FR2710327A1 - Method for the temporary assembly of packages, particularly for pharmaceutical products, package for the implementation of the method, and assembly of such packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the temporary assembly of packages (1) intended to form a batch for dispensing or for sale. According to the invention, the packages (1), preferably having a square or rectangular cross-section, are provided with four weld beads (111) on the bottom (11) close to the edges (10). These weld beads (111) are placed in contact with an ultrasonic source (4) by the intermediary of an apparatus consisting of a sonotrode (41) and concentrators (410). The weld beads (111) melt and, after cooling, a temporary link is created between two adjacent packages (1) which can be broken easily by applying a tensile force. Preferably, the method is automated. The invention also relates to packages (1) for the implementation of the method and to a temporary assembly of such packages (1). Application in particular to pharmaceutical products.

Description

 The invention relates to a method of temporarily assembling packaging, in particular small packaging intended for pharmaceutical products such as lozenges, pills, granules, cachets, etc .; in order to constitute lots intended for sale or distribution.

 The invention also relates to a packaging for copper-plating such a process.

 The invention finally relates to a temporary assembly of at least two packages.

 In the aforementioned field of the distribution of pharmaceutical products, but also in other fields since the invention cannot be limited to this single field, it is frequently necessary to deliver to the buyer a quantity of product corresponding to several packages of base, the latter containing a fixed quantity of product. There is therefore a need to be able to have assemblies or lots each consisting of a predefined number of basic packaging and this at different stages of the production-distribution-sale chain.

 One might think that this need can be satisfied by using boxes or similar elements containing, in bulk, a defined number of basic packages. However, if this method can be adapted to certain products, it is not optimized in all cases.

 In addition, there is often an additional constraint to be met, that of being able to split at will and in a practical manner the assembly of packages into smaller assemblies, or even into unit packages by unit packaging. In this case, it is very practical for the remaining packages to remain attached to each other. Again this need can be felt at the various stages of the above chain.

 It is also useful that this possibility be offered to the user, as he consumes it.

 The main objective of the invention is to satisfy these needs, while overcoming the drawbacks of known art assemblies.

 To do this, the invention makes use of an assembly process using ultrasonic welding and, more precisely, an ultrasonic welding process carried out using an apparatus comprising a device called a sonotrode.

 The packaging used in the context of the invention includes an area on their underside, as will be defined below, in material capable of melting when subjected to the emission of ultrasound. In addition, this zone is provided with elements of suitable shape, intended to be brought into contact with a homologous element of a packaging adjacent to the temporary assembly. These two elements subjected to ultrasound melt and merge. It follows then that the two adjacent packages are linked by a bridge of material sufficient to keep them fixed to each other but easily "breakable" or tearable if one wishes to detach the two packages again.

 In a preferred variant of the invention, the packaging is of a type similar to that described in French patent No. 78 05670, issued on October 31, 1980 and published under the number 2 418 161.

 The packaging, described in this patent, comprises an outer envelope, consisting of a lower part and a removable cover, and an inner tube attached to the lower part of the envelope and suitable for receiving the product to be packaged.

 The envelope is for example made of polypropylene. The inner tube, closed in its lower part by an integral radial partition, is preferably made of glass or of inert material.

 The inner tube is secured to the envelope, for example, by gluing or by friction means of the rib or longitudinal fin type, carried by the internal wall of the lower part of the envelope.

 Preferably, the internal tube is provided with a plug which can be arranged to receive a certain dose of the packaged product, during its use.

 Also preferably, the two parts of the envelope have the same external section, the lower part comprising, in its upper zone, a neck on which the cover is secured by friction.

 A more detailed description of this packaging can be found in the aforementioned French patent to which reference will be made with advantage.

 In the context of the invention, the technical characteristics which have just been mentioned may be used, in whole or in part. Only a few slight modifications will be necessary so that this packaging can be adapted to the process of the invention. It will be sufficient in particular, during manufacture, to provide the bottom of the outer casing with elements forming slight protuberances which will be called in the following "weld pins" This arrangement does not require any additional operation. In fact, the packaging according to the preferred variant embodiment, which has just been described briefly, is obtained in a conventional manner by molding. It therefore suffices to provide a mold of suitable shape, the aforementioned "weld pins" then forming one of the reliefs of the bottom of the envelope. In addition, polypropylene is one of the materials sensitive to ultrasound and is perfectly suitable.

