EP1698554A1 - Feeder tube for tablets - Google Patents

Feeder tube for tablets Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1698554A1
EP1698554A1 EP05004560A EP05004560A EP1698554A1 EP 1698554 A1 EP1698554 A1 EP 1698554A1 EP 05004560 A EP05004560 A EP 05004560A EP 05004560 A EP05004560 A EP 05004560A EP 1698554 A1 EP1698554 A1 EP 1698554A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
core body
sections
channel
groove
feed tube
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP05004560A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1698554B1 (en
Inventor
Martin Seiffert
Harald Litke
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.)
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
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 Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Priority to EP05004560A priority Critical patent/EP1698554B1/en
Priority to AT05004560T priority patent/ATE343520T1/en
Priority to DE502005000154T priority patent/DE502005000154D1/en
Priority to SG200600910A priority patent/SG125204A1/en
Priority to JP2006052652A priority patent/JP2006240741A/en
Priority to US11/365,283 priority patent/US7455166B2/en
Publication of EP1698554A1 publication Critical patent/EP1698554A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1698554B1 publication Critical patent/EP1698554B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B65B5/103—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/12—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by gravity
    • 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
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/007—Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a feed tube for feeding tablets, pills, capsules, dragees and like products from a gravity feed reservoir to a receptacle through a channel of substantially rectangular cross-section formed in the feed tube.
  • a feed tube is known from US 2004/0035878 A1.
  • Pharmaceutical products such as tablets, capsules, pills, suppositories, dragées and the like are generally packaged in bottles, bags, blisters, cartons and the like.
  • Blisters consist of a card in which a plurality of deep-drawn wells are formed, which are individually filled with pills and sealed with a cover sheet.
  • the introduction of pills or tablets into the packaging, especially in blister packs, is done with automatic machines that are capable of accurately and accurately feeding the products concerned at high speed.
  • Conventional packaging machines for this purpose include a plurality of feed tubes and gutters which direct the pills or tablets from a reservoir towards their receptacles. Precise alignment and delivery of the pills can be critical, especially if the pills are to be placed in the wells of a blister.
  • a feed tube which is intended to avoid the aforementioned shingling.
  • the feed tube has a helical passage extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tube.
  • This helical channel has a substantially rectangular cross section, which is larger than the cross section of the pills to be transported.
  • substantially rectangular here is meant a cross-section, the largest extent in a first direction is greater than a maximum extent in a direction perpendicular to the first direction second direction, the sides but not necessarily be rectilinear, but also to the cross-sectional shape of be passed through tablets, pills or the like. Products may be adjusted. This also applies to the present invention. As the pills fall through the channel, the pills will rotate due to the course of the channel, but not towards the channel. Within it, the pills have only limited mobility with respect to the canal walls. However, this mobility is to prevent the shingles caused mutual jamming of the pills in the channel.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a feed pipe of the type mentioned above, which prevents jamming promoted therein products as a result of shingles and can be produced in a simple manner.
  • the feed channel has portions which are in principle formed like sections of a thread, but have opposite pitch directions at successive sections.
  • the pills When falling through the conveyor channel under gravity effect the tablets, pills, capsules, dragees and the like products, hereinafter alternatively called "pills", a pendulum movement about a first axis, which extends substantially in the transport direction of the pills.
  • the pills Due to the inclined position of the inclined conveyor channel sections relative to the longitudinal axis of the feed tube, the pills also have a pendulum motion component about a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance.
  • the rotation angle of the pills against each other in the direction of movement lying axis should be at least about 10 ° and can reach up to an angle of about 90 °.
  • the individual pills move as if they were on a rolling course as they cross the feed tube. In this way, jamming of successive pills due to a shingling effect is certainly avoided, even if the flow of pills through the delivery channel should be interrupted due to dosing.
  • the invention has the advantage over the prior art that the feed tube can be produced in a very simple manner, be it by machining a solid material or be it by a molding process by injection molding.
  • the feed tube consists of a core body having a longitudinally non-linear groove, and a cladding tube surrounding the core body and laterally closing the groove to form a delivery channel.
  • the groove can be generated in the existing of a solid material core body in a simple manner with the aid of a milling cutter whose axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the core body, wherein during the milling process, the core body is guided in the longitudinal direction of the end mill and is thereby rotated about its longitudinal axis pendulum.
  • the rotation of the core body can be up to about ⁇ 90 °.
  • the end mill leaves in this way in the core body a track that runs more or less wavy or zig-zag depending on the control of the movements on the surface of the core body.
  • a finger milling cutter correspondingly small diameter can be used, but multiple milling operations are carried out under mutual offset of the individual milling tracks relative to the core body.
  • An injection-molded feed tube consists of two half-shells which are joined together at a longitudinal separating surface and which each have a groove which forms a partial cross-section of the conveying channel.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 together show the two parts of a feed tube, of which Fig. 1 shows a provided with a longitudinal groove N core body K circular cross-section and Fig. 2 shows a specific for receiving the core body K cladding tube H.
