阅读说明：本技术 用于包装胶囊的设备 (Apparatus for packaging capsules ) 是由 萨维诺·朱迪奇 于 2019-09-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于包装胶囊的设备,包括主框架(20),所述主框架(20)上定位有用于移动胶囊的系统(30),以使一个或多个胶囊(12)从入口(22)沿第一预定轴向(A-A)前进至出口(24)。所述设备包括多个操作站(200、201、203),所述多个操作站(200、201、203)用于将物质包装到多个胶囊(12)中,所述设备的特征在于,用于移动胶囊的系统(30)包括移动装置,所述移动装置包括：一对滑动轮廓件(36),其沿所述第一预定轴向(A-A)延伸并连接到所述主框架(20)；第一可移动框架(87、88、89),其可相对于所述第一预定轴向(A-A)沿横向移动；驱动件,其沿所述第一预定轴向(A-A)可滑动地安装于所述第一可移动框架(87、88、89)的可移动上梁(88)上,并且定位于所述一对滑动轮廓件(36)之间。所述第一可移动框架(87、88、89)包括多个驱动销(212),该多个驱动销(212)尤其适合于驱动容纳有所述一个或多个胶囊(12)的胶囊运输支撑件(100)。(An apparatus for packaging capsules comprises a main frame (20), on which main frame (20) a system (30) for moving capsules is positioned to advance one or more capsules (12) from an inlet (22) to an outlet (24) along a first predetermined axial direction (a-a). The apparatus comprising a plurality of operating stations (200, 201, 203), the plurality of operating stations (200, 201, 203) being for packaging a substance into a plurality of capsules (12), the apparatus being characterized in that the system (30) for moving capsules comprises moving means comprising: -a pair of sliding profiles (36) extending along said first predetermined axial direction (a-a) and connected to said main frame (20); a first movable frame (87, 88, 89) movable in a transverse direction with respect to said first predetermined axial direction (A-A); a drive member slidably mounted on a movable upper beam (88) of the first movable frame (87, 88, 89) along the first predetermined axial direction (A-A) and positioned between the pair of sliding profiles (36). The first movable frame (87, 88, 89) comprises a plurality of drive pins (212), the plurality of drive pins (212) being particularly suitable for driving a capsule transport support (100) containing the one or more capsules (12).)

1. An apparatus for packaging capsules, comprising a main frame (20), on which main frame (20) a system (30) for moving capsules is positioned to advance one or more capsules (12) from an inlet (22) to an outlet (24) along a first predetermined axial direction (a-a), said apparatus comprising a plurality of operating stations (200, 201, 203) for packaging a substance into a plurality of capsules (12), characterized in that said system (30) for moving capsules comprises moving means comprising:

-a pair of sliding profiles (36) extending along said first predetermined axial direction (A-A) and connected to said main frame (20),

-a first movable frame (87, 88, 89) movable transversely with respect to said first predetermined axial direction (A-A),

-a drive member slidably mounted on a movable upper beam (88) of the first movable frame (87, 88, 89) along the first predetermined axial direction (A-A) and positioned between the pair of sliding profiles (36),

-said first movable frame (87, 88, 89) comprises a plurality of driving pins (212), the plurality of driving pins (212) being particularly suitable for driving a capsule transport support (100) containing said one or more capsules (12).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the system (30) for moving capsules comprises a centering device comprising a lower centering assembly (53) and an upper centering assembly (37), the lower centering assembly (53) being connected to a second movable frame (57, 58, 59) movable in a transverse direction with respect to the first predetermined axial direction (a-a), the upper centering assembly (37) being connected to the sliding profile (36).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lower centering assembly comprises a plurality of centering pins (53), the plurality of centering pins (53) being connected to an upper centering beam (58) of the second movable frame (57, 58, 59), the centering pins (53) being particularly suitable for embedding a centering sleeve (116) of a capsule transport support (100).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upper centering assembly comprises a plurality of upper centering stations (37) connected to the sliding profile (36), the plurality of upper centering stations (37) being particularly suitable for abutting against a centering seat (114) of the capsule transport support (100).

5. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said second movable frame (57, 58, 59) of said centering means and said first movable frame (87, 88, 89) of said moving means are mounted in opposition on a main drive shaft (52) through respective cams (54, 84) and respective connecting rods (56, 86).