 Although the invention is not limited to this specific type of packaging, for the sake of simplification, the method will be described in the following, taking as an example packaging similar to that taught by the aforementioned French patent.

The subject of the invention is therefore a method of temporarily assembling at least two packages, in particular for pharmaceutical products, in order to constitute a batch containing a determined quantity of packages; characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps
a / joint grouping of said determined number of packages; these packages comprising on at least one of the edges of their bottom at least one so-called weld pin protuberance; solder pins to be fused from two adjacent packages being brought into proximity relationship;
b / contacting the solder pins with a source of ultrasound;
c / selective application of ultrasound to the material forming these weld pins, causing by vibration, a fusion of these;
d / cooling of said material causing an agglomeration of two adjacent weld studs in a common weld bridge to two packages, connecting them so as to obtain said temporary assembly until a subsequent tearing force is exerted, causing breaking this bridge.

 Another subject of the invention is packaging for the implementation of this process.

 The invention finally relates to an assembly of such packaging.

 The invention satisfies the goals it has set itself. Indeed, the temporary assembly of packaging produced in accordance with the teaching of the invention allows both practical transport and handling of all of the packaging linked together, without requiring other supports, boxes or the like, great modularity and also practical use, especially for the retailer (for example the pharmacist, in the case of pharmaceutical products) and for the user who can separate it at will into sub-assemblies by simply pulling on the welding (welding pin) carried out between two packages.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the description which follows with reference to the appended figures, and among which
- Figure 1 illustrates an example of packaging according to the invention;
- Figures 2a, 2b and 3 are figures illustrating in more detail certain important characteristics of the packaging of Figure 1;
- Figures 4 and 5 illustrate additional examples of packaging according to the invention;
- Figure 6 illustrates an automatic apparatus for implementing the method according to the invention;
- Figure 7 illustrates in more detail the welding members of this apparatus;
- Figures 8a, 8b and 9 illustrate steps of the method according to the invention.

 We will first describe the main characteristics of the packaging necessary for the implementation of the method of the invention before describing the process itself, with reference to Figures I to 5.

 FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of packaging 1 usable in the context of the invention. It comprises an outer envelope comprising a lower part 10 and a removable cover 13 containing a plug 20, which can advantageously serve as a dispenser for the packaged products. The cover 13 is fixed on a neck 12 in friction. Usually, the products contained in the conditioner 1 are not in direct contact with the internal wall of the inner envelope. An additional container 2 is provided, preferably made of glass or of inert material, slid in force or glued inside the envelope 12. The plug 20 comes to close the internal container 2. The conditioner 1 resumes, as it was indicated, the essential characteristics of the device described in the aforementioned French patent. The only notable exception, when we examine FIG. 1, is that the section of the envelope is substantially inscribed in a quadrilateral whereas FIG. 1 of this patent illustrates an envelope of circular section. It is however indicated in this patent that the outer envelope can be provided with any other shape: square, rectangular or curvilinear.

 A substantially rectangular or square section is particularly well suited to the method of the invention for the reasons which will appear below, but other shapes are possible and some will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

 FIG. 2a is an enlarged bottom view of the packaging I illustrated by FIG. I and FIG. 2b is a sectional view along AA (FIG. 2) of this packaging 1.

 In these figures, as well as in Figures 3 to 9 which will be described later, identical or at least similar elements bear, unless otherwise indicated, the same references and will only be re-described as necessary.

 According to an important characteristic of the invention, the bottom 11 of the lower part 10 of the outer envelope is provided with a particular configuration, comprising in particular elements intended to link two adjacent packages together by welding. These are protuberances 111 hereinafter called welding pins, having a particular profile. Preferably, these solder pins 111 are arranged in cavities 112 also produced in the bottom 11 of the envelope 10, so that the latter comprises a substantially planar surface 110 on which the envelope can rest. Furthermore, the bottom may optionally include ribs 113 of various shapes. This aspect is outside the precise scope of the invention.

