Patent ID: 7730697

Claim:
A machine ( 100 ) for making filter bags ( 1 ) for infusion products, the machine ( 100 ) being of the type comprising, one after the other along a production line (P), a plurality of operating stations designed to form the filter bags ( 1 ) and at least one operating outfeed station ( 7 ) for handling the filter bags ( 1 ) made; the operating outfeed and handling station ( 7 ) comprising: conveying means ( 8 ) designed to successively pick up and withhold the filter bags ( 1 ) along a certain section (T 1 ) of the line (P); supporting guide means ( 9 ) along which an ordered and continuous succession of filter bags ( 1 ) is formed and fed along another section (T 2 ) of the line (P); and means ( 11 ) for picking up and transferring the filter bags from the conveying means ( 8 ) to the supporting guide means ( 9 ); the machine ( 100 ) further comprising actuating means ( 12 ), positioned and operating at the supporting guide means ( 9 ) in such a way as to define a reference ( 1 a ) between two consecutive sets of a predetermined number of filter bags ( 1 ) in order to form respective groups ( 13 ) of filter bags ( 1 ) to be picked up from the supporting guide means ( 9 ); wherein the actuating means ( 12 ) comprise means ( 12 ) for lifting a predetermined filter bag ( 1 a ) with respect to the other filter bags ( 1 ) in order to define said reference, the actuating means ( 12 ) being located under the supporting guide means ( 9 ) and, when required, being operated upon by respective drive means ( 14 ) in such a way as to act on the bottom of the single filter bag ( 1 ) so that the latter moves upwards.