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (30) for moving the capsule comprises: an assembly (60) for loading a capsule transport support (100) positioned in proximity of the inlet (22) of the system (30) for moving capsules; an assembly for unloading a capsule transport support (100) positioned in proximity to the outlet (24) of the system for moving capsules (30); and means (64) for transferring the capsule transport support (100), which extend parallel to the sliding profile (36) along the same first predetermined axial direction (a-a) and are positioned between the assembly for loading (60) and the assembly for unloading (62).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the assembly for loading comprises a lifting machine (60), the assembly for unloading comprises a dropping machine (62), and the means for transferring the capsule transport support (100) comprise a conveyor belt (64).

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating stations (200, 201, 203) are selectively associated to the system (30) for moving capsules to enable adjustment of the configuration of the apparatus (10) for packaging.

9. Capsule transport support (100), particularly suitable for use in the apparatus for packaging capsules as defined by claims 1 to 8, the capsule transport support (100) comprising a body extending according to a second predetermined axial direction (B-B) and particularly suitable for being positioned on a pair of sliding profiles (36) of moving means of the apparatus for packaging capsules, characterized in that the capsule transport support (100) comprises: -a housing (102) of one or more capsules (12), the housing (102) of the one or more capsules (12) being distributed on the body along the axial direction (B-B); and a transport recess (117) provided at each end of the body and particularly suitable for engaging with a drive pin (212) of a movable frame (87, 88, 89) of a system (30) for moving capsules of the apparatus for packaging capsules.

10. Support according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of centering sleeves (116), said at least one pair of centering sleeves (116) being located at a transverse end (112) of said body along said second predetermined axial direction (B-B).

11. Support according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises an upper centring seat (114), the upper centring seat (114) being provided at each of said ends (112).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of automatic devices for packaging products in capsules, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a device for packaging capsules.

It should be noted that the term "capsule" refers herein to any container of any shape and made of any material, capable of containing therein a substance in solid or liquid form, granular or pasty, of food or non-food nature. The invention relates preferably, but not exclusively, to a capsule made of plastic material, shaped as a cup and defined by a side wall, a bottom wall and an opposite opening, particularly suitable for being closed by a cover engaging with the capsule itself.

It should further be noted that the term "packaging" refers herein to all operations necessary to provide physical protection to the substance, such as the operations of dispensing and weighing the substance inside the capsule, as well as the operations necessary to close said capsule.

Background

Known apparatuses for packaging products in containers generally comprise a conveyor in which the containers are conveyed through a series of operating stations. Conveyors are typically sized to convey containers having a particular size and dimension. In the cosmetics industry, the base of the container is less stable, the container being embedded on a support with a flat base to ensure the stability of the container on the conveyor. In this case, each support is also particularly suitable for supporting containers having a particular size and dimensions.

Many tests have shown that mounting the containers on the support considerably slows down the initial mounting operations of the machine, affecting its daily productivity. For example, in known installations, the support is fastened to the transport system by mechanical fixation and/or anchors, screws, hooks, or the like. In this way, each mounting operation forces the operator to disassemble and reassemble the support using suitable mechanical equipment, prolonging the machine mounting time.

Moreover, in the case of the production of containers with different sizes and dimensions, including the movement and packaging, the slowing is even more pronounced due to the severe constraints of the known systems.

Furthermore, known systems for packaging generally depend on the type of substance placed inside the container, so that the systems for filling containers with liquid substances are not compatible with those for filling containers with powdered or lyophilized substances.

Therefore, a need arises to obtain an extremely flexible system for packaging containers, which is able to manage easily and quickly containers of different sizes and dimensions filled with liquid, ground and/or lyophilized substances, without affecting the average productivity of the production unit.

One object of the present invention is to meet this need.

