EP1712473B1 - Device for feeeding disc shaped objects, in particular tablets, to a sealing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for the feeding of flat, disc-form objects (1) such as pharmaceutical tablets to sealing tools (50,60) for packing the objects in foil has a guide track (3) in which engages a first feed device (10) which pushes the objects onto one another in an accumulation, a second feed device (20) which singles out the objects from the accumulation, and a third feed device (30) which slides the separated objects from the guide track horizontally positionally correct into the sealing tools. An independent claim is included for a use for the feed device which is for the feeding of round tablets with a diameter of 16 to 30 mm, preferably 25 mm, and a thickness of 3 to 8 mm, and which are fed lying flat.

Description

The invention relates to a device for feeding flat, disc-shaped objects, such as pharmaceutical tablets and similar technical small parts, in particular tablets, to sealing tools for sealing the objects in packaging film, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The invention is explained below using the example of circular tablets, such as effervescent tablets, with a diameter in the range of about 16 to 30 mm and a thickness in the range of about 3 to 8 mm. The tablets are individually sealed by sealing devices into so-called four-edge sealing bags, wherein two heat-sealing foils, for example aluminum-laminated foils, provided as endless strips, are typically sealed together to form the sealed pouches. Several such four-edge seal bags can be connected in a strip shape as an endless belt and after its division into differently sized packaging units. As hereinafter referred to as tablets, this is understood as representative of any type of flat, disc-shaped objects or corresponding technical small parts that are packaged in the same way. It is always about the promotion and packaging of the articles in high quantities at high conveyor speeds.

In such packaging machines, it is known and common in practice that individual tablets are supplied from a tablet supply in free fall vertically or vertically to the sealing station by falling in from above between two heat sealing tools, in particular rotating heat seal rollers, over from both outer sides here in each case a heat-sealing film is supplied. By means of the conveyance through the sealing roller, the tablets are sealed between the films.

This vertical feeding of the tablets to the sealing device has several drawbacks: in the free-fall phase, the tablet moves uncontrollably, depending on its mass, so that different falling times and positioning of the tablets between the sealing rolls may occur, leading to different positions of the respective tablet can lead to the formed edge seal bag. The behavior of the tablet in the free-fall phase may also be affected by fouling of the tablet supply and a possibly resulting adhesive effect, whereby the tablets are transferred from the tablet supply into free fall at different times. Also, by different entrainment effects between the film and the tablet, for example due to different film qualities, the location of the respective tablet in the bag may be different. As a result, this can lead to inferior or even unusable finished packaging, especially if the tablet does not come to rest correctly in the sealing recess of the sealing roller, but falls between the sealing surfaces where it can be crushed. In addition, unusable (for example, leaky) sealed bags can result from uncontrolled falling out of the tablet feeder tablet fragments, which in turn come to rest in the area of the sealing surfaces (sealing webs) and can damage the heat-sealing film there. Finally, in the case of vertical feeding of the tablets, there is a risk of loosening of mechanical components of the tablet feed in the region above the sealing rolls, whereby such parts may fall between the sealing rolls and damage them. Further aspects and disadvantages of a vertical tablet feed result from the introductory part of the description DE 42 03 435 C1 ,

To overcome the disadvantages of a vertical tablet feed, as described above, according to the DE 42 03 435 C1 According to the preamble of claim 1. Accordingly, the tablets are fed to a substantially horizontally arranged conveyor track to the sealing tools, wherein an engaging in the conveyor track first conveyor in the form of a finger roller, the tablets positioned in a jam and advances, and wherein an engaging in the conveyor belt second conveyor in the form of two so-called polygonal rollers separates the tablets from the jam and further advances and supplies the heat seal rollers. In this case, the finger roller, the polygonal rollers and the heat sealing rollers are arranged one behind the other such that supply, Positioning, singulation and sealing of the tablets take place in a horizontal plane.