 Although the profile of the weld pins is not very critical, advantageously, preference will be given to angular profiles, for example sawtooth, as illustrated in FIG. 2b. The abrupt face 1110 merges, in the example illustrated, with the outer wall of the envelope 10. It is therefore possible to attach, as illustrated more particularly in FIG. 3, two packages 1a and 1b. The homologous faces 1110 of the weld pins will therefore also be placed side by side, before welding.

 According to another aspect of the invention, the temporary assembly of two packages, for example la and lb, will be carried out by melting the weld pins 111, using ultrasound. The process for obtaining this result will be described in detail below. In Figure 3, there is shown the step after welding. The solder pins of the two packages 1a and 1b have melted and no longer form a single dome-shaped protrusion 111 ′.

 The two packages 1a and 1b are linked by the solder 111 ′ of the two solder pins and only by the latter. The support is sufficient because this type of packaging is usually very light. To fix ideas, the overall length, envelope 10 and cap 13 (Figure 1), is typically of the order of 2 to 7 centimeters and the weight of the packaging, including the products placed in the tube 2, of the order of a few grams. In addition, the packages 1a and 1b are joined to one another by common planar faces.

 Preferably, for square or rectangular sections, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 3, four solder pins 111 are provided.

In particular for the square forms, it is then possible to assemble the packages 1 indifferently, that is to say by any external face of the envelope 10. Naturally, it is necessary, whatever the external form caps 13 (which is not critical in itself), that the dimensions of these are compatible with those of the envelopes 10 so that they can be joined contiguously.

 It is naturally possible to provide for a smaller number of solder pins 111. At the limit, if only two envelopes are to be assembled, a single pin is sufficient; but, in the general case, it will be necessary to provide at least two, diametrically opposite, for example on the axis AA (Figure 2a). To avoid any positioning problem, in particular if an automated process is aimed at in a preferred version of the invention, the solder pins are provided at the center of the sides of the bottom 11, that is to say regularly distributed over the periphery of the bottom 11.

 As has been indicated, although a substantially rectangular section, or preferably a square section, is particularly suitable for the process of the invention, other shapes are also possible: generally all the polygonal sections. The term "substantially" here indicates that the outer edges 100 (Figure 1) may be slightly rounded, as is customary. Each side of the polygon defines a wall of the substantially planar outer envelope on which another packaging can be attached in order to perform the grouping.

 FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly of packages 1 ′ of substantially triangular section. It is preferably an equilateral triangle which therefore allows indifferent assembly by any of the outer planar walls of the lower envelope 10.

 Also preferably, the number of solder pins 111 is equal to three, these being arranged symmetrically.

 It is easy to see that the forms of packaging which have just been described allow joining face to face, contiguously, which contributes to good overall maintenance of the assembly. It is also understood that this advantageous characteristic is no longer satisfied when the number of faces of the envelope 10 increases sharply: case of a high-order polygon. The limit is reached precisely when the outer casing 10 is provided with a circular section, as illustrated by the packaging 1 "in FIG. 5.

 These are produced in accordance with the invention but, on the one hand, the positioning, facing each other, of the adjacent welding pins is made difficult, which is not very compatible with an automated process, and, on the other hand , the above condition of good maintenance is no longer fulfilled. Only one edge is common to two adjacent 1 "packages.

 We will now describe the process for temporarily assembling packaging according to the invention with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

 FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of apparatus 3 making it possible to carry out the steps of the process of the invention according to a preferred variant embodiment, a variant in which the process is automated and therefore lends itself to applications of the industrial type. In this figure, only the elements essential to a good understanding of the invention have been shown. In particular, all the control devices usually present on an assembly or production line have been omitted: operator console, maintenance tables, etc. These elements are well known to those skilled in the art and it is unnecessary to describe them further. .

 The progress of the packaging along the chain is symbolized by arrows in bold lines.

 There is shown, downstream of the production chain, a first device 30 supplying the rest of the chain in packaging 1 (Figure 1). In the context of the invention, it may advantageously be a labeling machine, or more generally a marking device, conventionally affixing labels, logos or other markings on the packages 1. These are then transmitted, by a conveyor 300, to the welding device 31, an essential element in the production chain of temporary packaging assemblies.

