GB2149740A - Device for transferring elements, in particular, containers for pharmaceutical products - Google Patents

Abstract

A device is disclosed for transferring elements, such as capsules for pharmaceutical products. Each element is fed around the periphery of a rotary input device (3), a rotary parking device (4) and a rotary output device (5) which are tangential with one another. The elements travel along a route of given length, part of which consists of a full turn around the parking device (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for transferring elements, in particular, containers for pharmaceutical products.

The present invention relates to a device for transferring elements, in particular, containers for pharmaceutical products, such as capsules or similar or parts of capsules.

In the pharmaceutical industry, to which the following description relates solely by way of a nonlimiting example, automatic machines are known to be used for capsuling pharmaceutical products, the empty capsules or parts of the same being required to travel through the machines along routes of given length, the said route usually being defined by conveying members turning round their axes and being tangent with one another.

It sometimes happens, however, that the length of the aforementioned routes is considerable and, in any case, such as to require the use of rotary members the size of which is out of all proportion in relation to the size of the rest of the said automatic machines.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a transfer device which, though using rotary members for feeding the elements, in particular capsules, along a given route, is relatively small in relation to the length of the feed route defined by the said members.

With this aim in view, the present invention relates to a device for transferring elements, in particular, containers for pharmaceutical products, such as capsules or similar, characterised by the fact that it comprises, in due combination, a rotary input device, a rotary parking device tangent with the said rotary input device, and a rotary output device tangent with the said rotary parking device; each said rotary device having recesses, round its periphery, each designed to house a respective said element, and defining a respective portion of a route for feeding the said elements from the said input device to the said output device; the said route passing through the said points of tangency and a portion of the said route consisting in a full turn round the periphery of the said parking device.

A non-limiting arrangement of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a partially-sectioned schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a transfer device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a detail in Fig.

1; Figure 3 shows an axial section of the Fig. 2 detail; Figures 4 and 5 show two different cross sections of the Fig. 2 detail.

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for transferring elements 2 consisting, in the example shown, of capsules or parts of capsules for pharmaceutical products.

Device 1 comprises a rotary input device 3, a rotary parking device 4 tangent with input device 3 at input point A, a rotary output device 5 tangent with parking device 4 at point B, and a belt actuating member 6 connnected to devices 3, 4 and 5 so as to turn them round their respective axes at the same speed.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, parking device 4 comprises a hollow, vertical shaft 7 mounted, in rotary manner, through a base 8 and supporting a disc 9 meshing with actuating member 6.

In more detail, through disc 9, provision is made for a centre hole 10 the flared bottom section 11 of which houses the top end of shaft 7 which is secured to disc 9 by screws 12 and is coaxial with both disc 9 and hole 10. Shaft 7 houses a fixed, hollow, coaxial cylinder 13 connected to shaft 7 by means of bearings 17. Cylinder 13 extends upwards beyond the top end of shaft 7 and beyond hole 10 where it presents an annular recess 15 having its axis inclined in relation to that of cylinder 13 and housing the bottom end of a fixed bush 16 coaxial with recess 15 itself.

A top end portion of cylinder 13 presents a radial hole 17 for housing pin 18 one end of which engages an axial slot 19 on the bottom end of bush 16 for locking the latter in relation to cylinder 13.

At the bottom, bush 16 supports, by means of bush 21, a rotary disc 22 coaxial with bush 16 and therefore inclined in relation to disc 9. Disc 22 is connected to disc 9 by means of an articulated ball coupling. For this purpose, disc 22 presents a through hole 23 parallel with bush 16 and engaged by the top end of pin 24, the bottom end of which is housed, by means of bush 29, in a through hole 25 formed in disc 9 and having its axis parallel with that of shaft 7. The top end of pin 24 is fitted, by means of axial screw 28, with a wheel 26 engaging a spherical recess in a ring 27 secured inside hole 23 by axial screw 31. The aforementioned coupling allows disc 22 to turn together with disc 9, but round a centre located along the axis of bush 16.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, disc 22 is provided with a number of radial dead holes 33, the outer end of which communicates externally and the inner end of which communicates with a respective hole 34 extending upwards and having its axis parallel with that of bush 16. From a mid section of hole 23, extends upwards a further hole 35 having its axis parallel with that of hole 34. On the outer cylindrical surface of disc 22 is fitted an integral wheel 36 having a number of radial through holes 37 each communicating with a respective hole 33.