  • the groove N formed in the core body K extends substantially longitudinally and on both sides of an axial line. It has a rectilinear section in the lower part of the core body K. 1 and in the upper part of the core body K sections 1a and 1b, which are alternately inclined to the one and to the other side respectively against the said axial line of the core body K including an angle. This angle is in the present example about 30 ° so that two adjacent sections 1a and 1b together form an angle of about 120 ° with each other. Seen from the side of the core body K, the groove N thus extends in the portion defined by the sections 1a and 1b portion zigzag-shaped on both sides of an axial line, which is determined by the straight section 1.
  • the sections 1a and 1b of the groove have cross sections seen transversely to their longitudinal extent, which are rotated in mutually changing directions against each other, wherein the twist angle is determined by the pitch of the groove sections 1a and 1b.
  • This is the result of a preferred manufacturing method, according to which the circular cross-section core body K is moved along a rotary milling cutter whose axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the core body K and which intersects the axis, wherein during the longitudinal movement of the core body K of this in alternate directions its determined by the straight groove portion 1 position is rotated.
  • This rotation is in the example shown about ⁇ 20 °, which is shown in Fig. 3 in total by the angle ⁇ .
  • the groove N is therefore described in the region of the groove portions 1a and 1b not only by a two-dimensional wave or zig-zag line, but also has a third component, namely, a rotational component resulting from the finger milling cutter during movement of the core body is kept stationary.
  • Fig. 3 can be seen the channel which is limited in partial areas of sloping wall sections 2a and 2b. Seen in the frontal view of the lower end of the core body K, which is shown in Fig. 3, one can see the first inclined wall surface 2a, which belongs to the lowermost groove portion 1a, followed by the offset behind it inclined wall surface 2b, to the subsequent groove portion 1 b heard, which has a direction opposite to the first groove portion 1a slope direction.
  • the size of the pitch of the groove portions 1a and 1b is determined by the ratio of the angle of rotation ⁇ to the length of the respective groove portion. It must be sufficiently large that a smooth passage of the pills is ensured by the delivery channel at the transitions from the channel portion of a slope direction to the channel portion of the other direction of slope and should be at least so large in a zigzag-shaped groove, that of two consecutive groove portions 1a and 1b enclosed angle is blunt.
  • the total rotation angle ⁇ is about 40 °, i. the core body K is rotated in the present case by up to about 20 ° in the one and the other direction in the manufacture of the groove portions 1a and 1b relative to the position it has when milling the axially extending groove portion 1.
  • the slope of the oblique groove sections 1a and 1b in the present example is about 60 ° or -60 °.
  • the cladding tube H shown in Fig. 2 is pushed over the core body K in the finished state of the conveyor tube to laterally close the groove N and thus complete the conveyor channel, so that the products conveyed through the groove N products can not escape uncontrollably from the conveyor channel.
  • the cladding H requires no further explanation.
  • the core body K can be made of any suitable material that has sufficient stability, for example made of aluminum or plastic, possibly fiber-reinforced plastic. The same applies to the cladding H.
  • FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a conveyor pipe according to the invention.
  • This consists of two matching shells 3 and 4, which are intended to be joined at parting surfaces 5 and 6.
  • the shells 3 and 4 each have a channel 7 and 8, which form a conveyor channel in the assembled state of the shells 3 and 4.
  • the course of the grooves is not zigzag-shaped, as the groove N in the example of FIG. 1, but wavy.
  • one shell 3 has a plug part 9, while the other shell 4 has a matching receiving part 10.
  • the shells 3 and 4 are each provided with a half flange 11 and 12, respectively, which in the assembled state form a circular contour and are adapted to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of circular cross-section, such as an outlet opening of a reservoir.
  • the conveying channel formed by the two grooves 7 and 8 has a course wound in alternating directions, pills moving through this conveying channel make oscillating movements as they pass through the channel, in which the pills are two apart oscillating orthogonal axes back and forth. This course of movement prevents successive pills from shinging and becoming jammed.
  • Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a conveyor pipe according to the invention of two mating shells 3 and 4, which are intended to be joined at parting surfaces 5 and 6.
  • the grooves 7 and 8 formed in the shells 3 and 4 are formed so that the conveying channel formed by the joining of the shells 3 and 4 has a course similar to that realized in the embodiment of FIG is.
  • the delivery channel is located centrally in the delivery tube formed by the composite shells 3 and 4.
  • Fig. 5 also shows an instantaneous position of five tablets T, which take them to each other when they pass through the conveying channel of the embodiment of Fig. 5.
  • the individual tablets T are rotated against each other, which is determined by the course of the delivery channel.
  • all tablets must rotate to the position previously taken by the previous tablet.
  • the tablets T must therefore rotate against each other on their edges, which prevents the shingles described.
  • the shells 3 and 4 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be produced by injection molding.
  • sheerless injection molds can be used, for which optionally the position and course of the parting surfaces 5 and 6 are selected in a suitable manner.
  • the feed tubes according to the invention can be used in a device as described in the aforementioned US 2004/0035878 A1, without further modifications to this device having to be made.

