EP1170212B1 - Machine for packaging articles in blister packs - Google Patents

Machine for packaging articles in blister packs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1170212B1
EP1170212B1 EP01114738A EP01114738A EP1170212B1 EP 1170212 B1 EP1170212 B1 EP 1170212B1 EP 01114738 A EP01114738 A EP 01114738A EP 01114738 A EP01114738 A EP 01114738A EP 1170212 B1 EP1170212 B1 EP 1170212B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
band
machine
thermoforming
blister
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01114738A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1170212A3 (en
EP1170212A2 (en
Inventor
Giuseppe Monti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Marchesini Group SpA
Original Assignee
Marchesini Group SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marchesini Group SpA filed Critical Marchesini Group SpA
Publication of EP1170212A2 publication Critical patent/EP1170212A2/en
Publication of EP1170212A3 publication Critical patent/EP1170212A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1170212B1 publication Critical patent/EP1170212B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B65B9/045—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for single articles, e.g. tablets

Definitions

  • This invention relates to packaging of articles in the blisters of a blister pack band to produce blister packs.
  • thermoformable band An orderly series of cup-shaped blisters on the thermoformable band and fill these blisters with the relative articles.
  • the blisters are then hermetically closed with a sealing film bonded to the blister pack band.
  • known blister packaging machines comprise, in line, a reel supporting unit with one or more reels of thermoformable band, a unit for thermoforming said band unwound from the reel currently being used, a unit for feeding the articles to the blister pack band, a unit to control the presence of said articles in the blisters of the band, a unit to seal the blister pack band and a shearing unit where the blister pack band is cut to obtain individual blister packs.
  • the blister packs are then transferred to a cartoning machine.
  • Document US 4.012.888 describes a blister-packaging machine wherein packaging material is treated at a succession of fluid-actuated stations arranged in-line and along which the packaging material is transported.
  • the machine includes a base for supporting the treatment stations in mutual alignment, the respective stations upstanding from the base and having material-supporting surfaces at a given height and abutting one another in sequence in the transport direction.
  • the machine further includes treatment means at the respective in-line stations, means for transporting the packaging material from station to station intermittently and wherein the respective means are programmed to treat the packaging material at dwell time in such intermittent transporting, and conduit means for supplying actuating fluid to one of the stations.
  • the object of the invention is to avoid the above mentioned problems by providing a machine for packaging articles in blister packs with a structure allowing great flexibility of use.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a blister packaging machine with a limited length.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a machine of great constructional and functional simplicity.
  • the reference numeral 1 indicates a blister packaging machine as a whole.
  • the blister packaging machine 1 comprises a series of modular units designed in such a way that they can be appropriately linked together. These modular units are housed in respective box-type casings designed to be reciprocally constrained by means of appropriate connection means.
  • the blister packaging machine 1 is equipped with a reel supporting unit 3 with a reel 20 of thermoformable band 2, preferably located in the centre of the machine.
  • thermoforming unit 4 On leaving the reel support unit 3, the band 2 unwound from reel 20 is conveyed into a thermoforming unit 4 in line and upstream of the reel supporting unit 3. Inside the thermoforming unit 4, the band 2 moves vertically from the bottom upwards. Within the thermoforming unit 4, a known mechanism forms an orderly series of blisters in the thermoformable band 2.
  • the blister pack band thus obtained is conveyed downwards and then in a transverse direction in the region of a bending mechanism 41.
  • the blister pack band 2 leaving the thermoforming unit 4 is transferred into a unit 5 which feeds the articles 10 to fill the blisters on the blister pack band.
  • the infeed unit 5 is positioned alongside the thermoforming unit 4 and in a raised position corresponding to the upper part of said unit 4. The infeed unit 5 can be removed from the machine.
  • the infeed unit 5 comprises a largely box-shaped casing 50 housing known operating mechanisms 51.
  • the casing 50 is equipped with appropriate connection means 52 to fasten it rapidly to the structure of the machine in correspondence to said thermoforming unit 4 (for details, see figures 6 and 7).
  • the upper part of the infeed unit 5 is equipped with a channel 53 for infeed of the articles 10. This is suitably sloped to carry these articles to the above-mentioned operating mechanisms 51.
