EP2704951B1

EP2704951B1 - Method, device and system for inserting products in a box

Info

Publication number: EP2704951B1
Application number: EP12722550.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro Alessandri; Antonio Orillo; Giuseppe VACCHI
Original assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2011-05-03
Filing date: 2012-05-02
Publication date: 2016-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-02
Also published as: ITBO20110245A1; ES2566639T3; WO2012150552A1; EP2704951A1

Description

Technical Field

This invention relates to a device, a system and a method for placing products, in particular pharmaceutical products, more particularly parenteral products (for example prefilled disposable syringes, vials, ampoules, bottles containing pharmaceutical products) in a box-shaped container, that is to say, in a box.
In more detail, this invention relates to the packaging of parenteral products, which are preferably predosed, that is to say, already filled with a suitable substance or respective medicine.
In particular, this invention relates to the packaging of syringes.

Background Art

There are various types of prior art systems for placing parenteral products, in particular syringes, in box-shaped containers to form a package which will then be distributed to the end consumer.
Such systems comprise a line for feeding the syringes to a boxing station and a line for feeding box-shaped containers to the boxing station (the syringes are inserted in said box-shaped containers).
The box-shaped containers are made of plastic material, having suitable cavities for containing the syringes.
The containment cavities are suitably shaped to house respective syringes in the package.
Each containment cavity is suitably shaped and has undercuts for stably positioning - lodging the syringe in its cavity - and at the same time for allowing it to be removed manually from the package.
Such packages made of plastic material are usually made using thermoforming processes, designed to give the box-shaped container a suitable outline.
During the thermoforming process the containment cavities for the syringes are also made in an upper surface of the box-shaped container.
In this way, depending on the dimensions and shape of the syringes to be packaged, suitably sized plastic box-shaped containers are produced.
In the packaging sector a new type of package for products has been made, in particular for pharmaceutical products, particularly parenteral products, starting with a paper blank with a bottom face, a top face and a plurality of side faces connected to the bottom face and/or to the top face.
The blank can be switched between a minimum dimensions condition in which it has a flat profile, and a use condition in which it is substantially box-shaped.
The top face of the blank comprises an opening and foldable portions, identified by cut lines and/or lines of weakness, which are folded towards the bottom face (when the blank is in the use configuration) to form cavities for receiving the product in which the syringe is stably retained.
A need that is particularly felt in the sector described above, is that of being able to have a device capable of automatically, quickly and effectively inserting products in the new type of package described above.
Document US 4759167A discloses a method for erecting, loading and closing a loading container. The loading container has an opening on the upper face and one article is inserted in the box through the opening.
Document US5657620 also discloses a method for inserting products in a box.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of this invention is therefore to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements by providing a device for placing products, in particular parenteral products, in a box-shaped container and a system and a method for packaging products, in particular parenteral products.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred non-limiting example embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a system for boxing parenteral products according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a device for inserting parenteral products in boxes according to this invention, associated with a delta-type robot;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insertion device according to the invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are respective perspective views of the insertion device of Figure 3 in respective operating steps;
Figures 4a and 5a are respective enlarged views of details from Figures 4 and 5;
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respective side views of the parental product insertion device of Figure 3 in respective operating steps;
Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention;
Figures 10 and 11 are respective perspective views of the device of Figure 9 according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a device for inserting products in a box 3 and the numeral 2 denotes a system for boxing products, comprising the device 1 according to the invention.
It should be noticed that the following is a description of the device 1 and the system 2 with reference to products of the syringe 4 type which have a body, a needle and a plunger. However, that does not in any way limit the scope of the invention, since, although not illustrated, the device 1 may be used for inserting any pharmaceutical product, in particular parenteral products (for example vials, ampoules, etc.).
First, a box 3 is described, in which syringes 4 are inserted by means of the device 1 according to the invention, as described in more detail below.
The box 3 is described purely by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention. In fact, the box 3 could have a different type of shape and/or configuration.
In particular it should be noticed that the box 3 is, for example, a box with 5 compartments (that is to say, able to house five syringes 4).
As shown in Figure 1, the box 3 comprises a plurality of compartments 5 (more generally, at least one compartment 5) for containing the syringes 4.
The box 3 is made starting with a flat blank and comprises a top face 6, a bottom face 7 and side walls 8 (see Figure 4a).
The box 3 is stored in a flat configuration (not illustrated) and, in the known way and not described, is switched (or "erected") to adopt a box shape illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
It should be noticed that each containment compartment 5 is designed to house a single syringe 4.
The containment compartment 5 is partly formed by a first opening 40 and by a second opening 41, adjacent to the first.
