Dosing station for a packaging machine and packaging machine for making infusion product pods

Abstract

A dosing station for a packaging machine for infusion product pods comprises a supply line (2) for supplying a granular or powdered infusion product provided with at least one receptacle (6) provided with at least one opening (6a), a conveyor (3) provided with a plurality of receiving seats (5) sized to receive a predefined amount (Q) of the infusion product, and a filling unit (4) configured to pick up the predefined amount (Q) of infusion product from the receptacle (6) and release it into at least one receiving seat (5) of the conveyor (3). A recovery unit (14) for the exceeding infusion product (EP) is provided having a first suction unit (15) associated with the transfer unit (4) and configured to suck the exceeding infusion product (EP).

Description

[0001] DOSING STATION FOR A PACKAGING MACHINE AND PACKAGING MACHINE FOR MAKING INFUSION PRODUCT PODS

[0002] The present invention relates to a dosing station for a packaging machine for making infusion product pods.

[0003] The present invention mainly applies to the food sector, more specifically to the technical field of making infusion product pods such as tea or coffee.

[0004] In the packaging of infusion products, particularly coffee pods or capsules, the problem related to product loss during the dosing steps, mainly due to the need to move granular or powdered material by means of mechanical and / or pneumatic devices with the risk of causing it to fall, has always been well known.

[0005] Over the years, this issue has been addressed mainly with the aim of obtaining greater machine “cleanliness”, thus reducing downtime and making the product more attractive to customers.

[0006] This, however, has mainly led to solutions aimed at facilitating and / or making waste of exceeding product more efficient, without actually leading to a reduction in losses or recovery of the product itself.

[0007] The object of the present invention is instead to make available a dosing station for a packaging machine for making infusion product pods capable of overcoming this problem more efficiently.

[0008] In particular, the object of the present invention is to make available a dosing station for a compact and efficient packaging machine for making infusion product pods, capable not only of recovering exceeding product but also, where appropriate, of recovering it for the purposes of reducing waste. Said objects are achieved by a dosing station for a packaging machine and a packaging machine for infusion product pods having the characteristics of one or more of the following claims.

[0009] Preferably, the dosing station comprises a supply line for a granular or powdered infusion product, a conveyor and a filling unit.

[0010] Preferably, the supply line is provided with at least one receptacle for containing said infusion product provided with at least one opening. Preferably, the conveyor is provided with a plurality of receiving seats sized to receive a predefined amount of said infusion product.

[0011] More preferably, the conveyor is configured to move said receiving seats along one movement direction through at least one filling position.

[0012] Preferably, the filling unit is configured to pick up said predefined amount of infusion product from the receptacle and to release said predefined amount of infusion product into at least one receiving seat of the conveyor placed at the filling position.

[0013] Preferably, the filling unit comprises a box-shaped body provided with an inlet port facing the opening of the receptacle and an outlet port facing the receiving seats placed at the filling position.

[0014] Preferably, the filling unit further comprises a movable conveying element within the box-shaped body and provided with a housing to convey the predefined amount of infusion product from the inlet port to the outlet port.

[0015] Preferably, the dosing station further comprises a recovery unit for an exceeding infusion product provided with a first suction unit associated with the box-shaped body and configured to suck the exceeding infusion product escaped from the housing.

[0016] Advantageously, the product that thereby disperses in the movement of the conveying element and falls back into the box-shaped body is recovered in situ, preventing powder from adversely affecting the movement of the machine members and allowing the product to be picked up in a condition where its organoleptic properties are still intact.

[0017] Preferably, the recovery unit further comprises a discharge station operationally placed downstream of the suction unit and configured to release the recovered exceeding infusion product along the supply line.

[0018] Advantageously, the efficiency of the machine is thereby increased, also bringing it into alignment with the increasingly stringent requirements of environmental sustainability through a significant reduction in waste. Preferably, the discharge station comprises a separator, preferably a cyclonic separator, configured to let a conveying fluid off and release the recovered exceeding infusion product along the supply line by gravity.

[0019] Advantageously, this allows to easily recover the product by simply dropping it and separating it from the conveying fluids (preferably nitrogen or carbon dioxide).

[0020] Preferably, the recovery unit comprises a second suction unit provided with a suction port placed along the movement direction and operationally interposed between the filling position and the welding station.

