EP3347142B1 - Device and process for separating particle fragments from said particles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for separating particle cassons from said particles and a method of implementing this device. Such devices are used in various industries when it is a question of separating particles of a first form, of cassons of such particles to which they are mixed, such cassons being able in particular to result from the breaking of said particles during their process of manufacturing. In particular, in the pharmaceutical industry, these particles consist of tablets or capsules and it is important that only whole tablets or capsules result in the packaging chain of the latter in containers containing a certain number of these tablets or capsules. capsules to be placed on the market.

Such a device generally comprises a floor arranged to receive particles of a specific shape and cassons of such particles, connected to a first means arranged to animate said floor of a vibratory movement so that the particles and cassons in question move on the floor in a direction determined by the type of vibratory movement that is printed to it, said floor being pierced with orifices of a predetermined shape depending on the shape of the particles, to let through the said orifices the cassons of such particles but not the particles themselves.

For example, the two dimensions (length, width) of such an orifice may be slightly greater than two of the three dimensions (length, width, height) of a particle, but smaller than its third dimension. Thus, a particle casson whose third dimension is reduced relative to that of a whole particle can to fall easily into the hole in question whereas an entire particle could only fall by an axis of symmetry orthogonal to said third dimension. In such a case, the fraction of whole particles having nevertheless passed through the floor of the device by some of its orifices may be recovered upstream by appropriate means. Such a device also generally comprises a ceiling arranged substantially parallel to the floor of the device.

The document FR2841161 for example, describes such a device, according to the preamble of claim 1, and, implicitly, a method according to the preamble of claim 12.

A problem caused by such devices is that it happens that cassons whose third dimension is greater than or equal to at least one of the two dimensions of the openings of the floor of the device are stuck in these orifices and thus obstruct them . In such a situation, in the course of the process of separating cassons from whole particles by the device, more and more orifices may be obstructed in this way, which reduces the separation efficiency of this device accordingly.

It is customary in such a situation to interrupt the operation of the device for manual or mechanical means, unclog the orifices in which particles of particles have remained stuck. This operation therefore leads to loss of time and therefore productivity and also requires additional manpower to perform it.

The invention solves the aforementioned problem by providing a device of the type described above but which further comprises second means arranged to move the ceiling of the device between a first position and a second position in which it is in contact with the device. floor so that particles of particles stuck in said orifices are expelled, according to claim 1.

In the document FR2841161 , the ceiling, called plate, is used to control the position of particles, but remains at a fixed distance compared to the floor. The device described in this document does not allow to unclog the holes.

Preferably, the first means is a means of vibration. Preferably, the first means is mechanically connected to the floor. Preferably, the floor and the ceiling are mechanically coupled. Preferably, the second means is mechanically coupled to the ceiling.

• Grâce à un second moyen agencé à cet effet, disposer un plafond sensiblement parallèle à un plancher dans une première position dans laquelle il se trouve à une distance d'un plancher agencé pour recevoir des particules et des cassons de ces particules, ledit plancher étant percé de orifices;
• Mettre en mouvement vibratoire le plancher grâce à un premier moyen agencé à cet effet ;
• Introduire des particules et cassons de telles particules entre le plancher et le plafond ;
• Interrompre ladite introduction à un instant prédéterminé ;
• Interrompre le mouvement vibratoire du plancher une fois que plus aucun comprimé ou casson ne se trouve sur sa face faisant front au plafond ;
• Déplacer grâce au second moyen, le plafond entre sa première position et une seconde position dans laquelle il est en contact avec le plancher de sorte que des cassons de particules coincés dans lesdits orifices en soient expulsés ;
• Déplacer grâce au second moyen le plafond de sa seconde position à sa première position.