It should be noticed that said openings 40, 41 are separated by a separator 42 comprising a vertical portion 43 and a horizontal portion 44 (said portions 43 and 44 are respectively vertical and horizontal when the box 3 is "erected"; otherwise they lie in the plane of the top surface 6 of the box 3). The horizontal portion 44 is connected, in particular glued, to the bottom 7 of the box 3. In an alternative embodiment of the box 3, not illustrated, the horizontal portion 44 may not be glued to the bottom 7 of the box 3, but may be foldable so that it can be readied as described below.
The vertical portion 43 of the separator 42 forms a cavity 45 for housing the syringe 4 body.
The containment compartment 5 is further formed by portions 9, 10 (hereinafter also preferred to as flaps) of the top surface 6 of the box 3 which can be folded towards the inside of the box 3.
It should be noticed (Figure 5) that folding the foldable flaps 9, 10 inwards forms a further opening 48, adjacent to the second opening 41.
The further opening 48, or third opening 48, forms a further portion of the compartment 5.
More generally folding of the foldable flaps 9, 10 towards the inside of the box 3 defines a compartment 5 open configuration.
The flaps 9, 10 comprise a first foldable flap 9 comprising a cavity 11 for housing and retaining the syringe 4 body, and a second foldable flap 10.
The first flap 9 comprises a first portion 9a, comprising the cavity 11 (the first portion 9a is adjacent to the second opening 41), and a second portion 9b, connected to the first portion 9a by a shared fold line and positioned adjacent to the second flap 10 in the compartment 5 closed configuration (to block the third opening 48 forming the further portion of the compartment 5).
To prepare the boxes 3 to receive/house the syringes 4, the compartment 5 must be opened and the first part 9a of the first flap 9 must be placed at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box (that is to say, vertical). That configuration is called the box 3 ready configuration.
Hereinafter reference is made to the expressions "compartment opening" and "compartment configuration for receiving the syringe", with reference to an "erected" box.
The expression "compartment opening" refers to the compartment 5 configuration in which the flaps 9, 10 are folded towards the bottom wall 7, in such a way as to form the third opening 48.
The expression "compartment configuration for receiving the syringe" refers to a configuration of the compartment 5 in which the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 is folded towards the inside of the compartment 5 and at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box 3. In that configuration the syringe 4 can be inserted in the compartment 5, in the cavities 11, 45 respectively of the first flap 9 and the separator 42.
It should be noticed that the box 3 is designed so that, when the syringe 4 is inserted in the open compartment 5, the syringe 4 body does not rest on the bottom 7 (bottom wall) of the box 3 but rather is suspended relative to the bottom 7, that is to say, it rests on the cavity 11 and on the cavity 45 made in the first flap 9 and in the separator 42, respectively.
The separator 42 is fixed (glued) to the bottom wall 7 of the box 3 by the horizontal portion 44 (both of the portions 43, 44 of that flap 42 when the box 3 is in the flat configuration, that is to say not "erected", are parallel with the top face 6 of the box 3 and when the box 3 is in the "erected" configuration the portion 43 is positioned at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box and the horizontal portion 44 is positioned parallel with the bottom 7 of the box 3).
Figure 1 shows the system 2 for boxing syringes 4 which is also part of the invention.
It should be noticed that the system 2 comprises a supporting frame (not illustrated to allow greater clarity), a syringe 4 feed line 12 and a box 3 feed line 13.
Figure 1 schematically illustrates the device 1 for picking up the syringes 4 and inserting them in the boxes 3.
The device 1 operates between the two above-mentioned lines 12, 13, picking up syringes 4 from the line 12 and inserting them in the boxes 3 conveyed along the line 13. The device 1 is described in more detail below.
The boxes 3 are conveyed along the line 13 in a box-shaped configuration (that is to say, after the boxes have been "erected").
With reference to the example illustrated in Figure 1, the syringe 4 feed line 12 and the box 3 feed line 13 are parallel with each other. Even more preferably, said lines 12, 13 respectively feed syringes 4 and boxes 3 along the same feed direction T, in the same direction of feed V.
Preferably, the syringe 4 feed line 12 comprises a conveyor unit equipped with a belt and supports 52 for housing the syringes 4.
It should be noticed that the line 12 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises, with reference to that Figure, a left-hand portion in which the supports 52 are full of syringes 4 and a right-hand portion in which the supports 52 are empty, since the syringes 4 have been picked up by the device 1.
According to a preferred embodiment, said lines 12, 13 are operated with continuous motion. However, according to alternative embodiments not illustrated, the lines 12, 13 could also operate with intermittent motion.
It should be noticed that the fact that the lines 12, 13 are operated with continuous motion advantageously allows the productivity of the system for inserting products in boxes to be maximised. In fact, the line does not have to be stopped during all of the compartment configuration operations (folding, flap contact) and during product insertion in the box, which means that particularly high boxing system productivity is possible.
In other words, the device 1 picks up the products and inserts them in respective boxes simultaneously with the movement of the products/boxes along the respective feed lines 12, 13.
If should be noticed that (preferably and without limiting the scope of the invention) the syringes 4 are arranged on the related feed line 12 in such a way that their longitudinal axis is at a right angle to the direction T for feeding the syringes 4 along the line 12.
Preferably, the syringes 4 are arranged with the needle proximal to the feed line 13 for the boxes 3 and the plunger distal from the feed line 13 for the boxes 3.
In a preferred embodiment, the box 3 feed line 13 comprises units 32 for gripping and dragging the boxes 3.
In the example illustrated in Figure 1 for example, the units 32 for gripping and dragging the boxes 3 comprise respectively a contact element 14a positioned in front of the box 3 (with reference to the conveying direction V) and a pair of rear contact elements 14b.
It should be noticed that preferably and without limiting the scope of the invention, the bottom of the box 3 is supported by guides 15 extending along the box 3 feed line 13.
