EP2716552B1 - Device and method for monitored filling of tablets into the cups of a film strip - Google Patents

Device and method for monitored filling of tablets into the cups of a film strip Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2716552B1
EP2716552B1 EP12187633.8A EP12187633A EP2716552B1 EP 2716552 B1 EP2716552 B1 EP 2716552B1 EP 12187633 A EP12187633 A EP 12187633A EP 2716552 B1 EP2716552 B1 EP 2716552B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
blocked
accordance
film strip
tablets
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP12187633.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2716552A1 (en
Inventor
Markus Regner
Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
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Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
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Publication date
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Priority to EP12187633.8A priority Critical patent/EP2716552B1/en
Priority to US14/047,686 priority patent/US20140096490A1/en
Publication of EP2716552A1 publication Critical patent/EP2716552A1/en
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Publication of EP2716552B1 publication Critical patent/EP2716552B1/en
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B65B5/103Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/10Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/12Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by gravity
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B65B9/045Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for single articles, e.g. tablets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2210/00Specific aspects of the packaging machine
    • B65B2210/10Means for removing bridges formed by the material or article, e.g. anti-clogging devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/06Separating single articles from loose masses of articles

Definitions

  • cups are first of all shaped into a film strip, which are then filled with tablets by means of a feed unit.
  • a feed unit usually has a plurality of filling channels.
  • the foil strip with the filled wells is then sealed with a cover sheet and finally punched into individual blister packs.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide an apparatus and method for the controlled filling of tablets in wells of a film strip, which facilitate the detection of blockages in the filling channels of a feed unit and make the troubleshooting user-friendly.
  • the device comprises for supervised filling of tablets in wells a film belt for producing blister packs, a transport device for conveying the film strip in a transport direction, a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the wells of the film strip, the feed unit having a plurality of filling channels, a test device arranged downstream of the feed device for checking the filling of each individual cup the foil strip, a control device which receives the results of the test device, and a light emitting or jet dispensing device, which is controlled by the control device on the basis of the results of the test device and is provided to blocked filling channels (12) directly in the region of the respective filling channel (12 ) yourself.
  • the testing device comprises a camera system.
  • a camera system is able to simultaneously check a large number of wells of the film strip in its field of view and thus be able to perform the filling control of the wells of the film strip safely even at high production speeds.
  • the at least one laser pointer is preferably pivotable in several directions. This provides the advantage that the number of laser pointers can be reduced to a minimum, particularly preferably to exactly one laser pointer, since, due to the pivotable mounting of the laser pointer, illumination of each filling channel in the matrix of filling channels becomes possible.
  • control device regularly detects recurring defects in the wells of the film strip and assigns a particular filling channel.
  • the laser pointer indicates sequentially the blocked filling channels, preferably in a repeating cycle.
  • the bulbs of the blocked filling channels are preferably simultaneously lit in the presence of multiple blocked filling channels.
  • tablettes for the monitored filling of tablets in wells of a foil strip is used for the production of blister packs.
  • tablettes is intended here to include all possible similar pharmaceutical products, such as oblongs, dragees, capsules, etc.
  • a transport device 2 for conveying a film strip 4 in a transport direction (arrow A).
  • the transport device 2 is the sake of clarity only in Fig. 2 indicated.
  • the transport device 2 can be present in many different embodiments and is structurally dependent on the blister design.
  • the transport device 2 moves the film strip 4 preferably clocked, but can also run continuously.
  • the film strip 4 has a plurality of upwardly open wells 6 to be filled with tablets.
  • a feed unit 8 is provided, which the tablets 10 (see Fig. 3 ) into the cups 6 of the film strip 4 feeds.
  • the feed unit 8 in this case has a plurality of filling channels 12.
  • each filling channel 12 is assigned exactly to a filling position, so that the filling channels 12 can be arranged stationary. It is also conceivable that the filling channels 12 are movable individually or in groups in one or more directions and thus can depart different cups 6 of the film strip 4.
  • the filling channels 12 are formed by filling tubes.
  • Each filling tube 12 preferably has the cross-sectional shape of the tablets 10 to be filled, which results in optimum guidance of the tablets 10 in the filling channels 12 leads.
  • gate valves are provided in the individual filling channels 12, which serve to separate the tablets 10 in the filling channels 12.
  • a test device 14 for checking the filling of each individual cup 6 of the film strip 4 is arranged downstream of the feed unit 8.
  • the test device 14 is preferably a camera system which covers a large field of view and thus can quickly check the filling of each individual cup 6 of the film strip 4.
  • other testing devices 14 may be provided which operate, for example, on a capacitive basis.
  • the light or beam dispenser 18 is designed as a laser pointer. It can also be provided more than one laser pointer. Preferably, however, only one laser pointer is provided which illuminates a blocked filling channel 12 from above.
  • the laser pointer is pivotable in several directions, or has a suitable structure for directing the light beam to the desired filling channel 12 from the large matrix of filling channels 12. The light spot generated by the laser pointer thus identifies the blocked filling tube 12 directly on the object.
  • the laser pointer can also mark the respective filling tube 12 from other directions and thus make the blockage visible.
  • Other light or beam dispensers 18 are conceivable that project light onto blocked filling channels 12.
  • the luminous or jet delivery device 18 here has a plurality of luminous means 20, each of which is assigned to a filling channel 12. These bulbs 20 are thus arranged stationary on the filling channel 12. Preferably, the bulbs 20 are formed as LEDs.
  • the lighting means 20 can be arranged directly next to the filling channels 12. When the filling channels 12 as Gearrschreibchen are configured, the bulbs can also be integrated into the filling tubes, as shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 4 evident.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes.The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the controlled filling of tablets in wells of a foil strip.

