US3611670A - Machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protector - Google Patents

Machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3611670A
US3611670A US24736A US3611670DA US3611670A US 3611670 A US3611670 A US 3611670A US 24736 A US24736 A US 24736A US 3611670D A US3611670D A US 3611670DA US 3611670 A US3611670 A US 3611670A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
machine
protector
compartment
ampoules
ampoule
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US24736A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Georges Baroin
Andre Guy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rhone Poulenc SA
Original Assignee
Rhone Poulenc SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rhone Poulenc SA filed Critical Rhone Poulenc SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3611670A publication Critical patent/US3611670A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/003—Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B23/00—Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
    • B65B23/22—Packaging glass ampoules, lamp bulbs, radio valves or tubes, or the like

Definitions

  • a machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protective packaging container therefor comprising a rotary plate mounted for rotation in a given direction about a substantially vertical axis, a plurality of open ended compartments in said plate, circumferentially spaced around a pitch circle centered on the vertical axis, said compartments having a diameter greater than the maximum dimension of the protective packaging container and themselves having vertical axes, movable means associated with each compartment to hold an article axially within each compartment, a peripherally slotted dispenser synchronised with rotary plate to dispense an article vertically from above into each compartment in turn, a protective packaging container dispenser assembly, located downstream of the slotted dispenser in the direction of rotation of the rotary plate, and synchronised with the rotary plate to drop a protective packaging container into each compartment in turn, to overlie an article therein, and a pusher device downstream of the dispensing assembly, in the direction of movement of the rotary plate, to push a protective packaging container fully over its associated article.
  • Means may also be provided for sensing the absence of an article and controlling the ejecting of the protective packaging container if the article is missing.
  • the machine may also comprise an "1 atent assembly for supplying and positioning files or similar objects, the action of which is synchronised with that of the other component parts of the machine.
  • the protective packaging container one may use round-section or square-section boxes, cylindrical cases e.g. of corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastics. mate rial and more especially the containers described in US. specification No. 3,444,991.
  • the article is an ampoule there may be used any type of ampoule normally used in the pharmaceutical industry, but more especially the ampoules known as bottle ampoules.
  • FIG. 1 shows an ampoule, protective packaging container and file suitable for assembly together in the machine of the present invention, all the components being shown in elevation;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 1 in assembled relation
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view, to a reduced scale, of one embodiment of machine according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a section through the wheel of the machine of FIG. 3, at the location of a compartment, and shown to an enlarged scale.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated:
  • a flat file C although this element may be omitted or may be replaced by a file of the type provided with a grip.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the three components A, B and C in their finally assembled relation. It will be appreciated that the machine which is to be described is primarily for ampoules, but given suitable technical modification, any desired article, of circular cross-section, such as other types of ampoule or bottle, may have the protector of suitable design fitted thereon.
  • a circular rotary plate I is rotatable, in the direction indicated by the arrow, about a vertical axis.
  • the means for rotating the plate (not shown) are such as to index the plate around in a discontinuous manner.
  • a dispenser 2 for dispensing ampoules Disposed in order, in the direction of rotation, is a dispenser 2 for dispensing ampoules, a dispensing assembly 3 for dispensing the protectors, a feeding device 4 for feeding files, and a pusher assembly 5 to be described in more detail later.
  • a dispenser 2 for dispensing ampoules Disposed in order, in the direction of rotation, is a dispenser 2 for dispensing ampoules, a dispensing assembly 3 for dispensing the protectors, a feeding device 4 for feeding files, and a pusher assembly 5 to be described in more detail later.
  • the dispenser 2 includes a box 10 having sloping lower walls 11, which feed ampoules A to a chute 12 which in turn feeds the ampoules to the slots 14 of a bevel gear shaped rotary slotted dispenser 13 which has, around a portion of its periphery, a plate 15.
  • the front slot in the dispenser is vertical and axially aligned with the component therebeloW.
  • the ampoules are then moved by the slotted dispensing chamber 13 to immediately above the upper open end of the compartments 6, the dispenser 13 being suitably synchronised with the rotation of the rotary plate 1.
  • a suitable triangular spike (not shown) may cooperate with the convergent sides 11 of the box to assist in ensuring the ampoules are dispensed only one at a time from the box into the chute 12.
  • a fixed or stationary member 27 extends around the rotary plate 1 below the lower open end of each compartment.