This object is achieved by the features of the invention described in independent claim 1. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

Disclosure of Invention

An aspect of the solution according to the invention provides an apparatus for packaging capsules, comprising a main frame on which a system for moving capsules is positioned to advance one or more capsules from an inlet to an outlet of the system for moving capsules along a first predetermined axis, characterized in that the system for moving capsules comprises moving means comprising:

-a pair of sliding profiles extending in the first predetermined axial direction and connected to the main frame,

-a first movable frame movable in a transverse direction with respect to said first predetermined axial direction,

a drive member slidably mounted on the movable upper beam of the first movable frame in the first predetermined axial direction and positioned between the pair of sliding profiles,

-said first movable frame comprises a plurality of driving pins particularly suitable for driving a capsule transport support containing said one or more capsules.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to translate the capsule in a predetermined direction at fixed steps and constant time intervals, allowing the operating station to pack the capsule accurately.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system for moving capsules comprises a centering device comprising a lower centering assembly connected to a second movable frame movable in a transversal direction with respect to the first predetermined axial direction and an upper centering assembly connected to the sliding profile.

Thanks to this solution, a high precision of the position and stability of the containers with respect to the operating station can be ensured, optimizing the step of packaging the capsules.

According to another aspect of the invention, the lower centering assembly comprises a plurality of centering pins connected to the upper centering beam of the second movable frame, said centering pins being particularly suitable for embedding the centering sleeves of the capsule transport support.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper centering assembly comprises a plurality of upper centering stations connected to the sliding profile, particularly suitable for abutting against the centering seats of the capsule transport support.

Thanks to this solution, the capsule transport support can be fastened and kept stable between the centring pin and the upper centring table.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second movable frame of the centering device and the first movable frame of the moving device are oppositely mounted on a main drive shaft by means of respective cams and respective connecting rods.

Thanks to this solution, the number of actuators in the system can be reduced, thus reducing its bulk and cost.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system for moving the capsule comprises: an assembly for loading a capsule transport support, positioned in proximity to the inlet of the system for moving capsules; an assembly for unloading a capsule transport support, positioned in proximity to the outlet of the system for moving capsules; and means for transferring the capsule transport support, which extend parallel to said sliding profiles along the same said first predetermined axial direction and are positioned between the assembly for loading and the assembly for unloading.

Thanks to this solution, the apparatus of the invention allows the capsule transport support to be recirculated within the movement system without intervention by the operator.

According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly for loading comprises a lift, the assembly for unloading comprises a drop machine, and the means for transferring the capsule transport support comprise a conveyor belt.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises an operating station selectively associated to the system for moving the capsules to enable adjustment of the configuration of the apparatus for packaging.

Thanks to this solution, the device for packaging can be quickly adjusted according to the intended use, transforming it from a device for packaging substances in powder form to a system for packaging liquid or pasty substances.

According to another aspect of the solution of the present invention, there is provided a capsule transport support particularly suitable for use in the apparatus for packaging capsules defined hereinabove, comprising a body extending according to a second predetermined axial direction and particularly suitable for being positioned on a pair of sliding profiles of moving means of said apparatus for packaging capsules, said capsule transport support being characterized in that it comprises: a housing of one or more capsules distributed over the body in the axial direction; and a transport recess provided at each end of the body and particularly suitable for engaging with a driving pin of a movable frame of a system for moving capsules of the device for packaging capsules.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to transport the capsule precisely within the movement system and to change the configuration and/or the size of the capsule simply by replacing the capsule transport support.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support comprises at least one pair of centering sleeves located at the transverse ends of the body in the second predetermined axial direction.

Thanks to this solution, more capsules can be packed without increasing the overall bulk of the device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the support comprises an upper centring seat provided at each of said ends.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to maintain the correct centering of the plurality of capsules with respect to the operating station and to allow the simultaneous packaging of a plurality of capsules.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus according to the invention without the operating station;

FIG. 2 is a view following section II-II of FIG. 3;

figure 3 is a plan view of the device of figure 1;

figure 4a is an isometric view of a guide disc according to the invention;

figure 4b is a plan view of the guide disc of figure 4 a;

figure 4c is a cross-sectional view of the guide disc of figure 4 a;

fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the walking beam moving device;

figure 6 is an enlarged view of detail VI of figure 5;

figure 7 is a plan view of the guide disc in its working position;

FIG. 8 is a view following section VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the centering device;

figure 10 is an isometric cross-section of the upper and lower centering assemblies of the guide disc;

figure 11 is a front view of the centering and fixing system of the machine for cutting and sealing the flexible closures of capsules according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view following section XII-XII in FIG. 11;

figure 13 is an isometric view of one of the embodiments of the invention, wherein the apparatus comprises a dispensing machine for solid or freeze-dried products and a cutting and closing machine;

figure 14 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention, in which the apparatus comprises a dispensing machine for liquid products and a cutting and closing machine.

