EP1712473B1 - Device for feeeding disc shaped objects, in particular tablets, to a sealing apparatus - Google Patents
Device for feeeding disc shaped objects, in particular tablets, to a sealing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1712473B1 EP1712473B1 EP06006884A EP06006884A EP1712473B1 EP 1712473 B1 EP1712473 B1 EP 1712473B1 EP 06006884 A EP06006884 A EP 06006884A EP 06006884 A EP06006884 A EP 06006884A EP 1712473 B1 EP1712473 B1 EP 1712473B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- finger
- sealing
- feeding apparatus
- objects
- guide path
- Prior art date
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- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 81
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 41
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920006280 packaging film Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012785 packaging film Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 abstract 2
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000003826 tablet Substances 0.000 description 136
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 24
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 24
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000490025 Schefflera digitata Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001447 compensatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007598 dipping method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007938 effervescent tablet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006187 pill Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
- B65B35/20—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
-
- 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
- B65B35/26—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by rotary conveyors
-
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- a feeding device 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- the delivery device according to the invention finally, overall higher delivery and operating speeds are possible than in the known feeders.
- conveying speeds of approximately 350 tablets per line per minute can typically be achieved.
- an exemplary tablet diameter of 25 mm is assumed.
- 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 ).
- 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.
- the delivery device is shown as a whole.
- the tablets are fed lying flat from left to right to the sealing rollers 50, 60.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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").
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 24 close to the horizontal Tablettenzu Foodvorraum 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fig. 1 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.
- the finger stars 12 that is in Fig. 1 To the left of this, there is usually always a supply of tablets (pills).
- the first tablet 1.1 is then on first fingers 14.1 of the two finger stars 12, which engage in the guideway 3.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- there is a pivoting movement of the pivoting device 26 "horizontally forward” while at the same time the pivoting device 28 performs a Ausretesschwenkamba "vertically downwards”.
- 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.
- 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 ".
- 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 °.
- 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.
- 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.
- the push-in device 32 is in the representation of Fig. 18 in a starting position of 0 °.
- 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".
- the tablet 1.1 is gripped by the insertion finger 34 and further advanced and finally inserted between the sealing rollers 50, 60.
- 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.
- 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
- Fig. 21 shows the insertion device 32 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".
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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 °).
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Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von flachen, scheibenförmigen Gegenständen, wie pharmazeutischen Komprimaten und ähnlich gearteten technischen Kleinteilen, insbesondere Tabletten, zu Siegelwerkzeugen für ein Versiegeln der Gegenstände in Verpackungsfolie, entsprechend dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1.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
Die Erfmdung wird nachfolgend am Beispiel von kreisförmigen Tabletten, wie beispielsweise Brausetabletten, mit einem Durchmesser im Bereich von ca. 16 bis 30 mm und einer Dicke im Bereich von ca. 3 bis 8 mm, erläutert. Die Tabletten werden von Siegelvorrichtungen einzeln in so genannte Vierrandsiegelbeutel eingesiegelt, wobei zur Bildung der Siegelbeutel typischerweise zwei als Endlosstreifen bereitgestellte Heißsiegelfolien, beispielsweise Aluminium-kaschierte Folien, aufeinandergesiegelt werden. Mehrere derartige Vierrandsiegelbeutel können als Endlosband und nach dessen Aufteilen in Form unterschiedlich großer Verpakkungseinheiten streifenförmig zusammenhängen. Sofern nachfolgend von Tabletten gesprochen wird, versteht sich dieses stellvertretend für jegliche Art von flachen, scheibenförmigen Gegenständen oder entsprechenden technischen Kleinteilen, die in gleicher Weise verpackt werden. Dabei geht es immer um die Förderung und Verpackung der Gegenstände in hohen Stückzahlen bei hohen Fördergeschwindigkeiten.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.
Bei derartigen Verpackungsmaschinen ist es bekannt und in der Praxis üblich, dass einzelne Tabletten aus einer Tablettenzufiihrung im freien Fall lotrecht oder vertikal zu der Siegelstation zugeführt werden, indem sie von oben zwischen zwei Heißsiegelwerkzeuge, insbesondere rotierende Heißsiegelwalzen, hineinfallen, über die von beiden äußeren Seiten her jeweils eine Heißsiegelfolie zugeführt wird. Mittels der Förderung durch die Siegelwalze werden die Tabletten zwischen den Folien eingesiegelt.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.