  • a spring member which is fixed to the frame of the machine, is located in place of this wall. This serves to absorb the shock as an ampoule drops into a compartment.
  • the dispenser 3 Located downstream of the dispenser 13 is the dispenser 3, which is of a vibratory type having a spiral path 16 adapted to carry the protectors or protective packag ing containers B and feed them down a slide 17 to a compartment 6 in which an ampoule has already been dispensed.
  • an arm 30, carried by the pusher assembly 5 executes a vertical movement with the pusher assembly 5.
  • a pawl 31 on this arm engages in turn under successive ones of the protector sliding down the slide 17. The movement of the pawl 31 is indicated by the arrows at the lower end of the slide 17.
  • two grooves 28 are formed in the rotary plate 1 and these accommodate a pair of retractable grippers 7, the function of which is to centre the ampoules in the compartments, so that the protectors falling thereonto can slide around the upper portion of the ampoules to approximately halfway down the ampoules.
  • the station 4 for dispensing files C comprises a vibrating chamber provided with spiral tracks, this chamber delivering the files aligned successively with one another so that they fall down an inclined chute 19, terminating in an inclined stop which causes the files to be stored parallel to one another.
  • a pneumatic carrying arm 20 reciprocates about a pivot point so as to pick up the files one at a time by vacuum action and introduce them into the upper end of a chute 21, the side of which carries a stop 29.
  • the arm 20 holding a file by vacuum action the file is stopped by the stop 29, the holding vacuum is cut and the file drops and falls via the chute 21 into the protector B between the ampoule and the protector.
  • the pusher assembly 5 Downstream of the station is the pusher assembly 5 which comprises two cylindrical pushers 8 mounted on a plate 9, the pushers again being illustrated more clearly in FIG. 4.
  • the whole assembly 5 is vertically reciprocable by suitable means, e.g. by a cam (not shown), so that the cylindrical pushers 8, which are of a hollow configuration, push on the upper edges of the protectors to force them over the ampoules A, downward movement of the protectors being stopped by the stationary plate 27.
  • the element 32 includes a piston which is engageable inside a protector to detect whether or not an ampoule is present, this sensing element 32 being urged generally downwardly by a spring 34. If an ampoule is present, then the spring 34 is compressed and a micro switch 35 is operated by the stem of the sensing element 32. If this micro-switch is not operated, then a control element in the form of a solenoid 36 causes movement of a member 26, which takes the place of a portion of the fixed wall 27. Thus, if an ampoule is not present, the solenoid 36 is operated, the member 26 pivots, and the protectors slides down a reject chute 23.
  • the purpose of the other element 36 carried by the plate 9 is to cause the completed assembly of the protector, ampoule and file to be forced out of the compartment 6, which has no lower wall at this point, down an outlet chute 24.
  • the grippers 7 are withdrawn to facilitate forcing of the protector onto the ampoule.
  • the detector or sensing means can be arranged to detect other defects, such as an ampoule being obliquely positioned in a protector, so that such an assembly could be rejected as unsatisfactory.
  • the feeding means 4 can be omitted, or not caused to operate.
  • the rotary plate may be driven by an electric motor, the plate advancing intermittently compartment by compartment.
  • the various movable parts may be moved by sets of gearwheels, connecting rods and cams, and the machine may include casings, lubricating means and normal safety means used in the art.
  • the machine according to the invention affords the advantage of regular, reliable operation at a high rate, and requires little maintenance.
  • a machine was made, as shown in FIG. 3, and was suitable for ampoules of a self-opening bottle type (therefore not requiring the introduction of a file) of 2 and 4 ml. size (diameter 11.5/15J5-height 60/65) and a protector of rectangular cross-section with holding folds, side 22/24 mm. and height 65/70 mm.
  • the plate 1 was made of light alloy, with a diameter of 300 mm., a thickness of 70 mm., and it had 16 compartments with a diameter of 30/ 32 mm., distributed uniformly on a pitch circle having a diameter of 252 mm., and it was advanced by of a revolution at the rate of 3 /2 revolutions per minute.
  • the pushers were made of nylon and had a diameter of 28/30 mm.
  • the sensing element was a steel rod with a diameter of 6 mm. with a rubber end piece.
  • the machine was driven by a three-phase 2.20 v. A1 horsepower motor, rotating at 1,400 revolutions per minute, and provided with a reduction gear with a 1/24 ratio.
  • the production rate was 56 packs per minute.
  • a machine for positioning articles of circular crosssection in a protective packaging container therefor comprising, in combination:
  • a protective packaging container dispensing assembly located downstream of said slotted dispenser in the direction of rotation of said rotary plate, and synchronized with said rotary plate, effective to drop a protective packaging container into each compartment in turn to overlie an article therein;
  • a machine as claimed in claim l and further comprising a stationary member closing the lower open end of said compartments, as they move from said peripherally slotted dispenser to said pusher means.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
US24736A 1969-04-11 1970-04-01 Machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protector Expired - Lifetime US3611670A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR6911305A FR2040767A5 (fr) 1969-04-11 1969-04-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3611670A true US3611670A (en) 1971-10-12

