Compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies

Abstract

The invention concerns a compacting station (10) of bulk food product in container bodies (151) wherein a first compacting device (211) and a second compacting device (212) able to move one relative to the other between a first compacting position, wherein a first contacting surface (211') and a second contacting surface (212') are misaligned to define two separate contacting surfaces, and a second compacting position, wherein the first contacting surface (211') and the second contacting surface (212') are aligned to define a compacting surface (213') of a continuous type, and vice versa.

Description

[0001] COMPACTING STATION OF BULK FOOD PRODUCTS IN CONTAINER BODIES

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of compacting bulk food products, such as powder, in container bodies for food products. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of compacting a dose of bulk product in container bodies for food products, preferably in cellulose-based container bodies for food products.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Beverage containers used in conjunction with a beverage preparation device are well known and widely available on the market. These containers usually comprise a pre-defined amount of ingredients for preparing a single-serve beverage portion. Frequently, these containers comprise bulk food products, such as powder ingredients like roast and ground coffee or soluble beverage powders. Depending on the nature of the ingredient, it can be preferable to compact the bulk food products ingredients inside the container. For example, it has been demonstrated in WO 2020089403 that compaction of roast and ground coffee in the containers provide better extraction profiles.

[0006] When the container is filled with bulk food products, i.e., the powder of beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee powder, there is a risk that powder falls on the flange and in the folds the container may have. This risk can be increased when the container body filled with the dosed powder is moved to a subsequent coffee powder compacting station of the manufacturing line.

[0007] Moreover, in order to produce more environmentally sustainable containers, such containers can be cellulose-based containers. This type of cellulose-based container can be made at least partly by 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). Thus, defining a cellulose-based container which is environmentally sustainable and able to provide barrier properties to atmosphere.

[0008] It has been observed that the shaping of this type of multilayer cellulose-based material can be difficult. 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. Thus again, when the container is filled with the powder of beverage ingredient there is a risk that powder falls on the flange and in the wrinkles of the same.

[0009] The presence of powder on the flange and in the wrinkles of the flange prevents the correct sealing of the lid on the flange when the container is finally closed. Incorrect sealing directly affects the tightness of the container, the shelf life of the beverage ingredient and the quality of the beverage prepared from the container.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies able to minimize the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0012] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a compacting station able to allow the proper compaction of the dosed bulk product without moving the container body, preferably the cellulose-based container body, to multiple stations, thus avoiding the spread of powder in wrinkles or flange that can affect the subsequent sealing.

[0013] The aforementioned objects are achieved by a compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies according to the attached claims.

[0014] The compacting station comprises: a container holder, defining a cavity portion provided with a cavity base and configured to hold the container body having a lateral wall and a bottom wall, so that the bottom wall lies on the cavity base and a chamber of the container body is able to retain a predefined amount of the bulk food product, and a compacting assembly, arranged above the container holder and in use configured to compact the bulk food product in the chamber, wherein the compacting assembly comprises a clamping device designed to clamp at least partly a flange of the container body at the container holder, wherein the compacting assembly further comprises a first compacting device provided with a first contacting surface provided with an inclined portion with respect to the cavity base to push the bulk food product from the lateral wall toward a centre of the container body, the inclined portion being arranged at the periphery of the first contacting surface and designed to face the chamber of the container body at the container holder, wherein the first compacting device and the clamping device are able to move one relative to the other, wherein the compacting assembly further comprises a second compacting device provided with a second contacting surface to tamp the bulk food product toward the bottom wall of the container body, designed to face the chamber of the container body at the container holder, wherein the second compacting device and the clamping device are able to move one relative to the other, and wherein the first compacting device and the second compacting device are able to move one relative to the other between a first compacting position, wherein the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are misaligned to define two separate contacting surfaces, and a second compacting position, wherein the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are aligned to define a compacting surface of a continuous type, and vice versa.

[0015] The action of the first and second compacting devices is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body.

[0016] In an embodiment, the container holder and the clamping device are able to move one relative to the other between a non-working arrangement, wherein the container holder and the clamping device are separated to each other, to a working arrangement, wherein the container holder and the clamping device are at least partly in contact to define the compaction of the bulk food products in the container body, and vice versa, and wherein the first compacting device and the second compacting device are able to move one relative to the other between the first compacting position and the second compacting position when the container holder and the clamping device are in the working arrangement.

[0017] In this way, the compacting positions are defined when the chamber of the container body is well retained between the container holder and the clamping device, thus avoiding the spread of bulk food product to the flange.

[0018] In an embodiment, the container holder and the clamping device are configured to move, at least partly, together with at least a portion of the flange of the container body in between when the first compacting device and the second compacting device are moved one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position.

[0019] This allows the container body to be retained in the container holder.

[0020] In an embodiment, the container holder further comprises a cavity edge portion configured to hold the flange of the container body.

[0021] While the cavity edge is designed to hold the flange of the container body against the container holder, the cavity itself can be used for housing the first and second compacting devices.

[0022] In an embodiment, th clamping device is defined by a sleeve provided with a sleeve bottom end designed to clamp at least partly the flange of the container body at the container holder and with a sleeve hollow portion designed to face at least partly the chamber of the container body at the container holder.

[0023] In an embodiment, the sleeve bottom end is designed to clamp at least partly the flange of the container body and to cover at least partly the chamber of the container body at the container holder.

[0024] In this way, the spread of bulk food product to the flange is further minimized. In an embodiment, the container holder and / or the sleeve and / or the first compacting device and / or the second compacting device are moveable along a longitudinal axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the cavity base.

[0025] Thus, the container body can be moved or operated without risk of losing the bulk food product. In an embodiment, the first compacting device is defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve, wherein a tube bottom end defines the first contacting surface.

[0026] In this way, a reduced footprint of the compacting station can be defined.

[0027] In an embodiment, the first compacting device is defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve, wherein a tube hollow portion defines a metering opening of the bulk food product in the container body.

[0028] In this case, the filling station and the compacting station are combined in a single filling and compacting station with a more reduce footprint.

[0029] In an embodiment, the second compacting device comprises a metering screw arranged inside the tube hollow portion and provided with a closing head for closing the metering opening, and wherein the closing head defines the second contacting surface.

[0030] In this way, a convenient design and operation of the filling and compacting station can be achieved.

[0031] In an embodiment, the container holder and / or the sleeve and / or the first compacting device and / or the second compacting device are moveable along a longitudinal axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the cavity base.