In practice, however, this solution has not proven sufficiently, since the desired safe and accurate positioning of the tablets in the sealing courts of the sealing rollers is not sufficiently well achieved. The sealing yards in the sealing rolls can therefore not be reduced in size to a minimum, which would be desirable on the other hand to ultimately produce the smallest possible, space and material-saving and thus more cost-effective packaging units.

Based on these known feeding devices, the invention is therefore based on the object to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to improve the positioning of the tablets in the sealing yards of the sealing tools and thus in the individual sealed packages and in particular a safe and accurate, reproducible Positioning the tablets in reach.

This object is achieved by a feeding device according to claim 1. Accordingly, the device for feeding the flat disc-shaped objects, in particular tablets, to the sealing tools in addition to a substantially horizontally arranged guide track for the objects, engaging in the guideway first conveyor, the objects in a traffic jam advances against each other, and one in the Guiding track engaging second conveyor that separates the objects from the jam and further advances, in addition to a third conveyor, which pushes the separated objects of the guideway substantially horizontal positionally correct in the sealing tools.

The first, second and third conveying means upstream of the sealing tools are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction such that feeding, singulation, positioning and sealing of the tablets take place in a horizontal plane. Due to the coordinated interaction of the three conveyors a permanent positive guidance of the tablets and thus a secure and accurate positioning of the tablets is achieved in the sealing courts of the sealing tools. The tablets are inserted directly, continuously, with tact and exactness into the four-cornered sealing bags partially manufactured by the sealing tools, whereby the mass and a case acceleration of the tablets are irrelevant.

The device according to the invention eliminates the above described disadvantages of both the vertical feeder and the already known horizontal feeder. Thus, the third conveyor overcomes a contamination caused by contamination of the feed path adhesive effect, that is, the tablets are no longer braked by sticking to the feed path, but continuously inserted at the speed applied by the third conveyor speed in the sealing rollers. Furthermore, since the tablet feeder is arranged laterally adjacent to the sealing rolls, there is no danger that the sealing rolls will be damaged by falling, falling mechanical components, and falling tablet fragments no longer reach between the sealing rolls but outside the sealing area into suitable collecting containers. The horizontal arrangement of the tablet feed before the sealing tools also requires a low installation height of the tablet feed (for example, about 1000 mm above the ground), whereby the device is overall well visible and easy to use.

According to preferred embodiments of the feeding device according to the invention, the first and the second conveyor each have a finger roller or a pair of parallel arranged finger wheels, whose fingers take the objects to be conveyed during rotation and advancing. The second conveyor further comprises means for shifting the axis of its finger roller or its finger wheels in the conveying direction, in particular a first displacement or pivoting device for a substantially horizontal displacement of the finger roller / finger wheels parallel to the guide track, and a second displacement or pivoting device for a substantially vertical displacement of the finger roller / finger wheels perpendicular to the guide track, wherein the two mutually coupled displacement or pivoting devices perform combined sliding or pivoting movements. The third conveyor has a sliding parallel to the guide rail insertion means comprising a substantially perpendicular to the guide track movable, in particular pivotally mounted insertion fingers.

By a mechanical coupling and / or synchronization of the first, second and third conveyors with each other and / or with the sealing tools and by a corresponding connection to the main drive of the packaging machine, the clock and dimensionally accurate insertion of the tablets in the sealing device and thus the exact location of the Tablet can be accomplished in the sealed package to be formed at any machine speed and in particular at varying machine speeds. With The delivery device according to the invention, finally, overall higher delivery and operating speeds are possible than in the known feeders. Thus, with the horizontal feeding device according to the invention, conveying speeds of approximately 350 tablets per line per minute can typically be achieved.

Fig. 1 - 7

zeigen in mehreren Schritten die Funktionsweise der als Fingersternpaar ausgebildeten ersten Fördereinrichtung, jeweils in einer Seitenansicht, einer Draufsicht von oben, und einer Querschnittsansicht (Schnitt A-A).

Fig. 8

ist ein Diagramm zur Erläuterung der Drehbewegung des ersten Fingersternpaars und des entsprechenden Tablettenvorschubs.

