GB2571729A

GB2571729A - Heat sealing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2571729A
Application number: GB1803557.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Fenn David
Original assignee: SINGULAR PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: SINGULAR PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-06
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2019-09-11
Also published as: WO2019171047A1; GB201803557D0

Abstract

A heat sealer 10 has a support 16, 18 adjacent a heater; the heater comprise two planar mutually perpendicular parts 32-36. Alternatively a heat sealer capable of creating multiple spaced seals with a support adjacent a heater. There could be a single heating element 40 extending across the two perpendicular surfaces. There can be a 1.5-5.5mm silicon foam layer between the heating element and the plate it is mounted on. The perpendicular parts can be adjustably mounted to vary their relative position. The support can include a base 16 and a frame 18 with recesses 20 to receive the packaging 14 compartments 21 and the heating plates can be pivotally mounted 24 to it. The element could have a metallic track only be designed to heat significantly in certain regions to seal a lid to the edges and dividing walls of a multicompartmental blister type tray. The tracks may be more intricate at the mounting seals on the minor sealing surface than the closing seals on the major part of the track so that they get hotter and weld better. The heating element can be profiled by etching and sandwiched between two silicon rubber layers.

Description

This invention relates to heat sealing apparatus, and particularly but not exclusively apparatus for heat sealing multi compartment holders for instance for medication, vitamins, health foods or other medical or non medical products where a predetermined quantity or dose is required.

Multi compartment holders for medication containing tablets, pills, capsules or other medication, which may be in liquid form, are widely used to provide safe and secure dosages for patients on a regular basis, or for domiciliary use. Such patients are often in hospitals, care homes or the like and the medication may be taken from the containers by a nurse or carer.

Such holders often comprise a plurality of separate containers held in a profiled tray. The containers would generally be filled by a pharmacist, for example to provide medication for a week, a twenty eight day or other period. The medication is located in respective containers and the containers located in the tray. A seal is placed over the top of the containers and onto the tray. The seal can be broken to access the contents of individual containers as and when required.

In use, for example in care homes or elsewhere, the trays may often be stacked one upon each other, and it may therefore be required to provide an indication on the side of each tray of the patient name and/or other details. Obviously, any such identification should be protected from damage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a heat sealing apparatus for applying a web or cover to a multi compartment holder with the web or cover being mounted to the holder around each compartment, the apparatus comprising a support for a holder, a heater member selectively locatable on the holder to heat the web or cover to adhere same to the holder, the heater member comprising a planar main part and a planar side part extending perpendicularly to the main part and locatable against a side of a holder to heat a web or cover extending thereacross to adhere to the side of the holder, a heater member being provided for the main and side parts.

The heater member may comprise a heating element provided on the main and side parts, and a single heating element may extend across the main part and be folded to also extend across the side part.

A backing layer may be provided on the main and side parts upon which the heating element is mounted.

The backing layer may be of silicon foam, and may be between 1.5 and 5.5mm thick.

The side part may be adjustably mounted to the main part to enable their respective positions to be altered.

The apparatus may include a base upon which the support for a holder is provided, and the main and side parts may be pivotally mounted to the base to be selectively movable between an in use position engageable against a holder on the support, and an out of use position clear of the support.

The holder may comprise a profiled tray with a plurality of containers selectively mountable on the tray.

A plurality of openings may be provided in the tray, with each container locatable in a respective opening.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided heat sealing apparatus for applying a web or cover to a multi compartment holder with the web or cover being mounted to the holder around each compartment, the apparatus comprising a support for a holder, and a heater member selectively locatable on top of the holder to heat a web or cover thereon to adhere to the holder, the heater member being configured to provide a plurality of first closing seals between the web or cover and the holder, the closing seals extending around each compartment, and a plurality of second mounting seals between the web or cover and the holder, the mounting seals being spaced from the closing seals.

The closing seals may be provided around edges of the containers.

The mounting seals may be provided on the tray spaced from the containers.

The heater member may comprise a heating element configured to substantially only provide sufficient heat to provide a heat seal of the web or cover where the closing and mounting seals are required.

The heating element may be configured to provide greater heat where the mounting seals are required than where the closing seals are required.

The heating element may be in the form of a metallic track, with relatively thin heating parts of the track providing heat seals and relatively wide connecting parts of the track interconnecting the heating parts.

The heating parts of the track which provide the mounting seals, may have a more convoluted path than the heating parts of the track which provide the closing seals, to provide the greater heat for the mounting seals.

The heating element may be in the form of a profiled metallic sheet, which may be formed by etching.

