EP2059444B1 - Tablet discharging apparatus - Google Patents

Tablet discharging apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2059444B1
EP2059444B1 EP07800173A EP07800173A EP2059444B1 EP 2059444 B1 EP2059444 B1 EP 2059444B1 EP 07800173 A EP07800173 A EP 07800173A EP 07800173 A EP07800173 A EP 07800173A EP 2059444 B1 EP2059444 B1 EP 2059444B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tablet
storage container
tablets
receiving means
filling device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP07800173A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2059444A1 (en
Inventor
Karl Freudelsperger
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.)
Knapp AG
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Knapp Logistik Automation GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2059444A1 publication Critical patent/EP2059444A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B65B5/103—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/06—Separating single articles from loose masses of articles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for filling tablets into tablet carriers, e.g. Plister, with a tablet storage container for temporarily storing a plurality of loosely adjacent and superimposed tablets and at least one movable load-receiving means for removing a single tablet from the tablet storage container and for transferring the recorded tablet to the tablet support.
  • tablet carriers e.g. Plister
  • a tablet storage container for temporarily storing a plurality of loosely adjacent and superimposed tablets and at least one movable load-receiving means for removing a single tablet from the tablet storage container and for transferring the recorded tablet to the tablet support.
  • tablette refers to all solid form medicaments, such as e.g. Pills, capsules, lozenges, etc, whereby for the present invention the ingredient of the “tablet” is completely incidental and e.g. also includes placebos.
  • the present invention is within the technical field of tablet dispensers that can be used to fill compartments of a plister pack or other tray carrier with individual tablets.
  • the tablets are provided for filling in bulk form.
  • a device for separating tablets in the form of a rotary tablet dispensing unit is known.
  • the tablets are taken from a mechanism of a memory with loose tablets and delivered to a fixed outlet opening. The removal of the tablet takes place at the bottom of the tablet memory. Slipping of the tablets in the memory can lead to bridging, which hinders proper separation.
  • the separating mechanism is exposed to the dust caused by abrasion of the tablets.
  • Another disadvantage is the lack of parallelism of the device. Because of its size, the singulation mechanism can not simply be arranged in the grid of typical multi-compartment pleats.
  • tablets to be supplied to the reservoirs of the rotary tablet dispensing unit can not be simply distributed to all the devices so that they empty almost simultaneously.
  • An essential feature of the tablet filling device is that the load receiving means removes the tablet from the top of the tablet storage container.
  • the load handling means is adapted to perform seek movements over the tablet storage container, the seek movements being controlled either by predetermined curves or by a sensor for detecting tablets.
  • the tablet carriers are filled exclusively with loose tablets.
  • a prior singulation, stacking or sorting of tablets is not provided. Rather, the separation of the tablets and the filling of the tray carrier takes place in one step with only one unit in the form of the load-carrying means. A multiplication of the load-carrying means and thus the achievement of a parallelization is possible easily and in a very small space.
  • the separation of the tablets and the filling of plasters by two separate modules. Since the tablets are removed from the top of the tablet storage container and thus from the surface of the tablet pile, there are no problems with bridging of tablets in the tablet storage container, as are common in systems of the prior art.
  • the object of the present invention is to refine the above-mentioned tablet filling device in such a way that the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated or at least considerably reduced.
  • the invention achieves this object by providing a tablet filling device with the characterizing features of claim 1.
  • Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.
  • the tablet storage container according to the invention has a downwardly tapering container bottom, so that the container bottom has a geometrically predefined, lowermost portion in which the probability of residence for tablets is highest, even if the tablet supply in the tablet storage container is running out.
  • this may have curved and / or inclined straight bottom sections.
  • the inner surface of the container bottom is made of a smooth material, so that the tablet abrasion is low and the tablets reliably slide into the lowest section.
  • the tablet storage container is designed as a groove or as a trough. This shape allows for multiple parallelization of the tablet filling device, as the lowermost portion of the container bottom extends over the entire length of the tablet storage container. It is further expedient to form the tablet storage container with a container bottom with a conical or dome-shaped cross-section.
  • the bottom of the tablet storage container can be designed in the manner of a reverse saddle roof.
  • the load handler can thus safely grip all tablets for filling up to a very low level in the tablet storage container.
  • the tablet storage container or the container bottom of the tablet storage container can be equipped with a vibrator.
  • the load-receiving means in the region above the lowest point of the container bottom of the tablet storage container - and thus at the point of the highest probability of residence of tablets on a tablet receiving position.
  • the load receiving means comprises a suction head communicating with a vacuum generating device. Leave it Take tablets largely abrasion free.
  • the contour of the suction head is substantially adapted to the shape of the tablet to be grasped.
  • the load-receiving means on grippers, which can take a variety of different shaped tablets.
  • the load-receiving means may comprise a tablet sensor which detects this and outputs to a control device of the load receiving means the corresponding signals.
  • a further sensor may be provided which detects whether in the tablet support a predetermined number of tablets in predetermined ranges, e.g. individual compartments of a Plisterverpackung is included.
