members 52 are connected to one or more fifth actuators 55 (Figures 8 and 9) which can vibrate the transport members 52 to facilitate the downward outflow of the incoherent material M, and thus its outflow into the corresponding container 100.

[0098] To displace the lower parts 53 of the four transport members 52 between an idle position PR1 (see Figure 8), where the lower parts 53 are several millimeters higher than the container 100 located below them, and a lowering position PO1 (see Figure 9), where the lower parts 53 are inserted into the second end 103 of the container 100, or vice versa, the selective vertical movement of the movable structure 19 relative to the vertical guide 20 is directed by a sixth actuator 56 (see Figure 8), which is connected to a first slider 57 and slides along the vertical guide 20. Thus, the first slider 57 is 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 position PO1, depends on the length L of the container 100.

[0099] The weighing unit 23 (see Figures 1, 5, 6, 8, and 9) is positioned below the transport member 207 and is partially housed within the lower cavity 211 of the fixed guide 209.

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

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

[0102] In another embodiment, although 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 an elevated operating position raised to contact the same first end 102, so that the same container 100 can be metered both when it is empty and when it is at least partially filled with the incoherent material M.

[0103] As will be described in detail below, the molding assembly 13 (see Figures 1, 10, and 11) is positioned adjacent to the feed station 201 (see Figure 2) and has the function of removing any wrinkles or folds present in the container 100, particularly in the case of casings for smoking products before filling.

[0104] The molded assembly 13 (see Figures 10 and 11) includes a substantially horizontal support element 62 attached to a second slider 63 that slides vertically on a vertical guide 65 of the fixed structure 11. The support element 62 is fitted with four conical elements that are identical to each other and each has a shape and dimensions that substantially match the internal shape and dimensions of the container 100. The four conical elements 66 are positioned on their corresponding vertical axes R, separated from each other by the same distance D as the distance between the bases 210 of the same transport member 207.

[0105] A seventh actuator 67 (see Figure 11), of a known type, is connected to the second slider 63 to instruct a selective descent of the conical element 66 from an idle position PR2, where the conical element 66 is away from the container 100 below, to a descent position PO2, where the same conical element 66 is inserted into the container 100 and reaches, for example, the proximity of the filter 101. The reverse is also true.

[0106] One or more control devices 69 can be associated upstream and / or downstream of the molding assembly 13, but Figure 11 schematically shows only one of them, a configuration suitable for confirming the shape of the container 100.

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

[0108] Each of the four vertical bars 70 is positioned along its corresponding vertical axis W. The four vertical axes W are spaced apart by the same distance D as the distance between the bases 210 of the same transport member 207.

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

[0110] The four vertical bars 70 are attached to the support element 71 and are vertically movable in both directions along the corresponding vertical axis W between an elevated idle position PR3, which is away from the container 100 below, and a lowered operating position PO3, in which their ends are partially inserted into the container 100 and lightly press against the incoherent material M. The reverse is also true.

[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 device 10 further comprises means for controlling its own operation, configured as a particularly programmable electronic control unit 76 (see Figure 13), which controls, for example, one or more, possibly all, of the actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, 55, 56, 67, and 75, and is configured to receive signals from each control device 69 and / or from other sensors or control devices not shown, associated with different assemblies of the device 10. The electronic control unit 76, or other control devices not shown connected thereto, such as other control units of machine 200, can similarly direct the transport device 205.

[0113] In general, movement performed using any of the actuators described above can be achieved using electric motors or other types of actuation, such as pneumatic or hydrodynamic.

[0114] Furthermore, any movement of the various components of the work unit described above can be subordinated to one or more known types of control devices not shown in the figure, which can control different actuators to optimize the method of filling different containers 100 by transmitting one or more feedback signals to the electronic control unit 76.

[0115] The operation of the apparatus 10 described above, corresponding to the method according to the present invention, includes the following steps.

[0116] Starting from an initial state where all the aforementioned work units are in idle positions, the electronic control unit 76 (Figure 2) directs the transport device 205 directly or indirectly to move the first transport member 207, which is located just below the molding assembly 13, into the first molding station A1, where the axes Y of the four pedestals 210 are aligned with the four vertical axes R of the conical element 66, in order to automatically fill the multiple containers 100 with the incoherent material M. The transport device 205 is located directly or indirectly, where the axes Y of the four pedestals 210 are aligned with the four vertical axes R of the conical element 66.

[0117] The control device 69 (see Figure 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 and thus preventing the waste of incoherent material M.