The invention also relates to a method for separating particle cassons of a first form of said particles, according to claim 12 and comprising the following steps:

• With a second means arranged for this purpose, have a ceiling substantially parallel to a floor in a first position in which it is at a distance from a floor arranged to receive particles and cassons of these particles, said floor being pierced of orifices;
• Vibratory movement of the floor through a first means arranged for this purpose;
• Introduce particles and break up such particles between the floor and the ceiling;
• Interrupting said introduction at a predetermined time;
• Interrupt the vibratory movement of the floor once no more tablets or cassons are on the front of the ceiling;
• Move through the second means, the ceiling between its first position and a second position in which it is in contact with the floor so that particles of particles stuck in said orifices are expelled;
• Move through the second means the ceiling of its second position to its first position.

These steps are performed in the order indicated above.

Thanks to the second means above, it is possible periodically to force particles of particles that would be stuck in the openings of the floor of the device to be expelled by pressure on these cassons of the ceiling of this device when it is brought into its second position substantially in contact with the face of the floor facing the ceiling in question. This therefore solves the problem mentioned above since the orifices thus released become fully functional again. It is therefore sufficient to move the ceiling of the device from its first to its second position when no particle or casson is still in contact with said face and that only cassons are stuck in orifices of the floor of the device to allow it to it retains its functional quality over time, unlike devices according to the state of the art.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un dispositif selon l'invention dans la première position du plafond qu'il comprend ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe verticale du dispositif illustré par la figure 1 dans la seconde position du plafond qu'il comprend ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective du dispositif selon la figure 1.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to one of its embodiments, not limiting the scope of this invention, illustrated by the attached figures in which:

• The figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a device according to the invention in the first position of the ceiling that it comprises;
• The figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device illustrated by the figure 1 in the second position of the ceiling that he understands;
• The figure 3 is a perspective view of the device according to the figure 1 .

Referring to the attached figures, there is shown a device I for separating particle p particles of a first form, said particles comprising a floor 1 arranged to receive said particles and said cassons, connected to a first means 2 arranged to animate said floor with a vibratory movement, said floor being pierced with holes 3 of a second predetermined shape according to said first shape, to let through said orifices said cassons but not said particles, a ceiling 7 arranged substantially parallel to said floor; the device further comprising a second means 8 arranged to be able to move said ceiling between a first position in which it is at a distance d from the predetermined floor as a function of the smallest of the three dimensions of said particles (see Fig. 1 ) and a second position in which it is substantially in contact with the floor so that particles of particles stuck in said holes are expelled (see Fig. 2 ). The distance d in question is chosen to be slightly greater than said smaller dimension of the particles. In this way each particle is required to move in the device on its floor so that its axes of symmetry in each of its other dimensions are arranged parallel to the floor in question. This has the effect of preventing a particle from tipping into one of the orifices of said floor about an axis of symmetry orthogonal to the largest dimension of this particle. Thus, the efficiency of separation by the device of particles of their cassons is advantageously improved.

In other words, according to one embodiment of the invention, the distance d is chosen so that the particles are lying on the floor 1, with their maximum extension parallel to the floor 1. The size of the orifices 3 is chosen so that any particle having such a maximum extension parallel to the orifices 3 can not pass through these orifices. In addition, the particles can not rock in the orifices as the tilting movement is blocked by the ceiling 7.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the second means 8 comprises a jack 4 connected to said ceiling and a motor 5 arranged to move the jack between the first and second position of the ceiling.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second means 8 comprises an electronic control unit which controls the motor 5. On command of this electronic unit, the motor 5 brings the ceiling 7 into contact with the floor 1. For example, the electronic control unit can control the motor 5 such a movement once per periodic cycle. Such a periodic cycle may have a period preferably between one minute and one hour, more preferably between two minutes and thirty minutes, even more preferably between five minutes and fifteen minutes.

The control of the motor 5 can be automated thanks to the electronic control unit. The periodic and automated movement of the ceiling 7 makes it possible to periodically and automatically eject the cassons blocked in the orifices 3. This makes the device according to the invention particularly interesting in an industrial process.

The motor 5 can be a servomotor.

