EP2791012B1 - Device and method for dispensing and packing solid substances - Google Patents
Device and method for dispensing and packing solid substances Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2791012B1 EP2791012B1 EP13759859.5A EP13759859A EP2791012B1 EP 2791012 B1 EP2791012 B1 EP 2791012B1 EP 13759859 A EP13759859 A EP 13759859A EP 2791012 B1 EP2791012 B1 EP 2791012B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- trays
- feeder
- holding device
- feeder units
- solid substances
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title claims description 93
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 title claims description 91
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims description 73
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 31
- 239000003826 tablet Substances 0.000 description 21
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 13
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 9
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000006187 pill Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002483 medication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/02—Supply magazines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B37/00—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged
- B65B37/02—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged by gravity flow
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
- B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
- B65B5/103—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
- B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
- B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
- B65B9/073—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web having intermittent motion
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device which accommodates a series of feeders for solid substances, in particular pills, tablets or capsules, in particular for medical use, and which are arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeders for packing.
- the invention further relates to a method for dosing and packing of said solid substances.
- the U.S. Patent 6,792,736 describes a medication filling apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the medication filling apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tablet cases for accommodating medications of respective types, a plurality of hoppers provided side by side below the respective tablet cases in a corresponding manner to receive the medication dispensed therefrom, and charging means for guiding the medications dispensed from a dispensing port formed at the bottommost portion of each hopper to a predetermined collection container and for charging said collection container.
- the apparatus comprises a series of collection containers arranged on a rotating plate for moving the containers with respect to the plurality tablet cases and hoppers.
- the U.S. Patent 5,481 855 describes a tablet packing device which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing.
- a plurality of feeder units is provided along the circumferential edge of a circular split ring unit. Five feeders are mounted one over another in each of the feeder units.
- the split ring unit comprises a pocket plate at its top and a shutter plate at its bottom.
- the pocket plate is formed with a plurality of holes all of which are wider at the top.
- a tablet which is discharged from one of the feeders will fall into a hole formed in the pocket plate. Since a shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles down after a while.
- the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop the table to a hopper which is arranged under the split ring unit.
- the tablet is the slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further there-through into a packing sheet. After the tablet has reached the inside of the packing sheet which is folded, it is sealed in one backing bag by use of heater rollers.
- the known device takes account of the settling time for each type of tablet, the time for a series of packing operations is determined by this settling time and cannot be reduced further.
- the invention provides a device which accommodates a series of feeder units for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing, said device comprising:
- each of said trays can collect the required solid substances from one or more of said feeder units, which need to be packed for one of the doses according to a prescription.
- a series of collection trays multiple doses of solid substances from one or more of said feeder units can be collected simultaneously, in stead of successively as in the device as described in US 5,481,855 . This provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
- the series of feeders are arranged on feeder positions which are arranged adjacently in a plane.
- the feeders on these feeder positions are arranged directly above the collection trays. Any amount of solid substances discharged by the feeders falls directly in one of the collection trays, substantially without delay.
- the trays in the device of the invention have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of a plurality of said through openings.
- multiple feeders of said series of feeders can discharge an amount of solid substances directly into one of the trays, in particular depending on the required recipe.
- said feeder units of said series each comprises a discharge opening, and wherein said discharge openings of said feeder units, when arranged at corresponding feeder positions, are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through openings.
- the discharge openings of the feeder units of said series is arranged at substantially the same distance above the receiving opening of the trays.
- the feeder units are arranged immediately above the receiving opening of the trays.
- the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances from the feeder units into the trays is essentially the same for all feeder units of the series of feeder units.
- the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances into the trays is substantially minimized, which provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
- the collection frame is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis extends substantially perpendicular to said plane.
- the longitudinal direction of said trays is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis.
- said trays extend from a position near the rotation axis to an edge of said holding device.
- Each one of the collection trays can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units arranged in a substantially circular area above said trays. When all feeder units are arranged in said circular area, the collection tray is able to collect one or more of said solid substances from any one or from any combination of said feeder units.
- a width of said trays increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis.
- the trays are wedge shaped, and a series of said trays covers a substantially circular area under the holding device
- the holding device is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of feeder units.
- the feeder units are arranged stationary in the device of the invention, and the collection trays are moved underneath these stationary feeder units.
- said trays comprise a bottom surface which is arranged to slope down to said output opening.
- said output opening is provided with a closing member which is movable into a first position for closing the output opening and into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray.
- the packing unit is arranged at a stationary position in the device of the invention, underneath the movable collection trays.
- the closing member of this particular tray is moved to the second position which allows the solid substances in this tray to move through the output opening into the packing unit.
- the receiving opening of a tray extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings.
- the holding device comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged directly above the packing unit for passing discharged solid substances form a feeder unit on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening, a corresponding receiving opening and output opening of a tray, directly into the packing unit.
- These special feeder positions are available for special feeder units for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the inner surface of a tray.
- the device comprises a supply member for supplying one or more feeder units to the device, and a manipulator system to transport at least one of said feeder units from the supply member onto one of said feeder positions on the holding device.
- a supply member for supplying one or more feeder units to the device
- a manipulator system to transport at least one of said feeder units from the supply member onto one of said feeder positions on the holding device.
- the device comprises a discharge member for removing one or more feeder units from the device, and wherein the manipulator system is arranged for transporting at least one of said feeder units from one of said feeder positions on the holding device towards the discharge member.
- the supply member and/or the discharge member comprises a conveyor, preferably a belt conveyor.
- the manipulator comprises a robotic arm.
- the robotic arm is arranged on said holding device.
- the robotic arm is arranged on said holding device at or near the rotation axis of the collection frame.
- the robotic arm is arranged centrally on the holding device and is preferably arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions on the holding device, preferably to reach one or more of the feeder units arranged on the supply member, and preferably to position one or more of the empty feeder units on the discharge member.
- the use of a robotic arm has the advantage that it also can be used for additional tasks, for example to shake a specific feeder unit when the solid substance comprised therein is stuck inside and cannot be discharged from said feeder unit.
- one or more of the collection trays is removable arranged on the collection frame.
- the removable collection trays can be removed from the collection frame for easy cleaning of these trays.
- one or more of the collection trays is provided with a supplementary sheet which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom wall of said one or more of the collection trays.
- said supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable. Due to the use of these supplementary sheets, the frequency of cleaning the trays is at least reduced.
- the supplementary sheets cover essentially the complete part of the bottom wall onto which the solid substances fall from the feeder units and onto which the solid substances move towards the output opening. In this case the trays essentially do not need to be cleaned, and only the supplementary sheets need to be replaced periodically.
- the invention relates to a method for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units from a series of feeder units for packing, in particular using a device or an embodiment as described above, said method comprises the steps of:
- said method comprises the step of providing a recipe to a controller of the device, which recipe comprises the amount and type of solid substance which needs to be packed, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units into a particular collection tray.
