US 12,133,548 B2
Machine and method for making a continuous tubular element with filling having a spacer and/or filter function
Ivan Eusepi, Bologna (IT); Nicola Baldanza, Bologna (IT); Marco Esposti, Bologna (IT); Gennaro Rizzo, Bologna (IT); and Giuliano Gamberini, Bologna (IT)
Assigned to G.D S.p.A., Bologna (IT)
Appl. No. 17/798,371
Filed by G.D S.P.A., Bologna (IT)
PCT Filed Feb. 24, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/051535
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 9, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/171187, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000003952 (IT), filed on Feb. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0063849 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A24C 5/46 (2006.01); A24C 5/01 (2020.01); A24C 5/18 (2006.01); A24C 5/24 (2006.01); A24D 3/02 (2006.01); B31C 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC A24C 5/46 (2013.01) [A24C 5/01 (2020.01); A24C 5/1807 (2013.01); A24C 5/24 (2013.01); A24C 5/465 (2013.01); A24D 3/0245 (2013.01); B31C 5/00 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine for making a continuous tubular element with filling having at least one chosen from a spacer function and a filter function, comprising:
a first feed mechanism configured for feeding a first continuous web and configured to feed the first continuous web along at least a first feed path;
a second feed mechanism configured for feeding a second continuous web and configured to feed the second continuous web along a respective second feed path, said first and second feed paths converging towards a superposing zone;
a forming station positioned on the first feed path and configured to perform at least one chosen from a folding and a deformation of the first continuous web in a shaped configuration wherein said first continuous web adopts a predetermined non-circular shape, that is at least one chosen from three-dimensional and curved, in section transversal to the first feed path;
downstream of said superposing zone, a wrapping station wherein said second continuous web is wrapped in a tubular shape around said first continuous web, obtaining a continuous tubular element,
a first gluing device positioned on at least one chosen from the first feed path and the second feed path upstream of said superposing zone and configured for applying at least one longitudinal line of glue respectively on at least one chosen from said first continuous web and said second continuous web to define at least one gluing zone, said at least one longitudinal line of glue being positioned to coincide with a zone of superposing and contact between said first continuous web and second continuous web feeding out from the wrapping station;
wherein the wrapping station comprises a forming beam, configured for a progressive wrapping of the second continuous web around the first continuous web in the shaped configuration;
wherein said forming station allows continuous forming of the first continuous web such that, as the first continuous web feeds out of the forming station, the first continuous web is shaped and ready to be introduced as an insert into the continuous tubular element.