The box 3 dragged by the contact elements 14a, 14b along the line 13 slides on the guides 15, in Figure 1 individually labelled 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d.
The device 1 which forms the subject matter of this invention is described below.
The device 1 is associated with a robot 16.
It should be noticed that in the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings the device 1 is associated with a robot 16 of the "delta" type, of the known type.
The robot 16, visible in Figure 2, comprises a first platform 17 and a second, lower platform 18.
The two platforms 17, 18 are connected to each other by three arms 19a, 19b, 19c.
The three arms 19a, 19b, 19c are connected to the first platform 17 spaced at 120 degrees from each other.
Each arm 19a, 19b, 19c comprises a first portion 20 and a second portion 21, joined to each other by a cylindrical hinge.
The first portion 20 of the arm 19a, 19b, 19c comprises a first element 22, joined by a joint to the first platform 17 and driven to rotate by a related actuator (not illustrated).
The second portion 21 of the arm 19a, 19b, 19c comprises a pair of rods 23, 23', joined by ajoint to the first element 22 and to the second platform 18.
More generally, it should be noticed that the first portion 20 of the arm 19a, 19b, 19c is joined by a joint to the first platform 17, while the second portion 21 of the arm 19a, 19b, 19c is joined by ajoint to the second platform 18.
It should be noticed that the robot 16 basically has three degrees of freedom, that is to say, it is designed to position the platform 18 at any point of an operating region (that is to say, an operating space).
Moreover, the robot 16 is designed to allow rotation of the platform 18 about a vertical direction X (defining a further degree of freedom).
The device 1 for picking up the syringes 4 and inserting them in the boxes 3 is described below.
The device 1 is associated with the robot 16, in particular it is associated with (rotatably supported by) the second platform 18.
It should be noticed that the robot 16 more generally forms means for moving the device 1.
It should be noticed that the device 1 is connected to an actuator for driving the rotation of the device 1 relative to the second platform 18 (in particular, for allowing said rotation about the vertical direction X).
Figure 3 shows a first preferred embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a first body 24, connected to the robot 16.
The first body 24 is connected to the platform 18. In particular, the first body 24 is connected to the platform 18 so that it can be driven to rotate.
The first body 24 comprises cavities for housing one or more tubular elements 34 (for example and without limiting the scope of the invention, Figure 2 shows five tubular elements 34).
The tubular elements 34 are fixed to the first body 24 in housing cavities (for example preferably they are screwed to the first body 24).
It should be noticed that the tubular elements 34 comprise an inner hollow to allow the passage of air.
The tubular elements 34 are put in contact with pneumatic means, designed to create a vacuum or an overpressure (not illustrated).
In particular, Figure 2 shows, labelled 25, the connectors linking the inner hollow of the tubular elements 34 with the pneumatic means.
The tubular elements 34 project below the first body 24, that is to say, they project along a vertical line away from the second plate 17.
The device 1 further comprises a second body or plate 29.
The second body 29 is supported by the first body 24.
Moreover, the second body 29 can move relative to the first body 24.
In fact, it should be noticed that the second body 29 can slide relative to the first body 24.
In particular, the second body 29 can move (by sliding) relative to the first body 24 along an approach direction Z towards the bottom of the box. Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the approach direction Z is substantially parallel with a main direction of extension of the tubular elements 34.
The second body 29 supports a plurality of means 31 for making contact with and folding the foldable flaps 9, 10 of the box 3 compartments 5.
It should be noticed that the second body 29 integrally supports (that is to say, without the possibility of relative movement) the plurality of contact means 31.
In particular, it should be noticed that the contact and folding means 31 may be associated in groups. Each group of contact and folding means 31 is designed to act on the flaps 9, 10 of a single box 3 compartment 5.
With reference to one such group of contact and folding means 31, labelled G1, the group G1 comprises a first pair of protrusions 31a, 31b acting on the foldable portion 9 and a second pair of protrusions 31c, 31d acting on the foldable portion 10.
It should be noticed that the above-mentioned protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d project below the second body 29.
Moreover, the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions comprise a suitably shaped end element 46, described in more detail below.
The second body 29 comprises through holes 35 for housing the tubular elements 34 which are fixed to the first body 24 (visible in Figures 4 and 5).
It should be noticed that, according to the preferred embodiment, the tubular elements 34 are inserted freely passing in the through holes 35 of the second body 29 and come out below the second body 29 (as is clearly shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8).
The bottoms of the tubular elements 34 support a retaining device, for example a suction cup 36.
The suction cup 36 projects below the second body 29.
It should be noticed that the tubular elements 34 and the suction cup 36 together form means 30 for handling the syringe 4.
It should also be noticed that the syringe 4 handling means 30 are integrally connected to the first body 24, by the tubular elements 34.
The device 1 further comprises means 26 for centring the syringe 4 body.
The centring means 26 are supported by (fixed to) the tubular elements 34.
More generally, the centring means 26 are associated with the syringe 4 handling means 30.
It should be noticed that, according to the preferred embodiment, the centring means 26 comprise a pair of elements 26a, 26b for centring the syringe 4 body.
According to a preferred embodiment, each centring element 26a, 26b has the shape of an inverted U.
In particular, each centring element 26a, 26b comprises two prongs (a first prong 28 and a second prong 28') acting on the syringe 4 body.
The prongs 28, 28' project vertically and downwards.
It should be noticed that the first prong 28 and the second prong 28' are designed so that in practice they make contact with the syringe 4 body (at two points/regions at a side surface of the syringe body) for constraining the syringe 4 body transversally to its own longitudinal direction W and also forming an upper contact surface for the syringe body.