[0118] Next, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the molding assembly 13 (see Figures 1, 10, and 11) to perform the molding step, during which the seventh actuator 67 (see Figure 11) lowers the four conical elements 66 attached to it together with the second slider 63 from the idle position PR2 to the operating position PO2. This causes the four conical elements 66 to enter the interior of the container 100, removing any wrinkles or folds, after which they return to the idle position PR2.

[0119] The molding process described above is performed with a cycle time TC of approximately 2 seconds.

[0120] Once the molding step described above is complete, the first transport member 207 (see Figure 1) is displaced by 1 pitch PT toward the first filling assembly 12, i.e., toward the right in the working X direction. In the example provided herein, the pitch PT is equal to four times the distance D between the two adjacent pedestals 210 of the transport member 207. This causes 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 weighing unit 23. Simultaneously, the second transport member 207 is taken into the first molding station A1, and, as in the method described above, the molding step is performed in the other four corresponding containers 100, which are positioned within the pedestals 210 of the second transport member 207.

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

[0122] As it moves toward the first filling station A2, the container 100, positioned inside the base 210, slides with its second end 102 on the inclined wall 61 (see Figures 5 and 6), is lifted until it rests on top of the weighing member 60, and stops substantially in its center position.

[0123] Next, the electronic control unit 76 instructs a first weighing step, which involves weighing the still-empty containers 100 and detecting their respective weights, i.e., their own weights, and a first delivery step, which is substantially simultaneous with the control of the molding step at the first molding station A1.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the electronic control unit 76 acts on corresponding actuators to raise the four weighing members 60 so that they touch the corresponding first ends 102 of the container 100, and then appropriately lifts the container 100 to detect the weight of each.

[0125] Simultaneously, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the start of the delivery step, in particular the first filling substep, in which the sixth actuator 56 first lowers the movable structure 19 to bring the lower part 53 of the movable structure 19 into the second end 103 of the container 100 (see operating position PO1 shown in Figure 9). Advantageously, the electronic control unit 76 can instruct the sixth actuator 56 to lower the movable structure 19 so that the tip 54 of the lower part 53 (see Figures 5 and 7) enters the second end 103 of the container 100 first, starting substantially from the center of the first transport member 207 while the first transport member 207 is still moving toward the first filling station A2. In this way, the relative movement between the lowering of the tip 54 and the forward movement of the container 100 allows for possible reconstruction of the second end 103 of the container 100 by the lower part, preventing the formation of wrinkles or folds in the container.

[0126] It must be made clear that the first filling substep is performed while the electronic control unit 76 keeps the weighing step continuously 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 instructs the activation of the actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, and 55 that drive the moving element 30 in the hopper 21, the stirring member 49 in the conveying cavity 33, the weighing rollers 40, 41, and the conveying member 52, respectively, and performs the initial weighed filling of the desired amount of incoherent material M into the container 100.

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

[0129] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the electronic control unit 76 can selectively operate the fourth actuator 51 to drive the stirring member 49 at periodic timings, even for periods longer than the cycle time TC.

[0130] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the complete filling of the container 100 is carried out using three filling assemblies 12, 14, and 15. In this first filling substep, approximately one-third of the total amount of incoherent material M, i.e., approximately 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 transport cavity 33 is optimized by the stirring member 49. Each first metering roller 40, with its sharp element 42, collects the incoherent material M present in the transport cavity 33 and transports it toward the second metering roller 41, which presses the incoherent material M toward the outlet opening 36. Vibration of the transport member 52 located below makes all the incoherent material M easier to slide toward the corresponding container 100.

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

[0133] In fact, the electronic control unit 76 continues to perform the weighing step during each filling substep, and when the desired weight of the container 100 is reached, it stops the delivery of the incoherent material M and deactivates the corresponding actuators 31, 46, 47, 51, and 55. Immediately thereafter, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the sixth actuator 56 to return the movable structure 19 to the upward idle position PR1 (see Figure 8).

[0134] The completion of each filling substep of each delivery device 22 is indicated by the electronic control unit 76 based on both data supplied by the weighing member 60 during the weighing step and statistical data predicting the amount of incoherent material M actually transported in the container 100 after the stop command for the first weighing roller 40 and the second weighing roller 41, thus enabling very accurate weighing of the incoherent material M in each container 100. In fact, as a function of the vertical distance between the weighing rollers 40, 41, which are on different horizontal planes (P1 and P2), and the container 100, after the weighing rollers 40, 41 stop, any remaining amount of non-uniform incoherent material M may fall into the latter.

