Background art It is known that the use of single-use pod portions, known as filters, for preparing beverages such as coffee, tea, barley, tisanes and infusions in general has been spreading in the field of public catering in recent years.

Such pods are substantially constituted by two discs made of filter paper, which are superimposed and mutually sealed along their perimeter, so as to form a perimetric flap, between which an amount of preparation that corresponds to one or more doses is enclosed.

The use of pods is replacing the use of loose preparations, which have to be dosed and fed to the automatic machines commonly used in bars, restaurants, and public places in general.

Particularly in the case of coffee, barley and the like, the pod that contains the preparation for the chosen beverage can be accommodated in the filter holder of the automatic machine being used and used as a normal dose of powder.

Units or dispensers are also known for dispensing pods in filter holders of conventional coffee machines for bars or for home use, which are fed with packages of pods constituted by cardboard tubes which are closed at their ends and inside which a stack that contains a specific number of portions is accommodated.

In use, the user has to open one of the ends of the package and tip it into the appropriately provided receptacle provided in the dispenser.

The tubes normally used have an inside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the pods, which are accordingly accommodated with play inside them.

The pods can slide along the tube by gravity toward either of the two ends.

However, these packages are not free from drawbacks, including the fact that the play between the internal wall of the tube and the portions can cause a breakup in the stack of pods, which tend to lose their alignment and assume a haphazard orientation, and can also cause damage to said pods, which by impacting against the internal wall of the tube during movement may undergo such a deformation that they can no longer be used in the dispensers, or may sometimes break.

Moreover, if a pod jams inside the tube, it can prevent the sliding of the other pods toward the open end of said tube and require replacement of the tube being used in the dispenser, with a considerable waste of pods.

It should be noted that these drawbacks entail substantial difficulties in storing and handling the packages and have a negative effect on the level of service offered to customers, who can receive packages that are not perfectly functional or even contain broken pods.

Disclosure of the invention The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks noted above of known packages, by providing a method for packaging single-use pod portions for beverages, the apparatus therefor and the package thus obtainable, which allow to ensure optimum preservation of the pods, avoiding their damage and degradation.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to ensure perfect functionality of the resulting packages when used inside dispensers and to improve the level of service offered to customers.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain packages that do not require particular precautions in handling and use on the part of end

users.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the waste of pods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present method for packaging single-use pod portions for beverages, of the type that comprises a perimetric flap made of substantially flexible material, characterized in that it comprises the steps of : feeding at least one substantially tubular body, which is provided with a first end and a second end that are mutually opposite and substantially open and has an internal transverse cross-section that is substantially comprised between the internal area and the external area formed by the perimetric flaps of the pods to be packaged; closing the first end of said tubular body; filling said tubular body, which is arranged so that the second open end lies below the first closed end, with a plurality of pods inserted therein through the second end so as to at least partially occupy its length, the pods being arranged inside the tubular body so that their flaps are folded toward the second end; and closing the second end of said tubular body.

This aim and these objects are further achieved by the present apparatus for packaging single-use pod portions for beverages, of the type that comprises a perimetric flap made of substantially flexible material, characterized in that it comprises: first means for feeding, along a first advancement direction toward at least one work area, at least one tubular body, which has a first end and a second end that are mutually opposite, the second end being open and arranged below the first end; second means for feeding, along a second advancement direction toward said work area, a plurality of single-use pod portions arranged along at least one row; at least one unit for inserting from below said pods into said tubular body through said second end so as to substantially occupy its entire length, which is

arranged at said work area; and at least one unit for removing said filled tubular body from said work area, the tubular body having an internal transverse cross-section that is substantially comprised between the internal area and the external area formed by the perimetric flaps of the pods contained inside it, said pods being arranged so that their flaps are folded toward the second end of the tubular body.

This aim and these objects are also achieved by the present package of single-use pod portions, of the type comprising a perimetric flap made of substantially flexible material, characterized in that it comprises a substantially tubular body, which has a first end and a second end that are substantially open, are mutually opposite and are associated with respective first and second closure means, at least the first of said means being removable, and a plurality of pods stacked inside said tubular body so as to occupy at least partially its length, said tubular body having an internal transverse cross-section that is substantially comprised between the internal area and the external area formed by the perimetric flaps of the pods contained inside it, said pods being arranged so that their corresponding flaps are folded toward the second end of the tubular body.

Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a method for packaging single- use pod portions for beverages, of the apparatus therefor and of the package thus obtainable, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1,2 and 3 are three schematic axonometric views of successive stages of the first closure step of the method according to the invention; Figures 4,5 and 6 are three schematic front views of the filling step of the method according to the invention;

Figures 7 is a schematic front view of the step for inserting the means for absorbing residual humidity of the method according to the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic front view of the second closure step of the method according to the invention; Figure 9 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic axonometric view of the package according to the invention during use; Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 12 is a front view of the work area of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 13 is a plan view of the work area of Figure 12 ; Figure 14 is a partial side view of a portion of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 15 is an enlarged-scale front view of a portion of Figure 14.

Ways of carrying out the invention With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a package of single-use portions of preparations for beverages in pods C, such as coffee, barley, tea, tisanes, infusions and the like.

The pods C are of a known type and are constituted by two discs of filter paper or other porous material, which are superimposed and mutually sealed along the perimeter so as to form a perimetric flap F made of flexible material, between which an amount of preparation that corresponds to one or more doses is enclosed.

The package 1 comprises a tubular body 2 provided with a first end 2a and a second end 2b, which are open and mutually opposite and are associated with respective first and second closure means 3 and 4, of which at least the first means are removable.

The tubular body 2 has preferably cylindrical internal and external walls and is generally made of cardboard or the like.

A plurality of pods C are arranged inside the tubular body 2 and are stacked so as to substantially occupy the entire length of said body.

According to the invention, the tubular body 2 has an internal transverse cross-section that is comprised between the internal and external areas formed by the flaps F of the pods C contained inside it; said pods are thus arranged along the tubular body 2 so that the corresponding flaps F are folded toward the second end 2b.

The first closure means 3 are of the removable type, since the first end 2a can be opened during use in order to allow the exit of the pods C.

The second closure means 4 are instead of the permanent type and can be constituted by a bottom 5, which is rigidly coupled to the second end 2b, for example by seaming. The first closure means 3 are constituted by a cap 6 or the like, which is fitted on the first end 2a; as an alternative, it is possible to provide a film or the like.

Advantageously, there are means 7 for temporarily retaining the pods C inside the tubular body 2 so that it is arranged with its first end 2a directed downward; said means are associated detachably with the body at such first end and are interposed between the tubular body 2 and the cap 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retention means 7 comprise a band 8, which is provided with two end portions 8a and 8b, which are associable on opposite sides with the external wall of the tubular body 2 proximate to the first end 2a, and with an intermediate portion 8c, which is interposed between said portions and is arranged transversely to the body at the first end 2a; the cap 6 is fitted over the band 8.

The first end portion 8a is longer than the second end portion 8b and has a free end that is shaped like a tab 8d for grip by a user for separation from the tubular body 2.

The band 8 is partially associated with an adhesive layer for adhesion to the tubular body 2.

In the first end portion 8a, the parts that are adjacent to the tab 8d and

to the first end 2a are associated with the tubular body 2 by interposing such layer, while the intermediate portion adheres to, but is not associated with, the tubular body 2.

The second end portion 8b is completely associated with the tubular body 2 by interposing the adhesive layer, while the central portion 8c has no adhesive, so as to not stick to the pods C.

Figure 1 illustrates by means of dots the regions of the band 8 that are associated with the adhesive layer.

Conveniently, there are also removable sealing means 9, which are constituted by an adhesive tape 10, which surrounds the tubular body 2 circumferentially proximate to the first end 2a and is partially superimposed on the rim of the cap 6.

There are also means for absorbing the residual humidity inside the package 1, which are constituted by a sachet 11 of absorbent salts or the like.

In use, the package 1 can be used advantageously to load a dispenser of pods C (Figure 10) of a known type; the user, after removing the tape 10 and the cap 6, arranges the package 1 so that its first end 2a is directed downward, partially separates the first portion 8a, folds it onto the intermediate portion 8c, and inserts said package in the receptacle 12 usually provided in the known type of dispenser, so that the tab 8d protrudes from the front slot.

At this point, by pulling the tab 8d, complete separation of the band 8 occurs, and said band is extracted through the interspace formed between the tubular body 2 and the receptacle 12, so that the pods C can be transferred into the underlying filter holder, which is not shown.

Conveniently, the sachet 11 is associated with the face of the bottom 5 that is directed toward the inside of the tubular body 2 by means of a double-adhesive tape or by means of a layer of adhesive material that is compatible with food products, not shown in the figures, so as to not fall

into the filter holder together with the last pod C contained in the package 1.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the retention means 7 might be constituted for example by a pierceable film, preferably made of filter paper or other porous material, which is associated with the first end 2a.

In this case, the receptacle 12 provided in the dispenser must be provided internally with a sharp circular profile for cutting the film from the tubular body 2; the cut film thus falls, together with the first pod C, inside the filter holder of the automatic machine being used, but in view of its porous nature it does not alter the quality of the resulting coffee.