- said method comprises the step of providing a series of recipes to the controller, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units into a separate one of said collection trays.
- the prescribed amount of solid substance in the separate ones of said collection trays are individually packed in said packing unit.
- FIG. 1 An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention is schematically shown in figures 1 and 2 .
- the device 1 accommodates a series of feeder units 2, 21 arranged for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances, such as pills, tablets or capsules, in particular for medical use, from one or more feeder units 2, 21 for packing.
- Said device 1 comprises a holding device 3 provided with an array of feeder positions 31 (see figure 3 ) arranged adjacently in a plane P, a collection frame 4 arranged below the holding device 3 comprising a series of collection trays 41, 41' for capturing discharged solid substances from said feeder units 2, 21 and each collection tray 41 comprises an output opening 42, and a packing unit 5 arranged below the collection frame 4 for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening 42 of a tray 41 and packing said solid substances.
- the holding device 3 in this example comprises a table which defines the plane P as shown in figure 2 , which is provided with the array of feeder positions 31 as shown in figure 3 , arranged adjacently in said plane P.
- the holding device 3 is provided with a holder at each of said array of feeder positions 31 for holding one of said feeder units 2, 21.
- the holding device 3, and in particular the table is provided with through openings 32 for passing discharged solid substances there through.
- each feeder position 31 is provided with a corresponding through opening 32.
- Figure 1 is a schematic cross section along the line I-I of figure 3 .
- the feeder units 2, 21 of said series each comprises a discharge opening at a bottom side 22 of each one of said feeder units 2, 21. Said discharge openings of said feeder units 2, 21, when arranged at corresponding feeder positions 31, are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through openings 32.
- the bottom side 22 comprising the discharge openings of said feeder units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the plane P.
- the feeder units 2, 21 are arranged immediately above the plane P, in particular immediately above the through openings 32.
- the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances from the feeder units 2, 21 into the trays 41 is essentially the same for all feeder units 2, 21 of the series of feeder units.
- a collection frame 4 is arranged below the holding device 3.
- the collection frame 4 and the holding device 3 are movable with respect to each other.
- the holding device 3 is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of feeder units 2, 21.
- the feeder units 2, 21 are arranged stationary in the device 1, and the collection frame 4 is moved underneath these stationary feeder units 2, 21.
- the collection frame 4 is rotatable around a rotation axis R, wherein the rotation axis R extends substantially perpendicular to said plane P.
- the rotation of the collection frame 4 is driven by a motor 43.
- said motor 43 is a stepper motor or is stepwise driven around the rotation axis R. This stepwise driving is arranged to have at least one stop for each tray 41, 41' where the output opening 42 of said tray aligns with the packing unit 5.
- the collection frame 4 is provided with a series of collection trays 41, 41' which are arranged around the rotation axis R, as shown in figure 4 .
- Figure 1 is a schematic cross section along the line II-II of figure 4 .
- Said trays 41, 41' have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at least two of said through openings 32.
- Each one of said trays 41 comprises a receiving opening 44 at a side facing said holding device 3 for capturing said discharged solid substances.
- the bottom side 22 of the feeder units 2, 21, comprising the discharge openings of said feeder units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the same distance above the receiving opening 44 of the trays 41.
- the trays 41 are substantially open at the upper side thereof, which open upper side defines the receiving opening 44 of the tray. As shown in figures 1 and 2 , the open upper side extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at least two, and in particular over a length of a plurality of said through openings 32.
- the longitudinal direction of said trays 41 is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis R.
- the collection trays 41, 41' move underneath the holding device 3 and the series of feeder units 2, 21 arranged at the feeder positions 31 thereof.
- Each one of said collection trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular path above said collection trays 41, 41' as shown in figure 3 .
- said trays 41, 41' extend from a position near the rotation axis R to an edge 33 of said holding device 3.
- Each one of the collection trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular area T on said table of the holding device 3 as shown in figure 3 .
- Each one of the collection trays 41, 41' is able to collect one or more of the solid substances from substantially any one or from any combination of the feeder units 2, 21 which are arranged in said circular area T.
- the width of said trays 41, 41' increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis R.
- the trays are wedge shaped, and the series of said trays 41, 41' covers a substantially circular area under the holding device 3.
- the circular arrangement of collection trays 41, 41' comprises for example 20 collection trays 41.
- each one of said trays 41, 41' comprises a bottom surface 45 which is arranged to slope down to said output opening 42.
- Said output opening 42 is provided with a closing member 46 which is movable into a first position, as shown in figure 2 , for closing the output opening 42 and movable in the direction M into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray 41.
- each tray 41, 41' can collect solid substances from each feeder unit 2, 21 arranged above the path of the tray 41, and can hold these substances at the output opening 42 as long as the closing member 46 is in the first position.
- the collection trays 41, 41' are removable arranged on the collection frame 4.
- the removable collection trays 41" can be removed by substantially sliding them in a radial direction out of the collection frame 4, as schematically indicated in figures 3 and 4 .
- the collection trays 41, 41' can be provided each with a supplementary sheet (not shown) which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom wall 45.
- This supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable.
- the supplementary sheets cover essentially the complete part of the bottom wall 45 onto which the solid substances fall from the feeder units 2, 21 and onto which the solid substances move towards the output opening 42.
- the trays 41 essentially do not need to be cleaned and do not need to be removable, and only the supplementary sheets need to be replaced periodically.
- a packing unit 5 is arranged for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening 42 of a tray 41 and packing said solid substances.
- the packing unit 5 is arranged at a stationary position in the device 1, underneath the movable collection trays 41.
- the closing member 46 is moved to the second position which allows the solid substances in the tray 41 to move through the output opening 42 into the packing unit.
- the packing unit 5 comprises a supply of foil 51 which supplies a foil 52 to a folding unit 53 which folds the foil 51 into U-shaped foil 54 which is open at the top. This open top 55 is ready to receive the solid substances from a tray 41.
- the foil with the solid substances is moved in the direction D to a vertical seal unit 56, which provides a substantially vertical seal behind the deposited solid substances. Accordingly the solid substances from each one of said trays 41 is arranged in individual pockets of said U-shaped foil 54.
- the foil is moved in the direction D to a closing seal unit 57 which provides a seal at the upper side 55 of the U-shaped foil for enclosing the solid substances in individually closed pockets 59, as shown in figure 2 .
- the packing unit 5 is arranged on a movable carrier 60.
- the device 1 can also be provided with two or more packing units 5, 5' as indicated in figure 1 .
- the holding device 3 also comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged above a transfer area TA where the solid substances are transferred from the collection trays 41 to the packing unit 5.
- the special feeder positions are arranged directly above the packing unit 5 for passing discharged solid substances form a feeder unit 21 on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening, a corresponding receiving opening 44 and output opening 42 of a tray 41, directly into the packing unit 5.