  • the input channel 53 can be closed externally with an appropriate cover 54.
  • the infeed unit 5 also has a bottom inlet opening 55 for entry of the blister pack band 2 to be filled and a side outlet opening 57 for the exit of said blister pack band 2.
  • the bottom opening 55 faces a corresponding opening in the thermoforming unit 4.
  • the inlet and outlet openings 55 and 57 can be closed with covers 56 and 58 respectively.
  • the blister pack band 2 filled with articles 10 leaving the infeed unit 5 is transferred to a sealing unit 6 where the blisters are closed with an appropriate sealing film 8 employing known operating mechanisms 60.
  • the sealing film 8 unwinds from a relative reel 80 mounted on said unit 6.
  • Unit 7 includes a shearing device 70 with suitable known cutting mechanisms to produce the individual blister packs.
  • the modular construction of the blister packaging machine with individual units reciprocally constrained in such a way that they can be removed ensures great flexibility of use.
  • the structure of the machine can be adapted to the various requirements of industrial plants.
  • thermoforming unit 4 and infeed unit 5 can be separated from the sealing unit 6 and shearing unit 7 as shown in fig. 3 where, for greater clarity, the two parts of the machine are separated by a wall 9.
  • the machine can also be extended modularly with additional units as indicated in fig. 4 showing a machine with an auxiliary reel supporting unit 13 with a second reel of thermoformable band.
  • the machine is obviously equipped with a known type of automatic reel change mechanism.
  • Fig. 5 shows removal of the infeed unit 5 from the structure of the machine for cleaning of said unit 5, in particular, when the format of articles to be packed is changed.
  • the infeed unit 5 allows internal transit of the blister pack band 2 and the introduction of the articles 10 to fill the blisters on said band 2.
  • unit 5 When the format of articles to be packed or type of articles must be changed, after stopping infeed of the articles 10 and the blister pack band 2 to unit 5, unit 5 is released from the structure of the blister packaging machine by acting on the rapid connection means 52.
  • the clean infeed unit is rapidly mounted onto the structure of the machine by means of the connection means 52 (see fig. 6), enabling production to be resumed immediately with obvious benefits for line production rate.
  • the removed infeed unit is taken to the cleaning area where cleaning can be carried out easily, in particular, sterilising the entire unit, without interfering with operation of the blister packaging machine.
  • the casing of the infeed unit is hermetically closed by means of covers 54, 56 and 58 applied respectively to the input of the article infeed channel 53 and the blister pack band 2 transit openings 55 and 56 (figs. 8b and 9) in such a way that the unit is kept clean. Said infeed unit is then placed in a special area for subsequent use.
  • the machine for packaging articles in blister packs thus achieves the objects of creating a structure with high flexibility of use.
  • One feature of the blister packaging machine in question is the fact that it has a limited length.
  • thermoforming unit 4 is predominantly upright, with the blister pack band 2 moving vertically in the region of the shearing mechanism 70 of unit 7.
  • This technical-functional feature is obtained by equipping the machine upstream of the shearing mechanism 70 with a guide 180 for said blister pack band 2, with the configuration of an arc of a circle with a 90° angle at the centre and oriented in such a way as to convey said blister pack band 2 upwards.
  • the blister pack band 2 Downstream of guide 80, the blister pack band 2 thus has a vertical section Z1, a curved section Z2 (with concavity facing downwards) and finally a vertical section Z3 corresponding to the shearing mechanism 70.
  • the section Z2 represents a sort of storage reserve for the blister pack band 2 between the continuous infeed of the band upstream of said section Z2 and the step infeed of said band downstream imposed by the shearing mechanism 70.
  • the unit 5 feeding the articles 10 is arranged alongside said thermoforming unit 4 in such a way as to completely recover the longitudinal dimension.
  • a further advantage of the modular structure of the machine derives from the possibility of performing cleaning operations of the feeding unit 5 separately, after having removed it from the machine frame without any interference with the production operation stages of the machine.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP01114738A 2000-07-06 2001-06-22 Machine for packaging articles in blister packs Expired - Lifetime EP1170212B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2000BO000401A ITBO20000401A1 (it) 2000-07-06 2000-07-06 Macchina per il confezionamento di articoli in confezioni blister .
ITBO000401 2000-07-06

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1170212A2 EP1170212A2 (en) 2002-01-09
EP1170212A3 EP1170212A3 (en) 2002-10-16
EP1170212B1 true EP1170212B1 (en) 2006-08-09

Family

ID=11438593

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01114738A Expired - Lifetime EP1170212B1 (en) 2000-07-06 2001-06-22 Machine for packaging articles in blister packs