Family

ID=9032277

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US24736A Expired - Lifetime US3611670A (en) 1969-04-11 1970-04-01 Machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protector

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3611670A (fr)
BE (1) BE748821A (fr)
CH (1) CH510554A (fr)
DE (1) DE2017294A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2040767A5 (fr)
GB (1) GB1253946A (fr)
NL (1) NL7004823A (fr)
SE (1) SE351187B (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4350002A (en) * 1979-05-05 1982-09-21 Focke & Co. Process and apparatus for packing individual articles, in particular bottles, one into each package
CN113044280A (zh) * 2021-03-24 2021-06-29 广州市赛康尼机械设备有限公司 装套装置及贴标机

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4350002A (en) * 1979-05-05 1982-09-21 Focke & Co. Process and apparatus for packing individual articles, in particular bottles, one into each package
CN113044280A (zh) * 2021-03-24 2021-06-29 广州市赛康尼机械设备有限公司 装套装置及贴标机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE351187B (fr) 1972-11-20
BE748821A (fr) 1970-10-12
GB1253946A (en) 1971-11-17
CH510554A (fr) 1971-07-31
DE2017294A1 (de) 1970-10-15
NL7004823A (fr) 1970-10-13
FR2040767A5 (fr) 1971-01-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4387553A (en) Banding apparatus
US1243406A (en) Crating apparatus for bottles and the like.
US3729895A (en) Carton loading apparatus
US3888067A (en) Banding machine
MXPA00001314A (es) Metodo y aparato para transferir objetos.
US2972216A (en) Container filling and sealing machines
EP2671807B1 (fr) Appareil pour transférer des produits pharmaceutiques d'un appareil de comptage vers des conteneurs avançant en continu
US3360844A (en) Applicator closure inserting machine
US3011678A (en) High speed packaging machine for tablets or the like
US9776752B2 (en) Apparatus and method for feeding empty capsules to a packaging machine
US2846830A (en) Packaging of ampoules and other articles
US3609939A (en) Apparatus for the metering and loading of articles of substantially uniform size and shape
US3651614A (en) Packaging of bottles, jars and other articles
US3611670A (en) Machine for positioning articles of circular cross-section in a protector
US2318598A (en) Case filling machine
US4427131A (en) Capsule orienting device, particularly for capsule-filling or processing machines
NZ240797A (en) Collating apparatus for high speed packaging of flat articles
US1849148A (en) Feeder for cups and the like
US6308604B2 (en) Apparatus for splitting articles
JPH0285113A (ja) 所定の数のスライドファスナを束に形成する装置
US3702524A (en) Case loader with article inverting mechanism
US3584432A (en) Packaging machine
US4930289A (en) Machine for packing tablets into tubes
US3479791A (en) Stop means for packing equipment
US2643043A (en) Automatic case filling machine