In der pharmazeutischen Industrie werden bei der Herstellung von Blisterverpackungen zunächst Näpfe in ein Folienband geformt, die anschließend mittels einer Zuführeinheit mit Tabletten befüllt werden. Um einen großen Durchsatz zu erzielen, weist eine derartige Zuführeinheit in der Regel eine Mehrzahl von Füllkanälen auf. Das Folienband mit den gefüllten Näpfen wird anschließend mit einer Deckfolie versiegelt und schließlich zu einzelnen Blisterverpackungen gestanzt.In the pharmaceutical industry, in the production of blister packs, cups are first of all shaped into a film strip, which are then filled with tablets by means of a feed unit. In order to achieve a high throughput, such a feed unit usually has a plurality of filling channels. The foil strip with the filled wells is then sealed with a cover sheet and finally punched into individual blister packs.

Bei derartigen Zuführeinheiten kommt es vor, dass sich Tabletten in den Füllkanälen verklemmen, sei es durch eigenes Verkippen oder durch Bruchstücke bzw. Staub, der im jeweiligen Füllkanal vorhanden ist. Der blockierte Füllkanal führt dazu, dass ein Napf des Folienbandes nicht befüllt wird und somit die daraus resultierende Blisterverpackung nur teilgefüllt ist und ausgeschieden werden muss. Um diese Störung zu beseitigen, muss die Blistermaschine gestoppt werden und der blockierte Füllkanal manuell geleert werden.In such feed units, it happens that tablets get jammed in the filling channels, either by own tilting or by fragments or dust, which is present in the respective filling channel. The blocked filling channel means that a bowl of the film strip is not filled and thus the resulting blister pack is only partially filled and must be eliminated. To eliminate this problem, the blister machine must be stopped and the blocked fill channel emptied manually.

Derartige Störungen an der Zuführeinheit führen in der Regel zu Anlagenstopps der gesamten Verpackungsanlage. Je schneller die Anlage wieder in Betrieb geht, desto geringer ist der Produktivitätsverlust. Die Verfügbarkeit der Anlage wird also durch eine schnelle Störungsbeseitigung erhöht. Aufgrund der hohen Anzahl von Füllkanälen ist die Problembehebung bei modernen Zuführeinheiten jedoch häufig schwierig, da die blockierten Füllkanäle nicht von außen erkennbar sind.Such disturbances on the feed unit usually lead to plant stops of the entire packaging system. The faster the system goes into operation, the lower the loss of productivity. The availability of the system is thus increased by a quick troubleshooting. Due to the high number of filling channels, however, the problem solving in modern feeding units is often difficult because the blocked filling channels are not visible from the outside.