  • the tablet carrier is transported for further processing only if the sensor has detected that the filling with tablets is correct.
  • the inventive device 1 for filling tablets in tablet carrier 2, for example in the form of plister packs with a plurality of tablet cases 2a-2d, has a tablet storage container 4 for temporarily storing a plurality of loose tablets 5 located therein.
  • the tablets 5 may be piled up into a heap.
  • At least one moveable load-receiving means 3 is arranged above the tablet storage container 4, the load-receiving means 3 being shown by means of a drive, not shown, between a tablet receiving position A shown in full lines and one shown in dotted lines Tablet dispensing position B back and forth (arrow P1) can be moved.
  • the load picking means 3 removes exactly one tablet 5 from the stock of tablets 5 temporarily stored in the tablet storage container 4.
  • the essential feature of the tablet filling apparatus 1 is that the load receiving means 3 removes the tablet 5 from above from the tablet storage container 4. Since the height of the heap of tablets 5 in the tablet storage container 4 varies, the load-receiving means 3 is also moved vertically (see arrow P2). When the load handler 3 has picked up exactly one tablet 5, it is moved to the tablet dispensing position B, which already has a tablet carrier 2, so that the tablet 5 can be delivered from the load handler 3 to a predetermined location in the tablet carrier 2, as shown from Fig. 1 eg in the tablet compartment 2d. Each load-receiving means 3 receives only one tablet 5 in one operation and delivers it to the tablet carrier 2.
  • the container bottom 4a of the tablet storage container 4 tapers down so as to define a lowermost portion 4b in which the probability of residence for tablets 5 is highest when the tablet supply in the tablet storage container 4 runs low.
  • the container bottom 4a is curved dome-shaped in cross-section.
  • the inner surface of the container bottom 4a has a smooth surface, so that the tablet abrasion is low and the tablets reliably slide into the lowermost section 4b.
  • the remaining tablets 5 accumulate in the lowermost section 4b of the container bottom 4a.
  • the load-receiving means 3 can thus always reach all tablets 5 for filling up to a very low level in the tablet storage container 4.
  • the tablet storage container 4 is formed as a groove. This elongated shape facilitates the multiple parallelization of load-receiving means 3, since the lowermost portion 4b of the container bottom 4a via the entire length of the tablet storage container 4 extends.
  • the trough-shaped tablet storage container 4 can also act simultaneously as a transport channel for tablets 5.
  • the container bottom 4a of the tablet storage container 4 is connected to a vibrating device 6.
  • the load-receiving means 3 can be set in search movements over the tablet storage container 4 by the drive means, not shown, whereby the search movements proceed either on the basis of predetermined curves 10 or through a sensor 7 be controlled to detect tablets.
  • the sensor 7 can be used as an optical sensor, e.g. as a video camera to be trained.
  • the load-receiving means 3 is designed as a suction. As in Fig. 3 shown enlarged, it has a suction head 3a, in which a communicating with a vacuum source, not shown vacuum line 3b opens at a suction port 3c.
  • the contour of the suction opening 3 c of the suction head 3 a is adapted to the shape of the tablet 5 to be taken, so that the simultaneous suction of two tablets 5 is largely excluded.
  • FIG Fig. 4 An alternative embodiment of a lifting device 13 is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown in side view.
  • This load-receiving means 13 has two opposing grippers 13a, 13b, which are movable towards and away from each other (see arrows P3, P4), which can take a variety of differently shaped tablets, such as the illustrated cylindrical tablet 5 '.
  • a tablet sensor 8 is provided which detects this and to a control device, not shown, of the load-receiving means 3, 13 the emits appropriate signals.
  • the sensor 8 is preferably an optical sensor, such as a video camera, and may also be integrated with the sensor 7.
  • the detection of the tablet can also be carried out via weight measurement on the load receiving means or pressure determination in the vacuum line 3b or a measurement of the position of the grippers 13a, 13b or the currently exerted gripping force.
  • Another optical sensor 9 detects whether in the tablet carrier 2 a predetermined number of tablets 5 in predetermined areas, e.g. the tablet compartments 2a - 2d is included.
  • the tray carrier 2 is transported to a further processing station only if the sensor 9 has recognized that the filling with tablets 5 is correct and complete.
  • Fig. 5 shows a section through an alternative embodiment of a tablet storage container 14 having a conical container bottom 14a, the downwardly directed tip defines the lowermost portion 14b of the tablet storage container 14.
  • This shape of the container bottom 14a is suitable for a single load-receiving means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for discharging tablets (5, 5') into tablet carriers (2), for example blisters, has a tablet storage container (4, 14) for intermediately storing a multiplicity of tablets (5, 5') which lie loosely next to one another and above one another and at least one displaceable load receiving means (3, 13) for removing a single tablet (5, 5') from the tablet storage container (4, 14) and for transferring the received tablet (5, 5') onto the tablet carrier (2). Here, the load receiving means (3, 13) removes the tablet (5, 5') out of the tablet storage container (4, 14) from above. The load receiving means (3, 13) is configured for carrying out scanning movements above the tablet storage container (4, 14), wherein the scanning movements are executed either using predetermined curves (10) or in a manner which is controlled by a sensor (7) for detecting tablets.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Tabletten in Tablettenträger, z.B. Plister, mit einem Tablettenspeicherbehälter zum Zwischenspeichern einer Vielzahl von lose nebeneinander und übereinander liegender Tabletten und zumindest einem verfahrbaren Lastaufnahmemittel zur Entnahme einer einzelner Tablette aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter und zur Übergabe der aufgenommenen Tablette an den Tablettenträger.The invention relates to a device for filling tablets into tablet carriers, e.g. Plister, with a tablet storage container for temporarily storing a plurality of loosely adjacent and superimposed tablets and at least one movable load-receiving means for removing a single tablet from the tablet storage container and for transferring the recorded tablet to the tablet support.