According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the centring means 26 comprise a cavity shaped to match the syringe 4 body.
It should be noticed that, by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention, the centring elements 26a, 26b are supported by the same plate 37, which is fixed to the tubular elements 34.
In particular, the prongs 28 and 28' project vertically from the plate 37.
Therefore, the centring elements 26a, 26b are integral with each other.
In particular, the centring elements 26a, 26b are associated, and integral, with the handling means 30.
Advantageously, the fact that the centring units 26 (centring elements 26a, 26b) and the handling means 30 for the syringes 4 operate in conjunction with each other means that the device 1 can stably retain the syringe 4 body.
In fact, the centring units 26 stabilise the position of the syringe 4 body relative to the first body 24.
In fact, it should be noticed that, advantageously, the centring units 26 prevent the syringe 4 from losing contact, during device 1 movement, with the suction cup 36 (therefore causing a loss of vacuum on the syringe body and, consequently, causing the syringe 4 to fall from the handling means 30).
Moreover, it should be noticed that the centring units 26 guarantee predetermined and secure positioning of the syringe 4 relative to the suction cup 36 and to the tubular elements 34, therefore relative to the compartments 5 and to the respective cavities 45 and 11.
The device 1 comprises elastic means, comprising springs 38 interposed between the first body 24 and the second body 29.
In particular, it should be noticed that the springs 38 are positioned outside the tubular elements 34 (according to the embodiment illustrated purely by way of example in Figures 1 to 9, one spring 38 is associated with each tubular element 34).
Moreover, preferably, a portion of the springs 38 is housed in the first body 24 and in the second body 29 (in related cavities).
More generally, said springs 38 form elastic means 39 interposed between (and connected to) the first body 24 and the second body 29, designed to deform as a result of a relative movement between the first body 24 and the second body 29.
More generally, the elastic means 39 are interposed between, and connected to, the handling means 30 and the folding and contact means 31.
Therefore, it should be noticed that the elastic means 39 act on the handling means 30 and on the folding and contact means 31.
In fact, it should be noticed that a relative movement of the first body 24 towards the second body 29 causes compression of the springs 38.
In more detail, it should be noticed that the two bodies 24 and 29 can move relative to each other between a maximum position towards one another, in which the springs 38 are compressed, and a maximum position away from one another.
It should be noticed that the plate 37 supporting the contact elements 26a, 26b is a contact for the second body 29 and allows the first body 24 to support the second body 29.
It should also be noticed that when the device I is supported in a suspended fashion, the second body 29 is resting on the plate 37 and is therefore supported by the first body 24.
The plate 37 determines the second body 29 maximum position away from the first body 24, forming an end of stroke stop for the second body 29 along the direction Z of movement away from the first body 24.
Below is a description of the operation of the packaging device 1 and system 2 according to this invention, with reference to insertion of a group of syringes 4 in a box 3.
Figures 4 to 8 show a sequence for placing a syringe 4 inside a box 3.
The robot 16 is operated to move the device 1 to the syringe 4 feed line 12 so as to pick up the syringes 4.
The device 1 is moved towards the line 12 in such a way that the suction cups 36 are brought into contact with the syringe 4 bodies. In that configuration the pneumatic means (not illustrated) are activated to allow the device 1 to pick up (and stably retain) the syringes 4.
It should be noticed that, advantageously, the syringe 4 centring means 26 make contact with the syringe 4 body and, as well as stably positioning the syringe in a predetermined position relative to the handling means 30, they ensure that the syringe 4 body does not lose contact with the suction cup 36 during device 1 movement.
The robot 16, after pick up of the group of syringes 4 from the feed line 12, rotates the device 1 through 90 degrees.
In that way, as shown in Figure 1, the syringes 4 supported by the device 1 are positioned rotated through 90° clockwise relative to those present on the feed line 12. In that configuration, the longitudinal axis W of the syringe is parallel with a main direction Y of extension of the compartment 5 in which the syringe 4 will be inserted.
In the embodiment illustrated, the main direction Y of extension of the compartment 5 is substantially parallel with the feed direction T of the boxes 3.
In that configuration the robot 16 is operated to move the device 1 to the box 3 feed line 13 (as illustrated in Figures 4 and 4a).
Figures 4 and 4a show a step in which the device 1 is positioned on the box 3 feed line 13 at an empty box 3 (which it will fill).
It should be noticed that in Figure 4 the compartments 5 are not yet open.
In fact, as is evident, the foldable flaps 9, 10 are positioned substantially parallel with the top surface 6 of the box 3 (that is to say, they are not folded towards the inside of the compartment 5).
It should be noticed that during that step the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions are brought into contact with the first foldable flap 9, while the protrusions 31c, 31 d of the second pair of protrusions are brought into contact with the second foldable flap 10.
In particular, it should be noticed that the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions make contact with the first portion 9a of the first foldable flap 9 (comprising the cavity 11).
It should be noticed that the points of contact of the protrusions 31a, 31b with the first flap 9 are respectively labelled P1 and P2 in Figures 4 and 4a.
It should also be noticed that the points of contact of the protrusions 31c, 31d with the second flap 10 are respectively labelled P3 and P4.
Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment and without limiting the scope of the invention, the box 3 moves with a speed V1 along the feed direction T and in the direction of feed V of the line 13 when the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d make contact with the top surface 6 of the box 3 at the points P1, P2, P3, P4.
Preferably, the device 1 is also moved parallel with the feed direction T of the box 3, in the direction V (that is to say, the device 1 tracks the box 3).