- These special feeder positions are available for special feeder units 21 for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the inner surface of a tray 41. By arranging these special feeder units 21 at these special feeder positions, the drug released from the special feeder units 21 fall directly into the packing unit 5.
- the holding device 3 can also comprise one or more special feeder positions for feeder units 21', which are arranged above a further transfer area where the solid substances are transferred from the collection trays 41 to the further packing unit 5'.
- Special feeder units 21 which are not directly above the output opening 42 when at the packing unit 5, are provided with a channel or chute 34 which guides solid substances discharged from said feeder units 21 to an area directly above the output opening 42 when at the packing unit 5.
- the holding device 3 may comprise a supply unit 23 with a sorted medicine supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments from supply trays 231, 232, 233 into a collection tray 41.
- a supply unit 23 is preferably arranged at the circumferential edge 33 of the table 3.
- the device 1 comprises a supply member 71 for supplying one or more new and/or full feeder units 24 to the device 1, and a manipulator system 6 to transport at least one of said new and/or full feeder units 24 from the supply member 71 onto one of said feeder positions 31 on the holding device 3.
- the device 1 comprises a discharge member 72 for removing one or more feeder units 25, in particular empty feeder units, from the device 1.
- the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72 comprises a conveyor 7, preferably a belt conveyor, which can be used for both supplying and removing one or more feeder units
- the manipulator 6 comprises a robotic arm 61, 62, which is arranged on said holding device 3. As shown in figure 1 , the robotic arm 6 is arranged on said holding device 3 at or near the rotation axis R of the collection frame 4. By arranging the robotic arm 61, 62 centrally on the holding device 3, a gripper 63 for picking up one or more feeder units is arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions 31 on the holding device 3, to reach one or more of the new and/or full feeder units 24 arranged on the supply member 71, and to position one or more of the empty feeder units 25 on the discharge member 72.
- Each one of the feeder units 2, 21 can contain a large supply of identical pills, tablets or capsules; in short medicaments. Each one of these medicaments may have a specific weight and/or specific size and dimensions, which makes each one of the feeder units 2, 21 specific to hold and discharge a specific medicament.
- the specific feeder units 2, 21 are provided with an identification code which is readable by a sensor in the device. By reading the identification code, for example when a specific feeder unit 2, 21 is placed on the holding device 3 by the robotic arm 61, 62, the information of the location of the specific feeder unit 2, 21 and the medicaments it contains is provided to a control system 8 for the device, which control system 8 stores this information in a memory.
- the sensor is for example arranged in the gripper 63 of the robotic arm 61, 62.
- one or more of the feeder position 31 are provided with a sensor for acquiring the identification code.
- the control system 8 is coupled to the device 1, and in particular to the feeder units 2, 21, to the supply unit 23, to the motor 43, to the packing unit 5, to the manipulator 6 and/or to the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72 as schematically shown in figure 1 .
- the control system 8 provides control commands to the device 1 and, in particular to the feeder units 2, 21, to discharge a prescribed amount of medicament from one or more of said feeder units 2, 21, into a particular collection tray 41.
- the control system 8 selects the specific feeder unit 2, 21 in accordance with the prescribed type of medicament, by using the information stored in the memory.
- each of the feeder units 2, 21 and/or the holding device 3 is provided with a feedback sensor which reports the discharge of one or more pills, tablets or capsules from a specific one of said feeder units 2, 21 back to the control system 8.
- the control system 8 can thus determine whether or not the discharged medicaments into a specific collection tray 41 is in accordance with the prescribed amount.
- a part of the area of holding device 3 can be used for the storage of feeder units.
- the robotic arm 61, 62 with the gripper 63 is arranged for moving feeder units from the storage area on the holding device 3 to feeder positions 31 with through openings 32, and vice versa.
- the transfer area TA where the solid substances are transferred from the collection trays 41 to the packing unit 5, which on the one hand is used for arranging special feeder units 21 as described above, is on the other hand used for the storage of feeder units 2, 21.
- a recipe is provided to the control system 8 for the device 1, which recipe comprises the amount and type of medicaments which need to be packed.
- the control system translates the recipe into control commands which are send to the device 1 to discharge the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or more prescribed feeder units 2, 21 into a particular collection tray 41, in order to collect the required amount and type of medicament in said particular collection tray 41 which corresponds to the recipe.
- the prescribed amount and type of said medicament according to the recipe is moved towards the packing unit 5 and is individually packed in foil 52.
- control system 8 In stead of a single recipe, usually a series of recipes is provided to the control system 8. Again, the control system 8 translates the recipe into control commands which are send to the device 1 to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or more prescribed feeder units 2, 21 into a separate one of said collection trays 41, in order to collect an amount and type of medicament in each one of said collection trays 41 which corresponds to one recipe of said series of recipes.
- control commands are arranged for collecting the medicaments of subsequent recipes of said series of recipes in subsequent collection trays 41, which deliver the collected medicament subsequently to the packing unit 5.
- the packing unit 5 individually packs the medicaments from each collection tray 41, and thus provides a series of packed medicaments in accordance with the series of recipes, and preferably in the same order as the series of recipes. It is noted that the device 1 may also be provided with two packing units 5, 5' as schematically shown in figure 1 , or even more.
- the packing unit 5 is preferably provided with a printing unit for printing the recipe onto the foil, preferably at or near the pocket 59 which contains the medicaments according to the recipe.
- a printing unit is for example arranged in the folding unit 53 and obtains the required printing data from the control system 8.
- the packing unit 5 is provided with a substantially vertical foil unit in which the foil is substantially funnel shaped, which funnels are filled from the top and subsequently sealed.
- FIG. 5 shows an example of a packing system 100 according to the invention.
- the system 100 comprises device arranged inside a cage 108, which accommodates a series of feeder units 102 for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units 102 for packing.
- Said device comprises a holding device 103 provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane just as in the example as shown in figure 3 .
- the holding device 103 at each of said array of feeder positions is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units 102 and with a through opening for passing discharged solid substances there through.
- a collection frame and a packing unit are arranged which correspond substantially to the examples as explained above and shown in figures 1 , 2 and 4 .
- the collection frame and the packing unit are mounted inside the system, behind a panel 104.
- the system is furthermore provided with entry devices 170 which allow the introduction of new and/or filled feeder units 102 or the removal of empty feeder units 102.
- system 100 may comprise a supply unit 123 with a sorted medicine supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments from supply trays as shown in figures 2 and 3 , and described in more detail above.
- a part of the area of holding device 103 can be used for the storage of feeder units 102.
- the robotic arm 161, 162 with the gripper 163 is arranged for moving feeder units from the storage area on the holding device 103 to feeder positions with through openings, and vice versa.
- such storage may be provided against the inner wall of the cage 18 and/or may be provided in a storage column 109 which is arranged adjacent to the holding device 103.
