Forming station and forming method of cellulose-based container bodies

Abstract

The invention concerns a forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151) wherein a clamping assembly (110; 120; 130) comprising two opposite jaw elements (111, 112; 121, 122; 131, 132) configured to clamp a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material (50) between them and to define a perimetral flange (151') of said of cellulose-based container bodies (151), and wherein the clamping assembly (110; 120; 130) comprises at least a sliding portion (510; 520; 530) arranged in one of the jaw elements (111; 121; 131) to be at least partly in contact with a plastic layer (50A) of the multilayer cellulose-based material (50) and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element (112; 122; 132) allowing the sliding of at least the plastic layer (50A) during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body (151).

Description

[0001] FORMING STATION AND FORMING METHOD OF CELLULOSE-BASED CONTAINER BODIES

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of forming container bodies for food products. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of forming cellulose-based container bodies for food products.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] The manufacture or forming (shaping) of cellulose-based containers by the technology of deep drawing is well-known. This technology consists in transferring a paper blank to the forming machine where the blank is clamped with a controlled force above a forming cavity. Subsequently, a forming plunger starts a downward movement towards the paper blank along the forming cavity.

[0006] In order to produce cellulose-based containers designed to store beverage or food ingredients (food products in general), such as capsules of roast and ground coffee, a specific type of cellulose-based material is used in order to provide barrier properties to atmosphere. This type of cellulose-based material can be a multilayer cellulose-based material comprising at least a layer of paper, paperboard or other cellulose-based layer and a plastic layer which provides the barrier properties (mainly oxygen barrier). It has been observed that the shaping of this type of multilayer cellulose-based material can be difficult.

[0007] First, the cellulose-based layer is often thick so as to provide the cellulose-based container with a certain rigidity required by its use. For example, the shaping of a cellulose-based beverage capsule requires that the capsule retains its shape so as to be correctly introduced, positioned and extracted in the extraction chamber of a capsule beverage machine. Because beverage capsules present small dimensions, generally a diameter inferior to 5 cm, shaping such small cellulose-based containers with a thick cellulose layer by deep drawing leads to the presence of wrinkles on the flange of the cellulose-based capsule body. Without taking into account the appearance of the cellulose-based capsule body, such wrinkles directly impact the tightness of the cellulose-based capsule container when sealed and must be avoided.

[0008] Secondly, due to the different natures of the cellulose and plastic layers on the opposite surfaces, the clamping of the multilayer cellulose-based material during deep drawing is difficult to control, due to the different and higher clamping and / or deep drawing forces to apply at the cellulose surface compared to the plastic surface, and the risk of cracks created during the process is high.

[0009] On the contrary, not applying the correct force means that the multilayer cellulose-based material will not retain the required shape after the process. It is known to apply a variable clamping force (pressure) over the stroke of the machine to reduce wrinkles. This provides some increase in the allowable forming depth, but it also results in a complex and expensive solution and is not able to avoid cracking over the multilayer cellulose-based material, i.e. in the plastic layer.

[0010] Lubricants are also used in deep-drawing to reduce the friction between the blank and the plunger or forming cavity, generally applied to the blank before deep-drawing. While lubricants can facilitate the flow into the forming cavity, it results in an increase of the clamping force to account for the reduced friction, thus this solution is not able to avoid cracking over the multilayer cellulose-based material. Moreover, using wet lubricants is not possible with blank defined by multilayer cellulose-based material due to the effect of water to the cellulose-based layer.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a forming station of cellulose-based container bodies able to minimize the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0013] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a forming station able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body without affecting the integrity of the same, thus avoiding cracking of the layers.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a forming station able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0015] The aforementioned objects are achieved by a forming station of cellulose-based container bodies according to the attached claims.

[0016] The forming station comprises: a clamping assembly, configured to clamp a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material provided with at least a cellulose layer and a plastic layer, and a deep-drawing assembly, configured to define a cellulose-based container body by deep- drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material while clamped by the clamping assembly, wherein the clamping assembly comprises two opposite jaw elements configured to clamp a portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material between them and to define a perimetral flange of the cellulose-based container bodies, and wherein the clamping assembly comprises at least a sliding portion arranged in one of the jaw elements configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element allowing the sliding of at least the plastic layer during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body. The sliding portion allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0017] In an embodiment, the sliding portion is made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element and to the deep-drawing assembly. In this way, the deep-drawing assembly can operate by introducing a friction higher than sliding portion of the clamping assembly, obtaining a better shape of the cellulose-based container.

[0018] In an embodiment, the sliding portion is made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives.

[0019] The applicant has surprisingly found that this material best fits the needs of the invention in solving the underlined problem.

[0020] In an embodiment, the sliding portion defines the whole surface of the jaw element configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer.

[0021] Defining the sliding portion in the whole surface of the jaw element allows to better control the movement of the plastic layer in contact with the surface of the jaw element.

[0022] In an embodiment, the sliding portion has an annular geometry.

[0023] In this way, the wrinkles during the formation of round cellulose-based containers can be minimized.

[0024] In an embodiment, the deep-drawing assembly comprises a plunger and a counter-plunger configured to move, at least partly, together with a portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material in between at least from a resting position of the counter-plunger to a complete deep- drawing position of the counter-plunger to define the cellulose-based container body by deep- drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material in between the plunger and the counterplunger while clamped by the clamping assembly.

[0025] Using a deep-drawing assembly comprising a plunger and a counter-plunger allows to better defines cellulose-based containers even having a reduced height, such height being defined by the deep-drawing displacement of these two elements of the deep-drawing assembly. Moreover, it allows to enable good concentricity of the container body with the flanget.

[0026] In an embodiment, the clamping assembly is arranged to clamp a perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material and the deep-drawing assembly is arranged to deep draw and inner portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0027] In this way, a reduced footprint of the forming station can be defined.

[0028] In an embodiment, the forming station further comprises a cutting assembly to cut out the multilayer cellulose-based material or the cellulose-based container body.

[0029] The cutting assembly allows to separate a single blank from a larger sheet or reel of cellulose- based material provided at the forming station or to finish a single blank directly provided at the same forming station. In an embodiment, the cutting assembly is arranged outside the clamping assembly.

[0030] In this embodiment, the cellulose-based material can be easily cut out when clamped by the clamping assembly.

[0031] In an embodiment, the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly comprise a heating portion.

[0032] The heating portion allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0033] In an embodiment, the deep-drawing assembly comprises a forming cavity provided with at least one forming element into which at least the plunger is configured to slide or to move, wherein the diameter of the forming cavity is greater than the diameter of the forming element defining a predefined clearance between them.

[0034] In this regard, the offset can drive and enable to obtain the best compromise between stable shape of cellulose-based container body, avoiding cracks and enabling good control of wrinkles on the same and on the relative cellulosed-based pod.

[0035] In an embodiment, the predefined clearance has a value comprised between 0.8*e and 7*e, more preferably between 2*e and 5*e, wherein “e” is the thickness of the multilayer cellulose- based material.

[0036] Sliding of material is made possible thanks also to clearance or offset between plunger diameter and cavity diameter. These values allow to reach high throughput in production line without cracking, while creating a stable shape of the cellulose-based container body.

[0037] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by an apparatus for manufacturing cellulose-based pods according to the attached claims. In particular, the cellulose-based pods are suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the cellulose-based pod comprises a first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber in at least one of the first and a second cellulose- based pod enclosing walls and containing a beverage ingredient.

[0038] The apparatus station comprises: a forming station of at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls; a filling station to fill at least a beverage ingredient in the chamber of one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls; and a sealing station to seal together the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls; wherein the forming station is according to one of attached claims.

[0039] The sliding portion allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0040] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a method of forming cellulose- based container bodies at a forming station according to the attached claims.