Fig. 9 - 15

zeigen in mehreren Schritten die Funktionsweise des mit zwei Schwenkeinrichtungen gekoppelten Fingersternpaars der zweiten Fördereinrichtung, jeweils in einer Seitenansicht und einer Draufsicht von oben.

Fig. 16

ist ein Diagramm zur Erläuterung der Drehbewegung des zweiten Fingersternpaars und des entsprechenden Tablettenvorschubs.

Fig. 17a und b

sind Diagramme zur Erläuterung der Schwenkbewegungen der beiden Schwenkeinrichtungen der zweiten Fördereinrichtung.

Fig. 18 - 22

zeigen in mehreren Schritten die Funktionsweise der Einschiebeeinrichtung der dritten Fördereinrichtung, jeweils in einer Seitenansicht.

Fig. 23a und 23b

sind Diagramme zur Erläuterung der Hubbewegungen der Einschiebeeinrichtung der dritten Fördereinrichtung.

Fig. 24

ist eine Gesamtdarstellung der horizontalen Zuführvorrichtung in einer den Fig. 11 und 18 entsprechenden Position der drei Fördereinrichtungen und der sich anschließenden Siegelwalzen, in einer Seitenansicht.

Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1-7

show in several steps the operation of the trained as a finger star pair first conveyor, each in a side view, a top view from above, and a cross-sectional view (section AA).

Fig. 8

is a diagram for explaining the rotational movement of the first pair of finger star and the corresponding tablet feed.

Fig. 9 - 15

show in several steps the operation of coupled to two pivoting finger star pair of the second conveyor, each in a side view and a top view.

Fig. 16

is a diagram for explaining the rotational movement of the second pair of finger star and the corresponding tablet feed.

Fig. 17a and b

are diagrams for explaining the pivoting movements of the two pivoting means of the second conveyor.

Fig. 18 - 22

show in several steps the operation of the insertion device of the third conveyor, each in a side view.

Figs. 23a and 23b

are diagrams for explaining the strokes of the insertion device of the third conveyor.

Fig. 24

is an overall view of the horizontal feeder in a Fig. 11 and 18 corresponding position of the three conveyors and the subsequent sealing rollers, in a side view.

For the following detailed representation, an exemplary tablet diameter of 25 mm is assumed. In the exemplary "division" of six fingers per finger star shown here, wherein the fingers are arranged at a uniform angular distance of 60 ° to each other on the circumference of the finger star, a rotation of the finger star by 60 ° in each case a tablet of one of the six fingers seized and transported on. A rotation of the finger star by 60 ° thus corresponds to a tablet cycle (see FIGS. 8 . 16 . 17a, 17b . 23a and 23b ).

Depending on the diameter of the tablet, other finger-stem divisions are also possible, for example with five or seven fingers. In these cases, other lengths and angles will apply to the attached drawings. Basically, the shape and position of the finger stars is always matched to the diameter of the tablet.

Based on Fig. 24 First, the delivery device is shown as a whole. In a guideway 3, the tablets are fed lying flat from left to right to the sealing rollers 50, 60. In the guide track 3 engages a first conveyor 10, which is formed of a pair of mutually parallel finger wheels or finger stars 12 which are rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeder and parallel to the plane of the guide track 3 axis. In each case a finger wheel 12 is arranged laterally outside the center line of the guideway 3, so that fingers (star fingers) 14, which are arranged in a star shape on the circumference of each finger wheel 12, engage in spaces formed between the adjacent tablets 1 and upon rotation of the pair of finger wheels 12 grab a tablet 1 around its axis and advance. The arrangement of the two finger wheels 12 laterally outside the center line of the guide track 3 is in particular from the top view according to the FIGS. 1 to 7 seen.

As stated above, in this embodiment, six fingers (star fingers) 14 are arranged at a uniform angular distance of 60 ° each on the circumference of the finger wheels 12 (star finger pitch "six"). By means of a continuous rotation of the finger wheels or finger stars 12 in the clockwise direction, a tablet of a finger 14 of the first finger wheel and the corresponding finger 14 of the second finger wheel arranged parallel thereto are thus grasped and further transported (corresponding to one) by 60 ° in a three-movement movement tablets cycle). The respective subsequent finger on the two parallel finger stars keeps the following further tablets 1 on a jam.

