EP3018058B1 - Filling device for blister sheets - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling device for filling Blisteräpfen in blister webs with products, especially dragees and tablets, and a filling station with such a filling device.

Blister sheets are often used in the pharmaceutical industry in the packaging of medicines. Here, a plurality of blister cups is first formed in a film material web, whereby the blister sheet is formed. In the wells of the blister sheet products, such as dragees or tablets are introduced. Subsequently, the blister sheet is sealed with the filled Blesternäpfen with a cover sheet and fed to a punching station in which the respective blister packs are punched out of the sealed blister sheet. A device for the filling of blister cups is for example from the document EP 1 600 380 A1 known.

In general, the filling of the blister pots takes place in a known filling device via a filling shaft unit with a plurality of vertical filling shafts, which are positioned over the blister cups. The products occasionally enter the hopper from a collection container and fall vertically downwards into the blister pots below. In particular, in flat tablet forms, it happens, however, that the tablets in the blister cups do not come to rest as desired, but remain in a more or less upright position. The problem is that the tablets protruding from the blister cups would cause problems in sealing the blister sheet. Therefore, in such cases, usually fuse systems triggered, which in turn can lead to a complete machine stop. In this respect, the upright tablets in the blister cups must be transferred as quickly and reliably in the flat orientation.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved filling device for filling Blesternäpfen, in which it can be ensured that the introduced into the blister bowls products are in the desired orientation.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a filling device for filling blister cups with products, in particular dragees or tablets, is proposed with a filling shaft unit which has a plurality of filling shafts which extend in a substantially vertical direction and have lower filling shaft ends. In the region of the lower hopper end, outflow elements are fastened to the hopper unit, which are mounted such that they are pivotably or pivotally elastic such that at least one lower end of each outflow element is movable in at least one direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction.

The advantage of this embodiment is that can be done by the arrangement of the outlet elements in the region of the lower Füllschachtenden the process of flipping the products immediately after the introduction of the products in the blister pots. A separate transfer station can hereby be omitted and the filling process is shortened.

Preferably, each of the outlet elements is dimensionally stable. As a result, each outlet element can be set as a whole in pivotal movement, whereby a controlled and reliable transfer of the products is possible. Due to the dimensional stability of the outlet elements can each use their own weight optimally and apply the desired Umlegekraft due to the pivoting force on the products.

In a further embodiment, each outlet element is pivotable about an axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. This arrangement allows a pendulum-like pivoting movement of the outlet element, in which a maximum to be transmitted to the product Umlegeimpuls at the apex of the pendulum motion can be achieved. In addition, the pivotability about a rotation axis perpendicular to the vertical promotes a controlled guided pivotal movement of the outlet elements.

In an alternative embodiment, each outlet element is formed of an elastic material.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the filling shaft unit is movable perpendicular to the vertical direction, wherein a movement of the filling shaft unit perpendicular to the vertical direction causes a pivoting movement of the outlet elements. Advantageously, by the movement of the hopper unit all outlet elements in pivotal movement be offset. Special drives for the outlet elements are not required. In order to be able to set the outlet elements controlled in motion, preferably a first movement means is provided for reciprocating the filling device in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

In addition, the hopper unit is also movable in the vertical direction in an advantageous manner. Thus, the hopper unit can be brought into a basic position in which it is so far away from the to be filled blister cups up that already inserted products are not damaged. To insert the products into the blister pots, the hopper unit can be lowered to a very short distance to the blister cups to be filled.

It is further preferred that each outlet element has a strip shape. Due to the strip shape of the outlet element, the radius of the deflection or pendulum movement is increased, so that an improved Umlegewirkung is achieved.

Preferably, each hopper has an inner surface portion and each spout member has an outer surface portion, wherein each spout member inclines between a first position in which the outer surface portion of the spout member extends in the vertical direction and second positions in which the outer surface portion of the spout member is inclined relative to the inner surface portion of the hopper is, is movable.