At the outer end of each hole 37, provision is made, on the outer cylindrical surface of wheel 36, for a respective recess 38 having its longitudinal axis parallel with the axis of bush 16 and being engaged by a respective element 2.

Close to bush 21, disc 22 presents an axial through hole 41 engaged by a pin 42 secured to disc 22 by screw 45 and supporting, in idle manner at the top of disc 22, a gear 43 meshing with a toothed portion 44 on bush 16 over its own portion inside bush 21.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, over toothed portion 44, bush 16 supports, by means of bush 47, a rotary disc 48 to which are connected, by means of a number of through pins 58, a bottom annular element 52 and an outer annular element 56, both coaxial and integral with disc 48. On the inner cylindrical surface of element 52, provision is made for teeth 61 meshing with gear 43 and constituting the outer ring gear of an epicylic train, the fixed sun gear of which consists of toothed portion 44 and the carrier of which consists of disc 22 which, in this manner, turns element 56 at a speed greater than its own, to be more precise, at the same speed as devices 3 and 5. Element 56 constitutes a rotary pneumatic distributor and presents two rings of through holes, 62 and 63, equal in number, parallel with the axis of bush 16 and offset by half the centre distance in relation to one another.

In more detail, the mid line of the segment joining the longitudinal axes of two adjacent holes 62 intersects the axis of a hole 63. The diameter of the locus circumference of the axes of holes 62 equals that of the axes of holes 34, and the diameter of the locus circumference of the axes of holes 63 equals that of the axes of holes 35. As disc 22 and element 56 turn round at different speeds, each hole 33 communicates alternatively, by means of holes 34 and 35, with holes 62 and 63, in that, when a hole 62 communicates with a hole 34, none of holes 63 communicates with the relative hole 35, whereas, when a hole 63 communicates with hole 35, none of holes 62 communicates with the relative hole 34.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, over bush 47, bush 16 is fitted with an annular element 71 constituting a fixed pneumatic distributor and having an axial centre hole 72 engaged by a corresponding portion of bush 16. At hole 72, provision is made for an annular cavity 73 communicating with the inside of bush 16 by means of a radial through hole 74 in the latter. Cavity 73 communicates with six radial holes 75 on element 71. The latter also presents a peripheral annular ridge 76 extending downwards and facing element 56. Along ridge 76, provision is made for an annular cavity 77 communicating with holes 75 and being, along practically the whole of ridge 76, of such constant width as to enable cavity 77 to communicate simultaneously with most of holes 62 and 63.Along one portion, cavity 77 is narrower, so as to enable cavity 77 to communicate solely with the holes 62 relative to that portion. Outside the said narrower portion, provision is made, through element 71, for an axial hole 78 open at the bottom and coaxial with whichever of holes 63 faces hole 78 during rotation of element 56.

From the top surface of element 71, correspond ing with hole 72, a coupling 81 extends coaxially upwards, the said coupling being provided with a radial hole 82 communicating with hole 78 via hole 83, formed in coupling 81 with its axis parallel with the axis of the latter, and via radial hole 84 in ele ment 71. Coupling 81 presents an externallythreaded bottom portion 85 on to which is screwed a body 86 in the shape of an upside-down cup. The said body 86 presents a top wall 87 and a cylindri cal side wall 88 threaded internally and connected to portion 85. Over portion 85, on the cylindrical outer surface of coupling 81, provision is made for an annular recess 91 housing a helical spring 92 the top end of which is compressed contacting the bottom surface of wall 87.

The holes of the said number of holes consisting of the six holes 75 and hole 84 are evenly distributed around the axis of element 71.

Cylinder 13 houses a second hollow, coaxial cylinder 95 extending upwards beyond the top end of bush 16, the said cylinder 95 being fixed and constituting the end section of a compressed air supply circuit. Cylinder 13 also constitutes the end of an air intake circuit communicating, through the inside of bush 16, with the inside of holes 75 and cavity 77.