Apart from the described rotational movement, the pair of finger wheels 12 is fixedly arranged in the region of the guide track 3, that is, the axis of the finger wheels 12 is not displaced, in particular not in the conveying direction of the tablet feeder (designation "Sternfinger Fix" in the diagram of Fig. 8 ).

Fig. 24 further shows an engaging in the guideway second conveyor 20, which separates the tablets 1 from the jam and further advances in the direction of the sealing rollers 50, 60. The second conveyor 20 has in the region of the guide track 3, in turn, a pair of rotatably mounted finger wheels or finger stars 22, which in turn on its circumference star-shaped fingers (star fingers) 24 have. The shape, finger pitch, direction of rotation and rotational speed of these finger wheels 22 coincide with the finger wheels 12 of the first conveyor 10.

The second conveyor 20 further comprises means 26, 28 for a displacement of the axis of their finger wheels 22 in the conveying direction of the feeding device. This is in particular a rotatably mounted pivoting device or rocker 26 for a horizontal displacement of the finger wheels 22 parallel to the guide track 3 and a rotatably mounted pivoting device or rocker 28 for a vertical displacement of the finger wheels 22 perpendicular to the guide track 3. As from Fig. 24 is visible, the axis of the finger wheels 22 is mounted on the pivot means 26 for horizontal displacement, and this pivot means 26 is in turn mounted on the pivot means 28 for the vertical displacement of the finger wheels 22. These two pivoting devices or rockers 26, 28 thus perform combined pivoting movements such that the finger wheels 22 in a forward stroke in the conveying direction perform a substantially linear movement in the guideway 3 in the direction of the sealing rollers 50, 60, and that the finger wheels 22 at a backward stroke opposite to the conveying direction outside the guide track 3 are returned to their original position. This movement will be discussed below in relation to the FIGS. 9 to 15 explained in more detail.

Fig. 24 finally shows a third conveyor 30, which inserts the separated tablets of the guideway 3 horizontal positionally in the sealing yards 52, 62 of the sealing rollers 50, 60. In particular, the third conveying device 30 for this purpose has a sliding-in device 32 which is displaceable parallel to the guide track 3 and on which a push-in finger 34, which is movable substantially perpendicular to the guide track 3, is mounted. The Einschiebefmger 34 is rotatably mounted in particular in the insertion device 32 about an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the plane of the guide track 3 axis. Of the Einschiebefinger 34 performs a movement sequence such that it is in a forward stroke of the insertion device 32 in the conveying direction substantially vertically positioned so that he grasps the tablet 1 and pushes into the sealing rollers 50, 60, and that he opposite to 32 on a reverse stroke of the insertion device to the conveying direction is substantially vertically positioned so that it is traceable outside the guide track 3 in its initial position. This movement sequence is described below with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23 described in more detail.

How out Fig. 24 Finally, it can be seen, close to the horizontal Tablettenzuführvorrichtung laterally known sealing tools 50, 60 at. These are in particular arranged above and below the plane of the guide track 3 parallel to each other, abutting, rotating heat seal rollers 50, 60, are supplied from the outside of heat sealing foils (not shown) for the formation of sealed packaging in the plane of the guideway 3. The heat seal rollers 50, 60 have sealing ears 52, 62 at their periphery, in which the tablets are picked up and sealed between the heat seal foils. Typically, the sealing yards 52, 62 have a rectangular, in particular square shape, resulting in a so-called four-edge sealing bag as packaging for each one tablet. Here, these individual packages are in the form of an endless belt, which is output from the heat seal rollers 50, 60. In known manner, this band is divided by means of cutting devices or perforations in each desired packaging units, which are further promoted and packaged for example in cardboard packaging.