Das Wort "Tablette", wie hierin verwendet, bezeichnet alle in fester Form vorliegenden Medikamente, wie z.B. Pillen, Kapseln, Pastillen, etc, wobei für die vorliegende Erfindung der Inhaltsstoff der "Tablette" völlig nebensächlich ist und z.B. auch Placebos umfasst.The word "tablet" as used herein refers to all solid form medicaments, such as e.g. Pills, capsules, lozenges, etc, whereby for the present invention the ingredient of the "tablet" is completely incidental and e.g. also includes placebos.

Die vorliegende Erfindung fällt in das technische Gebiet von Tablettenabfüllvorrichtungen, mit denen Fächer einer Plisterverpackung oder eines sonstigen Tablettenträgers mit einzelnen Tabletten befüllt werden können. Die Tabletten werden zum Abfüllen in loser Form bereitgestellt.The present invention is within the technical field of tablet dispensers that can be used to fill compartments of a plister pack or other tray carrier with individual tablets. The tablets are provided for filling in bulk form.

Aus dem Dokument WO 2005/075 293 ist eine Vorrichtung gemäß dem obergriff des Anspruchs 1 bekannt.From the document WO 2005/075293 a device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

Aus dem Dokument US 5,803,309 ist eine Vorrichtung zur Vereinzelung von Tabletten in Form einer Rotations-Tablettenabgabeeinheit bekannt. Dabei werden die Tabletten von einer Mechanik aus einem Speicher mit losen Tabletten genommen und an einer fixen Auslassöffnung abgegeben. Die Entnahme der Tablette erfolgt an der Unterseite des Tablettenspeichers. Beim Nachrutschen der Tabletten im Speicher kann es zu Brückenbildungen kommen, was ein korrektes Vereinzeln behindert. Außerdem ist der Vereinzelungsmechanismus dem Staub, der durch Abrieb der Tabletten entsteht, ausgesetzt. Ein weiterer Nachteil ist die mangelnde Parallelisierbarkeit der Vorrichtung. Der Vereinzelungsmechanismus kann nämlich aufgrund seiner Größe nicht einfach im Raster von typischen Plistern mit mehreren Fächern angeordnet werden. Außerdem lassen sich in die Speicher der Rotations-Tablettenabgabeeinheit zuzuführende Tabletten nicht einfach so auf alle Vorrichtungen verteilen, dass diese annähernd gleichzeitig leer werden.From the document US 5,803,309 a device for separating tablets in the form of a rotary tablet dispensing unit is known. The tablets are taken from a mechanism of a memory with loose tablets and delivered to a fixed outlet opening. The removal of the tablet takes place at the bottom of the tablet memory. Slipping of the tablets in the memory can lead to bridging, which hinders proper separation. In addition, the separating mechanism is exposed to the dust caused by abrasion of the tablets. Another disadvantage is the lack of parallelism of the device. Because of its size, the singulation mechanism can not simply be arranged in the grid of typical multi-compartment pleats. In addition, tablets to be supplied to the reservoirs of the rotary tablet dispensing unit can not be simply distributed to all the devices so that they empty almost simultaneously.

Es ist auch ein System zur automatischen Befüllung von Plistern bekannt, das jedoch nicht mit losen Tabletten arbeitet. In diesem bekannten System werden in einem ersten Schritt die Tabletten vereinzelt und einzeln verpackt. Beim Befüllen der Plisterfächer werden die Tabletten aus dieser Verpackung entnommen und auf die Fächer verteilt.There is also known a system for automatic filling of plasters which, however, does not work with loose tablets. In this known system, the tablets are separated and packaged individually in a first step. When filling the Plisterfächer the tablets are removed from this package and distributed on the subjects.

Eine Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Tabletten in Tablettenträger, z.B. Plister, umfasst einen Tablettenspeicherbehälter zum Zwischenspeichern einer Vielzahl von, z.B. haldenförmig angeordneter loser Tabletten und zumindest ein verfahrbares Lastaufnahmemittel zur Entnahme einer einzelner Tablette aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter und zur Übergabe der aufgenommenen Tablette an den Tablettenträger. Ein wesentliches Merkmal der Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung ist, dass das Lastaufnahmemittel die Tablette von oben aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter entnimmt. Weiters ist das Lastaufnahmemittel dazu ausgebildet, über dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter Suchbewegungen durchzuführen, wobei die Suchbewegungen entweder anhand vorgegebener Kurven oder durch einen Sensor zum Detektieren von Tabletten gesteuert ablaufen. Somit wird die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass das Lastaufnahmemittel bei jedem Aufnahmevorgang eine Tablette aufnehmen kann, gegenüber eine weise Vorrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik enorm verbessert.A device for filling tablets into tablet carriers, e.g. Plister comprises a tablet storage container for temporarily storing a plurality of, e.g. haldenförmig arranged loose tablets and at least one movable load-carrying means for removing a single tablet from the tablet storage container and for transferring the recorded tablet to the tablet support. An essential feature of the tablet filling device is that the load receiving means removes the tablet from the top of the tablet storage container. Furthermore, the load handling means is adapted to perform seek movements over the tablet storage container, the seek movements being controlled either by predetermined curves or by a sensor for detecting tablets. Thus, the likelihood that the load handler can pick up a tablet at each picking operation is vastly improved over a prior art device.