[0041] The method of forming comprises: clamping a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material provided with at least a paper layer and a plastic layer between two opposite jaw elements of a clamping assembly; defining a perimetral flange of the cellulose-based container bodies by the clamping assembly; deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material while clamped by the clamping assembly to define a cellulose-based container body by a deep-drawing assembly; sliding at least the plastic layer during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body by at least a sliding portion arranged in one of the jaw elements configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element.

[0042] The sliding by a sliding portion made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0043] In an embodiment, the method further comprises heating at a predefined heating temperature the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly at a heating portion.

[0044] The heating allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0045] In an embodiment, the forming station is according to one of the attached claims.

[0046] The sliding portion allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0047] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a method of manufacturing cellulose-based pods according to the attached claims. In particular, the cellulose-based pods are suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the cellulose-based pod comprises a first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber in at least one of the first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls and containing a beverage ingredient.

[0048] The method of manufacturing comprises: forming at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a forming station; filling at least a beverage ingredient in the chamber of one of the first and second cellulose- based pod enclosing walls at a filling station; and sealing together the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a sealing station; wherein at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls is a cellulose- based container body, and wherein the forming of the cellulose-based container body is according to one of the attached claims.

[0049] The sliding by a sliding portion made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0050] Brief description of the drawings

[0051] These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosure of the preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0052] - Figure 1 is a schematic section view of a multilayer cellulose-based material;

[0053] - Figure 2 is a schematic section view of a cellulose-based pod;

[0054] - Figure 3 is a schematic section view of a forming station in a first embodiment according to the invention;

[0055] - Figure 3A is a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 3, wherein the plunger is in a resting position;

[0056] - Figure 3B is a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 3, wherein the plunger is in a complete deep-drawing position;

[0057] - Figure 4 is a schematic section view of a forming station in a second embodiment according to the invention;

[0058] - Figure 4A is a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 4, wherein the plunger is in a resting position;

[0059] - Figure 4B is a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 4, wherein the plunger is in a complete deep-drawing position;

[0060] - Figure 5 is a schematic section view of a forming station in a third embodiment according to the invention;

[0061] - Figure 5A is a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the lower assembly is spaced from the upper assembly before deep-drawing;

[0062] - Figure 5B is a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the cutting assembly is in a resting position;

[0063] - Figure 5C is a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the cutting assembly is in a complete cutting position;

[0064] - Figure 5D is a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the plunger and the counter-plunger are in a resting position; - Figure 5E is a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the plunger and the counter-plunger are in a complete deep-drawing position;

[0065] - Figure 5F is a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the lower assembly is spaced from the upper assembly after deep-drawing.

[0066] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0067] The present invention relates to the forming (or molding) of cellulose-based container bodies for food products. The description will refer to a forming method and to a forming station of cellulose-based container and to a manufacturing method and to a manufacturing apparatus of cellulose-based pods. The cellulose-based containers and the cellulose-based pods define containers for food products, or portion of the same.

[0068] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic section view of a multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to be used for forming the cellulose-based container bodies 151 and, in turn, the cellulose-based pods 150 according to the invention.

[0069] In the present invention, the term “multilayer cellulose-based material” refers to a multilayer packaging laminate, or otherwise provided (by deposition, Layer-by-Layer assembly, extrusion or coextrusion methods), based on a bulk layer (or core layer) of paper, paperboard, carton or other cellulose-based material, and an additional plastic layer, liquid-tight and heat-sealable layer. Such multilayer cellulose-based materials are intended for packaging of food, then containers for food products made from such packaging material require some tightness from the outside environment into the package interior, i.e. tightness to the ingress of substances, such as dirt or liquid as well as a gas-tightness, in particular oxygen gas-tightness for oxygensensitive products, i.e. coffee in form of powder or grinded, the latter barrier being typically provided by the plastic layer.

[0070] In the present invention, the term “bulk layer” refers to the thickest layer or the layer containing the most material in the multilayer cellulose-based material, i.e. the layer which is contributing most to the mechanical properties and the dimensional stability of the multilayer cellulose- based material and of the corresponding cellulose-based container body formed from the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0071] In this regard, the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 of Figure 1 is a heat-sealable cartonbased (cellulose-based) multilayer packaging materials, such as laminated packaging materials which do not contain an aluminum foil (i.e. so-called “non-foil”) but have good gas and other barrier properties suitable for long-term storage of food products, i.e. grinded coffee et similia. The multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is defined by a plastic layer 51 and a cellulose-based layer 52 superimposed to each other. According to further embodiments, not illustrated, the multilayer cellulose-based material can comprise more layers, for example an adhesive layer in between the plastic layer and the cellulose-based layer and / or a coating layer of the cellulose-based layer.

[0072] The plastic layer 51 , in use being the layer facing the chamber 150’ of the cellulose-based pod 150, presents a thickness preferably comprised between 10 pm and 100 pm, more preferably comprised between 25 pm and 60 pm, even more preferably of about 38 pm and is preferably selected in the list of:

[0073] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0074] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0075] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0076] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0077] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0078] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0079] The cellulose-based layer 52, in use being the layer facing the external environment to which the cellulose-based pod 150 is exposed to, presents a thickness preferably of at least 100 pm, more preferably at least 120 pm. Moreover, the aforementioned cellulose-based layer 52 presents a grammage preferably comprised between 70 g / m2and 300 g / m2, even more preferably comprised between 80 g / m2and 130 g / m2.

[0080] The cellulose-based layer can be obtained by substantially plant-based and substantially re- pulpable cellulose fibers, either from native cellulose, which is not chemically modified, or regenerated cellulose, which is chemically modified. Moreover, the cellulose-based layer can be obtained from cellulose fibers in their natural and original form.

[0081] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic section view of the cellulose-based pod 150 comprising the cellulose-based container body 151 and a corresponding lid 152, defining a chamber 150’, in the cellulose-based container body 151 and in between the same and the lid 152, to contain a beverage ingredient. Moreover, the cellulose-based container body 151 is provided with a flange (or rim) 15T defined in the perimeter of the chamber 150’.

[0082] In the present embodiment both the cellulose-based container body 151 and the corresponding lid 152 are made of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but according to different embodiments (not shown) the lid can be made of different materials, even encompassing a single layer. Moreover, in the present embodiment the cellulose-based pod 150 is made by a single cellulose-based container body 151 , but according to different embodiments (not shown) the cellulose-based pod can be made by two cellulose-based container body having the same of different dimension and coupled to each other.

[0083] The forming station and the forming method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0084] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a forming station 10 of cellulose-based container bodies 151 in a first embodiment according to the invention.

[0085] In the present invention, the term “deep-drawing” refers to the forming into container bodies of desired shape, such as the pod shape (or cup-shaped, box-shaped, cone-shaped, etc.), single blank sheet or larger sheet of multilayer cellulose-based material by forcing into a die, such as with the use of a plunger, a plunger and counter-plunger and / or a forming cavity. The deep- drawing is substantially a shape transformation process with material retention, wherein in the present invention the depth of the drawn part can exceed its diameter or, vice versa, the diameter of the drawn part can be equal or greater than its depth. Whereas in pure deep- drawing there is no reduction of thickness, forming (or molding) is achieved in stretch forming purely as a result of a decrease in thickness. In the present invention, the terms “deep- drawing”, “forming” and “molding” will be used as equally referring to the same activity of defining a cellulose-based container body when a combination of stretch and deep-drawing is involved.

[0086] The forming station 10 according to the first embodiment comprises a clamping assembly 1 10, configured to clamp a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material 50 provided with at least a cellulose-based layer 52 and a plastic layer 51 , and a deep-drawing assembly 210, configured to define a cellulose-based container body 151 by deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 while clamped by the clamping assembly 1 10.