The tablet feeding device and the downstream sealing tools 50, 60 may be designed in several lines such that a plurality of horizontal guideways 3 are arranged parallel to one another, that accordingly a plurality of first, second and third conveyors 10, 20, 30 are arranged next to each other, and that the sealing tools 50, 60 Accordingly, for a simultaneous recording and sealing of several tablets are formed in parallel side by side.

The operation and the individual operation steps of the three conveyors 10, 20, 30 of the tablet feeder will be described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 1 to 23 explained in detail. This is based on a tablet diameter of 25 mm and a finger stroke division "six".

How out Fig. 1 it can be seen, the tablets 1, for example, after their preparation, introduced into the guideway 3, where they meet the two pairs of attached finger wheels or finger stars 12 of the first conveyor 10. In front of the finger stars 12, that is in Fig. 1 To the left of this, there is usually always a supply of tablets (pills). As seen from the top view Fig. 1 can be seen, the first tablet 1.1 is then on first fingers 14.1 of the two finger stars 12, which engage in the guideway 3. For the further explanation of the rotational movement of the finger stars 12, this position is defined as "initial position 0 °".

Fig. 2 shows how in a clockwise rotation of the two finger stars 12, the subsequent second star fingers 14.2 are now pivoted from below into the guideway 3 and thereby engage in the free spaces between the adjacent tablets 1, here the first tablet 1.1 and the second Tablet 1.2, are formed. The Sternfmger 14.2 seize the first pillar lying in the jam 1.1 and push them in the conveying direction. The star fingers 14.1 lying in front of this first tablet 1.1 dive into the guideway 3. Fig. 2 shows a position of the first star finger 14.1 after a rotation of 30 °, which corresponds to a tablet feed of about 9 mm under the above dimensional conditions.

Fig. 3 shows the state after rotation of the finger wheels 12 by another 30 °, that is, a pivoting of the first star finger 14.1. by 60 ° from the starting position. The subsequent second fingers 14.2 completely grasp the first tablet 1.1 and push it further forward, keeping the subsequent tablets 1.2, 1.3, etc. in a jam. The tablets have thus far been advanced by 25 mm, that is the full length of a tablet.

Fig. 4 shows the state after rotation of the first star finger 14.1 by 90 °. This is an intermediate position in which the first tablet 1.1 has been pushed further by the second fingers 14.2 and the following second tablet 1.2 is now grasped and taken over by the subsequent third star fingers 14.3, the fingers 14.3 being inserted into the free spaces between the adjacent circular tablets 1.2 and 1.3 intervene. This "position 90 °" of the first star finger 14.1 corresponds to a tablet feed of about 34 mm, that is a length of about 1.5 tablets.

Fig. 5 shows the first star finger 14.1 in the "position 120 °", ie in a position of the finger wheel after the further transport of now two tablets 1.1 and 1.2. in this connection the second tablet 1.2 takes over the feed for the first tablet 1.1. This position corresponds to a tablet feed of 50 mm, so a length of two tablets.

Fig. 6 shows the position of the first star finger 14.1 after a rotation by 150 °. This, in turn, is an intermediate position in which the fourth star finger 14.4 pivots into the guide track 3 and takes over the advance of the third tablet 1.3, while the preceding third star finger 14.3 dips below the guide track 3. The third tablet 1.3 grasped and advanced by the finger 14.4 thus adopts the feed for the second tablet 1.2 and the first tablet 1.1, which lie in the traffic jam in the guide track 3. This position corresponds to a tablet feed about 63 mm from the starting position, that is a length of about 2.5 tablets.

Fig. 7 finally shows the position of the first star finger 14.1 after a rotation of the finger wheel 12 by 180 °. The fourth star finger 14.4 has seized the third tablet 1.3 and pushes it further forward, whereby the preceding first and second tablets 1.1 and 1.2 are transported further. In the Fig. 7 shown position corresponds to a tablet feed of 75 mm, that is, a length of three tablets.

