# US 10,246,204 B2 · Beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules

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- Number: US 10,246,204 B2
- Document ID: US10246204B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/372,012
- Filed: 2013-02-04
- Published: 2014-12-04
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2012-02-15
- Assignees: Gima S.P.A.
- Applicants: Ima Industries S.R.L.
- Inventors: Dario Rea
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246204B2

## CPC

- B65B 29/02: Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
- B65B 1/46: Check-weighing of filled containers or receptacles
- B65B 7/164: {Securing by heat-sealing}
- B65B 29/022: {packaging infusion material into capsules}
- B65B 43/52: using roller-ways or endless conveyors
- B65B 55/24: Cleaning of, or removing dust from, containers, wrappers, or packaging {; Preventing of fouling}
- B65B 65/003: {Packaging lines, e.g. general layout}
- B65D 51/002: {Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means}
- B65D 85/8046: {Pods, i.e. closed containers made only of filter paper or similar material}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules (1) for infusion beverages such as coffee, milk, chocolate, tea or combinations of these ingredients, comprises: a transport element (8) for transporting rigid containers (2) and being dosed in a loop around movement means (9), with a vertical axis (Z9), for continuously moving the transport element (8); the element (8) being configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the rigid containers (2) and arranged in succession, each having a respective vertical axis (Z10); a plurality of stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating continuously in phase with the transport element (8) and comprising at least: a feeding station (11) for feeding the rigid containers (2) into the respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the infusion product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) where the open aperture (4) of the rigid container (2) is closed with a length of sheet (7); an outfeed station (14) for feeding out the capsules (1) made on the transport element (8).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules (1) for extract or infusion beverages, such as coffee or tea, comprising: a rigid, cup-shaped container (2) comprising a bottom (3) and an upper aperture (4) provided with a rim (5); a dose (6) of product for extraction or infusion contained within the rigid container (2) and a length of flexible sheet (7) for sealing the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2),
characterized in that the beverage capsule machine comprises:
a transport element (8) for transporting the rigid containers (2) and being closed in a loop around movement means (9) which rotate continuously about vertical axes (Z9) for continuously moving the transport element (8); the loop defining a loop pathway which extends in a horizontal plane; the transport element (8) being configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the rigid containers (2) and which are positioned one after the other, in succession, each pocket (10) having a respective pocket vertical axis (Z10) which extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the loop pathway;
a plurality of operating stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating continuously in phase with the transport element (8) and comprising:
a feeding station (11) for feeding the rigid containers (2) into respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8);
a dosing station (12) for dosing the product into the rigid container (2);
a closing station (13) where the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2) is closed with the length of sheet (7);
an outfeed station (14) which withdraws from the transport element (8) each capsule (1) formed;
wherein the transport element (8) is a chain having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of links (8m) hinged to one another in succession about corresponding hinge vertical axes (Z8), the longitudinal axis of the chain intersecting each pocket vertical axis (Z10); each pocket (10) extending through an upper portion of a respective link (8m) so that, when a respective rigid container (2) is received in a respective pocket (10), the respective rigid container (2) extends through an opening in an upper portion of the respective link (8m);
wherein the transport element (8) defines a non-linear portion of the path (P) at least when the rigid containers (2) are dosed with the product by the dosing station (12) or at least when the upper aperture (4) of the rigid containers (2) are closed with the length of flexible sheet (7) for hermetic sealing the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2) by the closing station (13);
wherein at least the dosing station (12) and the closing station (13) comprise a corresponding circular shaped distributing/actuating element (12a, 13a) movable about a vertical axis (Z12, Z13) and in phase with the transport element (8) so as to carry out corresponding dosing and closing operations along at least one circular arc where the distributing/actuating element (12a, 13a) and the transport element (8) are movable in phase along the same path; and
wherein each of the dosing station (12) and the closing station (13) define an arcuate pathway for the transport element (8) to follow.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the chain intersects each hinge vertical axis (Z8).

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the chain links (8m) comprises at least one pocket (10) with vertical axis (Z10) for a corresponding rigid container (2) positioned with the upper aperture (4) facing upward.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, comprising a weighing station (15) for weighing the rigid container (2) containing a dose (6) of product, positioned along the path (P) of the transport element (8); the weighing station (15) being configured to operate continuously and in phase with the transport element (8), and being interposed between the dosing station (12) and the closing station (13).

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, comprising a cutting station (16) where the length of flexible sheet (7) is cut and placed on the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2); the cutting station (16) being positioned along the path (P) of the transport element (8), being configured to operate continuously and in phase with the transport element (8) and being upstream of the closing station (13) with respect to a feed direction (PA) of the transport element (8).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, comprising a cleaning station (17) for cleaning the rim (5) of the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2) and positioned downstream of the dosing station (12) with respect to a feed direction (PA) of the transport element (8); the cleaning station (17) being positioned along the path (P) and being configured to operate continuously and in phase with the transport element (8).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, comprising a stacking station (18) for stacking the capsules (1) made, which is positioned close to the outfeed station (14) and which is configured to receive the same capsules (1) along a direction transversal to the path (P) of the transport element (8) at the outfeed station (14).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein the path (P) of the transport element (8) is also defined by a plurality of power-driven transmission wheels (9), rotating about vertical axes (Z9) and mounted on a supporting frame (19) extending in a horizontal plane; the power-driven transmission wheels (9) defining the movement means.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The machine according to claim 8, wherein the power-driven transmission wheels (9) define an operative, non-rectilinear portion of the path (P), and a non-operative, rectilinear, return portion of the path (P).

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein the non-linear portion is a curved portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein each link (8m) of the chain is rotatable only about each of a pair of vertical axes (Z8).

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein the chain has a width, the width of the chain being sufficient to accommodate only one single file row of pockets (10).

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The machine according to claim 1, wherein each pocket (10) is configured so that when a respective rigid container (2) is received in a respective pocket (10), the bottom (3) of the respective rigid container (2) is located between an upper portion and a lower portion of the respective link (8m).