The top end of cylinder 95 engages a centre through hole 96 in a cylindrical element 97 having a portion 98 engaging the top end of bush 16. The top end of cylinder 95 presents a diametrical hole 101 communicating, via an annular cavity 102 on element 97 next to hole 96, with a radial hole 103 on element 97. Hole 101 is coaxial with hole 103 and communicates with hole 82 via hole 104 at the top end of bush 16. The top end of cylinder 95 is closed airtight by a cap 105 having a cylindrical portion extending downwards and engaging hole 96. Needless to say, along the said portion, provision is made for a diametrical hole connecting hole 101 and cavity 102.From portion 98, a coupling 107 extends upwards inside coupling 81, the bottom section of the said coupling 107 housing the head of cap 105 engaging the top end of cylinder 95, and the top section being threaded internally for engaging a cylindrical cap 108 threaded externally and engaging a through hole 111 in the centre of wall 87 on body 86.

As shown in Fig. 1, device 3 comprises a wheel 112 round the periphery of which provision is made for a first number of recesses 113, each designed to house and hold a respective element 2, e.g. by means of a suction system not shown, and for a number of false recesses 114 not having the said suction system and alternating with recesses 113. The centre distance between each recess 113 and an adjacent recess 114 equals the centre distance between recesses 38.

Similarly, device 5 also comprises a wheel 115 round the periphery of which provision is made for a number of recesses 116, each designed to house and hold a respective element 2, e.g. by means of a suction system not shown, and for a number of false recesses 117 not having the said suction system and alternating with recesses 116, the centre distance between each recess 116 and an adjacent recess 117 being equal to that between recesses 38. As stated, member 6 is connected (in a manner not shown) to devices 3 and 5 so as to turn wheels 112 and 115 anticlockwise in Fig. 1, and is con nected to disc 9 on device 4 so as to turn wheel 36 clockwise in Fig. 1 at the same speed as wheels 112 and 115.

Furthermore, the epicyclic train between wheel 36 and element 56 is such as to impart on the lat teethe same speed as wheels 112 and 115.

Finally, if 'n' is the number of recesses 113, 'n' is also the number of recesses 114, 116 and 117 and the number of holes 62 and 63, previously elements 2.

During operation, as already explained, elements 2 inside recesses 113 on device 3 are fed forward anticlockwise round device 3 to point A where they are fed into one out of every two recesses 38 on wheel 36. As already explained, this is made possible by the centre distance of recesses 113 being twice that of recesses 38.

The way in which elements 2 are transferred from recesses 113 to recesses 38 will be dispensed with herein, for the sake of simplicity, in that it is known and common to a large number of automatic machines.

Once housed inside respective recess 38, each element 2 is fed forward clockwise round device 4 by wheel 36. In more detail, each element 2 is fed forward from point A to point B where, instead of being fed to device 5, it is fed further forward, again round device 4, past point A again and back to point B for the second time, where it is finally fed to device 5.

For a clearer understanding of how all this is achieved, a few comments should be made with reference to Fig. 1. First of all, wheels 112, 36 and 115 should be thought of as gears, seeing as this is essentially what they become when elements 2 carried on them project radially outwards of respective recesses 113, 38 and 116.

In more detail, as already stated, the said three wheels obviously present the same speed, wheels 112 and 115 having the same even number of teeth and wheel 36 an odd number of teeth.

During operation, each element 2 housed inside a recess 113 is transferred into a recess 38 and fed forward, inside the latter, from point A to point B where, to avoid being transferred on to wheel 115, it must engage a false recess 117 having no suction and, consequently, being empty. Continuing on wheel 36 past point B, each element 2 passes once more through point A where, to avoid being crushed against an element 2 travelling towards point A on wheel 112, it must engage an empty false recess 114. Moving on wheel 36 past point A, each element 2 comes back to point B where, if it is to be fed on to wheel 115, it must engage a recess 116 provided with suction. This may only be achieved if the number of "teeth" on wheel 36, i.e.

the number of recesses 38, is odd. To explain how each element 2 is only fed on to wheel 115 the second time it passes through point B, we shall now examine distributors 56 and 71.