[0021] An object of the present invention is also a packaging machine for infusion product pods, preferably provided with all or part of the dosing station described above.

[0022] The machine further comprises a movement unit for moving a filtering material film configured to arrange at least a portion of said material at each receiving seat, with the concavity facing away from the respective receiving seat.

[0023] A welding station is operatively arranged downstream of the dosing station. These and other characteristics, together with their relative advantages, will become clearer from the following exemplary, and hence non-limiting, description of a preferred, and hence non-exclusive, embodiment of a dosing station for a packaging machine and a packaging machine for making infusion product pods having the characteristics shown in the attached drawings, wherein

[0024] - Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a dosing station for a packaging machine according to the present invention;

[0025] - Figures 2 to 5 show perspective, detailed and exploded views of a dosing station for a packaging machine according to the present invention, a preferred embodiment.

[0026] With reference to the attached figures, number 1 denotes a dosing station for a packaging machine for infusion product pods. The machine therefore applies to the production and manufacture of pods, of the type used for preparing drinks, mostly hot, by infusion or percolation. Generally speaking, the pod is an element consisting of a first concave portion and a second concave portion coupled together so that their respective concavities are opposite to each other and define a housing volume within which a predefined amount of an infusion product is placed.

[0027] It should be noted that the pods made with the packaging machine according to the present invention can be of various types and the infusion products contained therein can be the most varied, such as coffee (preferred), tea, herbal teas or the like.

[0028] In some embodiments, the machine and / or dosing station 1 can also be used for the production of infusion product capsules, similar to the pods but made of a rigid material with a gas-tight film-covered container.

[0029] The machine preferably comprises a dosing station 1 , a movement unit (not shown) for moving a filtering material film and a welding or sealing station (not shown) operatively arranged downstream of the dosing station 1 .

[0030] The dosing station 1 comprises a supply line 2 of a granular or powdered infusion product, a conveyor 3 and a filling unit 4.

[0031] The conveyor 3 is provided with (or is associated with) a plurality of receiving seats 5 sized to receive a predefined amount "Q" of said infusion product and is configured to move the receiving seats 5 along a movement direction "A" through at least one filling position.

[0032] The conveyor 3 is preferably defined by a chain or catenary conveyor provided with a plurality of conveying bodies 3a arranged in succession along the movement direction “A” and each provided with one or more receiving seats 5.

[0033] The conveying body 3a is preferably defined by an insert or block provided with a cavity defining a respective receiving seat 5 and, preferably, provided with a plurality of suction holes configured to retain the filtering material film. In use, in fact, the receiving seats 5 are preferably lined with a portion of filtering material placed and fed by the movement unit. In some embodiments, the filtering material film is continuous and has concave portions at the receiving seats 5, preferably obtained by means of associated (and not shown) vacuum generating means.

[0034] In other embodiments, the filtering material film is notched / drilled beforehand so that discrete portions (shown in Figure 1 ) are individually associated with one or more receiving seats 4.

[0035] Alternatively, in embodiments not shown herein but nevertheless within the spirit of the present invention, the conveyor may comprise similar receiving seats, but shaped to receive capsules instead of portions of filtering material.

[0036] The supply line 2 comprises at least one receptacle 6 for containing said infusion product.

[0037] The receptacle is provided with at least one opening 6a for releasing / dispensing the product.

[0038] Preferably, the presence of a supply unit 7 configured to supply the receptacle 6 with a flow of infusion product is further provided.

[0039] In this respect, the receptacle 6 preferably has a supply port 6b placed in connection with the supply unit 7.

[0040] Preferably, the receptacle 6 comprises a stirring member 6c configured to stir the infusion product and a dosing unit 6d configured to dispense the predefined amount "Q" of the infusion product from said opening 6a.

[0041] The stirring member 6c is preferably defined by a rotating blade.

[0042] The dosing unit 6d, on the other hand, comprises a tubular body (or bushing) aligned with the opening, protruding externally from it, and sized to receive the predefined amount “Q”.

[0043] A pressor element, slidably associated with said tubular body to push the infusion product into the tubular body itself through the opening 6a, is also provided.

[0044] The supply unit 7 preferably has a dispensing device 8, more preferably of the snail type, configured to pick up the infusion product from a storage hopper 9 conveying it to the receptacle 6. The hopper 9 is itself supplied by a filling duct 9a, but may also be a manually refillable or replaceable element.