The heating element may be sandwiched between two cover layers, and the cover layers may be of silicon rubber.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of heat sealing apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but in an unexploded condition;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of a further part of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a heat sealing apparatus 10 for mounting a web or cover 12 onto a multi compartment holder 14 suitable for holding medication. The holder 14 comprises a tray 15 which selectively holds a plurality of individual containers, and in this instance can hold up to twenty eight individual containers. The tray 15 is made of plastics material and has upstanding side walls 17 and a top face 19. Twenty eight openings 21 are provided in the top face 19 in a four by seven matrix arrangement. Around each opening 21 a substantially square recess 22 is provided. The tray 15 is configured such that an individual container can locate extending through each opening 21, with the rim of the container locating substantially flush in the recess 22.

The apparatus 10 includes a base plate 16 with a tray support 18 thereon. The tray support 18 comprises a plate with a plurality of profiled openings 20 therethrough which correspond to the containers held on a tray

15. The plate 16 is mounted on legs 24 upstanding from the base plate 16 so as to be spaced thereabove.

A web 12 to close each of the containers is shown, and the web 12 may be any suitable material such as polyethylene (pe), polyethylene terephthalate (apet), polyvinylchloride (pvc). Such a web 12 would typically be between 100 and 200 micron thick. A line of weakness (not shown) is provided on the web 12 around the edge of the containers once closed, to enable the containers to be separated from each other.

A heater member 26 is pivotally mounted by a hinge arrangement 28 to a side of the base plate 16 adjacent the container support 18. The heater member 26 is pivotally movable between an open position as shown, and a closed position resting on top of the web 12 on the tray 14, to heat the web 12 to provide a heat seal on the tray 14 closing each of the containers.

The heater member 26 comprises a planar main plate 30, and towards one end a planar side plate 32 in the form of a bar 34 extending perpendicularly from the main plate 30. The side plate 32 may be adjustably mounted on the main plate 30 to permit adjustment of the relative positioning therebetween.

A silicon rubber backing layer 36 is provided on the main plate 30 with a further silicon rubber backing layer 38 on the side plate 32. The backing layers 36, 38 may typically be between 1.5 and 5.5mm thick, dependent somewhat on the nature of the plastic of the tray 14, and the expected degree and intensity of usage of the apparatus 10. A thickness of between 2.5 and 3.5mm for the backing layers 36, 38 with a Shore 00 hardness of between 55 and 70 was found particularly effective and especially a thickness of 3mm with a 60 Shore 00.

A heating mat 40 is provided extending across the main plate 30 and via a fold 42 onto the side plate 32, the heating mat 40 comprises a heating element 41 as shown in Fig. 4, sandwiched between two layers of silicon rubber 43. The heating element 41 is formed from a sheet of metal, for instance by etching to provide a profiled track 45 as shown.

The track 45 extends in a loop from opposite ends of a side part 47, and most of the track 45 is in the form of a web 49 of material which is sufficiently wide to provide relatively low resistance and thus in use will not significantly heat up. The track 45 passes around the outside of the upper row of container locations 51 as shown in Fig. 4. The track 45 then passes below the upper row and turns adjacent said side part end to pass down and below the third row of container locations 51, before turning to pass below the fourth row of container locations 51. A respective narrow loop 53 of material extends from the track 45 to surround each container location 51 to form closing seals as will be described.

A plurality of locations 55 are provided around the track 45 where a narrow band of metal 57 is provided passing in a convoluted path to define a location 55 to provide a mounting seal between the web 12 and the top of the tray 14.

At the side part 47 end the track 45 turns inwardly to provide a few mounting seal locations 55 and also to provide a connection to a fuse 59 and a connection to a terminal block 61. An adjustable end support bar 44 is provided on the base plate 16 against which the side plate bar 34 can engage. A latch 46 is provided on the heater member 26 on an opposite side thereof to the hinge arrangement 28, which latch 46 can engage with an opening 48 in the base plate 16, spaced from the hinge arrangement to hold the heater member 26 in an in use position. A switch 50 is provided on the heater member 26 adjacent the latch 46, which switch 50 is engageable with an upstanding post 52 on the base plate 16 when the heater member 26 is fully in the in use position, and the apparatus 10 may be configured such that heating can only take place when the heater member 26 is detected as being in the in use position by the switch 50.

In use, a tray 14 carrying containers will be provided on the tray support 18 and the web 12 located thereon. The heater member 26 is then pivoted to an in use position and held therein by the latch 46 for a required period of time to heat seal the web 12 onto the top, and the side of the tray 14 adjacent the side plate 32.

A closing seal will be provided around the top of each container, and typically such seal will be formed at around 110 to 120°C. As indicated the web 12 is provided preformed with a line of weakness around the location of the edge of each container, such that each container can be broken off separately from the tray 14 and the remainder of the web 12 thereon.

The web 12 is mounted to the top of the tray 14 at spaced intervals via the parts of the heating element track 45 which are contoured to provide a mounting seal. By virtue of the shape of the heating element track 45 at the locations 51, a relatively large surface area of narrow metal track is provided and in practice this provides a higher temperature of perhaps around 150°C to form the closing seals and provide a strong bond between the web 12 and tray 14 such that the containers can be removed from the tray 14 and surrounding web 12, whilst leaving the web 12 securely mounted to the tray

14.