Mit der Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung werden die Tablettenträger ausschließlich mit lose vorliegenden Tabletten befüllt. Im Gegensatz zum weither Stand der Technik ist ein vorheriges Vereinzeln, Stapeln oder Sortieren von Tabletten nicht vorgesehen. Vielmehr erfolgt die Vereinzelung der Tabletten und das Befüllen des Tablettenträgers in einem Schritt mit nur einer Einheit in Form des Lastaufnahmemittels. Eine Vervielfachung der Lastaufnahmemittel und damit das Erreichen einer Parallelisierung ist einfach und auf sehr geringem Raum möglich. Dem gegenüber erfolgt bei den bekannten Tablettenabfüllvorrichtungen das Vereinzeln der Tabletten und das Befüllen von Plistern durch zwei separate Baugruppen. Da die Tabletten von oben aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter und somit von der Oberfläche der Tablettenhalde entnommen werden, sind Probleme durch Brückenbildungen von Tabletten im Tablettenspeicherbehälter, wie sie bei Systemen nach dem weither Stand der Technik häufig vorkommen, ausgeschlossen.With the tablet filling device, the tablet carriers are filled exclusively with loose tablets. In contrast to the state of the art, a prior singulation, stacking or sorting of tablets is not provided. Rather, the separation of the tablets and the filling of the tray carrier takes place in one step with only one unit in the form of the load-carrying means. A multiplication of the load-carrying means and thus the achievement of a parallelization is possible easily and in a very small space. In contrast, in the known tablet filling devices, the separation of the tablets and the filling of plasters by two separate modules. Since the tablets are removed from the top of the tablet storage container and thus from the surface of the tablet pile, there are no problems with bridging of tablets in the tablet storage container, as are common in systems of the prior art.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, die eingangs erwähnte Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung so fortzubilden, dass damit die Nachteile des Standes der Technik ausgeschaltet oder zumindest beträchtlich verringert werden. Insbesondere ist es ein Ziel der Erfindung, die Treffsicherheit des Lastaufnahmemittels bei der Aufnahme von Tabletten zu verbessern und damit eine Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung zu schaffen, die schnell und zuverlässig arbeitet.The object of the present invention is to refine the above-mentioned tablet filling device in such a way that the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated or at least considerably reduced. In particular, it is an object of the invention to improve the accuracy of the lifting device when receiving tablets and thus to provide a tablet filling device that works quickly and reliably.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe durch Bereitstellen einer Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung mit den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen beschrieben.The invention achieves this object by providing a tablet filling device with the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

Der Erfindungsgemäße Tablettenspeicherbehälter weist einen sich nach unten verjüngenden Behälterboden auf, so dass der Behälterboden einen geometrisch vordefinierten, tiefstliegenden Abschnitt aufweist, in dem die Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeit für Tabletten am höchsten ist, und zwar auch dann noch, wenn der Tablettenvorrat im Tablettenspeicherbehälter zur Neige geht. Zur Bildung des tiefstliegenden Abschnitts des Behälterbodens kann dieser gekrümmte und/oder geneigte gerade Bodenabschnitte aufweisen. Die Innenfläche des Behälterbodens ist aus einem glatten Material gestaltet, damit der Tablettenabrieb gering ist und die Tabletten verlässlich in den tiefstliegenden Abschnitt rutschen.The tablet storage container according to the invention has a downwardly tapering container bottom, so that the container bottom has a geometrically predefined, lowermost portion in which the probability of residence for tablets is highest, even if the tablet supply in the tablet storage container is running out. To form the lowermost portion of the container bottom this may have curved and / or inclined straight bottom sections. The inner surface of the container bottom is made of a smooth material, so that the tablet abrasion is low and the tablets reliably slide into the lowest section.

In einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist der Tablettenspeicherbehälter als Rinne bzw. als Trog ausgebildet. Diese Form ermöglicht eine vielfache Parallelisierung der Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung, da der tiefstliegende Abschnitt des Behälterbodens sich über die gesamte Länge des Tablettenspeicherbehälters erstreckt. Es ist weiters zweckmäßig, den Tablettenspeicherbehälter mit einem Behälterboden mit kegelförmigem oder kalottenförmigem Querschnitt auszubilden. Beispielsweise kann der Boden des Tablettenspeicherbehälters in der Art eines umgekehrten Satteldachs ausgeführt sein.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tablet storage container is designed as a groove or as a trough. This shape allows for multiple parallelization of the tablet filling device, as the lowermost portion of the container bottom extends over the entire length of the tablet storage container. It is further expedient to form the tablet storage container with a container bottom with a conical or dome-shaped cross-section. For example, the bottom of the tablet storage container can be designed in the manner of a reverse saddle roof.