- the storage feeder units 110 in the storage column 109 are accessible by the robotic arm, by turning the column 109 so that the required storage feeder unit 110 faces towards the robotic arm 106.
- the packing system 100 may be provided with one or more of such storage columns 109 along the periphery of the holding device 103. These one or more storage columns 109 are connected to and controlled by the control system of the packing system 100.
- the packing system 100 and in particular the collection frame and/or the packing unit can be provided with a vacuum device in order to prevent the accumulation of dust inside the trays and/or packing unit.
- control panel 111 is arranged in a wall part, above the holding device 103, or above the supply unit 123 as shown in figure 5 , in order to input data and/or control commands into the system.
Description
- The invention relates to a device which accommodates a series of feeders for solid substances, in particular pills, tablets or capsules, in particular for medical use, and which are arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeders for packing. The invention further relates to a method for dosing and packing of said solid substances.
- The
U.S. Patent 6,792,736 describes a medication filling apparatus according to the preamble ofclaim 1. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tablet cases for accommodating medications of respective types, a plurality of hoppers provided side by side below the respective tablet cases in a corresponding manner to receive the medication dispensed therefrom, and charging means for guiding the medications dispensed from a dispensing port formed at the bottommost portion of each hopper to a predetermined collection container and for charging said collection container. The apparatus comprises a series of collection containers arranged on a rotating plate for moving the containers with respect to the plurality tablet cases and hoppers. - The
U.S. Patent 5,481 855 describes a tablet packing device which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing. A plurality of feeder units is provided along the circumferential edge of a circular split ring unit. Five feeders are mounted one over another in each of the feeder units. The split ring unit comprises a pocket plate at its top and a shutter plate at its bottom. The pocket plate is formed with a plurality of holes all of which are wider at the top. A tablet which is discharged from one of the feeders will fall into a hole formed in the pocket plate. Since a shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles down after a while. Thereafter, the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop the table to a hopper which is arranged under the split ring unit. The tablet is the slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further there-through into a packing sheet. After the tablet has reached the inside of the packing sheet which is folded, it is sealed in one backing bag by use of heater rollers. - In the device as described in
US 5,481,855 , it is possible to save the time required to pack the tablets according to the tablet types by presetting the time required for each type of tablet to settle down from landing and discharging the tablet after lapse of the preset time. Moreover, less bouncy tablets can be accommodated in the higher feeders, while lower feeders accommodate tablets which have a longer stabilization time period and are used more frequently. - Although the known device takes account of the settling time for each type of tablet, the time for a series of packing operations is determined by this settling time and cannot be reduced further.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device and method which allow a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
- According to a first aspect, the invention provides a device which accommodates a series of feeder units for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing, said device comprising:
- a holding device provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane, wherein the holding device at each of said array of feeder positions is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units and with a through opening for passing discharged solid substances there through,
- a collection frame arranged below the holding device, wherein the collection frame and the holding device are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection frame is provided with a series of collection trays, said trays have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings, wherein said trays comprises a receiving opening at a side facing said holding device for capturing said discharged solid substances and each comprises an output opening, and
- a packing unit arranged below the collection frame for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening of a tray and packing said solid substances.
- By using collection trays which are movable with respect to the table, and thus with respect to the feeder units arranged on said array of feeder positions, each of said trays can collect the required solid substances from one or more of said feeder units, which need to be packed for one of the doses according to a prescription. By using a series of collection trays, multiple doses of solid substances from one or more of said feeder units can be collected simultaneously, in stead of successively as in the device as described in
US 5,481,855 . This provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations. - In the device as described in
US 5.481.855 where tablets from feeders first fall on a pocket plate with a shutter plate at its bottom and are released into a tray after the tables have settled down. In the device of the invention, the series of feeders are arranged on feeder positions which are arranged adjacently in a plane. Thus the feeders on these feeder positions are arranged directly above the collection trays. Any amount of solid substances discharged by the feeders falls directly in one of the collection trays, substantially without delay. - In addition, the trays in the device of the invention have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of a plurality of said through openings. Thus multiple feeders of said series of feeders can discharge an amount of solid substances directly into one of the trays, in particular depending on the required recipe.
- In an embodiment, said feeder units of said series each comprises a discharge opening, and wherein said discharge openings of said feeder units, when arranged at corresponding feeder positions, are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through openings.
- In an embodiment, the discharge openings of the feeder units of said series is arranged at substantially the same distance above the receiving opening of the trays. Preferably the feeder units are arranged immediately above the receiving opening of the trays. By arranging the feeder units, and in particular the discharge opening thereof, at the same distance above the receiving opening of the trays the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances from the feeder units into the trays is essentially the same for all feeder units of the series of feeder units. In addition, when arranging the feeder units immediately above the receiving opening the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances into the trays is substantially minimized, which provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
- In an embodiment, the collection frame is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis extends substantially perpendicular to said plane. In an embodiment, the longitudinal direction of said trays is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis. By rotating the collection frame, the collection trays move underneath the holding device and the series of feeder units arranged at the feeder positions thereof. Each one of the collection trays can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units arranged in a substantially circular path above said collection tray.
- In an embodiment, said trays extend from a position near the rotation axis to an edge of said holding device. Each one of the collection trays can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units arranged in a substantially circular area above said trays. When all feeder units are arranged in said circular area, the collection tray is able to collect one or more of said solid substances from any one or from any combination of said feeder units.
- In an embodiment, a width of said trays increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis. Preferably the trays are wedge shaped, and a series of said trays covers a substantially circular area under the holding device
- In an embodiment, the holding device is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of feeder units. In particular, the feeder units are arranged stationary in the device of the invention, and the collection trays are moved underneath these stationary feeder units.
- In an embodiment, said trays comprise a bottom surface which is arranged to slope down to said output opening. In an embodiment, said output opening is provided with a closing member which is movable into a first position for closing the output opening and into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray. When moving the trays with respect to the holding device, each tray can collect solid substances from each feeder unit arranged above the path of the tray, and can hold these substances as long as the closing member is in the first position.
- In an embodiment, the packing unit is arranged at a stationary position in the device of the invention, underneath the movable collection trays. When the output opening of one of the trays aligns with the stationary position of the packing unit, the closing member of this particular tray is moved to the second position which allows the solid substances in this tray to move through the output opening into the packing unit.
- In an embodiment, the receiving opening of a tray extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings.
- In an embodiment, the holding device comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged directly above the packing unit for passing discharged solid substances form a feeder unit on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening, a corresponding receiving opening and output opening of a tray, directly into the packing unit. These special feeder positions are available for special feeder units for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the inner surface of a tray. By arranging these special feeder units at these special feeder position, the drug released from the special feeder units fall directly into the packing unit, substantially without contacting the inside of a collection tray.