It is particularly advantageous if the inner surface portion of the feed chute and the outer surface portion of the discharge element in the vertical direction adjacent to each other and aligned, so that the products undergo a continuous guide without interruption up to the Blisteräpfen.

Depending on the elasticity of the material, the outlet element in the second positions is straight or curved.

A filling station for filling and transporting blister webs comprises a filling device according to the invention and a conveying device for conveying the blister web in a conveying direction. The conveying direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the outlet elements are movable both perpendicular to the conveying direction and perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Abschnitts einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Füllvorrichtung, die über einer Blisterbahn angeordnet ist;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Abschnitts einer zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Füllvorrichtung, die über einer Blisterbahn angeordnet ist; und

Fig. 3 bis 6

zeigen jeweils einen Abschnitt der Füllvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in verschiedenen Phasen eines Zyklus zum Einlegen und Umlegen von Produkten.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1

shows a perspective view of a portion of a first embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, which is arranged over a blister sheet;

Fig. 2

shows a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, which is arranged over a blister sheet; and

Fig. 3 to 6

each show a portion of the filling device Fig. 1 in different phases of a cycle for loading and unloading products.

Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view of a section of a filling station 1 with a filling device 2 and a conveyor device 5 for a blister 3. Each blister sheet 3 comprises a plurality of blister pens 4, in each of which a product 6, for example a tablet or a dragee, is to be introduced. In the blister sheet 3, the blister pens 4 are usually arranged in rows and columns.

The conveying device 5 for the blister web 3 preferably conveys the blister web 3 clocked in a conveying direction F. Details of the design of the conveying device 5 are known to the person skilled in the art.

The filling device 2 comprises a filling shaft unit 8 with a plurality of generally vertical, parallel to each other Füllschächten 12, which are formed as enclosed on four sides channels in the hopper unit 8. In the illustrations, the filling shaft unit 8 is shown broken up for better understanding.

The filling ducts 12 are arranged at regular intervals in a row running perpendicular to the conveying direction F in the direction S. Usually, moreover, a plurality of such rows of filling shafts 12 in the conveying direction F one behind the other in the Hopper unit 8 arranged. The products 6 fall sporadically from top to bottom through the hopper 12 in each underlying blister pots 4. The hopper can also clocked movable gate valves have to ensure the separation in the hopper.

The hopper 12 may be funnel-shaped in the upper portion 11, while they have a constant cross-section in the lower portion 13. A product 6 first enters the funnel-shaped upper portion 11 and is placed over the lower portion 13 in the blister bowl 4.

As Fig. 1 Furthermore, in the areas below and laterally of the filling shafts 12 outlet elements 18, which are formed strip-shaped, arranged pivotably. The outlet elements 18 are arranged such that the outlet elements 18 are located laterally next to the fall path of the products 6. Here, the width of the outlet elements 18 in the vertical direction S corresponds approximately to the distance between two filling shafts 12, and the thickness of the outlet elements 18 corresponds approximately to the depth of the hopper 12 in the conveying direction F. The vertically extending lateral outer surface portions 20 of the outlet elements 18 adjacent to the perpendicular side inner surface portions 22 of the hopper 12 and aligned with these. Each outlet element 18 is pivotally mounted on the filling shaft unit 8 about a rotation axis 24 that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction V and in the conveying direction F.

In Fig. 1 three products 6 are shown after being deposited in the associated blister cup 4 in an undesired upright position. These erected products 6, specifically tablets, it is applying the Auslaufelemente 18 in the flat position to move, as described in more detail below.