The method for packaging pods C according to the invention comprises: a step for feeding the tubular body 2 so that its ends are open and it is preferably arranged vertically with the first end 2a above the second end 2b; a first step for closing the first end 2a; a step for filling the tubular body 2, which is arranged vertically so that the open second end 2b lies below the closed first end 2a, so as to occupy substantially the entire length of said body; and a second step for closing the second end 2b.

During insertion, the pods C are arranged so that their corresponding flaps F are folded toward the second end 2b owing to the limited passage section of the tubular body 2.

When, during use, the package 1 has its first end 2a open and directed downward, the direction in which the flaps F are folded allows the orderly sliding of the pods C along the tubular body 2 toward the first end; vice versa, during filling, when the tubular body 2 is arranged so that its second end 2b is open and directed downward, the folding direction of the flaps F allows the upward sliding of the pods C toward the first end 2a but hinders the fall of the pods through the second end 2b.

The first closure step consists in applying to the tubular body 2, at the first end 2a, the band 8, the cap 6 and the tape 10, in this order.

Figure 1 illustrates the stage for the application of the band 8, which

is shown in dashed lines while still flat before application and in solid lines after application.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the stages for applying respectively the cap 6 and the tape 10.

The filling step, shown in three successive stages in Figures 4 to 6, consists in inserting one or more pods C at a time through the second end 2b; the insertion of each pod C after the first one causes the sliding, along the tubular body, upward and toward the first end 2a, of the previously inserted pod or pods C, until substantially the entire length of the body is occupied (Figure 6).

Between the filling step and the second closure step there is preferably a step for positioning the tubular body 2 so that it is vertical and its open second end 2b lies above the closed first end 2a, in which said body is substantially turned through 180° with respect to the previous configuration.

It is further possible to provide a step for insertion (Figure 7) of the sachet 11 inside the tubular body 2 through the second end 2b, between the bottom 5 and the pod C that faces it.

This insertion step preferably consists in applying the sachet 11 to the face of the bottom 5 that is directed toward the inside of the tubular body 2 by means of a double-adhesive tape or of a layer of adhesive material that is compatible with food products, and in positioning said bottom at the second end 2b so that the sachet 11 protrudes inside said tubular body.

Finally, the second closure step consists in seaming the bottom 5 to the second end 2b; Figure 8 illustrates the bottom 5 before fixing to the tubular body 2, and Figure 9 illustrates a detail of said bottom, deformed as a consequence of seaming.

It should be noted that the tubular body 2 is filled from the second end 2b, while during use the pods C exit through the first end 2a, the positions assumed by the body during filling and during use being in fact

mutually reversed through 180°.

Figures 11 to 15 illustrate an apparatus for packaging single-use pod portions of preparations for beverages, particularly coffee, tea, barley, mixtures for infusions, tisanes and the like, generally designated by the reference numeral 13.

The apparatus 13 allows to perform the method according to the invention and to obtain packages 1 of the type described above.

The apparatus 13 comprises first means 14 for feeding along a first advancement direction A, toward at least one work area 15 of at least one tubular body 2 of the type described above, in which the second end 2b is open and arranged below the first end 2a.

The tubular body 2 is arranged vertically and so that the second end 2b rests on the first feeder means 14.

The tubular body 2 is preferably supplied while its first end 2a is closed by means of the first removable closure means 3.

The apparatus 13 further comprises second means 16 for feeding, along a second advancement direction A2 toward the work area 15, a plurality of single-use portions in pods C arranged on at least one row 17.

The pods C are of the type described above and are provided with the perimetric flap F made of substantially flexible material.

Advantageously, the pods C are distributed along the row 17 with a constant spacing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the feeding directions A, and A2 are mutually transverse, more specifically at right angles to each other, and converge in the work area 15, but alternative configurations of the apparatus 13 are not excluded.

Further, the apparatus 13 comprises at least one unit 18 for inserting the pods C from below into the tubular body 2, through its second end 2b, so as to occupy substantially its entire length, which is arranged at the work area 15, and at least one unit 19 for removing the filled tubular body 2 from

said work area.

Owing to the dimensions of the tubular body 2, which has an internal transverse cross-section that is comprised between the internal and external areas defined by the flaps F of the pods C, the pods inserted inside it are arranged so that their corresponding flaps F are folded toward the second end 2b.

The first feeder means 14 are suitable to feed a plurality of tubular bodies 2 arranged along at least one line 20, individual separation means 21 being interposed between said first feeder means and the work area 15.