[0032] Thus, the container body can be moved or operated without risk of losing the bulk food product. In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by an apparatus for manufacturing pods according to the attached claims. In particular, the pods are suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the pod comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts defining a chamber containing a bulk food product in at least one of the first and a second pod enclosing.

[0033] The apparatus for manufacturing pods comprises: a forming station of at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts; a filling station to fill at least a bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts; a compacting station to compact the bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts; and a sealing station to seal together the first and second pod enclosing parts; wherein the compacting station is according to one of the attached claims.

[0034] The action of the first and second compacting devices is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body. In an embodiment, the filling station and the compacting station are combined in a single filling and compacting station, and wherein the filling and compacting station is defined by the compacting station according to the attached claim.

[0035] In this way, a reduced footprint of the apparatus can be defined.

[0036] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies according to the attached claims. In particular, the method refers to compacting at a compacting station according to the attached claims.

[0037] The method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies comprises: positioning a container body inside the container holder; clamping at least a portion of the flange of the container body by moving the container holder and the clamping device one relative to the other until the clamping device clamps at least a portion of the flange at the container holder; pushing the bulk food product from the lateral wall toward a centre of the container body by moving the first compacting device and the clamping device one relative to the other until the first contacting surface is at the lateral wall of the container body, so that the first compacting device and the second compacting device are in the first compacting position; tamping the bulk food product toward the bottom wall of the container body by moving the first compacting device and the second compacting device one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position, so that the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are aligned to define a compacting surface of a continuous type.

[0038] Thus, the operation of the first contacting surface and of the second contacting surface allows to define the different alignments of the same, so that more than a single operation can be performed in the contained body in a single station, to optimize the compaction of the bulk food product and of the subsequent sealing as well.

[0039] In an embodiment, the method further comprises, after the tamping of the bulk food product: compressing the bulk food product toward the bottom wall of the container body by moving the compacting surface and the container holder one relative to the other in a compressing arrangement.

[0040] In this way, the bulk food product can be compressed inside the container body with a predefined compression ratio according to the needs for the further extraction.

[0041] In an embodiment, the method further comprises, before pushing the bulk food product from the lateral wall: opening a metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged outside the hollow portion; metering the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body by rotating the metering screw to dispense a measured quantity of the bulk food product; closing the metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged inside the hollow portion.

[0042] This allows to define the filling and the compacting of the bulk food product in the container body without moving it across different station, thus avoiding the spread of bulk food product to the flange.

[0043] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a method of manufacturing pods according to the attached claims. In particular, the pods are suitable for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. Moreover, the pod comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts defining a chamber containing a bulk food product in at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts.

[0044] The method of manufacturing comprises: forming at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a forming station; filling at least a bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a filling station; compacting the bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a compacting station; and sealing together the first and second pod enclosing parts at a sealing station; wherein at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts is a container body, and wherein the compacting station of the bulk food product is according to one of the attached claims.

[0045] The action of the first and second compacting devices is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body.

[0046] Brief description of the drawings

[0047] 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:

[0048] - Figure 1 is a schematic section view of a multilayer cellulose-based material;

[0049] - Figure 2 is a schematic section view of a cellulose-based pod;

[0050] - Figure 3 is a schematic section view of a compacting station in a first embodiment according to the invention;

[0051] - Figure 3A is a schematic view of the compacting station of Figure 3, wherein the container holder and the clamping device are in a non-working arrangement;

[0052] - Figure 3B is a schematic section view of the compacting station of Figure 3, wherein the container holder and the clamping device are in a working arrangement and the compacting devices are at the first compacting position;

[0053] - Figure 3C is a schematic view of the compacting station of Figure 3, wherein the container holder and the clamping device are in a working arrangement and the compacting devices are at the second compacting position;

[0054] - Figure 3D is a schematic section view of the compacting station of Figure 3, wherein the compacting surface and the container holder are in a compressing arrangement.

[0055] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0056] The present invention relates to the compacting of bulk food products in container bodies for bulk food products. The description will refer to a compacting method and to a compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies and to a manufacturing method and to a manufacturing apparatus of pods. In the following, for the container bodies and for the pods reference is made respectively to cellulose-based container bodies and cellulose-based pods, or portion of the same, but other kind of container bodies and pods can be used according to the present invention. Therefore, the terms container bodies and cellulose based container bodies, as well as pods and cellulose-based pods, will be exchangeable used.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 50 pm, more preferably of about 38 pm and is preferably selected in the list of:

[0062] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0063] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0064] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0065] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0066] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0067] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0068] 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 100pm, more preferably at least 120pm. Moreover, the aforementioned cellulose-based layer 52 presents a grammage preferably of at least 20 g / m2, more preferably at most 150 g / m2, even more preferably comprised between 80 g / m2and 150 g / m2.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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’.

[0071] 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. Thus, the compacting station and the compacting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0072] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a compacting station 10 of bulk food products in container bodies 151 , preferably of cellulose-based container bodies, in a first embodiment according to the invention.

[0073] In the present invention, the term “bulk food product(s)” preferably refers to roast and ground coffee, coffee powder, soluble coffee et similia.

[0074] The compacting station 10 according to the first embodiment comprises a container holder 1 10 and a compacting assembly 210.

[0075] The container holder 1 10 defines a cavity portion 11 1 provided with a cavity base 1 1 T and configured to hold the container body 151 having a lateral wall 151 ” and a bottom wall 151 ”’. The cavity base 1 1 T is illustrated as concave shaped, so that it can best match with the shape of the bottom wall 151 ”’ of the container body 151 , but different shapes can be used. Thus, the bottom wall 151 ’” lies on the cavity base 11 1 ’ and a chamber 150’ of the same container body 151 is able to retain a predefined amount of the bulk food product. In particular, the arrangement of the container body 151 inside the container holder 110 is such that the chamber 150’ has the opening in a position which is opposite to the cavity base 1 1 T.

[0076] In the preferred embodiment, herewith illustrated, the container holder 110 further comprises a cavity edge portion 1 12 configured to hold the flange 151 ’ of the container body 151 , which can be not present in other embodiments (not shown). This allows to hold the flange 151 ’of the container body 151 against the container holder 1 10, while the cavity 1 11 can house the first and second compacting devices 21 1 , 212.