The outlet elements 18 are in Fig. 1 designed as plate-shaped or strip-shaped elements and are dimensionally stable. As can further be seen, the outlet elements 18 each extend vertically downwards almost to the top 26 of the blister web third

The plurality of outlet elements 18 are pivotally received in a plurality of recesses 19, which are formed in the filling shaft unit 8. On the upper side, the outlet elements 18 are formed convex, while the downwardly facing sides of the recesses 19 are formed correspondingly concave.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of a hopper unit 8 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 1 and 2 are - with the exception of the outlet elements 18 - identical, with like reference numerals designate like parts, so that dispenses with a re-description of the identical parts. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the outlet elements 18 are formed in the form of schwenkelastischen elements. The outlet elements 18 may be formed directly on the lower side of the filling shaft unit 8, be fixed by a spring-elastic or fixed in a cutout on the underside. The term "schwenkelastisch" is understood to mean that the outlet element 18 is wholly or partly formed from an elastic material, wherein an elastically recoverable pivotal movement of the outlet element 18 or at least a portion of the outlet element 18 is possible at least in one direction. As a rule, the outlet element 18 is elastically bent when it encounters a product 6.

The various phases of a product filling and transfer cycle 6 are for the embodiment Fig. 1 in the Fig. 3 to 6 shown. The hopper 12 are shown open, but in contrast to Fig. 1 not in perspective view, but shown in a front view. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the process is almost identical.

Fig. 3 shows a first phase in which the filling shaft unit 8 is spaced from the product to be filled with 6 blister sheet 3 in the upward direction. In this first position, the filling shafts 12 and the outlet elements 18 extend in the vertical direction V. The inner surface portions 22 of the hopper 12 are aligned with the outer surface portions 20 of the outlet elements 18. The blister cups 4 are disposed below the associated Füllschächten 12.

Fig. 4 shows a second phase in which the filling shaft unit 8 from the in Fig. 3 shown spaced position has been moved to a small distance A to the blister sheet 3.

This movement was effected by means of a moving device 32, which in Fig. 1 and 2 is shown schematically and is provided for moving the hopper unit 8 in the vertical direction V. The movement device 32 preferably comprises a motor drive and can be designed in various ways. Through each hopper 12 each product 6 was introduced into a respective blister cup 4. Still, the hopper 12 and spout 18 extend in the vertical direction V. As will be seen, for purposes of illustration, all products 6 in the respective blister cups 4 are in an upright position. Normally, in practice, this will not occur in this accumulation, but most products 6 will lie flat in the blister cups 4. Upstanding products 6 constitute the problematic exceptional cases to be solved by the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a third phase in which the filling shaft unit 8 was set in motion, so that all the outlet elements 18 are simultaneously set in pivoting movement. The pivoting movement is preferably in the direction S and is initiated with a movement device 30, which in Fig. 1 and 2 is shown schematically. The movement device 30 preferably operates pneumatically, but may also include a motor drive and be designed in various ways. The lower ends of the spout elements 18 are moved to the left relative to the lower hopper ends. The outlet elements 18 are thus in a second position, in which their outer surface portion 20 extends obliquely to the inner surface portion 22 of the hopper 12. For the purposes of this description, second positions are understood to be all positions in which the outlet element 18 is deflected or bent to the right or left.

As compared with Fig. 4 to see, the filling shaft unit 8 in Fig. 5 moved to the right, and the pivotally mounted outlet elements 18 could not yet understand this movement because of their inertia. Therefore, in Fig. 5 to expect a corrective counterclockwise Ausgleichsschwenkbewegung, in such a way that the upwardly projecting from the blister sheet 3 products 6 are laterally folded and brought from the vertical to the horizontal position. It is also possible that the filling shaft unit 8 is moved even further to the right, so that the outlet elements 18 take the products 6 to the right to flip them. When abutting products 6, the pivotal movement of the outlet elements 18 due to the force transfer slowed or interrupted. As a rule, therefore, the pivoting movements of the individual outlet elements 18 are not synchronous. Overall, one usually requires one to three pivoting cycles or pivoting pulses until all products 6 lie flat in the blister cups 4.