Wenn der zwischengespeicherte Tablettenvorrat im Tablettenspeicherbehälter zur Neige geht, sammeln sich durch die erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen die restlichen Tabletten im tiefstliegenden Abschnitt des Behälterbodens. Das Lastaufnahmemittel kann so bis zu einem sehr niedrigen Füllstand im Tablettenspeicherbehälter immer alle Tabletten für die Befüllung sicher greifen.If the cached tablet supply in the tablet storage container is running low, collected by the measures according to the invention, the remaining tablets in the lowermost portion of the container bottom. The load handler can thus safely grip all tablets for filling up to a very low level in the tablet storage container.

Um sicherzustellen, dass die Tabletten immer in den tiefstliegenden Abschnitt des Behälterbodens des Tablettenspeicherbehälters rutschen, kann der Tablettenspeicherbehälter bzw. der Behälterboden des Tablettenspeicherbehälters mit einer Rütteleinrichtung ausgestattet sein.To ensure that the tablets always slip into the lowest portion of the container bottom of the tablet storage container, the tablet storage container or the container bottom of the tablet storage container can be equipped with a vibrator.

Bevorzugt weist das Lastaufnahmemittel im Bereich über der tiefsten Stelle des Behälterbodens des Tablettenspeicherbehälters - und damit an der Stelle der höchsten Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeit von Tabletten eine Tablettenaufnahmeposition auf.Preferably, the load-receiving means in the region above the lowest point of the container bottom of the tablet storage container - and thus at the point of the highest probability of residence of tablets on a tablet receiving position.

Die Ausgestaltung des Lastaufnahmemittels ist nicht näher eingeschränkt. In einer ersten bevorzugten Ausgestaltung weist das Lastaufnahmemittel einen mit einer Unterdruckerzeugungsvorrichtung kommunizierenden Ansaugkopf aufweist. Dadurch lassen sich Tabletten weitgehend abriebfrei ergreifen. Die Kontur des Ansaugkopfes ist im Wesentlichen an die Gestalt der zu ergreifenden Tablette angepasst. In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausgestaltung weist das Lastaufnahmemittel Greifer auf, wodurch sich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlich geformter Tabletten ergreifen lässt.The design of the lifting device is not restricted. In a first preferred embodiment, the load receiving means comprises a suction head communicating with a vacuum generating device. Leave it Take tablets largely abrasion free. The contour of the suction head is substantially adapted to the shape of the tablet to be grasped. In a further preferred embodiment, the load-receiving means on grippers, which can take a variety of different shaped tablets.

Um sicherzustellen, dass das Lastaufnahmemittel nur dann zum Tablettenträger hinbewegt wird, wenn es exakt eine Tablette aufgenommen hat, kann das Lastaufnahmemittel einen Tablettensensor aufweisen, der dies detektiert und an eine Steuereinrichtung des Lastaufnahmemittels die entsprechenden Signale abgibt.To ensure that the load-receiving means is moved to the tablet carrier only when it has received exactly one tablet, the load-receiving means may comprise a tablet sensor which detects this and outputs to a control device of the load receiving means the corresponding signals.

Ein weiterer Sensor kann vorgesehen sein, der detektiert, ob in dem Tablettenträger eine vorgegebene Anzahl an Tabletten in vorgegebenen Bereichen, z.B. einzelnen Fächern einer Plisterverpackung enthalten ist. Der Tablettenträger wird nur dann zur weiteren Verarbeitung transportiert, wenn der Sensor erkannt hat, dass die Befüllung mit Tabletten korrekt ist.A further sensor may be provided which detects whether in the tablet support a predetermined number of tablets in predetermined ranges, e.g. individual compartments of a Plisterverpackung is included. The tablet carrier is transported for further processing only if the sensor has detected that the filling with tablets is correct.

Weitere Vorteile und Merkmale der Erfindung werden aus der nachfolgenden Erläuterungen von Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen ersichtlich. In den Zeichnungen zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten, eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung;
  • Fig. 2 eine schematische Draufsicht des Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen
  • Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung;
  • Fig. 3 einen Ansaugkopf eines erfindungsgemäßen Lastaufnahmemittels im Längsschnitt;
  • Fig. 4 ein erfindungsgemäßes Lastaufnahmemittel mit Greifern in Seitenansicht; und
  • Fig. 5 einen Behälterboden eines Tablettenspeicherbehälters gemäß der Erfindung.
Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following explanations of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:
  • Fig. 1 a schematic side view, partially in section, of an embodiment of a tablet filling device according to the invention;
  • Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the invention
  • Tablet filling apparatus;
  • Fig. 3 a suction head of a load receiving means according to the invention in longitudinal section;
  • Fig. 4 an inventive load handling means with grippers in side view; and
  • Fig. 5 a container bottom of a tablet storage container according to the invention.