Abstract

The device has a transport channel of essentially rectangular cross-section and several sequential connected sections (1a,1b) whose longitudinal axes are alternately inclined on opposite sides at angles of less than 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the feed tube.. The cross-sections of the sections are rotated in alternating direction by an angle in the range from about 10 to 90 degrees. An independent claim is also included for a method of manufacturing a ceramic core for an inventive feed tube.

Description

Gebiet der ErfindungField of the invention

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Zuführrohr zum Zuführen von Tabletten, Pillen, Kapseln, Dragees und dergleichen Produkte von einem Vorratsbehälter unter Schwerkraftwirkung zu einem Aufnahmebehälter durch einen in dem Zuführrohr ausgebildeten Kanal im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Querschnitts hindurch. Ein solches Zuführrohr ist aus US 2004/0035878 A1 bekannt.The invention relates to a feed tube for feeding tablets, pills, capsules, dragees and like products from a gravity feed reservoir to a receptacle through a channel of substantially rectangular cross-section formed in the feed tube. Such a feed tube is known from US 2004/0035878 A1.

Beschreibung des Standes der TechnikDescription of the Prior Art

Pharmazeutische Produkte, wie beispielsweise Tabletten, Kapseln, Pillen, Zäpfchen, Dragees und dergleichen, werden im allgemeinen in Flaschen, Beuteln, Blistern, Faltschachteln und dergleichen Behälter verpackt. Blister bestehen aus einer Karte, in der eine Vielzahl tiefgezogener Näpfchen ausgebildet sind, die einzeln mit Pillen befüllt und insgesamt mit einer Deckfolie versiegelt sind. Das Einfüllen von Pillen oder Tabletten in die Verpackungen, insbesondere in Blister, erfolgt mit automatisch arbeitenden Maschinen, die in der Lage sind, die betreffenden Produkte präzise und genau mit hoher Geschwindigkeit einzubringen. Übliche Verpackungsmaschinen für diesen Zweck enthalten mehrere Zuführrohre und Rinnen, die die Pillen oder Tabletten von einem Vorratsbehälter in Richtung auf ihre Aufnahmebehälter leiten. Eine präzise Ausrichtung und Einbringung der Pillen kann kritisch sein, insbesondere, wenn die Pillen in die Näpfchen eines Blisters eingebracht werden sollen.Pharmaceutical products such as tablets, capsules, pills, suppositories, dragées and the like are generally packaged in bottles, bags, blisters, cartons and the like. Blisters consist of a card in which a plurality of deep-drawn wells are formed, which are individually filled with pills and sealed with a cover sheet. The introduction of pills or tablets into the packaging, especially in blister packs, is done with automatic machines that are capable of accurately and accurately feeding the products concerned at high speed. Conventional packaging machines for this purpose include a plurality of feed tubes and gutters which direct the pills or tablets from a reservoir towards their receptacles. Precise alignment and delivery of the pills can be critical, especially if the pills are to be placed in the wells of a blister.

Bei der Zuführung der Pillen durch Zuführrohre, in denen sie unter Schwerkraftwirkung nach unten fallen, kann es zu Verklemmungen kommen, wenn wegen der notwendigen Dosierung die Pillen in den Zuführrohren zum Anhalten kommen und sich dann teilweise unter Schrägstellung schindelartig gegenseitig überlappen. Man spricht deshalb auch von einem "Schindeln" der Pillen.When feeding the pills through feed tubes, in which they fall down under gravity, it can lead to jamming, if due to the necessary dosage, the pills in the feed tubes come to a stop and then partially overlap under inclination shingled each other. One speaks therefore also of a "shingles" of the pills.

In der oben genannten US 2004/0035878 A1 ist ein Zuführrohr beschrieben, das das vorgenannte Schindeln vermeiden soll. Das Zuführrohr hat einen wendelförmig verlaufenden Kanal, der sich zwischen einem Einlassende und einem Auslassende des Rohrs erstreckt.In the above-mentioned US 2004/0035878 A1, a feed tube is described which is intended to avoid the aforementioned shingling. The feed tube has a helical passage extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tube.

Dieser wendelförmige Kanal hat einen im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Querschnitt, der größer als der Querschnitt der zu befördernden Pillen ist. Mit "im Wesentlichen rechteckig" ist hier ein Querschnitt gemeint, dessen größte Erstreckung in einer ersten Richtung größer ist, als eine größte Erstreckung in einer zur ersten Richtung senkrechten zweiten Richtung, dessen Seiten aber nicht unbedingt geradlinig sein müssen, sondern auch an die Querschnittsgestalt der durchzuleitenden Tabletten, Pillen oder dgl. Produkte angepasst sein können. Das gilt auch bei der vorliegenden Erfindung. Beim Fallen der Pillen durch den Kanal führen die Pillen aufgrund des Verlaufs des Kanals eine Drehung aus, nicht aber gegenüber dem Kanal. Innnerhalb desselben haben die Pillen nur eine begrenzte Beweglichkeit gegenüber den Kanalwänden. Diese Beweglichkeit aber soll das durch Schindeln hervorgerufene gegenseitige Verklemmen der Pillen im Kanal verhindern.This helical channel has a substantially rectangular cross section, which is larger than the cross section of the pills to be transported. By "substantially rectangular" here is meant a cross-section, the largest extent in a first direction is greater than a maximum extent in a direction perpendicular to the first direction second direction, the sides but not necessarily be rectilinear, but also to the cross-sectional shape of be passed through tablets, pills or the like. Products may be adjusted. This also applies to the present invention. As the pills fall through the channel, the pills will rotate due to the course of the channel, but not towards the channel. Within it, the pills have only limited mobility with respect to the canal walls. However, this mobility is to prevent the shingles caused mutual jamming of the pills in the channel.

Für die Herstellung eines Zuführrohrs der vorgenannten Art sind relativ komplizierte Werkzeuge und Formen erforderlich. Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Zuführrohr der eingangs genannten Art anzugeben, das ein Verklemmen von darin geförderten Produkten als Folge von Schindeln verhindert und auf einfache Weise herstellbar ist.For the production of a feed tube of the aforementioned type relatively complicated tools and molds are required. The invention has for its object to provide a feed pipe of the type mentioned above, which prevents jamming promoted therein products as a result of shingles and can be produced in a simple manner.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die im Anspruch 1 angegebenen Merkmale gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung und ein Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Zuführrohrs sind Gegenstand weiterer Ansprüche.This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention and a method for producing a feed tube are the subject of further claims.