[0077] As illustrated, the cavity edge portion 1 12 is arranged to host the flange 151 ’ in an appropriate recess and the compacting assembly 210 is arranged to press and hold the same flange 151 ’ against the cavity edge portion 112. In the present embodiment, the cavity edge portion 1 12 has an annular geometry, which means and annular or ring shape, and defines the whole surface configured to be in contact with the flange 151 ’. The annular geometry allows to better copies the same shape of the flange 151 ’ for a container body 151 having a round shape. Nevertheless, different shapes and configurations for both the cavity edge portion and the compacting assembly can be used according to further embodiments, not shown. According to further embodiments, not shown, the geometry and the dimensions of the cavity edge portion can be different, i.e. it copies and matches with the geometry and dimensions of the container body to be used.

[0078] Consequently, in the present embodiment the same symmetric round shape is also used for the other elements of the compacting station 10, while according to further embodiments, not shown, different geometries and dimensions can be used to best fit with the container body in use. The compacting assembly 210 is arranged above the container holder 1 10, which is also above the container body 151 when it is positioned inside the container holder 110.

[0079] The compacting assembly 210 comprises a clamping device 215 designed to clamp at least partly the flange 15T of the container body 151 at the container holder 110. The clamping device 215 and the container holder 110 are able to move one relative to the other between a non-working arrangement and a working arrangement, and vice versa, as will be described in more details.

[0080] In the preferred embodiment herewith illustrated, the clamping device is defined by a sleeve 215 provided with a sleeve bottom end 215’ and with a sleeve hollow portion 215”. It defines substantially a hollow shaft having a circular cross-section, but different configurations and geometries can be used according to different embodiments (not shown).

[0081] The sleeve bottom end 215’ is designed to clamp at least partly the flange 15T of the container body 151 at the container holder 110, while the sleeve hollow portion 215” is designed to face at least partly the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 at the same container holder 110. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sleeve bottom end 215’ is designed to fully clamp the flange 15T of the container body 151 and also to at least partly cover the chamber 150’ of the same container body 151 at the container holder 1 10. In this way, the spread of bulk food product to the flange 15T is further minimized, being the latter covered during the compacting operations. Nevertheless, different shapes and configurations for the sleeve bottom end and the container holder can be used according to further embodiments (not shown), such as to cover the flange with the sleeve bottom end only partly, preferably to cover the portion of the flange toward the chamber of the container body.

[0082] Moreover, the compacting assembly 210 is provided with a first compacting device 211 , which define a first contacting surface 211 ’, and with a second compacting device 212, which define a second contacting surface 212’. In particular, the first compacting device 211 is designed to push the bulk food product from the lateral wall 151 ” toward a centre of the container body 151 and the second compacting device 212 is designed to tamp the bulk food product toward the bottom wall 15T” of the container body 151 , thus both facing the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 at the container holder 110.

[0083] The first compacting device 211 and the clamping device 215 are able to move one relative to the other. In particular, with reference to the first embodiment herewith illustrated, the first compacting device 212 is movable relative to the hollow portion 215”, i.e. the first compacting device 211 and the hollow portion 215” are relatively movable by the action of one of them the other been fixed, or both of them being movable. Preferably, this relative movement is defined at least partly inside the hollow portion 215”, this relative movement being defined by the displacing of the first compacting device 21 1 inside the hollow portion 215” for at least part of the stroke. The second compacting device 212 and the clamping device 215 are able to move one relative to the other. In particular, with reference to the first embodiment herewith illustrated, the second compacting device 212 is movable relative to the hollow portion 215” and to the first compacting device 21 1 , i.e. the second compacting device 212, the first compacting device 211 and the hollow portion 215” are relatively movable by the action of at least one of them at least one of the others been fixed, or all of them being movable. Preferably, this relative movement is defined by maintaining in a fixed position the second compacting device 212 and, consequently, operating the clamping device 215 and the first compacting device 211 to move relative to the fixed second compacting position 212. More preferably, the relative movement between the second compacting device 212 and the clamping device 215 is defined at least partly inside the hollow portion 215”, this relative movement being defined by the displacing of the hollow portion 215” maintaining fixed the second compacting device 212 for at least part of the stroke. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, for the relative movement between the second compacting device 212 and the first compacting device 211 , which is preferably defined at least partly inside the same first compacting device 211 , this relative movement being defined by the displacing of the first compacting device 21 1 maintaining fixed the second compacting device 212 for at least part of the stroke.

[0084] As it will be apparent from the following description, the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ are able to be arranged misaligned, to define two separate contacting surfaces, or on the contrary to be arranged aligned, to define a compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type. Anyway, both the surfaces 21 T, 212’, as well as the compacting surface 213’, are designed to enter the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 so as to be able to move, compact or compress the bulk food product in the chamber 150’. This means that, the design and dimension of both the surfaces 21 1 ’, 212’ are defined according to the container body 151 into which the bulk food product must be compacted, such as to fit within it in a way able to move, compact or compress the bulk food product without damaging the container body 151 itself.

[0085] In this regard, the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 are able to match each other, i.e. they (or the related contacting surface 21 1 ’, 212’) have shapes that are able to match at least in predefined positions, such as in the first compacting position and in the second compacting position.

[0086] The first contacting surface 21 1 ’ is provided with an inclined portion 21 1 ” with respect to the cavity base 11 1 ’, the inclined portion 21 1 ” being arranged at the periphery of the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ and designed to face the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 at the container holder 110. This inclined portion 21 1 ” is preferably defined by a downwardly curved surface, but different arrangement can be used. In particular, the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ according to the first embodiment is defined by said inclined portion 21 1 ” and an adjacent flat portion. The inclined portion 211 ” is arranged at the periphery of the first contacting surface 211 to be at least partly at (or facing) the lateral wall 151 ” when inside the container body 151 , while preferably the flat portion of the same is arranged to be at least partly at (or facing) the bottom wall 151 ’” of the container body 151 . In particular, with reference to the sleeve 215, the inclined portion 21 1 ” extends toward the inner wall of the sleeve 215, while the flat portion extends toward the centre of the same sleeve 215. Thus, taking into account the preferred embodiment herewith illustrated, wherein the sleeve 215 has a circular cross-section, the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ has an annular shape provided with the inclined portion 211 ” at the periphery of the same.