- In an embodiment, the device comprises a supply member for supplying one or more feeder units to the device, and a manipulator system to transport at least one of said feeder units from the supply member onto one of said feeder positions on the holding device. When one or more of the feeder units has discharged all its supply of solid substance and thus is substantially empty, these empty feeder units need to be replaced by corresponding full ones. Usually this exchanging of an empty feeder unit by a full one is time consuming and requires attendance of an operator. By providing the device of the invention with the supply member and the manipulator system, the exchanged of an empty feeder unit by a full one can be automated.
- In an embodiment, the device comprises a discharge member for removing one or more feeder units from the device, and wherein the manipulator system is arranged for transporting at least one of said feeder units from one of said feeder positions on the holding device towards the discharge member.
- In an embodiment, the supply member and/or the discharge member comprises a conveyor, preferably a belt conveyor.
- In an embodiment, the manipulator comprises a robotic arm. In an embodiment, the robotic arm is arranged on said holding device. In an embodiment, the robotic arm is arranged on said holding device at or near the rotation axis of the collection frame. The robotic arm is arranged centrally on the holding device and is preferably arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions on the holding device, preferably to reach one or more of the feeder units arranged on the supply member, and preferably to position one or more of the empty feeder units on the discharge member. The use of a robotic arm has the advantage that it also can be used for additional tasks, for example to shake a specific feeder unit when the solid substance comprised therein is stuck inside and cannot be discharged from said feeder unit.
- In an embodiment, one or more of the collection trays is removable arranged on the collection frame. The removable collection trays can be removed from the collection frame for easy cleaning of these trays.
- In an embodiment, one or more of the collection trays is provided with a supplementary sheet which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom wall of said one or more of the collection trays. In an embodiment, said supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable. Due to the use of these supplementary sheets, the frequency of cleaning the trays is at least reduced. Preferably the supplementary sheets cover essentially the complete part of the bottom wall onto which the solid substances fall from the feeder units and onto which the solid substances move towards the output opening. In this case the trays essentially do not need to be cleaned, and only the supplementary sheets need to be replaced periodically.
- According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units from a series of feeder units for packing, in particular using a device or an embodiment as described above, said method comprises the steps of:
- providing a holding device with the series of feeder units on an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane, wherein the holding device at each of said array of feeder positions is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units and with a through opening for passing discharged solid substances there through,
- discharging a prescribed amount of solid substance from one or more prescribed feeder units towards a collection frame arranged below the holding device, wherein the collection frame and the holding device are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection frame is provided with a series of collection trays, said trays have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings, wherein said trays comprises a receiving opening at a side facing said holding device for capturing said discharged solid substances in one of said trays, and each one of said trays comprises an output opening, and
- moving the captured solid substances from said one of said trays into a packing unit arranged below the collection frame, which packing unit collects the captured solid substances from the output opening of said one of said trays and packs said solid substances.
- In an embodiment, said method comprises the step of providing a recipe to a controller of the device, which recipe comprises the amount and type of solid substance which needs to be packed, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units into a particular collection tray.
- In an embodiment, said method comprises the step of providing a series of recipes to the controller, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units into a separate one of said collection trays.
- In an embodiment, the prescribed amount of solid substance in the separate ones of said collection trays are individually packed in said packing unit.
- The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of an embodiment of the invention, -
Figure 2 shows the right hand side of the schematic cross section offigure 1 in more detail, -
Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the holding device of the embodiment offigure 1 , -
Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of the collection frame of the embodiment offigure 1 , and -
Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a packing system comprising a device which accommodates a series of feeder units for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing. - An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention is schematically shown in
figures 1 and2 . Thedevice 1 accommodates a series offeeder units 2, 21 arranged for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances, such as pills, tablets or capsules, in particular for medical use, from one ormore feeder units 2, 21 for packing.Said device 1 comprises a holdingdevice 3 provided with an array of feeder positions 31 (seefigure 3 ) arranged adjacently in a plane P, a collection frame 4 arranged below the holdingdevice 3 comprising a series ofcollection trays 41, 41' for capturing discharged solid substances from saidfeeder units 2, 21 and eachcollection tray 41 comprises anoutput opening 42, and apacking unit 5 arranged below the collection frame 4 for collecting the captured solid substances from theoutput opening 42 of atray 41 and packing said solid substances. - The holding
device 3 in this example, comprises a table which defines the plane P as shown infigure 2 , which is provided with the array offeeder positions 31 as shown infigure 3 , arranged adjacently in said plane P. The holdingdevice 3 is provided with a holder at each of said array offeeder positions 31 for holding one of saidfeeder units 2, 21. In addition, the holdingdevice 3, and in particular the table, is provided with throughopenings 32 for passing discharged solid substances there through. As schematically indicated infigure 3 , eachfeeder position 31 is provided with a corresponding throughopening 32.Figure 1 is a schematic cross section along the line I-I offigure 3 . - The
feeder units 2, 21 of said series each comprises a discharge opening at abottom side 22 of each one of saidfeeder units 2, 21. Said discharge openings of saidfeeder units 2, 21, when arranged at corresponding feeder positions 31, are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said throughopenings 32. - As clearly shown in the partial cross section of
figure 2 , thebottom side 22 comprising the discharge openings of saidfeeder units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the plane P. Thefeeder units 2, 21 are arranged immediately above the plane P, in particular immediately above the throughopenings 32. By arranging thefeeder units 2, 21, and in particular the discharge opening thereof in a substantially horizontal plane P and in particular immediately above the throughopenings 32, the time required to transport an amount of said solid substances from thefeeder units 2, 21 into thetrays 41 is essentially the same for allfeeder units 2, 21 of the series of feeder units. - Below the holding
device 3, a collection frame 4 is arranged. The collection frame 4 and the holdingdevice 3 are movable with respect to each other. In this example, the holdingdevice 3 is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series offeeder units 2, 21. In particular, thefeeder units 2, 21 are arranged stationary in thedevice 1, and the collection frame 4 is moved underneath thesestationary feeder units 2, 21. The collection frame 4 is rotatable around a rotation axis R, wherein the rotation axis R extends substantially perpendicular to said plane P. The rotation of the collection frame 4 is driven by amotor 43. - In an embodiment said
motor 43 is a stepper motor or is stepwise driven around the rotation axis R. This stepwise driving is arranged to have at least one stop for eachtray 41, 41' where theoutput opening 42 of said tray aligns with thepacking unit 5. - The collection frame 4 is provided with a series of