[0087] The clamping assembly 1 10 is defined by two opposite jaw elements 111 , 1 12, in particular a bottom jaw element (or first jaw element) 11 1 and a top jaw element (or second jaw element) 1 12 according to the relative position as defined in Figure 3. These jaw elements 1 11 , 112 are configured to clamp a portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 between them and to define the perimetral flange 15T of the cellulose-based container bodies 151 . They present the same shape and dimensions, but different arrangement can be provided. In particular, the clamping assembly 110 has an annular geometry, defined by the annular or ring shape of the jaw elements 11 1 , 112. In this way, the free area 113 is suitable for allowing the deformation of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 while clamped between the jaw elements 111 , 1 12, as described with more details below.

[0088] The deep-drawing assembly 210 is defined by a plunger 211 (defining a punch or a male die), configured to move (or slide) at least from a resting position as in Figure 3A (at the upper dead center of the plunger), wherein the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is not formed or deformed, and a complete deep-drawing position as in Figure 3B (at the lower dead center of the plunger), wherein the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is completely formed as desired, and vice versa. For sake of clarity, the resting position of the plunger 211 can be different than illustrated in Figure 3A, while not pressing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the plunger 211 has a shape and dimension such as to be moved in between the free area 113 defined by the aforementioned annular or ring shape of the jaw elements 11 1 , 112, along the axis A. As illustrated, the clamping assembly 1 10 is arranged to clamp a perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 and the deep-drawing assembly 210 is arranged to deep draw and inner portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0090] In this way, a reduced footprint of the forming station 10 can be defined.

[0091] Nevertheless, different shapes and configurations for both the jaw elements and the plunger can be used according to further embodiments, not shown.

[0092] According to the invention, the clamping assembly 110 comprises at least a sliding portion 510 arranged in one of the jaw elements configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51. In the present embodiment, such a sliding portion 510 is provided at the top jaw element ( or second jaw element) 1 12 defining the area in contact with plastic layer 51 of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but according to further embodiments (not shown) the sliding portion can be on the opposite jaw element (the bottom jaw element) if the plastic layer is designed to be in contact with the same. Preferably, such a sliding portion is defined only in one of the two jaw elements, being the plastic layer provided only to one surface of the cellulose-based material.

[0093] As illustrated in Figures 3, 3A and 3B, the sliding portion 510 has an annular geometry, which means and annular or ring shape, and defines the whole surface of the jaw element 1 12 configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 . Thus, defining the sliding portion 510 in the whole surface of the jaw element 1 12 allows to better control the movement of the plastic layer 51 in contact with the surface of the jaw element 112. Moreover, the annular geometry allows to minimize the wrinkles during the formation of round cellulose-based containers.

[0094] According to further embodiments, not shown, the geometry and the dimensions of the sliding portion can be different, i.e. the sliding portion can have a different shape, even compared to the jaw element who retains it, and can define only partly the surface of the same jaw element, thus defining a sliding area reduced compared to the whole area of the jaw element.

[0095] The sliding portion 510 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element, i.e. the bottom jaw element 1 11 , allowing the sliding of at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 . The sliding portion 510 allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, thus apporting the predefined clamping force (or clamping pressure), while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0096] In particular, the sliding portion 510 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 11 1 and to the deep-drawing assembly 210, i.e. the plunger 211 described in greater details below. In this way, the deep-drawing assembly 210 can operate by introducing a friction higher than sliding portion 510 of the clamping assembly 1 10, obtaining a better shape of the cellulose-based container 151. Preferably, the sliding portion 510 is made of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives, i.e. PET+PTFE.

[0097] This is a material featuring an added solid lubricant with extremely good sliding friction properties which can also be used in the food processing sector. Through the addition of PTFE as a solid lubricant, the material demonstrates excellent sliding properties and low wear behavior. The blend PET+PTFE is similar to standard PET but with a lower coefficient of friction and enhanced sliding and abrasion resistant properties. It also has low moisture absorption with excellent chemical resistance.

[0098] The applicant has surprisingly found that this material best fits the needs of the invention in solving the underlined problem. In particular, it best allows the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 without affecting the integrity of the same, thus avoiding cracking of the layers, in particular of the plastic layer 51. Moreover, this material best allows to define a forming station 10 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0099] Defining the sliding portion 510 with a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives has also been found to be the preferred solution when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials in the list above reported. Nevertheless, according to further embodiments the same material of the sliding portion can be used when different materials define the plastic layer, as well as several other low friction materials can be used when the plastic layer is selected from the aforementioned list.

[0100] The same effect can be achieved if the jaw element in contact with the plastic layer is coated (instead of being entirely defined) by a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element and to the deep-drawing assembly, preferably with the aforementioned material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In this way, the sliding portion would be defined by the coated portion of the same jaw element which can be made by a single material as the opposite jaw element.

[0101] In a further embodiment (not shown), the sliding portion is made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element only, thus the deep- drawing assembly can be made, or coated by, the same material of the sliding portion having a lower coefficient of friction.

[0102] The clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly may comprise a heating portion (not shown). The heating portion allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0103] The operations of the forming station 10 will be now described in connection with a forming method of cellulose-based container bodies, which allows to define the objects of the present invention. The forming method and the operations of the forming station 10 will be described in connection with a single blank defining the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but the same applies, mutatis mutandis, when a larger sheet of multilayer cellulose-based material or a reel of the same is used. Typically, single blanks are used in order to facilitate the creation of cellulose-based container body 151 with deeper shapes.

[0104] The forming method comprises clamping a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material 50 provided with at least a paper layer (cellulose-based layer) 52 and a plastic layer 51 between two opposite jaw elements 11 1 , 1 12 of a clamping assembly 1 10. The latter defining a perimetral flange 15T of the cellulose-based container bodies 50.

[0105] The method further comprises deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 while clamped by the clamping assembly 110 to define a cellulose-based container body 151 by a deep-drawing assembly 210. Moreover, the method comprises sliding at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 by at least a sliding portion 510 arranged in one of the jaw elements 112 configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 11 1.

[0106] The sliding by a sliding portion 510 made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 111 allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0107] Figure 3A and 3B illustrates the deep-drawing process by the forming station 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0108] Figure 3A illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 10, when the plunger 211 is in a resting position, thus before starting of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose- based material 50. For sake of clarity, the relative movement between the jaw elements 1 11 , 1 12 is not illustrated and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art, since in the dee-drawing process the jaw elements 11 1 , 112 close after the single blank (or portion of a reel) of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 has been inserted in between them.

[0109] The single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is introduced in the clamping assembly 110 between the bottom jaw element 11 1 and the top jaw element 112, wherein the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is oriented such that the cellulose-based layer 52 of the same faces the bottom jaw element 11 1 while the corresponding plastic layer 51 faces the top jaw element 112 and, consequently, towards the sliding portion 510. The arrangement of the deep-drawing assembly 210 is that the plunger 211 rests above the top jaw element 1 12 when in the resting position, at the upper dead center of the plunger 21 1 . Thus, the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is oriented so that the plastic layer 51 faces the plunger 21 1. The clamping assembly 1 10, as the name suggests, holds the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 by the jaw elements 11 1 , 1 12 with a predefined clamping force. In particular, the clamping assembly 1 10 is able to hold the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 from the perimetral portion of the blank meant to become the perimetral flange 151 ’ of the cellulose- based container bodies 151 .

[0110] Preferably, the predefined clamping force ranges between 650 N and 950 N, more preferably between 760 N and 900 N, even more preferably between 780 N and 880 N. The predefined clamping force can be fixed for all pod sizes or a specific value, or range of values, in the above ranges can be selected for a specific dimension, i.e. small pod size, medium pod size and large pod size, the latter being the preferred solution.

[0111] The holding from the perimetral portion is made against the plunger 211 while it forces the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to deform into the proper shape. At each step in the deep-drawing process, the blank of multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is shaped through pressure (or force) applied by a plunger 211 . The plunger 21 1 is able to slide or to move in the direction of the free area 1 13, which is centrally positioned with respect to the geometry of the clamping assembly 110. The plunger 211 stretches the single blank of the multilayer cellulose- based material 50 over plunger radius and forms it around the same. The amount of punch force necessary for forming is thereby continually increased up to the lower dead center of the plunger 21 1.

