US3814931A - Inspection apparatus and means - Google Patents

Inspection apparatus and means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3814931A
US3814931A US00255766A US25576672A US3814931A US 3814931 A US3814931 A US 3814931A US 00255766 A US00255766 A US 00255766A US 25576672 A US25576672 A US 25576672A US 3814931 A US3814931 A US 3814931A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
light beam
capsule
capsule parts
scanning
joiner
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
US00255766A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
T Kuroda
T Shimizu
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.)
Parke Davis and Co LLC
Original Assignee
Parke Davis and Co LLC
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 Parke Davis and Co LLC filed Critical Parke Davis and Co LLC
Priority to US00255766A priority Critical patent/US3814931A/en
Priority to JP47102783A priority patent/JPS4929670A/ja
Priority to BR3694/73A priority patent/BR7303694D0/pt
Priority to CA171,786A priority patent/CA998133A/en
Priority to BE131324A priority patent/BE799781A/xx
Priority to DE2325341A priority patent/DE2325341C2/de
Priority to AU55875/73A priority patent/AU480374B2/en
Priority to GB2394973A priority patent/GB1402239A/en
Priority to IT50065/73A priority patent/IT986088B/it
Priority to FR7318161A priority patent/FR2185450B1/fr
Priority to CH713373A priority patent/CH554672A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3814931A publication Critical patent/US3814931A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/04—Sorting according to size
    • B07C5/10—Sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Apparatus and means are provided for the quality control of hard shell pharmaceutical capsules comprising a set of collets or holders arranged side-by-side in a row for supporting and moving successive sets of individual capsule shells open-end foremost in timed relation from a work station, photosensor means for scanning a light beam projected across the path of the conveyed capsule parts, control means for activating the scanning mode during a predetermined time segment in the motion cyc1e such that during the time segment the light beam bypasses the leading edge of advancing standard-length capsule parts but is blocked and prevented from being scanned by the intervention of any over-length capsule parts, and means responsive to the scanning means for signalling and/or rejecting capsule parts thus found blocking the beam.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view, in part, of a capsule production machine
  • FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the capsule machine taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are side views showing at different stages of the motion cycle the positional relationship of a capsule shell holder, 21 light beam and a capsule joiner block;
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of the detection system of the invention showing cam-operated switch means for indexing the detection system
  • FIG. 5 is a view ofa segment of the conveyor line and of a gating mechanism for rejecting over-length capsules.
  • the apparatus includes a row of joiner blocks 11 having channels Ila and 11b in conventional form for receiving paired bodies 12 and caps 13, respectively; collets 14 are provided for holding the individual capsule shells l2 and 13 and presenting them for joining to the joiner blocks 11.
  • the housing (FIG. 2) contains a light source 21, a first reflecting mirror 22, a focussing lens 23 for projecting a light beam 24, a second reflecting mirror in a suitable mounting 25a, and a photosensor 26.
  • the first mirror 22 has a surface which reflects and also transmits light.
  • the housing includes a horizontal adjustment control 31 and a vertical adjustment control 32 for purposes of aligning the light beam 24 in the direction illustrated.
  • the apparatus also includes a conveyor extending along the length of the row of joiner blocks 11 to a receiver 41. Near the end of the conveyor is a gate 42 which reciprocates from a closed position to an open position under action of a rotary solenoid 43.
  • the apparatus further includes means for discriminating optically between the presence of reflected light from the mirror 25 and the absence thereof. These means shown in FIG. 4 comprise a photosensor 26 and amplifier 27 in series with a cam-driven switch 28 operating from the drive cam 29 of the automatic drive means 30.
  • the switch 28 in turn operates in a circuit with an alarm device 44 and/or light (not shown) and with a timer in series with agate solenoid 43.
  • the optical system is activated and set up, if necessary by adjustment of the geometry controls 31 and 32 as indicated, so that the projected light beam follows the line shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the cross-section of the beam 24 is rectangular as seen in FIG. 3a where it impinges on the mounting 25a and mirror 25 for the full height and width thereof as shown by the dotted outline of the beam.