Fig. 6 shows the products 6 in the horizontal position in the Blesternäpfen 4, ie the products 6 are completely in the Blesternäpfen 4. Thus, the sealing can be done with a cover sheet. The filling shaft unit 8 is again in an upwardly spaced position from the blister sheet 3. As can be seen, swing the freely pivotally mounted outlet elements 18, wherein the lower ends in the snapshot in Fig. 6 to the left of the lower hopper ends. The outlet elements 18 take after swinging back in Fig. 3 shown vertical orientation and are ready for the next filling cycle.

Theoretically, instead of reciprocating the hopper 8, the outfeed elements 18 may also be caused to pivot by a mechanical impulse applied to the hopper 8. Furthermore, an outlet element 18 can serve both for laterally turning over the product 6 located on the right side and on the left side thereof. The outlet elements 18 may also have their own drives.

In the case of the elastic design of the outlet elements 18, the outlet elements 18 bend easily in any case, if they abut on the products 6 due to the movement of the filling shaft unit 8. But the outlet elements 6 can also be so elastic that they perform a similar pendulum motion as the outlet elements 18 due to the reciprocating movement of the filling shaft unit 8 Fig. 1 , Its outer surface portion 20 is then curved in the second position.

Depending on the product shape, a different shape of the outlet elements 18 than the strip shape with parallel edges may also be preferred, e.g. a wedge-shaped shape.

Claims (14)

1. Filling station for filling and transporting blister sheets (3), with a filling device (2) for filling blister pads (4) with products (6), more particularly pills or tablets, and
   a conveying device (5) for conveying the blister sheet (3) in a conveying direction (F) wherein the conveying direction (F) is perpendicular to a vertical direction (V),
   wherein the filling device (2) comprises a filling shaft unit (8) with several filling shafts (12) which extend substantially in the vertical direction (V) and have lower filling shaft ends, and
   wherein discharge elements (18) are attached to the filling shaft unit (8) and are mounted for pivotal movement or are configured elastically pivotable so that at least a lower end of each discharge element (18) can be moved in at least one direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction (V),
   characterised in that the discharge elements (18) are attached to the filling shaft unit (8) in the region of the lower filling shaft ends; and
   the discharge elements (18) are movable in a direction which is both perpendicular to the conveying direction (F) and also perpendicular to the vertical direction (V).
2. Filling station according to claim 1, characterised in that each discharge element (18) is dimensionally stable.
3. Filling station according to claim 2, characterised in that each discharge element (18) is able to pivot about a rotational axis (24) which runs substantially perpendicularly to the vertical direction (V).
4. Filling station according to claim 1 characterised in that each discharge element (18) is made from an elastic material.
5. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the filling shaft unit (8) is movable perpendicularly to the vertical direction (V) wherein a movement of the filling shaft unit (8) perpendicularly to the vertical direction (V) creates a pivotal movement of the discharge elements (18).
6. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that a first moving device (30) is provided for moving the filling device (2) to and fro in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (V).
7. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the filling shaft unit (8) is furthermore movable in the vertical direction (V).
8. Filling station according to claim 7 characterised in that a second moving device (32) is provided for moving the filling shaft unit (8) in the vertical direction (V).
9. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that each discharge element (18) has a strip shape or a wedge shape.
10. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that each filling shaft (12) has an inside surface section (22) and each discharge element (18) has an outside surface section (20) wherein each discharge element (18) is movable between a first position in which the outside surface section (20) of the discharge element (18) extends in the vertical direction (V) and thus parallel to the inside surface section (22) of the filler shaft (12), and second positions in which the outside surface section (20) of the discharge element (18) is inclined relative to the inside surface section (22) of the filler shaft (12).
11. Filling station according to claim 10 characterised in that the inside surface section (22) of the filling shaft (12) and the outside surface section (20) of the discharge element (18) adjoin one another in the vertical direction (V).
12. Filling station according to claim 11 characterised in that the outside surface section (20) in the first position aligns with the inside surface section (22).
13. Filling station according to claim 12 characterised in that the outside surface section (20) in the second positions is straight.
14. Filling station according to claim 12 characterised in that the outside surface section (20) in the second positions is curved.

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