In der WO 2009/021171 A1 wird eine Verpackungsmaschine zum Zuführen von Tabletten in Blisterverpackungen beschrieben. Sie umfasst eine Zuführeinheit zum Zuführen der Tabletten in die Näpfe des Folienbandes, wobei die Tabletten über Füllröhrchen in die einzelnen Näpfe gelangen. Aus den Zähl- oder Messergebnissen einer Zähl- und einer Inspektionseinheit ermittelt ein Controller, ob ein Füllkanal blockiert ist.In the WO 2009/021171 A1 describes a packaging machine for feeding tablets in blister packs. It comprises a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the wells of the film strip, wherein the tablets pass through filling tubes into the individual wells. From the counting or measuring results of a counting and an inspection unit, a controller determines whether a filling channel is blocked.

Die DE 42 43 206 A1 offenbart ein Verfahren zum Überprüfen einer automatischen Abfüllanlage auf korrektes Befüllen, beispielsweise von Tabletten, in Blisterpackungen. Zwischen der Befüllstation und der Verschließstation ist eine optische Überwachungseinheit angeordnet, welche unter anderem eine Farb-Videokamera aufweist, deren Bild von einem Rechner verarbeitet und auf einem Monitor angezeigt wird. Bei wiederholenden Befüllungsfehlern leuchtet eine mit dem Rechner verbundene Warnlampe auf.The DE 42 43 206 A1 discloses a method for checking an automatic filling line for correct filling, for example of tablets, in blister packs. Between the filling station and the closing station, an optical monitoring unit is arranged, which, inter alia, has a color video camera whose image is processed by a computer and displayed on a monitor. Repeated filling errors will cause a warning lamp connected to the calculator to light up.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes anzugeben, welche die Erkennung von Blockaden in den Füllkanälen einer Zuführeinheit erleichtern und die Störungsbeseitigung anwenderfreundlicher gestalten.The present invention has for its object to provide an apparatus and method for the controlled filling of tablets in wells of a film strip, which facilitate the detection of blockages in the filling channels of a feed unit and make the troubleshooting user-friendly.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 bzw. des Anspruchs 7 gelöst.This object is solved by the features of claim 1 and of claim 7.

Erfindungsgemäß umfasst die Vorrichtung zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes zur Herstellung von Blisterverpackungen eine Transportvorrichtung zum Fördern des Folienbandes in einer Transportrichtung, eine Zuführeinheit zum Zuführen der Tabletten in die Näpfe des Folienbandes, wobei die Zuführeinheit eine Mehrzahl von Füllkanälen aufweist, eine stromab der Zuführeinheit angeordnete Prüfeinrichtung zum Überprüfen der Befüllung jedes einzelnen Napfes des Folienbandes, eine Steuerungsvorrichtung, die die Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung entgegennimmt, und eine Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung, die von der Steuerungsvorrichtung auf Basis der Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung angesteuert ist und dazu vorgesehen ist, blockierte Füllkanäle (12) unmittelbar im Bereich des jeweiligen Füllkanals (12) selbst zu kennzeichnen.According to the invention, the device comprises for supervised filling of tablets in wells a film belt for producing blister packs, a transport device for conveying the film strip in a transport direction, a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the wells of the film strip, the feed unit having a plurality of filling channels, a test device arranged downstream of the feed device for checking the filling of each individual cup the foil strip, a control device which receives the results of the test device, and a light emitting or jet dispensing device, which is controlled by the control device on the basis of the results of the test device and is provided to blocked filling channels (12) directly in the region of the respective filling channel (12 ) yourself.

Die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung weist mindestens einen Laserpointer auf, der einen blockierten Füllkanal beleuchtet. Auf diese Weise ist die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung von den jeweiligen Füllkanälen entkoppelt und kann in Zusammenhang mit unterschiedlichen Zuführeinheiten verwendet werden.The light or jet dispenser has at least one laser pointer illuminating a blocked fill channel. In this way, the light or jet dispenser is decoupled from the respective fill channels and can be used in conjunction with different feed units.

Alternativ hierzu ist es auch denkbar, dass die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung eine Mehrzahl von Leuchtmitteln aufweist, von denen jedes einem Füllkanal zugeordnet ist. Auf diese Weise können mehrere Kanäle gleichzeitig als blockiert gekennzeichnet werden. In diesem Fall sind die Leuchtmittel vorzugsweise als LEDs ausgebildet.Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the luminous or beam delivery device has a plurality of lighting means, each of which is associated with a filling channel. In this way several channels can be marked as blocked at the same time. In this case, the lighting means are preferably designed as LEDs.