Zunächst auf Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 Bezug nehmend, wird nun ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung 1 in nicht einschränkender Weise erklärt.First up Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Referring now to an embodiment of the tablet filling apparatus 1 according to the invention will now be explained in a non-limiting manner.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung 1 zum Abfüllen von Tabletten in Tablettenträger 2, z.B. in Gestalt von Plisterverpackungen mit einer Mehrzahl an Tablettenfächern 2a-2d, weist einen Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 zum Zwischenspeichern einer Vielzahl von darin befindlicher loser Tabletten 5 auf. Die Tabletten 5 können beispielsweise zu einer Halde aufgeschichtet sein. Über dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 ist zumindest ein verfahrbares Lastaufnahmemittel 3 angeordnet, wobei das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 mittels eines nicht dargestellten Antriebs zwischen einer in vollen Linien dargestellten Tablettenaufnahmeposition A und einer in strichlierten Linien dargestellten Tablettenabgabeposition B hin und her (Pfeil P1) bewegt werden kann. In der Tablettenaufnahmeposition A entnimmt das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 exakt eine Tablette 5 von dem im Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 zwischengespeicherten Vorrat an Tabletten 5. Das wesentliche Merkmal der erfindungsgemäßen Tablettenabfüllvorrichtung 1 ist, dass das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 die Tablette 5 von oben aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 entnimmt. Da die Höhe der Halde an Tabletten 5 im Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 schwankt, ist das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 auch vertikal verfahrbar (siehe Pfeil P2). Wenn das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 exakt eine Tablette 5 aufgenommen hat, wird es zur Tablettenabgabeposition B bewegt, an der sich bereits ein Tablettenträger 2 befindet, so dass die Tablette 5 vom Lastaufnahmemittel 3 an eine vorbestimmte Stelle in dem Tablettenträger 2 abgegeben werden kann, in der Darstellung von Fig. 1 z.B. im Tablettenfach 2d. Ein jedes Lastaufnahmemittel 3 nimmt in einem Arbeitsvorgang nur eine Tablette 5 auf und gibt sie an den Tablettenträger 2 ab. Es können aber mehrere Lastaufnahmemittel 3 angeordnet werden, z.B. in einer oder zwei Linien, so dass sich durch diese Parallelisierung eine hohe Gesamtarbeitsgeschwindigkeit ergibt. Im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel sind vier Lastaufnahmemittel 3 vorgesehen. Die einzelnen Lastaufnahmemittel 3 können individuell angesteuert werden. Da gemäß der Erfindung die Tabletten 5 von oben aus dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 und somit von der Oberfläche der Tablettenhalde entnommen werden, sind Probleme durch Brückenbildungen von Tabletten 5 im Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4, wie sie bei Systemen nach dem Stand der Technik häufig vorkommen, ausgeschlossen.The inventive device 1 for filling tablets in tablet carrier 2, for example in the form of plister packs with a plurality of tablet cases 2a-2d, has a tablet storage container 4 for temporarily storing a plurality of loose tablets 5 located therein. For example, the tablets 5 may be piled up into a heap. At least one moveable load-receiving means 3 is arranged above the tablet storage container 4, the load-receiving means 3 being shown by means of a drive, not shown, between a tablet receiving position A shown in full lines and one shown in dotted lines Tablet dispensing position B back and forth (arrow P1) can be moved. In the tablet receiving position A, the load picking means 3 removes exactly one tablet 5 from the stock of tablets 5 temporarily stored in the tablet storage container 4. The essential feature of the tablet filling apparatus 1 according to the invention is that the load receiving means 3 removes the tablet 5 from above from the tablet storage container 4. Since the height of the heap of tablets 5 in the tablet storage container 4 varies, the load-receiving means 3 is also moved vertically (see arrow P2). When the load handler 3 has picked up exactly one tablet 5, it is moved to the tablet dispensing position B, which already has a tablet carrier 2, so that the tablet 5 can be delivered from the load handler 3 to a predetermined location in the tablet carrier 2, as shown from Fig. 1 eg in the tablet compartment 2d. Each load-receiving means 3 receives only one tablet 5 in one operation and delivers it to the tablet carrier 2. However, it is possible to arrange a plurality of load-receiving means 3, for example in one or two lines, so that a high overall working speed results from this parallelization. In the present embodiment, four load-receiving means 3 are provided. The individual load handling means 3 can be controlled individually. Since, according to the invention, the tablets 5 are taken from above from the tablet storage container 4 and thus from the surface of the tablet pile, problems of bridging of tablets 5 in the tablet storage container 4, which are common in systems of the prior art, are excluded.

Der Behälterboden 4a des Tablettenspeicherbehälters 4 verjüngt sich nach unten, so dass er einen tiefstliegenden Abschnitt 4b definiert, in dem die Aufenthaltswahrscheinlichkeit für Tabletten 5 am höchsten ist, wenn der Tablettenvorrat im Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 zur Neige geht. Des Behälterboden 4a ist im Querschnitt kalottenförmig gekrümmt. Die Innenfläche des Behälterbodens 4a weist eine glatte Oberfläche auf, damit der Tablettenabrieb gering ist und die Tabletten verlässlich in den tiefstliegenden Abschnitt 4b rutschen. Wenn der zwischengespeicherte Tablettenvorrat im Tablettenspeicherbehälter zur Neige geht, sammeln sich daher die restlichen Tabletten 5 im tiefstliegenden Abschnitt 4b des Behälterbodens 4a. Die Lastaufnahmemittel 3 können so bis zu einem sehr niedrigen Füllstand im Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 immer alle Tabletten 5 für die Befüllung sicher greifen.The container bottom 4a of the tablet storage container 4 tapers down so as to define a lowermost portion 4b in which the probability of residence for tablets 5 is highest when the tablet supply in the tablet storage container 4 runs low. The container bottom 4a is curved dome-shaped in cross-section. The inner surface of the container bottom 4a has a smooth surface, so that the tablet abrasion is low and the tablets reliably slide into the lowermost section 4b. When the cached tablet supply in the tablet storage container is running low, therefore, the remaining tablets 5 accumulate in the lowermost section 4b of the container bottom 4a. The load-receiving means 3 can thus always reach all tablets 5 for filling up to a very low level in the tablet storage container 4.

