Apparatus for feeding capsules

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding capsules to a transferring wheel of a filling machine includes a store for containing the capsules. First feeding conduits are spaced apart along a first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to first seats of the transferring wheel. Second feeding conduits are spaced apart along the first direction and spaced apart from the first feeding conduits along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to second seats of the transferring wheel. A first horizontal pushing arrangement and a first vertical pushing arrangement for receive and orient the capsules coming from the first feeding conduits. A second horizontal pushing arrangement and a second vertical pushing arrangement receive and orient the capsules coming from the second feeding conduits.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for feeding capsules to a transferring wheel of a filling machine, including:
 a) a store for containing said capsules;   b) first feeding conduits spaced along a first direction for drawing said capsules from said store and conveying said capsules toward first seats of the transferring wheel;   c) second feeding conduits spaced along said first direction and spaced from said first feeding conduits along a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction for drawing said capsules from said store and conveying said capsules towards second seats of the transferring wheel;   d) a first horizontal pushing device and a first vertical pushing device, both being movable and arranged for receiving and orienting the capsules coming from said first feeding conduits;   e) a second horizontal pushing device and a second vertical pushing device, both being movable and arranged for receiving and orienting the capsules coming from said second feeding conduits, said first horizontal pushing device and said second horizontal pushing device being opposite to one another and movable with alternating motion along said second direction, said first horizontal pushing device being movable in an opposite direction with respect to said second horizontal pushing device so as to orient, move close along said second direction, and insert the capsules coming from said first feeding conduits and the capsules coming from said second feeding conduits in said first seats and in said second seats, respectively, in cooperation with said first vertical pushing device and said second vertical pushing device.   
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said first vertical pushing device and said second vertical pushing device are arranged alongside one another, substantially parallel and movable with alternating motion along a third direction, orthogonal to said first direction and to said second direction. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , and further comprising first orienting conduits arranged alongside one another and parallel to the first direction and interposed between the first feeding conduits and the first seats and second orienting conduits arranged alongside one another and parallel to the first direction and interposed between the second feeding conduits and the second seats, said first orienting conduits and said second orienting conduits being arranged for receiving said capsules from the first feeding conduits and the second feeding conduits, respectively, and being dimensioned to retain said capsules, including respective lids and bodies, by means of an interference fit with said lids. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said first horizontal pushing device and said first vertical pushing device are movable within said first orienting conduits and include a first abutting device and a further first abutting device to push and rotate the capsules, respectively, in a substantially vertical position with respective bodies turned towards the first seats. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said second horizontal pushing device and said second vertical pushing device are movable within said second orienting conduits and include a second abutting device and a further second abutting device, respectively, to rotate the capsules in a substantially vertical position with respective bodies turned towards the second seats. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said first horizontal pushing device and said second horizontal pushing device include a third abutting device and a fourth abutting device, respectively, to push the capsules coming from the first feeding conduits and the capsules coming from the second feeding conduits along said second direction to align said capsules on the first seats and on the second seats, respectively. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said first vertical pushing device and said second vertical pushing device include a further third abutting device and a further fourth abutting device, respectively, to push the capsules within the first seats and the second seats, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said first feeding conduits and said second feeding conduits extend along a third direction orthogonal to said first direction and to said second direction, and are moved with alternating motion along said third direction by means of a first actuating device to draw capsules from said store. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said first vertical pushing device is fixed to said first feeding conduits and said second vertical pushing device is fixed to said second feeding conduits. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , and further comprising a second actuating device for moving said first horizontal pushing device and said second horizontal pushing device along said second direction onto a substantially horizontal plane with alternating motion and opposite directions. 
     
     
         22 . A machine for filling capsules with at least one product including a feeding station provided with an apparatus according to  claim 12 .