Übersicht über die ErfindungOverview of the invention

In dem erfindungsgemäßen Zuführrohr hat der Förderkanal Abschnitte, die im Prinzip wie Abschnitte eines Gewindegangs ausgebildet sind, jedoch bei aufeinanderfolgenden Abschnitten einander entgegengesetzte Steigungsrichtungen haben. Beim Durchfallen des Förderkanals unter Schwerkraftwirkung führen die Tabletten, Pillen, Kapseln, Dragees und dergleichen Produkte, nachfolgend ersatzweise "Pillen" genannt, eine pendelnde Bewegung um eine erste Achse aus, die im wesentlichen in Transportrichtung der Pillen verläuft. Aufgrund der Schräglage der geneigten Förderkanalabschnitte gegenüber der Längsachse des Zuführrohrs haben die Pillen auch eine pendelnde Bewegungskomponente um eine zweite Achse, die im wesentlichen senkrecht zur Förderrichtung verläuft. Dabei tritt an den Übergangsstellen zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden Kanalabschnitten die Umkehrung der Pendelbewegung statt, was zur Folge hat, dass aufeinanderfolgende Pillen sich zwangsweise relativ zueinander bewegen. Die Drehwinkel der Pillen gegeneinander um die in Bewegungsrichtung liegende Achse sollte wenigstens etwa 10° sein und kann bis zu einem Winkel von etwa 90° reichen. Die einzelnen Pillen bewegen sich quasi wie auf einem Schlingerkurs, wenn sie das Zuführrohr durchqueren. Auf diese Weise ist ein Verklemmen aufeinanderfolgender Pillen aufgrund einer Schindelwirkung mit Sicherheit vermieden, selbst wenn der Fluss der Pillen durch den Förderkanal aufgrund eines Dosiervorgangs unterbrochen werden sollte.In the feed tube according to the invention, the feed channel has portions which are in principle formed like sections of a thread, but have opposite pitch directions at successive sections. When falling through the conveyor channel under gravity effect the tablets, pills, capsules, dragees and the like products, hereinafter alternatively called "pills", a pendulum movement about a first axis, which extends substantially in the transport direction of the pills. Due to the inclined position of the inclined conveyor channel sections relative to the longitudinal axis of the feed tube, the pills also have a pendulum motion component about a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance. In this case occurs at the transition points between successive channel sections, the reversal of the pendulum motion, with the result that successive pills are forced to move relative to each other. The rotation angle of the pills against each other in the direction of movement lying axis should be at least about 10 ° and can reach up to an angle of about 90 °. The individual pills move as if they were on a rolling course as they cross the feed tube. In this way, jamming of successive pills due to a shingling effect is certainly avoided, even if the flow of pills through the delivery channel should be interrupted due to dosing.

Der Bewegungsablauf der Pillen im Förderkanal in dem erfindungsgemäßen Zuführrohr unterscheidet sich somit grundlegend von demjenigen, der in der erwähnten US 2004/0035878 A1 dargestellt ist, denn dort können die Pillen ihre Lage zueinander grundsätzlich beibehalten.The movement of the pills in the delivery channel in the feed tube according to the invention thus differs fundamentally from that shown in the cited US 2004/0035878 A1, because there the pills can basically maintain their position relative to each other.

Neben dem Vorzug der größeren Sicherheit gegen ein Verklemmen der Pillen durch Schindeln hat die Erfindung gegenüber dem Stand der Technik den Vorteil, dass das Zuführrohr auf sehr einfache Weise herstellbar ist, sei es durch spanabhebende Bearbeitung eines Massivmaterials oder sei es durch einen Formvorgang in Spritzgußtechnik.In addition to the advantage of greater security against jamming of the pills by shingles, the invention has the advantage over the prior art that the feed tube can be produced in a very simple manner, be it by machining a solid material or be it by a molding process by injection molding.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung besteht das Zuführrohr nämlich aus einem Kernkörper, der eine in Längsrichtung ungeradlinig verlaufende Nut aufweist, und einem Hüllrohr, das den Kernkörper umgibt und die Nut zur Bildung eines Förderkanals seitlich abschließt. Die Nut kann in dem aus einem Massivmaterial bestehenden Kernkörper auf einfache Weise mit Hilfe eines Fingerfräsers erzeugt werden, dessen Achse die Längsachse des Kernkörpers schneidet, wobei beim Fräsvorgang der Kernkörper in Längsrichtung an dem Fingerfräser vorbei geführt wird und dabei um seine Längsachse pendelnd gedreht wird. Die Drehung des Kernkörpers kann bis zu etwa ± 90° betragen. Der Fingerfräser hinterlässt auf diese Weise in dem Kernkörper eine Spur, die je nach Steuerung der Bewegungsabläufe an der Oberfläche des Kernkörpers mehr oder weniger wellenförmig oder zick-zack-förmig verläuft. Gegebenenfalls kann zur Erzielung relativ scharfer Ecken bei zick-zack-förmigem Verlauf ein Fingerfräser entsprechend kleinen Durchmessers verwendet werden, wobei jedoch mehrfache Fräsvorgänge unter gegenseitigem Versatz der einzelnen Frässpuren gegenüber dem Kernkörper auszuführen sind.Namely, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed tube consists of a core body having a longitudinally non-linear groove, and a cladding tube surrounding the core body and laterally closing the groove to form a delivery channel. The groove can be generated in the existing of a solid material core body in a simple manner with the aid of a milling cutter whose axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the core body, wherein during the milling process, the core body is guided in the longitudinal direction of the end mill and is thereby rotated about its longitudinal axis pendulum. The rotation of the core body can be up to about ± 90 °. The end mill leaves in this way in the core body a track that runs more or less wavy or zig-zag depending on the control of the movements on the surface of the core body. Optionally, to achieve relatively sharp corners in zig-zag course a finger milling cutter correspondingly small diameter can be used, but multiple milling operations are carried out under mutual offset of the individual milling tracks relative to the core body.

Bei diesem Herstellungsverfahren brauchen somit keinerlei komplizierte Formen gebaut zu werden, es ist lediglich ein Maschinensteuerprogramm einfachster Art erforderlich, das in eine programmgesteuerte Fräsmaschine einzugeben ist.Thus, no complicated shapes need to be built in this manufacturing process, only a machine control program of the simplest kind is required, which is to be entered into a program-controlled milling machine.