 In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, this comprises an apparatus 4 allowing ultrasonic welding and a turntable 5 associated with clamps or jaws 50 to 53. An input conveyor 310 presents the packaging for the plate device turning 5 and an outlet conveyor 320 feeds an apparatus for subsequent treatments identified by the general reference 32. It can be a simple conveyor. This aspect, in itself, goes beyond the precise scope of the invention.

 FIG. 7 illustrates in more detail an example of a welding device 4 which can be used for implementing the method according to the invention. It is an ultrasonic generator of a standard type comprising a welding head 40, a device known as a sonotrode 41 and concentrators 410. It is the latter which are brought into contact with the pins welding 111 of the packages 1.

 These are assembled in the desired quantity to form a batch, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 9. It has been assumed, in the example illustrated, that the section of the packages 1 is square or at least rectangular. It then suffices to assemble them in the form of a row, which is easy to achieve, for example in the supply conveyor 310, and to simply enclose them between the two jaws of one of the vices of the turntable , for example the vice 53. It is easily understood that the assembly of packages of different sections, for example triangular (FIG. 4), is more delicate. The vice device 53 will be more complex to produce. It will be necessary, in particular, to provide guides to maintain the adjoining packages before welding.

 FIG. 6 shows four vices 50 to 53. This number is not critical: any number can be provided, only one being sufficient. However, if the device 5 is provided with several clamps, it is easy to realize that the number of simultaneous operations can be increased. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, at a given instant, due to the symmetrical arrangement adopted for the four vices 50 to 53, it is possible to carry out simultaneously a "pre-assembly" operation of packages 1 in the vice of reception 53, a welding operation of the packages transported by the vice 52 and the ejection of the assembly of packages welded by the vice 51, the vice 50, for its part, being empty. The cycle continues in the same way when the plate 5 rotates (arrow in bold line) in the manner of a carousel, the vice 50 becoming the reception vice and so on. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), on the same production line, the number of inlet and outlet channels and possibly the number of welding stations could be increased. The optimal number of vices, for a given installation, therefore depends on various parameters, in particular the following: dimension of the turntable, rate of arrival of the packages, speed of execution of the weld, maximum number of packages 1 to be welded by assembly, etc.

 Figures 8a and 8b illustrate in more detail the welding operation according to the invention.

 The bottom 11 of the packages 1a and 1b enclosed in one of the vices 50 to 53 (FIG. 6) is brought into contact with a specific tool called a sonotrode (FIG. 7), and more particularly with a series of concentrators 410 in the form of fine rods. . More precisely, these concentrators 410 are advanced (by conventional means of translation not shown) to be brought into contact (FIG. 8a) with the solder pins 1 1 la and 1 1 lob of the packages la and lb. The sonotrode 41 and concentrator 410 assembly transmits the ultrasound. Exposed to this ultrasound, the material of the welding pins, it and 11 lob in FIG. 8a, heats up and melts. It follows, when the emission of ultrasound is stopped and the material cools, an agglomeration of the two solder pins Ila and Il lob in a common solder bridge 111 ′ (FIG. 8b) linking the two packages la and lb. To do this, the sonotrode 41 and concentrator 410 assembly is moved back to its initial position. The turntable 5 then performs a quarter turn (in the example illustrated) and the cycle begins again.

 It is naturally necessary that the dimensions of the concentrators 410 and the distance d (FIG. 6) between them are adapted to the dimensions of the packages and of the solder pins. In particular, the diameter of the concentrators 410 (if they are of circular section) or more generally their width e must be substantially equal to the cumulative dimensions of two solder pins. Likewise, the difference d (FIG. 7) between two concentrators 410 depends on the thickness of the packages 1.

To summarize, the main steps of the method according to the invention are as follows:
a / joined grouping of a predetermined number of packages to be temporarily assembled in order to constitute a batch; the homologous welding pins, that is to say to be fused, of two adjacent packages being in proximity relationship;
bl contacting the welding pins with a source of ultrasound;
c / selective application of ultrasound to the material forming these solder pins, causing by vibration a fusion of these;
dl cooling of said material causing an agglomeration of two adjacent weld studs in a common weld bridge to two packages, connecting them so as to obtain temporary assembly until a subsequent tearing force is exerted causing breaking this bridge.