Fig. 8 Figure 12 is a diagram graphically illustrating the above-described motions with the tablet advance applied over the rotation of the finger star. Among other things, it can be seen from this diagram that one tablet cycle corresponds to a rotation of the finger star by 60 °, that is to say six tablets were grasped and advanced during a complete rotation of the finger star through 360 °.

Fig. 9 shows the second conveyor 20 with their mutually parallel finger wheels 22 and the two pivoting devices or wings 26 and 28. The finger wheel or the finger star 22 is identical with respect to its shape, pitch (six star fingers), its direction of rotation and its rotational speed to that previously explained first finger wheel / fingerstem 12. The finger star 22 is here in its initial position 0 °. Fig. 9 shows the transfer of the tablets from the previous, first finger star 12 on the subsequent, second finger star 22, in particular the inlet of the first tablet 1.1 in the second finger star 22. Wie in particular from the top view of Fig. 9 can be seen, abuts the first tablet 1.1 hiebei from behind to the first star fingers 24.1 of the two second finger star 22.

Fig. 10 shows the second conveyor 20 in a position in which the finger star 22 is in a rotational position of 0 ° to 15 °, wherein the two pivoting devices 26, 28 are pivoted in the direction of each arrows drawn while the finger star 22 continues to rotate. Thus, the finger star 22 in this forward stroke in the conveying direction can perform a linear, planar movement in the guideway 3, so does not perform a movement on a circular arc, the pivoting device 28 must move down while the pivoting device 26 in the drawing Fig. 10 swiveled from left to right. Thus, there is a pivoting movement of the pivoting device 26 "horizontally forward", while at the same time the pivoting device 28 performs a Ausgleichsschwenkbewegung "vertically downwards".

In the meantime, the two corresponding star fingers 24.2 have gripped the first tablet 1.1 by a rotation of the parallel arranged finger wheels 22 and push them further forward. As a result of the simultaneous movement of the pivoting device 26, the tablet 1.1 is released from the jam of the tablets lying behind it, and a gap arises between the first tablet 1.1 and the subsequent second tablet 1.2. In this way, the tablets are separated from the jam of the adjacent tablets. The pivoting device 28 compensates for the movement of the axis of the finger wheels 22 caused by the movement of the pivoting device 26 alone on a radius or arcuate path, so that this axis performs a linear, planar movement parallel to the guideway 3.

Fig. 11 shows the second conveyor 20 approximately in its one end position in the conveying direction, in which the first tablet 1.1 is transferred to the subsequent third conveyor 30. This end position is achieved by a movement of the pivoting devices 26, 28 in the direction of the arrows with a simultaneous rotation of the finger wheels 22 in a range of 15 ° to 30 °, the second pivoting device 28 in turn compensates the movement of the first pivoting device 26 with its movement , The first pivoting device 26 is then in the end position of its pivoting movement "horizontally forward", and the second pivoting device 28 is in the end position of its compensatory pivoting movement "vertically upward". The following further tablets 1.2, 1.3, etc. are, as described above, transported by the first finger star 12 further in the direction of the second finger star 22.

Fig. 12 shows the backward stroke of the second conveyor 22, wherein the finger wheels 22 opposite to the conveying direction outside the guide track 3 in its initial position be returned by dipping the finger stars 22 under the guideway 3 and conveyed thereon, subsequent tablets. While the finger wheels 22 are in a rotational position of about 30 ° to 40 °, the second pivoting device 28 performs a pivotal movement "vertically downwards" and the first pivoting device 26 a pivotal movement "horizontally backwards".

Fig. 13 shows an intermediate position of the return stroke of the second conveyor 20, in which the finger wheels 22 are in a rotational position of about 45 °, in which the second pivoting device 28 remains in a rest position, and in which the first pivoting device 26 continues its pivotal movement "horizontally backward" ,

Fig. 14 shows a further intermediate position of the second conveyor 20, in which the finger star 22 is in a rotational position of about 45 ° to 50 °, in which the second pivoting device 28 remains in the rest position, and in which the first pivoting device 26 their pivotal movement "horizontal backwards "continues.