Diese vertikale Zuführung der Tabletten zu der Siegelvorrichtung hat mehrere Nachteile: In der Phase des freien Falls bewegt sich die Tablette abhängig von ihrer Masse unkontrolliert derart, dass unterschiedliche Fallzeiten und Positionierungen der Tabletten zwischen den Siegelwalzen auftreten können, was zu unterschiedlichen Positionen der jeweiligen Tablette in dem gebildeten Siegelrandbeutel führen kann. Das Verhalten der Tablette in der Phase des freien Falls kann auch durch eine Verschmutzung der Tablettenzuführung und einen dadurch möglicherweise bedingten Klebeeffekt beeinflußt werden, wodurch die Tabletten zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten von der Tablettenzuführung in den freien Fall übergeben werden. Auch durch unterschiedliche Mitnahmewirkungen zwischen der Folie und der Tablette, beispielsweise bedingt durch verschiedene Folienqualitäten, kann die Lage der jeweiligen Tablette in dem Beutel unterschiedlich sein. Im Ergebnis kann dieses zu minderwertigen oder sogar unbrauchbaren fertigen Verpackungen führen, insbesondere dann, wenn die Tablette nicht korrekt in der Siegelvertiefung (Siegelhof) der Siegelwalze zu liegen kommt, sondern zwischen die Siegelflächen fällt, wo sie zerdrückt werden kann. Darüberhinaus können unbrauchbare (zum Beispiel undichte) Siegelbeutel durch unkontrolliert aus der Tablettenzuführung herabfallende Tablettenbruchstücke resultieren, die wiederum im Bereich der Siegelflächen (Siegelstege) zu liegen kommen und die Heißsiegelfolie dort beschädigen können. Im Fall der vertikalen Zuführung der Tabletten besteht schließlich eine Gefahr durch sich lösende mechanische Bauteile der Tablettenzufürung im Bereich über den Siegelwalzen, wobei derartige Teile zwischen die Siegelwalzen fallen und diese beschädigen können. Weitere Aspekte und Nachteile einer vertikalen Tablettenzuführung ergeben sich aus dem einleitenden Beschreibungsteil der
Zur Überwindung der Nachteile einer vertikalen Tablettenzuführung, wie zuvor beschrieben, wurde gemäß der
In der Praxis hat sich diese Lösung jedoch nicht ausreichend bewährt, da die gewünschte sichere und exakte Positionierung der Tabletten in den Siegelhöfen der Siegelwalzen nicht ausreichend gut erzielt wird. Die Siegelhöfe in den Siegelwalzen können in ihrer Größe daher nicht auf ein Minimum reduziert werden, was andererseits wünschenswert wäre, um letztlich möglichst kleine, Platz und Material sparende und damit kostengünstigere Verpackungseinheiten herzustellen.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.