collection trays 41, 41' which are arranged around the rotation axis R, as shown infigure 4 .Figure 1 is a schematic cross section along the line II-II offigure 4 . - Said
trays 41, 41' have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at least two of said throughopenings 32. Each one of saidtrays 41 comprises a receivingopening 44 at a side facing said holdingdevice 3 for capturing said discharged solid substances. Thebottom side 22 of thefeeder units 2, 21, comprising the discharge openings of saidfeeder units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the same distance above the receivingopening 44 of thetrays 41. - The
trays 41 are substantially open at the upper side thereof, which open upper side defines the receivingopening 44 of the tray. As shown infigures 1 and2 , the open upper side extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at least two, and in particular over a length of a plurality of said throughopenings 32. - The longitudinal direction of said
trays 41 is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis R. By rotating the collection frame 4, thecollection trays 41, 41' move underneath the holdingdevice 3 and the series offeeder units 2, 21 arranged at the feeder positions 31 thereof. Each one of saidcollection trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one ormore feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular path above saidcollection trays 41, 41' as shown infigure 3 . - As shown in
figures 1 ,2 and4 , saidtrays 41, 41' extend from a position near the rotation axis R to anedge 33 of said holdingdevice 3. Each one of thecollection trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one ormore feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular area T on said table of the holdingdevice 3 as shown infigure 3 . Each one of thecollection trays 41, 41' is able to collect one or more of the solid substances from substantially any one or from any combination of thefeeder units 2, 21 which are arranged in said circular area T. - As schematically indicated in
figure 4 , the width of saidtrays 41, 41' increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis R. Preferably the trays are wedge shaped, and the series of saidtrays 41, 41' covers a substantially circular area under the holdingdevice 3. The circular arrangement ofcollection trays 41, 41' comprises for example 20collection trays 41. - As shown in
figures 1 and2 , each one of saidtrays 41, 41' comprises abottom surface 45 which is arranged to slope down to saidoutput opening 42. Saidoutput opening 42 is provided with a closingmember 46 which is movable into a first position, as shown infigure 2 , for closing theoutput opening 42 and movable in the direction M into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of thetray 41. When moving thetrays 41, 41' with respect to theholding device 3, eachtray 41, 41' can collect solid substances from eachfeeder unit 2, 21 arranged above the path of thetray 41, and can hold these substances at theoutput opening 42 as long as the closingmember 46 is in the first position. - Preferably the
collection trays 41, 41' are removable arranged on the collection frame 4. Theremovable collection trays 41" can be removed by substantially sliding them in a radial direction out of the collection frame 4, as schematically indicated infigures 3 and4 . - Alternatively or in addition, the
collection trays 41, 41' can be provided each with a supplementary sheet (not shown) which is arranged on at least a part of abottom wall 45. This supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable. Preferably the supplementary sheets cover essentially the complete part of thebottom wall 45 onto which the solid substances fall from thefeeder units 2, 21 and onto which the solid substances move towards theoutput opening 42. In this case thetrays 41 essentially do not need to be cleaned and do not need to be removable, and only the supplementary sheets need to be replaced periodically. - Below the collection frame 4, a
packing unit 5 is arranged for collecting the captured solid substances from theoutput opening 42 of atray 41 and packing said solid substances. - The
packing unit 5 is arranged at a stationary position in thedevice 1, underneath themovable collection trays 41. When theoutput opening 42 of thetray 41 aligns with the stationary position of thepacking unit 5, the closingmember 46 is moved to the second position which allows the solid substances in thetray 41 to move through theoutput opening 42 into the packing unit. - The
packing unit 5 comprises a supply offoil 51 which supplies afoil 52 to afolding unit 53 which folds thefoil 51 intoU-shaped foil 54 which is open at the top. This open top 55 is ready to receive the solid substances from atray 41. When the solid substances are deposited from thetray 41 into theU-shaped foil 54, the foil with the solid substances is moved in the direction D to avertical seal unit 56, which provides a substantially vertical seal behind the deposited solid substances. Accordingly the solid substances from each one of saidtrays 41 is arranged in individual pockets of saidU-shaped foil 54. Subsequently, the foil is moved in the direction D to aclosing seal unit 57 which provides a seal at theupper side 55 of the U-shaped foil for enclosing the solid substances in individually closedpockets 59, as shown infigure 2 . As shown infigures 1 and2 , thepacking unit 5 is arranged on amovable carrier 60. - In a further embodiment, the
device 1 can also be provided with two ormore packing units figure 1 . - The holding
device 3 also comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged above a transfer area TA where the solid substances are transferred from thecollection trays 41 to thepacking unit 5. Preferably the special feeder positions are arranged directly above thepacking unit 5 for passing discharged solid substances form afeeder unit 21 on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening, a corresponding receivingopening 44 andoutput opening 42 of atray 41, directly into thepacking unit 5. These special feeder positions are available forspecial feeder units 21 for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the inner surface of atray 41. By arranging thesespecial feeder units 21 at these special feeder positions, the drug released from thespecial feeder units 21 fall directly into thepacking unit 5. When using afurther packing unit 5', the holdingdevice 3 can also comprise one or more special feeder positions forfeeder units 21', which are arranged above a further transfer area where the solid substances are transferred from thecollection trays 41 to thefurther packing unit 5'. -
Special feeder units 21 which are not directly above theoutput opening 42 when at thepacking unit 5, are provided with a channel orchute 34 which guides solid substances discharged from saidfeeder units 21 to an area directly above theoutput opening 42 when at thepacking unit 5. - In addition the holding
device 3 may comprise asupply unit 23 with a sorted medicine supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments fromsupply trays collection tray 41. As shown infigures 2 and3 , such asupply unit 23 is preferably arranged at thecircumferential edge 33 of the table 3. - When one or more of the
feeder units 2, 21 has discharged substantially all its supply of solid substance and thus is substantially empty, theseempty feeder units 2, 21 need to be replaced by corresponding full ones. In order to exchange an empty feeder unit by a full one, thedevice 1 comprises asupply member 71 for supplying one or more new and/orfull feeder units 24 to thedevice 1, and a manipulator system 6 to transport at least one of said new and/orfull feeder units 24 from thesupply member 71 onto one of said feeder positions 31 on the holdingdevice 3. In addition, thedevice 1 comprises adischarge member 72 for removing one ormore feeder units 25, in particular empty feeder units, from thedevice 1. As schematically indicated in the figures, thesupply member 71 and thedischarge member 72 comprises a conveyor 7, preferably a belt conveyor, which can be used for both supplying and removing one or more feeder units - The manipulator 6 comprises a
robotic arm device 3. As shown infigure 1 , the robotic arm 6 is arranged on said holdingdevice 3 at or near the rotation axis R of the collection frame 4. By arranging therobotic arm device 3, agripper 63 for picking up one or more feeder units is arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions 31 on the holdingdevice 3, to reach one or more of the new and/orfull feeder units 24 arranged on thesupply member 71, and to position one or more of theempty feeder units 25 on thedischarge member 72. - Each one of the