Starting from that device 1 contact configuration, a step of opening and configuring the compartments 5 (readying the box 3) is carried out.
According to the invention, to open the box 3 compartments 5 starting from the configuration in which the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d make contact with the related box 3 foldable flaps 9, 10, the robot 16 moves the device I vertically (that is to say, towards the bottom 7 of the box 3).
Preferably, during that vertical movement step the robot 16 moves the device 1 in such a way as to also allow tracking of the box 3 (that is to say, it also moves the device 1 along the box 3 feed direction T, in the direction V).
It should be noticed that, preferably, during said vertical movement the first body 24 and the second body 29 are moved integrally with each other (that is to say, there is no relative movement between them).
It should be noticed that the above-mentioned vertical movement causes folding of the foldable flaps 9, 10 towards the bottom wall 7 and opening of the third opening 48. In fact, the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions, moving vertically towards the bottom 7 of the box 3, push the foldable flaps 9, 10 towards the inside of the box 3.
In particular, relative to the movement of the first pair of protrusions 31a, 31b, the point of contact of the (shaped) end element 46 of the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions with the first portion 9a of the first foldable flap 9 is changed during the above-mentioned vertical movement. In particular, the protrusions 31a, 31b slide on the first portion 9a of the first foldable flap 9 during the above-mentioned vertical movement towards the bottom 7 of the box 3.
With regard to that, it should be noticed that the particular (rounded) shape of the end element 46 of the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions avoids any accidental damage to the first foldable flap 9 during the vertical movement of the protrusions towards the bottom 7 of the box 3 and in particular minimises the friction between the protrusions 31a, 31b and the first flap 9.
In particular, it should be noticed that the protrusions of the folding and contact means 31 comprise a rounded end portion designed to make contact with the flap 9. That advantageously avoids any accidental damage to the surface of the flap 9 during compartment 5 readying (that is to say, during contact with and folding of the flap 9).
According to an embodiment not illustrated, the end portion of the protrusions, designed to make contact with the flap 9, comprises a covering layer with a reduced friction coefficient. That covering layer is designed to prevent any accidental damage to the surface of the flap 9 during contact with and folding of the flap 9, when the protrusions are acting on the flap 9.
That first vertical movement step ends when the second portion 9b of the first flap 9 has made contact with the bottom 7 (Figure 5).
It should be noticed that, due to the sliding of the protrusions 31a and 31b on the first flap 9 during the above-mentioned vertical movement, in Figure 5 the protrusions 31a and 31b make contact with the second portion 9b of the flap 9 (making contact with it at the contact points labelled P5 and P6).
In that configuration, illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 5a (in which a portion of the syringe 4 is removed to better illustrate some parts), the second foldable flap 10 is positioned substantially vertical or slightly angled (for example due to the elastic return of the second flap 10) and the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 is at an angle while the second portion 9b of the first flap 9 is substantially horizontal, in contact with the bottom 7 of the box 3.
It should be noticed that, according to the preferred operating method, starting from the configuration shown in Figure 6 in which the protrusions 31a, 31b have brought the second portion 9b of the first flap 9 into contact with the bottom 7 of the box 3, the device 1 is moved along the main direction of Y of extension of the compartment 5, that is to say, parallel with the feed direction T, in a direction U for moving the needle of the syringe 4 towards the first opening 40 of the compartment 5, that it to say, in the opposite direction to the direction of feed V.
That step, described in more detail below, allows the compartment 5 to be configured for housing the syringe 4.
It should be noticed that, during this step, the device 1 could be kept stationary while the box 3 is moved in the direction of feed V, or it could be moved in the direction of feed V (at a slower speed than that of the box 3), or it could be moved in the approach direction U at any speed relative to that of the box.
It should be noticed that what is essential, during that step, is that the device 1 and the box 3 are moved relative to each other, so as to cause a relative movement between the box 3 and the protrusions 31a, 31b for bringing the first portion 9a of the first flap substantially into a position at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box 3.
That movement for configuring the compartment 5 for housing the syringe 4 (readying the box) may be achieved using various methods (box 3 stationary and protrusions 31a, 31b moved, protrusions 31a, 31b and box 3 moved along the same direction but at different speeds, protrusions 31a, 31b stationary and box 3 moved).
It should be noticed that, during that step, the protrusions 31a, 31b of the first pair of protrusions 31a, 31b act on the first portion 9a of the first flap 9, causing a rotation of the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 about its own fold line - line connecting it to the top surface 6 of the box 3, from the angled position to a vertical position and a movement of the second portion 9b of the first flap 9 towards the first opening 40.
That step, as already indicated, allows the compartment 5 to be configured for receiving the syringe 4 (readying of the box).
Figure 6 shows, relative to Figure 5, the device 1 moved relative to the box 3 along the longitudinal direction Y of extension of the compartment 5 in the direction U. In Figure 6 the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 is angled (that is to say, it is not yet at a right angle) relative to the bottom 7 of the box 3.
It should be noticed that, according to the preferred embodiment, during the step of readying the box 3, the box 3 and the device 1 (handling means 30 and contact and folding means 31) are moved along the same feed direction T but in opposite directions V; U.
The step of relative movement between the box 3 and the protrusions 31a, 31b along the longitudinal direction Y of extension of the compartment 5 for bringing the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 to a position at a right angle to the bottom 7 is stopped when the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 is substantially at a right angle to the bottom 7, that is to say, when it is vertical, as shown in Figure 7.