Ausgehend von diesen bekannten Zuführvorrichtungen liegt der Erfindung somit die Aufgabe zugrunde, die oben genannten Nachteile des Standes der Technik zu überwinden und insbesondere die Positionierung der Tabletten in den Siegelhöfen der Siegelwerkzeuge und damit in den einzelnen Siegelpackungen zu verbessern und insbesondere eine sichere und exakte, reproduzierbare Positionierung der Tabletten darin zu erreichen.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.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine Zuführvorrichtung gemäß Patentanspruch 1 gelöst. Demnach weist die Vorrichtung zum Zuführen der flachen, scheibenförmigen Gegenstände, insbesondere Tabletten, zu den Siegelwerkzeugen neben einer im Wesentlichen horizontal angeordneten Führungsbahn für die Gegenstände, einer in die Führungsbahn eingreifenden ersten Fördereinrichtung, die die Gegenstände im Stau aneinander anliegend vorschiebt, und einer in die Führungsbahn eingreifenden zweiten Fördereinrichtung, die die Gegenstände aus dem Stau vereinzelt und weiter vorschiebt, zusätzlich eine dritte Fördereinrichtung auf, die die vereinzelten Gegenstände von der Führungsbahn im Wesentlichen horizontal positionsgerecht in die Siegelwerkzeuge einschiebt.This object is achieved by a feeding device according to
Die den Siegelwerkzeugen vorgeschaltete erste, zweite und dritte Fördereinrichtung sind in Förderrichtung derart hintereinander angeordnet, dass Zuführung, Vereinzelung, Positionierung und Versiegelung der Tabletten in einer horizontalen Ebene stattfinden. Durch das aufeinander abgestimmte Zusammenwirken der drei Fördereinrichtungen wird eine permanente Zwangsführung der Tabletten und damit eine sichere und genaue Positionierung der Tabletten in den Siegelhöfen der Siegelwerkzeuge erzielt. Die Tabletten werden direkt, kontinuierlich, takt- und maßgenau in den von den Siegelwerkzeugen teilgefertigten Vierrandsiegelbeutel eingeschoben, wobei die Masse und eine Fallbeschleunigung der Tabletten irrelevant sind.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.
Durch die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung werden die oben beschriebenen Nachteile sowohl der vertikalen Zuführvorrichtung als auch der bereits bekannten horizontalen Zufiihrvorrichtung beseitigt. So überwindet die dritte Fördereinrichtung einen durch eine Verschmutzung der Zuführungsbahn bedingten Klebeeffekt, das heißt die Tabletten werden nicht mehr durch ein Klebenbleiben an der Zuführungsbahn abgebremst, sondern mit der von der dritten Fördereinrichtung aufgebrachten Geschwindigkeit kontinuierlich in die Siegelwalzen eingeschoben. Da die Tablettenzuführung seitlich neben den Siegelwalzen angeordnet ist, besteht des Weiteren keine Gefahr, dass die Siegelwalzen durch sich lösende, herabfallende mechanische Bauteile beschädigt werden, und herabfallende Tablettenbruchstücke gelangen nicht mehr zwischen die Siegelwalzen, sondern außerhalb des Siegelbereichs in geeignete Auffangbehälter. Die horizontale Anordnung der Tablettenzuführung vor den Siegelwerkzeugen bedingt darüber hinaus eine geringe Einbauhöhe der Tablettenzuführung (zum Beispiel ca. 1000 mm über dem Boden), wodurch die Vorrichtung insgesamt gut einsehbar und bedienerfreundlich ist.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.
Gemäß bevorzugten Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung weisen die erste und die zweite Fördereinrichtung jeweils eine Fingerwalze oder ein Paar parallel zueinander angeordneter Fingerräder auf, deren Finger bei einer Drehung die zu fördernden Gegenstände ergreifen und vorschieben. Die zweite Fördereinrichtung weist darüber hinaus Einrichtungen für eine Verschiebung der Achse ihrer Fingerwalze oder ihrer Fingerräder in Förderrichtung auf, insbesondere eine erste Verschiebe- oder Schwenkeinrichtung für eine im wesentlichen horizontale Verschiebung der Fingerwalze/Fingerräder parallel zur Führungsbahn, sowie eine zweite Verschiebe- oder Schwenkeinrichtung für eine im wesentlichen vertikale Verschiebung der Fingerwalze/Fingerräder senkrecht zur Führungsbahn, wobei die beiden miteinander gekoppelten Verschiebe- oder Schwenkeinrichtungen kombinierte Verschiebe- oder Schwenkbewegungen ausführen. Die dritte Fördereinrichtung weist eine parallel zur Führungsbahn verschiebbare Einschiebeeinrichtung auf, die einen im wesentlichen senkrecht zur Führungsbahn bewegbaren, insbesondere verschwenkbar gelagerten Einschiebefinger umfasst.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.