[0045] It should be noted in this regard that, in the spirit of the present invention, any solution wherein the receptacle is the only container for storing the infusion product is also preferably included.

[0046] The filling unit 4 is preferably configured to release the predefined amount “Q” of infusion product into the receiving seats 5 made on or associated with the conveyor 3.

[0047] Preferably, the filling unit 4 is configured to pick up the predefined amount "Q" of infusion product from the receptacle 6 and release said predefined amount "Q" into at least one of the receiving seats 5 of the conveyor 3 placed in the filling position.

[0048] In other words, the filling unit 4 doses the predefined amount “Q”, conveying it from the receptacle 6 (through the opening 6a) to the receiving seat 5 of the conveyor 3.

[0049] Preferably, the filling unit 4 comprises a box-shaped body 10 provided with an inlet port 10a facing the opening 6a of the receptacle 6 and an outlet port 10b facing the receiving seats 5 placed in the filling position.

[0050] A conveying element 11 is movable inside the box-shaped body 10.

[0051] In greater detail, the box-shaped body 10 preferably has two horizontal plane bases 10c spaced apart from each other and defining a height of the box-shaped body 10 itself; preferably, the conveying element 11 is shaped to slidably move within the box-shaped body 10 between the two horizontal plane bases 10c, more preferably sized so as to minimise the size of an interstitial zone between the conveying element 11 and each horizontal plane base.

[0052] The conveying element 11 is preferably provided with a housing 12 designed to convey the predefined amount “Q” of the infusion product from the inlet port 10a to the outlet port 10b of the box-shaped body 10.

[0053] Preferably, the conveying element 11 comprises a plate 13 provided with a through eyelet 13a defining the housing sized to accommodate the predefined amount “Q”.

[0054] The plate 13 is preferably hinged to a box-shaped body 10 (or in any case to a frame of the dosing station 1 ) to rotate between a first angular position, wherein the eyelet 13a (thus the housing 12) is aligned with the inlet port 10a of the box-shaped body 10, and a second angular position, wherein the eyelet 13a (thus the housing 12) is aligned with the outlet port 10b of the box-shaped body 10.

[0055] The movement is preferably imparted by an actuator 22 (preferably a cylinder or a crank) connected to a portion of the plate 13 opposite the one containing the through eyelet 13a, with reference to a pivot axis.

[0056] Note that in the preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 2-5, the supply line 2 comprises at least two receptacles 6, both associated with the same transfer unit 4. In this embodiment, the conveying element 11 of the transfer unit is movable in an alternating sequence between a first receptacle 6’ and a second receptacle 6”.

[0057] More specifically, in this embodiment the first 6' and the second receptacle 6" are placed side by side, each provided with a respective opening 6a.

[0058] The box-shaped body 10 thus comprises a first 10a' and a second inlet port 10a” each associated with a respective opening 6a and an outlet port 10b, aligned with the receiving seats 5 in the filling position.

[0059] Preferably, with reference to the movement direction “A”, the outlet port 10b is interposed between the inlet ports 10a, more preferably equally distant from them.

[0060] Preferably, moreover, the plate 13 comprises a first 13a' and a second eyelet 13a” spaced from each other, preferably angularly spaced, so that:

[0061] - In the first angular position of the plate 13, the first eyelet 13a' is aligned with the first inlet port 10a” and the second eyelet 13a” is aligned with the outlet port 10b;

[0062] - In the second angular position of the plate 13, the first eyelet 13a' is aligned with the outlet port 10b and the second eyelet 13a” is aligned with the second inlet port 10a”. Advantageously, the machine productivity is thus increased without increasing stresses on the structure and / or requiring complex actuations. According to an aspect of the present invention, the dosing station 1 comprises a recovery unit 14 for the exceeding infusion product provided with a first suction unit 15 associated with the box-shaped body 10 and configured to suck the exceeding infusion product "EP" escaped from the housing 12.

[0063] Advantageously, this allows to minimise the amount of product that settles in the interstitial zones, promoting greater machine reliability.

[0064] Preferably, the first suction unit 15 comprises a first suction duct 16.

[0065] The first suction duct 16 extends between an inlet end 16a placed in fluid connection with an internal volume of the box-shaped body 10 and an outlet end 16b placed in direct or indirect connection with said supply line 2 to supply it with said recovered exceeding infusion product “EP”.