The floor is preferably removably arranged in the device, i.e. it can be removed from the device. Thus, a plurality of floors each having orifices of a different second predetermined size, adapted to a first different form of particles may alternatively be included in the device according to the first specific form of the particles to be separated from their cassons by this device; which gives it a great versatility of use.

The device as illustrated further comprises a tray 9 for harvesting particle cassons arranged under the floor of the device, this tank being itself provided with an opening 10 arranged in said tank to allow the evacuation of the cassons harvested therein. , of the device.

In the context of the present invention, the particles mentioned may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules.

The particles preferably have a cylindrical symmetry, with an axial extension greater than a radial extension. The particles may have an axial and / or radial extension between 2.5 and 25 mm, preferably between 5 and 10 mm, more preferably between 7 and 8 mm.

Alternatively, the particles may have spherical symmetry. The particles may have a radius of between 2.5 and 25 mm, preferably between 5 and 10 mm, more preferably between 7 and 8 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the orifices are circular. Preferably, they have a diameter between 2.5 and 25 mm, more preferably between 5 and 10 mm, even more preferably between 7 and 8 mm.

The distance d ( figure 1 ) between the ceiling 7 and the floor 1 in the first position is preferably 1 mm greater than the radial extension of the particles if they have a cylindrical symmetry, and 1 mm greater than the radius of the particles if they have a spherical symmetry. For example, the distance d is preferably between 3.5 and 26 mm, more preferably between 6 and 11 mm, more preferably between 7 and 8 mm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the device I according to the invention is a device for separating particles of p particles of a first form of said particles, comprising a floor 1 arranged to receive said particles and said cassons, connected to a first means 2 arranged to animate said floor with a vibratory movement, said floor being pierced with orifices 3 of a second predetermined shape according to said first shape for passing through said orifices said cassons but not said particles, a ceiling 7 arranged substantially parallel to said floor; and comprising a second means 8 arranged to be able to move said a ceiling between a first position in which it is at a distance d from the predetermined floor as a function of the smallest of the three dimensions of said particles and a second position in which it is substantially in contact with the floor so that jammed particles of particles in said orifices are expelled.

• (i) Grâce à un second moyen 8 agencé à cet effet, disposer un plafond 7 sensiblement parallèle à un plancher 1 dans une première position dans laquelle il se trouve à une distance d d'un plancher agencé pour recevoir des particules et des cassons de ces particules, ledit plancher étant percé de orifices 3 d'une seconde forme prédéterminée en fonction de ladite première forme pour laisser passer au travers desdits orifices lesdits cassons mais pas lesdites particules, la distance d étant prédéterminée en fonction de la plus petite des trois dimensions desdites particules ;
• (ii) Mettre en mouvement vibratoire le plancher grâce à un premier moyen 2 agencé à cet effet ;
• (iii) Introduire des particules p et cassons de telles particules entre le plancher et le plafond ;
• (iv) Interrompre ladite introduction à un instant prédéterminé ;
• (v) Interrompre le mouvement vibratoire du plancher une fois que plus aucun comprimé ou casson ne se trouve sur sa face faisant front au plafond ;
• (vi) Déplacer grâce au second moyen, le plafond entre sa première position et une seconde position dans laquelle il est sensiblement en contact avec le plancher de sorte que des cassons de particules coincés dans lesdits orifices en soient expulsés ;
• (vi) Déplacer grâce au second moyen le plafond de sa seconde position à sa première position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention is a process for separating particle cassons (p) from a first form of said particles, comprising the following steps:

• (i) With a second means 8 arranged for this purpose, have a ceiling 7 substantially parallel to a floor 1 in a first position in which it is at a distance d from a floor arranged to receive particles and cassons of these particles, said floor being pierced with orifices 3 of a second predetermined shape according to said first shape to let through said orifices said cassons but not said particles, the distance d being predetermined according to the smallest of the three dimensions said particles;
• (ii) vibrating the floor through a first means 2 arranged for this purpose;
• (iii) Introduce p particles and break up such particles between the floor and the ceiling;
• (iv) interrupting said introduction at a predetermined time;
• (v) Interrupt the vibratory movement of the floor once there is no tablet or casson on its front facing the ceiling;
• (vi) Move through the second means, the ceiling between its first position and a second position in which it is substantially in contact with the floor so that particles of particles stuck in said holes are expelled;
• (vi) Move through the second means the ceiling from its second position to its first position.

