ES1182634U - Solid format medication packaging machine (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Medicine packaging machine in solid format comprising a chassis (1) and characterized in that said chassis (1) in its front part incorporates a structure (2) that houses a hopper or collector (3) and protuberances (4) ) for guiding a cellophane or plasticized paper (5) and a printed paper from a printer (6); and where, located next to said hopper (3) there is a sealing clamp (7) by heating, responsible for sealing the printed paper and plasticized paper (5) forming a receptacle where the medicine from the hopper will be deposited (3) forming an individualized dose; and where, after the clamp (7) are placed first rollers (8) responsible for providing movement to the doses obtained, then placing a cutting means (9) in charge of performing the cut of individualized doses; and where all this is commanded by a logical means of control associated with a screen (12), enabled to command the machine. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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DESCRIPTION

The solid format drug packaging machine

The purpose of this report is a solid-format drug packaging machine, specially designed to serve as a means of packaging solid-form medicines, from a supply area, and which is capable of individualizing said medications (either in format blister or directly in compressed bulk format), print and join its corresponding label, forming a closed container, providing an individualized and (optionally) customized product for its user, avoiding possible errors in the allocation of treatment to the patient for whom it is prescribed.

Background of the invention

At present, especially in the field of hospital pharmacy, the medications prescribed for a treatment are packaged in a multidose format, which from said department must separate and assign the patient for whom said treatment has been described.

For this, the corresponding operator or user must manually separate the medication from the multidose format and adapt it for each case, generally performing said operation manually.

To alleviate this problem, the applicant is aware of the existence of the Spanish utility model ES 1 158 358 U which describes an individualizing machine for products in multidose format of the type that include a loading station for products in multidose format, a station of transporting multidose products to a classification station, a cutting station to prepare individualized doses and a collection station, characterized in that:

- The charging station includes corresponding loaders inside which the multidose products to be individualized are introduced according to their packaging method, as well as an artificial vision analysis unit located at the top and focused downwards, which detects each packaging form

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multidose and identify the load to be processed;

- the transport station is constituted by a robotic arm with movement capacity and adaptation to apprehend any type of product, selecting this robotic arm the product and identifying the manipulation that must be carried out on it by means of a corresponding computer program, and taking it to the next classification station;

- the classification station is constituted by a classifying element that includes grooves adapted to the form of multidose product to be manipulated, so that the robotic arm introduces each multidose product in the corresponding slot, for its feeding to the cutting station;

- the cutting station includes an electromagnetic linear motor associated with a die and a knife cutting matrix, so that when the product is in this station through the corresponding slot it is placed between the matrix, at a right or oblique angle, and in front to the cutting blades, the electromagnetic motor acting on a runner that drives the blades making the selected incision, at a right or oblique angle; Y

- a collection station for the collection of individualized products, which fall by gravity from the cutting station.

On the other hand, the allocation of medications and specific treatments requires great attention to avoid possible human errors in the allocation of medication to patients. These hospital departments have die cutting machines in charge of making specific preparations with the specific dose for each patient of the prescribed treatment, including the priming of an identification label that is added to the container.

These die-cutting machines, have several drawbacks, in the first place, given their age, they are based on mechanical elements (pistons, chains, etc.) that hinder their maintenance, since when any of its elements is damaged, it inexorably requires the displacement of a specialized technician to the place where the installed machine is located (with the consequent economic expense that this entails), which results in a total stop of the production and automation of the packaging, again having to do it manually the packaging by the workers of said hospital section, with the increased risk of confusion or human error.

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Similarly, once the strip of individualized doses has been obtained, they suffer a cut with blades, which separates each individualized dose for delivery, with the consequent risk of injury (cuts of greater or lesser consideration) that could occur in the workers that operate with this type of machines.

Both the punching machines, and the machine described in the utility model ES 1 158 358 U, are machines that, due to the uniqueness of their components, require large-sized frames or chassis, which require the provision of a space important within the hospital pharmacy units, which reduces the work area and storage of the same.

The proposed invention differs in this aspect, in that, it is a machine designed to be installed as a desktop, with the consequent saving of space within the hospital units, which allows to make the space destined for said department better profitable.

In the same way, the invention proposed here improves the individualization of the product obtained, since a pre-marking is carried out at the time of packaging, which subsequently by applying a slight stretching force, by means of rollers, is able to separate the dose in a safer way than in the machines known in the state of the art.

Description of the invention

The technical problem that the present invention solves is to obtain a packaging machine for medications, regardless of their format (provided it is solid), either in blister format or being arranged in bulk. For this, the solid-format drug packaging machine, object of the present utility model, which comprises a chassis attached in its front part to a structure that houses a hopper and protrusions for guiding paper, and where located next to The hopper is a sealing clamp and then rollers responsible for providing movement to the individual doses obtained, then cutting means. All this, commanded by a logical control means associated with a screen.