Wie aus der Draufsicht von Fig. 2 zu erkennen, ist der Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 als Rinne ausgebildet. Diese langgestreckte Form erleichtert die vielfache Parallelisierung von Lastaufnahmemitteln 3, da sich der tiefstliegende Abschnitt 4b des Behälterbodens 4a über die gesamte Länge des Tablettenspeicherbehälters 4 erstreckt. Der rinnenförmige Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 kann auch gleichzeitig als Transportrinne für Tabletten 5 fungieren.As seen from the top view of Fig. 2 to recognize the tablet storage container 4 is formed as a groove. This elongated shape facilitates the multiple parallelization of load-receiving means 3, since the lowermost portion 4b of the container bottom 4a via the entire length of the tablet storage container 4 extends. The trough-shaped tablet storage container 4 can also act simultaneously as a transport channel for tablets 5.

Um eine eventuell bestehende Haftreibung zwischen den Tabletten 5 und der Oberfläche des Behälterbodens 4a zu überwinden, ist der Behälterboden 4a des Tablettenspeicherbehälters 4 an eine Rütteleinrichtung 6 angeschlossen.In order to overcome any existing static friction between the tablets 5 and the surface of the container bottom 4a, the container bottom 4a of the tablet storage container 4 is connected to a vibrating device 6.

Um die Wahrscheinlichkeit zu erhöhen, dass die Lastaufnahmemittel 3 bei jedem Aufnahmevorgang jeweils eine Tablette 5 erwischen, können die Lastaufnahmemittel 3 über dem Tablettenspeicherbehälter 4 vom nicht dargestellten Antriebsmittel in Suchbewegungen versetzt werden, wobei die Suchbewegungen entweder anhand vorgegebener Kurven 10 ablaufen oder durch einen Sensor 7 zum Detektieren von Tabletten gesteuert werden. Der Sensor 7 kann als optischer Sensor, z.B. als Videokamera, ausgebildet sein.In order to increase the likelihood that the load-receiving means 3 catch a respective tablet 5 during each picking process, the load-receiving means 3 can be set in search movements over the tablet storage container 4 by the drive means, not shown, whereby the search movements proceed either on the basis of predetermined curves 10 or through a sensor 7 be controlled to detect tablets. The sensor 7 can be used as an optical sensor, e.g. as a video camera to be trained.

Im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Lastaufnahmemittel 3 als Ansaugmittel ausgebildet. Wie in Fig. 3 vergrößert dargestellt, weist es einen Ansaugkopf 3a auf, in dem eine mit einer nicht dargestellten Vakuumquelle kommunizierende Unterdruckleitung 3b an einer Ansaugöffnung 3c mündet. Die Kontur der Ansaugöffnung 3c des Ansaugkopfes 3a ist an die Gestalt der zu ergreifenden Tablette 5 angepasst, damit das gleichzeitige Ansaugen von zwei Tabletten 5 weitgehend ausgeschlossen wird.In the illustrated embodiment, the load-receiving means 3 is designed as a suction. As in Fig. 3 shown enlarged, it has a suction head 3a, in which a communicating with a vacuum source, not shown vacuum line 3b opens at a suction port 3c. The contour of the suction opening 3 c of the suction head 3 a is adapted to the shape of the tablet 5 to be taken, so that the simultaneous suction of two tablets 5 is largely excluded.

Eine alternative Ausgestaltung eines Lastaufnahmemittels 13 ist in Fig. 4 in Seitenansicht dargestellt. Dieses Lastaufnahmemittel 13 weist zwei einander gegenüberliegende Greifer 13a, 13b auf, die zueinander hin und voneinander weg bewegbar sind (siehe Pfeile P3, P4), wodurch sich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlich geformter Tabletten ergreifen lässt, z.B. die dargestellte zylindrische Tablette 5'.An alternative embodiment of a lifting device 13 is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown in side view. This load-receiving means 13 has two opposing grippers 13a, 13b, which are movable towards and away from each other (see arrows P3, P4), which can take a variety of differently shaped tablets, such as the illustrated cylindrical tablet 5 '.

Um sicherzustellen, dass das Lastaufnahmemittel 3, 13 nur dann zum Tablettenträger 2 hinbewegt wird, wenn es exakt eine Tablette 5, 5' aufgenommen hat, ist ein Tablettensensor 8 vorgesehen, der dies detektiert und an eine nicht dargestellte Steuereinrichtung des Lastaufnahmemittels 3, 13 die entsprechenden Signale abgibt. Der Sensor 8 ist vorzugsweise ein optischer Sensor, wie eine Videokamera, und kann auch mit dem Sensor 7 integriert sein. Alternativ dazu kann die Detektierung der Tablette auch über Gewichtsmessung am Lastaufnahmemittel oder Druckbestimmung in der Unterdruckleitung 3b oder eine Messung der Stellung der Greifer 13a, 13b oder der momentan ausgeübten Greifkraft erfolgen.To ensure that the load-receiving means 3, 13 is moved to the tablet carrier 2 only when it has received exactly one tablet 5, 5 ', a tablet sensor 8 is provided which detects this and to a control device, not shown, of the load-receiving means 3, 13 the emits appropriate signals. The sensor 8 is preferably an optical sensor, such as a video camera, and may also be integrated with the sensor 7. Alternatively, the detection of the tablet can also be carried out via weight measurement on the load receiving means or pressure determination in the vacuum line 3b or a measurement of the position of the grippers 13a, 13b or the currently exerted gripping force.