Firstly, as a vacuum exists inside chamber 77 which, when transmitted to recesses 38, serve to hold elements 2 inside recesses 38, whereas a pressure exists inside hole 78 which, when transmitted to recesses 38, provides for transferring elements 2 from recesses 38 to recesses 116, fixed distributor 71 is located in such a manner that its hole 78 corresponds with point B to which the highest point on wheel 36 on disc 9 also corresponds. In fact, the only reason for the slope on wheel 36 on disc 9 is to allow possible passage of elements not shown on wheel 115 between the same at point B.

As for rotary distributor 56, as already stated, a distributor is selected with 'n' holes 62 and 'n' holes 63, so that the total number of axial through holes on rotary distributor 56 is 2n, i.e. the same number as the "teeth" on wheels 112 and 115.

Since, as already explained, rotary distributor 56 turns at the same speed as wheels 112 and 115, and since holes 62 and 63 communicate alternately with ducts 33 at the same frequency at which recesses 116 and 117 come to face recesses 38, it is possible, when a recess 38 faces a recess 116, to cause its duct 33 to communicate with hole 78 through hole 63.

In this way, an element 2 housed inside a recess 38 which, as it passes through point B, comes to face a recess 116, is immediately transferred into the latter as a result of compressed air being blown through holes 78, 63, 35, 33 and 37.

Should an element 2 be present inside the next recess 38, this is fed forward towards point B which is reached simultaneously by element 2 and a recess 117 into which element 2 is not transferred, firstly, because the said recess 117 is not provided with suction and, secondly, because rotary distributor 56 turns in time with wheel 115 and, when recess 38 containing the second said element 2 reaches point B, moves into a position whereby one of its holes 62 communicates with hole 34 relative to recess 38 containing the said second element 2, whereas none of holes 63 communicates with holes 78 and 35. Consequently, the said second element 2 is held by suction inside respective recess 38.

Repeating the above concept for any elements 2 housed in subsequent recesses 38, clearly, of the elements 2 passing through point B, only one out of two is transferred into respective recess 116.

Claims (7)

1. Device for transferring elements, in particular, containers for pharmaceutical products, such as capsules or similar, characterised by the fact that it comprises, in due combination, a rotary input device, a rotary parking device tangent with the said rotary input device, and a rotary output device tangent with the said rotary parking device; each said rotary device having recesses, round its periphery, each designed to house a respective said element, and defining a respective portion of a route for feeding the said element from the said input device to the said output device; the said route passing through the said points of tangency and a portion of the said route consisting in a full turn round the periphery of the said parking device.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said rotary input device comprises a first wheel having a number of first false peripheral recesses for the said elements, the said false recesses alternating respectively with the said recesses; the said rotary output device comprising a second wheel having a number of second false recesses for the said elements, the said false re cesses alternating respectively with the said recesses; the centre distance of the recesses on the said rotary parking device being equal to the centre distance between each said recess on the said first wheel and an adjacent said first false recess, and also being equal to the centre distance between each said recess on the said second wheel and an adjacent said second false recess; the said recesses on the said parking device being odd in number and actuating means being provided for turning, in concordant manner, the said rotary input and output devices and, in discordant manner, the said rotary parking device, at the same speed and timed in relation to one another

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised by the fact that it also comprises means for transferring in succession, from the said rotary parking device to the said rotary output device, at the said point of tangency between the said parking and output devices, one out of every two elements fed, during operation, to the said point of tangency by the said rotary parking device.

4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised by the fact that the said transfer means comprise pneumatic knock-out means and distributing means cooperating with the said rotary parking device so as to arrange the said recesses on the said rotary parking device, as they pass through the said point of tangency with the said output device, successively and alternately in communication with the said pneumatic holding means and with the said pneumatic knock-out means.

5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised by the fact that the said distributing means comprise a rotary distributor and air intake means; the said rotary distributor having a number of first holes and a number of second holes alternating with one another; the said first holes always communicating with the said suction means, and the said second holes communicating in succession with the said pneumatic knock-out means at the said point of tangency between the said parking and output devices.

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised by the fact that the said first holes are the same in number as the said recesses on the said input device and on the said output device; the said rotary distributor turning at the same speed as the said input and output devices.

7. A device for transferring elements, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.