EP3908415A1

EP3908415A1 - De-dusting apparatus and method for cleaning discrete articles, and packaging machine comprising said apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3908415A1
Application number: EP19839284.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio FUGNITTO; Nicola GNUDI
Original assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2019-01-08
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2021-11-17
Also published as: IT201900000139A1; WO2020144721A1

Abstract

De-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles fed in bulk, such as tablets, pills or capsules, in particular for a packaging machine, comprising a body (17) in which at least one inlet aperture (12) for the articles (11) to be cleaned and at least one outlet aperture (13) for the cleaned articles are made; between the inlet and outlet apertures (12, 13) a pipe (15) is made in which said articles (11) fall due to gravity in a direction of fall (B) from the inlet aperture (12) to the outlet aperture (13), and at least one air introduction device (16) is made, positioned downstream of the inlet aperture (12) and upstream of the outlet aperture (13) with respect to the direction of fall (B) of said articles (11) and provided with an air introduction aperture (26) configured to introduce into the pipe (15) a flow (F1) of air countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall (B) of the articles (11), so that the articles (11) are hit by the flow (F1) of air introduced through the air introduction aperture.

Description

“DE-DUSTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING DISCRETE ARTICLES, AND PACKAGING MACHINE COMPRISING SAID APPARATUS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles or products fed in bulk and falling, which can be used in particular in a packaging machine, in particular an automatic blister packaging machine for pharmaceutical products.

With the term discrete articles we mean loose articles of small sizes such as tablets, capsules, pills or suchlike, which are disposed in an organized and desired manner in blisters or seatings obtained on a blister strip.

The present invention also concerns a method for cleaning the dust of discrete articles and a packaging machine comprising the de-dusting apparatus as above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In packaging machines, in particular in automatic blister packaging machines for pharmaceutical products in the form of tablets or suchlike, the tablets are normally loaded into a hopper, descend into a vibrating pre-feed device and from there are transferred to a feed or distribution apparatus which inserts them in an organized and desired manner into the blisters of a blister strip which normally slides under the feed apparatus.

This distribution apparatus can comprise, for example, a tank for containing the tablets which cooperates with an aligning device so as to convey the tablets, suitably disposed and separated, toward suitable transfer channels from which they pass to a transfer device, for example a rotating drum, which transfers them onto a blister strip provided with a series of suitably positioned seatings. In particular, the blister strip can translate in a determinate direction under the transfer device, so that the respective seatings or blisters are fdled in an organized manner with the tablets.

As is known, before the tablets reach the blister strip, they have to be cleaned of dust or suchlike, which may have deposited on the tablets during the packaging process.

In general, in known packaging machines, the cleaning of the dust from the tablets occurs in the vibrating pre-feed device located upstream of the distribution apparatus, by means of rotating brushes associated with dust suction devices.

The brushes have the disadvantage of becoming dirty and there is therefore the need to frequently disassemble and clean them. In addition, these brushes are equipped with rotatable gaskets, for example on the shaft of the brush, which can experience phenomena of wear and loss of seal, accentuated by the presence of the dust.

The dusty air that is produced as a result of using the brushes has to also be sucked away from the blister machine in order to prevent it from escaping and dispersing.

In general, apparatuses and methods are known in the state of the art for de dusting granular or discrete material, such as for example grains, seeds, powdery materials, pellets or similar materials, their use being known in technical sectors other than that of packaging machines for pharmaceutical products. Some examples of these apparatuses and methods known in the state of the art are described in the prior art patent documents US 2,204,032 A, US 2018/093302 Al, DE 102009013220 Al, US 5,035,331 A, GB 715,431 A.

Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill after reading the remaining part of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments that follow, although it is clear that the description of the state of the art connected to the present description must not be considered an admission that what is described here is already known from the state of the prior art.