Fig. 15 shows the finger star 22 of the second conveyor 20 in a rotational position of about 50 ° to 60 °, wherein the second pivoting device 28 moves in an end position of its pivotal movement "vertically upward", while the first pivoting device 26 in an end position of its pivotal movement "horizontal moved backwards ". At a rotational position of 60 °, the second conveyor 20 is thus again in its initial position, and the directions of movement of the two pivoting devices 26, 28 are reversed.

Fig. 16 is one of the Fig. 8 comparable graph showing the tablet feed applied over the rotation of the finger star 22 (term "star fingers movable") of the second conveyor 20, wherein a tablet cycle in turn corresponds to a rotation of the finger star by 60 °.

The FIGS. 17a and 17b schematically show the above-described movement sequence of the two pivoting devices 26 and 28th Fig. 17a shows the vertical stroke of the second pivoting device 28 with respect to the rotation of the star fingers; Fig. 17b shows the horizontal stroke of the first pivoting device 26 also relative to the rotation of the star fingers.

In the in Fig. 11 shown end position of the second conveyor 20, the tablet is transferred to the third conveyor 30, namely at a rotational position of 30 ° of the finger star 22 of the second conveyor 20 (see also Fig. 17b ).

Fig. 18 schematically shows the aforementioned end position of the second conveyor 20 and the acquisition of the first tablet 1.1 by the insertion device 32 with the rotatably mounted insertion finger 34, which then inserts the tablet 1.1 from the end position of the second conveyor 20 between the sealing rollers 50, 60. Based on a tablet cycle corresponding to a rotation of the finger star of 60 °, the push-in device 32 is in the representation of Fig. 18 in a starting position of 0 °.

According to Fig. 19 the insertion finger 34 is lowered in a tablet cycle position of the insertion device 32 between 0 ° and about 15 ° down into the guideway 3, while the insertion device 32 simultaneously performs a movement "horizontally forward". In this case, the tablet 1.1 is gripped by the insertion finger 34 and further advanced and finally inserted between the sealing rollers 50, 60. During this Einschiebevorgangs the subsequent tablets 1.2, 1.3, etc. nachgeschoben by the second conveyor 20, as explained above.

According to Fig. 20 The inserter 32 continues to move "horizontally forward" between a position of about 15 ° to about 30 °, while the inserter finger 34 is constantly in a lowered, "vertical" lower position to advance the tablet further. At a tablet cycle position of 30 °, the insertion device has reached its end position and the tablet is now accurately positioned on the sealing yards 52, 62 of the sealing rollers 50, 60th

According to Fig. 21 the insertion device 32 is then withdrawn from the aforementioned end position, that is, the insertion device 32 carries out a movement "horizontally backward", while at the same time the insertion finger "vertical" is raised to avoid the subsequent tablet 1.2. Fig. 21 shows the insertion device in a tablet cycle position of about 40 °.

Fig. 22 shows the insertion device 32 finally in its initial position, that is, a tablet cycle position of 60 °, at the end of its movement section "horizontally backwards". In this movement phase up to this end position, the insertion finger 34 is constantly in its "vertical" upper position to the retraction of the Insertion device 32 does not collide with the subsequent tablet 1.2. The tablet 1.1 has been further promoted by the sealing rollers 50, 60 in the meantime. In Fig. 22 It is already safe in the formed by the sealed heat seal foils four-edge seal bag, which is here already completed to about 80%.

The Figures 23a and 23b illustrate the previously described sequence of movement of the insertion device 32 with the insertion finger 34 graphically. Fig. 23a shows the vertical stroke of the Einschiebefmgers 34 during a tablet cycle (60 °); Fig. 23b also shows the horizontal stroke of the inserter 32 during a tablet cycle (60 °).