feeder units 2, 21 can contain a large supply of identical pills, tablets or capsules; in short medicaments. Each one of these medicaments may have a specific weight and/or specific size and dimensions, which makes each one of thefeeder units 2, 21 specific to hold and discharge a specific medicament. Thespecific feeder units 2, 21 are provided with an identification code which is readable by a sensor in the device. By reading the identification code, for example when aspecific feeder unit 2, 21 is placed on the holdingdevice 3 by therobotic arm specific feeder unit 2, 21 and the medicaments it contains is provided to acontrol system 8 for the device, whichcontrol system 8 stores this information in a memory. - The sensor is for example arranged in the
gripper 63 of therobotic arm feeder position 31 are provided with a sensor for acquiring the identification code. - The
control system 8 is coupled to thedevice 1, and in particular to thefeeder units 2, 21, to thesupply unit 23, to themotor 43, to thepacking unit 5, to the manipulator 6 and/or to thesupply member 71 and thedischarge member 72 as schematically shown infigure 1 . Thecontrol system 8 provides control commands to thedevice 1 and, in particular to thefeeder units 2, 21, to discharge a prescribed amount of medicament from one or more of saidfeeder units 2, 21, into aparticular collection tray 41. Thecontrol system 8 selects thespecific feeder unit 2, 21 in accordance with the prescribed type of medicament, by using the information stored in the memory. - Furthermore, each of the
feeder units 2, 21 and/or the holdingdevice 3 is provided with a feedback sensor which reports the discharge of one or more pills, tablets or capsules from a specific one of saidfeeder units 2, 21 back to thecontrol system 8. Thecontrol system 8 can thus determine whether or not the discharged medicaments into aspecific collection tray 41 is in accordance with the prescribed amount. - In an embodiment, a part of the area of holding
device 3 can be used for the storage of feeder units. Therobotic arm gripper 63 is arranged for moving feeder units from the storage area on the holdingdevice 3 tofeeder positions 31 with throughopenings 32, and vice versa. In particular, the transfer area TA where the solid substances are transferred from thecollection trays 41 to thepacking unit 5, which on the one hand is used for arrangingspecial feeder units 21 as described above, is on the other hand used for the storage offeeder units 2, 21. - When the
device 1 is in use, a recipe is provided to thecontrol system 8 for thedevice 1, which recipe comprises the amount and type of medicaments which need to be packed. The control system translates the recipe into control commands which are send to thedevice 1 to discharge the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or moreprescribed feeder units 2, 21 into aparticular collection tray 41, in order to collect the required amount and type of medicament in saidparticular collection tray 41 which corresponds to the recipe. The prescribed amount and type of said medicament according to the recipe is moved towards the packingunit 5 and is individually packed infoil 52. - In stead of a single recipe, usually a series of recipes is provided to the
control system 8. Again, thecontrol system 8 translates the recipe into control commands which are send to thedevice 1 to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or moreprescribed feeder units 2, 21 into a separate one of saidcollection trays 41, in order to collect an amount and type of medicament in each one of saidcollection trays 41 which corresponds to one recipe of said series of recipes. In addition the control commands are arranged for collecting the medicaments of subsequent recipes of said series of recipes insubsequent collection trays 41, which deliver the collected medicament subsequently to thepacking unit 5. Thepacking unit 5 individually packs the medicaments from eachcollection tray 41, and thus provides a series of packed medicaments in accordance with the series of recipes, and preferably in the same order as the series of recipes. It is noted that thedevice 1 may also be provided with twopacking units figure 1 , or even more. - The
packing unit 5 is preferably provided with a printing unit for printing the recipe onto the foil, preferably at or near thepocket 59 which contains the medicaments according to the recipe. Such a printing unit is for example arranged in thefolding unit 53 and obtains the required printing data from thecontrol system 8. - In an alternative embodiment, the
packing unit 5 is provided with a substantially vertical foil unit in which the foil is substantially funnel shaped, which funnels are filled from the top and subsequently sealed. -
Figure 5 shows an example of apacking system 100 according to the invention. Thesystem 100 comprises device arranged inside acage 108, which accommodates a series offeeder units 102 for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one ormore feeder units 102 for packing. Said device comprises a holdingdevice 103 provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane just as in the example as shown infigure 3 . The holdingdevice 103 at each of said array of feeder positions is provided with a holder for one of saidfeeder units 102 and with a through opening for passing discharged solid substances there through. Underneath said holdingdevice 103, a collection frame and a packing unit are arranged which correspond substantially to the examples as explained above and shown infigures 1 ,2 and4 . In the system the collection frame and the packing unit are mounted inside the system, behind apanel 104. - The system is furthermore provided with
entry devices 170 which allow the introduction of new and/or filledfeeder units 102 or the removal ofempty feeder units 102. - In addition the
system 100 may comprise asupply unit 123 with a sorted medicine supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments from supply trays as shown infigures 2 and3 , and described in more detail above. - As described above, a part of the area of holding
device 103 can be used for the storage offeeder units 102. Therobotic arm gripper 163 is arranged for moving feeder units from the storage area on theholding device 103 to feeder positions with through openings, and vice versa. When even more storage of feeder units is required, such storage may be provided against the inner wall of the cage 18 and/or may be provided in astorage column 109 which is arranged adjacent to theholding device 103. Also thestorage feeder units 110 in thestorage column 109 are accessible by the robotic arm, by turning thecolumn 109 so that the requiredstorage feeder unit 110 faces towards therobotic arm 106. - The
packing system 100 may be provided with one or more ofsuch storage columns 109 along the periphery of the holdingdevice 103. These one ormore storage columns 109 are connected to and controlled by the control system of thepacking system 100. - The
packing system 100, and in particular the collection frame and/or the packing unit can be provided with a vacuum device in order to prevent the accumulation of dust inside the trays and/or packing unit. - In addition a
control panel 111 is arranged in a wall part, above the holdingdevice 103, or above thesupply unit 123 as shown infigure 5 , in order to input data and/or control commands into the system. - It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.
- For example an alternative, small or simple model of the packing system of
figure 5 , the robotic arm and/or the storage against the inner wall of the cage 18 and/or a storage column is omitted.
Claims (15)
- A device (1) which accommodates a series of feeder units (2, 21) for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units (2, 21) for packing, said device (1) comprising:a holding device (3) provided with an array of feeder positions (31) arranged adjacently in a plane (P), wherein the holding device (3) at each of said array of feeder positions (31) is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units (2, 21) and with a through opening (32) for passing discharged solid substances there through,a collection frame (4) arranged below the holding device(3), wherein the collection frame (4) and the holding device (3) are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection frame (4) is provided with a series of collection trays (41, 41'), characterized in thatsaid trays (41, 41') have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings (32), wherein said trays (41, 41') comprises a receiving opening (44) at a side facing said holding device (3) for capturing said discharged solid substances and each comprises an output opening (42), andwherein said device (1) comprises a packing unit (5) arranged below the collection frame (4) for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening (42) of a tray (41, 41') and packing said solid substances.
- Device according to claim 1, wherein the collection frame (4) is rotatable around a rotation axis (R), wherein the rotation axis (R) extends substantially perpendicular to said plane (P).