There is therefore the need to provide a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles, and to perfect a corresponding cleaning method, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles which manages to guarantee a uniform and effective cleaning of the tablets over their entire surface, thus preventing the permanence of zones that are not effectively or completely cleaned.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles, such as tablets or suchlike, which allows to effectively evacuate all the dusty air resulting from the article cleaning process. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles which allows to advantageously reduce the consumption of air used during cleaning operations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect an effective method for cleaning dust from discrete articles fed in bulk, such as tablets or suchlike, so that the articles are cleaned in a uniform and complete manner.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine comprising a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the invention concerns a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles or products fed in bulk, comprising a body in which at least one inlet aperture for the articles to be cleaned and at least one outlet aperture for the cleaned articles are made, wherein between the inlet and outlet apertures a passage pipe is made in which the articles fall due to gravity in a direction of fall from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture, and at least one air introduction device positioned in the proximity of the outlet aperture of the articles and configured to introduce into the pipe a flow of air countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall of the articles that pass through the pipe from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture, so that the articles are hit by the flow of air introduced through the air introduction device.

According to embodiments provided in accordance with the present invention, the air introduction device is positioned downstream of the inlet aperture and upstream of the outlet aperture with respect to the direction of fall of the articles and is provided with an air introduction aperture configured to introduce into the pipe the flow of air countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall of the articles, so that these are hit by the flow of air introduced through the air introduction aperture. According to one characteristic aspect of the present invention, the air introduction device comprises a channel having an internal wall connected with an internal wall of the pipe, and having a shape that converges starting from the air introduction aperture toward the direction of the flow of air introduced through the air introduction aperture. The air introduction aperture is also configured so that the flow of air introduced laps the internal walls of the channel and of the pipe, thus generating a drawn flow of air, coming from the outlet aperture of the articles, which is drawn by, and in a direction concordant with, the flow of air introduced from the air introduction aperture.

According to an embodiment described here, the air introduction aperture develops circumferentially on the internal wall of the channel as above.

Advantageously, by means of the present de-dusting apparatus provided with this air introduction device, it is possible to clean the discrete articles of dust, dirt, or pulverized residues from workings, by ensuring that they are lapped by the flow of air in a uniform and effective manner, and substantially on their entire surface.

In this way, with the present invention an adequate cleaning of loose articles or products is obtained while they fall and, therefore, the use of the cleaning brushes of the state of the art is no longer necessary, overcoming the disadvantages and drawbacks connected to the brushes.

Furthermore, since the cleaning is obtained with the countercurrent flow of air while the loose articles or products fall due to gravity, without being in contact with other surfaces, the present invention proves to be effective and advantageous even with respect to a simple sending of a jet of air toward the surface of the pre-feed device where the articles or products are resting in bulk, since it advantageously allows to clean the tablets in the zone with which they rest on the surface of the pre-feed device, a zone that being in contact with the support surface, and therefore in fact blind with respect to the cleaning with the air, would not be reachable, and therefore cleanable, if the jet of air were delivered when the articles or products were resting on the surface. Furthermore, with the present invention there is a reduced consumption of air also with respect to the hypothesis of blowing air toward the surface of the pre-feed device where the articles or products are resting in bulk. In the present de-dusting apparatus, downstream of the inlet aperture as above there is a chute to transfer the articles which is provided with a terminal segment protruding inside the pipe. In one particular embodiment, the terminal segment reaches up to the proximity of a central axis of the de-dusting apparatus, so that the articles fall substantially in the center of the pipe.

The outlet aperture of the articles can be made in the air introduction device.

The air introduction device comprises a flange and at least one annular element coupled to the flange, wherein between the flange and the annular element an annular chamber is formed, put in communication with the air introduction aperture as above, this annular chamber being in turn in communication with an air delivery device.

In one embodiment, the flange and the annular element are coupled together so that they can be reciprocally distanced in order to adjust the size of the air introduction aperture.

In one embodiment, the outlet aperture is made on the annular element.

According to some embodiments provided here, the annular element has the internal wall shaped converging starting from the outlet aperture toward the passage pipe.

The present de-dusting apparatus can comprise at least one gasket positioned between the flange and the bottom of the body, in order to prevent unwanted leakages toward the outside of air introduced into the apparatus by the air introduction device.

The present de-dusting apparatus can also comprise at least another gasket positioned between the flange and the annular element, in order to insulate the chamber in a sealed manner with respect to the outside.

According to some embodiments, the present de-dusting apparatus can comprise a suction device communicating with a suction aperture disposed in the body in a position opposite the outlet aperture as above.

The suction device is associated with a suction hood.

The suction hood can comprise at least one segment that extends in the proximity of the inlet aperture of the articles, in particular configured to distance the latter from a central axis of the de-dusting apparatus with the purpose of preventing the dusty air, returning back through the pipe, from going toward the inlet aperture.