Auch eine Herstellung in Spritzgußtechnik ist einfach. Ein in Spritzguß hergestelltes Zuführrohr besteht aus zwei Halbschalen, die an einer in Längsrichtung verlaufenden Trennfläche zusammengefügt sind und die jeweils eine Rinne aufweisen, die einen Teilquerschnitt des Förderkanals bildet. Durch eine günstige Wahl des Verlaufs der Trennfläche lässt sich erreichen, dass keine der beiden Schalen Hinterschneidungen aufweist, so dass es möglich ist, die beiden Schalen jeweils mit Hilfe einer schieberlosen Spritzform herzustellen.A production by injection molding is easy. An injection-molded feed tube consists of two half-shells which are joined together at a longitudinal separating surface and which each have a groove which forms a partial cross-section of the conveying channel. By a favorable choice of the course of the separating surface can be achieved that neither of the two shells has undercuts, so that it is possible to produce the two shells in each case by means of a sliderless injection mold.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf in den Zeichnungen dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiele näher erläutert.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Kurzbeschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

  • Fig. 1 zeigt den Kernkörper eines zweiteiligen Zuführrohrs,1 shows the core body of a two-part feed tube,
  • Fig. 2 zeigt das zur Aufnahme des Kernkörpers von Fig. 1 bestimmte Hüllrohr;FIG. 2 shows the cladding tube intended to receive the core body of FIG. 1; FIG.
  • Fig. 3 ist eine stirnseitige Ansicht des Kernkörpers von Fig. 1 von unten;Fig. 3 is an end view of the core body of Fig. 1 from below;
  • Fig. 4 zeigt die zwei zueinander passenden Schalen eines zweiteiligen Zuführrohrs gemäß einer Ausführungsform, undFig. 4 shows the two mating shells of a two-part feed tube according to one embodiment, and
  • Fig. 5 zeigt die zwei zueinander passenden Schalen eines zweiteiligen Zuführrohrs gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform und eine Reihe von Tabletten in einer Augenblicksstellung, die sie beim Durchqueren des Förderkanals in dem von den beiden Schalen gebildeten Zuführrohr einnehmen.Figure 5 shows the two mating shells of a two-part supply tube according to an alternative embodiment and a series of tablets in an instantaneous position which they occupy as they pass through the delivery channel in the delivery tube formed by the two shells.
Detaillierte Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsformen der ErfindungDetailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1 und 2 zeigen zusammen die beiden Teile eines Zuführrohrs, von denen Fig. 1 einen mit einer längslaufenden Nut N versehenen Kernkörper K kreisförmigen Querschnitts und Fig. 2 ein zur Aufnahme des Kernkörpers K bestimmtes Hüllrohr H zeigt.1 and 2 together show the two parts of a feed tube, of which Fig. 1 shows a provided with a longitudinal groove N core body K circular cross-section and Fig. 2 shows a specific for receiving the core body K cladding tube H.

Die in dem Kernkörper K ausgebildete Nut N erstreckt sich im wesentlichen längs und beidseitig einer Axiallinie. Sie weist im unteren Teil des Kernkörpers K einen geradlinigen Abschnitt 1 und im oberen Teil des Kernkörpers K Abschnitte 1a und 1 b auf, die abwechselnd nach der einen und nach der anderen Seite jeweils gegen die genannte Axiallinie des Kernkörpers K unter Einschluss eines Winkels geneigt sind. Dieser Winkel beträgt im vorliegenden Beispiel etwa 30° so dass zwei benachbarte Abschnitte 1a und 1b miteinander einen Winkel von etwa 120° miteinander einschließen. Von der Seite auf den Kernkörper K gesehen verläuft die Nut N somit in dem von den Abschnitten 1a und 1 b bestimmten Teilbereich zick-zack-förmig beiderseits einer Axiallinie, die von dem geradlinigen Abschnitt 1 bestimmt ist.The groove N formed in the core body K extends substantially longitudinally and on both sides of an axial line. It has a rectilinear section in the lower part of the core body K. 1 and in the upper part of the core body K sections 1a and 1b, which are alternately inclined to the one and to the other side respectively against the said axial line of the core body K including an angle. This angle is in the present example about 30 ° so that two adjacent sections 1a and 1b together form an angle of about 120 ° with each other. Seen from the side of the core body K, the groove N thus extends in the portion defined by the sections 1a and 1b portion zigzag-shaped on both sides of an axial line, which is determined by the straight section 1.

Die Abschnitte 1a und 1b der Nut haben quer zu ihrer Längserstreckung gesehen Querschnitte, die in jeweils wechselnden Richtungen gegeneinander verdreht sind, wobei der Verdrehungswinkel durch die Steigung der Nutabschnitte 1a und 1b bestimmt ist. Dieses ist die Folge einer bevorzugten Herstellungsart, nach der der im Querschnitt kreisförmige Kernkörper K längs eines rotierenden Fingerfräsers bewegt wird, dessen Achse quer zur Längsachse des Kernkörpers K steht und der dessen Achse schneidet, wobei während der Längsbewegung des Kernkörpers K dieser in abwechselnden Richtungen aus seiner durch den geradlinigen Nutabschnitt 1 bestimmten Lage verdreht wird. Diese Verdrehung beträgt im dargestellten Beispiel etwa ± 20°, was in Fig. 3 insgesamt durch den Winkel α dargestellt ist. Die Nut N wird daher im Bereich der Nutabschnitte 1a und 1b nicht nur durch eine zweidimensionale Wellen- oder Zick-Zack-Linie beschrieben, sondern hat auch eine dritte Komponente, nämlich eine Drehkomponente, die davon herrührt, dass der Fingerfräser während der Bewegung des Kernkörpers stationär gehalten wird.The sections 1a and 1b of the groove have cross sections seen transversely to their longitudinal extent, which are rotated in mutually changing directions against each other, wherein the twist angle is determined by the pitch of the groove sections 1a and 1b. This is the result of a preferred manufacturing method, according to which the circular cross-section core body K is moved along a rotary milling cutter whose axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the core body K and which intersects the axis, wherein during the longitudinal movement of the core body K of this in alternate directions its determined by the straight groove portion 1 position is rotated. This rotation is in the example shown about ± 20 °, which is shown in Fig. 3 in total by the angle α. The groove N is therefore described in the region of the groove portions 1a and 1b not only by a two-dimensional wave or zig-zag line, but also has a third component, namely, a rotational component resulting from the finger milling cutter during movement of the core body is kept stationary.