Detailed Description

Referring to the figures, the apparatus 10 for packaging capsules of the present invention comprises a main frame 20, the main frame 20 extending according to a predetermined axial direction a-a, the main frame 20 having positioned thereon a system 30 for moving capsules.

The system for moving capsules 30 comprises an inlet 22 and an outlet 24 for the capsule to and from the system for moving capsules 30. The main frame 20 is supported by a plurality of feet 26 distributed along the aforesaid axial direction a-a.

At the capsule inlet 22, the main frame 20 comprises a loading area 32, at which loading area 32 an empty capsule 12 to be packaged is positioned. Naturally, the empty capsule 12 may be positioned in the loading area 32 according to any known system. For example, but not limiting of, a conveyor belt (not shown) may be provided, with a first end positioned in the loading area 32 and a second end positioned in the empty capsule bin.

The system 30 for moving capsules comprises a device 40 for loading capsules, fixed to the main frame 20 in proximity to the inlet 22, the device 40 being for example of the "pick-and-place" type. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the means 40 for loading capsules comprise an arm 42, to which a plurality of gripping members, for example a plurality of grippers 44, are connected at a first end of the arm 42. The arm 42 is connected at its opposite end to a movement system which, in use, is able to move the arm 42 from a first loading position, in which the grippers 44 are positioned near the loading area 32 and each gripper 44 picks up a container 12, to a second unloading position, in which the grippers 44 release said container 12.

The system 30 for moving capsules comprises a device 80 for unloading capsules, fixed to the frame 20 in proximity to the outlet 24, the device 80 being for example of the "pick-and-place" type. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the means 80 for unloading the capsules comprise an arm 82 to which a plurality of gripping members, for example a plurality of grippers 86, are connected at a first end of the arm 82. The arm 82 is connected at its opposite end to a movement system which, in use, is able to move the arm 82 from a first loading position, in which the grippers 86 are positioned near the unloading area 24 and each gripper 86 picks up a container 12, to a second unloading position, in which the grippers 86 release said container 12.

Naturally, with respect to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, there may be different embodiments of the means 40 for loading the capsules 12 and of the means 80 for unloading the capsules 12. Those skilled in the art will be able to find different means that can be inserted into the transport system 30 and pick up said capsules 12 from the transport system 30 without any inventive effort and therefore without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, but not limited to, the capsule 12 may be loaded onto the guide plate 100 manually or by an unloading system comprising a pneumatic cylinder or an electric shaft.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus for packaging comprises conveying means, for example a conveyor belt 34, particularly suitable for conveying the capsules towards a subsequent operating station.

The system 30 for moving the capsule comprises moving means capable of translating the capsule 12 from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the moving means are constituted by a conveyor (such as, but not limited to, a walking beam conveyor 50, 55) which allows to translate one or more capsules at constant time intervals and fixed steps.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the system 30 for moving capsules comprises a plurality of capsule transport supports, also known in the industry as "guide discs".

With particular reference to fig. 4a, 4B, 4c, the guide disc 100 according to the present invention comprises a body having a substantially parallelepiped shape, extending according to a predetermined axial direction B-B. The guide disc 100 comprises at least one or more housings 102, the housings 102 being distributed over the body in the axial direction B-B and being delimited by one or more inner walls 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are four housings 102 having a cylindrical shape, but naturally, a different number, size and shape of these housings 102 may be provided without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

The inner wall 104 of the housing 102 is shaped in a manner to accommodate a container 12 having side and bottom walls of similar shape. In this way, the container 12 housed within the housing 102 is held in place by the interference between its side walls and the inner wall 104 of the housing 102.

The guide disc 100 may preferably be made of a plastic material and each housing 102 comprises an upper peripheral edge 106, on which upper peripheral edge 106 a metal table 108 is applied, the metal table 108 being particularly suitable for contrast with hot surfaces, as will become more clear hereinafter.

Naturally, the guide plate 100 can be made of different materials and shapes, as long as it comprises at least one housing 102 as described above.