In some embodiments provided here, the cleaning apparatus comprises a grid disposed in correspondence with the suction aperture and shaped in order to prevent the passage of articles toward the suction device.

In the present de-dusting apparatus, the internal surfaces of the pipe and of the channel of the air delivery device can be smooth and in particular rounded, therefore substantially free of ridges or recesses.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for cleaning dust from discrete articles fed in bulk comprising the insertion of articles to be cleaned through an inlet aperture of an apparatus for de-dusting articles, the subsequent fall due to gravity of the articles in a direction of fall from the inlet aperture to an outlet aperture for the articles through a passage pipe that extends between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture; and the introduction of countercurrent air with respect to the direction of fall inside the pipe from an air introduction aperture of an air introduction device, so that the articles are hit from below and upward by the flow of air introduced into the pipe through the air introduction aperture.

According to a characteristic aspect of the method according to the present invention, the air is introduced from the air introduction aperture so that it laps at least one internal wall of a channel of the air introduction device, this wall of the channel having a converging development starting from the air introduction aperture toward the inlet aperture, so as to generate a drawn flow of air, coming from the outlet aperture, drawn by, and in a direction concordant with, the flow of air introduced from the air introduction aperture.

In a particular actuation form of the method according to the present invention, the introduction of the air occurs circumferentially.

Another aspect of the present invention is a packaging machine to pack discrete articles, such as for example pills, capsules, tablets or suchlike, into suitable packages, such as for example blisters, comprising at least one distribution apparatus of articles able to deliver the articles toward a blister strip, and at least one apparatus for de-dusting the articles positioned upstream of the distribution apparatus.

In this packaging machine, the de-dusting apparatus of discrete articles can be positioned downstream of a vibrating pre-feed device.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics present in the description or in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a de-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles according to the present invention disposed in a packaging machine, some components of which are shown in the drawing;

- fig. la is an enlarged detail view of a portion comprised in the de-dusting apparatus of fig. 1.

- fig. 2 is a front view of the de-dusting apparatus of fig. 1 ;

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

With reference to figs. 1, la and 2 of the attached drawings, a de-dusting apparatus 10 is described for cleaning discrete articles or products 11 in bulk, that is, fed in bulk, comprising an inlet aperture 12 of the articles to be cleaned and an outlet aperture 13 of the clean articles 11.

The discrete articles 11 which pass through the de-dusting apparatus 10 can be, by way of example, medicines or pharmaceutical articles in general, such as tablets, pills, capsules, or suchlike. Here and in the continuation of the description we will refer, by way of example only, to discrete articles configured as tablets.

The inlet aperture 12 of the tablets 11 to be cleaned is located at a greater height and in an offset position with respect to the outlet aperture 13, so that the tablets 11 at entry can fall due to gravity from said inlet aperture 12 to said outlet aperture 13.

Downstream of the inlet aperture 12 there is provided a chute 14 for the passage of the tablets 11 toward a pipe 15 communicating with the outlet aperture 13 of the clean tablets 11. The tablets travel through the pipe 15 substantially in a direction of fall B.

The pipe 15 is disposed substantially vertically, that is, developed along an axis V.

The de-dusting apparatus 10 comprises a body 17 inside which the chute 14 is disposed and, downstream of the latter, the pipe 15 develops.

The de-dusting apparatus 10 comprises an air introduction device 16 configured to deliver, in particular insufflate or blow, air in countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall B of the tablets 11 in the pipe 15, and then to hit them uniformly, from the bottom upward, before they reach the outlet aperture 13. For example, the air introduction device 16 can be a fan, a blower or similar aeraulic movement device.

The outlet aperture 13 of the tablets 11 is made in said air introduction device 16, in particular at the bottom of a channel 29 of said air introduction device 16 which is connected to the pipe 15, so as to guarantee continuity in the fall and in the exit of the tablets 11 from the outlet aperture 13. In particular, the internal passage section of the channel 29 will substantially be the continuation of the internal passage section of the pipe 15, and is connected to the portion of the latter adjacent to it. In other words, the channel 29 has an internal wall connected to an internal wall of the pipe 15.