The first feeder means 14 and the second feeder means 16 respectively comprise a first advancement surface and a second advancement surface, respectively for. the tubular bodies 2 that rest on the corresponding second ends 2b and of the pods C; the first surface is arranged above the second surface, and the difference in level between such surfaces is at least equal to the thickness of the pods C.

Conveniently, the first surface is formed by the active portion of at least one first continuous belt conveyor or the like 22, which is arranged so that its corresponding unloading side lies proximate to the work area 15.

Conveniently, the second surface is partially formed by the active part of a second continuous belt conveyor or the like 23, which is arranged so that its corresponding unloading side lies proximate to the work area 15.

At the work area 15, the second surface is formed by the active part of two flexible elements 24, which are closed in a loop, are arranged parallel to each other at a distance that is shorter than the transverse dimensions of the pods C, and are wrapped around a plurality of wheels 25, at least one of which is a driving wheel.

The pods C, which initially rest on the second conveyor 23, are transferred onto the flexible elements 24, which guide them up to the work area 15.

Means 26 for stopping the advancement of the pods C are provided

and are arranged at the unloading ends of the flexible elements 24.

The individual separation means 21 comprise two retention elements 27, which are arranged at the unloading side of the first conveyor 22 and on opposite sides thereof, and can move alternately toward and away from each other between a closer configuration, in which they prevent the exit of the first tubular body 2 of the line 20 that is available, and a spaced configuration, in which they instead allow its passage toward the work area 15.

Conveniently, the first feeder means 14 have at least one pair of shoulders 28 for containing the line 20, which are arranged on opposite sides of the tubular bodies 2 above the first conveyor 22.

The insertion unit 18 further comprises means 29 for temporarily retaining the tubular body 2'during filling; said body is kept with its second end 2b above the flexible elements 24 and at a distance from said elements that is at least equal to the thickness of the pods C.

The retention means 29 comprise at least one caliper 30 that is actuated automatically.

The insertion unit 18 further comprises means 31 for transferring at least one individual tubular body 2 at a time, such means being movable alternately between a configuration for pick-up from the unloading side of the first conveyor 22 and a configuration for release at the removal unit 19, passing through a retained configuration for positioning at the work area 15.

The transfer means 31 comprise an automatically actuated clamp 32, which is contoured so as to form at least one seat 33 for accommodating a corresponding tubular body 2 being processed and means 34 for the alternating translational actuation of said clamp between said pick-up and release configurations.

The actuation means 34 can be constituted for example by a conventional electric actuator of the fluid-operated or other type.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 32 is shaped so as to form

two seats 33, which are aligned with respect to the first advancement direction A, : a first seat 33a for accommodating the tubular body 2'and for transferring the body between the positioning and release configurations at the end of the filling process, and a second seat 33b for accommodating the tubular body 2"that follows immediately thereafter, and for the transfer of the body from the pick-up configuration to the positioning configuration when the filling of the tubular body 2'ends.

The first seat 33a assumes the positioning and release configurations when the second seat 33b assumes respectively the pick-up and positioning configurations.

Advantageously, the insertion unit 18 comprises pusher means 35 for inserting from below at least one individual pod C at a time inside the tubular body 2'through its second end 2b.

The pusher means 35 are arranged at the work area 15 and are suitable to penetrate between the flexible elements 24 in order to lift the pod C'that rests on said elements.

The pusher means 35 comprise a stem 36, which can move alternately in a vertical direction and has a transverse cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the tubular bodies 2, so as to be able to enter them partially, and its transverse dimension is smaller than the distance between the flexible elements 24.

The insertion unit 18 further comprises means 37 for temporarily supporting the pods C inserted within the tubular body 2', which are arranged at the work area 15 and can move alternately between an active configuration, in which they are arranged so as to close at least partially the second end 2b of the tubular body 2', and an inactive configuration, in which they are spaced from the second end so as to allow the insertion of a new pod C.

The supporting means 37 comprise at least one diaphragm 38, which is associated with means for alternating movement between the active and

inactive configurations; more preferably, the supporting means 37 comprise two diaphragms 38, which can move alternately toward and away from each other and are arranged on opposite sides of the first feed direction Al.

According to the invention, the removal unit 19 comprises a unit 39 for tipping the previously filled tubular body 2"'and at least one surface 40 for transfer along a removal direction D, on which said body rests on the first end 2a, which was closed earlier.

In a possible but not exclusive embodiment, the transfer surface 40 is formed by the active part of a continuous belt conveyor or the like.

The removal unit 19 comprises at least two shoulders 41 for containing the spaced tubular bodies 2, said shoulders being arranged above the transfer surface 40 and on opposite sides of said bodies.

The removal direction D and the first feed direction A, are mutually parallel, but alternative embodiments of the apparatus 13 are not excluded.

The tipping unit 39 is arranged on the opposite side of the first feeder means 14 with respect to the work area 15.

The tipping unit 39 comprises a beam 42, which is usually arranged horizontally and is associated with means 43 for actuating its oscillation through an angle of 180°, at least one arm 44, which protrudes from the beam 42 toward the work area 15, and means 45 for gripping the tubular body 2"'from the clamp 32 in the release configuration, which are associated with the arm 44 at their end.

Moreover, the grip means 45 avoids the fall of the pods C by gravity during the tipping of the tubular body 2"'.

In Figure 11, the tipping unit 39 is shown in solid lines and in dashed lines respectively during engagement and during release of the tubular bodies 2"'.

A connecting surface 46 is provided between the release position of the tipping unit 39 and the transfer surface 40.

Preferably, in order to increase the productivity of the apparatus 13,

the first feeder means 14 are suitable to feed a plurality of tubular bodies 2, which are arranged on at least one first line 20a and one second line 20b respectively toward a first work area 15a and a second work area 15b, and the second feeder means 16 are suitable to feed a plurality of pods C arranged on at least one first row 17a and one second row 17b respectively toward said first and second work areas.

An insertion unit 18 of the type described above is provided at each work area 15a and 15b.

The first feeder means 14 comprise two first continuous conveyors 22, which are provided with corresponding shoulders 28 and are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other, each conveyor being provided for the advancement of a corresponding line 20 of tubular bodies 2.

The work areas 15a and 15b are mutually staggered along the first feed direction A,.

The tipping unit 39 has two arms 44, which are provided with corresponding grip means 45, each of which is directed toward a corresponding work area 15a or 15b.

There are two transfer surfaces 40, which are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other and are provided with corresponding shoulders 41, and two connecting surfaces 46.

The second feeder means 16 comprise redirection means 47 for selective distribution of the pods C, fed along a single line 48, on the rows 17a and 17b.

The redirection means 47 comprise a flap 49, which is associated with means 50 for actuation with an alternating translational motion at right angles to the second feed direction A2.

The flap 49 can move alternately between a first configuration and a second configuration, in which it is respectively closer to the first row 17a and to the second row 17b.

In the stroke from the first configuration to the second configuration,

the flap 49 drags the first pod C, which is arranged at the top of the line 48, arranging it along the second row 17b; in the stroke from the second configuration to the first configuration, instead, the flap 49 pushes the pod C that is available so as to align it along the first row 17a.

The first feeder means 14 comprise a movable surface 51 for connecting the unloading side of the first conveyor 22 for feeding the second line 20b toward the corresponding second work area 15b.

With reference to a work area 15, the operating cycle of the invention is as follows: the retainers 27 are arranged in the closer configuration, the clamp 32 is closed onto the tubular bodies 2'and 2", and the caliper 30 is closed onto the tubular body 2'.

The second feeder means 16 feed at a uniform rate the pods C toward the work area 15.

Upon the arrival of each pod C'at the work area 15, the diaphragms 38, previously in the active configuration, assume release configurations.

Any pods C that are already present inside the tubular body 2' descend by a very short extent until they rest on the pod C'arranged on the flexible elements 24 at the work area 15.

By moving upward, the stem 36 pushes into the tubular body 2'the pod C'together with any pods C that are already present; after placing the pod C'just above the second end 2b, the stem 36 moves downward while the diaphragms 38 return into the active configuration.

After inserting a number of pods C that is sufficient to fill the length of the tubular body 2', the caliper 30 opens and the clamp 32 moves so as to place said body in the release configuration.

Simultaneously, the tubular body 2"is transferred at the work area 15 in order to be subsequently filled, and the caliper 30 closes onto it.

The grip means 45 grip the tubular body 2'and the clamp 32 opens; the tipping unit 39 then entrains rotationally such body until it turns over, and then releases it onto the connecting surface 46 for removal from the

work area 15.

The clamp 32 then returns toward the pick-up configuration and the retainers 27 assume a spaced configuration, so as to feed the first tubular body 2 that is available at the top of the line 20 toward the seat 33b.

The clamp 32 then closes onto the tubular body 2 that has just been fed and onto the body that is being filled.

In practice, it has been found that the described invention achieves the intended aim and objects, particularly the object of obtaining packages that allow good preservation of the pods and remain functional over time for use in dispensers.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No. M02004A000037 and No. M02004A000124, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.