The lateral ends of the main body of the guide plate 100 include ends 112. An upper centring seat 114 is realised on the upper surface of the end 112, and a lower centring sleeve 116 is present on the lower part of the end 112, the upper and lower centring seats 114, 116 being particularly useful for checking the positioning of the capsule 12 in the steps of dispensing the substance inside the capsule, weighing the capsule, and sealing the cap on the capsule, as will become clearer below. The upper centering seat 114 preferably includes a pair of inclined surfaces 115.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the side walls of the guide plate 100 have one or more counter-bores in each of which is positioned a seat 113 made of rubber or other elastomer. The support 113 is fixed to the guide plate 100 by known mechanical blocking means. This feature is particularly advantageous for reducing noise of the guide plate 100 within the system 30 for moving capsules during use.

According to an additional feature of the invention, a transport recess 117 is provided at each end of the side walls of the guide plate 100.

With particular reference to fig. 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8, the movement system 30 includes a movement device, such as, but not limited to, a walking beam conveyor 50, 55. The moving means is particularly suitable for moving the guide plate 100 from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24.

The displacement means comprise a pair of sliding profiles 36, which sliding profiles 36 are connected to the main frame 20 and extend along said axial direction a-a from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24. In use, the guide disc 100, which is oriented transversely with respect to the axial direction a-a of the sliding profile 36, is positioned on the sliding profile 36 such that the two side portions 112 of the guide disc 100 are supported on said sliding profile 36.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movement system 30 includes a main drive shaft 52, the main drive shaft 52 being actuated by a known motor member 51.

The moving means further comprises a plurality of cams 84, the plurality of cams 84 being mounted on the main drive shaft 52. A link 86 is connected to each cam 84. Each link 86 is located on a first movable frame comprising, for example, a movable lower beam 87 and a movable upper beam 88, the movable lower beam 87 and the movable upper beam 88 being connected in a parallelogram manner by two vertical rods 89.

The moving means also comprise a drive or comb between the two sliding profiles 36. The comb includes a base 200, which base 200 is slidably mounted on the movable upper beam 88 of the first movable frame by a pair of skids 202. The base 200 is connected to an actuator 55 (for example a ball screw actuated by a motor 204), which actuator 55 is able to translate the base 200 on the skid 202 along said predetermined axial direction a-a and selectively in the opposite direction towards the inlet 22 or towards the outlet 24.

As shown in fig. 6, the driving member includes a pair of crosspieces 210, the pair of crosspieces 210 being transversely connected to the base 200 and extending along the same predetermined axial direction a-a of the main frame 20. Each crosspiece 210 comprises a plurality of drive pins 212 spaced from each other so that a guide disc 100 can be placed between each pair of consecutive drive pins 212 and the drive pins 212 can engage the transport recesses of the guide disc 100 to drive the guide disc 100 containing one or more capsules 12 along said predetermined axial direction a-a. The moving system 30 of the invention also comprises centering means particularly suitable for centering the guide disc 100 to the operating stations present in the apparatus, such as for example means for dispensing liquids/solids, weighing stations, means for cleaning after dispensing, sealing and cutting means.

The centering device includes a plurality of cams 54, the plurality of cams 54 being mounted on the drive shaft 52 of the moving device. A link 56 is connected to each cam 54. The connecting rods 56 are located on a second movable frame, for example a lower centering beam 57 and an upper centering beam 58, the lower centering beam 57 and the upper centering beam 58 being connected in a parallelogram manner by two vertical rods 59.

The centering device comprises a lower centering assembly and an upper centering assembly.

The lower centering assembly comprises a plurality of centering pins 53, which plurality of centering pins 53 is connected to each upper centering beam 58, which centering pins are particularly suitable for being embedded in the centering sleeves 116 of the guide disc 100. The upper centering assembly comprises a plurality of upper centering tables 37, which plurality of upper centering tables 37 is connected to the sliding profile 36 and positioned at the cam 54 of the centering device, which plurality of upper centering tables 37 is particularly suitable for abutting against the centering seats 114 of the guide disc 100.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the cam 84 of the moving device and the cam 54 of the centring device are mounted opposite on the main drive shaft 52, so that the vertical movements of the two movable members of the two devices cannot occur simultaneously.