[0087] In the preferred embodiment, the first compacting device 211 is defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve 215. Thus, the tube bottom end defines the first contacting surface 211 ’, as well as the inclined portion 21 1 ” of the same. In this way, a reduced footprint of the compacting station 210 can be defined. In the same way, in the preferred embodiment herewith illustrated, the second compacting device 212 is also arranged inside the sleeve 215. In this way, a more reduced footprint of the compacting station 210 can be defined. Moreover, taking into account the first compacting device 211 defined by the aforementioned hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve 215, the second compacting device 212 can be arranged concentric to the first compacting device 21 1 , and to the sleeve 215 as well. Moreover, since the sleeve 215 has preferably a circular cross-section, the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 preferably have shape and dimensions to fit inside the same sleeve 215, i.e. substantially annular or circular shape and / or cross-section.

[0088] In use, the compacting assembly 210 is configured to compact the bulk food product in the chamber 150’, in particular while the container body 151 is retained by the container holder 1 10. This is obtained by the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212, respectively designed to push the bulk food product from the lateral wall 151 ” toward a centre of the container body 151 and to tamp the bulk food product toward the bottom wall 151 ’” of the same container body 151 .

[0089] In the preferred embodiment, the container holder 110 and the compacting assembly 210, in particular the clamping device 215, are able to move at least between the non-working arrangement, as illustrated in Figure 3A, to the working arrangement, as illustrated in Figure 3B-3D, and vice versa. In the non-working arrangement, the container holder 110 and the clamping device 215 are separated to each other, thus the container body 151 can be inserted in the container holder 110 while not firmly hold against it and the clamping device 215, in particular against the sleeve bottom end 215’. In the working arrangement, the container holder 1 10 and the clamping device 215 are at least partly in contact to define the compaction of the bulk food products in the container body 151 , thus the container body 151 can be inserted in the container holder 1 10 and firmly hold against it and the clamping device 215, in particular against the sleeve bottom end 215’. As illustrated, the latter position is defined by the contact between the sleeve bottom end 215’ and the cavity edge portion 112, but different arrangements are suitable according to different embodiment (not shown).

[0090] As already described, the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 are able to move one relative to the other at least between a first compacting position, as in Figure 3B, and a second compacting position, as in Figure 3C, and vice versa. In the first compacting position, the first contacting surface 211 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ are misaligned to define two separate contacting surfaces, the misalignment being preferably defined by a predefined separation distance between the two surfaces 21 1 ’, 212’. In the second compacting position, the first contacting surface 211 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ are aligned to define a compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type, wherein the separation distance is null. In the preferred embodiment, the relative movement is defined by the movement of the first compacting device 21 1 being the second compacting device 212 fixed.

[0091] Furthermore, a further arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3D, a compressing arrangement, wherein the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ are maintained aligned to define the compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type. In this regard, the compacting surface 213’ and the container body 110 are able to move one relative to the other from the second compacting position, as in Figure 3C, to the compressing arrangement of Figure 3D, to compress the bulk food product already compacted in the chamber 150’. The compression ratio of the bulk food product can be predefined and obtained by a predefined displacement at the compressing arrangement, i.e. a fixed position to be reached inside the chamber 150’, or by sensing the force opposed to the compacting assembly 210, i.e. a fixed force to be applied inside the chamber 150’. In the first embodiment, the compression arrangement is defined by the movement of the container holder 1 10, while maintaining the first compacting device 211 and the second compacting device 212 fixed in the second compacting position.

[0092] The action of the first and second compacting devices 21 1 , 212 Is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of the container body 151.

[0093] In the preferred embodiment, the first compacting device 211 and the second compacting device 212 are able to move one relative to the other between the first compacting position and the second compacting position when the container holder 1 10 and the compacting assembly 210, i.e. the clamping device 215, are in the working arrangement, as shown in the sequence of Figures 3B and 3C. In this way, the compacting positions are defined when the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 is well retained between the container holder 1 10 and the compacting assembly 210, as already described, thus avoiding the spread of bulk food product to the flange 151 ’. Moreover, as will be further detailed, the container holder 1 10 and the clamping device 215, i.e. the sleeve 215, are configured to move, at least partly, together with a at least a portion of the flange 151 ’ of the container body 151 in between at least when the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 are moved one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position, and eventually vice versa. This allows the container body 151 to be retained in the container holder 1 10.

[0094] The movements herewith described, from the non-working arrangement to the working arrangement, as well as from the first compacting position to the second compacting position and finally to the compressing arrangement, and vice versa, are defined with respect to longitudinal axis Y, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3D. The longitudinal axis Y is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 15T” of the container body 151. Thus, preferably, the container holder 110 and / or the sleeve 215 and / or the first compacting device 211 and / or the second compacting device 212 are moveable along said longitudinal axis Y, which is also substantially perpendicular to the cavity base 11 1 ’. Thus, the container body 110 can be moved or operated without risk of losing the bulk food product.

[0095] In the present embodiment, the second compacting device 212 is fixed, while the clamping device 215 (or sleeve), the container holder 1 10 and the first compacting device 21 1 are respectively able to move according to the directions of movement Y1 , Y2, Y3 as illustrated in Figure 3A. The directions of movement develop along the same longitudinal axis Y.

[0096] For sake of clarity, the non-working arrangement, the working arrangement, the first compacting position, the second compacting position and the compressing arrangement can be different than illustrated in Figures 3A-3D, while defining the effect described in the present invention.

[0097] The operations of the compacting station 10 will be now described in connection with a method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies 151 , which allows to define the objects of the present invention. The method of compacting and the operations of the compacting station 10 will be described in connection with a container body 151 already provided with bulk food product in the chamber 150’, but the same applies, mutatis mutandis, when the container body is provided without the bulk food product, as will be described in more details according to a different embodiment. Moreover, the method of compacting and the operations of the compacting station 10 will be described according to the compacting station 10 of the first preferred embodiment, but the same applies, mutatis mutandis, with compacting station according to different embodiments.

[0098] Figures 3A-3D illustrates the compacting process made by the compacting station 10 according to the first embodiment. The method of compacting comprises positioning a container body 151 inside the container holder 1 10. Figure 3A illustrates the schematic section view of the compacting station 10 with the container holder 1 10 provided with the container body 151. Thus, the container body 151 is inserted in the cavity portion 1 11 of the container holder such that its bottom wall 15T” lies on the cavity base 11 T. Consequently, the chamber 150’ of the same container body 151 is able to retain a predefined amount of the bulk food product, i.e. the container body 151 can be provided with the bulk food product before the arrangement in the container holder 110 or the bulk food product can be provided after the housing of the container body 151 in the same cavity portion 11 1. Moreover, the flange 15T of the container body 151 is arranged to rest on the cavity edge portion 112 of the container holder 1 10.

