Method and machine for making a capsule for smoking articles, a capsule for smoking articles, and use of this capsule in an automatic machine

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a capsule for smoking articles. The capsule includes: a longitudinal development axis, a side wall having a predetermined dimension, a lower end edge and an upper end edge, a bottom, an opening to allow the introduction of a product, and a closing element arranged to close the opening. The method includes the steps of: a) providing the side wall of the capsule; b) filling the capsule with a product; c) determining an amount of product to be introduced into the capsule before step b); and d) arranging the bottom and/or the closing element at a definite distance from the lower end edge and/or the upper end edge based on the quantity of product determined in step c).

1 ) A method for manufacturing a capsule for smoking articles, the capsule has a longitudinal development axis and comprises a side wall with predetermined dimensions; a lower end edge and an upper end edge, opposite each other; a bottom and an opening allowing introduction of a product into the capsule; and a closing element provided for closing the opening; the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the side wall of the capsule;   b) filling the capsule with the product;   c) before step b), determining a quantity of the product to be introduced into the capsule; and   d) arranging the bottom and/or the closing element at a definite distance from the lower end edge and/or the upper end edge based on the quantity of product determined in step c), in such a way that the capsule is filled as much as possible with the product.   
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step a) of providing the side wall of the capsule comprises the sub-step of molding the side wall of the capsule; and wherein the step d) of arranging the bottom and/or the closing element at the definite distance from the lower end edge and/or the upper end edge comprises the step of molding the bottom. 
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step d) of providing the closing element comprises the sub-step of applying the closing element on the opening of the capsule. 
     
     
         4 ) A capsule for a smoking article, the capsule having a longitudinal development axis and a side wall with predetermined dimensions; a lower end edge and an upper end edge, opposite each other; a bottom and an opening allowing introduction of a product into the capsule; and a closing element provided for closing the opening; once the product has been inserted; the capsule comprising:
 the bottom and/or the closing element being arranged at a definite distance from the lower end edge and/or the upper end edge based on a quantity of product inserted so as to be substantially in contact with the product.   
     
     
         5 ) The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the bottom, the side wall and the closing element define a chamber having a volume for containing the product; the bottom and/or the closing element being arranged with respect to the lower end edge and/or the upper end edge in such a way that the volume of the chamber is substantially entirely occupied by the product. 
     
     
         6 ) The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the bottom is arranged between ½ and ¼ of the longitudinal development axis of the capsule measured starting from the lower end edge. 
     
     
         7 ) The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the product is a powder or granular product and wherein the bottom comprises a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         8 ) The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the product is a powder or granular product and wherein the closing element comprises a filter material. 
     
     
         9 ) The capsule of  claim 4 , wherein the capsule is used in an automatic machine for a tobacco industry, the machine being configured to work on a standard capsule for smoking articles, the standard capsule having the features set forth in  claim 4 . 
     
     
         10 ) A machine for manufacturing a capsule for smoking articles, the capsule has a longitudinal development axis and comprises a side wall having a predetermined dimension; a lower end edge and an upper end edge, opposite each other; a bottom and an opening to allow introduction of a product into the capsule; and a closing element arranged to close the opening; the machine comprises:
 means for feeding at least one side wall and the bottom of the capsule;   a station for filling the capsule with a product;   a station for closing the capsule, arranging the closing element at a definite distance from the end edge from the upper end edge;   a control and management unit, connected to the filling station to determine a quantity of product to be introduced by the filling station;   wherein the control and management unit is connected to the closing station and arranged to determine a distance based on the quantity of product, so that the capsule is filled as much as possible with the product.