It should be noticed that in the configuration in Figure 7 the syringe 4 is correctly positioned longitudinally (that is to say, along the longitudinal direction Y of extension of the compartment 5) in the compartment 5.
In particular, an end flange 47 of the syringe 4 body is positioned in contact with a vertical surface 49 of the first portion 9a of the first flap 9.
Starting from that configuration - in which the syringe 4 is correctly positioned longitudinally in the compartment 5 - the first body 24 is moved vertically relative to the box 3, that is to say, towards the bottom in 7 of the box 3, for performing a step of placing the syringe 4.
That step allows the syringe 4 to be released into the compartment 5 which is open and configured for receiving the syringe 4.
That step of vertical movement of the handling means 30 relative to the bottom 7 of the box 3 allows insertion and placing of the syringe 4 in the compartment 5, in particular allowing the syringe 4 to be wedged in the cavities 11, 45 of the compartment 5.
It should be noticed that, during that step, the second body 29 is prevented from moving vertically relative to the box 3 due to the opposing action applied by the guides 15 on the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d and, more generally, due to the opposing action applied by the system 2 supporting frame on the body 29.
Therefore, the second body 29 is kept in contact against the supporting frame and the first body 24 (and with it, the tubular elements 34, the suction cup 36, the centring means 26 and the syringe 4) is moved towards the bottom 7 of the box 3.
In other words, the vertical movement of the first body 24 relative to the box 3 causes the first body 24 to move towards the second body 29.
In light of this, the movement of the first body 24 towards the bottom 7 of the box 3 causes compression of the spring 38 interposed between the first body 24 and the second body 29.
Figure 8 shows the first body 24 in a configuration towards to the second body 29 (that is to say, it shows the first body 24 in a configuration in which the vertical movement of the first body 24 towards the bottom 7 of the box 3 is complete).
With regard to that, it should be noticed that in Figure 8 the syringe 4 is completely inserted (released) in the cavities 11, 45 of the compartment 5, that is to say, it is also correctly inserted vertically in the compartment 5.
In that configuration the centring units 26 are partly inserted in the box 3 and advantageously allow the syringe 4 to be held in a stable position until it has been completely released in the cavities 11, 45 of the compartment 5.
It should also be noticed that the suction cup 36 maintains its grip (by means of a vacuum) on the syringe 4 during the vertical movement of the first body 24 towards the bottom of the box 3.
In particular, the pneumatic means may be activated for applying an overpressure, when the syringe 4 is correctly vertically positioned relative to the box 3, in such a way that the handling means 30 release the syringe 4 more effectively.
The pneumatic means (not illustrated) are switched off when the syringe 4 is correctly positioned in the cavities 11, 45 of the compartment 5.
Once the pneumatic means are switched off, the device 1 releases its grip on the syringes 4.
Starting from that situations, the device 1 is disengaged from the box 3, so that it can perform a new insertion/box 3 filling cycle.
Therefore, the first body 24 is lifted vertically away from the bottom 7 of the box 3.
The vertical movement for disengaging the device 1 from the compartment 5 comprises a first step of moving the first body 24 vertically, in which the second body 29 remains in contact against the system 2 frame due to the springs 38.
During that first step the springs 38 decompress, due to the increase in the distance between the first body 24 and the second body 29.
In particular, the springs 38 allow the first body 24 to quickly move away from the second body 29, to the maximum position of the two bodies 24 and 29 away from each other (defined by the end of stroke stop).
That first step ends when the plate 37, moving away from the box 3, makes contact with the second body 29.
In that situation the vertical movement of the device 1 away from the box 3 causes lifting of the first body 24 and the second body 29 integrally with each other (the latter supported by the first body 24 by means of the plate 37).
It should be noticed that, once the device 1 has moved away from the box 3, the syringe 4, in particular the end flange 47 is held in contact against the vertical surface 49 of the first portion 9a of the first flap 9 thanks to the elastic return of the second flap 10 which makes contact with the syringe 4 plunger.
Regarding operation of the device 1 during the steps of opening the compartments 5 (readying the box) and placing the syringe in the box, the following should be noticed.
According to an alternative embodiment, starting from the configuration in which the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d are in contact with the first and second flaps 9, 10 (Figure 4), the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d may be moved, simultaneously, vertically (towards the bottom 7 of the box 3) and along the longitudinal direction Y of extension of the compartment 5.
According to that alternative embodiment, the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d may be moved with a trajectory that almost lies in a plane at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box 3 and parallel with the main direction Y of extension of the compartment 5.
In particular, the protrusions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d may be moved along a curved trajectory in a plane at a right angle to the bottom 7 of the box 3 and parallel with the main direction Y of extension of the compartment 5.
According to another alternative embodiment of the device 1, illustrated in Figures 9, 10 and 11, each contact and folding unit 31 acting on one of the box 3 compartments 5 comprises a single pair of protrusions 31a, 31b, designed to act on the first flap 9 comprising the cavity 11 (in particular designed to make contact with the first portion 9a of the first flap 9).
According to that embodiment, a second pair of protrusions is omitted compared with the first embodiment illustrated, because the syringe 4 body, in particular one end of the plunger, causes the second flap 10 to be folded during the vertical movement of the device 1 towards the bottom 7 of the box 3.