[0099] Thus, the arrangement of the container body 151 inside the container holder 1 10 is such that the chamber 150’ has the opening in a position which is opposite to the cavity base 11 T.

[0100] In a subsequent operation, the method comprises clamping at least a portion of the flange 151 ’ of the container body 151 by moving the container holder 110 and the clamping device 215, i.e. the sleeve 215, one relative to the other until the clamping device 215, in particular the sleeve bottom end 215’, clamps at least a portion of the flange 15T at the container holder 1 10. Figure 3B illustrates the schematic section view of the compacting station 10 at the end of relative movement between the container holder 1 10 and the sleeve 215. According to the present embodiment, the bottom sleeve end 215’ allows a full clamp of the flange 15T, but according to different embodiments (not shown) the same flange can be clamped only partly. The ideal reference line, illustrated by the arrows A in Figures 3A-3D, shows the relative movement with respect to a fixed plane defined by the reference line A itself.

[0101] Thus, as apparent by the comparison between Figure 3A and Figure 3B, the clamping is defined by the reciprocal movement of both the container holder 110 and the sleeve 215 toward each other. This reciprocal movement is defined according to the respective directions of movement Y1 , Y2, wherein the container holder 110 moves along Y1 in direction of the sleeve 215 while the latter moves along Y2 in direction of the container holder 1 10. The clamping stroke, defining the stroke from the non-working position to the working position, of the container holder 110 can be different to the clamping stroke of the clamping device (or sleeve) 215. According to further embodiments (not shown), the same clamping can be defined by operating only one between the container holder and the sleeve toward the other maintaining fixed respectively the position of the container holder or of the clamping device. A further embodiment (not shown) can encompass the (at least partly) movement of one part subject to the movement of the other, i.e. the sleeve can be partly moved by the action of the moving container holder after the contact, or vice versa.

[0102] When the clamping is completed, the clamping device 215, and in particular the sleeve bottom end 215’, clamps the flange 15T of the container body 151 at the container holder 110, while the sleeve hollow portion 215” faces the chamber 150’ of the container body 151. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sleeve bottom end 215’ is designed to fully clamp the flange 151 ’ of the container body 151 and also to at least partly cover the chamber 150’ of the same container body 151 at the container holder 110. In this way, the spread of bulk food product to the flange 151 ’ is further minimized, being the latter covered during the compacting operations. Nevertheless, different shapes and configurations for the sleeve bottom end and the container holder can be used according to further embodiments (not shown), such as to cover the flange only partly with the sleeve bottom end, preferably the portion of the flange toward the chamber of the container body.

[0103] Thus, the method according to the present invention comprises pushing of the bulk food product from the lateral wall 151 ” toward a centre of the container body 151 by moving the first compacting device 21 1 and the clamping device 215, preferably the hollow portion 215”, one relative to the other until the first contacting surface 211 ’ is at the lateral wall 151 ” of the container body 151 , so that the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 are in the first compacting position. This reciprocal movement is preferably defined according to the respective directions of movement Y1 , Y2, Y3, wherein the container holder 1 10 moves along Y1 in direction of the sleeve 215, thus actuating the sleeve 215 to move along Y2 in the same direction, while the first compacting device 211 moves along Y3 in the opposite direction. In this way, the first total stroke to define the first compacting position is substantially reduced. The first partial stroke of the container holder 1 10, and consequently of the sleeve 215, and the first partial stroke of the first compacting device 211 moving from the clamping position to the first compacting position can be different, wherein preferably the first partial stroke of the first compacting device 211 is greater the first partial stroke of the sleeve 215 (and of the container holder 110).

[0104] The first partial stroke of the container holder 1 10 is preferably comprised between 5mm and 20mm, more preferably between 10mm and 15mm. The first partial stroke of the first compacting device 21 1 is preferably comprised between 10mm and 20mm, preferably between 10mm and 15mm.

[0105] The force applied by the first contacting surface 21 T due to these first partial strokes is preferably between 1000N and 4500N.

[0106] This first compacting position is illustrated in the same Figure 3B, nevertheless the pushing can be operated at least partly during the clamping or after the clamping is completed.

[0107] The inclined portion 21 1 ” of the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ is arranged at the periphery of the first contacting surface 21 1 ’, to be at least partly at (or facing) the lateral wall 151 ” when inside the container body 151 , thus allowing the movement of the bulk food product from the same lateral wall 151 ” toward the centre of the container body 151. This will help the subsequent compacting of the bulk food product, by reducing the risk that some of the bulk food product reaches the flange 151 ’ in the course of the following process and defining a better arrangement of the bulk food product inside the container body 151 .

[0108] The first compacting position is thus defined by the relative movement of the first compacting device 211 with respect to the sleeve 215, the former sliding inside the latter, and with respect to the second compacting device 212 and by the relative movement of the same sleeve 215 with respect to the second compacting device 212, the latter being fixed as the showed by the alignment to the plane defined by the fixed plane defined by the reference line A.

[0109] Subsequently, the method according to the present invention comprises tamping the bulk food product toward the bottom wall 151 ’” of the container body 151 by moving the first compacting device 21 1 and the second compacting device 212 one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position, so that the first contacting surface 211 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ are aligned to define a compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type.

[0110] Figure 3C illustrates the second compacting position, wherein the compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type is defined inside the container body 151. In particular, while the second compacting device 212 can maintain the same position assumed for the first compacting position, the first compacting device 211 must be moved relative to the second compacting device 21 1 to close the gap between them. The second compacting position is thus defined by at least the relative movement of the first compacting device 211 with respect to the sleeve 215 and to the second compacting device 212, the former sliding inside the first compacting device 21 1 and, in turn, inside the sleeve 215. This reciprocal movement is preferably defined according to the respective directions of movement Y1 , Y2, Y3, wherein the container holder 1 10 moves along Y1 in direction of the second compacting device 212, thus actuating the sleeve 215 to move along Y2 in the same direction, and the first compacting device 21 1 moves along Y3 also in the direction of the second compacting device 212. In this way, the second total stroke to define the second compacting position is substantially reduced. The second partial stroke of the container holder 110, and consequently of the sleeve 215, and the second partial stroke of the first compacting device 21 1 moving from the first compacting position to the second compacting position can be different, wherein preferably the second partial stroke of the first compacting device 21 1 is greater the second partial stroke of the sleeve 215 (and of the container holder 110).