Durch eine mechanische Kopplung und/oder Synchronisierung der ersten, zweiten und dritten Fördereinrichtungen miteinander und/oder mit den Siegelwerkzeugen sowie durch eine entsprechende Anbindung an den Hauptantrieb der Verpackungsmaschine kann der takt- und maßgenaue Einschub der Tabletten in die Siegelvorrichtung und damit die genaue Lage der Tablette in der zu bildenden Siegelverpackung bei jeder beliebigen Maschinengeschwindigkeit und insbesondere bei variierenden Maschinengeschwindigkeiten bewerkstelligt werden. Mit der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung sind schließlich insgesamt höhere Förder- und Arbeitsgeschwindigkeiten möglich als bei den bekannten Zuführvorrichtungen. So können mit der erfindungsgemäßen horizontalen Zuführvorrichtung typischerweise Fördergeschwindigkeiten von ca. 350 Tabletten pro Bahn pro Minute realisiert werden.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.
Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels anhand der Zeichnungen.
- 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 und18 entsprechenden Position der drei Fördereinrichtungen und der sich anschließenden Siegelwalzen, in einer Seitenansicht.
- 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 and18 corresponding position of the three conveyors and the subsequent sealing rollers, in a side view.
Für die nachfolgende Detaildarstellung wird von einem beispielhaften Tablettendurchmesser von 25 mm ausgegangen. Bei der hier dargestellten, beispielhaften "Teilung" von sechs Fingern pro Fingerstern, wobei die Finger unter einem gleichmäßigen Winkelabstand von 60° zueinander am Umfang des Fingersterns angeordnet sind, wird bei einer Drehbewegung des Fingersterns um 60° jeweils eine Tablette von einem der sechs Finger ergriffen und weitertransportiert. Eine Drehbewegung des Fingersterns um 60° entspricht somit einem Tablettenzyklus (siehe
Abhängig vom Tablettendurchmesser sind auch andere Fingersternteilungen möglich, beispielsweise mit fünf oder sieben Fingern. In diesen Fällen gelten für die beigefügten Zeichnungen andere Längen und Winkelangaben. Grundsätzlich ist die Form und Lage der Fingersterne immer auf den Tablettendurchmesser abgestimmt.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.
Anhand von
Wie oben schon ausgeführt wurde, sind in dieser Ausführungsform sechs Finger (Sternfinger) 14 unter einem gleichmäßigen Winkelabstand von jeweils 60° am Umfang der Fingerräder 12 angeordnet (Sternfingerteilung "Sechs"). Durch ein kontinuierliches Drehen der Fingerräder bzw. Fingersterne 12 im Uhrzeigersinn wird bei dieser Sternfmgerteilung somit bei einer Drebewegung um 60° immer eine Tablette von einem Finger 14 des ersten Fingerrads sowie dem entsprechenden Finger 14 des parallel dazu angeordneten zweiten Fingerrads ergriffen und weitertransportiert (entsprechend einem Tablettenzyklus). Der jeweils nachfolgende Finger an den beiden parallelen Fingersternen hält die nachfolgenden weiteren Tabletten 1 auf Stau.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
Abgesehen von der beschriebenen Drehbewegung ist das Paar der Fingerräder 12 feststehend im Bereich der Führungsbahn 3 angeordnet, das heißt die Achse der Fingerräder 12 ist nicht verschiebbar, insbesondere nicht in der Förderrichtung der Tablettenzuführvorrichtung (Bezeichnung "Sternfinger Fix" in dem Diagramm der
Die zweite Fördereinrichtung 20 weist darüber hinaus Einrichtungen 26, 28 für eine Verschiebung der Achse ihrer Fingerräder 22 in der Förderrichtung der Zuführvorrichtung auf. Hierbei handelt es sich insbesondere um eine drehbar gelagerte Schwenkeinrichtung oder Schwinge 26 für eine horizontale Verschiebung der Fingerräder 22 parallel zur Führungsbahn 3 sowie um eine drehbar gelagerte Schwenkeinrichtung oder Schwinge 28 für eine vertikale Verschiebung der Fingerräder 22 senkrecht zur Führungsbahn 3. Wie aus
Wie aus
Die Tablettenzuführvorrichtung und die nachgeschalteten Siegelwerkzeuge 50, 60 können mehrbahnig derart ausgeführt sein, dass mehrere horizontale Führungsbahnen 3 parallel nebeneinander angeordnet sind, dass dementsprechend mehrere erste, zweite und dritte Fördereinrichtungen 10, 20, 30 nebeneinander angeordnet sind, und dass die Siegelwerkzeuge 50, 60 dementsprechend für eine gleichzeitige Aufnahme und ein Versiegeln mehrerer Tabletten parallel nebeneinander ausgebildet sind.The tablet feeding device and the
