GB2546533A

GB2546533A - Apparatus for orienting items

Info

Publication number: GB2546533A
Application number: GB1601190.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmed Baseer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-22
Filing date: 2016-01-22
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-22
Also published as: GB2546533B; GB201601190D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for orienting items, such as ampoules having a first and second end wherein at least one end is adapted to be received in a selected orientation. The apparatus, comprises: a feed; a first conveyance wheel rotatable about a first spindle arranged on a first axis including at least one cradle for receiving at least one item; a second conveyance wheel rotatable about a second spindle arranged on a second axis including a plurality of teeth; and an exit, wherein rotation of the conveyance wheels causes passage of the items through the feed to the first conveyance wheel, from the first conveyance wheel to the second conveyance wheel and from the second conveyance wheel to the exit so that all items exit in substantially the same orientation. The apparatus may include a planar plate 1, with a peripheral inclined belt 2; comprising the feed 3; leading an ampoule in use to a first large wheel 4, turning in a frame about a first spindle 5, the first spindle 25 arranged substantially horizontally; leading the ampoule to a second smaller wheel 7, turning about a second spindle 6 arranged substantially horizontally; leading the ampoule to an exit shaft 8 and a hopper 9, comprising the exit, elevated above the feed and supported by a frame 1. The whole apparatus may be controlled at a local control panel 12, and driven by an electrical input 10 from a remote electrical source. The cradle may include two different ends, with a first presented end providing a negative end for receipt of the male end of the positively projecting end with a progressive projection appropriate to the ampoules female end or base. Vacuum suction means to suck the items onto the wheel may be provided.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING ITEMS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for orienting items, particularly a means for orienting unsorted items into a standardised orientation; more particularly but not exclusively a means for orienting unsorted ampoules vertically.

Background

There is often a requirement for items, such as ampoules to be sorted so as to be in a particular orientation, for example for packaging. Increasing use of ampoules for a plurality of test purposes occurs in many societies has generated a greater need and therefore a way of improving efficiency is desirable.

Ampoules are typically silicon glass bodies, with a relatively heavy body part, neck and head; wherein the body has a dimpled concave base and relatively weak or thin neck. These are typically available in 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20ml sizes.

These ampoules can be easy to break, and dirty ampoules can be particularly difficult to clean if oily, or covered in powdery substances as each ampoule must be stacked by hand.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted German patent DE 1 556 694 (TATIBANA) discloses an apparatus for arranging a number of ampules in regular order, comprising in combination a table fixed obliquely, a pair of inclined guide walls secured on said table which are converged toward the downstream direction to cooperate with each other at the downstream ends thereof to form a narrow passage there between having a width enough to permit the ampules to pass there through in a single row, a vibration plate positioned within a hole cut in the downstream portion of said table so that a vibration clearance may be left between said vibration plate and said cut-out hole and said plate has its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of said table, an electromagnetic vibration means causing said vibration plate to vibrate, a projection having a polygonal transverse section swingable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of said vibration plate provided on the upper face of said vibration plate adjacent said inclined guide walls leaving spaces of such amount as could allow one ampule after another ampule to pass through between said projection and said two guide walls, respectively.

Granted German patent DE 1 556 693 (TATIBANA) discloses an apparatus for arranging a number of ampules in regular order, comprising in combination a table fixed obliquely, a pair of guide conveyors secured on said table which are converged toward the downstream direction, a disc rotatable about an axis vertical to the surface of said table, said disc being positioned adjacent the lower end of one of said conveyors and spaced apart from the lower end of the other conveyor with a spacing there between of such an amount as could allow one ampule to pass away between said disc and the second named conveyor, a guide wall positioned parallel with and apart from the periphery of said disc which cooperates with said disc to define a guide channel connected with said spacing, said channel having substantially equal width to that of said spacing, and a conveyor positioned adjacent the discharge end of said guide channel.

United States patent application US 2 857 039 (WHITECAR) discloses an ampule orienting device comprising a conveyor having openings for the reception of ampules, said openings being substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor and extending to one edge of the conveyor, a supporting member below said conveyor for the support of said ampules in said openings, means adapted to engage the bases of the ampules which extend away from said edge of the conveyor and advance them outwardly until the neck portions extend beyond said edge of the conveyor, and a reversing cam adapted to engage the neck of each ampule which extends beyond said edge of the conveyor to lift the thus extended ampule and topple it into its opening with the neck extending away from said edge of the conveyor.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for orienting an item having a first and second end, wherein at least one end is adapted to be presented in a selected orientation, the apparatus comprises: a feed; a first conveyance wheel rotatable about a first spindle arranged on a first axis including at least one cradle for receiving the at least one item; a second conveyance wheel rotatable about a second spindle arranged on a second axis including a plurality of teeth; and an exit, wherein rotation of the conveyance wheels causes passage of the at least one item through the feed to the first conveyance wheel, from the first conveyance wheel to the second conveyance wheel and from the second conveyance wheel to the exit so that all items exit in substantially the same orientation.

