Machine with vertical axis for making filter bags with infusion products

A machine for making filter bags (1) with infusion products comprising:

• a feed station (3) for feeding a continuous web (S) of filter material;
• a station (4) for forming and joining the continuous web (S) into a closed, tubular shape which is fed along a vertical feed axis (Z);
• a filling station (5) for filling the infusion product, the filling station being positioned above the forming and joining station (4);
• a sealing station for sealing an open portion of the continuous web (S) in the tubular shape, the sealing station (6) comprising heads (6a, 6b) effective to form a top end (T) of a filter bag (1) being formed and a bottom end (F) of the next filter bag (1);
• the sealing station (6) being positioned downstream of the forming and joining station (4) relative to the vertical feed axis (Z);
• a station (11) for separating a filter bag (1) already formed from the next filter bag (1) which is being formed, the separating station being positioned along the vertical feed axis (Z), downstream of the sealing station (6);
• characterised in that it comprises:
• a handling and control unit with first support and control means (10) which are effective to pull downwardly along the vertical feed axis (Z) the bottom end (F) of the filter bag (1) being formed, from a first position in which the first support and control means (10) are located adjacent the heads (6a, 6b), to a second, lower, position in which the first support and control means (10) are located in a lower position relative to the heads (6a, 6b), the first support and control means (10) being able to move in such a way that they are synchronised with the sealing station (6);
• the filling station (5) comprising an element (9) for pushing a charge (D) of product, being able to move in both directions along the vertical feed axis (Z), and acting on the charge (D) for depositing during acceleration the charge (D) on the bottom end (F) of the filter bag (1) being formed.