초록 ▼

A method and machine for filling capsules with at least one product, whereby the bottom shell of each capsule is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device having a metering chamber for transferring a given quantity of product from a tank into the bottom shell; the metering chamb

A method and machine for filling capsules with at least one product, whereby the bottom shell of each capsule is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device having a metering chamber for transferring a given quantity of product from a tank into the bottom shell; the metering chamber having a weighing device for weighing the product contained in the metering chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A machine for filling capsules with at least one product; each capsule comprising a bottom shell (2), and a top shell closing the bottom shell (2); the machine comprising conveying means (10) for feeding each bottom shell (2) continuously along a given path (P); at leas

The invention claimed is: 1. A machine for filling capsules with at least one product; each capsule comprising a bottom shell (2), and a top shell closing the bottom shell (2); the machine comprising conveying means (10) for feeding each bottom shell (2) continuously along a given path (P); at least one tank (13, 14) containing the product; at least one metering wheel (3) mounted to rotate continuously about a substantially vertical longitudinal axis (4); and a number of metering devices (16) movable with the metering wheel (3) along a portion of the path (P), in time with relative bottom shells (2), to feed the product into the relative bottom shells (2); each metering device (16) comprising a metering chamber (27) for receiving a given quantity of product from the tank (13, 14), and feed means (29) for transferring the product from the metering chamber (27) into the relative bottom shell (2); and the machine being characterized in that each metering chamber (27) comprises a respective weighing device (22) for weighing the product contained in the metering chamber (27). 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing device (22) comprises at least one capacitive transducer (22). 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing device (22) comprises a bush (21) at least partly defining said metering chamber (27). 4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bush (21) has at least one capacitive transducer (22). 5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each metering device (16) also comprises an unloading chute (28) for unloading the product from the metering chamber (27) into the relative bottom shell (2); and a piston (29), which defines the bottom of the metering chamber (27), and is movable along the metering chamber (27), in a direction (15) substantially parallel to said axis (4), to and from a feed position to feed the product onto the unloading chute (28). 6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, and also comprising actuating means (30) for moving the piston (29) in said direction (15) to and from said feed position; the actuating means (30) comprising a cam (32) extending about said axis (4), and, for each piston (29), at least one cam follower (33) cooperating with the cam (32). 7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein, at least at the tank (13, 14), the cam (32) comprises a movable portion (34) movable in said direction (15) to selectively control a volume of the metering chambers (27). 8. A machine as claimed in claim 6, and comprising, for each metering wheel (3), at least two tanks (13, 14) containing at least one product; the cam (32) comprising, at each tank (13, 14), a movable portion (34) movable in said direction (15) independently of the other movable portions (34) to selectively control a volume of the metering chambers (27) at each tank (13, 14). 9. A method of filling capsules with at least one product; each capsule comprising a bottom shell (2), and a top shell closing the bottom shell (2); the method comprising the steps of: feeding the bottom shells (2) continuously along a given path (P); feeding a number of metering devices (16) of at least one metering wheel (3) along a portion of the path (P) in time with relative bottom shells (2); transferring a given quantity of product from at least one tank (13, 14) into a metering chamber (27) of each metering device (16); and transferring the product from each metering chamber (27) into the relative bottom shell (2); and being characterized by also comprising the step of: weighing the product in each metering chamber (27) inside the metering chamber (27) itself. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the product in each metering chamber (27) is weighed by means of at least one capacitive transducer (22). 11. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the product in each metering chamber (27) is weighed inside a bush (21) at least partly defining the metering chamber (27). 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bush (21) has at least one capacitive transducer (22). 13. A method as claimed in claim 9, and comprising, in succession, in the following order, and for each metering chamber (27), the steps of: closing the bottom of the metering chamber (27) by means of a piston (29); transferring a given quantity of product from the tank (13, 14) into the metering chamber (27); weighing the product contained in the metering chamber (27); and moving the piston (29) into a feed position to feed the product from the metering chamber (27) into the relative bottom shell (2). 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pistons (29) are moved to and from the respective said feed positions by respective cam followers (33) engaging at least one cam (32). 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, and also comprising the step of: moving at least one movable portion (34) of the cam (32), located at the tank (13, 14), in a given direction (15) to selectively control a volume of the metering chambers (27). 16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein each metering wheel (3) comprises at least two tanks (13, 14) containing at least one product; the method also comprising the step of: moving at least one movable portion (34) of the cam (32), located at each tank (13, 14), in a given direction (15) and independently of the other movable portions (34), to selectively control a volume of the metering chambers (27) at each tank (13, 14). 17. A method as claimed in claim 9, and comprising, in succession, in the following order, and for each metering chamber (27), the steps of: closing the bottom of the metering chamber (27) by means of a piston (29); determining the weight of a portion of the piston (29) projecting inside the metering chamber (27); transferring a given quantity of product from the tank (13, 14) into the metering chamber (27); determining the total weight of the portion of the piston (29) projecting inside the metering chamber (27), and of the product contained in the metering chamber (27); and calculating the weight of the product contained in the metering chamber (27) as the difference between the two weights.