[0066] Advantageously, the exceeding product “EP” is not only removed from the interstitial zones, but is also recovered and reused, for the purposes of reducing waste.

[0067] Preferably, the first suction unit 15 comprises a first nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide suction device 17 placed along said first suction duct 16. In the preferred embodiment, the suction devices are nitrogen suction devices.

[0068] These suction devices are preferably pneumatic conveyors of a known type; in some embodiments the conveyor comprises a source of pressurised gas, preferably nitrogen, which is released into the first duct 16 and, by the Venturi effect, sucks in the product and draws it to the outlet end 16b.

[0069] Advantageously, the product is thereby conveyed by food-grade gas, which does not affect its organoleptic properties and makes recovery possible. Preferably, the first suction unit 15 comprises a plurality of first suction ducts 16 and a corresponding plurality of nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide suction devices 17.

[0070] In the preferred embodiment, at the box-shaped body 10, the first suction unit 15 comprises one or more timed ejector nozzles 23 configured to generate a fluid flow (preferably nitrogen) near the first suction ducts 16.

[0071] Advantageously, this avoids the clogging of heavy particles, while also providing kinetic energy to the fine dust and promoting expulsion thereof.

[0072] In the preferred embodiment, these timed ejector nozzles 23 are associated with a nitrogen pressurised tank.

[0073] Preferably, the timed ejector nozzles 23 are more than one, more preferably four, distributed along the box-shaped body 10.

[0074] More preferably, the box-shaped body 10 is provided with additional timed ejector nozzles 24 arranged on the opposite side of said timed ejector nozzles 23. In other words, the timed ejector nozzles 23 are arranged near the first suction ducts 16, while the additional timed ejector nozzles 24 are arranged at one side of the box-shaped body 10 opposite the side in fluid connection with the first suction ducts 16.

[0075] Preferably, moreover, the recovery unit 14 comprises a discharge station 18 operatively placed downstream of the first suction unit 15 and configured to release the recovered exceeding infusion product “EP” along the supply line 2.

[0076] Preferably, the discharge station 18 comprises a separator 18a, preferably a cyclonic separator, configured to let a conveying fluid off and release the recovered exceeding infusion product “EP” along the supply line 2 by gravity.

[0077] In the preferred embodiment, the outlet end 16b of the first duct 16 is connected to the (cyclonic) separator 18a so as to release the gas-product mixture along a tangential direction that facilitates the deceleration of the flow and the consequent fall of the recovered exceeding infusion product “EP”.

[0078] Preferably, the separator 18a has a release opening placed in connection with said hopper 9.

[0079] Preferably, thus, the hopper has at least two inlets (release opening and filling duct) and an outlet connected to the receptacle 6. Preferably, moreover, the recovery unit 14 comprises a second suction unit 19 provided with a suction port 20 placed along the movement direction "A", operatively downstream of the filling position, more preferably interposed between the filling position and the welding station.

[0080] Preferably, the suction port 20 of the second suction unit 19 is shaped to overlap with a respective receiving seat 5 of the conveyor 3.

[0081] This suction port 20 of the second suction unit 19 is configured to generate a suction action at a peripheral zone of said receiving seat 5.

[0082] Preferably, the suction port 20 is defined by a dome-shaped hood shaped so as be above a receiving seat 5 following the convex shape of the infusion product released in the dosing station 1 .

[0083] Advantageously, this makes it possible to clean the welding area (or edge) of the pod, thereby increasing product quality.

[0084] Preferably, the second suction unit 19 also comprises a second suction duct 21 extending between:

[0085] - an inlet end 21 a placed in fluid connection with said suction port 20 and

[0086] - an output end 21 b placed in direct or indirect connection with said supply line 2 to supply it with said recovered exceeding infusion product “EP”.

[0087] Preferably, the second suction unit 19 is structurally similar to the first suction unit and extends along the second suction duct 21 , wherein the outlet end 21 b is connected to the separator 18a in a way that is substantially parallel to the outlet end 16b of the first suction duct 16.

[0088] This second suction unit 19 therefore comprises a respective suction device or conveyor 17, preferably with nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

[0089] The invention achieves its intended purposes and obtains important advantages.