[0112] The movement of the plunger 211 forces the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to move by a depth / distance extending from the resting position preferably comprised between 8 mm and 20 mm, more preferably comprised between 10 mm and 18 mm. These distances allow to define a ranges of cellulose-based container body 151 , which in turn can define a range of cellulose-based pods 150 varying respectively from a small pod size to a large pod size.

[0113] Wrinkling and fractures (or cracking) of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 or of the cellulose-based container body 151 to be formed are major defects neither of which is desirable. Wrinkling generally occurs in the wall or flange 151 ’ of the cellulose-based container body 151 formed. The perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 undergoes radial drawing stress and tangential compressive stress during the deep-drawing process, which sometimes results in wrinkles. The greater the plunger depth, the more the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 has to be pulled down and the greater the risk of wrinkling in the wall and flange 15T of the cellulose-based container bodies 151 to be formed. At the same time, the greater the plunger depth, the more the clamping force applied to the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 has to be and the greater the risk of wrinkling in the wall and flange 15T of the cellulose-based container bodies 151 to be formed.

[0114] For positive affecting the quality of the flange 15T and to avoid cracking of the plastic layer 51 , the clamping assembly 1 10, however, does not hold the perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 rigidly in place. If this were the case, tearing could occur in the cellulose-based container bodies 151 or even in the partly formed multilayer cellulose-based material 50. The clamping assembly 110 allows the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to slide somewhat by providing frictional force between the jaw elements 1 11 , 1 12 and the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 itself. This advantage is obtained by the sliding portion 510 which allows to maintain ad predefined clamping force at the clamping assembly 110 while allowing the plastic layer 51 to be stretched, eventually reduced in thickness, without affecting the continuity of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0115] Figure 3B illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 10, when the plunger 211 is in a complete deep-drawing position, thus at the end of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, when the cellulose-based container bodies 151 is formed.

[0116] To remove the cellulose-based container bodies 151 from the forming station 10 a further relative movement between the jaw elements 1 11 , 1 12 is necessary to remove the pressure, not illustrated and considered known for a person skilled in the art. For the same reason, the plunger 21 1 needs to be moved towards the resting position.

[0117] As schematically illustrated, the flange 151 ’ defined by the material retained between the jaw elements 11 1 , 112 is reduced in extension with respect to the amount of material first retained at the resting position. This means that clamping assembly 1 10 allowed an adequate clamping force, according to the predefined clamping force used, to define the final extension of the flange 15T while the sliding portion 510 was able to avoid firmly holding the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 during the deep-drawing operations.

[0118] The above-described advantages are more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 510 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In particular, this material best allows to define a forming station 10 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing and avoiding cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0119] Moreover, the above-described advantages are even more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 510 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials selected in the list of:

[0120] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0121] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0122] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0123] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0124] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer, - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0125] Other factors, such as the temperature of the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly can also affect the deep-drawing process and in particular the quality of the flange without cracking of the plastic layer and the desired shape and depth of the deep-drawing. A temperature variation influences the potential for wrinkling or cracking in the deep-drawn cellulose-based container bodies 151. This appears more important when a clamping force need to be set in view of the presence of the above-described sliding portion.

[0126] Therefore, in an embodiment the forming method further comprises heating at a predefined heating temperature the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly at a heating portion. The heating allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0127] Preferably, the predefined heating temperature ranges preferably between 70 °C and 105 °C, more preferably between 75 °C and 100 °C, even more preferably between 80 °C and 95 °C. The predefined heating temperature can be fixed for all pod sizes or a specific value, or range of values, in the above ranges can be selected for a specific dimension, i.e. small pod size, medium pod size and large pod size, the latter being the preferred solution.

[0128] In the deep-drawing process, the predefined heating temperature is preferably reached before starting the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, so that a better management of the deep-drawing can be defined.

[0129] The aforementioned forming station 10 can be also part of a more complex manufacturing apparatus (or machine), not shown, of cellulose-based pods 150, as illustrated in Figure 1 . In particular, the cellulose-based pods 150 can be suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the cellulose-based pod 150 comprises a first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber 150’ in at least one of the first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls containing a beverage ingredient. The manufacturing apparatus preferably comprises the forming station 10 of at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls (at least one being defined by the cellulose- based container bodies 151 ) as above described, a filling station to fill at least a beverage ingredient in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls and a sealing station to seal together the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls (one of which can simply be a lid covering a cellulose-based container body).

[0130] As already described, the sliding portion 510 allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer.

[0131] The manufacturing method of cellulose-based pods 150 and the operations of the manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the above-described forming station 10 and the forming method. The cellulose-based pods 150 are suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the cellulose-based pod 150 comprises a first and a second cellulose- based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber 150’ in at least one of the first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls containing a beverage ingredient. In particular, at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls is a cellulose-based container body 151. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the cellulose-based pod 150 is defined by a single cellulose-based container body 151 and a corresponding lid 152.

[0132] The manufacturing method of cellulose-based pods comprises forming at least one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at the forming station 110. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the forming relates to the single cellulose-based container body 151 in connection to the forming station and forming method above-described. According to further embodiments, not shown, the forming may encompass the both the first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls.

[0133] The manufacturing method further comprises filling at least a beverage ingredient in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a filling station. Finally, the manufacturing method comprises sealing together the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a sealing station.

[0134] Thus, both the cellulose-based container body 151 and the corresponding lid 152 are made of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but according to different embodiments (not shown) the lid can be made of different materials, even encompassing a single layer. Moreover, the cellulose-based pod 150 is made by a single cellulose-based container body 151 , but according to different embodiments (not shown) the cellulose-based pod can be made by two cellulose-based container body having the same of different dimension and coupled to each other.

[0135] The sealing or “heat-sealing” means heat-bonding by melt fusing or welding of two material surfaces together, such that the materials to be joined to some extent inter-mixes or inter-locks across the interface between the material surfaces. Something similar appears in the sealing according to the manufacturing method, wherein the strong bond is formed between two welded material surfaces relating to the plastic layer 51 of the cellulose-based container body 151 and of the corresponding plastic layer of the lid. In the embodiments comprising the sealing of two cellulose-based container bodies, the strong bond is formed between two welded material surfaces relating to the plastic layers of each of the cellulose-based container body.

[0136] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a forming station 20 of cellulose-based container bodies 151 in a second embodiment according to the invention which is similar to the forming station 10 according to the first embodiment to which, mutatis mutandis, reference is made for all details, modifications and combinations of embodiments. The forming station 20 comprises a clamping assembly 120 and a deep-drawing assembly 220.

[0137] The clamping assembly 120 comprises two opposite jaw elements 121 , 122 and corresponds to the same clamping assembly 1 10 described in the first embodiment, to which reference is made.

[0138] The deep-drawing assembly 220 is defined by a plunger 221 (i.e. a punch or a male die), configured to move at least from a resting position as in Figure 4A (at the upper dead center of the plunger) and a complete deep-drawing position as in Figure 4B (at the lower dead center of the plunger), and vice versa, corresponding to the plunger 21 1 of the first embodiment which is herewith incorporated by reference. For sake of clarity, the resting position of the plunger 221 can be different than illustrated in Figure 4A, while not pressing the multilayer cellulose- based material 50, and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art.

[0139] The deep-drawing assembly 220 of the second embodiment is further provided with a forming cavity into which (at least) the plunger 221 is configured to slide or to move. As illustrated, the forming cavity is defined by two opposite forming elements 223, 224, a first (top) forming element 223 and a second (bottom) forming element 224, each of which is provided with a hole (passing-through or closed one). Preferably, the hole of the second (bottom) forming element is greater (larger in diameter) than the first (top) forming element. The cavity is then formed by the alignment of the forming elements 223, 224 at the respective holes, i.e. along the movement or sliding direction A of the plunger 221 , such that the plunger 221 can slide or move within the cavity defined by the holes themself.

