Unit for filling containing elements of single-use capsules for extraction or infusion beverages

1. A filling unit for filling containing elements ( 2 ) of single-use capsules ( 3 ) with a dose ( 33 ) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising:

a line ( 4 ) for transporting the containing elements ( 2 ) extending along a first movement path (P) and provided with a plurality of supporting seats ( 5 ) for the containing elements ( 2 ) arranged in succession along the first movement path (P);

a station (SR) for filling the above-mentioned containing elements ( 2 ) with a dose ( 33 ) of product;

characterised in that the filling station (SR) comprises:

at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) designed to receive a dose ( 33 ) of product and movable along a second movement path (P 1 );

a substation (ST 1 ) for forming the dose ( 33 ) within the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) arranged at a region (R 1 ) for forming the dose and provided with a release device ( 6 ) for releasing within the at least one first containing seat ( 51 ) a predetermined quantity of product which defines the dose ( 33 ), the release device ( 6 ) comprising a hopper ( 38 ) and at least one first rotating element ( 40 a) configured for rotating about a respective axis of rotation (X 4 ) stationary with respect to the hopper ( 38 ), to create a feeding flow of product that intercepts the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) and to release the product within the at least one first containing seat (S 1 );

at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) designed to receive the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one first containing seat ( 51 ) and movable along a third movement path (P 2 );

a substation (ST 2 ) for transferring the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) to the at least one second containing seat (S 2 );

devices ( 7 ) for moving the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) between the forming substation (ST 1 ) and the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and between the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and the forming substation (ST 1 );

a substation (ST 3 ) for releasing the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) to a containing element ( 2 ) transported by the transport line ( 4 );

further moving devices ( 8 ) for moving the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) between the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and the release substation (ST 3 ) and between the release substation (ST 3 ) and the transfer substation (ST 2 );

wherein the further devices ( 8 ) for moving the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) comprise a second rotary element ( 10 ) rotating about a second axis (X 2 ) of rotation which is substantially vertical, on which is connected the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) to be rotated about the second axis (X 2 ) of rotation, and wherein the second containing seats (S 2 ) are connected to the second rotary element ( 10 ) so as to be movable at least radially relative to the second rotary element ( 10 ).

2. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one first rotating element ( 40 a ) comprises an element ( 41 a ) having a helicoidal profile with a first end and a second end, the feeding flow of product going from the second to the first end, and the product being released inside the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) at the first end.

3. The filling unit according to claim 2 , wherein the first end of the element ( 41 a ) having a helicoidal profile is arranged at an entry zone of the dose forming region (R 1 ).

4. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation (X 4 ) of the at least one first rotating element ( 40 a ) is horizontal.

5. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the release device ( 6 ) further comprises a second rotating element ( 40 b ) configured for rotating about a respective further axis of rotation (X 5 ) stationary with respect to the hopper ( 38 ), to create a recycle flow of product.

6. The filling unit according to claim 5 , wherein the second rotating element ( 40 b ) is provided with a respective element ( 41 b ) having a helicoidal profile with a first end and a second end, configured for pushing the product, along a direction defined by the further axis of rotation (X 5 ), from an exit zone of the dose forming region (R 1 ), at which the first end is positioned at an internal zone of the same dose forming region (R 1 ).

7. The filling unit according to claim 5 , wherein the second rotating element ( 40 b ) is positioned above the first rotating element ( 40 a ).

8. The filling unit according to claim 5 , wherein the axis of rotation (X 4 ) of the first rotating element ( 40 a ) and the further axis of rotation (X 5 ) of the second rotating element ( 40 b ) are horizontal.

9. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first movement path (P) is a closed path lying on a horizontal plane.

10. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the devices ( 7 ) for moving the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) comprise a first element ( 9 ) rotating about a first axis (X 1 ) of rotation which is substantially vertical, on which is connected the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) to be rotated about the first axis (X 1 ) of rotation.

11. The filling unit according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one pushing element ( 26 ), which is movable for pushing, from the top downwards, the dose ( 33 ) from the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) to a corresponding containing element ( 2 ) at the release substation (ST 3 ) of the dose.