According to some embodiments, the profile of the internal passage section of the channel 29, and the profile of the internal passage section of the pipe 15, at least in the portion of pipe adjacent to the channel 29, can be suitably shaped to facilitate the flow of air. For example, these profiles can comprise at least a segment curved according to an optimal curvature, from the fluid dynamic point of view, in order to optimize the aerodynamic characteristics of the flow of air.

According to some embodiments provided here, the channel 29 and the pipe 15 have a substantially cylindrical conformation with a common central axis V with a substantially vertical development.

In one embodiment, the profile of the internal passage section of the channel 29, and the profile of the internal passage section of the pipe 15, cooperate to define a recess 47 protruding toward the central axis V (see fig. 1, on the right side).

The tablets 11 fall due to gravity inside the pipe 15 and are sufficiently distanced from the internal surface of the pipe 15.

According to some embodiments, the air introduction device 16 can be attached in a removable manner, for example by means of attachment elements 18, to the body 17, so that the channel 29 is suitably connected with the pipe 15, as shown in fig. 1.

According to some embodiments, the air introduction device 16 comprises a flange 19 which is attached in a removable manner to the bottom of the body 17 by means of the attachment elements 18. In accordance with the embodiments provided here, the air introduction device 16 also comprises an annular element 21, removably connected to the flange 19, for example configured to be inserted and screwed into the latter. For this purpose, the flange 19 and the annular element 21 comprise threaded portions 22 and 23 which make them reciprocally screwable.

In a preferred embodiment, the flange 19 can also be obtained starting from a cylindrical tubular element.

In one embodiment, a gasket 28, for example an O-ring gasket, is provided between the bottom of the body 17 and the flange 19 in order to prevent unwanted leakages toward the outside of air introduced into the apparatus by the air introduction device 16.

Between the flange 19 and the annular element 21 there is made a chamber 24 for the inlet of air, which comes from a feed pipe 25 (fig. 2) which on one side is connected to air delivery means, shown schematically in fig. 1 with reference number 50, for example configured as a compressed air delivery device of a known type, and on the other side feeds into the pipe 15.

According to some embodiments, the chamber 24 has an annular shape, so that the air entering from the feed pipe 25 can be uniformly distributed in the chamber 24.

From the chamber 24, the air passes into the pipe 15 through an air introduction aperture 26 made between the flange 19 and the annular element 21, in particular between the end of the annular element 21 opposite the outlet aperture 13 and the internal surface of the flange 19. In one embodiment, the air introduction aperture 26 is configured as a hollow space.

The thickness of the air introduction aperture 26 is adjustable, being defined by the greater or lesser screwing of the annular element 21 into the flange 19. Since the air introduction aperture 26 introduces a pressure drop localized on the air path, the thickness of the aperture 26 is correlated to the characteristics which are to be conferred on the flow FI of air, for example in terms of speed and pressure.

The air introduction aperture 26 has an annular shape, so as to substantially define a flow FI of air entering the pipe 15, homogeneously distributed along its perimeter, so that the introduction of air occurs circumferentially.

The air introduction aperture 26 is configured to introduce into the pipe 15 the flow F 1 of air countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall B of the articles 1 1, so that the articles 11 are hit by the flow FI of air introduced through the air introduction aperture 26.

Between the annular element 21 and the flange 19 there is positioned an additional gasket 27, for example an O-ring gasket or suchlike, configured to insulate the chamber 24 in a sealed manner with respect to the outside.

The flow FI of air exiting the air introduction aperture 26 meets the channel 29 of the air introduction device 16. The channel 29 has a shape converging from the air introduction aperture 26 toward the direction of the flow FI of air introduced through this aperture.

In other words, the profile of the passage section of the channel 29 is convergent in shape, and is able to generate a Coanda effect, that is, to cause the air that laps the walls of the pipe 15 in the proximity of the channel 29 to generate a drawn flow F2 of air coming from the outlet aperture 13 of the articles 11, which is drawn by, and in a direction concordant with, the flow FI of air introduced through the air introduction aperture 26.

In this way, advantageously, a considerable amount of air is saved, since it is sufficient to inject a certain amount of compressed air through the pipe 25 and then through the air introduction aperture 26, in order to entrain, due to the Coanda effect, a multiple quantity through the outlet aperture 13 of the tablets 11, thus substantially obtaining the amplification of the air injected through the pipe 25.