Es entsteht hierdurch ein Förderkanal, in dem ein durch ihn hindurch gefördertes Produkt, etwa eine Pille, nicht nur eine hin- und her pendelnde Bewegung ausführt, sondern eine Schlingerbewegung, in der die Pille um zwei zueinander senkrechte Achsen pendelt. Der Drehwinkel α, um den der Kernkörper K beim Fräsvorgang um seine Längsachse insgesamt hin und her gedreht wird, ist in Fig. 3 sehr gut erkennbar.This results in a delivery channel in which a product conveyed through it, such as a pill, performs not only a reciprocating movement, but a rolling motion in which the pill oscillates around two mutually perpendicular axes. The angle of rotation α, around which the core body K is rotated in its entirety during the milling process about its longitudinal axis, can be seen very clearly in FIG.

In Fig. 3 erkennt man den Kanal, der in Teilbereichen von schräg verlaufenden Wandabschnitten 2a und 2b begrenzt ist. In der stirnseitigen Ansicht auf das untere Ende des Kernkörpers K her gesehen, die in Fig. 3 dargestellt ist, sieht man die erste schräge Wandfläche 2a, die zum untersten Nutabschnitt 1a gehört, gefolgt von der versetzt dahinter angeordneten schrägen Wandfläche 2b, die zu dem nachfolgenden Nutabschnitt 1 b gehört, der eine zum ersten Nutabschnitt 1a entgegengesetzte Steigungsrichtung hat.In Fig. 3 can be seen the channel which is limited in partial areas of sloping wall sections 2a and 2b. Seen in the frontal view of the lower end of the core body K, which is shown in Fig. 3, one can see the first inclined wall surface 2a, which belongs to the lowermost groove portion 1a, followed by the offset behind it inclined wall surface 2b, to the subsequent groove portion 1 b heard, which has a direction opposite to the first groove portion 1a slope direction.

Die Größe der Steigung der Nutabschnitte 1a und 1 b ist durch das Verhältnis des Drehwinkels α zur Länge des betreffenden Nutabschnitts bestimmt. Sie muss ausreichend groß sein, dass an den Übergängen von dem Kanalabschnitt der einen Steigungsrichtung zum Kanalabschnitt der anderen Steigungsrichtung ein glatter Durchlauf der Pillen durch den Förderkanal gewährleistet ist und sollte bei einer zick-zack-förmig verlaufenden Nut wenigstens so groß sein, dass der von zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Nutabschnitten 1a und 1 b eingeschlossene Winkel stumpf ist. Im dargestellten Beispiel ist der Gesamtdrehwinkel α etwa 40°, d.h. der Kernkörper K wird beim Herstellen der Nutabschnitte 1a und 1b gegenüber der Stellung, den er beim Fräsen des axial verlaufenden Nutabschnitts 1 hat, im vorliegenden Falle um bis zu etwa 20° in die eine und die andere Richtung verdreht. Die Steigung der schräg verlaufenden Nutabschnitte 1a und 1b beträgt im vorliegenden Beispiel etwa 60° bzw. -60°.The size of the pitch of the groove portions 1a and 1b is determined by the ratio of the angle of rotation α to the length of the respective groove portion. It must be sufficiently large that a smooth passage of the pills is ensured by the delivery channel at the transitions from the channel portion of a slope direction to the channel portion of the other direction of slope and should be at least so large in a zigzag-shaped groove, that of two consecutive groove portions 1a and 1b enclosed angle is blunt. In the illustrated example, the total rotation angle α is about 40 °, i. the core body K is rotated in the present case by up to about 20 ° in the one and the other direction in the manufacture of the groove portions 1a and 1b relative to the position it has when milling the axially extending groove portion 1. The slope of the oblique groove sections 1a and 1b in the present example is about 60 ° or -60 °.

Das in Fig. 2 dargestellte Hüllrohr H ist im fertiggestellten Zustand des Förderrohrs über den Kernkörper K geschoben, um die Nut N seitlich zu verschließen und somit den Förderkanal zu vervollständigen, damit die durch die Nut N geförderten Produkte nicht unkontrolliert aus dem Förderkanal entweichen können. Das Hüllrohr H bedarf keiner weiteren Erläuterung.The cladding tube H shown in Fig. 2 is pushed over the core body K in the finished state of the conveyor tube to laterally close the groove N and thus complete the conveyor channel, so that the products conveyed through the groove N products can not escape uncontrollably from the conveyor channel. The cladding H requires no further explanation.

Der Kernkörper K kann aus jedem geeigneten Material hergestellt sein, das ausreichende Stabilität hat, beispielsweise aus Aluminium oder Kunststoff, ggf. faserverstärkten Kunststoff. Gleiches gilt für das Hüllrohr H.The core body K can be made of any suitable material that has sufficient stability, for example made of aluminum or plastic, possibly fiber-reinforced plastic. The same applies to the cladding H.