Thanks to its design, the machine here recommended, will become a tool of

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Especially useful in hospital pharmacies or other places, where it is possible to proceed to the individualization of pharmaceutical products, for their individualized and personalized dispensation for a user with a prescribed prescribed treatment.

Its reduced size, will allow the replacement of the old die cutting machines, presently present, reducing the space necessary for its installation, and thus, managing to reduce the space previously allocated for said die cutting machines.

Likewise, its ease of installation and the limited space requirements for its installation, will allow increasing the range of possible installation sites of the machine, where a personalized and individualized dispensing of a treatment, such as, for example, centers for health, bell hospitals or others.

The machine presented here will incorporate access gates to its interior, which will allow any user (without requiring extensive technical knowledge) to access its interior for the replacement of defective or damaged elements. All the elements arranged internally in the machine, will be designed and manufactured in such a way, that they can be easily replaced, in this way, it will not be necessary to move expert technicians for maintenance, it will be enough to receive the part to be replaced by a means of current transport, so that any user (through the help of the machine's own instruction manual or an operator of the technical service) can fix the machine. In this way, maintenance costs will be greatly reduced.

Throughout the description and claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will be derived partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to restrict the present invention. In addition, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

Brief description of the figures

Next, a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to a realization of

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said invention that is presented as a non-limiting example of this.

FIG 1. Shows a perspective view of the solid format drug packaging machine, object of this utility model.

FIG 2. Shows a front view of the solid format drug packaging machine.

FIG 3. Shows a plan view of the solid format drug packaging machine.

FIG 4. Shows a side view of the solid format drug packaging machine.

FIG 5. Shows an internal detail of the drug packaging machine in solid format.

FIG 6. Shows a perspective view of a realization of the solid format drug packaging machine.

FIG 7. Shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the solid format drug packaging machine, which incorporates a printer adjacently. FIG 8. Shows a view of the sealing clamp, as part of the solid format drug packaging machine.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached figures. More specifically, the solid-sized drug packaging machine, object of the present specification is characterized in that it comprises a chassis (1), preferably metal, which in its front part incorporates a structure (2) that houses a hopper or collector (3) and protrusions (4) for guiding cellophane or plasticized paper (5) and printed paper from a printer (6).

In a particular embodiment, the hopper or collector (3) will be disposable or incorporate on it, a disposable protection element, which allows the packaging of contaminant products to avoid cross contamination between medications.

And where, located next to said hopper (3) is a sealing clamp (7) by heating, consisting of two thermal plates (7a) located in two supports (7b) placed on guide rails (7c), which provide the necessary movement for the

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action of said clamp (7).

The sealing clamp (7) could be an electric or pneumatic clamp, depending on the technical requirements necessary in the destination installation.

The action of the clamp (7) will allow joining the two papers, plastic and printed, forming a compact receptacle, placing the dose coming from the hopper (3) inside said receptacle.

Said clamp (7) internally incorporates a small cutting piece, saw type or similar, for the realization of a small pre-cut, which allows the separation of the individualized doses, by a slight stretching action.

Following said clamp (7), first rollers (8) responsible for providing movement to the obtained doses will be placed, then cutting means (9) responsible for cutting individualized doses, by means of a slight movement that will stretch the dose that will be separated from the rest of the individualized dose strip, using a slight stretch.

In a practical embodiment, the cutting means (9) in a preferred embodiment will be rollers or equivalent technical means, such as blades, saws or the like.

All these elements, with the exception of the hopper (3) will be protected by a frontal protection (10) accessible by means of a small safety gate (10a), which will facilitate access to the components protected by it.

The frontal protection (10) incorporates laterally a series of holes (10b) that will allow the aeration of the components protected by it, avoiding overheating.

The chassis (1) will incorporate a housing (11) where the roll of cellophane or plastic paper (5) will be placed.

All this, will be commanded by a logical control means associated with a screen (12), enabled to command the machine and its most essential characteristics, such as, for example, the control of temperature, sequences and / or times.

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The chassis (1) will incorporate at least one door (13) for access to its interior and a series of grooves or cuts (14) for ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the chassis (1) will incorporate two doors (13), one side and one rear.

In a preferred embodiment, the chassis (1) in its upper part will incorporate a tray or any storage medium, where the medicament will be deposited, both in bulk and in blister, being able to incorporate means that provide a vibratory movement, which facilitates the movement of the medicine and its fall into the hopper (3).

The tray may be removable, foldable or fixed depending on the manufacturing model, and the specific needs of each installation.

In a particular embodiment, the tray or the equivalent storage medium used, will be associated with a manipulator device with a rotary actuator and variable rotation angle, which at its end will incorporate a suction cup, which by suction or vacuum takes the medication individually, to deposit it on the hopper (3).

The machine will incorporate a printer (6), which may be integrated in the chassis (1) itself, or be located adjacently, as shown in Figure 7. Said printer (6) will be responsible for feeding the paper printed with the personalized data of the required dose.

The printer (6) may be both monochromatic and bi-chromatic, in case a more striking color is required, to highlight certain information to the patient or the administrator of the medication.

