EP1923311A1 - Dispositif et procédé pour emballer des tablettes dans les alvéoles d'une bande de film - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé pour emballer des tablettes dans les alvéoles d'une bande de film Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1923311A1
EP1923311A1 EP07022096A EP07022096A EP1923311A1 EP 1923311 A1 EP1923311 A1 EP 1923311A1 EP 07022096 A EP07022096 A EP 07022096A EP 07022096 A EP07022096 A EP 07022096A EP 1923311 A1 EP1923311 A1 EP 1923311A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flexible members
blister web
pills
blister
cavities
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07022096A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Bogdan Nitulescu
Hubert H. Keil
Robert W. Parker
Markus J. Haid
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP1923311A1 publication Critical patent/EP1923311A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • 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 present invention relates to the field of pill packaging apparatus and methods, and more particularly to ensuring that pills boing packaged in blister webs are properly nested in blister cavities.
  • Pills are frequently packaged for retail sale in blister web packaging, i.e. a semi-rigid sheet in which an array of depressions or cavities are formed.
  • the sheet is typicaliy plastic or aluminum for easy cavity forming and pill visibility.
  • One pill is generally placed to nest entirely within each cavity, although occasionally two pills may be inserted.
  • a protective cover sheet is adhered to the blister web after the pills are properly nested in the respective cavities.
  • the term pill is used herein to include all typen and shapes of compact oral medication, including tablets, capsules and caplets, Pills may be round, oval, triangular, square, etc. with flat or curved top anad bottom surfaces.
  • Blister webs are normally formed from continuous strips of plastic or aluminum that pass beneath a feeder mechanism for placing one pill in each cavity.
  • the blister web is moved to pass an empty blister web portion beneath the pill feeding mechanism.
  • the pill feeding mechanism then drops a single pill into each cavity and the blister web is moved forward, allowing a subsequent blister web portion to be loaded with pills.
  • the pills can be fairly light weight, the cavities are sized to accept the pills in a specific orientation, and the friction between the blister web portion pill and the cavity is significant relative to the pill weight.
  • the dimensions of the pill relative to the dimensions of the cavity can have an adverse effect an proper placement in the cavity. Therefore, a number of pills do not nest in the desired orientation in the respective cavity.
  • pills are standing upright or tilted in the cavity rather than lying flat, leaving a portion of the pill above the top of the.
  • the pills that are not properly nested must be repositioned, or knocked down, before the cover sheet can be affixed or the pills will be damagect during the sealing process, which is unacceptable.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,494,022 entitled Orbital Motion Pill Packaging Device And Associated Method provides such a device.
  • This patent teaches a device for pill packaging in which a resilient pad is brought into engagement with plus protruding from pill cavities, and the resilient pad is driven in an orbital motion to urge the protruding pills into the cavities.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,925,782 entitled Vibrating Pill Packaging Device And Associated Method discloses a packaging device for manipulating the pills into respective cavities formed in a web and conveyed by a conveyor.
  • a first wiper device extends angularly across the web to engage pills protruding from cavities.
  • a second wiper downstream from the first wiper and perpendicular to the web, engages pills still protruding from the cavities. The first and second wipers are vibrated to cause the pills to nest properly in respective cavities.
  • the invention disclosed herein provides a novel apparatus and method for causing pills that are not properly oriented to be nested in respective cavities in a blister web.
  • a blister web is fed under a pill feeding mechanism that places a pill in each cavity. Certain of the pills remain an edge or at an angle to the blister web and are not properly nested in the cavity.
  • the blister web loaded with a pill in each cavity is moved to a knock down station to pass beneath a set of brushes mounted in rows to a moveable tray. The tray and brushes are moved cyclically across the blister web to cause the standing pills to nest properly in the cavities.
  • Blister web portion 10 is a section of an elongate blister web that is wound into a supply roll for processing. At the compietion of packaging, blister web portion 10 is to be separated from the balance of the blister web. Blister web portion 10 is formed of a sheet of plastic resin or aluminum. In blister web portion 10 shown, 20 cavities are formed to receive round pills. However, the Invention described pertains to packing pills of many differing shapes in blister web portions having differing numbers of cavities.
  • blister web portion 10 is shown in side elevation view after being loaded with pills.
  • a first pill 16 is illustrated as not being properly nested and standing on edge, with pill 16 oriented along a line perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
  • a second pill 16' is shown as not being properly nested and tilted in cavity 12.
  • a third pill 16" is shown as not being properly nested and standing on edge, with pill 16" oriented along a line parallel to the plane of the drawing.
  • These three orientations of pills are representative of many pill orientations susceptible of being corrected and properly nested in the respective cavity of blister web portion 10 according to the invention disclosed. Additional pills fed onto blister web portion 10 are properly nested in respective cavities.
  • FIG. 3 an apparatus for packing pills in blister cavities is illustrated diagrammatically in side elevation view.
  • a supply 26 of blister web 20 is rotatably mounted at the entry section of the pill packing apparatus to feed blister web 20 in the direction indicated by arrow A.
  • Blister web 20 is fed incrementally, i.e. indexed, to position an empty blister web portion 10 for being filled with pills fed from supply chute 32.