 The process naturally includes a preliminary step consisting in producing the aforementioned welding pins. Very generally, this step is confused with the step of manufacturing the outer envelope of the package 1.

 In the preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, which has just been described, steps a1 to dl above are automated, the ultrasound generator being a known tool, the transmission of the ultrasound being by tool called sonotrode.

 As has been indicated, the material of the welding pins, at least, and in a practical manner from any external envelope of the packages 1, is chosen from those capable of melting under the action of ultrasound. Other constraints are usually added, even if these are not directly linked to the invention. In particular, for industrial production of the packages 1, it is necessary that these can be molded. In addition, for standard or other reasons, depending on the field of application envisaged, certain classes or types of material may or may not be suitable. We therefore choose the material accordingly.

 In the context of the invention, in particular if pharmaceutical applications are envisaged, polypropylene is a material which is particularly suitable, among other possibilities.

 To fix ideas and without this being limiting in any way of the scope of the invention, in the context of the example of the packaging previously described, the weld pins have the following typical dimensions: length 2 to 3 mm , width approximately 1 mm and height approximately 1 mm. The ultrasonic emission time for welding is typically 0.28 seconds, the generator frequency of 30 kHz and its power of 1000 W.

 The invention is naturally not limited to the specific examples of embodiments described in particular with regard to FIGS. 1 to 9. In particular, the packages to be temporarily assembled can, as has been indicated, be of different shapes without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific examples have been illustrated by the detail figures 1 to 5.

 It would also be possible, in a variant embodiment not illustrated, to provide the packages with more than one spike per border, for example two or three, this for packages of larger dimensions than those mentioned above for information.

 In addition, although the invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the context of industrial type production, it is in no way limited to this category of production.

Claims (10)

REVEIN'DICATlONS  1. A method of temporarily assembling at least two packages (1) in order to constitute a batch containing a determined quantity of packages (1); characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps  al joined grouping of said determined number of packages (1); these packages comprising on at least one of the edges of their bottom (11) at least one protuberance called weld pin (111); solder pins to be fused (Illa, lllb) of two adjacent packages (la, lb) being brought into proximity relationship;  b / contacting the solder pins (11 la, 11 lob) with a source (4) of ultrasound;  c / selective application of ultrasound to the material forming these solder pins (11a, 11lob), causing by vibration, a fusion of these;  d / cooling of said material causing an agglomeration of two adjacent weld pins into a weld bridge (111 ') common to two packages (la, lb), linking these so as to obtain said temporary assembly until a subsequent breakout force is exerted causing the rupture of this bridge.  2 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of selective exposure of the welding pins to an ultrasonic source is carried out by bringing these pins into contact with concentrators (410) of a sonotrode (41).  3 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of contiguous grouping of a determined number of packaging is carried out by enclosing these in the jaws (500, 501) of a vice (50-53).  4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that said clamps (50-53) are at least three in number and are integral with a turntable (5) to perform three simultaneous operations: grouping of packages between the jaws of '' a first vice (53), fusion and welding by application of ultrasound to welding pins (111) of a second group of packages (1) carried by a second vice (52) and ejection of a third group of packages (1) having undergone the welding and melting operation and carried by a third vice (51); so as to chain the process steps automatically.  5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step consisting in the production of said solder pins (111) on the bottom (11) of the packages (I) and in that , the packaging comprising at least one outer casing (10, 12), this step is carried out concurrently with the step of manufacturing the outer casing and in the same material as the latter.  6. Packaging (1) for the implementation of the temporary assembly process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises several solder pins (111) distributed regularly over the periphery of its bottom (11).  7. Packaging (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it is provided with a polygonal section defining as many substantially planar faces as sides of the polygon and in that it is provided with at least one pin of weld (111) associated with each face.  8. Packaging (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said polygonal section is chosen from the following: square, rectangular or triangular.  9. Packaging (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the solder pins (111) have a sawtooth profile having a steep face (1110) facing outward to be attached to a homologous face of another package (1) and in that the solder pins (111) are produced in cavities (112) hollowed out in the bottom (11) of the package (1).  10. Packaging (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the material making up the solder pins (111) is polypropylene.  1 1 Temporary assembly forming a batch of packages (1) in a predetermined quantity, characterized in that it is produced by the temporary assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.