Die Funktionsweise und die einzelnen Ablaufschritte der drei Fördereinrichtungen 10, 20, 30 der Tablettenzuführvorrichtung werden nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die
Wie aus
Durch eine Drehung der parallel angeordneten Fingerräder 22 haben zwischenzeitich die beiden entsprechenden Sternfinger 24.2 die erste Tablette 1.1 ergriffen und schieben diese weiter vor. Durch die gleichzeitige Bewegung der Schwenkeinrichtung 26 wird die Tablette 1.1 aus dem Stau der dahinter liegenden Tabletten gelöst, und es entsteht eine Lücke zwischen der ersten Tablette 1.1 und der nachfolgenden zweiten Tablette 1.2. Auf diese Weise werden die Tabletten aus dem Stau der aneinander liegenden Tabletten vereinzelt. Die Schwenkeinrichtung 28 gleicht dabei die durch die Bewegung der Schwenkeinrichtung 26 alleine bewirkte Bewegung der Achse der Fingerräder 22 auf einer Radius- oder Kreisbogenbahn aus, so dass diese Achse eine lineare, ebene Bewegung parallel zur Führungsbahn 3 vollzieht.In the meantime, the two corresponding star fingers 24.2 have gripped the first tablet 1.1 by a rotation of the parallel arranged
Die
In der in
Gemäß
Gemäß
Gemäß
Die
Claims (13)
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102005017509A DE102005017509B3 (en) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-04-15 | Device for feeding of flat, disc-form objects such as pharmaceutical tablets to sealing tools has third feed device which slides separated objects from guide track horizontally positionally correct into sealing tools |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1712473A1 EP1712473A1 (en) | 2006-10-18 |
EP1712473B1 true EP1712473B1 (en) | 2008-08-20 |
Family
ID=36463452
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06006884A Active EP1712473B1 (en) | 2005-04-15 | 2006-03-31 | Device for feeeding disc shaped objects, in particular tablets, to a sealing apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1712473B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE405491T1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE102005017509B3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2308620T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102014225529A1 (en) * | 2014-12-11 | 2016-06-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Transport device for a packaging machine |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1155389B (en) * | 1960-02-10 | 1963-10-03 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Conveyor for packaging machines |
AT261496B (en) * | 1964-01-30 | 1968-04-25 | Bockenheimer Brotfabrik Ferdin | Packaging machine, in particular for baked goods |
GB1336602A (en) * | 1970-01-29 | 1973-11-07 | Molins Ltd | Conveying apparatus |
CH566922A5 (en) * | 1973-05-08 | 1975-09-30 | Sapal Plieuses Automatiques | |
DE4203435C1 (en) * | 1992-02-06 | 1993-02-25 | Pvt Piepenbrock Verpackungstechnik Gmbh, 4500 Osnabrueck, De | |
US7240784B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2007-07-10 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Selection system |
ITBO20020460A1 (en) * | 2002-07-18 | 2004-01-19 | Aetna Group Spa | DEVICE FOR THE SEPARATION OF GROUPS OF CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLIED PRODUCTS |
EP1508519A1 (en) * | 2003-08-20 | 2005-02-23 | Mars Incorporated | Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products |
-
2005
- 2005-04-15 DE DE102005017509A patent/DE102005017509B3/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-03-31 EP EP06006884A patent/EP1712473B1/en active Active
- 2006-03-31 AT AT06006884T patent/ATE405491T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-03-31 DE DE502006001359T patent/DE502006001359D1/en active Active
- 2006-03-31 ES ES06006884T patent/ES2308620T3/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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ATE405491T1 (en) | 2008-09-15 |
DE102005017509B3 (en) | 2006-06-14 |
EP1712473A1 (en) | 2006-10-18 |
DE502006001359D1 (en) | 2008-10-02 |
ES2308620T3 (en) | 2008-12-01 |
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