In this way the apparatus provides a multistage sorting apparatus for orienting the items, such as ampoules, that are received randomly to the apparatus via the feed. As items pass through the stages of the apparatus the items are arranged in a preselected orientation, substantially all items being in an identical orientation at the exit.

In preferred embodiments the apparatus has four stages, the feed, the first conveyancing wheel, the second conveyancing wheel and the exit.

It is appreciated that the term item may refer to various items and objects that have a requirement to be selectively sorted so as to be arranged in the same orientation as one another including, but not limited to: ampoules, needles, ammunition, containers or pipette tips.

In some embodiments the conveyance wheels comprise maintenance means for maintaining the items on the wheels, and/or in an orientation, wherein the maintenance means are adapted to receive a first or second end of the item, wherein for example the cradles or teeth correspond to the shape and dimensions of the ends of the item so that the item can only be captured and held on the conveyance wheel when in a certain orientation so as to enabling sorting.

The first axis may comprise a substantially horizontal axis, such that the first wheel rotates on a substantially vertical plane.

The second axis may comprise a substantially vertical axis, such that the second wheel rotates on a substantially horizontal plane.

The second wheel may comprise a maintenance means for maintaining or holding the items vertically, where the items are maintained substantially vertically on the wheel, for example at, on or adjacent the wheel’s circumference.

Such means may comprise a vacuum suction means such as to suck the items onto the wheel. In other embodiments the maintenance means may comprise raised and lowered parts or projections, which are arranged to limit gravity’s effect on the items.

In some embodiments the second wheel may comprise a plurality of axial notches or teeth circumferentially and sequentially arranged with lowered parts to accept the item and intermediate raised parts to guide the item. In such way the teeth may be arranged in use to correspond to the cradles, wherein the two wheels turn orthogonally to provide an adjacent intersection. Such intersection may comprise sufficient clearance to prevent physical interaction between the wheels, and/or may comprise sufficient proximity to allow movement of the item from the first wheel to the second wheel.

For example the cradle on the first wheel may present the item vertically for horizontal collection by the teeth on the second wheel.

In this way the item may be supplied to the exit in a vertical orientation, for ongoing movement, labelling or packaging purposes. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise further processing at or after the exit.

In some embodiments each tooth is arranged to maintain an item therein with reference to gravity.

In some embodiments the raised parts are arranged to guide the item from the first wheel to the exit.

The axes may be arranged with reference to other planes, but it may be envisaged that the planes are substantially orthogonal.

For example in some embodiments the first axis may be offset from entirely horizontal, such that the first wheel rotates on a plane with a rearwards inclination. In this way items thereon or therein may be better maintained in the cradles.

The feed may comprise a ramp, conveyor belt or funnel. The feed is arranged to allow or promote the items into entering the cradle in a predefined manner or orientation.

The cradle may comprise a maintenance means for maintaining the item at a first orientation. Such maintenance means may comprise a negative and positive ends, relating to positive and negative ends of the items, wherein the ingress of the male cradle end into the female item end creates a means of maintenance of the item in a plurality of axes.

The first orientation may comprise a circumferential orientation, wherein the cradles are arranged circumferentially, at, on or adjacent the first wheel’s circumference.

The cradles may consequently comprise arrangement to encourage items to ingress or egress. For example in some embodiments the cradle may advantageously comprise a positive end and a negative end; corresponding inversely to a female ampoule end and a male ampoule end. In this way the ampoule at the feed may be automatically promoted to ingress the cradle and if the cradle end and ampoule end correspond the ampoule may be rejected therefrom or not engaged therewith, and a subsequent ampoule promoted to ingress in its place.

The first wheel may accordingly comprise a plurality of sequential cradles. In this way as the first wheel turns the cradles are presented sequentially for ingress of the items.

The feed may advantageously comprise a continuously moving device, wherein a plurality of items are promoted for ingress to the cradle, and a selection may be promoted sequentially and interchangeably. The device may be gravity fed or disposed to feed the items through gravity, with the device mechanically arranged to orient the item for feeding.

In some embodiments the feed may comprise a conveyor belt. In such embodiments the items may advantageously be rolled on the belt, for orientation, and the belt may be inclined for gravity feeding.

The apparatus may be used by a single operator or can be self-operated and left unsupervised, for example requiring an initial set-up and being left to run until complete.

In some embodiments cameras and sensors may be provided to detect interruptions.

Multiple embodiments of the apparatus may be envisaged to be operated simultaneously for a quicker completion time.

In some embodiments the movement of the wheels may be continuous.