Auf diese Weise werden Informationen, die dem befüllten Folienstrang entnommen werden, verwendet, um einen zuvor in der Zuführeinheit aufgetretenen Fehler aufzufinden, räumlich zuzuordnen und der Bedienperson optisch kenntlich zu machen. Dies vereinfacht die Störungsbeseitigung und gewährleistet eine möglichst schnelle Wiederaufnahme der Produktion.In this way, information taken from the filled film string is used to locate a fault previously encountered in the feeder unit, spatially allocate it, and visually identify the operator. This simplifies troubleshooting and ensures the fastest possible resumption of production.

Vorzugsweise umfasst die Prüfeinrichtung ein Kamerasystem. Ein solches Kamerasystem ist in der Lage, eine große Anzahl von Näpfen des Folienbandes in seinem Sichtfeld gleichzeitig zu überprüfen und somit die Füllkontrolle der Näpfe des Folienbandes auch bei hohen Produktionsgeschwindigkeiten sicher durchführen zu können.Preferably, the testing device comprises a camera system. Such a camera system is able to simultaneously check a large number of wells of the film strip in its field of view and thus be able to perform the filling control of the wells of the film strip safely even at high production speeds.

Vorzugsweise ist jeder Füllkanal als Füllröhrchen ausgebildet.Preferably, each filling channel is designed as a filling tube.

Dabei ist der mindestens eine Laserpointer vorzugsweise in mehrere Richtungen schwenkbar. Dies liefert den Vorteil, dass die Anzahl der Laserpointer auf ein Minimum, besonders bevorzugt auf genau einen Laserpointer, reduziert werden kann, da aufgrund der schwenkbaren Lagerung des Laserpointers ein Anleuchten eines jeden Füllkanals in der Matrix von Füllkanälen möglich wird.In this case, the at least one laser pointer is preferably pivotable in several directions. This provides the advantage that the number of laser pointers can be reduced to a minimum, particularly preferably to exactly one laser pointer, since, due to the pivotable mounting of the laser pointer, illumination of each filling channel in the matrix of filling channels becomes possible.

Besonders bevorzugt ist es, wenn jeder Füllkanal als Füllröhrchen ausgebildet ist und die Leuchtmittel in die Füllröhrchen integriert sind.It is particularly preferred if each filling channel is designed as a filling tube and the bulbs are integrated into the filling tube.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes zur Herstellung von Blisterverpackungen umfasst folgende Schritte:

  • Fördern des Folienbandes in einer Transportrichtung;
  • Zuführen der Tabletten in die Näpfe des Folienbandes mittels einer Zuführeinheit, die eine Mehrzahl von Füllkanälen aufweist;
  • Überprüfen der Befüllung jedes einzelnen Napfes des Folienbandes stromab der Zuführeinheit mittels einer Prüfeinrichtung; und
  • Ansteuern einer Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung auf Basis der Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung derart, dass blockierte Füllkanäle (12) unmittelbar im Bereich des jeweiligen Füllkanals (12) selbst gekennzeichnet werden, wobei die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung (18) mindestens einen Laserpointe aufweist, der einen blockierten Füllkanal (12) beleuchtet, oder eine Mehrzahl von Leuchtmittels (20) aufweist, von denen jedes einem Füllkanal (12) zugeordnet ist.
The method according to the invention for monitored filling of tablets in wells of a foil strip for producing blister packs comprises the following steps:
  • Conveying the film strip in a transport direction;
  • Feeding the tablets into the wells of the film strip by means of a feed unit having a plurality of filling channels;
  • Checking the filling of each individual cup of the film strip downstream of the feed unit by means of a test device; and
  • Driving a lighting or jet dispensing device based on the results of the test device such that blocked Füllkanäle (12) directly in the region of the respective Füllkanals (12) are themselves marked, the light emitting or jet dispenser (18) has at least one Laserpointe that blocked one Filling channel (12) illuminated, or a plurality of lighting means (20), each of which is associated with a filling channel (12).