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for feeding flat, disc-shaped objects (1), such as pharmaceutical compacts and small technical parts of similar nature, in particular tablets, to sealing tools (50, 60) for the purpose of sealing the objects (1) in packaging film, comprising the following features:

   - a substantially horizontally arranged guide path (3) for the objects (1);

   - a first conveying device (10) which engages in the guide path (3) and which pushes the objects (1) forwards while they butt one against the other in a bunch;

   - a second conveying device (20) which engages in the guide path (3) and which individually separates the objects (1) from the bunch and pushes them further forwards;

   characterized by

   - a third conveying device (30) which pushes the separated objects (1) from the guide path (3) in a substantially horizontally correct position into the sealing tools (50, 60).
2. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first conveying device (10) and the second conveying device (20) each comprise a finger roller or a pair of finger wheels (12, 22) which are arranged parallel to one another and which can be rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus and parallel to the plane of the guide path (3), wherein fingers (14, 24) are arranged in a star shape on the circumference of the finger roller or the finger wheels (12, 22) in such a way that they engage in free spaces formed between the abutting objects (1) and catch and push forward the object (1) during a rotation of the finger roller or the finger wheels (12, 22) about their axis.
3. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of fingers (14, 24), in particular six fingers, are arranged with a uniform angular spacing on the circumference of the finger roller or the finger wheels (12, 22).
4. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the axis of the finger roller or of the finger wheels (12) of the first conveying device (10) cannot be displaced in the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus.
5. Feeding apparatus according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second conveying device (20) further comprises devices (26, 28) for displacing the axis of its finger roller or its finger wheels (22) in the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus.
6. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the second conveying device (20) comprises a first displacing device or pivoting device (26) for a substantially horizontal displacement of the finger roller or the finger wheels (22) and also a second displacing device or pivoting device (28) for a substantially vertical displacement of the finger roller or the finger wheels (22).
7. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the axis-forming pin of the finger roller or the finger wheels (22) is mounted on the first displacing or pivoting device (26), and in that the first displacing or pivoting device (26) is mounted on the second displacing or pivoting device (28), wherein the two displacing or pivoting devices (26, 28) perform combined displacing or pivoting movements such that the finger roller/finger wheels (22) perform a substantially linear movement in the guide path (3) during a forward stroke in the conveying direction and such that the finger roller/finger wheels (22) can be guided, counter to the conveying direction and outside of the guide path (3), into their starting position during a rearward stroke.
8. Feeding apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third conveying device (30) comprises a push-in device (32) which can be displaced parallel to the guide path (3) and which comprises a push-in finger (34) which can be moved substantially perpendicularly to the guide path (3), wherein, during a forward stroke of the push-in device (32) in the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus, the push-in finger (34) can be positioned in such a way that it catches the object (1) and pushes it into the sealing tools (50, 60), and wherein, during a rearward stroke of the push-in device (32) counter to the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus, the push-in finger (34) can be positioned in such a way that it can be guided outside of the guide path (3) back into its starting position.
9. Feeding apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the push-in finger (34) is mounted in the push-in device (32) such that it can rotate about an axis which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding apparatus and parallel to the plane of the guide path (3).
10. Feeding apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing tools are rotating heat-sealing rollers (50, 60) which bear one against the other, are arranged parallel to one another above and below the plane of the guide path (3) and via which heat-sealing films are fed into the plane of the guide path (3) in order to form sealed packages, wherein the heat-sealing rollers (50, 60) are provided on their circumference with sealing wells (52, 62) in which the objects (1), in particular tablets, are received and sealed into place between the heat-sealing films.
11. Feeding apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to have multiple paths such that a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged guide paths (3) are arranged parallel to and alongside one another, such that, accordingly, a plurality of first, second and third conveying devices (10, 20, 30) are arranged alongside one another, and such that the sealing tools (50, 60) are accordingly designed to lie alongside one another for the purpose of simultaneously receiving and sealing a plurality of objects (1).
12. Feeding apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear and/or rotating movements of the first, second and third conveying devices (10, 20, 30) are synchronized with one another and/or with the sealing operations of the sealing tools (50, 60).
13. Feeding apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the objects are round tablets (1) having a diameter of 16 to 30 mm, preferably 25 mm, and a thickness of 3 to 8 mm, these tablets being conveyed while they lie flat.

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