- Device according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of said trays (41, 41') is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis (R), and/or wherein said trays (41, 41') extend from a position near the rotation axis (R) to an edge of said holding device (3), and/or wherein a width of said trays (41, 41') increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis (R).
- Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said trays (41, 41') comprise a bottom surface (45) which is arranged to slope down to said output opening (42), preferably wherein said output opening (42) is provided with a closing member (46) which is movable into a first position for closing the output opening (42) and into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray (41, 41').
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the holding device (3) is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of feeder units (2, 21).
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 5, wherein said feeder units (2, 21) of said series each comprises a discharge opening (22), and wherein said discharge openings (22) of said feeder units (2, 21), when arranged at corresponding feeder positions (31), are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through openings (32), preferably wherein the discharge openings (22) of said feeder units (2, 21) is arranged at substantially the same distance above the receiving opening (44) of the trays (41, 41').
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 6, wherein the receiving opening (44) of a tray (41, 41') extends substantially parallel to said plane (P) and over a length of at least two of said through openings (32).
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 7, wherein the holding device (3) comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged directly above the packing unit (5) for passing discharged solid substances from a feeder unit (21) on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening (32), a corresponding receiving opening (44) and output opening (42) of a tray (41, 41'), directly into the packing unit (5).
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 8, further comprising a supply member (71) for supplying one or more feeder units (2, 21) to the device (1), and a manipulator system (6) to transport at least one of said feeder units (2, 21) from the supply member (71) onto one of said feeder positions (31) on the holding device (3), preferably wherein the device (3) comprises a discharge member (72) for removing one or more feeder units (2, 21) from the device (1), and wherein the manipulator system (6) is arranged for transporting at least one of said feeder units (2, 21) from one of said feeder positions (31) on the holding device (3) towards the discharge member (72), preferably wherein the supply member (71) and/or the discharge member (72) comprises a conveyor (7), preferably a belt conveyor.
- Device according to claim 9, wherein the manipulator (6) comprises a robotic arm (61, 62), preferably wherein the robotic arm (61, 62) is arranged on said holding device (3).
- Device according to claim 10, when depending on claim 2, wherein the robotic arm (61, 62) is arranged on said holding device (3) at or near the rotation axis (R) of the collection frame (4).
- Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 11, wherein one or more of the collection trays (41, 41') is provided with a supplementary sheet which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom wall (45) of said one or more of the collection trays (41, 41'), preferably wherein said supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable.
- Method for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units (2, 21) from a series of feeder units for packing, in particular using a device (1) according to any one of the claims 1-12, said method comprises the steps of:providing a holding device (3) with the series of feeder units (2, 21) on an array of feeder positions (31) arranged adjacently in a plane (P), wherein the holding device (3) at each of said array of feeder positions (31) is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units (2, 21) and with a through opening (32) for passing discharged solid substances there through,discharging a prescribed amount of solid substance from one or more prescribed feeder units (2, 21) towards a collection frame (4) arranged below the holding device (3), wherein the collection frame (4) and the holding device (3) are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection frame (4) is provided with a series of collection trays (41, 41'), said trays (41, 41') have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane (P) and over a length of at least two of said through openings (32), wherein said trays (41, 41') comprises a receiving opening (44) at a side facing said holding device (3) for capturing said discharged solid substances in one of said trays (41, 41'), and each one of said trays (41, 41') comprises an output opening (42), andmoving the captured solid substances from said one of said trays (41, 41') into a packing unit (5) arranged below the collection frame (4), which packing unit (5) collects the captured solid substances from the output opening (42) of said one of said trays (41, 41') and packs said solid substances.
- Method according to claim 13, wherein said method comprises the step of providing a recipe to a controller (8) of the device (1), which recipe comprises the amount and type of solid substance which need to be packed, wherein the controller (8) controls the device (1) to discharge the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units (2, 21) into a particular collection tray (41, 41').
- Method according to claim 14, said method comprises the step of providing a series of recipes to the controller (8), wherein the controller (8) controls the device (1) to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units (2, 21) into an separate one of said collection trays (41, 41'), preferably wherein the prescribed amount of solid substance in the separate ones of said collection trays (41, 41') are individually packed in said packing unit (5).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2009865A NL2009865C2 (en) | 2012-11-22 | 2012-11-22 | Device for dispensing and packing solid substances. |
PCT/NL2013/050605 WO2014081286A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 | 2013-08-19 | Device and method for dispensing and packing solid substances |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2791012A1 EP2791012A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 |
EP2791012B1 true EP2791012B1 (en) | 2016-04-13 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13759859.5A Active EP2791012B1 (en) | 2012-11-22 | 2013-08-19 | Device and method for dispensing and packing solid substances |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140366489A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2791012B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6027691B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101682959B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104039655B (en) |
DK (1) | DK2791012T3 (en) |
NL (1) | NL2009865C2 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2791012T3 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI574887B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014081286A1 (en) |
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WO2021228603A1 (en) | 2020-05-12 | 2021-11-18 | Vmi Holland B.V. | Docking station and method for loading a medicine transport plate |
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2012
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-
2013
- 2013-08-19 EP EP13759859.5A patent/EP2791012B1/en active Active
- 2013-08-19 KR KR1020147017253A patent/KR101682959B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-08-19 DK DK13759859.5T patent/DK2791012T3/en active
- 2013-08-19 PL PL13759859.5T patent/PL2791012T3/en unknown
- 2013-08-19 US US14/378,708 patent/US20140366489A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-08-19 WO PCT/NL2013/050605 patent/WO2014081286A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-08-19 CN CN201380004682.7A patent/CN104039655B/en active Active
- 2013-08-19 JP JP2015544025A patent/JP6027691B2/en active Active
- 2013-08-27 TW TW102130547A patent/TWI574887B/en active
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2021228603A1 (en) | 2020-05-12 | 2021-11-18 | Vmi Holland B.V. | Docking station and method for loading a medicine transport plate |
NL2025568B1 (en) | 2020-05-12 | 2021-11-25 | Vmi Holland Bv | Docking station and method for loading a medicine transport plate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2016504241A (en) | 2016-02-12 |
WO2014081286A1 (en) | 2014-05-30 |
NL2009865C2 (en) | 2014-05-27 |
EP2791012A1 (en) | 2014-10-22 |
CN104039655A (en) | 2014-09-10 |
TWI574887B (en) | 2017-03-21 |
CN104039655B (en) | 2015-08-26 |
TW201420430A (en) | 2014-06-01 |
JP6027691B2 (en) | 2016-11-16 |
KR101682959B1 (en) | 2016-12-06 |
PL2791012T3 (en) | 2016-10-31 |
DK2791012T3 (en) | 2016-07-25 |
US20140366489A1 (en) | 2014-12-18 |
KR20140122707A (en) | 2014-10-20 |
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