Das hierbei bevorzugte Prinzip liegt darin, dass die Steuerungsvorrichtung regelmäßig wiederkehrende Fehlstellen in den Näpfen des Folienbandes erkennt und einem bestimmten Füllkanal zuordnet.The preferred principle here is that the control device regularly detects recurring defects in the wells of the film strip and assigns a particular filling channel.

Wenn als Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung mindestens ein Laserpointer verwendet wird, der einen blockierten Füllkanal beleuchtet, ist es bevorzugt, dass bei Vorliegen mehrerer blockierter Füllkanäle der Laserpointer die blockierten Füllkanäle nacheinander anzeigt, vorzugsweise in einem sich wiederholenden Zyklus.If at least one laser pointer illuminating a blocked fill channel is used as the light emitting or jet dispensing device, it is preferred that, in the presence of multiple blocked filling channels, the laser pointer indicates sequentially the blocked filling channels, preferably in a repeating cycle.

Im Falle der Ausbildung der Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung mit einer Mehrzahl von Leuchtmitteln, von denen jedes einem Füllkanal zugeordnet ist, werden hingegen bei Vorliegen mehrerer blockierter Füllkanäle die Leuchtmittel der blockierten Füllkanäle vorzugsweise gleichzeitig leuchten.In the case of forming the lighting or jet dispensing device with a plurality of light sources, each of which is associated with a filling channel, however, the bulbs of the blocked filling channels are preferably simultaneously lit in the presence of multiple blocked filling channels.

Weitere Eigenschaften und Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen

Fig. 1
ist eine Perspektivansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes;
Fig. 2
ist eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1;
Fig. 3
ist eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1; und
Fig. 4
ist eine Perspektivansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes mit einem vergrößerten Detailausschnitt.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings
Fig. 1
is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for the monitored filling of tablets in wells of a film strip;
Fig. 2
is a side view of the device Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3
is a plan view of the device Fig. 1 ; and
Fig. 4
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention for the monitored filling of tablets in wells of a foil strip with an enlarged detail.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes dient zur Herstellung von Blisterverpackungen. Der Begriff "Tabletten" soll hierbei alle möglichen ähnlichen pharmazeutischen Produkte umfassen, wie beispielsweise Oblongs, Dragees, Kapseln etc.The device according to the invention for the monitored filling of tablets in wells of a foil strip is used for the production of blister packs. The term "tablets" is intended here to include all possible similar pharmaceutical products, such as oblongs, dragees, capsules, etc.

Die in Fig. 1 bis 3 dargestellte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung umfasst zunächst eine Transportvorrichtung 2 zum Fördern eines Folienbandes 4 in einer Transportrichtung (Pfeil A). Die Transportvorrichtung 2 ist der besseren Übersichtlichkeit halber lediglich in Fig. 2 angedeutet. Die Transportvorrichtung 2 kann in vielen verschiedenen Ausführungsformen vorliegen und ist konstruktiv abhängig vom Blisterdesign. Die Transportvorrichtung 2 bewegt das Folienband 4 vorzugsweise getaktet, kann aber auch kontinuierlich laufen.In the Fig. 1 to 3 illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises first a transport device 2 for conveying a film strip 4 in a transport direction (arrow A). The transport device 2 is the sake of clarity only in Fig. 2 indicated. The transport device 2 can be present in many different embodiments and is structurally dependent on the blister design. The transport device 2 moves the film strip 4 preferably clocked, but can also run continuously.

Das Folienband 4 weist eine Vielzahl von nach oben hin offenen Näpfen 6 auf, die mit Tabletten gefüllt werden sollen. Hierfür ist eine Zuführeinheit 8 vorgesehen, welche die Tabletten 10 (siehe Fig. 3) in die Näpfe 6 des Folienbandes 4 zuführt. Die Zuführeinheit 8 weist hierbei eine Mehrzahl von Füllkanälen 12 auf. Vorzugsweise ist jeder Füllkanal 12 exakt einer Füllposition zugeordnet, so dass die Füllkanäle 12 stationär angeordnet sein können. Ebenso ist es denkbar, dass die Füllkanäle 12 einzeln oder in Gruppen in eine oder mehrere Richtungen bewegbar sind und somit verschiedene Näpfe 6 des Folienbandes 4 abfahren können.The film strip 4 has a plurality of upwardly open wells 6 to be filled with tablets. For this purpose, a feed unit 8 is provided, which the tablets 10 (see Fig. 3 ) into the cups 6 of the film strip 4 feeds. The feed unit 8 in this case has a plurality of filling channels 12. Preferably, each filling channel 12 is assigned exactly to a filling position, so that the filling channels 12 can be arranged stationary. It is also conceivable that the filling channels 12 are movable individually or in groups in one or more directions and thus can depart different cups 6 of the film strip 4.