In use, a first rotation of the main drive shaft 52 and of a predetermined amplitude of the cam 84 raises the crosspiece 210, engaging the drive pins 210 to the transport recesses 117 of the guide discs 100 positioned on the sliding profiles 36. The ball screw, actuated by the motor 204, then translates the crosspiece 210 from the initial position to the final position along the predetermined axial direction a-a towards the outlet 24, causing translation of the guide disc 100 towards the outlet 24.

A second rotation of the main drive shaft 52 and cam 84 of a predetermined amplitude lowers the ledge 210, disengaging the drive pins 210 from the transport recesses 117 of the guide discs. The ball screw, actuated by the motor 204, then translates the crosspiece 210 from the final position in the predetermined axial direction a-a towards the inlet 22, bringing the crosspiece 210 to its initial position.

By repeating the two steps described above, the guide plate 100 can be translated from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24 of the movement system 30.

Similarly, since the cam 54 is relatively mounted on the main drive shaft 52, a first rotation of a predetermined magnitude lowers the upper centering beam 58, moving the centering pin 53 away from the guide plate 100.

A second rotation of a predetermined amplitude of the main drive shaft 52 and of the cam 54 lifts the upper centering beam 58, allowing the centering pin 53 to be inserted into the centering sleeve 116 of the guide disc 100 and lift the guide disc 100, located at a certain operating station of the apparatus for packaging 10, with respect to the sliding profile 36. At the same time, the centring seat 114 of the guide disc 100 abuts against the upper centring table 37 of the sliding profile, to ensure correct centring of the guide disc 100 with respect to the station. This configuration also allows the guide plate 100 to be secured and stabilized between the centering pin 53 and the upper centering table 37.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 3, the moving system further includes an assembly for loading the guide plate 100 and an assembly for unloading the guide plate 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly for loading comprises a lifter 60, the lifter 60 being positioned at the inlet 22 of the capsule and having vertical toothed belts, and the assembly for unloading the guide plate 100 comprises a lander 62, the lander 62 being positioned at the outlet 24 of the capsule and having vertical toothed belts. The means for conveying the guide discs, such as the conveyor belt 64, extend parallel to the sliding profiles 36 and along the same axial direction of the moving means. The conveyor belt 64 is located below with respect to the sliding profile 36 and between the lower end of the lifter 60 and the lower end of the lander 62. The conveyor belt 64 is particularly suitable for moving the guide discs 100 from the outlet 24 to the inlet 22 of the moving system 30 along the same predetermined axial direction a-a, but in the opposite direction to the movement of the guide discs 100 along the sliding profiles 36.

According to this configuration, the lift 60, the sliding profile 36, the drop-off 62 and the conveyor belt 64 define a closed loop path along which the guide disc 100 moves. The guide plate 100 is filled with capsules 12 near the inlet 22, transported to the outlet 24 by the walking beam conveyor 50, conveyed along the conveyor 64 by the drop machine 62, conveyed toward the inlet 22 by the conveyor 64, and disposed in the loading position by the lift 60.

The assembly for loading the guide disk further includes a pusher 70, the pusher 70 being positioned near the upper end of the lift 60 and aligned with the sliding slide of the movement system 30. The assembly for unloading the guide plate includes a pusher 72, the pusher 72 being positioned near the lower end of the landing gear 62 and aligned with the conveyor 64. Both pushers 70, 72 include a push rod 74, the push rod 74 being actuated for horizontal translation by an actuator (e.g., a hydraulic piston or other known means).

The assembly for unloading the guide disc 100 may further comprise means 90 for rotating the capsule according to one of the embodiments of the invention. The rotating means 90 are positioned in proximity to the conveyor belt 34 and are particularly suitable for rotating, in use, the capsules 12 picked up by the arm 82 of the means 80 for unloading capsules, with respect to their axis. For example, the rotating means comprise a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, provided with a plurality of housings particularly suitable for containing capsules. The rod is connected to a rotor shaft coupled to the main frame 20.

Naturally, the person skilled in the art can easily find different embodiments of the known capsule rotating means 90 without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Similarly, embodiments of the invention may be provided without capsule rotation means.

In use, a plurality of capsules 12 are positioned in the loading area 32, the lifter 60 positioning the guide disc 100 at the sliding profile 36. The pusher 70 then advances the guide plate 100 onto the sliding profile 36, the means for loading capsules 40 pick up the capsules 12 by means of the arms 42 and the clamps 44, and place the capsules 12 in the housing 102. These phases are repeated in each step of the machine until the end of production.