According to another aspect, shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 by way of example but not limited to that embodiment, the second body 29 supports a first contact element 50 and a second contact element 55.
The first contact element 50 is designed to make contact with a bar 51 (shown in Figure 1) extending longitudinally along the box 3 feed line 13, at the side of that line.
In particular, a surface 53 of the element 50 is designed to make contact with a top surface 54 of the bar 51.
Moreover, a second, bottom surface 60 of the element 50 is designed to make contact, preferably, with a guide integral with the system 2 frame.
The second contact element 55 in contrast is designed to make contact with a bar 56 extending longitudinally along the box 3 feed line 13, at the side of the guide 15 and opposite the bar 51.
In particular, it should be noticed that a bottom surface 58 of the second contact element 55 makes contact with a top surface 59 of the bar 56.
The contact elements 50 and 55 prevent vertical movement of the second body 29 towards the bottom 7 of the box 3 (when they are in contact with the bars 51 and 56) and allow vertical movement of the handling means 30 relative to the second body 29 towards the bottom 7 of the box 3 (during the step of readying the box, already described).
Figure 9 shows with a dashed line the device 1 in a position in which the surface 53 of the first contact element 50 is in contact with the surface 54 of the bar 51 (in that configuration the bottom surface 58 of the second contact element 55 is in contact with the top surface 59 of the bar 56).
The following should also be noticed regarding the contact and folding elements 31 of that alternative embodiment.
Preferably end portions 46' of outermost contact and folding means 31, that is to say, the end portion 46' of a protrusion 31a of the contact and folding means 31 designed to make contact with the first flap 9 of a first compartment 5a of the box 3 and a protrusion 31b of the contact and folding means 31 designed to make contact with the first flap 9 of a final compartment 5e of the box 3, have a different shape to that of the end portions 46 of inner protrusions 31.
In fact, it should be noticed, with reference to Figure 1, that the first flap 9 of the first compartment 5a and the fifth compartment 5a has a different shape to the first flap 9 of the inner compartments 5 (5b, 5c, 5d). In particular, the flap 9 of the compartments 5a and 5e is smaller at a side proximal to the edge of the box 3 along the longitudinal direction Y of extension of the compartment 5a, 5e.
The shape of the end portions 46' of the outermost contact and folding means 31 prevents them from interfering with the top surface 6 of the box 3 proximal to the first flap 9.
In general, the contact and folding means 31 comprise protrusions positioned in such a way as to operate in conjunction with flaps 9 and/or 10 to be opened and readied, and so as to not interfere with fixed parts of the top face 6 of the box 3.
Moreover, the contact and folding means 31 may comprise a different number of protrusions to that illustrated. The number of protrusions depends on the number of box compartment processed and the number of openings per compartment to be opened and configured (readied).
Attention is drawn to the following with reference to the device 1.
Preferably, at least one of the tubular elements 34 forms a guide for the movement (sliding) of the second body 29 relative to the first body 24.
In particular, with reference to Figure 10, the numeral 57 denotes a central tubular element which allows a guide to be formed for the relative movement (sliding) of the bodies 24 and 29.
Moreover, with reference to the contact and folding means 31, it should be noticed that said contact and folding means 31 do not make contact with the product 4 to be inserted in the box.
The contact and folding means 31 are designed to make contact with the flap 9 independently, in such a way as to allow opening of the box 3 compartment 5. In other words, there is no contact between the product 4 and the contact and folding means 31 for opening the box 3 compartment 5.
With reference to movement of the syringe handling means 30 and of the contact and folding means 31, attention is drawn to the following.
The device 1 is designed to prevent relative movement of the contact and folding means 31 and the handling means 30 along the direction Y of extension of the compartment 5.
It should be noticed that, according to this aspect, the contact and folding means 31 and the handling means 30 are connected so that they are moved integrally with each other along the direction Y of extension of the compartment 5.
Preferably, the device 1 is designed to prevent relative movement of the contact and folding means 31 and the handling means 30 in a plane at a right angle to the approach direction Z.
Therefore, it should be noticed that, according to this aspect, the contact and folding means 31 and the handling means 30 are connected so that they are moved integrally with each other in a plane at a right angle to the approach direction Z.
One advantage of this invention is that it provides a device 1 for picking up and inserting products, preferably parenteral products, more preferably syringes 4, in boxes 3 of the type described which is particularly fast and effective.
Moreover, another advantage of this device 1 is that it guarantees insertion of the syringes 4 in a particularly reliable way (due to the special sequence of movements and the use of suitable centring means).
The system 2 for boxing pharmaceutical products according to the invention is therefore particularly simple and fast, allowing the boxing of syringes in a particularly fast way and without the need for any supervision by the operator.
In particular, it should be noticed how the step of opening and configuring the compartments 5 and the step of inserting the products in them are performed substantially simultaneously, with advantages in terms of productivity, system simplicity and reduced costs.
The invention described is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.
For example, it is possible to position the box feed line and the product feed line along different axes, for example transversal to each other, in particular perpendicular to one another.
In the same way, the products and boxes can be positioned on the respective feed lines with different orientations to those shown.
Consequently, the movement means can move the insertion device along different axes to those shown. Therefore, this invention covers systems and methods in which the boxes are fed with compartments with a longitudinal direction Y of extension that is transversal to, in particular perpendicular to, the feed direction T of the boxes and/or with products positioned on the product feed line with their longitudinal axis W parallel with the product feed direction T.