In der dargestellten bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind die Füllkanäle 12 durch Füllröhrchen gebildet. Jedes Füllröhrchen 12 hat dabei vorzugsweise die Querschnittsform der abzufüllenden Tabletten 10, was zu einer optimalen Führung der Tabletten 10 in den Füllkanälen 12 führt. Vorzugsweise sind Absperrschieber (nicht dargestellt) in den einzelnen Füllkanälen 12 vorgesehen, welche zur Vereinzelung der Tabletten 10 in den Füllkanälen 12 dienen. Stromab der Zuführeinheit 8 ist eine Prüfeinrichtung 14 zum Überprüfen der Befüllung jedes einzelnen Napfes 6 des Folienbandes 4 angeordnet. Die Prüfeinrichtung 14 ist vorzugsweise ein Kamerasystem, welches einen großen Sichtbereich abdeckt und somit schnell die Befüllung jedes einzelnen Napfes 6 des Folienbandes 4 überprüfen kann. Ebenso können andere Prüfeinrichtungen 14 vorgesehen sein, die beispielsweise auf kapazitiver Basis arbeiten.In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the filling channels 12 are formed by filling tubes. Each filling tube 12 preferably has the cross-sectional shape of the tablets 10 to be filled, which results in optimum guidance of the tablets 10 in the filling channels 12 leads. Preferably, gate valves (not shown) are provided in the individual filling channels 12, which serve to separate the tablets 10 in the filling channels 12. Downstream of the feed unit 8, a test device 14 for checking the filling of each individual cup 6 of the film strip 4 is arranged. The test device 14 is preferably a camera system which covers a large field of view and thus can quickly check the filling of each individual cup 6 of the film strip 4. Likewise, other testing devices 14 may be provided which operate, for example, on a capacitive basis.

Die Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung 14 werden einer Steuerungsvorrichtung 16 übergeben, welche diese Ergebnisse entgegennimmt und auf Basis dieser Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung 14 eine Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 ansteuert. Die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 dient dazu, blockierte Füllkanäle 12 optisch zu kennzeichnen, und zwar unmittelbar im Bereich des Füllkanals 12 selbst, so dass eine Bedienperson ohne weiteren Aufwand den blockierten Füllkanal 12 erkennen und reinigen kann.The results of the test device 14 are transferred to a control device 16, which receives these results and, based on these results of the test device 14, drives a luminous or beam delivery device 18. The lighting or jet dispensing device 18 serves to identify blocked filling channels 12 optically, namely directly in the region of the filling channel 12 itself, so that an operator can recognize and clean the blocked filling channel 12 without any further effort.

In der in Fig. 1 bis 3 dargestellten Ausführungsform ist die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 als Laserpointer ausgestaltet. Es kann auch mehr als ein Laserpointer vorgesehen sein. Vorzugsweise ist jedoch lediglich ein Laserpointer vorgesehen, der einen blockierten Füllkanal 12 von oben beleuchtet. Hierzu ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der Laserpointer in mehrere Richtungen schwenkbar ist, oder eine geeignete Struktur zum Lenken des Lichtstrahls auf den gewünschten Füllkanal 12 aus der großen Matrix von Füllkanälen 12 aufweist. Der vom Laserpointer erzeugte Leuchtpunkt identifiziert damit direkt am Objekt das blockierte Füllrohr 12. Der Laserpointer kann aber auch aus anderen Richtungen das jeweilige Füllrohr 12 markieren und so die Verstopfung sichtbar machen. Auch andere Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtungen 18 sind denkbar, die Licht auf blockierte Füllkanäle 12 projizieren.In the in Fig. 1 to 3 illustrated embodiment, the light or beam dispenser 18 is designed as a laser pointer. It can also be provided more than one laser pointer. Preferably, however, only one laser pointer is provided which illuminates a blocked filling channel 12 from above. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the laser pointer is pivotable in several directions, or has a suitable structure for directing the light beam to the desired filling channel 12 from the large matrix of filling channels 12. The light spot generated by the laser pointer thus identifies the blocked filling tube 12 directly on the object. However, the laser pointer can also mark the respective filling tube 12 from other directions and thus make the blockage visible. Other light or beam dispensers 18 are conceivable that project light onto blocked filling channels 12.

