EP0024750A2 - Method and apparatus for the opening of defective or non defective packages provided with recesses and the simultaneous regaining of the packed objects - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Process for the opening of heat-formed alveolate packs whether defective or otherwise, in particular for pharmaceutical products, and the simultaneous recuperation of the objects packed, according to which the alveolate packs are stocked with the alveolates facing upwards in a magazine, they are expelled one by one from the base of the magazine, and the objects packed are extracted from the packing, characterised by the fact that said extraction is carried out by a press consisting of a die and punches, and that, after extraction, the punches are lifted and carry away with them the emptied pack, the emptied pack being then ejected from the punches by knocking against an organ of retention.

Description

Preamble:

The packaging of objects in thermoformable film has taken a great development in recent years.

One of the applications is the so-called "blister" packaging in which the object or objects are placed in one or more thermoformed cells, which are then closed with another film (paper, heat-sealable aluminum foil, etc.) . This technique is used in particular for the packaging of pharmaceutical products (dragees, capsules, tablets, ova), toys, automobile articles, etc. In practice, a certain number of these packages have defects for various causes. As a result, they cannot be marketed. These packaging must be disposed of.

To do this, open the packaging and collect the wrapped objects. Until now, this work was done, either manually, or with devices which proved to be impractical in use.

The object of the device, which is the subject of the present invention, is to make the operation of opening the packages and the simultaneous recovery of the enclosed objects, simple, automatic and rapid.

Object of the present invention:

Method for opening defective or non-defective thermoformed alveolar packaging and simultaneous recovery of the packaged objects.

Description of the present invention

• la machine est constituée par trois sous-ensembles importants, à savoir :
  • - le chargeur ;
  • - la presse et la matrice ;
  • - le châssis et les mécanismes de commande.

A form of non-limiting application of the present invention can be described as follows:

• the machine is made up of three major sub-assemblies, namely:
  • - the charger ;
  • - the press and the die;
  • - the chassis and control mechanisms.

The charger :

is constituted by a mechanism which will allow an easy adjustment of the accepted formats, it activates the two front and rear sides of the magazine simultaneously by a system of screws on the left and on the right; this screw is controlled using a small wheel (1) easily accessible.

The faces approach or move away by the same value with respect to the axis of the machine. The reference will then be the axis of the press for any packaging dimensions in the direction of translation.

However, it is obvious that the rear face could be fixed and the front face alone could be moved. In this case, the reference would therefore be the rear face of the charger.

The side between the loader and the press will be manual Lement moved by the steering wheel with a third screw (2). The fourth face (3) is fixed, it will serve as a reference to adjust the packaging translation system.

The charger thus constituted will make it possible to load packages having variable dimensions. The packages are arranged alveoli up. Graduated rulers (4) can facilitate the setting of the desired format.

A metal plate of the size of the packaging to be emptied can also be inserted between the branches of the charger.

The charger will store a number of packages.

The lateral faces will at the same time control the slides (5) which hold the packages during their translation towards the press, as well as the ejector (6).

The distance between the slides will therefore be obtained automatically by the position of the front and rear sides of the loader.

By the chosen shape of the punches, the emptied packaging is retained by them.

An ejector pulls out the punches from the emptied packaging for their evacuation to the waste bin. A drive stopper and a register (7) will serve as the basis for the stack of packages stored in the loader when the die is under the press and will thus prevent the unwanted release of the packages during the translation of the die.

The register (7) will be guided in a sheath (8). It can be made of round wires or sheet metal. A kind of flap or latch, adjustable in height placed at the base of the loader uprights (press side) allows the passage of packages of various thicknesses depending on the position of said latch.

The press:

consists of a plate (9) guided from bottom to top by round or other guides, rigid enough to reduce and even avoid their deformation during punching, possibly asymmetrical.

The stroke will be determined by an eccentric (10) fixed on the motor axis.

The tray will allow the introduction, without the aid of a tool, of a base (11) on which the punches are fixed.

The number of punches will depend on the number, shape and arrangement of the cells of the package to be opened.

The location of the base in the tray will be defined by the click produced for example by a spring ball or by any other locking means.

The axis of all the punches will coincide with the center of the magazine, for example in the case where the front and rear sides of the magazine are adjustable. After the press has functioned and the tablets or other products have been ejected, the empty packaging is pushed back into a container (12) of suitable dimensions.

A brush holds the packaging against the end stop drag during the translational movement towards the press.

Another repels (in the aforementioned container) any objects or waste on the upper face of the matrix.