[0140] Moreover, the range of clearance values between the diameter of the plunger 221 and the diameter of the cavity, in particular of the second forming element 224 can be predefined. In this regard, the offset can drive and enable to obtain the best compromise between stable shape of cellulose-based container body 151 , avoiding cracks and enabling good control of wrinkles on the same and on the relative cellulosed-based pod 150.

[0141] Sliding of material is made possible thanks also to clearance or offset between plunger diameter and cavity diameter (at least the inner diameter of the second forming element 224). Preferably, the values range between 0.8*e and 7*e, more preferably between 2*e and 5*e, wherein “e” is the thickness of packaging laminate. In particular, this allows to reach high throughput in production line without cracking, while creating a stable shape of the cellulose- based container body 151 .

[0142] Preferably, the diameter of the hole of the second forming element 224 is comprised between 38 mm and 52 mm, more preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm.

[0143] According to further embodiments, not shown, the forming cavity can be defined by a single forming element, i.e. the second (bottom) forming element, thus letting the plunger to freely move in a first part of the stroke and the to engage the cavity defined by the hole of such second forming element in the second part of the stroke. According to the invention, the clamping assembly 120 comprises at least a sliding portion 520 arranged in one of the jaw elements configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 . In the second embodiment, such a sliding portion 520 is in the top jaw element 122 defining the area in contact with plastic layer 51 of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but according to further embodiments (not shown) the sliding portion can be on the opposite jaw element (the bottom jaw element) if the plastic layer is designed to be in contact with the same.

[0144] As illustrated in Figures 4, 4A and 4B, the sliding portion 520 has an annular geometry and correspond to the same sliding portion 510 of the first embodiment to which reference is made for all the details and modifications.

[0145] The sliding portion 520 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element, i.e. the bottom jaw element 121 , allowing the sliding of at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 . The sliding portion 520 allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0146] In particular, the sliding portion 520 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 121 and to the deep-drawing assembly 220, i.e. the plunger 221 . In this way, the deep-drawing assembly 220 can operate by introducing a friction higher than sliding portion 520 of the clamping assembly 120, obtaining a better shape of the cellulose-based container 151.

[0147] Preferably, the sliding portion 520 is made of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives.

[0148] The applicant has surprisingly found that this material best fits the needs of the invention in solving the underlined problem. In particular, it best allows the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 without affecting the integrity of the same, thus avoiding cracking of the layers, in particular of the plastic layer 51. Moreover, this material best allows to define a forming station 20 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0149] Defining the sliding portion 520 with a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives has also been found to be the preferred solution when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials in the list above reported. Nevertheless, according to further embodiments the same material of the sliding portion can be used when different materials define the plastic layer, as well as several other low friction materials can be used when the plastic layer is selected from the aforementioned list.

[0150] The same effect can be achieved if the jaw element in contact with the plastic layer is coated (instead of being entirely defined) by a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element and to the deep-drawing assembly, preferably with the aforementioned material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In this way, the sliding portion would be defined by the coated portion of the same jaw element which can be made by a single material as the opposite jaw element.

[0151] The operations of the forming station 20 correspond to the ones already described for the forming station 10 according to the present invention and to the corresponding forming method of cellulose-based container bodies. Therefore, reference is made to the above description which will be further detailed only in connection with the forming cavity.

[0152] As already described, the method further comprises deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose- based material 50 while clamped by the clamping assembly 120 to define a cellulose-based container body 151 by a deep-drawing assembly 220. Moreover, the method comprises sliding at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 by at least a sliding portion 520 arranged in one of the jaw elements 122 configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 121.

[0153] Figure 4A and 4B illustrates the deep-drawing process by the forming station 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0154] Figure 4A illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 20, when the plunger 221 is in a resting position, thus before starting of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose- based material 50. As described in the first embodiment, the relative movement between the jaw elements 121 , 122 is not illustrated and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art, since in the dee-drawing process the jaw elements 121 , 122 close after the single blank (or portion of a reel) of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 has been inserted in between them.

[0155] The arrangement of the deep-drawing assembly 220 is that the plunger 221 rests above the top jaw element 122 when in the resting position, at the upper dead center of the plunger 221 . More in detail, the plunger 221 rests inside the forming cavity in the first (top) forming element 223. Thus, the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is oriented so that the plastic layer 51 faces the plunger 221 .

[0156] The holding from the perimetral portion is made against the plunger 221 while it forces the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to deform into the proper shape. At each step in the deep-drawing process, the blank of multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is shaped through pressure (or force) applied by a plunger 221 .

[0157] The plunger 221 is able to slide or to move in the direction of the free area 123 which is centrally positioned with respect to the geometry of the clamping assembly 120. In greater details, the plunger 221 is able to slide or to move in the forming cavity, preferably from the first forming element 223 to and into the second (bottom) forming element 224, and vice versa, along the axis A.

[0158] The plunger 221 stretches the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 over plunger radius and forms it around the same. Moreover, the combination of the plunger 221 and of the second forming element 224 allow to further form the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 between the wall of the same plunger 221 and the opposite wall of the forming cavity, i.e. the wall of the second forming element 224.

[0159] The movement of the plunger 221 forces the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to move by a depth / distance extending from the resting position preferably comprised between 8 mm and 20 mm, more preferably comprised between 10 mm and 18 mm. These distances allow to define a ranges of cellulose-based container body 151 , which in turn can define a range of cellulose-based pods 150 varying respectively from a small pod size to a large pod size.

[0160] For positive affecting the quality of the flange 15T and to avoid cracking of the plastic layer 51 , the clamping assembly 120, again, does not hold the perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 rigidly in place. The clamping assembly 120 allows the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to slide somewhat by providing frictional force between the jaw elements 121 , 122 and the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 itself. This advantage is obtained by the sliding portion 520 which allows to maintain ad predefined clamping force at the clamping assembly 120 while allowing the plastic layer 51 to be stretched, eventually reduced in thickness, without affecting the continuity of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0161] Figure 4B illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 20, when the plunger 221 is in a complete deep-drawing position, thus at the end of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, when the cellulose-based container bodies 151 is formed. To remove the cellulose-based container bodies 151 from the forming station 20 a further relative movement between the jaw elements 121 , 122 is necessary to remove the pressure, not illustrated and considered known for a person skilled in the art. For the same reason, the plunger 221 needs to be moved towards the resting position and at least one between the first forming element 223 and second forming element 224 needs to be moved for spacing them apart.

[0162] As schematically illustrated, the flange 151 ’ defined by the material retained between the jaw elements 121 , 122 is reduced in extension with respect to the amount of material first retained at the resting position. This means that clamping assembly 120 allowed an adequate clamping force, according to the predefined clamping force used, to define the final extension of the flange 15T while the sliding portion 520 was able to avoid firmly holding the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 during the deep-drawing operations. The above-described advantages are more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 520 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In particular, this material best allows to define a forming station 10 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing and avoiding cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0163] Moreover, the above-described advantages are even more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 520 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials selected in the list of:

[0164] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0165] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0166] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0167] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0168] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0169] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0170] In an embodiment (not shown) the forming method further comprises heating at a predefined heating temperature the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly at a heating portion. The heating allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0171] In this regard, heating means may be embedded in the forming cavity, preferably in the second forming element 224, more preferably in the peripheral region of the same.

[0172] Preferably, the predefined heating temperature ranges preferably between 70 °C and 105 °C, more preferably between 75 °C and 100 °C, even more preferably between 80 °C and 95 °C. The predefined heating temperature can be fixed for all pod sizes or a specific value, or range of values, in the above ranges can be selected for a specific dimension, i.e. small pod size, medium pod size and large pod size, the latter being the preferred solution.