Die in Fig. 4 dargestellte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes ist in wesentlichen Teilen identisch zur Ausführungsform der Fig. 1 bis 3. Allerdings weist die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 hier eine Mehrzahl von Leuchtmitteln 20 auf, von denen jedes einem Füllkanal 12 zugeordnet ist. Diese Leuchtmittel 20 sind somit stationär am Füllkanal 12 angeordnet. Vorzugsweise sind die Leuchtmittel 20 als LEDs ausgebildet. Die Leuchtmittel 20 können unmittelbar neben den Füllkanälen 12 angeordnet sein. Wenn die Füllkanäle 12 als Füllröhrchen ausgestaltet sind, können die Leuchtmittel auch in die Füllröhrchen integriert sein, wie aus der vergrößerten Ansicht in Fig. 4 hervorgeht.In the Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention for the monitored filling of tablets in wells of a film strip is identical in essential parts to the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 3 , However, the luminous or jet delivery device 18 here has a plurality of luminous means 20, each of which is assigned to a filling channel 12. These bulbs 20 are thus arranged stationary on the filling channel 12. Preferably, the bulbs 20 are formed as LEDs. The lighting means 20 can be arranged directly next to the filling channels 12. When the filling channels 12 as Füllröhrchen are configured, the bulbs can also be integrated into the filling tubes, as shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 4 evident.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zum überwachten Abfüllen von Tabletten in Näpfe eines Folienbandes läuft folgendermaßen ab. Zunächst wird das Folienband 4 in Transportrichtung A gefördert. In den Taktpausen des Transports des Folienbandes 4 werden mittels der Zuführeinheit 8 Tabletten 10 in die Näpfe 6 des Folienbandes 4 zugeführt. Anschließend wird jeder einzelne Napf 6 des Folienbandes 4 stromab der Zuführeinheit 8 mittels der Prüfeinrichtung 14 überprüft und gegebenenfalls wiederkehrende Fehlstellen 22 detektiert, die eine dauerhafte Blockierung eines bestimmten Füllkanals 12 anzeigen. Auf Basis der Ergebnisse der Prüfeinrichtung 14 wird die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 angesteuert, woraufhin sie den oder die blockierten Füllkanäle 12 optisch kennzeichnet.The inventive method for supervised filling of tablets in wells of a film strip proceeds as follows. First, the film strip 4 is conveyed in the transport direction A. In the intervals of the transport of the film strip 4 8 tablets 10 are fed into the wells 6 of the film strip 4 by means of the feed unit. Subsequently, each individual cup 6 of the film strip 4 is checked downstream of the feed unit 8 by means of the checking device 14 and, if necessary, recurring defects 22 are detected which indicate a permanent blockage of a specific filling channel 12. On the basis of the results of the test device 14, the lighting or jet dispensing device 18 is activated, whereupon it orients the blocked filling channels 12 optically.

Wenn die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 einen Laserpointer aufweist, wird dieser bei Vorliegen mehrerer blockierter Füllkanäle 12 die blockierten Füllkanäle 12 vorzugsweise nacheinander anzeigen, beispielsweise in einem wiederkehrenden Muster. Wenn die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 eine Mehrzahl von Leuchtmitteln 20 aufweist, von denen jedes einem Füllkanal 12 zugeordnet ist, werden bei Vorliegen mehrerer blockierter Füllkanäle die Leuchtmittel 20 der blockierten Füllkanäle 12 vorzugsweise gleichzeitig leuchten. Auch Blinkmuster oder andere Signalformen sind denkbar.If the light emitting device or jet dispenser 18 has a laser pointer, it will preferably display the blocked filling channels 12 in succession, for example in a recurring pattern, in the presence of a plurality of blocked filling channels 12. If the lighting or jet dispensing device 18 has a plurality of lighting means 20, each of which is assigned to a filling channel 12, the bulbs 20 of the blocked filling channels 12 will preferably illuminate simultaneously if a plurality of blocked filling channels are present. Flashing patterns or other signal forms are also conceivable.