[0135] The aforementioned first filling substep and the corresponding metering step are also performed within a cycle time TC of approximately 2 seconds in total.

[0136] Once these steps are complete, the first transport member 207 (see Figure 1) is further displaced by 1 pitch PT toward the first pressing assembly 16, i.e., toward the right in the working direction X. This causes the transport member 207 to reach the first pressing station A3, which is located just below the four vertical bars 70. Simultaneously, the third transport member 207 is taken into the first forming station A1, where the forming assembly 13 performs the forming step as described above in the other four corresponding containers 100 located within the base 210 of the third transport member 207. The second transport member 207 is also taken into the first filling station A2, where the first filling assembly 12 performs the first filling substep and simultaneous weighing step as described above in the other four corresponding containers 100 located within the base 210 of the second transport member 207.

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

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

[0139] Next, 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 approximately 2 seconds.

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

[0141] In the example provided herein, in the second filling substep, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the second filling assembly 14 to insert approximately half the total amount of incoherent material M, i.e., 0.5 grams of incoherent material M, into each container 100. In the third filling substep, the electronic control unit 76 instructs the third filling assembly 15 to insert into each container 100 an amount of incoherent material M that is complementary 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 approximately 0.2 grams.

[0142] In one alternative embodiment, the apparatus 10 does not have a third filling station and a corresponding third filling substep, and therefore may only comprise first and second filling stations on which the corresponding filling substeps are performed. In this case, it is clear that a second amount of incoherent material delivered by the second filling station complements a first amount of incoherent material supplied by the first filling station with respect to a desired metered amount.

[0143] Furthermore, if three filling substeps and the same number of weighing steps are provided, a second pressing step is performed between the second and third steps by the second pressing assembly 17 (see Figure 1).

[0144] In this case, as described above, the second metering step and second filling substep can be performed, which are substantially the same as the first metering step and first filling substep described above, until all support members 207 are displaced from left to right by one pitch PT at a time, and the first support member 207, then all other support members 207, are first taken into the second filling station corresponding to the second filling assembly 14. Next, the second pressing step can be performed, which is substantially the same as the first pressing step described above, until they are taken into the second pressing station A5 corresponding to the second pressing assembly 17. Finally, the third metering step and third filling substep can be performed, which are substantially the same as the first metering step and first filling substep described above, until they are taken 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 Figure 2) of the machine 200, for example, by a transport device 206.

[0146] A properly programmed electronic control unit 76, in conjunction with the forward movement of the transport member 207 along the fixed guide 209, can simultaneously manage all the different steps of molding, folding, and delivery, including the various progressive filling and pressing substeps described above.

[0147] Therefore, all objectives, including the accuracy of filling each container 100 with the incoherent material M and the high time productivity that allows for obtaining approximately 7,000 filled containers 100 equivalent to the same amount of finished product, are achieved by the filling apparatus 10 and the filling method described above.

[0148] It is obvious that modifications and / or additions to parts or steps can be made to the filling apparatus 10 and method for automatically filling containers described herein without departing from the field and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0149] For example, in a simplified embodiment of the present invention, each filling assembly 12, 14, and 15 may have four different numbers of delivery devices 22, i.e., one or more delivery devices 22, and may have similar shapes. The same applies to the pressing assembly.

[0150] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described with reference to several specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other equivalent forms of filling apparatus and methods for automatically filling containers can certainly be realized in the field of the present invention. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in parentheses is to improve readability, and they should not be considered as limiting factors relating to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A filling device (10) for filling a weighed and desired amount of fiber-type incoherent material (M) into a plurality of containers (100), 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) located 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) from which a first amount of the incoherent material (M) has already been delivered, A pressing means (16, 17) is located downstream of the first filling station (A2) and is configured to be selectively inserted into the container (100) after the first amount of the incoherent material (M) has already been delivered, in order to press 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 by comprising:

2. The system further comprises a third filling station (A6) located downstream of the second filling station (A4) along the aforementioned work line, and having a third filling assembly (15) comprising one or more additional delivery devices (22), The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the additional one or more delivery devices (22) are configured to deliver an amount of the incoherent material (M) that is complementary to the first amount and the second amount, and to obtain the metered 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) arranged in the first pressing station (A3) and the second pressing station (A5), respectively. The first pressing station (A3) is positioned downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A4) to press the first amount of the incoherent material (M). The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second pressing station (A5) is positioned downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6) to press the second amount of the incoherent material (M).

4. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) is equipped with a weighing means (23) for weighing the incoherent material (M), The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further comprising control means (76) configured to instruct the delivery device (22) to perform the function of weighing, which is performed by the weighing means (23), in order to gradually deliver the weighed desired amount of the incoherent material (M) as the plurality of containers advance along the work line.

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

6. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) comprises a first rotating member (40) and a second rotating member (41) configured to define means for weighing the incoherent material (M) and to cooperate with each of the plurality of containers (100) to deliver a predetermined amount of the weighed incoherent material (M) equal to a portion of the weighed desired amount, The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41) are configured to rotate in opposite directions at different angular velocities (ω1, ω2) to transport the incoherent material (M) toward the container (100).

7. Each of the plurality of delivery devices (22) is positioned below the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41), and includes a transport member (52) which has a substantially funnel shape with a wider portion at the top and a narrower portion at the bottom (53), and is configured to be sized to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers (100). The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the conveying member (52) is configured to vibrate during the conveying 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 unintentionally remaining in the conveying member (52).

8. A filling method for automatically filling multiple containers (100) with a measured, desired amount of fiber-type incoherent material (M), A delivery step in which one or more delivery devices (22) deliver a predetermined amount of the incoherent material (M) to each of the plurality of containers (100) equal to a portion of the measured desired amount, A first filling substep is performed in a first filling station (A2) having a first filling assembly (12) comprising at least one of the delivery devices (22), and filling the container (100) with a first amount of the incoherent material (M), and A delivery step having at least one second filling substep, which is located downstream of the first filling station (A2) along the work line and has a second filling assembly (14) 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) that have already been delivered a first amount of the incoherent material (M) in the first filling substep, and filling the containers (100) with the second amount of the incoherent material (M), A pressing step is performed by pressing means (16, 17) located downstream of the first filling station (A2), and after the first filling substep, the pressing means (16, 17) are selectively inserted into the container (100) which is filled with at least some of the incoherent material (M) in order to press the incoherent material (M), A filling method characterized by comprising the following:

9. The filling method according to claim 8, further comprising a third filling substep, wherein the delivery step is performed at a third filling station (A6) having a third filling assembly (15) which is located downstream of the second filling station (A4) along the work line and has one or more additional delivery devices (22) configured to deliver an amount of the incoherent material (M) that is complementary to the first and second amounts and to obtain the metered desired amount of the incoherent material (M).

10. In the first filling substep, the first amount of the incoherent material (M) is delivered, which is the metered desired amount between 25% and 35%, preferably about 30%. In the second filling substep, the second amount of the incoherent material (M), which is the metered desired amount between 45% and 55%, preferably about 50%, is delivered. The filling method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the third filling substep, a third amount of the incoherent material (M) is delivered, which is a metered desired amount between 15% and 25%, preferably about 20%.

11. The pressing step is, A first pressing step is performed by a first pressing member (16) in a first pressing station (A3) located downstream of the first filling station (A2) and upstream of the second filling station (A4), and presses a first amount of the incoherent material (M), A second pressing step is performed by a second pressing member (17) in a second pressing station (A5) located downstream of the second filling station (A4) and upstream of the third filling station (A6), and presses a second amount of the incoherent material (M), The filling method according to claim 9, characterized by comprising:

12. The process further includes a molding step performed by molding means (13, 66) located upstream of the first filling station (A2), prior to the delivery step, The filling method according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the molding step, the molding means (13, 66) is selectively inserted into an empty container (100) to remove wrinkles and folds present inside the container (100).

13. The steps include: delivering the aforementioned amount of the incoherent material (M) by rotating the first rotating member (40) and the second rotating member (41); The further step includes rotating a transport 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, characterized in that the conveying member (52) has a substantially funnel shape with a wide portion at the top and a narrow portion at the bottom (53), and is configured to be sized to be selectively inserted into one of the plurality of containers (100).

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

15. The transport step further comprises transporting the plurality of containers (100) by means of a transport device that includes a transport member (207) configured to slide on a fixed guide (209), The filling method according to claim 8, characterized in that the transport step involves transporting the plurality of containers (100) along the work line parallel to the work direction (X), passing them sequentially through at least the first filling station (A2) and the second filling station (A4), and stopping at each of the first filling station (A2) and the second filling station (A4) for a time equal to the cycle time (TC), thereby enabling partial and stepwise filling of the plurality of containers (100).

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