For example, it has been found through experiments that for about 1 cubic meter of compressed air injected through the pipe 25 and which comes out of the air inlet aperture 26 in the form of an annular flow F 1 which laps the walls of the channel 29, another 3 cubic meters of air are entrained, due to the Coanda effect, as schematized by the flow F2 through the outlet aperture 13, therefore a total of 4 cubic meters of air are obtained, which can be used to clean the tablets 1 1.

The internal surfaces of the pipe 15 and of the channel 29 are smooth and preferably rounded to facilitate cleaning, so that the pipe 15 and the channel 29 are internally free of angular parts which would make cleaning difficult and/or recesses where residues of dust could accumulate.

When the tablets 11 fall from the chute 14 into the pipe 15, they are hit, from the bottom upward, uniformly and in countercurrent, by a flow of air FI, F2 coming from the air introduction device 16, in particular coming both from the outlet aperture 13, and also from the air introduction aperture 26.

Preferably, the chute 14 comprises a terminal segment 30 shaped so as to be slightly protruding with respect to the walls of the pipe 15. In this way, the tablets 11 fall substantially in the center of the pipe 15, in the proximity of the central axis V, and therefore far from the walls of the pipe 15 itself in order to be hit by the flow of air FI, F2 coming from the air introduction device 16 in the most uniform way possible.

Once the flow of air FI, F2 has hit the tablets 11 from the bottom upward and cleaned them, it is conveyed toward a suction aperture 31.

In order to prevent the tablets 1 1 from inadvertently coming out of the suction aperture 31, a grid 32 is provided, for example in the proximity of the suction aperture 31.

The suction aperture 31 of the dusty air is associated with a hood 33. The hood 33 is associated with a suction device 34. According to some embodiments, at least one gasket 35 is provided, for example an O-ring gasket or suchlike, between the hood 33 and the suction device 34 in order to prevent unwanted leakages of the dusty air toward the outside.

The suction hood 33, in order to prevent the dusty air, returning back through the pipe 15, from going toward the inlet aperture 12 of the tablets 11 to be cleaned, comprises a segment 36 which extends toward the inlet aperture 12. In the example shown, therefore, the hood 33 is asymmetrical with respect to the central axis V and is more extended, by means of this segment 36, toward the inlet aperture 12.

In one embodiment, in correspondence with the inlet aperture 12 there is provided a retaining element 48, which protrudes from the suction hood 33 toward the chute 14, in order to prevent the undesired exit of tablets 11 from the inlet aperture 12.

The body 17 is shaped so as to define a converging, or funnel, shape from the inlet aperture 12 of the tablets 1 1 to the outlet aperture 13 thereof, as can be seen in fig. 2.

In one embodiment, the de-dusting apparatus 10 is located inside a packaging machine 20, for example downstream of a vibrating pre-feed device 37.

The vibrating pre-feed device 37 comprises an inclined plane 38 along which the tablets 1 1 are conveyed, coming for example from a hopper 39, located upstream of the vibrating pre-feed device 37, for example above the latter.

From the inclined plane 38, the tablets 11 are transferred to the de-dusting apparatus 10 through the inlet aperture 12.

Downstream of the de-dusting apparatus 10 there is provided a distribution device 40 configured to deliver the tablets toward a blister strip, in particular in suitable seatings of the blister strip. This blister strip is known in the state of the art and therefore not shown.

The distribution apparatus 40 can comprise, for example, a containing tank 41 into which the cleaned tablets 11 coming from the de-dusting apparatus 10 fall.

The distribution device 40 comprises an aligning device 42 able to suitably align, arrange and separate the tablets 11 and tip them into a series of channels 43 of a conveyor device 44.