Claims

A method for inserting products (4), in particular parenteral products, in a box (3), characterised in that it comprises the following steps:
- feeding a box (3) along a feed line (13) for boxes (3), the box (3) comprising at least one flap (9) made on a top surface (6) and designed to be folded towards the inside of the box (3) and to form at least one portion (48) of a compartment (5) with a main direction (Y) of extension for containing the product (4) between the top surface (6) and the bottom (7) of the box (3);

- feeding at least one product (4) along a feed line (12) for products (4);

- picking up the product (4) from the product feed line (12) using handling means (30); characterised in that the method further comprises the steps :
- making contact with the at least one flap (9) on the top surface (6) of the box (3) by means of contact and folding means (31) associated with the handling means (30) characterised in that the method further comprises the steps:

- using the contact and folding means (31) to fold the flap (9) towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for housing the product (4), without contact between said contact and folding means (31) and the picked up product (4);

- inserting the product (4), retained by the handling means (30), in the compartment (5);

- preventing relative movement of the contact and folding means (31) and the handling means (30) along the main direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5).
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the product (4) in the compartment (5) comprises moving the handling means (30) relative to the contact and folding means (31) along an approach direction (Z) towards the bottom (7) of the box (3).
The method according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the step of folding the flap (9) towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for housing the product (4) comprises:
- a step of moving the contact and folding means (31) relative to the box (3) along an approach direction transversal to the bottom of the box (3);

- a step of moving the contact and folding means (31) relative to the box (3) along a direction parallel with a longitudinal direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5).
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of folding the flap (9) towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for housing the product (4) comprises a step of moving the contact and folding means (31) relative to the box (3) according to a curved trajectory lying in a plane which is at a right angle to the bottom (7) of the box and parallel with a longitudinal direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5).
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein during the step of folding the flap (9) towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for housing the product (4) the contact and folding means (31) are moved relative to the box (3) along a box (3) feed direction (T).
A device (1) for inserting products (4), in particular parenteral products, in a box (3), the box (3) comprising at least one flap (9) made on a top surface (6) and designed to be folded towards the inside of the box (3) and to form at least one portion (48) of a compartment (5) with a main direction (Y) of extension for containing the product (4) between the top surface (6) and the bottom (7) of the box (3), the device (1) being characterised in that it comprises, in combination:
- contact and folding means (31) designed to make contact with the flap (9) on the top surface (6) and fold it towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for housing the product (4), without contact between said contact and folding means (31) and the picked up product (4);

- handling means (30) for the product (4), these handling means (30) being associated with the contact and folding means (31), for positioning the product (4) in the compartment (5) which is open and configured for housing the product (4); the device being further designed to prevent relative movement of the contact and folding means (31) and the handling means (30) along the main direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5).
The device according to claim 6, wherein the handling means (30) can move relative to the contact and folding means (31) along an approach direction (Z) towards the bottom (7) of the box (3), for allowing product (4) insertion in the compartment (5) which is open and configured for housing the product (4).
The device according to claim 7, wherein the contact and folding means (31) are supported by the product (4) handling means (30), the two sets of means being connected to each other in such a way that, along a direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5) the contact and folding means (31) and the handling means (30) are moved integrally with one another.
The device according to claim 7 or 8, comprising elastic means (39), interposed between, and acting on, the handling means (30) and the contact and folding means (31), being designed to be compressed after the handling means (30) have moved towards the contact and folding means (31) during product (4) insertion in the compartment (5) which is open and configured for housing the product (4).
The device according to claim 9, comprising:
- a first body (24) supporting the handling means (30),

- a second body (29) supporting the contact and folding means (31), the second body (29) being able to slide relative to the first body (24) between a maximum position away from one another, in which the first body (24) supports the second body (29) and a position towards each other, the elastic means (39) being interposed between the first body (24) and the second body (29) and being compressed in the position in which the bodies are towards one another.
The device according to any of the claims from 6 to 10, wherein the handling means (30) comprise product (4) centring means (26), designed to make contact with the product (4) in such a way as to allow stable positioning of the product (4) transversally to a longitudinal direction (W) of extension of the product (4).
The device according to any of the claims from 6 to 11, wherein the contact and folding means (31) comprise at least one protrusion (31a, 31b) comprising an end portion (46; 46') designed to make contact with the flap (9) and having a rounded shape.
A system for inserting products (4), in particular parenteral products, in a box (3), the box (3) comprising at least one flap (9) made on a top surface (6) and designed to be folded towards the inside of the box (3) and to form at least one portion (48) of a compartment (5) with a main direction (Y) of extension for containing the product (4) between the top surface (6) and the bottom (7) of the box (3), the system (2) being characterised in that it comprises:
- a feed line (13) for boxes (3);

- a feed line (12) for products (4);

- a device (1) according to any of the claims from 6 to 13;

- means (16) for moving the device (1), designed to allow device (1) movement between the product (4) feed line (12), for allowing at least one product (4) to be picked up by the handling means (30), and the box (3) feed line (13) for allowing the contact and folding means (31) to make contact with the flap on the top surface and fold it towards the inside of the box (3) to open and configure the compartment (5) for receiving the product (4) and for allowing the handling means (30) to insert the product (4) in the compartment (5) which is open and configured for receiving the product (4) the device being further designed to prevent relative movement of the contact and folding means (31) and the handling means (30) along the main direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5) .
The system according to claim 13, wherein the movement means (16) are designed to move the contact and folding means (31) with a motion relative to the box (3) during opening and configuring of the compartment (5) for housing the product (4).
The system according to claim 14, wherein the relative motion occurs along a trajectory lying in a plane at a right angle to the bottom (7) of the box (3) and parallel with the longitudinal direction (Y) of extension of the compartment (5).
The system according to any of the claims from 13 to 15, wherein the box (3) feed line (13) feeds a plurality of boxes (3) along a feed direction (T) and the movement means (16) are designed to move the contact and folding means (31) along the feed direction (T) at least during opening and configuring of the compartment (5) for housing the product (4).
The system according to any of the claims from 13 to 16, wherein the box (3) feed line (13) and the product (4) feed line (12) respectively feed the boxes (3) and the products along the same feed direction (T).