[0111] The second partial stroke of the container holder 110 is preferably comprised between 5mm and 15mm. The second partial stroke of the first compacting device 211 is preferably comprised between 5mm and 10mm.

[0112] The force applied by the compacting surface 213’ due to these second partial strokes is preferably between 2500N and 5000N.

[0113] Both the first compacting position and the second compacting position, as well as the compressing arrangement that will be described in the following, are defined with the first contacting surface 21 1 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ laying out of the sleeve 215 to enter the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 .

[0114] In the present embodiment and with reference to the ideal reference line defined by the arrows X, as show in Figure 3C, the movement between the first compacting position and the second compacting position is made either by the movement of the first compacting device 21 1 along the axis Y in the direction of the second contacting surface 212’ and by the movement of the container holder 1 10 in the contrary direction. This means that, the sleeve 215 is also moved by the action of the container holder 1 10. According to a different embodiment, not shown, the second compacting device may also be moved in the same direction of the container holder, to reduce the stroke of the first compacting device.

[0115] Furthermore, after the aforementioned tamping of the bulk food product, the method preferably comprises compressing the bulk food product toward the bottom wall 151 ’” of the container body 151 by moving the the compacting surface 213’ and the container body 110 one relative to the other in a compressing arrangement, thus maintaining the first contacting surface 211 ’ and the second contacting surface 212’ aligned in the compacting surface 213’ of a continuous type.

[0116] In this way, the bulk food product can be compressed inside the container body 151 with a predefined compression ratio according to the needs for the further extraction. This further compressing operation can be avoided according to different embodiments. In the first embodiment herewith described, this last compressing arrangement is defined by the movement of the container body 110 with respect to both the first compacting device 211 and the second compacting device 212 being the latter fixed. The movement of the container body 1 10 is preferably defined according to the respective directions of movement Y1 , wherein the movement of the container holder 1 10 along Y1 in direction of the compacting surface 213’ also actuates the sleeve 215 to move along Y2 in the same direction. Thus, the third total stroke is only defined by the third partial stroke of the container holder 110, and consequently of the sleeve 215.

[0117] The third partial stroke of the container holder 110 is preferably comprised between 1 mm and 5mm.

[0118] The force applied by the compacting surface 213’ due to this third partial stroke of the container holder 1 10 is preferably between 4500N and 5500N.

[0119] Finally, the method preferably comprises rotating the second contacting surface 212’ on the surface of the compacted bulk food material at the of the compressing. This avoids that part of the bulk food material sticks to this surface and that a dome of bulk food material is created at the bottom wall 151 ’” which would create a hole at the surface of the compacted coffee in the chamber 150’. To remove the container bodies 151 from the compacting station 10 a further relative movement between container holder 110 and the clamping device 215 is necessary to remove the pressure by moving them in the non-working arrangement, not illustrated and considered known for a person skilled in the art. Thus, the first and second compacting device 211 , 212 are arranged to lie in a resting position (not shown) which is outside the chamber 150’.

[0120] The above-described advantages are more evident in the embodiments where the plastic layer 51 is selected from one of the materials selected in the list of:

[0121] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0122] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0123] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0124] - a polyhydroxy alkenoate (PHA) layer,

[0125] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0126] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0127] The aforementioned compacting station 10 can be also part of a more complex apparatus (or machine) for manufacturing (cellulose-based) pods 150, not shown. 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 parts defining a chamber 150’ in at least one of the first and a second cellulose- based pod enclosing parts containing a bulk food product. Thus The container body 151 is defined by one of the pod enclosing parts. The manufacturing apparatus preferably comprises a forming station of at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts, a filling station to fill at least a bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts. The manufacturing apparatus further comprises the compacting station 10, as above described, to compact the bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts. Finally, the manufacturing apparatus comprises a sealing station to seal together the first and second cellulose-based pod enclosing parts (one of which can simply be a lid covering a container body).

[0128] As already described, the action of the first and second compacting devices 211 , 212 is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of the container body 151 .

[0129] The method of manufacturing (cellulose-based) pods 150 and the operations of the apparatus for manufacturing will be described with reference to the above-described forming station 10 and the method of compacting.

[0130] 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 parts defining a chamber 150’ in at least one of the first and a second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts containing a bulk food product. In particular, at least one of the first and second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts 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.

[0131] The method of manufacturing (cellulose-based) pods 150 comprises forming at least one of the first and second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts at the forming station. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the forming relates to the single cellulose- based container body 151. According to further embodiments, not shown, the forming may encompass the both the first and a second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts.

[0132] The manufacturing method further comprises filling at least a bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts at a filling station. Furthermore, the method according to the present invention comprises compacting the bulk food product in the chamber 150’ of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a compacting station 10, wherein at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts is a container body 151.

[0133] The compacting station 10 of the bulk food product is according to one of the embodiments herewith described.

[0134] Wrinkling and fractures (or cracking) of the container body 151 are major defects not desirable but to be faced. Wrinkling generally occurs in the lateral wall 151 ” or in the flange 15T of the container body 151. 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 later wall 151 ” and flange 15T of the container bodies 151 . 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 lateral wall 151 ” and in the flange 15T of the container bodies 151 .

[0135] The action of the first and second compacting devices 211 , 212 is able to better control the arrangement, as well as the compression, of the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body. In particular, it positive affects the quality of the distribution of the bulk food product inside the chamber 150’, without compromising the subsequent quality of the seal. Moreover, it helps to better manage and distribute the bulk food products in chambers of pods having different dimension, from small ones to very large ones.

[0136] Finally, the method of manufacturing comprises sealing together the first and second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts at a sealing station.

[0137] 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 and / or the container body 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.

[0138] 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 may be formed between two welded material surfaces relating to the plastic layers of each of the cellulose-based container body.

[0139] According to further embodiments, not shown, the compacting station comprises the first compacting device defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve. In particular, a tube hollow portion defines a metering opening of the bulk food product in the container body 151 . This compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies, preferably of cellulose- based container bodies, is similar to the compacting station 10 according to the first embodiment to which, mutatis mutandis, reference is made for all details, modifications and combinations of embodiments. In this further embodiment, the filling station and the compacting station are therefore combined in a single filling and compacting station with a more reduce footprint.