  • blister web 20 is fed continuously through the pill packing apparatus without interruption of motion. Whereas the pills being loaded into blister cavities are dropped, the operative mechanism of the invention apparatus is illustrated above blister web 20. In a subsequent movement, blister web portion 10 is in position beneath a tray 60 for improperly nested pills to be repositioned, or knocked down, into respective cavities.
  • a pill hopper 30 is mounted above the path of blister web 20 with supply chute 32 terminating adjacent to blister web 20.
  • Supply chute 32 includes mechanism adapted to deposit pills individually into respective cavities 22. In practice, multiple chutes 32 will be mounted to simultaneously deposit a pill in each of multiple cavities.
  • a first pill 16 and a second pill 16' are shown as being improperly nested in respective cavities 22, pills 16 and 16' being oriented perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the drawing. The pills placed in the balance of cavities 22 downstream of feed chute 32 are properly nested and do not protrude above the surface of blister web 20.
  • a frame 46 is fixedly mounted a distance above the path of blister web 20.
  • a drive device 42 for example a variable speed motor, is mounted to frame 46 with a drive shaft 44 extending therethrough.
  • Drive shaft 44 is connected to a first pulley 48 that in turn drives a second pulley 48' by means of a belt 50 to rotate cyclically and synchronously.
  • Other means of driving first pulley 48 synchronously with second pulley 48' are considered within the scope of the invention.
  • three pulleys 48 are used, as will be shown below.
  • Pulleys 48 and 48' are preferably timing pulleys and belt 50 is preferably a timing bell to maintain radial alignment between pulleys 48 and 48'.
  • Pulleys 48 and 48' are mounted to frame 46 by bearing means (not shown).
  • Each of pulley 48 and 48' is fitted with a crank shaft 52 and 52' rotatably mounted off center thereof and connected to a tray 60.
  • tray 60 moves cyclically over blister web 20.
  • Tray 60 may be formed as a flat plate or as a box having sides according to the intent of the designer.
  • a series of flexible members 62 are mounted to, and depend downwardly from, tray 60 to terminate slightly above the upper surface of blister web 20 at a height to contact pills 16 and 16' that protrude out of cavities 22.
  • flexible members 62 are typically positioned between 0.1 - 1.0 mm (0.004 - 0.039 inch) above blister web 20.
  • flexible members 62 may be positioned at the level of blister web 20 or lower to effectively cause all pills 16 and 16' to nest properly.
  • Flexible members 62 are positioned a pitch distance P from one another, distance P being substantially equal to the pitch between adjacent cavities 22. In a further embodiment of the invention, the distance P between flexible members 62 is related to, but not equal to, the distance between cavities in blister web 20. Flexible members 62 may be oriented either perpendicular, parallel, or at an intermediate angle to the travel direction A of blister web 20 (as illustrated). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, flexible members 62 are elongate brushes formed of nylon resin bristles approximately 0.15 mm (0,006 inch) diameter and 2.5 cm (1.0 inch) long. As such, the bristles of flexible members 62 are substantially flexible in all directions perpendicular to their length and effectively not compressible lengthwise.
  • flexible member 62 is a brush of approximately 2.0 mm (0.78 inch) thickness T and sufficient length to engage improperly oriented pills 16 and 16' across blister web 20.
  • a level adjustment 56 is provided to ensure that flexible members 62 terminate in a plane parallel to blister web 20.
  • tray 60 a top plan view of tray 60 is shown with flexible members 62 depicted in dashed lines as being mounted to the bottom surface thereof.
  • Rotary couplings 54 are shown rotatably mounted to the upper surface of tray 60.
  • tray 60 travels a substantially circular cyclical path, characterized by arrow B.
  • tray 60 moves through a cycle related to pitch distance P between flexible members 62, a particular example being approximately 15 mm (0.60 inch) diameter, thus passing over all cavities in blister web 20 to knock down pills not properly nested in respective cavities.
  • Tray 60 is driven continuously through cycle B so that protruding pills are contacted while blister web 20 (see Figure 3) is moving into position and when it is still in position beneath tray 60.
  • tray 60 may be rotated from approximately 30 - 200 cycles per minute. In an exemplary apptication of the present Invention, tray 60 is cycled approximately 50 rotations per minute and blister web 20 is indexed 50 cycles per minute.
  • tray 60 is shown inverted in perspective view with flexible members 62 facing upward for visibility.
  • Each flexible member 62 is held in a slot 64 formed in tray 60.
  • Flexible members 62 may be assembled in individual channels (not shown) for ease of handling and secure insertion in slots 64, especially when in the form of brushes.
  • flexible members 62 and therefore slots 64 are spaced from one another a distance P as described above.
  • tray 60 is mounted in a manner to allow quick removal and replacement at the start of a new production run of a different compound to avoid cross-contamination.
  • all materials forming the disclosed apparatus are food or pharmaceutical grade, such as anodized aluminum or stainless steel components and nylon "6" grade brush bristles.
  • FIG. 6 an embodiment is shown, which is particular suited for applications, where the direct interaction of brushes with the pills 16 should be avoided. Therefore the terminal ends 68 of the flexible members 62 are interconnected with a plate 66, wherein the plate 66 is a spring-mounted plate with the flexible members 62 acting as springs, which prevent crushing of the pills 16 due to the influence of the cyclically moving plate.
  • the plate 66 itself is secured to the flexible members 62, which engage a groove 70 shaped in the plate 66.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP07022096A 2006-11-15 2007-11-14 Dispositif et procédé pour emballer des tablettes dans les alvéoles d'une bande de film Withdrawn EP1923311A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/599,756 US20080110134A1 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Apparatus and method for packing pills in blister cavities

