Apparatus for realising a biodegradable packaging of a product for the preparation of a beverage

Abstract

An apparatus for realising a biodegradable packaging of a product for preparation of beverages includes a first feeder group and a second feeder group. The first feeder group is of a first film made of a biodegradable material, in particular a film of polylactic acid (PLA), and a first rotary carousel, configured, together with a series of work stations associated to the first carousel, to realise a pod made of PLA, containing internally thereof a product for preparation of a beverage. The second feeder group is of a second film made of a biodegradable material, in particular a film of Ecoralene, and a second rotary carousel, configured, together with a series of work stations associated to the second carousel, to realise an Ecoralene cladding of the pod to obtain a biodegradable packaging of a product for preparation of a beverage.

1 . An apparatus for realising a biodegradable packaging of a product for preparation of beverages, comprising:
 a first feeder group, for unwinding a first film of biodegradable material, in particular a first film made of polylactic acid, from a first reel of biodegradable material and for cutting the first film so as to obtain a first sheet and comprising first cutting means configured and activatable to cut the first sheet so as to obtain at least a first circular piece and at least a second circular piece, wherein the at least a first circular piece has a greater diameter than the at least a second circular piece and has dimensions that are such as to enable folding thereof in order to form a hollow body having a circular base and a lateral wall, the first feeder group being configured in such a way as to position the first circular piece and the second circular piece at a first collecting position;   a first rotary carousel, configured in such a way as to be activatable in rotation about a first vertical axis of rotation, comprising a first series of plates angularly arranged with respect to one another about the first vertical axis of rotation, wherein each plate comprises a first support, comprising suction holes, configured to receive and retain, by suction, the first circular piece, and a second support, comprising suction holes, configured to receive and retain, by suction, the second circular piece, the first support being conformed in such a way as to centrally comprise a cylindrical housing having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first circular piece, and so as to comprise a plate provided with suction holes, predisposed internally of the cylindrical housing so as to be translatable vertically with respect to the cylindrical housing, between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the first carousel is arranged with respect to the first feeder group and is activatable in angular rotation about the first vertical axis of rotation according to successive angular rotations so that, at each angular rotation, a plate at a time of the first series of plates is positioned in a first angular position situated at the first collecting position wherein the first feeder group positions the first circular piece and the second circular piece, so that the first circular piece can be collected from the first feeder group and positioned on the first support, with the plate in a raised position at the upper end of the cylindrical housing, which retain the first circular piece by suction, and the second circular piece can be collected from the first feeder group and positioned on the second support which retains it by suction, the first carousel being activatable in angular rotation about the first vertical axis of rotation in successive angular rotations so as to position, at each angular rotation, the plate of the first carousel with the first circular piece and the second circular piece paused in successive angular positions at relative work stations which are configured in such a way that at which, in succession:   an internal circular portion of the first circular piece is pushed into the cylindrical housing, together with the lowering of the plate, so as to fold an external circular portion with respect to the internal circular portion and form a hollow body having a circular base, defined by the internal circular portion, and a lateral wall defined by the external circular portion folded with respect to the internal circular portion;   a product for preparing a beverage is inserted and dosed in the hollow body so as to fill a part of the volume of the hollow body in such a way that an upper portion of the lateral wall of the hollow body is free and not occupied by the product;   the upper portion of the lateral wall of the hollow body is bent by means of pleating with respect to the lateral wall of the hollow body to form a pleated crown above the product contained in the hollow body and the second circular piece is collected from the second support and positioned above the pleated crown, carrying out a welding, to form a closing cover and close the hollow body in such a way as to obtain a pod containing the product for preparation of a beverage;   the apparatus further comprising:   a second feeder group, for unwinding a second film of biodegradable material, in particular a second film made of Ecoralene, from a second reel of biodegradable material and for cutting the second film so as to obtain a second sheet and comprising second cutting means configured and activatable to cut the second sheet so as to obtain at least a third circular piece and at least a fourth circular piece, wherein the at least third circular piece and the at least fourth circular piece have a diameter that is substantially identical to one another and that is of greater dimensions than the diameter of the pod obtained on the plate of the first series of plates of the first carousel, the second feeder group being configured in such a way as to position the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece at a second collecting position;   a second rotary carousel, arranged flanked to the first carousel and configured in such a way as to be activatable in rotation about a second vertical axis of rotation, comprising a second series of plates angularly arranged with respect to one another about the second vertical axis of rotation, wherein each plate of the second series of plates of the second carousel comprises a first half-shell, provided with suction holes, and a second half-shell, provided with suction holes, hinged to one another and configured in such a way as to be activatable between a splayed position, in which they are splayed with respect to one another, and a superposed position, wherein they are superposed on one another and closed to one another, the first half-shell and the second half-shell having dimensions such as to be able to receive internally thereof respectively the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece, wherein the second carousel is arranged with respect to the second feeder group and is activatable in angular rotation about the second vertical axis of rotation according to successive angular rotations so that, at each angular rotation, one plate at a time of the second series of plates, with the first half-shell and the second half-shell in the splayed position, is positioned in a first angular position situated at the second collecting position wherein the second feeder group positions the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece, so that the third circular piece can be collected from the second feeder group and then pushed and positioned in the first half-shell to form a first valve-shaped element, which is retained by suction in the first half-shell, and the fourth circular piece can be collected from the second feeder group and then pushed and positioned in the second half-shell to form a second valve-shaped element, which is retained by suction in the second half-shell, the second carousel being thus activatable in rotation about the second vertical axis of rotation with an angular rotation such as to position the plate, with the first valve-shaped element retained by suction in the first half-shell and the second valve-shaped element retained by suction in the second half-shell, in a successive angular position at a work station in which the first valve-shaped element is heat-formed internally of the first half-shell, into an annular peripheral portion and a first seat such as to be able to accommodate a lower part of the pod formed on the plate of the first carousel, and the second valve-shaped element is heat-formed internally of the second half-shell, into an annular peripheral portion and a second seat such as to be able to accommodate the upper part of the pod formed on the plate of the first carousel;   the first carousel, with the relative plate of the first series of plates which bears the pod, and the second carousel, with the relative plate of the second series of plates bearing the two heat-formed valve-shaped elements retained by suction by the two half-shells, being activatable in rotation according to relative angular rotations so as to position the plate, with the pod, and the plate, with the valve-shaped elements, in respective successive angular positions opposite one another, so that the pod can be collected and positioned in the first seat of the first valve-shaped element retained by aspiration by the first half-shell, with a lower part of the pod in the first seat, and the second half-shell can thus be activated into the superposed position, so as to superpose on the first half-shell, and position the second valve-shaped element, retained thereby by suction, above the first valve-shaped element and with an upper part of the pod being accommodated in the second seat of the second valve-shaped element, and so that the annular peripheral portion of the second valve-shaped element superposes on the annular peripheral portion of the first valve-shaped element,   wherein the second carousel is thus consequently activatable in angular rotation about the second vertical axis of rotation according to successive angular rotations so as to position, at each angular rotation, the plate of the second series of plates with the two half-shells in the superposed position, and the two valve-shaped elements, superposed on one another and internally containing the pod, in successive angular positions at relative work stations which are configured in such a way that at which, in succession:   the second half-shell, once the suction action has been deactivated so as to release the second valve-shaped element, is returned into the splayed position from the first half-shell, and the first valve-shaped element and the second valve-shaped element are heat-welded at the relative peripheral annular portions superposed on one another in such a way as to seal the pod internally thereof and obtain a sealed biodegradable packaging of a product for preparation of a beverage;   the sealed biodegradable packaging containing a product for preparation of a beverage is collected from the plate of the second series of plates of the second carousel and transferred onto a conveyor means.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first collecting work station, at the first collecting position wherein the first feeder group positions the first circular piece and the second circular piece and at the first angular position wherein the plate of the first series of plates is positioned by the first carousel, comprising collecting means configured and activatable to collect the first circular piece and the second circular piece from the first feeder group and to position the first circular piece on the first support of the plate, so that the first circular piece is centred with respect to the cylindrical housing so that an internal circular portion of the first circular piece is at the cylindrical housing and resting on the plate, the plate being positioned in a raised position with respect to the cylindrical housing at the upper end of the cylindrical housing, and an external circular portion of the first circular piece is external of the cylindrical housing, and in such a way that the first support and the plate can retain the first circular piece by suction, and in order to position the second circular piece on the second support of the plate, so that the second support can retain the second circular piece by suction;   a second folding and heat-forming work station, at a second angular position wherein the plate of the first carousel, with the first circular piece and the second circular piece being retained by suction by the first support and the second support, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel, comprising first folding and heat-welding means that are configured and activatable in synchrony with the lowering of the plate with respect to the cylindrical housing of the first support towards a relative lowered position, in order to push the internal circular portion of the first circular piece in the cylindrical housing in such a way as to fold the external circular portion with respect to the internal circular portion and to heat-form a hollow body having a circular base, defined by the internal circular portion, and a lateral wall defined by the external circular portion folded with respect to the internal circular portion,   a third dosing work station, at a third angular position wherein the plate of the first carousel, with the hollow body formed in the cylindrical housing of the first support and the second circular piece retained by suction by the second support, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel, comprising dosing means which are configured for dosing a product for preparing a beverage in the hollow body so as to fill a part of the volume of the hollow body in such a way that an upper portion of the lateral wall of the hollow body is free and not occupied by the product;   a fourth folding and closing work station, at a fourth angular position wherein the plate of the first carousel, with the hollow body in the cylindrical housing of the first support filled with the product for preparing a beverage and the second circular piece retained by suction by the second support, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel, comprising second folding means which are configured and activatable so as to be able to fold the upper portion of the lateral wall of the hollow body with respect to the lateral wall by means of pleating, to form a pleated crown above the product contained in the hollow body, and comprising gripping and welding means configured to grip the second circular piece from the second support and to position the second circular piece above the pleated crown, carrying out a welding to form a closing cover and close the hollow body in such a way as to obtain a pod containing the product for preparation of a beverage;   a fifth collecting work station, at the second collecting position wherein the second feeder group positions the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece and at the first angular position wherein the plate of the second series of plates is positioned by the second carousel, with the first half-shell and the second half-shell in the splayed position, comprising second collecting means configured and activatable to collect the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece from the second feeder group and to position the third circular piece in the first half-shell, pushing the third circular piece into the first half-shell so that the third circular piece adheres to the walls of the first half-shell and is retained by suction by the first half-shell, forming a first valve-shaped element, and to position the fourth circular piece in the second half-shell, pushing the fourth circular piece into the second half-shell so that the fourth circular piece adheres to the walls of the second half-shell and is retained by suction by the second half-shell, forming a second valve-shaped element;   a sixth heat-forming work station, at a second angular position wherein the plate of the second carousel, with the first valve-shaped element retained by suction in the first half-shell and with the second valve-shaped element, retained by suction in the second half-shell, is positioned following an angular rotation of the second carousel, comprising heat-forming means which are configured and activatable to insert in the first half-shell and the second half-shell and go into contact with the first valve-shaped element and the second valve-shaped element, the heat-forming means being conformed so as to heat-form the first valve-shaped element so that the first valve-shaped element comprises an annular peripheral portion and a first seat such as to be able to accommodate a lower part of the pod formed in the fourth folding and closing work station on the plate of the first carousel, and so as to heat-form the second valve-shaped element so that the second valve-shaped element comprises an annular peripheral portion and a second seat such as to be able to accommodate the upper part of the pod formed in the fourth folding and closing work station on the plate of the first carousel;   a seventh collecting and transferring work station of the pod, at a fifth angular position in which the plate of the first carousel, with the pod containing the product for the preparation of a beverage formed in the fourth folding and closing work station, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel and at a third angular position in which the plate of the second carousel, with the first valve-shaped element heat-formed and retained by suction in the first half-shell and the second valve-shaped element, heat-formed and retained by suction in the second half-shell, is positioned following an angular rotation of the second carousel so that it is opposite the plate of the first carousel, comprising collecting and transfer means that are configured and activatable to collect the pod and transfer and position the pod in the first seat of the first valve-shaped element so that a lower part of the pod is accommodated in the first seat, and wherein the second half-shell is subsequently activated in the superposed position, so as to superpose on the first half-shell so as to position the second valve-shaped element, retained thereby by suction, above the first valve-shaped element, in such a way that an upper part of the pod is accommodated in the second seat of the second valve-shaped element and so that the annular peripheral portion of the second valve-shaped element superposes on the annular peripheral portion of the first valve-shaped element;   an eighth heat-welding and sealing station, at a fourth angular position in which the plate of the second carousel, with the two valve-shaped elements, superposed on one another and internally containing the pod is positioned following a further angular rotation of the second carousel, comprising heat-forming and sealing means which are configured and activatable, once the second half-shell is returned into the splayed position with respect to the first half-shell, to heat-weld the first valve-shaped element and the second valve-shaped element at the relative peripheral annular portions superposed on one another in such a way as to seal the pod internally thereof and obtain a sealed biodegradable packaging of a product for preparation of a beverage;   a ninth outfeed work station, at a fifth angular position wherein the plate of the second carousel, with the biodegradable packaging sealed, obtained in the eighth heat-welding and sealing work station, is positioned following a further angular rotation of the second carousel, comprising second collecting and transfer means, which are configured and activatable to collect the biodegradable packaging and transfer the biodegradable packaging onto the conveyor means.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a compression work station, associated to the first carousel between the third dosing work station and the fourth folding and closing work station, at a first intermediate angular position, between the third angular position and the fourth angular position, wherein the plate of the first carousel, with the hollow body filled with the product for preparation of a beverage, supported by the plate in the cylindrical housing of the first support and the second circular piece retained by suction by the second support, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel, the compression work station comprising compression means which are configured and activatable to insert in the hollow body and push downwards, rotating about a vertical axis of rotation, the product for preparing a beverage contained in the hollow body so as to compress it, reducing the volume thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a compacting and sealing work station, associated to the first carousel between the fourth folding and closing work station and the seventh collecting and transferring work station, at a second intermediate angular position, between the fourth angular position and the fifth angular position, wherein the plate of the first carousel, with the pod containing the product for preparation of a beverage supported by the plate of the first support, is positioned following an angular rotation of the first carousel, the compacting and sealing work station comprising compacting and sealing means which are configured and activatable to be lowered towards the plate, in synchrony with the raising of the plate into the raised position to raise the pod beyond the cylindrical housing of the first support, so as to be able to abut the pod and compact the pod, reducing the overall volume there, and seal it completely. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the compacting and sealing means comprise a sonotrode which is configured in such a way as to be vertically activatable and be lowered towards the plate and abut the pod raised by the plate beyond the cylindrical housing of the first support, in order to compact the pod, completely sealing it. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the compacting and sealing means comprise a pusher element, vertically movable, provided with a welding cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a first cleaning station, associated to the first carousel, between the seventh collecting and transferring work station of the pod and the first collecting work station, at a third intermediate angular position, between the fifth angular position and the first angular position, wherein the plate of the first carousel is positioned after the pod has been transferred onto the plate of the second carousel, and so that any eventual working waste can be removed and the first support, with the relative suction holes, the plate, with the relative suction holes and the second support, with the relative suction holes, can be subjected to cleaning operations. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a first pre-welding station, associated to the second carousel, between the seventh collecting and transferring work station and the eighth heat-welding and sealing work station, at a first intermediate angular position, between the third angular position and the fourth angular position, wherein the plate of the second carousel, with the two half-shells in the superposed position thereof with the two valve-shaped elements, superposed on one another and internally containing the pod, is positioned following an angular rotation of the second carousel, the first pre-welding station comprising spot welding means comprising a vertically movable element, which is provided with heated contact rods, the movable element being configured and activatable to be vertically lowered towards the second half-shell, closed above the first half-shell, so that the heated contact rods pass through through-holes realised in the second half-shell so that the heated contact rods reach into contact with the superposed annular portions of the valve-shaped elements, in order to carry out the reciprocal welding in the contact points with the heated contact rods. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising a second pre-welding station, associated to the second carousel, between the first pre-welding station work station and the eighth heat-welding and sealing work station, at a second intermediate angular position, between the first intermediate angular position and the fourth angular position, wherein the plate of the second carousel, with the two half-shells in the superposed position thereof and the two valve-shaped elements, superposed on one another and internally containing the pod and pre-welded to one another with weld spots at the relative annular portions, is positioned following an angular rotation of the second carousel, the second pre-welding station comprising a ring heat welding element which is configured and activatable in order to be vertically translatable and lowerable towards the plate, once the second half-shell, with the suction action deactivated to release the second valve-shaped element, is moved into the splayed position with respect to the first half-shell, in order to abut the superposed annular portions of the two valve-shaped elements and carry out a ring welding thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the ring welding using the ring heat welding element is carried out in a controlled-atmosphere environment following the partial raising of the second half-shell from the first half-shell so as to expose the mutually-superposed two valve-shaped elements, and pre-welded to one another with weld spots at the relative annular portions, and internally containing the pod, to the controlled-atmosphere environment, and subsequently to an aspiration of oxygen from the controlled-atmosphere environment, in order to remove the residual oxygen inside the two valve-shaped elements, and to an injection of inert gas into the controlled-atmosphere environment, so that the inert gas inserts between the two valve-shaped elements. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second pre-welding station comprises a bell element configured and activatable in vertical translation so as to be lowered and positioned on the plate of the second carousel so as to create a controlled-atmosphere environment which contains the two half-shells closed in the superposed position thereof, and containing the two valve-shaped elements, superposed on one another, pre-welded to one another with weld spots in the relative annular portions, and internally containing the pod, with the bell element which is provided with a first conduit, connected to an oxygen aspiration source, and with a second conduit, connected to an inert gas injection source, the ring heat welding element being mounted on the bell element vertically movable with respect to the bell element so as to be lowered towards the plate, against the recall action of elastic means. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising detecting means predisposed so as to detect the height and integrity of the biodegradable packaging borne by the plate of the second series of plates of the second carousel during the passage of the plate between the eighth heat-welding and sealing work station and the ninth outfeed work station, so that any packages that are defective or have a different height to a predetermined height are not collected by the second collecting and transfer means and are left on the second plate, and comprising a second cleaning station, associated to the second carousel, between the ninth outfeed work station and the fifth collecting work station, at a third intermediate angular position, between the fifth angular position and the first angular position, wherein the plate of the second carousel is positioned following an angular rotation of the second carousel, so that any defective packages left on the second plate can be removed and the first half-shell, with the relative suction holes, and the second half-shell, with the relative suction holes, can be subjected to cleaning operations. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the collecting means of the first collecting work station comprise a suction plate mounted by means of relative rods on a support frame that is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the rods are mounted translatably with respect to the frame in order to enable the suction plate to be translated distancingly or nearingly from or to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first support is conformed so as to comprise radial seats arranged radially with respect to the cylindrical housing and is mounted on the plate in such a way as to be activatable in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation that is axial to the cylindrical housing, and wherein the first folding and heat-welding means of the second folding and heat-forming work station comprise: a first cylindrical pusher element, heatable by means of a resistance, and activatable in vertical translation to be lowered towards the plate in order to abut the internal circular portion of the first circular piece and push it into the cylindrical housing so that the external circular portion of the first circular on, external with respect to the cylindrical housing and to the internal circular portion, is folded with respect to the internal circular portion forming the hollow body with the base wall and the lateral wall; and comprise a second pusher element conformed and configured in such a way as to comprise a series of radial paddles, activatable in vertical translation, so as to be lowered in synchrony with the first pusher element towards the plate, so that the series of radial paddles abut radial portions of the external circular portion of the first circular piece and push the radial portions into the radial seats of the cylindrical housing, so as to form radial tabs projecting externally from the lateral wall of the hollow body, and wherein the second pusher element is activatable in vertical translation raising with respect to the radial seats of the cylindrical housing so as to disengage from the cylindrical housing so that the first support, with the first pusher element maintained in the cylindrical housing in contact with the hollow body and heated by the resistance, can be activated in rotation about the vertical axis of rotation that is axial with respect to the cylindrical housing so as to fold the radial tabs against the lateral wall of the hollow body, with the first pusher element being activatable in vertical translation in order to be distanced from the cylindrical housing and in order to disengage from the hollow body. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second folding means in the fourth folding and closing work station comprise a series of blades hinged to one another and reciprocally arranged in such a way as to form between them a central opening and activatable in reciprocal rotation with respect to one another in order to be able to narrow the central opening, and wherein, when the plate is positioned by the first carousel in the fourth angular position at the fourth folding and closing work station with the hollow body formed in the cylindrical housing of the first support and containing the product for preparation of a beverage, the plate is activatable in vertical translation in order to be raised with respect to the cylindrical housing and to raise and position the hollow body so that the upper portion of the lateral wall of the hollow body not occupied and free of the product inserts in the central opening present between the blades, with the blades being then activatable in rotation with respect to one another, about the relative hinge points, so as to narrow the central opening in order to abut the upper portion and fold the upper portion with respect to the lateral wall of the hollow body, carrying out a folding with pleating and forming a pleated crown above the product contained in the hollow body. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second collecting means in the fifth collecting work station comprise a second suction plate on which are mounted, translatably with respect to the second suction plate, a pair of pusher elements, wherein the second suction plate is movable from a first position, at the second collecting position wherein the second feeder group positions the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece, wherein the second suction plate collects, by suction, the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece, at a second position above the first half-shell and the second half-shell of the plate positioned by the second carousel in the first angular position, so as to position the third circular piece above the first half-shell and the fourth circular piece above the second half-shell, the pair of pusher elements, following the deactivation of the suction of the second suction plate, being translatable with respect to the second suction plate to push the third circular piece into the first half-shell, so that the third circular piece adheres to the walls of the first half-shell and is retained by suction by the first half-shell, forming the first valve-shaped element, and to push the fourth circular piece in the second half-shell, so that the fourth circular piece adheres to the walls of the second half-shell and is retained by suction by the second half-shell, forming the second valve-shaped element. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second collecting and transfer means in the ninth outfeed work station comprise a suction gripping member movable from a first position, wherein the suction gripping member is positionable above the plate, positioned by the second carousel in the fifth angular position, at the first half-shell which bears the biodegradable packaging, so as to collect, by suction, the biodegradable packaging, at a second position, wherein it is above the conveyor means, in order to release the biodegradable packaging above the conveyor means, wherein the suction gripping member is provided with a circular cutting member dimensioned and configured so as to perform a circular cut on the peripheral annular portions of the two valve-shaped elements heat-welded and sealed to one another in such a way as to define a final shape for the biodegradable packaging that is exactly circular. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the conveyor means comprises a load cell configured and predisposed to detect the weight of the biodegradable packaging, and a trapdoor raisable to cause the packaging to fall towards a reject station in a case in which there is a non-conforming weight with respect to an ideal weight. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first feeder group comprises:
 first unwinding means, for unwinding a first film of biodegradable material from the first reel, first positioning means, for positioning an advanced portion of the first film into a vertical position, and a first knife to cut the advanced portion of the first film and obtain the first sheet;   at least a first suction plate borne by a first frame which is activatable in rotation about a vertical axis and configured to position the first suction plate in four angular positions that are consecutive to one another;   wherein, in a first angular position, the first suction plate is positioned at the first sheet cut from the first film so that the first suction plate can retain the first sheet by suction, wherein, in a second angular position, the first suction plate is positioned at the first cutting means, activatable to cut the first circular piece and the second circular piece from the first sheet, wherein, in a third angular position, the first suction plate is positioned, with the first sheet in which the first circular piece and the second circular piece have been cut and retained by suction, in the first collecting position of the first circular piece and the second circular piece, and wherein, in a fourth angular position, the first suction plate is positioned at first waste recovery means having the function of removing the waste residues of the first sheet from the first plate after the first circular piece and the second circular piece have been collected from the first collecting position and positioned on the first support and on the second support of the plate of the first carousel.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first cutting means of the first feeder group comprise first cylindrical cutting elements and wherein the first suction plate comprises circular grooves having a shape corresponding to the first cylindrical cutting elements so as to be able to accommodate internally thereof an end part of the first cylindrical cutting elements and enable the first cylindrical cutting elements to cut the first circular piece and the second circular piece in the first sheet retained by suction by the first suction plate. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second feeder group comprises:
 second unwinding means, for unwinding the second film of biodegradable material from the second reel, second positioning means, for positioning an advanced portion of the second film in a vertical position, and a second knife to cut the advanced portion of the second film and obtain the second sheet;   at least a second suction plate borne by a second frame which is activatable in rotation about a vertical axis and configured to position the second suction plate in four angular positions, consecutive to one another;   wherein, in a first angular position, the second suction plate is positioned at the second sheet cut from the second film so that the second suction plate can retain the second sheet by suction, wherein, in a second angular position, the second suction plate is positioned at the second cutting means, activatable to cut the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece from the second sheet, wherein, in a third angular position, the second suction plate is positioned, with the second sheet in which the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece have been cut and retained by suction, in the second collecting position of the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece, and wherein, in a fourth angular position, the second suction plate is at second waste recovery means having the function of removing the waste residues of the second sheet from the second suction plate after the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece have been collected from the second collecting position and positioned on the first half-shell and on the second half-shell of the plate of the second carousel.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the second cutting means of the second feeder group comprise second cylindrical cutting elements and wherein the second suction plate comprises corresponding circular grooves having a shape corresponding to the second cylindrical cutting elements so as to be able to accommodate internally thereof an end part of the second cylindrical cutting elements and enable the second cylindrical cutting elements to cut the third circular piece and the fourth circular piece in the second sheet retained by suction by the second suction plate.