Die Steuerungsvorrichtung 16 muss nicht als eigenständiges Element ausgebildet sein, sondern kann auch in die Prüfeinrichtung 14 oder die Leucht- oder Strahlabgabevorrichtung 18 integriert sein.The control device 16 does not have to be designed as an independent element, but may also be integrated into the test device 14 or the light or beam dispenser 18.

Claims (10)

  1. Device for monitored loading of tablets (10) into pockets (6) of a strip of film (4) for manufacture of blister packs with:
    a transport device (2) for conveying the film strip (4) in a transport direction (A);
    a feed unit (8) for feeding tablets (10) into the pockets (6) of the film strip (4), wherein the feeding unit (8) comprises a plurality of filling channels (12);
    an inspection equipment (14) downstream of the feed unit (8) for checking the filling of each individual pocket (6) of the film strip (4);
    a control device (16), which receives the results from the inspection equipment (14);
    characterised in that
    the device additionally has a light or beam emitting device (18), which is actuated by the control device (16) on the basis of the results from the inspection equipment (14) and is designed itself to identify blocked filling channels (12) directly in the region of the respective filling channel (12) whereby the light or beam emitting device (18) comprises at least one laser pointer, which illuminates a blocked filling channel (12), or comprises a plurality of light means (20), each of which is associated with a filling channel (12).
  2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the inspection equipment (14) comprises an optical camera system.
  3. Device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each filling channel (12) is configured as a filling tube.
  4. Device in accordance with claim 1, with respect to the laser pointer, characterised in that the at least one laser pointer is pivotable in several directions.
  5. Device in accordance with claim 1, with respect to the light means, characterised in that the light means (20) are in the form of LEDs.
  6. Device in accordance with claim 1, with respect to the light means, or in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that each filling channel (12) is configured as a filling tube, and that the light means (20) are integrated into the filling tubes.
  7. Method for monitored loading of tablets (10) into pockets (6) of a strip of film (4) for manufacture of blister packs, comprising the following steps:
    Conveying the film strip (4) in a transport direction (A);
    feeding the tablets (10) into the pockets (6) in the foil strip (4) by means of a feed unit (8), which comprises a plurality of filling channels (12);
    checking the filling of each individual pocket (6) of the film strip (4) downstream of the feeding unit (8) by means of an inspection equipment (14);
    characterised by
    actuating a light or beam emitting device (18) on the basis of the results from the inspection equipment (14) so that blocked filling channels (12) are themselves identified immediately in the area of the respective filling channel (12), wherein the light or beam delivery device (18) comprises at least one laser pointer, which illuminates a blocked filling channel (12), or a plurality of light means (20), each of which is associated with a filling channel (12).
  8. Method in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that the control device (16) detects regularly recurring fault locations (22) in the pockets (6) of the film strip (4) and assigns them to a specific filling channel (12).
  9. Method in accordance with claim 7, with respect to the laser pointer, characterised in that where there are several blocked filling channels (12) the laser pointer indicates the blocked filling channels (12) successively.
  10. Method in accordance with claim 7, with respect to the light means, characterised in that where there are several blocked filling channels (12) the light means (20) illuminates the blocked filling channels (12) simultaneously.
EP12187633.8A 2012-10-08 2012-10-08 Device and method for monitored filling of tablets into the cups of a film strip Not-in-force EP2716552B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12187633.8A EP2716552B1 (en) 2012-10-08 2012-10-08 Device and method for monitored filling of tablets into the cups of a film strip
US14/047,686 US20140096490A1 (en) 2012-10-08 2013-10-07 Device and Method for the Monitored Loading of Tablets into Pockets in a Web of Plastic Sheet

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12187633.8A EP2716552B1 (en) 2012-10-08 2012-10-08 Device and method for monitored filling of tablets into the cups of a film strip

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EP2716552B1 true EP2716552B1 (en) 2014-12-31

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