[0173] In the deep-drawing process, the predefined heating temperature is preferably reached before starting the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, so that a better management of the deep-drawing can be defined.

[0174] The aforementioned forming station 20 can be also part of a more complex manufacturing apparatus (or machine), not shown, of cellulose-based pods 150, as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0175] The manufacturing method of cellulose-based pods 150 and the operations of the manufacturing apparatus will not be described in details and reference is made, mutatis mutandis, to the manufacturing apparatus described according to the first embodiment of the forming station 10. Figure 5 schematically illustrates a forming station 30 of cellulose-based container bodies 151 in a third embodiment according to the invention, which is similar to the forming stations 10, 20 according to the first and second embodiments to which, mutatis mutandis, reference is made for all details, modifications and combinations of embodiments. The forming station 30 comprises a clamping assembly 130 and a deep-drawing assembly 230. Moreover, the forming station further comprises a cutting assembly 330, i.e., a circular knife, for cutting an external portion of the blank or of a larger sheet or reel of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0176] The clamping assembly 130 comprises two opposite jaw elements 131 , 132 and corresponds to the same clamping assembly 130 described in the first embodiment, to which reference is made.

[0177] The deep-drawing assembly 230 is defined by a plunger 231 (i.e., a punch or a male die), configured to move at least from a resting position as in Figure 5A (at the upper dead center of the plunger) and a complete deep-drawing position as in Figure 5E (at the lower dead center of the plunger), and vice versa, corresponding to the plunger 231 of the second embodiment which is herewith incorporated by reference. For sake of clarity, the resting position of the plunger 231 can be different than illustrated in Figure 5A, while not pressing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art. The deep-drawing assembly 230 of the third embodiment is further provided with counterplunger (defining a female die or a reciprocating plunger) 232, configured to move at least from a resting position as in Figure 5A (at the upper dead center of the counter-plunger) and a complete deep-drawing position as in Figure 5E (at the lower dead center of the counterplunger), and vice versa. For sake of clarity, the resting position of the counter-plunger 232 can be different than illustrated in Figure 5A, while not pressing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art. The counterplunger 232 is thus configured to move, at least partly, together with the plunger 231 , in particular with a portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 in between these two elements, from a resting position (at least the one defined for the counter-plunger 232) to a complete deep-drawing position (at least the one defined for the counter-plunger 232) to define the cellulose-based container body 151 by deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 in between the plunger 231 and the counter-plunger 232 while clamped by the clamping assembly 130.

[0178] The counter-plunger 232 is able to move by the action of the plunger 231 , i.e. the plunger 231 moves independently and forces the movement of the counter-plunger 232 (by contact or by way of other connection means) at least from a resting position to a complete deep-drawing position. In this regard, the counter-plunger 232 can be operatively connected to spring means (not shown) which forces the counter-plunger 232 in the resting position and contrasts the action of the plunger 231 . According to further embodiments, not shown, the same effect can be obtained by way of different means. The reverse stroke from the complete deep-drawing position to the resting position of the counter-plunger 232 can be obtained autonomously, i.e. the counter-plunger 232 can be operated by the same spring means or by other means able to operate the movement. Using a deep-drawing assembly 230 comprising a plunger 231 and a counter-plunger 232 allows to better defines cellulose-based containers even having a reduced height, such height being defined by the deep-drawing displacement of these two elements of the deep-drawing assembly 230, corresponding to the stroke or distance between the resting position and the deep-drawing position of the same.

[0179] The deep-drawing assembly 230 of the third embodiment is also provided with a forming cavity into which the plunger 231 and the counter-plunger 232 are configured to slide or to move. As illustrated, the forming cavity is defined by two opposite forming elements 233, 234, a first (top) forming element 233 and a second (bottom) forming element 234, corresponding to the forming elements 223, 224 of the second embodiment which is herewith incorporated by reference.

[0180] According to further embodiments, not shown, the forming cavity can be defined by a single forming element, i.e. the second (bottom) forming element, thus letting the plunger to freely move in a first part of the stroke, while maintaining the counter-plunger in the second forming element, and to engage the cavity defined by the hole of such second forming element in the second part of the stroke.

[0181] According to the invention, the clamping assembly 130 comprises at least a sliding portion 530 arranged in one of the jaw elements configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 . Yet again in the third embodiment, such a sliding portion 530 is in the top jaw element 132 defining the area in contact with plastic layer 51 of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, but according to further embodiments (not shown) the sliding portion can be on the opposite jaw element (the bottom jaw element) if the plastic layer is designed to be in contact with the same. The sliding portion 530 has an annular geometry and correspond to the same sliding portion 510 of the first embodiment, as well as to the same sliding portion 520 of the second embodiment, to which reference is made for all the details and modifications.

[0182] The sliding portion 530 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element, i.e. the bottom jaw element 131 , allowing the sliding of at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 . The sliding portion 530 allows the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, thus apporting the predefined clamping force, while at same time avoiding the cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0183] In particular, the sliding portion 530 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 131 and to the deep-drawing assembly 230, i.e. the plunger 231 . In this way, the deep-drawing assembly 230 can operate by introducing a friction higher than sliding portion 530 of the clamping assembly 130, obtaining a better shape of the cellulose-based container 151.

[0184] Preferably, the sliding portion 530 is made of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives.

[0185] The applicant has surprisingly found that this material best fits the needs of the invention in solving the underlined problem. In particular, it best allows the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 without affecting the integrity of the same, thus avoiding cracking of the layers, in particular of the plastic layer 51. Moreover, this material best allows to define a forming station 30 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0186] Defining the sliding portion 530 with a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives has also been found to be the preferred solution when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials in the list above reported. Nevertheless, according to further embodiments the same material of the sliding portion can be used when different materials define the plastic layer, as well as several other low friction materials can be used when the plastic layer is selected from the aforementioned list.

[0187] The same effect can be achieved if the jaw element in contact with the plastic layer is coated (instead of being entirely defined) by a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element and to the deep-drawing assembly, preferably with the aforementioned material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In this way, the sliding portion would be defined by the coated portion of the same jaw element which can be made by a single material as the opposite jaw element.

[0188] As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the forming station 30 further comprises a cutting assembly 330, to cut out the multilayer cellulose-based material or the cellulose-based container body.

[0189] The cutting assembly 330 allows to separate a single blank from a larger sheet or reel of cellulose-based material provided at the forming station 30 or to finish a single blank directly provided at the same forming station 30.

[0190] In the embodiment of Figures 5-5F, the cutting assembly 330 is arranged outside the clamping assembly 130. In this regard, the opposite jaw elements 131 , 132 of the clamping assembly 130 are arranged between the cutting assembly 330 and the deep-drawing assembly 230. The opposite jaw elements 131 , 132 correspond to the same elements of the clamping assembly 1 10 described in the first embodiment, as well as of the clamping assembly 120 of the second embodiment, to which reference is made. Moreover, two or more jaw elements (not described in greater details) are provided outside the cutting assembly 330, thus allowing to clamp the portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material or the cellulose-based container body to cut and during the cutting operations.

[0191] Thus, in this embodiment the cellulose-based material can be easily cut out by the cutting assembly 330 while being clamped by the clamping assembly 130.

[0192] The deep-drawing assembly 230 is defined by a plunger 231 , configured to move at least from a resting position as in Figure 5C (at the upper dead center of the plunger) and a complete deep-drawing position as in Figure 5D (at the lower dead center of the plunger), and vice versa, corresponding to the plunger 221 of the second embodiment which is herewith incorporated by reference. The deep-drawing assembly 230 further comprises a counterplunger 232 configured to move at least from a resting position of the counter-plunger 232, as in Figure 5C (at the upper dead center of the counter-plunger), to a complete deep-drawing position of the counter-plunger 232, as in Figured 5D (at the lower dead center of the counterplunger). In particular, the counter-plunger 232 is configured to move, at least partly, together with a portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 in between to define said cellulose- based container body 151 by deep-drawing said multilayer cellulose-based material 50 in between the plunger 231 and the counter-plunger 232 while clamped by the clamping assembly 130.