The conveyor device 44 can be located upstream of a transfer device, for example a rotating drum or a rotatable belt or other, able to transfer them toward the blister strip below.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts and/or steps may be made to the de-dusting apparatus 10 and to the method for cleaning discrete articles or similar, and to the packaging machine as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of de-dusting apparatus, method to clean discrete articles or similar, and packaging machine, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. De-dusting apparatus for cleaning discrete articles fed in bulk, comprising a body (17) in which at least one inlet aperture (12) for the articles (11) to be cleaned and at least one outlet aperture (13) for the cleaned articles are made, between said inlet and outlet apertures (12, 13) a passage pipe (15) being made in which said articles (11) fall due to gravity in a direction of fall (B) from the inlet aperture (12) to the outlet aperture (13), and also comprising at least one air introduction device (16) positioned downstream of the inlet aperture (12) and upstream of the outlet aperture (13) with respect to the direction of fall (B) of said articles (11) and provided with an air introduction aperture (26) configured to introduce into said pipe (15) a flow (FI) of air countercurrent with respect to the direction of fall (B) of the articles (11), so that said articles (1 1) are hit by said flow (FI) of air introduced through said air introduction aperture (26), characterized in that said air introduction device (16) comprises a channel (29) having an internal wall connected with an internal wall of said pipe (15), said channel (29) having a shape that converges starting from the air introduction aperture (26) toward the direction of the flow (FI) of air introduced through the air introduction aperture, said air introduction aperture (26) also being configured so that the flow (FI) of air introduced laps the internal walls of said channel (29) and of said pipe (15), thus generating a drawn flow (F2) of air, coming from the outlet aperture (13) of the articles (11), drawn by, and in a direction concordant with, the flow (FI) of air introduced from the air introduction aperture (26).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said pipe (15) and said channel (29) have a substantially cylindrical conformation with a common central axis (V) with a substantially vertical development.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said air introduction aperture (26) develops circumferentially on the internal wall of said channel (29).

4. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that in correspondence with said inlet aperture (12) there is a chute (14) to transfer the articles (11), provided with a terminal segment (30) protruding inside said pipe (15).

5. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said outlet aperture (13) of the articles (1 1) is made in said air introduction device (16).

6. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said air introduction device (16) comprises a flange (19) and at least one annular element (21) coupled to said flange (19), between said flange (19) and said annular element (21) there being formed an annular chamber (24) put in communication with said air introduction aperture (26), said annular chamber (24) being in turn in communication with an air delivery device (50).

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, characterized in that said flange (19) and said annular element (21) are coupled together so that they can be reciprocally distanced in order to adjust the size of the air introduction aperture (26).

8. Apparatus as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said outlet aperture (13) is made on said annular element (21).

9. Apparatus as in any one of the previous claims from 6 to 8, characterized in that said annular element (21) has the internal wall shaped converging starting from the outlet aperture (13) toward the passage pipe (15).

10. Cleaning apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a suction device (34) communicating with a suction aperture (31) disposed in said body (17) in a position opposite said outlet aperture (13).

11. Apparatus as in claim 9, characterized in that said suction device (34) is associated with a suction hood (33) comprising at least one segment (36) that extends in the proximity of said inlet aperture (12).

12. Cleaning apparatus as in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it comprises a grid (32) disposed in correspondence with said suction aperture (31) and conformed in order to prevent the passage of articles (11) toward the suction device (34).

13. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the internal surfaces of said pipe (15) and of said channel (29) are smooth, substantially free of ridges or recesses.

14. Method for cleaning dust from discrete articles fed in bulk, comprising the insertion of articles (11) to be cleaned through an inlet aperture (12) of a de dusting apparatus (10) to clean discrete articles (11) fed in bulk, the subsequent fall due to gravity of the articles (11) in a direction of fall (B) from the inlet aperture (12) to an outlet aperture (13) for the articles (11) through a passage pipe (15) that extends between the inlet aperture (12) and the outlet aperture (13), and the introduction of countercurrent air, with respect to said direction of fall (B), inside said pipe (15) from an air introduction aperture (26) of an air introduction device (16), so that said articles (1 1) are hit from below upward by a flow (FI) introduced through said air introduction aperture (26) into said pipe (15), characterized in that the air is introduced from said air introduction aperture (26) so that it laps at least one internal wall of a channel (29) of said air introduction device (16), said wall of the channel (29) having a converging development starting from said air introduction aperture (26) toward said inlet aperture (12), so as to generate a drawn flow (F2) of air, coming from the outlet aperture (13), drawn by, and in a direction concordant with, the flow (FI) of air introduced through the air introduction aperture (26).

15. Method as in claim 14, characterized in that said introduction of air occurs circumferentially.

16. Packaging machine to pack discrete articles (11) into suitable packages, comprising at least one distribution apparatus (40) of articles (11) able to deliver said articles (11) toward a blister strip, characterized in that it comprises at least one de-dusting apparatus (10) to clean articles as in any claim from 1 to 13 positioned upstream of said distribution apparatus (40).