12. The filling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the release device ( 6 ) comprises at least one rotating element ( 40 a , 40 b ) and a casing ( 66 ) which defines a chamber for containing the product, the at least one rotating element ( 40 a , 40 b ) comprising a shaft ( 67 ) housed inside the casing ( 66 ) and configured to rotate about a respective axis of rotation (X 4 ; X 5 ) and movable along the respective axis of rotation (X 4 ; X 5 ) relative to the casing ( 66 ).

13. The filling unit according to claim 12 , further comprising elastic means ( 60 ) acting on the rotating element ( 40 a ; 40 b ) and on the casing ( 66 ) and configured for applying a return force on the rotating element ( 40 a ; 40 b ), directed mainly along the respective axis of rotation (X 4 ; X 5 ), as a result of a movement of the rotating element ( 40 a ; 40 b ) relative to the casing ( 66 ).

14. A packaging machine ( 100 ) designed to package single-use capsules ( 3 ) for extraction or infusion beverages comprising a filling unit ( 1 ) according to claim 1 ; a station (SA) for feeding containing elements ( 2 ) of the single-use capsules ( 3 ) in corresponding supporting seats ( 5 ) of a transport line ( 4 ) of the filling unit ( 1 ); a station (SC) for closing the containing element ( 2 ) with a lid ( 34 ); and an outfeed station (SU) which picks up the capsules ( 3 ) from the supporting seats ( 5 ) of the transport line ( 4 ).

15. A filling unit for filling containing elements ( 2 ) of single-use capsules ( 3 ) with a dose ( 33 ) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising:

a line ( 4 ) for transporting the containing elements ( 2 ) extending along a first movement path (P) and provided with a plurality of supporting seats ( 5 ) for the containing elements ( 2 ) arranged in succession along the first movement path (P);

a station (SR) for filling the above-mentioned containing elements ( 2 ) with a dose ( 33 ) of product;

characterised in that the filling station (SR) comprises:

at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) designed to receive a dose ( 33 ) of product and movable along a second movement path (P 1 );

a substation (ST 1 ) for forming the dose ( 33 ) within the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) arranged at a region (R 1 ) for forming the dose and provided with a release device ( 6 ) for releasing within the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) a predetermined quantity of product which defines the dose ( 33 ), the release device ( 6 ) comprising a hopper ( 38 ) and at least one first rotating element ( 40 a ) configured for rotating about a respective axis of rotation (X 4 ) stationary with respect to the hopper ( 38 ), to create a feeding flow of product that intercepts the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) and to release the product within the at least one first containing seat (S 1 );

at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) designed to receive the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) and movable along a third movement path (P 2 );

a substation (ST 2 ) for transferring the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) to the at least one second containing seat (S 2 );

devices ( 7 ) for moving the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) between the forming substation (ST 1 ) and the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and between the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and the forming substation (ST 1 );

a substation (ST 3 ) for releasing the dose ( 33 ) of product from the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) to a containing element ( 2 ) transported by the transport line ( 4 );

further moving devices ( 8 ) for moving the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ) between the transfer substation (ST 2 ) and the release substation (ST 3 ) and between the release substation (ST 3 ) and the transfer substation (ST 2 );

wherein the at least one first containing seat ( 51 ) is defined by lateral walls of a cavity ( 18 ) and by a bottom wall (F), the filling unit comprising, for each first containing seat (S 1 ):

a piston ( 13 ) movable between a lower position where it defines the bottom wall (F) of the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) and an upper position where it closes the top of the cavity ( 18 );

means ( 14 ) for moving the piston ( 13 ), for moving the piston ( 13 ) between the lower and upper positions.

16. The filling unit according to claim 15 , wherein the moving means ( 14 ) for moving the piston ( 13 ) are designed to move the piston ( 13 ) from the upper position to the lower position at an entry zone of the dose forming region (R 1 ), and to position the piston ( 13 ) in a dosing position, arranged between the lower position and the upper position, at an exit zone of the dose forming region (R 1 ), to define the dose ( 33 ) in cooperation with a scraper element ( 22 ) of the release device ( 6 ).

17. The filling unit according to claim 15 , comprising a checking and control unit ( 15 ), connected to the means ( 14 ) for moving the piston ( 13 ) and configured for moving the piston ( 13 ) to the upper position at the dose transfer substation (ST 2 ), so as to transfer the dose ( 33 ) from the at least one first containing seat (S 1 ) to the at least one second containing seat (S 2 ).