Claims (15)

1. Device (I) for separating particle (p) fragments from said particles (p) and comprising

   • a floor (1) bored with orifices (3) and arranged to receive said particles (p) and said fragments,

   • a first means (2) connected to said floor (1) and arranged to animate said floor (1) with a vibrating movement, and

   • a ceiling (7) arranged parallel to said floor (1),

   • a second means (8) arranged to move said ceiling (7) between a first position in which it is located at a non-nil distance (d) from the floor (1) and a second position;
   characterised in that said second position is a position in which said ceiling (7) is in contact with the floor (1).
2. Device (I) according to claim 1, characterised in that said second means (8) comprises an actuator (4) connected to said ceiling (7) and to a motor (5) arranged to move the actuator (4) between the first and the second position of the ceiling (7).
3. Device (I) according to claim 2, characterised in that the motor (5) is a servomotor.
4. Device (I) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said second means (8) further comprises an electronic control unit connected to the motor (5) and arranged to control said motor (5).
5. Device (I) according to claim 4, characterised in that said electronic control unit is programmed to periodically bring the ceiling (7) into contact with the floor (1) using said motor (5).
6. Device (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said floor (1) is arranged so that it can be removed in the device (I).
7. Device (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a container (9) for collecting said fragments arranged under said floor (1).
8. Device (I) according to claim 7, characterised in that an opening (10) is arranged in said container (9) to enable the release of fragments.
9. Device (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the distance (d) is between 3.5 and 26mm, preferably between 6 and 11mm, more preferably between 8 and 9mm.
10. Device (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the orifices (3) are circular and have a diameter of between 2.5 and 25mm, more preferably between 5 and 10mm, even more preferably between 7 and 8mm.
11. System for separating particle (p) fragments from said particles (p) and comprising:

    • particles (p) of a first shape,

    • fragments of said particles, and

    • a device (l) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the orifices (3) have a second shape and where the distance (d) and the second shape of the orifices (3) are such that the orifices (3) are capable of letting said fragments pass, but not said particles (p).
12. Method for separating particle (p) fragments from said particles (p), comprising the following steps and in the following order:

    (i) using a second means (8) arranged for this purpose, arranging a ceiling (7) parallel to a floor (1) in a first position wherein it is located at a distance (d) from said floor (1) arranged to receive particles (p) and fragments of these particles (p), said floor (1) being bored with orifices (3);

    (ii) vibrationally moving the floor (1) using a first means (2) arranged for this purpose;

    (iii) introducing particles (p) and fragments of such particles (p) between the floor (1) and the ceiling (7);

    (iv) interrupting said introduction at a predetermined moment;

    characterised in that it further comprises the following steps and in the following order:

    (v) interrupting the vibrating movement of the floor (1), when no more particles (p) or particle (p) fragments are located on one of the surfaces thereof opposing the ceiling (7);

    (vi) moving, using the second means (8), the ceiling (7) between the first position thereof and a second position in which it is in contact with the floor (1) such that particle (p) fragments trapped in the orifices (3) are expelled therefrom;

    (vii) moving, using the second means (8), the ceiling (7) from the second position thereof to the first position thereof.
13. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that steps (iv) and (v) are temporally offset, such that the floor (1) continues to vibrate for a time interval after step (iv) to release from the floor (1), particles (p) and particle (p) fragments.
14. Method according to any one of the two preceding claims, characterised in that steps (ii) to (vii) are repeated at least once following step (vii).
15. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that steps (ii) to (vii) are periodically repeated following step (vii).

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