The matrix :

• - un élément supérieur démontable, sans l'aide d'un outil, est en l'occunence la matrice proprement dite.
• - un corps (13), soit en acier, soit en métal léger chemisé par un fourreau en acier inoxydable, démontable ou non. Ce fourreau canalise les produits après l'ouverture de l'emballage.
• - un élément inférieur (14) ferme le corps précité par une trappe, fermée manuellement par un cliquet (15). Une simple traction manuelle exercée sur le cliquet permet l'ouverture de la trappe.

consists of:

• - a removable upper element, without the aid of a tool, is in this case the actual matrix.
• - A body (13), either steel or light metal lined with a stainless steel sheath, removable or not. This sheath channels the products after opening the packaging.
• - A lower element (14) closes the aforementioned body by a hatch, closed manually by a pawl (15). A simple manual pull exerted on the pawl allows the opening of the hatch.

The matrix is moved for example from the bottom of the loader to the press by a linkage system described later in the text.

This movement, by means of rectilinear bearings, takes place on horizontal case-hardened shafts or, in certain cases, could be inclined by a certain angle.

When the matrix is under the magazine, it receives a single package which is extracted from the magazine by a driving cleat; this one then slides under

the following packaging.

One or more lugs placed on the upper face in front of the first package prevents it from moving on top of the matrix during the translational movement of the latter.

It is thus brought precisely under the punches of the press.

The chassis:

The loader and the press, as well as the power unit are mounted on a vertical plate of steel or other metal, which is mounted on a solid profile frame particularly resistant to torsion. - This frame is an integral part of the chassis.

The matrix and the translation system are mounted on a horizontal steel or other metal plate, which is also mounted on a solid frame like the aforementioned vertical plate.

On the front face of the chassis, a pivoting door with one leaf opens and allows access to the matrix hatch.

The door is closed by known magnetic mechanical elements.

At the rear, removable panels allow access to the connecting rods and the electrical box.

These upper and lower panels are provided with air vents.

The chassis is placed on rollers, either fixed or swivel, plastic or any other ^- materials, which allows the easy movement of the machine. The interior of the chassis allows the introduction of a reci who will receive the emptied packaging. A system for grinding empty packaging can be added to the assembly.

Control mechanisms

The drive system described by way of example comprises the drive shaft, which controls the eccentric of the press on one side and a gear train (16) on the other which in turn controls the rotation of the cam and the cam follower.

The motor shaft is introduced into the reducer of a hollow shaft motor-reducer. The gear train with three or more gears makes it possible to advance or delay the descent of the press with respect to the stop time of the die under the press.

The cam and a cam follower actuate a linkage which drives the matrix in a reciprocating movement with a predetermined stop time under the press.

A spring system holds the linkage against the cam.

The rollovers:

The closing covers are easily removable. Their dismantling will allow access to the vital organs of the machine.

Electrical accessories:

A switch will allow either impulse operation by the manual action of the operator on a push button, or automatic operation. When there are only a few packages left in the machine, it will stop automatically. It will restart, either as soon as the charger is refilled without further intervention, or by the action of the operator on a push button.

Claims (7)

FIRST CLAIM: Method for opening defective or non-defective thermoformed alveolar packaging and simultaneous recovery of the packaged objects. The system consists in storing the aforementioned alveolar packaging, - alveoli upwards, - in an appropriate store, transfer these one by one to a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure tool to extract the wrapped objects without damaging them, by rupture of the closing film. The press is equipped with an ejection system for emptied packages. The process makes it possible to separate empty packaging from the objects to be recovered. SECOND CLAIM: Adjustable magazine intended to receive a certain number of packages described according to claim nr 1 and combined with a transfer system to an extraction press. The application of a packaging detection system to empty with high and low level in the store allows full automaticity of the whole. THIRD CLAIM: Exit system from a store in which the packages are stacked, - cells up, - extraction from this store, transfer to an extraction press. The system consists of a die holder supporting a die having the predetermined orifices depending on the object which must be transferred. The outlet of the magazine is obstructed by a register which is fixed to the die holder and this, - during translation. This process allows you to remove from the store only one thermoformed unit or blister package at a time. The die holder, driven by mechanical or other means, is placed in front of the punches of the press, receiving the movement intended to operate the extraction. FOURTH CLAIM: System with recovery of objects packed in thermoformed alveolar packaging, consisting of a press fitted with punches. The number of punches will depend on the number, shape and arrangement of the cells of the thermoformed blister package to be opened. This press can be operated by manual mechanical or pneumatic means. FIFTH REVENDICATI ON: Press system according to claim 4, equipped with a system for extracting the emptied packaging from the punches. SIXTH CLAIM: System for synchronizing the movement of the press with the movement of the die holder supporting the die according to claim nr 3 and claim nr 5 and its positioning under the extraction press. This movement can be mechanical, pneumatic or other. SEVENTH CLAIM: Assembly as described in claims nr.1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 and combined in one device. EIGHTH CLAIM: Simplified device operated manually, mechanically or pneumatically, consisting of a press assembly, punches, die and extractor with manual placement of the package to be opened under the punches of the press.

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