Fig. 4 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Förderrohrs. Dieses besteht aus zwei zueinander passenden Schalen 3 und 4, die dafür bestimmt sind, an Trennflächen 5 und 6 zusammengefügt zu werden. Die Schalen 3 und 4 haben jeweils eine Rinne 7 und 8, die im zusammengefügten Zustand der Schalen 3 und 4 einen Förderkanal bilden. Der Verlauf der Rinnen ist nicht zick-zack-förmig, wie die Nut N beim Beispiel der Fig. 1, sondern wellenförmig. An ihrem unteren Ende hat die eine Schale 3 ein Steckerteil 9, während die andere Schale 4 ein dazu passendes Aufnahmeteil 10 hat. An ihren oberen Enden sind die Schalen 3 und 4 jeweils mit einem Halbflansch 11 bzw. 12 versehen, die im zusammengefügten Zustand einen kreisförmigen Umriss bilden und geeignet sind, in eine entsprechende Aufnahme kreisförmigen Querschnitts, etwa in eine Auslassöffnung eines Vorratsbehälters, eingesetzt zu werden.4 shows a second embodiment of a conveyor pipe according to the invention. This consists of two matching shells 3 and 4, which are intended to be joined at parting surfaces 5 and 6. The shells 3 and 4 each have a channel 7 and 8, which form a conveyor channel in the assembled state of the shells 3 and 4. The course of the grooves is not zigzag-shaped, as the groove N in the example of FIG. 1, but wavy. At its lower end, one shell 3 has a plug part 9, while the other shell 4 has a matching receiving part 10. At their upper ends, the shells 3 and 4 are each provided with a half flange 11 and 12, respectively, which in the assembled state form a circular contour and are adapted to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of circular cross-section, such as an outlet opening of a reservoir.

Nachdem auch bei der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 4 der von den beiden Rinnen 7 und 8 gebildete Förderkanal einen in abwechselnden Richtungen gewundenen Verlauf hat, vollführen durch diesen Förderkanal sich bewegende Pillen bei ihrem Durchgang durch den Kanal schwingende Bewegungen, in denen die Pillen um zwei zueinander orthogonale Achsen hin und her pendeln. Dieser Bewegungsverlauf verhindert, dass aufeinanderfolgende Pillen schindeln und sich dadurch verklemmen.Since, in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, too, the conveying channel formed by the two grooves 7 and 8 has a course wound in alternating directions, pills moving through this conveying channel make oscillating movements as they pass through the channel, in which the pills are two apart oscillating orthogonal axes back and forth. This course of movement prevents successive pills from shinging and becoming jammed.

Fig. 5 zeigt eine alternative Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Förderrohrs aus zwei zueinander passenden Schalen 3 und 4, die dafür bestimmt sind, an Trennflächen 5 und 6 zusammengefügt zu werden. Bei dieser Ausführungsform sind die in den Schalen 3 und 4 ausgebildeten Rinnen 7 und 8, so ausgebildet, dass der durch das Zusammenfügen der Schalen 3 und 4 gebildete Förderkanal einen Verlauf hat, der ähnlich jenem ist, der in der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 1 realisiert ist. Im Gegensatz zu Fig. 1 befindet sich aber der Förderkanal zentrisch in dem von den zusammengesetzten Schalen 3 und 4 gebildeten Förderrohr.Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a conveyor pipe according to the invention of two mating shells 3 and 4, which are intended to be joined at parting surfaces 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the grooves 7 and 8 formed in the shells 3 and 4 are formed so that the conveying channel formed by the joining of the shells 3 and 4 has a course similar to that realized in the embodiment of FIG is. In contrast to FIG. 1, however, the delivery channel is located centrally in the delivery tube formed by the composite shells 3 and 4.

Fig. 5 zeigt zugleich eine Augenblicksstellung von fünf Tabletten T, die diese zueinander einnehmen, wenn sie den Förderkanal der Ausführungsform von Fig. 5 passieren. Wie ersichtlich, sind in der gezeigten Stellung die einzelnen Tabletten T gegeneinander verdreht, was durch den Verlauf des Förderkanals bestimmt ist. In einer (nicht dargestellten) nachfolgenden Phase müssen sich alle Tabletten in die Stellung drehen, die die jeweils vorangehende Tablette zuvor eingenommen hat. Die Tabletten T müssen sich also auf ihren Rändern gegeneinander drehen, was das beschriebene Schindeln verhindert.Fig. 5 also shows an instantaneous position of five tablets T, which take them to each other when they pass through the conveying channel of the embodiment of Fig. 5. As can be seen, in the position shown, the individual tablets T are rotated against each other, which is determined by the course of the delivery channel. In a subsequent phase (not shown), all tablets must rotate to the position previously taken by the previous tablet. The tablets T must therefore rotate against each other on their edges, which prevents the shingles described.

Die in den Fig. 4 und 5 dargestellten Schalen 3 und 4 sind in Spritzgußtechnik herstellbar. Hierfür können schierberlose Spritzformen verwendet werden, wozu ggf. Lage und Verlauf der Trennflächen 5 und 6 in geeigneter Weise wählen sind.The shells 3 and 4 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be produced by injection molding. For this purpose, sheerless injection molds can be used, for which optionally the position and course of the parting surfaces 5 and 6 are selected in a suitable manner.

Die erfindungsgemäßen Zuführrohre können in einem Gerät eingestzt werden, wie es in der eingangs genannten US 2004/0035878 A1 beschrieben ist, ohne dass an diesem Gerät weitere Modifikationen vorgenommen werden müssen. Zur weiteren Funktion, insbesondere hinsichtlich des erwähnten Dosierens, sei daher auf die US 2004/0035878 A1 verwiesen.The feed tubes according to the invention can be used in a device as described in the aforementioned US 2004/0035878 A1, without further modifications to this device having to be made. For further function, in particular with regard to the dosing mentioned, reference is therefore made to US 2004/0035878 A1.

