UNIT AND METHOD FOR RETAINING AND MOVING AT LEAST ONE COMPONENT AND AT LEAST ONE CONTAINER AND PRODUCTION APPARATUS FOR ARTICLES CORRELATED THERETO

Abstract

A retention and movement unit of at least one component and at least one container is described. The unit has a moving retention member including, in turn, a frame and a first gripping device with a first retention element, the gripping device having a first configuration for selectively retaining the at least one component by the first retention element. In a first alternative, the first gripping device has a second configuration, different from the first configuration, for selectively retaining the at least one container. In the second alternative, the moving retention member further includes a second gripping device, including a second retention element, the second gripping device having a second configuration, different from the first configuration, for selectively retaining said at least one container.

Claims

1.-23. (canceled)

24. A retention and movement unit of at least one component and at least one container, comprising a moving retention member, the moving retention member comprising: (a) a frame, (b) a first gripping device secured to said frame, comprising a first retention element, the first gripping device having a first configuration for selectively retaining said at least one component by said first retention element, wherein either (c1) the first gripping device has a second configuration, different from said first configuration, for selectively retaining said at least one container, or (c2) said moving retention member further comprises a second gripping device secured to said frame, comprising a second retention element, the second gripping device having a second configuration, different from said first configuration, for selectively retaining said at least one container.

25. The retention and movement unit according to claim 24, wherein at least one of said first retention element and said second retention element operates at reduced pressure.

26. The retention and movement unit according to claim 24, wherein said first retention element operates at reduced pressure and said second retention element is a selectively actuatable pincer.

27. The retention and movement unit according to claim 26, wherein the selectively actuatable pincer comprises at least one movable claw configurable for being reversibly moved between a gripping configuration, in which each said at least one movable claw is at a minimum spacing from a further abutment element, and a release configuration, in which each said at least one movable claw is at a maximum spacing from said further abutment element.

28. The retention and movement unit according to claim 27, wherein said at least one movable claw is moved by rotation about a second horizontal rotation axis.

29. The retention and movement unit according to claim 27, wherein said at least one movable claw has a substantially laminar extent and comprises: a gripping edge facing said further abutment element, and at least one recess configured to define, in conjunction with said further abutment element, at least one seat for said container.

30. The retention and movement unit according to claim 28, wherein said pincer comprises a pair of movable claws cooperating with each other so that each acts as said further abutment element for the other, each movable claw being rotatable about an individual second horizontal rotation axis.

31. The retention and movement unit according to claim 30, wherein said movable claws of said pair of movable claws are each mounted on respective bases, not in a region of said second rotation axis, but instead with a predetermined spacing from said second rotation axis in such a manner that each movable claw is configured to perform a rotational movement along a curved trajectory.

32. The retention and movement unit according to claim 24, wherein said second retention element, when present, is vertically aligned with said first retention element.

33. The retention and movement unit according to claim 24, further comprising: a transporter, for moving said retention and movement unit along a closed loop processing trajectory.

34. The retention and movement unit according to claim 24, further comprising: a transporter, in which said moving member is received, said transporter being a rotary carousel.

35. The retention and movement unit according to claim 34, wherein a plurality of equipment items spaced apart with uniform angular spacing are received in said rotary carousel.

36. The retention and movement unit according to claim 35, wherein each of said plurality of equipment items comprises a plurality of seats arranged radially in alignment with said rotary carousel.

37. The retention and movement unit according to claim 34, wherein said first retention element and second retention element move with a continuous movement.

38. An article production apparatus comprising: the retention and movement unit according to claim 24, and a second unit operatively interacting with said retention and movement unit, configured to receive from said retention and movement unit, at a predetermined transfer zone of said retention and movement unit, at least one component and to transfer, at a predetermined reception zone (Zr) of said retention and movement unit, at least one container to said retention and movement unit.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transfer zone and said reception zone substantially coincide with each other.

40. The apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising: a third unit operatively connected to an outlet transfer line comprised in said retention and movement unit, said third unit being connected downstream of said reception zone (Zr) in accordance with said direction of movement of said retention and movement unit.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said third unit comprises a belt or a rotary carousel.

42. A method for retaining and moving a component and a container, comprising: (i) providing a retention and movement unit comprising a moving retention member, the moving retention member comprising: (a) a first gripping device, comprising a first retention element, the first gripping device having a first configuration for said at least one component, wherein either (b1) the first gripping device has a second configuration, different from said first configuration, for said at least one container, or (b2) said moving retention member further comprises a second gripping device, comprising a second retention element, the second gripping device having a second configuration, different from said first configuration, for said at least one container, and  (c) a transporter, wherein a transfer zone, a reception zone, and a release zone are defined, (ii) picking up said at least one component by said first gripping device, (iii) moving said retention and movement unit by said transporter to move said first gripping device in a region of said transfer zone, (iv) transferring to a second unit, operatively interacting, with said retention and movement unit, said at least one component by said first gripping device in said first configuration, (v) moving said retention and movement unit by said transporter to move said first gripping device or second gripping device at said reception zone, and receiving said at least one container in said first gripping device or in said second gripping device in said second configuration, (vi) moving said retention and movement unit by said transporter to move said first gripping device or second gripping device at said release zone, and (vii) releasing by said first gripping device or second gripping device said container at a third unit operatively interacting with said retention and movement unit at said release zone.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein said moving comprises transporting said retention and movement unit along a closed loop processing trajectory where said transfer zone, said reception zone and said release zone are defined.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein said transporter is a rotary carousel and said moving is performed by rotation of said rotary carousel about a rotation axis.

45. The method according to claim 42, wherein transfer of said at least one component and reception of said at least one container are performed substantially simultaneously.

46. The method according to claim 42, wherein said transfer to said third unit is carried out by an outlet transfer line positioned downstream with respect to said transfer zone in accordance with a direction of movement of said transporter.

Description

[0145] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment shown, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0146] FIGS. 1a and 1b are each a schematic perspective view of a retention and movement unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0147] FIG. 2 represents a schematic perspective view of a container used by the retention and movement unit of the present invention;

[0148] FIG. 3 represents a schematic perspective view of a component used by the retention and movement unit of the present invention;

[0149] FIG. 4 represents a schematic view from above of an article production apparatus according to the present invention.

[0150] With initial reference to FIG. 4, 800 denotes an article production apparatus which is provided to produce a finished container 10, ready for packaging or use.

[0151] The apparatus 800 preferably comprises a feeding station 801, a shaping station 802 of a filter, a sealing station 803 of the filter to the container 10, a filling station 804 of the container 10.

[0152] The example embodiment described below takes under consideration containers 10 in the form of capsules which are filled with a desired product to which a component 20 is applied.

[0153] In the specific case described herein, the containers 10 are capsule type elements for the preparation of beverages for infusion, in particular coffee capsules. More specifically, the filling product placed inside the capsule is coffee powder.

[0154] Preferably, said capsule 10 may be made of multilayer material, for example materials that are composed of layers of PP (PolyPropylene) and/or EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol) of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) or PS (PolyStyrene). Alternatively, the capsule can be made of multilayer material with at least one metal alloy layer, e.g. aluminium-based.

[0155] In addition, the applied component 20 is a polymeric lid.

[0156] Preferably, said lid 20 may be made of multilayer material, for example materials that are composed of layers of PP (PolyPropylene) and/or EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol) of PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) or PS (PolyStyrene).

[0157] Alternatively, the capsule can be made of multilayer material with at least one metal layer, e.g. aluminium-based.

[0158] Even more preferably, the lid 20 is a poly-coupled multilayer in which the layer in the centre comprises aluminium, the inner layer (coffee side) comprises a thermoplastic polymeric adhesive which is intended to melt and act as an adhesive when welding, the outer layer comprises a primer which is higher melting than the polymeric adhesive and is selected so as not to melt when the welder rests thereon and it is activated in the welding step, and also has the function of preserving the print made on the lid 20 (which is preferably made on the primer itself).

[0159] This polymeric lid comprises a coupling portion 25 which is effectively heat-sealable to the capsule 10.

[0160] In the present example and as depicted in FIGS. 2, the capsule 10 has a substantially upturned truncated conical shape presenting a base 11 of substantially flat and circular shape from which a lateral wall 12 is transversely projected.

[0161] This lateral wall 12 is inclined with respect to the vertical line having the smaller diameter thereof at the base 11 and the larger diameter thereof at an upper opening 13.

[0162] Again with reference to FIG. 2, it can be noted that the lateral wall 12 of the container 10 ends at the top with an edge 14a projecting radially outward the container 10 itself.

[0163] An abutment surface 14B is identified on this edge 14A and which is configured to realise a coupling zone with the couplable portion 25 of the lid 20.

[0164] Preferably and with reference to FIG. 3, the lid 20 is circular in shape and can be superimposed to the upper opening 13 of the capsule 10 and the couplable portion 25 of the lid 20 is an annular portion that can be superimposed to the abutment surface 14b.

[0165] In FIGS. 1a and 1b with 100, there is defined a retention and movement unit of the capsule 10 and of the lid 20, comprising a moving retention member 1 in turn comprising a frame 2 and a first gripping device 30, which is secured to said frame 2, comprising a first retention element 31 configured so as to be able to take up a first configuration C1 which is suitable for selectively retaining the at least one component 20 by means of the first retention element 31.

[0166] Still with reference to FIG. 1a the moving retention member 1 comprises a second gripping device 40, which is also secured to the frame 2, which comprises a second retention element 41 which is configured so as to be able to take up a second configuration C2 which is suitable for selectively retaining the at least one container 10.

[0167] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1a the first retaining element 31 is a suction cup 31a operating at reduced pressure. This suction cup 31a is fluid-dynamically connected to a reduced pressure system that operates at reduced pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure between −0.15 bar and −0.7 bar, more preferably around −0.3 bar.

[0168] The suction cup 31a is configured to be able to selectively retain the lid 20 during the desired process operations.

[0169] Again with reference to FIG. 1a, it can be noted that the first gripping device 30 comprises two first retaining elements 31, namely two suction cups 31a, 31b. In particular, said suction cups 31a, 31b are vertically oriented, i.e. their retaining surface 36 is substantially planar and has a vertical development. In addition, the two suction cups 31a, 31b are vertically aligned the one above the other.

[0170] It can also be noted that the two suction cups 31a, 31b are positioned with a predetermined spacing from each other.

[0171] Again with reference to FIG. 1a, it can be noted that the second retaining element 41 comprises a pair of movable claws 51, 52 of pincers each selectively rotatable about its individual second rotation axis Z1.

[0172] More specifically, each movable claw 51, 52 is rotated so as to move between a gripping configuration, in which it is at a minimum spacing from the other claw, and a release configuration, in which it is at a maximum spacing from the other claw. In this sense, therefore, each of the movable claws 51, 52 acts as a further abutment element 52b for the other claw.

[0173] It is advantageous to carry out this passage between the gripping configuration and the release configuration by rotating the movable claws 51, 52 in opposite directions to each other.

[0174] Each movable claw 51, 52 has substantially laminar extent and comprises a gripping edge 57, which faces a respective further gripping edge of the other movable claw 52, 51.

[0175] Each gripping edge 57 comprises at least one recess which is formed so as to define, in conjunction with said further gripping edge at least one seat 61.

[0176] Each movable claw 51, 52 is secured and substantially projecting horizontally from a respective base 53, 54 of cylindrical shape and vertical orientation.

[0177] These bases 53, 54 are secured by respective pins (not shown in the figures) to a central body 55 of said second gripping device 40.

[0178] The second rotation axis Z1 of the pins is oriented horizontally and thus allows each movable claw 51, 52 to rotate so as to move to and from said gripping configuration.

[0179] In this way, it is possible to be able to stably secure the capsule 10 to the moving retention member 1 when the movable claws 51, 52 are sufficiently close together and to be able to release the capsule 10 when the movable claws 51, 52 are sufficiently spaced apart.

[0180] In order to further efficiently produce such a configuration, the movable claws 51, 52 are each mounted on the respective bases 53, 54 not in the region of the second rotation axis Z1, instead with a predetermined spacing therefrom in such a manner that, when the movable claw is moved by means of rotation, this one carried out a curved movement other than zero. In other words, each movable claw is a rotating eccentric with respect to the respective second rotation axis Z1.

[0181] Each movable claw 51, 52 has a substantially laminar shape with one end opposite to the end connected to the respective base 53, 54 which end in a curved rounded shape.

[0182] Furthermore, each movable claw 51, 52 comprises two recesses in the shape of an arc of a semicircle which are formed in such a manner that, when the two movable claws 51, 52 are placed in the gripping configuration these two recesses form two seats 61, 62 that are suitable for stably receiving two capsules 10.

[0183] Such seats 61, 62 preferably have a substantially horizontal development when the two movable claws 51, 52 are in a gripping configuration.

[0184] Advantageously, the two housing seats 61, 62 thus realisable by means of the two movable claws 51,52 have a predetermined spacing between each other which is equivalent to the predetermined spacing between the two suction cups 31a, 31b. In other words, the centres of gravity of the two suction cups 31a, 31b have the same spacing as the centres of gravity of the two seats 61, 62.

[0185] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the first gripping device 30 is secured to the second gripping device 40 and they are vertically aligned with each other.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 1a, the first gripping device 30 comprises a first body 35 having a substantially parallelepipedal development in which a vertical recess 36 is realised which is formed so as to provide free space of movement of the two movable claws 51, 52 when they move away from each other.

[0187] The retention and movement unit 100 comprises a plurality of moving retention members 1 which are mounted according to a radial orientation of the carousel 200.

[0188] Such a retention and movement unit 100 comprises a plurality of moving retention members 1, preferably a multiple of two. Even more preferably a number of retention members equal to 32.

[0189] Three zones are defined on this rotary carousel 200: a transfer zone Zt, a reception zone Zr and a release zone Zri.

[0190] FIG. 4 shows possible positions with respect to the rotary carousel 200 of the aforesaid three zones of interest.

[0191] More specifically, the transfer zone Zt and the reception zone Zr are portions of space in which the retention and movement unit 100 releases two lids 20 and simultaneously takes two capsules 10 from the same second operatively interacting unit 100′.

[0192] The release zone Zri is a zone which is located downstream, by way of example this zone is located at about 120° downstream of said reception zone.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the rotary carousel 200 is divided into three sectors of about 120° each. In one, the lids 20 are transported without the caps 10, in another one, the finished caps 10 are transported with the associated lid 20 and in the third sector, the first and second gripping devices 30, 40 return to the initial positions.

[0194] In the release zone Zri, the capsule 10 is transferred by the retention and movement unit 100 to a third operatively interacting unit 100″.

[0195] The capsules 10 that are transferred from the retention and movement unit 100 to the third unit 100″ are the same capsules 10 that have been previously transferred to and processed by the second unit 100′.

[0196] The third unit 100″ is preferably a conveyor belt or a rotary carousel.

[0197] Again with reference to FIG. 1a, it can be noted that the first and second gripping devices 30, 40 are arranged along a line which projects outward the near profile of the rotary carousel 200.

[0198] In this way it is easier to carry out the various interacting operations with the second and third units 100′, 100″.

[0199] Thus, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the method for transferring the cap 20 to the second unit 100′ while receiving the capsule 10 also from the second unit 100′ comprises [0200] a. Providing the retention and movement unit 100 with the characteristics described above, [0201] b. Rotating the first gripping device 30 moving it to a functionally arranged lid feeder 20, [0202] c. Activate said first gripping device 30 and removing two lids 20 through it from a lid feeder 20, [0203] d. Rotating the retention and movement unit 100 so as to move said first gripping device 30 to the transfer zone Zt while keeping it activated, [0204] e. Deactivating said first gripping device 30 and transferring the two lids 20 to a second unit 100′ by means of the first gripping device 30 according to the first configuration C1, [0205] f. Moving said retention and movement unit 100 so as to move the second gripping device 40 to said reception zone Zr, [0206] g. Activating the second gripping device 40 and receiving therein two capsules 10 by means of the second configuration C2, [0207] h. Moving the retention and movement unit 100 while keeping the second gripping device 40 active so as to move it to the release zone Zri, [0208] i. Deactivating the second gripping device 40 by transferring the two capsules 10 to the third unit 100″, [0209] l. Rotating the retention and movement unit 100 by bringing the first gripping device 30 back to the component feeder 20, [0210] m. Starting over from point c.

[0211] In this sense, in the present embodiments described by way of example in detail, the first configuration C1 of the two suction cups 31a, 31b corresponds to their steric position which is configured so as to allow them to effectively reach and interact with both the lid feeder and the second unit 100′ without having to move further and selectively activating and deactivating the two suction cups as required. This ideally reduces the necessary relative movements of the suction cups.

[0212] The second configuration C2 of the movable claws 51, 52 corresponds to their steric position and to their possibility to rotate as eccentrics with respect to the respective bases 53, 54.

[0213] During the operations of step a. the retention and movement unit 100 has the two suction cups 31a, 31b in deactivated mode and thus disconnected from a lid 20.

[0214] During the operations of step b. the retention and movement unit 100 rotates by means of the rotary carousel 200 until the two suction cups 31a, 31b are brought into a position of interaction with the lid feeder 20. This feeder conveys the lids arranged according to the removal modes of the two suction cups 31a, 31b by means of suitable selectively activatable retention devices. In the example under consideration, according to vertical orientation.

[0215] In these steps the pincer 41 is not active, i.e. it is not securing any object.

[0216] Upon reaching the transfer zone Zt following the rotation of the rotary carousel 200, the two suction cups 31a, 31b are deactivated, thus creating the condition that allows the two lids 20 to be transferred to the second unit 100′.

[0217] Simultaneously, the second unit 100′ transports by means of moving members a plurality of capsules 10 which are positioned according to a spatial pattern that can be superimposed on the two seats 61, 62 defined by the two mobile claws 51,52 of the second gripping device 40.

[0218] At this point, the two movable claws 51, 52 rotate around their respective rotation axes Z1, pass to the gripping configuration and engage on the two capsules 10. The second unit 100′ deactivates the retention elements acting on the two capsules 10 so as to transfer them to the retention and movement unit 100 at the reception zone Zr.

[0219] At this point, the retention and movement unit 100 keeps the movable claws 51, 52 active while it continues to rotate moving towards the release zone of the two capsules 10.

[0220] Upon reaching the release zone Zri the two movable claws 51, 52 move into the release configuration and transfer the two capsules 10 to retention elements of the third which operatively interacting unit 100″.

[0221] Thanks to this technical solution, the Applicant has found that it is possible to process at least 1,500 capsules per minute.