# US 2021/0276747 A1 · Machine for making filter bags for infusion products > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0276747 A1 - Document ID: US20210276747A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/618,960 - Filed: 2018-07-03 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-04 - Assignees: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. - Applicants: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.p.A. - Inventors: Simone BADINI; Federico BOVICELLI; Sauro RIVOLA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276747A1 ## CPC - B65B 29/028: {packaging infusion material into filter bags} - B65B 7/08: and folding - B65B 43/50: using rotary tables or turrets {(B65B43/46 takes precedence)} - 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) ## Abstract A machine for making filter bags for infusion products includes a first carousel for continuous rotary movement about a first axis and having first operating stations movable therewith, each first operating station configured to operate on a corresponding piece of filter material fed along an angular stretch of the first carousel, to lift two chambers to a position side by side. A second carousel positioned alongside the first carousel and rotating continuously about a second axis parallel to the first axis has a plurality of joining elements positioned along, and continuously movable with, the second carousel. Each joining element is connected to corresponding control devices for actuating, in a synchronized fashion, a succession of movements of the joining element to intercept free ends of erect filter material, positioned on an operating station and joining them, towards one of the two chambers containing a dose of product. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine for making filter bags for infusion products starting from pieces of filter material each having two free ends and an intermediate portion, between each free end and the intermediate portion having, respectively, two chambers containing a corresponding dose of product; the pieces advancing along a feed line of the machine, comprising: a first carousel for continuous rotary movement about a first axis of rotation and having at least a plurality of first operating stations positioned along, and continuously movable with, the first movement carousel, each first operating station being configured to retain and operate on a corresponding piece of filter material fed along at least one predetermined angular stretch of rotation of the first movement carousel, to obtain at least a lifting of the two chambers to a position side by side and erect, that is to say, positioned radially relative to the first axis of rotation; characterised by further comprising: a second movement carousel positioned alongside the first carousel and rotating continuously about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; the second carousel having a plurality of joining elements positioned along, and continuously movable with, the second carousel; each joining element being connected to corresponding control devices configured for actuating, in a synchronised fashion with the corresponding rotations of the first and the second carousel and at least along a stretch of predetermined curved path, a succession of movements of the joining element to intercept the free ends of a piece of erect filter material, positioned on an operating station and joining them, towards one of the two chambers containing a dose of product. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the second carousel has a number of joining elements less than the number of first operating stations present on the first carousel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the second carousel rotates at a speed which is different and constant relative to the speed of rotation of the first carousel and with a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the first carousel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the second carousel rotates at a speed which is different and variable relative to the speed of rotation of the first carousel and with a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the first carousel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein each joining element comprises a gripper for folding the free ends of a piece of filter material composed of two separate first and second articulated claws along corresponding axes of independent rotation, parallel to each other, and parallel to the second axis of rotation; each first and second claw being connected to a corresponding first and second control device each having at least a first and second motion-transmitting shaft connected by a kinematic mechanism to corresponding cam means positioned inside the second carousel so as to allow a synchronised movement of the two claws between at least a non-operating position, wherein the two claws are spaced apart, and an operating position for folding/joining the free ends of the piece of filter material, wherein the two claws are in contact with each other and protruding radially from the second carousel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The machine according to claim 5, wherein between the first and the second control device and the first and second claw are interposed corresponding kinematic movement units to allow a rotation for moving away the first and the second claw from the first carousel, in a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the second carousel, at the end of the joining of the free ends of the piece of filter material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The machine according to claim 5, comprising an operating plate interposed between the second movement carousel and each gripper positioned on the second movement carousel; each plate being articulated along an axis parallel to the second axis of rotation; each plate being connected to a corresponding third control device having a third shaft for transmitting the kinematic motion connected with cam means positioned inside the second carousel to allow a rotation of the plate, in a synchronised fashion with the movements of the gripper and the rotation of the second carousel at least in a relative stretch of predetermined curved path, between several operating positions along the stretch of curved path wherein the plate rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the second carousel to keep the axis of rotation of the gripper at a constant distance from the first axis of rotation at least at the operating position of folding of the gripper. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The machine according to claim 5, wherein the first claw is articulated on the operating plate with the relative axis of articulation, and wherein the second claw has a first point of articulation coinciding with the axis of articulation of the first claw and a second point of articulation, spaced from the first point of articulation, connected to the corresponding second control device positioned on the second carousel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The machine according to claim 5, wherein each gripper has the first claw with an operating head having a plate with a triangular cross section with the vertex directed towards the second claw, and wherein the second claw has an operating head shaped in two half parts defining a central channel shaped to allow, upon the approach of the triangular sheet and in synergy with it, at least a first folding of side edges of flaps of the free ends of the piece of filter material, with partial relative superposition, towards the inside of the same piece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, comprising a curved contact guide positioned close to the first carousel, at a predetermined distance from the first carousel, and along its operating path for at least a predetermined stretch; the guide being positioned with a relative first end near a zone for intercepting and joining the free ends of the piece of filter material by the joining element, in such a way as to keep the formed end of the piece of filter material joined until release of the piece from the first carousel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the first movement carousel comprises a plurality of gripping elements positioned along, and continuously movable with, the first movement carousel, each first gripping element being configured for retaining a respective piece of filter material being formed; each gripping element being associated with a corresponding first operating station. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the first movement carousel comprises a plurality of translation devices, associated with the first movement carousel and configured for translating corresponding gripping elements along a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation of the first movement carousel to bring corresponding gripping elements to the respective pieces of filter material at least for a stretch of the feed line.