Similarly, the printer (6) may be of the "thermal inkject" type or thermal inkjet; or by thermal transfer, depending on the technical specifications required.

The machine, may incorporate a dome with means of extraction and filtering of air, for the treatment of polluting products, such as, for example: cytostatic, cytotoxic products, etc .; and where only the operator's hands with gloves can be accessed, increasing operator safety. Said dome, will be materialized in a material with a great mechanical resistance and have a transparent character, to allow the correct

visualization of the interior of the dome, when the operator is working.

The chassis (1) may incorporate an element or means for collecting the dose located under the cutting means (9).

Finally, the chassis (1) will incorporate small legs (15), and can be height adjustable, which will stabilize the machine once it has been placed.

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Claims (32)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. - Solid format medicine packaging machine comprising a chassis (1) and characterized in that said chassis (1) in its front part incorporates a structure (2) that houses a hopper or collector (3) and protrusions ( 4) for guiding a cellophane or plasticized paper (5) and a printed paper from a printer (6); and where, located next to said hopper (3) is a sealing clamp (7) by heating, it is responsible for sealing the printed paper and plasticized paper (5) forming a receptacle where the medicine from the hopper will be deposited (3) forming an individualized dose; and where, next to the clamp (7), first rollers (8) are in charge of providing movement to the obtained doses, then cutting means (9) in charge of cutting the individualized doses are placed; and where all this is commanded by a logical control means associated with a screen (12), enabled to command the machine. 2. - Machine according to claim 1 wherein it incorporates a frontal protection (10). 3. - Machine according to any of claims 1-2 wherein incorporating a printer (6). 4. - Machine according to any of claims 1 - 3 wherein it incorporates a tray or any equivalent storage medium, where the medicine is deposited in blister or in bulk. 5. - Machine according to any of claims 1-4 wherein it incorporates a manipulator device with rotary actuator and variable rotation angle, which at its end incorporates a suction cup, which by suction or vacuum takes the medication individually, to deposit it on the hopper (3). 6. - Machine according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein it incorporates a dome with means for extracting and filtering air. 7. - Machine according to any of claims 1-6 wherein the chassis (1) incorporates a housing (11) where the roll of cellophane or plastic paper (5) is placed. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 8. - Machine according to any of claims 1-7 wherein the hopper (3) is disposable. 9. - Machine according to any of claims 1-8 wherein the hopper (3) incorporates a disposable protection element. 10. - Machine according to any of claims 1-9 wherein the cutting means (9) are rollers, a blade or equivalent technical means. 11. - Machine according to any of claims 1-10 wherein the chassis (1) incorporates means for collecting the individualized dose. 12. - Machine according to any of claims 1-11 wherein the clamp (7) internally incorporates a small cutting piece, saw type or the like, which performs a small pre-cut in the package. 13. - Machine according to any of claims 1-12 wherein the clamp (7) is an electric clamp. 14. - Machine according to any of claims 1-12 wherein the clamp (7) is a pneumatic clamp. 15. - Machine according to any of claims 1-14 wherein the clamp (7) is composed of two thermal plates (7a) located in two supports (7b) placed on guide rails (7c), which provide movement necessary for the action of said clamp (7). 16. - Machine according to any of claims 1-15 wherein the chassis (1) incorporates at least one door (13) for access to its interior. 17. - Machine according to any one of claims 1-16 the chassis (1) incorporates a series of grooves or cuts (14) for ventilation. 18. - Machine according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein the chassis (1) is materialized in metal or in a material with mechanical characteristics 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 equivalent. 19. - Machine according to any one of claims 1-18 wherein the printer (6) is integrated in the chassis (1). 20. - Machine according to any of claims 1-19 wherein the printer (6) is located adjacent to the chassis (1). 21. - Machine according to any of claims 1-20 wherein the printer (6) is monochromatic. 22. - Machine according to any of claims 1-20 wherein the printer (6) is bichromatic. 23. - Machine according to any one of claims 1-22 wherein the printer (6) is of the "thermal inkject" or thermal inkjet type. 24. - Machine according to any of claims 1 - 23 wherein the printer (6) is thermal transfer. 25. - Machine according to any of claims 1-24 wherein the tray or any equivalent storage means incorporates means that provide vibratory movement. 26. - Machine according to claim 16 wherein it incorporates two doors (13), one side and one rear. 27. - Machine according to claim 2 wherein the front protection (10) laterally incorporates a series of ventilation holes (10b). 28. - Machine according to claim 4 wherein the tray or the like is removable. 29. - Machine according to claim 4 wherein the tray or the like is foldable. 30. - Machine according to claim 4 wherein the tray is fixed. 31. - Machine according to claim 6 wherein the dome is materialized 5 in a transparent material. 32. - Machine according to any of the preceding claims wherein it incorporates legs (15). 10 33.- Machine according to claim 32 wherein the legs (15) are height adjustable.