Claims (5)

Zuführrohr mit einem darin ausgebildeten Förderkanal im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Querschnitts zum Zuführen von Tabletten, Pillen, Kapseln, Dragees und dergleichen Produkten von einem Vorratsbehälter unter Schwerkraftwirkung nacheinander zu einem Aufnahmebehälter, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Förderkanal mehrere hintereinander angeordnete, aneinander anschließende Abschnitte (1a, 1b) aufweist, deren in Förderrichtung verlaufende Längsachsen abwechselnd nach der einen und nach der anderen Seite jeweils gegen die Längsachse des Zuführrohrs unter Einschluss eines Winkels von weniger als 45° geneigt sind, und dass aufeinanderfolgende dieser Abschnitte (1a, 1b) des Förderkanals in Förderrichtung gesehene Querschnitte haben, die in jeweils wechselnden Richtungen um einen Winkel (α) im Bereich von etwa 10° bis etwa 90° gegeneinander verdreht sind.Feed tube having a feed channel formed therein substantially rectangular cross-section for feeding tablets, pills, capsules, dragees and the like products from a storage container under gravity to successive to a receptacle, characterized in that the conveying channel a plurality of successively arranged, adjoining sections (1a, 1b ), whose longitudinal axes extending in the conveying direction are alternately inclined in each case towards the longitudinal axis of the feed tube, including an angle of less than 45 °, and that successive portions (1a, 1b) of the conveying channel are viewed in the conveying direction Have cross-sections which are rotated in each changing directions by an angle (α) in the range of about 10 ° to about 90 ° to each other. Zuführrohr nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es aus zwei an einer in Rohrlängsrichtung verlaufenden Trennfläche (5, 6) zusammengesetzten Schalen (3, 4) besteht, die jeweils eine in Längsrichtung ungeradlinig verlaufende Rinne (7, 8) aufweisen, die jeweils einen Teilquerschnitt des Förderkanals bilden.Feed pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two shells (3, 4) composed of a separating surface (5, 6) extending in the tube longitudinal direction, each having a groove (7, 8) extending in an unequal direction in the longitudinal direction, each having one Partial cross section of the delivery channel form. Zuführrohr nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es aus einem Kernkörper (K) und einem den Kernkörper (K) umschließenden Hüllrohr (H) besteht, wobei der Kernkörper (K) eine in Längsrichtung verlaufende Nut (N) aufweist, die schräg zur Längsachse des Kernkörpers (K) verlaufende Abschnitte (1a, 1b) aufweist, die bei aufeinanderfolgenden Abschnitten (1a, 1b) einander entgegengesetzter Steigungsrichtungen haben, und das Hüllrohr (H) die Nut (N) zu einem Förderkanal seitlich schließt.Feed tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a core body (K) and a cladding tube (H) enclosing the core body (K), wherein the core body (K) has a longitudinally extending groove (N) which is oblique to the longitudinal axis the core body (K) extending portions (1a, 1b), which have successive sections (1a, 1b) of opposite pitch directions, and the cladding tube (H) the groove (N) laterally closes to a conveyor channel. Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Kernkörpers für ein Zuführrohr mit den Merkmalen von Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein massiver Rundstab und ein in den Querschnitt des Rundstabes eindringender, rotierender Fingerfräser, dessen Achse die Achse des Rundstabes schneidet, in Achsrichtung des Rundstabes gegeneinander bewegt werden, und dass abschnittsweise der Rundstab dabei um seine Längsachse um bis zu etwa 90° hin und her gedreht wird.Method for producing a core body for a feed tube with the features of claim 3, characterized in that a solid round rod and a rotary end mill penetrating into the cross section of the round rod, whose axis intersects the axis of the round rod, are moved in the axial direction of the round rod against each other, and that sections of the round rod is thereby rotated about its longitudinal axis by up to about 90 ° back and forth. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rundstab mehrmals nacheinander mit einem Fingerfräser eines Durchmessers bearbeitet wird, der kleiner ist, als die Breite der von dem Fingerfräser in dem Rundstab erzeugten Nut, wobei die von dem Fingerfräser in dem Rundstab erzeugten Schneidbahnen gegeneinander versetzt werden.A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the round rod several times is successively machined with an end mill of a diameter smaller than the width of the groove produced by the end mill in the round bar, the cutting paths generated by the end mill in the round bar being offset from one another.
EP05004560A 2005-03-02 2005-03-02 Feeder tube for tablets Not-in-force EP1698554B1 (en)

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EP05004560A EP1698554B1 (en) 2005-03-02 2005-03-02 Feeder tube for tablets
AT05004560T ATE343520T1 (en) 2005-03-02 2005-03-02 FEEDING TUBE FOR TABLETS
DE502005000154T DE502005000154D1 (en) 2005-03-02 2005-03-02 Feed tube for tablets
SG200600910A SG125204A1 (en) 2005-03-02 2006-02-15 Supply tube for tablets
JP2006052652A JP2006240741A (en) 2005-03-02 2006-02-28 Tablet feeding cylinder
US11/365,283 US7455166B2 (en) 2005-03-02 2006-03-01 Supply tube for tablets

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EP05004560A EP1698554B1 (en) 2005-03-02 2005-03-02 Feeder tube for tablets

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US20060201774A1 (en) 2006-09-14
ATE343520T1 (en) 2006-11-15
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DE502005000154D1 (en) 2006-12-07
EP1698554B1 (en) 2006-10-25
SG125204A1 (en) 2006-09-29

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