As mentioned above, different embodiments of the loading means may be provided. Similarly, different steps of loading the capsules 12 within the guide disc 100 may be provided without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Due to the movement provided by the walking beam conveyor, i.e. the translation of the guide plate 100 at constant time intervals and at fixed steps, one or more operating stations can be associated along the movement path of the guide plate, which are able to fill the capsules with a substance, close the openings of the capsules with a film, seal and cut the film.

When the capsule 12 reaches the outlet 24, the means 80 for unloading capsules picks up the packaged capsule 12 by means of the arm 82 and the gripper 86 and places it on the capsule rotating means 90, which in turn rotates the rod about its longitudinal axis, placing the rotated capsule 12 on the conveyor 34.

The doffer 62 drops the empty guide tray 100 toward the conveyor 64, the pusher 72 pushes it onto the conveyor 64, and the conveyor 64 conveys the empty guide tray 100 toward the elevator 60 near the inlet 22. The lifter 60 lifts the empty guide tray 100 until it is brought to the sliding profile, so that the empty guide tray 100 is again pushed by the pusher 70 onto the system for moving capsules 30 and is then loaded with empty capsules 12 by the loading means 42 operating together with the gripper 44.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the system for moving and packaging capsules comprises a plurality of operating stations selectively associated to the system for moving capsules 30.

For example, the system may comprise at least one station 200 for sealing the cover over the opening of the capsule and subsequently cutting.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the stations are movable with respect to the system 30 for moving capsules, so as to be able to move them further or closer according to production needs and/or in the case of replacement. These stations are mounted on a mobile device, such as but not limited to a mechanical frame provided with wheels or rollers capable of supporting and moving said stations, preferably a carriage 310.

To allow the operator station to be correctly positioned and to ensure its selective fixing to the mobile system, the invention comprises a centering and fixing system as shown in figures 11 and 12 and described below.

The sealing and cutting station 200 includes a frame 210 to which a sealing and cutting machine 220 is secured to the frame 210.

The centering and fixing system 300 comprises a carriage 310 constituted by a base 320, on which carriage 310 a plurality of wheels 312 are fastened, the plurality of wheels 312 allowing the displacement of the system itself. The bracket 310 includes a vertical post 330 connected to the base 320.

A guide 332 is secured to the vertical column 330, and a slidable slide, such as a ball slide 334, is operatively connected to the guide 332. An actuator (e.g., a handwheel 336) is positioned at an upper end of the guide 332 and is connected to the ball slide 334 to allow the ball slide 334 to move along the guide 332 during use. A plate 337 is fixed to the slide 334, the plate 337 including a plurality of centering pins 338.

The centering and fixing system 300 further comprises a centering block 440, the centering block 440 being coupled to the slide 334 and fastened, in use, to the frame 20 of the apparatus 10. Centering block 440 includes a plurality of housings, such as tempered saddles 442, saddle 442 being particularly adapted to receive centering pin 338 of plate 337.

In use, the carriage 310 approaches the sealing and cutting station 200 and is aligned by coupling the centering pin 338 within the saddle 442. To facilitate alignment, the slider 334 is raised or lowered by the handwheel 336, thereby raising or lowering the plate 337.

The carriage 310 is then in the correct position with respect to the guide disc 100 positioned on the system 30 for moving the capsule.

It should be noted that although in the embodiment of fig. 11 and 12 a sealing and cutting station is shown by way of example, the centering and fixing system can also be applied to different types of operating stations.

In fig. 13 and 14, some embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example, in which the apparatus 10 for packaging capsules is associated with a dispenser 201 and a cutting and closing machine 200 for solid or freeze-dried products in fig. 13, and a dispenser 203 and a cutting and closing machine 200 for liquid products in fig. 14, respectively.

The system for moving capsules 30 further comprises a plurality of supports 311, the plurality of supports 311 being particularly suitable for selectively anchoring, in use, operating stations, such as the sealing and cutting device 200, and/or elements integral with the centering and fastening system 300.

The selective anchoring may be implemented, for example, but not limited to, by means of an electromagnet or any other known mechanical anchoring system.

All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. Similarly, the materials used, as well as their shapes and dimensions, may be of any type according to the technical requirements, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims.