Machine and method for sorting, filling and closing hollow containers

A machine for continuously making fuel element/aerosol generating cartridges for smoking articles by filling elongated containers, which are open at one end and at least partially closed at the other end, with an aerosol generating material through the open end and inserting a fuel element in the open end, the machine comprising:

• an orienting device comprising a plurality of continuously moving orientation stations, each orientation station having a seat for receiving and holding elongated containers in randomly oriented positions, a selecting device for selecting containers, and an orientation cylinder for orienting selected containers to position them in a predetermined orientation;
• a filling device comprising a plurality of continuously moving filling stations, each filling station having a filling seat for receiving and holding oriented containers, and apparatus for measuring a predetermined amount of aerosol generating material and filling each container with a predetermined amount of material;
• a closing device comprising a plurality of continuously moving closing stations, each closing station having a container seat for receiving and holding filled containers, a fuel element seat for receiving and holding fuel elements, and apparatus for inserting the fuel element into the open end of the filled container to provide a closed container;
• container supply apparatus for supplying randomly oriented containers to the orienting device;
• transfer apparatus for transferring containers between the orienting device, the filling device and the closing device;
• fuel element supply apparatus for supplying fuel element to the closing device;
• and
• unloading apparatus for removing closed containers from the machine,
• wherein oriented containers are transferred from the orienting device to the filling device by means of a beveled wheel positioned at a 45 degree angle to pick up the containers from the orienting device in horizontal position and deliver them to the filling device in a vertical position open end up.

A machine for continuously filling containers with a free-flowing powder or granular filler material and closing the containers by insertion of a plug, the machine comprising:

• container supply apparatus for providing a continuous supply of randomly oriented containers, the containers being open at one end and at least partially closed at the opposite end to contain a predetermined quantity of filler material;
• orienting apparatus for continuously orienting the containers into a predetermined orientation, the orienting apparatus comprising an endless cycle of continuously moving orientation stations, each station having selection apparatus means for selecting containers having one predetermined orientation, and having orientation apparatus means for receiving and rotating the selected containers into another predetermined orientation, non-selected containers remaining in their original orientation;
• filler material supply apparatus for continuously supplying the free-flowing powder or granular filler material for filling the containers;
• filling apparatus for continuously filling containers, the filling apparatus comprising an endless cycle of continuously moving filling stations, each station having apparatus for continuously measuring a predetermined quantity of filling material and transferring the filling material to a container;
• plug supply apparatus for providing a continuous supply of plugs for closing the containers;
• and
• closing apparatus for continuously inserting plugs into the open end of containers to close the containers, the closing apparatus comprising an endless cycle of closing stations, each station having first apparatus for holding a filled container, second apparatus for holding a plug in fixed relation with the container, and third apparatus for inserting the plug into the container.