[0140] Preferably, the second compacting device comprises a metering screw arranged inside the tube hollow portion and provided with a closing head for closing the metering opening. In this way, a convenient design and operation of the filling and compacting station can be achieved. In particular, the closing head can be designed and shaped such as to define the second contacting surface, which is such as to have a surface defining the second contacting surface. As already described according to the first embodiment, the sleeve bottom end is designed to clamp at least partly the flange of the container body at the container holder, while the sleeve hollow portion is designed to face at least partly the chamber of the container body at the container holder. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sleeve bottom end is designed to fully clamp the flange of the container body and also to at least partly cover the chamber of the same container body at the container holder. In this way, the spread of bulk food product to the flange is further minimized, being the latter covered during the compacting operations. This effect is particularly relevant in this second embodiment when the bulk food product is dosed, thus the spread of the bulk food product to the flange is avoided.

[0141] The operations of the compacting station correspond to the ones already described for the compacting station 10 according to the present invention and to the corresponding method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies. Therefore, reference is made to the above description which will be further detailed only in connection with the filling operations, being the container body not already provided with the bulk food product in the chamber.

[0142] As already described, when the clamping is completed, the sleeve bottom end clamps the flange of the container body at the container holder, while the sleeve hollow portion faces the chamber of the container body. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sleeve bottom end is designed to fully clamp the flange of the container body and also to at least partly cover the chamber of the same container body at the container holder. In this way, the spread of bulk food product to the flange is further minimized, being the latter covered during the filling operation, as well as during the compacting operations.

[0143] In the second embodiment, the method further comprises, before pushing the bulk food product from the lateral wall opening a metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged outside the hollow portion. In particular, the closing head, if present, can be moved relative to the sleeve hollow portion from a closing position to an opening position, i.e. by moving the sleeve downwardly along the direction Y maintaining fixed the closing head (or the second compacting device).

[0144] Then, the method comprises metering the bulk food product in the chamber of the container body by activating the metering screw to dispense a measured quantity of the bulk food product. The sleeve covering the flange of the container body does not allows to spread the bulk food product over the same, thus protecting it for a better result during sealing.

[0145] Finally, the method further comprises closing the metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged inside the hollow portion. In particular, the closing head, if present, can be moved relative to the sleeve hollow portion from the opening position to the closing position, i.e. by moving the sleeve upwardly along the direction Y maintaining fixed the closing head (or the second compacting device).

[0146] Thus, the method according to the present invention comprises pushing of the bulk food product from the lateral wall toward a centre of the container body, then compacting the bulk food product and eventually compressing it, as already described for the method according to the first embodiment.

[0147] This allows to define the filling and the compacting of the bulk food product in the container body without moving it across different station, thus avoiding the spread of bulk food product to the flange. The aforementioned forming station can be also part of a more complex apparatus (or machine) for manufacturing pods, preferably of cellulose-based type, according to a second embodiment herewith not shown.

[0148] In particular, the (cellulose-based) pods can be 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 parts defining a chamber in at least one of the first and a second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts containing a bulk food product. The manufacturing apparatus preferably comprises a forming station of at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts. The manufacturing apparatus further comprises a filling station, to fill at least a bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts, and a compacting station, to compact the bulk food product in the chamber of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts, made in a single filling and compacting station as above described for the last described embodiment. In particular, the filling station and the compacting station are combined in a single filling and compacting station, to reduce the overall footprint of the apparatus, as well as to avoid the movement of the container body to spread the bulk food product in the wrinkles or to the flange of the same, thus reducing the risk of affecting the subsequent sealing. Finally, the manufacturing apparatus comprises a sealing station to seal together the first and second (cellulose-based) pod enclosing parts (one of which can simply be a lid covering a container body).

[0149] The method of manufacturing (cellulose-based) pods and the operations of the apparatus for manufacturing 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.

[0150] The present invention provides a compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies, preferably cellulose-based container bodies, and an apparatus for manufacturing pods, preferably cellulose-based pods, able to allow the proper compaction of the dosed bulk product without moving the container body to multiple stations, thus avoiding the spread of powder in wrinkles or flange that can affect the subsequent sealing. In particular, the compacting station according to the present invention positive affects the quality of the distribution of the bulk food product inside the chamber, without compromising the subsequent quality of the seal. Moreover, it helps to better manage and distribute the bulk food products in chambers of pods having different dimension, from small ones to very large ones.

[0151] Moreover, the present invention provides a compacting station of bulk food products in container bodies, preferably cellulose-based container bodies, and an apparatus for manufacturing pods, preferably cellulose-based pods, able to manage the compacting of the food bulk product without negatively affecting the appearance and the shape of the container body. List of references in the drawings:

[0152] 10 Compacting station

[0153] 110 Container holder

[0154] 111 Cavity portion

[0155] 111 ’ Cavity base

[0156] 112 Cavity edge portion

[0157] 210 Compacting assembly

[0158] 211 First compacting device

[0159] 211 ’ First contacting surface

[0160] 211 ” Inclined portion

[0161] 211 ’” Tube hollow portion

[0162] 212 Second compacting device

[0163] 212’ Second contacting surface

[0164] 213’ Compacting surface

[0165] 215 Clamping device; Sleeve

[0166] 215’ Sleeve bottom end

[0167] 215” Sleeve hollow portion

[0168] 50 Multilayer cellulose-based material

[0169] 51 Plastic layer

[0170] 52 Cellulose-based layer

[0171] 150 Pod

[0172] 150’ Chamber

[0173] 151 Container body

[0174] 151 ’ Flange

[0175] 151” Lateral wall

[0176] 151 ’” Bottom wall

[0177] 152 Lid

[0178] Y Longitudinal axis

[0179] Y1 Directions of movement

[0180] Y2 Directions of movement

[0181] Y3 Directions of movement

Claims

CLAIMS1. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) comprising:- a container holder (1 10), defining a cavity portion (1 11 ) provided with a cavity base (1 11 ’) and configured to hold the container body (151 ) having a lateral wall (151 ”) and a bottom wall (151 ”’), so that the bottom wall (151 ’”) lies on the cavity base (1 11 ’) and a chamber (150’) of the container body (151 ) is able to retain a predefined amount of the bulk food product, and- a compacting assembly (210), arranged above the container holder (1 10) and in use configured to compact the bulk food product in the chamber (150’), wherein the compacting assembly (210) comprises a clamping device (215) designed to clamp at least partly a flange (151 ’) of the container body (151 ) at the container holder (110), wherein the compacting assembly (210) further comprises a first compacting device (211 ) provided with a first contacting surface (211 ’) provided with an inclined portion (211 ”) with respect to the cavity base (11 1 ’) to push the bulk food product from the lateral wall (151 ”) toward a centre of the container body (151 ), the inclined portion (211 ”) being arranged at the periphery of the first contacting surface (21 1 ’) and designed to face the chamber (150’) of the container body (151 ) at the container holder (1 10), wherein the first compacting device (211 ) and the clamping device (215) are able to move one relative to the other, wherein the compacting assembly (210) further comprises a second compacting device (212) provided with a second contacting surface (212’) to tamp the bulk food product toward the bottom wall (151 ’”) of the container body (151 ), designed to face the chamber (150’) of the container body (151 ) at the container holder (110), wherein the second compacting device (212) and the clamping device (215) are able to move one relative to the other, and wherein the first compacting device (21 1 ) and the second compacting device (212) are able to move one relative to the other between a first compacting position, wherein the first contacting surface (21 1 ’) and the second contacting surface (212’) are misaligned to define two separate contacting surfaces, and a second compacting position, wherein the first contacting surface (21 1 ’) and the second contacting surface (212’) are aligned to define a compacting surface (213’) of a continuous type, and vice versa.

2. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the container holder (110) and the clamping device (215) are able to move one relative to the other between a non-working arrangement, wherein the container holder (1 10) and the clamping device (215) are separated to each other, toa working arrangement, wherein the container holder (110) and the clamping device (215) are at least partly in contact to define the compaction of the bulk food products in the container body (151 ), and vice versa, and wherein the first compacting device (21 1 ) and the second compacting device (212) are able to move one relative to the other between the first compacting position and the second compacting position when the container holder (110) and the clamping device (215) are in the working arrangement.

3. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container holder (1 10) and the clamping device (215) are configured to move, at least partly, together with at least a portion of the flange (151 ’) of the container body (151 ) in between when the first compacting device (211 ) and said second compacting device (212) are moved one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position.

4. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -3, wherein the container holder (110) further comprises a cavity edge portion (1 12) configured to hold the flange (151 ’) of the container body (151 ).

5. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -4, wherein said clamping device is defined by a sleeve (215) provided with a sleeve bottom end (215’) designed to clamp at least partly a flange (151 ’) of the container body (151 ) at the container holder (1 10) and with a sleeve hollow portion (215”) designed to face at least partly the chamber (150’) of the container body (151 ) at the container holder (110).

6. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 5, wherein the first compacting device (211 ) is defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve (215), wherein a tube bottom end defines the first contacting surface (211 ’)-7. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first compacting device (211 ) is defined by a hollow tube arranged inside the sleeve (215), wherein a tube hollow portion (21 1 ’”) defines a metering opening of the bulk food product in the container body (151 ).

8. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 7, wherein the second compacting device (212) comprises a metering screw arranged inside the tube hollow portion (211 ’”) and provided with a closing head for closing the metering opening, and wherein the closing head defines the second contacting surface (212’).

9. Compacting station (10) of bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to one of claims 1 -8, wherein the container holder (110) and / or the sleeve (215) and / orthe first compacting device (211 ) and / or the second compacting device (212) are moveable along a longitudinal axis (Y), which is substantially perpendicular to the cavity base (11 1 ’).

10. Apparatus for manufacturing pods (150) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, wherein the pod (150) comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts defining a chamber (150’) containing a bulk food product in at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts, the apparatus for manufacturing pods (150) comprising:- a forming station of at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts;- a filling station to fill at least a bulk food product in the chamber (150’) of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts;- a compacting station (10) to compact the bulk food product in the chamber (150’) of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts; and- a sealing station to seal together the first and second pod enclosing parts; wherein the compacting station (10) is according to one of claims 1 -9.1 1. Apparatus for manufacturing pods (150) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine according to claim 10, wherein the filling station and the compacting station (10) are combined in a single filling and compacting station, and wherein the filling and compacting station is defined by the compacting station (10) according to claim 9.

12. Method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) at a compacting station according to one of claims 1 -9, wherein the method comprises:- positioning a container body (151 ) inside the container holder (1 10);- clamping at least a portion of the flange (151 ’) of the container body (151 ) by moving the container holder (110) and the clamping device (215) one relative to the other until the clamping device (215) clamps at least a portion of the flange (151 ’) at the container holder (1 10);- pushing the bulk food product from the lateral wall (151 ”) toward a centre of the container body (151 ) by moving the first compacting device (21 1 ) and the clamping device (215) one relative to the other until the first contacting surface (21 1 ’) is at the lateral wall (151 ”) of the container body (151 ), so that the first compacting device (211 ) and the second compacting device (212) are in the first compacting position;- tamping the bulk food product toward the bottom wall (151 ’”) of the container body (151 ) by moving the first compacting device (211 ) and the second compacting device (212) one relative to the other from the first compacting position to the second compacting position, so that the first contacting surface (211 ’) and thesecond contacting surface (212’) are aligned to define a compacting surface (213’) of a continuous type.

13. Method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises, after the tamping of the bulk food product:- compressing the bulk food product toward the bottom wall (151 ’”) of the container body (151 ) by moving the compacting surface (213’) and the container holder (1 10) one relative to the other in a compressing arrangement.

14. Method of compacting bulk food products in container bodies (151 ) according to claim 12 or 13 at a compacting station according claim 8, wherein the method further comprises, before pushing the bulk food product from the lateral wall (151 ”):- opening a metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve (215) and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged outside the hollow portion (211 ”);- metering the bulk food product in the chamber (150’) of the container body (151 ) by rotating the metering screw to dispense a measured quantity of the bulk food product;- closing the metering opening of the bulk food product by moving the sleeve (215) and the metering screw one relative to the other until the closing head is arranged inside the hollow portion (21 1 ”).

15. Method of manufacturing pods (150) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, wherein the pod (150) comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts defining a chamber (150’) containing a bulk food product in at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts, the method of manufacturing pods (150) comprising:- forming at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a forming station;- filling at least a bulk food product in the chamber (150’) of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a filling station;- compacting the bulk food product in the chamber (150’) of one of the first and second pod enclosing parts at a compacting station; and- sealing together the first and second pod enclosing parts at a sealing station; wherein at least one of the first and second pod enclosing parts is a container body (151 ), and wherein the compacting station of the bulk food product is according to one of claims 1 -9.

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