US 11,679,534 B2
Apparatus and method for processing cups
Fabrizio Pucci, Castelguelfo (IT); and Fiorenzo Parrinello, Medicina (IT)
Assigned to Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa, Imola (IT)
Filed by SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA, Imola (IT)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/859,206.
Application 17/859,206 is a continuation of application No. 17/274,271, granted, now 11,413,796, previously published as PCT/IB2019/058549, filed on Oct. 8, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 102018000009295 (IT), filed on Oct. 9, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0332023 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B32B 41/00 (2006.01); B29C 43/02 (2006.01); B29C 43/36 (2006.01); B29C 43/52 (2006.01); B29C 65/02 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B65D 85/804 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 43/021 (2013.01) [B29C 43/361 (2013.01); B29C 43/52 (2013.01); B29C 65/02 (2013.01); B29C 66/0222 (2013.01); B29C 66/0242 (2013.01); B29C 66/112 (2013.01); B29C 66/131 (2013.01); B29C 66/53461 (2013.01); B65D 85/8043 (2013.01); B29C 2043/023 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3613 (2013.01); B29C 2043/525 (2013.01); B29C 2793/009 (2013.01); B29C 2793/0054 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7132 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7164 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7174 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A line for making capsules intended to contain a product, comprising:
a forming machine configured to form cups, wherein each cup includes a containment body, which extends between a bottom wall and an upper edge, and an annular flange connected to the upper edge and having a rear face, directed towards the containment body, and a front face, opposite to the rear face; and
an apparatus for processing the cups, wherein the front face of each of the cups is adapted to receive a lid to form a capsule, the apparatus comprising:
at least one pocket, configured to house a corresponding cup;
at least one tool configured to apply a process to at least the rear face or the front face of the annular flange of the cup inside the at least one pocket, so as to form a sealing profile;
a filling machine configured to fill the cups with coffee or other solid or liquid products;
an applicator machine, configured to apply a lid to the front face of each cup to form a respective capsule.