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1170212B1 (it)
DE (1) DE60122061T2 (it)
ES (1) ES2267633T3 (it)
IT (1) ITBO20000401A1 (it)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20020034A1 (it) * 2002-01-24 2003-07-24 Packservice S R L Macchina per la realizzazione di confezioni cosiddette "strip"
DE20313807U1 (de) * 2003-09-03 2003-11-06 Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, 71573 Allmersbach Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältnissen, wie insbesondere von Hartgelatinekapseln
FR2882987B1 (fr) * 2005-03-11 2007-05-04 Epmo Sa Systeme modulable de distribution dans une bande alveolee offrant une interchangeabilite entre differentes configurations de distribution
DE102005035902B3 (de) * 2005-07-30 2006-10-05 Romaco Pharmatechnik Gmbh Verpackungsmaschine
DE102006040802A1 (de) * 2006-08-31 2008-03-20 Emil Pester Gmbh Heizstation in einer Tiefziehmaschine
DE202006013558U1 (de) * 2006-09-01 2006-10-26 Beck Packautomaten Gmbh & Co. Folienverpackungsmaschine mit Blechgehäuse
DE102006045291A1 (de) * 2006-09-22 2008-04-03 Emil Pester Gmbh Formstation in einer Tiefziehmaschine
DE102006045292A1 (de) * 2006-09-22 2008-04-10 Emil Pester Gmbh Maschine zum Verpacken von Gegenständen in Blisterpackungen
DE102007017646A1 (de) * 2007-04-13 2008-10-16 Iwk Verpackungstechnik Gmbh Verpackungsmaschine
ITBO20080413A1 (it) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-28 Gaetano Castiglione Macchina per la produzione di flaconi con dosi di prodotto.
EP3318497A1 (de) * 2016-11-07 2018-05-09 Mediseal GmbH Festpharmazeutikazuführeinrichtung für eine blisterstreifenmaschine
US20180346171A1 (en) * 2017-05-31 2018-12-06 Allegiance Corporation Device, system, and method for providing modular vented opening package sealing
IT201800005836A1 (it) * 2018-05-29 2019-11-29 Macchina blisteratrice/cassonettatrice

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3464182A (en) * 1967-04-07 1969-09-02 Sauter Packaging Co Packaging machine
US3574270A (en) * 1968-09-26 1971-04-13 Illinois Tool Works Packaging machine
US4012888A (en) * 1975-07-31 1977-03-22 Packaging Coordinators, Inc. Packaging apparatus for forming, filling and sealing receptacles
DE2656218C2 (de) * 1976-12-11 1978-11-30 Josef Uhlmann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh + Co Kg, 7958 Laupheim Form- und Packmaschine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITBO20000401A0 (it) 2000-07-06
EP1170212A3 (en) 2002-10-16
DE60122061T2 (de) 2006-12-21
DE60122061D1 (de) 2006-09-21
ITBO20000401A1 (it) 2002-01-06
ES2267633T3 (es) 2007-03-16
EP1170212A2 (en) 2002-01-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1170212B1 (en) Machine for packaging articles in blister packs
US5179816A (en) Apparatus for automatically forming, filling, sealing and separating film packaging from a film webbing
EP1150887B1 (en) A device for feeding articles to a blister band
US3513629A (en) Overwrap packing machines
EP1663825B1 (en) System for conveying packaging cushions
CN100453408C (zh) 连续形成、密封和充填软性包装的系统和方法
US20090025340A1 (en) Method for Producing a Package and Packaging Machine
ITTO20080896A1 (it) Impianto per il confezionamento di prodotti dolciari in confezioni sterili
ITBO960465A1 (it) Apparato per il confezionamento di prodotti in atmosfera modificata e controllata, con film estensibile ed impermeabile al gas
FI85003C (fi) Foerpackningsmaskin.
KR101492178B1 (ko) 접힘 가능한 형태의 용기를 충전하기 위한 방법 및 장치
ES2254287T3 (es) Dispositivo para recuperar productos excedentes de una banda de burbujas en una maquina de empaquetado.
EP1170213B1 (en) Unit for feeding articles to a blister band
KR100271332B1 (ko) 포장장치
EP0685391B1 (en) Machine for forming-filling packaging bags in particular for packaging food articles
EP1759995A1 (en) Equipment and method for packaging packets of products in bags
CN1132493A (zh) 用于生产包裹和用于包装物品的包装方法
JPH07267205A (ja) ガス発生物質の連続包装方法
CN205396616U (zh) 一种小袋型包装机
EP1047594B1 (en) Method and apparatus for heat sealing containers and for filling the same
ITFI970029A1 (it) Metodo a macchina per la formazione di confezioni di prodotto sfuso con film saldabile
CA3239997A1 (en) Method for packaging articles in boxes and packaging device operating according to such a method
JP4931839B2 (ja) 縦形製袋充填機における添付品の貼着方法および装置
IT202000019855A1 (it) Macchina per la formazione di buste con prodotti da infusione o estrazione.
RU4963U1 (ru) Термоусадочная упаковочная машина

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030414

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE ES FR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60122061

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060921

Kind code of ref document: P

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2267633

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070510

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20120620

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20130619

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20130703

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60122061

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60122061

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150101

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20150227

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20150729

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140623

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230421