[0193] Figure from 5A to 5F illustrates the deep-drawing process by the forming station 30 according to the third embodiment.

[0194] The operations of the forming station 30 correspond to the ones already described for the forming stations 10 and 20 respectively according to the first embodiment and to the second embodiment according to the present invention and to the corresponding forming methods of cellulose-based container bodies. Therefore, reference is made to the above description which will be further detailed only in connection with the counter-plunger and to the cutting assembly. In Figure 5A is illustrated a schematic view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the lower assembly is spaced from the upper assembly before deep-drawing, thus allowing the insertion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 when inserted in the forming station 30. The upper assembly is herewith defined by all the elements that remain above the multilayer cellulose- based material 50 when inserted in the forming station 30, such as at least the plunger 231 , the jaw elements 132, and the first (top) forming element 233. The upper assembly may also preferably comprise the cutting assembly 330 (as well as further jaw elements outside the cutting assembly 330). On the contrary, the lower assembly is herewith defined by all the elements that remain below the same multilayer cellulose-based material 50, such as at least the counter-plunger 232, the jaw elements 131 and the second (bottom) forming element 234. The lower assembly may also preferably comprise the further jaw elements outside the cutting assembly 330.

[0195] In Figure 5B the lower assembly and the upper assembly are close to each other, while the cutting assembly 330 is in a resting position. This position can be reached by moving one (i.e., the lower assembly) or both the lower assembly and the upper assembly to each other.

[0196] In Figure 5C the cutting assembly is in a complete cutting position, thus operating the cut-out of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0197] As already described, the method further comprises deep-drawing the multilayer cellulose- based material 50 while clamped by the clamping assembly 130 to define a cellulose-based container body 151 by a deep-drawing assembly 230.

[0198] Figure 5D illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 30, when the plunger 231 and the counter-plunger 232 of the deep-drawing assembly 230 are in a resting position, thus before starting of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50. As described in the first and second embodiments, the relative movement between the jaw elements 131 , 132 is not illustrated and should be considered known for a person skilled in the art, since in the dee-drawing process the jaw elements 131 , 132 close after the single blank (or portion of a reel) of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 has been inserted in between them, thus even before the operation of the cutting assembly 330 as described in relation to Figures 5B and 5C.

[0199] The arrangement of the deep-drawing assembly 230 is that the plunger 231 rests above the top jaw element 132 and the counter-plunger 232 rests below the bottom jaw element 131 when they are in the resting position, respectively at the upper dead center of the plunger 231 and of the counter-plunger 232. More in detail, the plunger 231 rests inside the forming cavity in the first (top) forming element 233 while the counter-plunger 232 rests inside the forming cavity in the second (bottom) forming element 234. Thus, the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is oriented so that the plastic layer 51 faces the plunger 231 while the opposite layer faces the counter-plunger 232.

[0200] The holding from the perimetral portion is made against the plunger 231 and then the counterplunger 232 while they force the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to deform into the proper shape. At each step in the deep-drawing process, the blank of multilayer cellulose- based material 50 is shaped through pressure (or force) applied by a plunger 231 . The counterplunger 232 is configured to slide / move together with the plunger 231 together with the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 in between.

[0201] The plunger 231 is able to slide or to move in the direction of the free area 123, which is centrally positioned with respect to the geometry of the assembly 130. In greater details, the plunger 231 is able to slide or to move in the forming cavity, preferably from the first forming element 233 to and into the second (bottom) forming element 234. At a predefined time, the plunger 231 engages the counter-plunger 232 while the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 is clamped by the jaw elements 131 , 132.

[0202] The plunger 231 stretches the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 over plunger radius and forms it around the same and between the same and the counter-plunger 232. Moreover, the combination of the plunger 231 , the counter-plunger 232 and of the second forming element 234 allow to further form the single blank of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 between the facing walls of the same plunger 231 and counter-plunger 232 as well as the opposite wall of the forming cavity, i.e. the wall of the second forming element 234.

[0203] The movement of the plunger 231 forces the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to move by a depth / distance extending from the resting position preferably comprised between 8 mm and 20 mm, more preferably comprised between 10 mm and 18 mm, together with the counterplunger 232. These distances allow to define a ranges of cellulose-based container body 151 , which in turn can define a range of cellulose-based pods 150 varying respectively from a small pod size to a large pod size. The counter-plunger 232 is able to move by the action of the plunger 231 at least from a resting position to a complete deep-drawing position. For example, spring means connected to the counter-plunger 232 can force the counter-plunger 232 in the resting position and contrasts the action of the plunger 231 , thus better defining the shape of the cellulose-based pods 150.

[0204] For positive affecting the quality of the flange 15T and to avoid cracking of the plastic layer 51 , the clamping assembly 130, again, does not hold the perimetral portion of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 rigidly in place. The clamping assembly 130 allows the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 to slide somewhat by providing frictional force between the jaw elements 131 , 132 and the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 itself. This advantage is obtained by the sliding portion 530 which allows to maintain ad predefined clamping force at the clamping assembly 130 while allowing the plastic layer 51 to be stretched, eventually reduced in thickness, without affecting the continuity of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50.

[0205] Thus, the method comprises sliding at least the plastic layer 51 during the deep-drawing of the cellulose-based container body 151 by at least a sliding portion 530 arranged in one of the jaw elements 132 configured to be at least partly in contact with the plastic layer 51 and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element 131 .

[0206] The above-described advantages are more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 530 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives. In particular, this material best allows to define a forming station 30 able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body 151 in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles can affect the subsequent sealing and avoiding cracking of the plastic layer 51 .

[0207] Moreover, the above-described advantages are even more evident in the embodiments provided with the sliding portion 530 made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives when the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials selected in the list of:

[0208] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0209] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0210] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0211] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0212] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0213] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0214] In an embodiment (not shown) the forming method further comprises heating at a predefined heating temperature the clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly at a heating portion. The heating allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied.

[0215] The clamping assembly and / or the deep-drawing assembly may comprise a heating portion (not shown). The heating portion allows a better forming of the cellulose-based containers even when a small displacement of the deep-drawing assembly is applied. In this regard, heating means may be embedded in the forming cavity, preferably in the second forming element 234, more preferably in the peripheral region of the same. In the third embodiment herewith described, alternatively or in addition, such heating means can be embedded in the peripheral region of the counter-plunger to better define the shape of the multilayer cellulose- based material 50.

[0216] Preferably, the predefined heating temperature ranges preferably between 70 °C and 105 °C, more preferably between 75 °C and 100 °C, even more preferably between 80 °C and 95 °C. The predefined heating temperature can be fixed for all pod sizes or a specific value, or range of values, in the above ranges can be selected for a specific dimension, i.e. small pod size, medium pod size and large pod size, the latter being the preferred solution.

[0217] In the deep-drawing process, the predefined heating temperature is preferably reached before starting the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, so that a better management of the deep-drawing can be defined.

[0218] Figure 5E illustrates the schematic section view of the forming station 30, when the plunger 231 and the counter-plunger 232 are in a complete deep-drawing position, thus at the end of the deep-drawing of the multilayer cellulose-based material 50, when the cellulose-based container bodies 151 is formed. As schematically illustrated, the flange 15T defined by the material retained between the jaw elements 131 , 132 is reduced in extension with respect to the amount of material first retained at the resting position. This means that clamping assembly 130 allowed an adequate clamping force, according to the predefined clamping force used, to define the final extension of the flange 15T while the sliding portion 530 was able to avoid firmly holding the multilayer cellulose-based material 50 during the deep-drawing operations. Figure 5F illustrates a schematic section view of the forming station of Figure 5, wherein the lower assembly is spaced from the upper assembly after deep-drawing, again as showed in Figure 5A and thus allowing the extraction of the cellulose-based container bodies 151 as formed.