In other embodiments the movement of at least part of the apparatus may be discontinuous. For example the second conveyance wheel may comprise a ticking style movement, wherein the movement is staggered, incremental, pulsing. This movement may be interactive with the first conveyance wheel in a continuous or discontinuous manner.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

And

Figure 8 shows an example of a known ampoule.

Detailed Description of Figures

The apparatus may have a broad range of applications for example vertical orientation of ammunition (bullets), to make easier for loading into magazine cartridges. Alternative embodiments may comprise means for vertical orientation of disposable pipette tips to make easy to load onto cassettes to aid in installing onto micropipettes.

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus for orienting ampoules comprising: a planar plate 1, with a peripheral inclined belt 2; comprising the feed 3; leading the ampoule in use to a first large wheel 4, turning in a frame about a first spindle 5, the first spindle arranged substantially horizontally; leading the ampoule to a second smaller wheel 7, turning about a second spindle 6 arranged substantially horizontally; leading the ampoule to an exit shaft 8 and a hopper 9, comprising the exit, elevated above the feed and supported by a frame 1 wherein the exit shaft is an extension between an opening 22 in the frame.

The whole apparatus being controlled at a local control panel 12, and driven by an electrical input 10 from a remote electrical source.

The hopper is inclined towards the exit shaft advantageously to aid in staking the oriented ampoules.

The ampoule enters the feed at a random orientation, through a random positioning on the plate, and falls down the belt.

The belt turns about two endmost rollers, a larger proximal roller 15 proximate the plate and a distal smaller roller 14 proximate the first wheel. The rollers may turn clockwise or anticlockwise to turn the belt downwards or upwards, so as to hasten or retard the effect of gravity according to preference and effectiveness in rearrangement of the orientation of the ampoule. It may be envisaged that a slow retardation in turning of the ampoule may reorient the ampoule, wherein the turning surface turns against the cylindrical surface of the ampoule and straightens the surface with reference to aligning the respective axes.

The apparatus may be arranged with a waiting area that may comprise a third roller that turns at or adjacent the distal roller, so as to turn substantially horizontally such that the ampoule is maintained turning in a substantially horizontal orientation.

The horizontally oriented ampoule is promoted to ingress one of the cradles on the first wheel; wherein the cradle comprises a slot in the wheel face sized substantially appropriately to the ampoule, and created by two spaced apart parts 20.

An example of a known ampoule is shown at comprises a concave base 16, an elongate body 17, a reduced diameter neck 19 and a frustoconical head 18. This arrangement corresponds with the format of the parts of the cradle, such that the ampoule can only enter the cradle in a correct direction. The pictured embodiment includes a scooped slide 51 onto which incorrect direction ampoules will drop from the cradles, so as to return to the belt.

The first wheel turns anticlockwise. The cradle comprises two different ends, with a first presented end providing a negative end for receipt of the male end of the positively projecting end with a progressive projection appropriate to the ampoule’s female end or base. The cradle thereby maintains the ampoules in a correct orientation on the orientation by default.

In this way the correctly aligned ampoules may be accepted into the cradles, and incorrectly aligned ampoules rejected therefrom. The feed may consequently comprise a waiting area, for example a free spinning third roller, which rolls with the ampoule and/or the belt.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for orienting an item having a first and second end, wherein at least one end is adapted to be presented in a selected orientation, the apparatus comprises: a feed; a first conveyance wheel rotatable about a first spindle arranged on a first axis including at least one cradle for receiving the at least one item; a second conveyance wheel rotatable about a second spindle arranged on a second axis including a plurality of teeth; and an exit, wherein rotation of the conveyance wheels causes passage of the at least one item through the feed to the first conveyance wheel, from the first conveyance wheel to the second conveyance wheel and from the second conveyance wheel to the exit so that all items exit in substantially the same orientation.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are arranged in use to extend orthogonal with respect to each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein one of the axes is arranged in use to extend substantially horizontal.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least one axis is offset from horizontal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first axis is offset from horizontal.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the feed comprises an inclined belt.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the teeth are arranged circumferentially on the second wheel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the teeth comprise raised and lowered parts.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the teeth comprise a maintenance means to maintain the items in the teeth.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the maintenance means comprises an arrangement to prevent gravity acting on the item.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the maintenance means comprises a suction means.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the item is transferred automatically from the first wheel to the second wheel.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the wheels approximate at an intersection.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the intersection comprises sufficient clearance to prevent physical interaction between the wheels, and sufficient proximity to allow automatic movement of the item from the first wheel to the second wheel.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cradle comprises a maintenance means to maintain the items in a preferred orientation.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cradle comprises a negative and a positive end.

17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the feed comprises a waiting area.

18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the feed is gravity fed.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the items comprise ampoules.

20. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the exit comprises ampoule labelling/packaging.

21. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the exit comprises ampoule cleaning.

22. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to any of the figures.