There is thus described a heat sealing apparatus which just provides heat sealing of the web to the tray and containers at required locations, thereby reducing the danger of heating any medication held in the containers.

The closing seal around the top of the containers is such that the web 12 can then be peeled off each individual container when it is required to dispense the contents thereof. A relatively strong seal is provided between the remainder of the web 12 and the top of the tray 14 such that the remainder of the seal 12 will remain adhered thereto when the containers are removed from the tray 14.

A single heater member 26 and heating element 14 held therein is used to provide heating across the top and one side of the tray. This enables information such as a patient’s name, identification and/or a picture thereof to be applied to the side of the tray and held thereon and protected by the protective web. This information can therefore readily be seen if necessary whilst the trays are in a stack.

The apparatus is of relatively straightforward configuration and can thus be inexpensively manufactured to be robust yet relatively lightweight and thus portable in use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the hinge arrangement and/or side plates could take a different form. A different latch arrangement may be used. Different materials may be used. The arrangement could be used with different holders, and obviously corresponding tray supports would be used.

The heater member may take a different form. For instance the different heating for parts of the track through the heating element could be provided by different materials and/or other formations. Different materials could be used from those described.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A heat sealing apparatus for applying a web or cover to a multi compartment holder with the web or cover being mounted to the holder

5 around each compartment, the apparatus comprising a support for a holder, a heater member selectively locatable on the holder to heat the web or cover to adhere same to the holder, the heater member comprising a planar main part and a planar side part extending perpendicularly to the main part and locatable against a side of a holder to heat a web or cover extending 10 thereacross to adhere to the side of the holder, a heater member being provided for the main and side parts.

2. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 1, in which the heater member comprises a heating element provided on the main and side parts.

3. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 2, in which a single heating element extends across the main part and is folded to also extend across the side part.

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4. Heat sealing apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, in which a backing layer is provided on the main and side parts upon which the heating element is mounted.

5. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 4, in which the backing layer 25 is of silicon foam.

6. Heat sealing apparatus according to claims 4 or 5, in which the backing layer is between 1.5 and 5.5mm thick.

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7. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the side part is adjustably mounted to the main part to enable their respective positions to be altered.

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8. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a base upon which the support for a holder is provided.

9. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 8, in which the main and side parts are pivotally mounted to the base to be selectively movable between an in use position engageable against a holder on the support, and an out of use position clear of the support.

10. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the holder comprises a profiled tray with a plurality of containers selectively mountable on the tray.

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11. Heat sealuing apparatus according to claim 10, in which a plurality of openings is provided in the tray, with each container locatable in a respective opening.

12. Heat sealing apparatus for applying a web or cover to a multi

20 compartment holder with the web or cover being mounted to the holder around each compartment, the apparatus comprising a support for a holder, and a heater member selectively locatable on top of the holder to heat a web or cover thereon to adhere to the holder, the heater member being configured to provide a plurality of first closing seals between the web or cover and the 25 holder, the closing seals extending around each compartment, and a plurality of second mounting seals between the web or cover and the holder, the mounting seals being spaced from the closing seals.

13. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 12, which is also dependent 30 on any of claims 1 to 9.

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14. Heat sealing apparatus according to claims 12 or 13, in which the holder comprises a profiled tray with a plurality of containers selectively mountable on the tray.

5 15. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 14, in which a pluraity of openings is provided in the tray, with each container locatable in a respective opening.

16. Heat sealing apparatus according to claims 14 or 15, in which the 10 closing seals are provided around edges of the containers.

17. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16, in which the mounting seals are provided on the tray spaced from the containers.

15 18. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 17, in which the heater member comprises a heating element configured to substantially only provide sufficient heat to provide a heat seal of the web or cover where the closing and mounting seals are required.

20 19. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 18, in which the heating element is configured to provide greater heat where the mounting seals are required than where the closing seals are required.

20. Heat sealing apparatus according to claims 18 or 19, in which the

25 heating element is in the form of a metallic track, with relatively thin heating parts of the track providing heat seals and relatively wide connecting parts of the track interconnecting the heating parts.

21. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 20, when dependent on

30 claim 19, in which the heating parts of the track which provide the mounting seals, have a more convoluted path than the heating parts of the track which provide the closing seals, to provide the greater heat for the mounting seals.

22. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 21, in which the heating element is in the form of a profiled metallic sheet.

5 23. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 22, in which the heating element is formed by etching.

24. Heat sealing apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 23, in which the heating element is sandwiched between two cover layers.

25. Heat sealing apparatus according to claim 24, in which the cover layers are of silicon rubber.

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