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1923311A1 true EP1923311A1 (fr) 2008-05-21

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07022096A Withdrawn EP1923311A1 (fr) 2006-11-15 2007-11-14 Dispositif et procédé pour emballer des tablettes dans les alvéoles d'une bande de film

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20080110134A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1923311A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2163479A1 (fr) * 2008-09-13 2010-03-17 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG Alimentation et procédé de fonctionnement d'une alimentation
EP3018058A1 (fr) * 2014-11-04 2016-05-11 UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG Dispositif de remplissage pour des bandes d'emballage transparent

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9150119B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-10-06 Aesynt Incorporated Apparatuses, systems, and methods for anticipating and delivering medications from a central pharmacy to a patient using a track based transport system
US20140108028A1 (en) 2012-10-12 2014-04-17 Mckesson Automation Inc. Apparatuses, systems, and methods for anticipating and delivering medications from a central pharmacy to a patient in a healthcare facility
EP3851390B1 (fr) * 2017-01-27 2023-09-13 Remedi Technology Holdings, LLC Procede d'empiler d'emballages-cloques

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3464182A (en) * 1967-04-07 1969-09-02 Sauter Packaging Co Packaging machine
JPS6023107A (ja) * 1983-07-07 1985-02-05 シ−ケ−デイ株式会社 錠剤の姿勢修正装置
FR2759346A1 (fr) * 1997-02-07 1998-08-14 Epmo Dispositif modulaire de remplissage des alveoles pour machine de mise sous blisters
US6494022B1 (en) 1999-12-10 2002-12-17 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Orbital motion pill packaging device and associated method
US20050000192A1 (en) * 2003-07-03 2005-01-06 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Vibrating pill packaging device and associated method

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3545164A (en) * 1968-08-22 1970-12-08 Warnaco Inc Apparatus and method for filling packaging receptacles
DE3541672A1 (de) * 1985-11-26 1987-05-27 Uhlmann Maschf Josef Vorrichtung an verpackungsmaschinen zum geordneten zufuehren und ablegen zu verpackender kleinteile, wie tabletten, kapseln, dragees oder dergl.
IT1311419B1 (it) * 1999-12-07 2002-03-12 Ima Spa Dispositivo per l'alimentazione di articoli ad un sottostante nastroalveolato.

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3464182A (en) * 1967-04-07 1969-09-02 Sauter Packaging Co Packaging machine
JPS6023107A (ja) * 1983-07-07 1985-02-05 シ−ケ−デイ株式会社 錠剤の姿勢修正装置
FR2759346A1 (fr) * 1997-02-07 1998-08-14 Epmo Dispositif modulaire de remplissage des alveoles pour machine de mise sous blisters
US6494022B1 (en) 1999-12-10 2002-12-17 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Orbital motion pill packaging device and associated method
US20050000192A1 (en) * 2003-07-03 2005-01-06 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Vibrating pill packaging device and associated method
US6925782B2 (en) 2003-07-03 2005-08-09 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Vibrating pill packaging device and associated method

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2163479A1 (fr) * 2008-09-13 2010-03-17 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG Alimentation et procédé de fonctionnement d'une alimentation
EP3018058A1 (fr) * 2014-11-04 2016-05-11 UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG Dispositif de remplissage pour des bandes d'emballage transparent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080110134A1 (en) 2008-05-15

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