[0090] In fact, the provision of a packaging machine and dosing station capable of recovering the dispersed powders and putting them back into circulation without compromising their organoleptic properties makes it possible to increase the reliability of the machine and, moreover, optimise the use of the infusion product, reducing waste.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Dosing station for a packaging machine for infusion product pods, comprising:- a supply line (2) for supplying a granular or powdered infusion product provided with at least one receptacle (6) for containing said infusion product provided with at least one opening (6a);- a conveyor (3) provided with a plurality of receiving seats (5) sized to receive a predefined amount (Q) of said infusion product; said conveyor (3) being configured to move said receiving seats (5) along a movement direction (A) through at least one filling position;- a filling unit (4) configured to: pick up said predefined amount (Q) of infusion product from the receptacle (6); release said predefined amount (Q) of the infusion product into at least one receiving seat (5) of the conveyor (3) located in the filling position; wherein the filling unit (4) comprises: a box-shaped body (10) provided with an inlet port (10a) facing the opening (6a) of the receptacle (6) and an outlet port (10b) facing the receiving seats (5) located in the filling position; a conveying element (11 ) movable inside the box-shaped body (10) and provided with a housing (12) designed to convey the predetermined amount (Q) of the infusion product from the inlet port (10a) to the outlet port (10b); characterised in that it comprises a recovery unit (14) for the exceeding infusion product (EP) provided with a first suction unit (15) associated with the box-shaped body (10) and configured to suck the exceeding infusion product (EP) escaped from the housing (12).

2. Dosing station according to claim 1 , wherein the first suction unit (15) comprises a first suction duct (16) extending between:- an inlet end (16a) placed in fluid connection with an inner volume of the box-shaped body (10) and- an outlet end (16b) placed in direct or indirect connection with said supply line (2) to supply it with said recovered exceeding infusion product (EP).

3. Dosing station according to claim 2, wherein the first suction unit (15) comprises a first nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide suction device (17) located along said first suction duct (16).

4. Dosing station according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first suction unit (15) comprises a plurality of first suction ducts (16) and a corresponding plurality of nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide suction devices (17).

5. Dosing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery unit (14) comprises a discharge station (18) operatively placed downstream of the first suction unit (15) and configured to release the recovered exceeding infusion product (EP) along the supply line (2).

6. Dosing station according to claim 5, wherein the discharge station (18) comprises a separator (18a), preferably a cyclonic separator, configured to let a conveying fluid off and release the recovered exceeding infusion product (EP) along the feed line (2) by gravity.

7. Dosing station according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the supply line (2) comprises a hopper (9) operatively placed upstream of the receptacle (6) and connected to said recovery unit (14).

8. Dosing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (6) comprises a stirring member (6c) configured to stir the infusion product and a dosing unit (6d) configured to dispense the predefined amount (Q) of the infusion product from said opening (6).

9. Dosing station according to claim 8, wherein the dosing unit (6d) comprises a tubular body arranged coaxially to the opening (6a) and a pressor element slidably associated with said tubular body to push the infusion product into the tubular body.

10. Dosing station according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two receptacles (6), both associated with the same transfer unit (4), wherein said conveying element (11 ) is movable in an alternating sequence between a first receptacle (6') and a second receptacle (6").11 . Dosing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery unit (14) comprises a second suction unit (19) provided with a suction port (20) located along the movement direction (A) and operationally located downstream of the filling position.

12. Dosing station according to claim 11 , wherein said suction port (20) of the second suction unit (19) is shaped to overlap with a respective receiving seat (5) and configured to generate a suction action at a peripheral area of said receiving seat (5).

13. Dosing station according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the second suction unit (19) comprises a second suction duct (21 ) extending between:- an inlet end (21a) placed in fluid connection with said inlet port (20) and- an outlet end (21 b) placed in direct or indirect connection with said supply line (2) to supply it with said recovered exceeding infusion product (EP).

14. Packaging machine for infusion product pods, comprising:- a dosing station (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims;- a movement unit for moving a filtering material film configured to arrange at least a portion of said material at each receiving seat (5), with theconcavity facing away from the respective receiving seat (5);- a welding station operationally arranged downstream of the dosing station (1 )- 15. Packaging machine according to claims 12 and 14, wherein the suction port (20) of the second suction unit (19) is located between the filling position and the welding station.

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