[0219] The reverse stroke from the complete deep-drawing position to the resting position of the counter-plunger 232 can be obtained autonomously, i.e. the counter-plunger 232 can be operated by the same spring means or by other means able to operate the movement.

[0220] The aforementioned forming station 30 can be also part of a more complex manufacturing apparatus (or machine), not shown, of cellulose-based pods 150, as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0221] The manufacturing method of cellulose-based pods 150 and the operations of the manufacturing apparatus will not be described in details and reference is made, mutatis mutandis, to the manufacturing apparatuses described according to the first and second embodiments of the forming stations 10, 20.

[0222] The present invention provides a forming station of cellulose-bases container bodies, and an apparatus for manufacturing cellulose-based pods, able to allow the forming of a cellulose- based container body without affecting the integrity of the same, thus avoiding cracking of the layers, in particular of the plastic layer defined in the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0223] Moreover, the present invention provides a forming station of cellulose-bases container bodies, and an apparatus for manufacturing cellulose-based pods, able to allow the forming of a cellulose-based container body in the required shape, thus reducing the numbers of wrinkles, in particular of the cellulose-based layer, can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0224] List of references in the drawings:

[0225] 10; 20; 30 Forming station

[0226] 110; 120; 130 Clamping assembly

[0227] 111 ; 121 ; 131 Bottom jaw element

[0228] 112; 122; 132 Top jaw element

[0229] 113; 123 Free area

[0230] 210; 220; 230 Deep-drawing assembly

[0231] 211 ; 221 ; 231 Plunger

[0232] 223; 233 First forming element

[0233] 224; 234 Second forming element

[0234] 232 Counter plunger

[0235] 330 Cutting assembly

[0236] 510, 520, 530 Sliding portion

[0237] 50 Multilayer cellulose-based material

[0238] 51 Plastic layer 52 Cellulose-based layer

[0239] 150 Cellulose-based pod

[0240] 150’ Chamber

[0241] 151 Cellulose-based container body 151 ’ Flange

[0242] 152 Lid

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) comprising:- a clamping assembly (110; 120; 130), configured to clamp a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material (50) provided with at least a cellulose layer (50B) and a plastic layer (50A), and- a deep-drawing assembly (210; 220; 230), configured to define a cellulose-based container body (151 ) by deep-drawing said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) while clamped by said clamping assembly (110; 120; 130), wherein said clamping assembly (110; 120; 130) comprises two opposite jaw elements (1 11 , 112; 121 , 122; 131 , 132) configured to clamp a portion of said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) between them and to define a perimetral flange (151 ’) of said of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ), and wherein said clamping assembly (1 10; 120; 130) comprises at least a sliding portion (510; 520; 530) arranged in one of said jaw elements (1 11 ; 121 ; 131 ) configured to be at least partly in contact with said plastic layer (50A) and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element (112; 122; 132) allowing the sliding of at least said plastic layer (50A) during the deep- drawing of said cellulose-based container body (151 ).

2. Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said sliding portion (510; 520; 530) is made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element (112; 122; 132) and to the deep-drawing assembly (210; 220; 230).

3. Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sliding portion (510; 520; 530) is made of, or coated by, a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) additives.

4. Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -3, wherein said sliding portion (510; 520; 530) defines the whole surface of said jaw element (1 12; 122; 132) configured to be at least partly in contact with said plastic layer (50A).

5. Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -4, wherein said sliding portion (510; 520; 530) has an annular geometry.

6. Forming station (20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -5, wherein said deep-drawing assembly (220; 230) comprises a plunger (221 ; 231 ) and a counter-plunger (222; 232) configured to move, at least partly, together with a portion of said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) in between at least from aresting position of said counter-plunger (222; 232) to a complete deep-drawing position of said counter-plunger (222; 232) to define said cellulose-based container body (151 ) by deep-drawing said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) in between said plunger (221 ; 231 ) and said counter-plunger (222; 232) while clamped by said clamping assembly (110; 120; 130).

7. Forming station (10; 20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -6, wherein said clamping assembly (110; 120; 130) is arranged to clamp a perimetral portion of said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) and said deep- drawing assembly (210; 220; 230) is arranged to deep draw and inner portion of said multilayer cellulose-based material (50).

8. Forming station (30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -7, wherein said forming station (30) further comprises a cutting assembly (330) to cut out said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) or said cellulose-based container body (151 ).

9. Forming station (30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to claim 8, wherein said cutting assembly (330) is arranged outside said clamping assembly (130).

10. Forming station of cellulose-based container bodies according to one of claims 1 -9, wherein said clamping assembly and / or said deep-drawing assembly comprise a heating portion.1 1 . Forming station (20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -10, wherein said deep-drawing assembly (220; 230) comprises a forming cavity provided with at least one forming element (223, 224; 233, 234) into which at least said plunger (221 ;231 ) is configured to slide or to move, wherein the diameter of said forming cavity is greater than the diameter of said forming element (223; 233) defining a predefined clearance between them.

12. Forming station (20; 30) of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein said predefined clearance has a value comprised between 0.8*e and 7*e, more preferably between 2*e and 5*e, wherein “e” is the thickness of said multilayer cellulose-based material (50).

13. Apparatus for manufacturing cellulose-based pods (150) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, wherein said cellulose-based pod (150) comprises a first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber (150’) containing a beverage ingredient in at least one of the first and a second cellulose- based pod enclosing walls, said apparatus for manufacturing cellulose-based pods (150) comprising:- a forming station (10; 20; 30) of at least one of said first and second cellulose- based pod enclosing walls;- a filling station to fill at least a beverage ingredient in said chamber (150’) of one of said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls; and- a sealing station to seal together said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls; wherein said forming station (10; 20; 30) is according to one of claims 1 -12.

14. Method of forming cellulose-based container bodies at a forming station comprising:- clamping a portion of a multilayer cellulose-based material (50) provided with at least a paper layer (50B) and a plastic layer (50A) between two opposite jaw elements (1 11 , 1 12; 121 , 122; 131 , 132) of a clamping assembly (1 10; 120; 130);- defining a perimetral flange (151 ’) of said of cellulose-based container bodies (151 ) by said clamping assembly;- deep-drawing said multilayer cellulose-based material (50) while clamped by said clamping assembly (1 10; 120; 130) to define a cellulose-based container body (151 ) by a deep-drawing assembly (210; 220; 230);- sliding at least said plastic layer (50A) during the deep-drawing of said cellulose- based container body (151 ) by at least a sliding portion (510; 520; 530) arranged in one of said jaw elements (1 11 ; 121 ; 131 ) configured to be at least partly in contact with said plastic layer (50A) and made of, or coated by, a material having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other jaw element (1 12; 122; 132).

15. Method of forming cellulose-based container bodies according to claims 14, wherein it further comprises heating at a predefined heating temperature said clamping assembly and / or said deep-drawing assembly at a heating portion.

16. Method of forming cellulose-based container bodies according to claims 14 or 15, wherein said forming station is according to one of claims 1 -12.

17. Method of manufacturing cellulose-based pods for preparing a beverage at a beverage preparation machine, wherein said cellulose-based pod (150) comprises a first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls defining a chamber (150’) containing a beverage ingredient in at least one of the first and a second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls, said method for manufacturing cellulose-based pods (150) comprising:- forming at least one of said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a forming station;- filling at least a beverage ingredient in said chamber (150’) of one of said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a filling station; and- sealing together said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls at a sealing station; wherein at least one of said first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing walls is a cellulose-based container body (151 ), andwherein said forming of said cellulose-based container body is according to one of claims 14-16.

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