Ein weiterer optischer Sensor 9 detektiert, ob in dem Tablettenträger 2 eine vorgegebene Anzahl an Tabletten 5 in vorgegebenen Bereichen, z.B. den Tablettenfächern 2a - 2d enthalten ist. Der Tablettenträger 2 wird nur dann zu einer weiteren Verarbeitungsstation transportiert, wenn der Sensor 9 erkannt hat, dass die Befüllung mit Tabletten 5 korrekt und vollständig ist.Another optical sensor 9 detects whether in the tablet carrier 2 a predetermined number of tablets 5 in predetermined areas, e.g. the tablet compartments 2a - 2d is included. The tray carrier 2 is transported to a further processing station only if the sensor 9 has recognized that the filling with tablets 5 is correct and complete.

Fig. 5 zeigt einen Schnitt durch eine alternative Ausführungsform eines Tablettenspeicherbehälters 14, der einen kegelförmigen Behälterboden 14a aufweist, dessen nach unten gerichtete Spitze den tiefstliegenden Abschnitt 14b des Tablettenspeicherbehälters 14 definiert. Diese Ausformung des Behälterbodens 14a eignet sich für ein Einfach-Lastaufnahmemittel. Fig. 5 shows a section through an alternative embodiment of a tablet storage container 14 having a conical container bottom 14a, the downwardly directed tip defines the lowermost portion 14b of the tablet storage container 14. This shape of the container bottom 14a is suitable for a single load-receiving means.

Claims (10)

  1. A tablets filling device (1) for filling tablets (5, 5') into tablet carriers (2), e.g., blisters, comprising a tablet storage container (4, 14) for intermediately storing a multiplicity of tablets (5, 5') which lie loosely next to one another and above one another and at least one displaceable load receiving means (3, 13) for removing a single tablet (5, 5') from the tablet storage container (4, 14) and transferring the received tablet (5, 5') to the tablet carrier (2), wherein the load receiving means (3, 13) removes the tablet (5, 5') from above from the tablet storage container (4, 14), with the load receiving means (3, 13) being designed for performing scanning movements above the tablet storage container (4, 14), where the scanning movements proceed under the control of either predetermined curves (10) or of a sensor (7) for detecting tablets, characterized in that the tablet storage container (4, 14) has a container bottom (4a, 14a) tapering downwards.
  2. A tablet filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container bottom (4a, 14) exhibits curved and/or inclined straight bottom sections.
  3. A tablet filling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tablet storage container (4) is designed as a groove.
  4. A tablet filling device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tablet storage container (14) has a container bottom (14a) with a conical or dome-shaped cross-section.
  5. A tablet filling device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tablet storage container (4, 14) and the container bottom (4a, 14a) of the tablet storage container, respectively, is equipped with a vibrator (6).
  6. A tablet filling device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the load receiving means (3, 13) exhibits a tablet receiving position (A) in the area above the deepest spot (4b, 14b) of the container bottom (4a, 14a) of the tablet storage container (4, 14).
  7. A tablet filling device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load receiving means (3) comprises a suction head (3a) communicating with a vacuum source.
  8. A tablet filling device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load receiving means (13) has grippers (13a, 13b).
  9. A tablet filling device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load receiving means (3, 13) comprises a tablet sensor (8), with the tablet sensor detecting as to whether the load receiving means has received a tablet.
  10. A tablet filling device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a sensor (9) for detecting as to whether a predetermined number of tablets are contained in the tablet carrier (2) in predetermined areas (2a-2d).
EP07800173A 2006-09-08 2007-09-10 Tablet discharging apparatus Expired - Fee Related EP2059444B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT0150406A AT504327B8 (en) 2006-09-08 2006-09-08 TABLETS FILLER
PCT/AT2007/000428 WO2008028213A1 (en) 2006-09-08 2007-09-10 Tablet discharging apparatus

Publications (2)

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EP2059444A1 EP2059444A1 (en) 2009-05-20
EP2059444B1 true EP2059444B1 (en) 2010-12-08

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EP07800173A Expired - Fee Related EP2059444B1 (en) 2006-09-08 2007-09-10 Tablet discharging apparatus

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US (1) US8061109B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2059444B1 (en)
AT (1) AT504327B8 (en)
DE (1) DE502007005910D1 (en)
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WO (1) WO2008028213A1 (en)

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AT504327A4 (en) 2008-05-15
ES2358880T3 (en) 2011-05-16
US20100011715A1 (en) 2010-01-21
AT504327B8 (en) 2008-09-15
DE502007005910D1 (en) 2011-01-20
WO2008028213A1 (en) 2008-03-13
AT504327B1 (en) 2008-05-15
US8061109B2 (en) 2011-11-22
EP2059444A1 (en) 2009-05-20

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