  • the mirror in turn corresponds in height to the width of a capsule body.
  • the invention contemplates the use of detachable mountings 25a (as a covering mask for the mirror 25) having apertures of differing dimension so that in effect the'exposed dimension of the mirror 25 can be varied to correspond with each different capsule size being processed, as desired.
  • the beam 24 at all times, regardless of the phase of the work cycle, is projected toward the mirror 25 by means of the light source 21, the reflecting mirror 22, and the lens 23, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3a.
  • the beam is reflected back from mirror 25 through the lens 23 and light transmitting mirror 22 to the photosensor 26.
  • a standard-length colletheld capsule body FIG. 3b
  • the alarm circuit is enabled by the cam 29 and switch means 28 of FIG. 4.
  • the alarm system is deactivated. As indicated, the system remains deactivated for the rest of the cycle during which the empty collet 14 and ejector rod 15 retract through the beam and return to original position for pickup of the next capsule shell from the mold pin.
  • the capsules in any case whether standard-length or over-length are delivered to the joiner blocksin normal fashion and ejected. They fall upon ejection to the conveyor where they are conveyed toward the exit end of the conveyor.
  • the capsules ejected in each cycle e.g., 30 in number
  • the invention in the mentioned preferred form provides for the timer 45 to send a signal to the gate solenoid 43 for operation in connection with the detection of light beam interference by an over-length capsule shell.
  • the timer is set so that the signal to the solenoid is delayed until the capsule group containing the defective capsule reaches the gate 42, which delay is a function of rate of conveyor travel.
  • the gate solenoid 43 is activated to open the gate 42 whereupon the defective capsule group is dropped through the reject chute 46 to a receptacle 47.
  • the gate then closes before the next succeeding capsule group arrives.
  • the capsules in each group processed are allowed to pass the gate 42 to the end of the conveyor and to be collected as normal capsules in the output receptacle 4].
  • Apparatus for the quality control of hard shell pharmaceutical capsules having a set of collets arranged side-by-side in a straight row for supporting and moving successive sets of individual capsule shells with their open-ends forward in timed relation from a work station to'a corresponding parallel row of joiner blocks, characterized by a light beam projected on a line parallel to the joiner blocks across the, path of the conveyed capsule parts, photosensor means for scanning the light beam, control means for activating the photosensor means during a predetermined time segment such that t the light beam bypasses the leading edge of advancing standard-length capsule parts but is blocked and prevented from being scanned by the intervention of any over-length capsule parts, and means responsive to the scanning means for rejecting any set'of capsule parts thus found blocking the beam.
  • control means comprises an electrical switch operated by cam means.
  • rejection means responsive to the scanning means comprises time-delay signalling means.
  • Apparatus for the quality control of hard shell pharmaceutical capsules having a set of collets arranged side-by-side in a straight row for supporting and moving successive sets of individual capsule shells with their open-ends forward in timed relation from a work station to a corresponding parallel row of joiner blocks, characterized by a light beam projected on a line parallel to the joiner blocks across the path of the conveyed capsule parts, photosensor means for scanning the light beam, control means for activating the photosensor means during a predetermined time segment such that the light beam bypasses a leading edge of advancing standard-length capsule parts but is blocked and prevented from being scanned by the intervention of any over-length capsule parts, and means responsive-t0 the scanning means for signalling the presence of any set of capsule parts thus found blocking the beam.

Landscapes

  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
US00255766A 1972-05-22 1972-05-22 Inspection apparatus and means Expired - Lifetime US3814931A (en)

Priority Applications (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00255766A US3814931A (en) 1972-05-22 1972-05-22 Inspection apparatus and means
JP47102783A JPS4929670A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-05-22 1972-10-16
CA171,786A CA998133A (en) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Inspection apparatus and means
BE131324A BE799781A (fr) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Appareil et moyens d'inspection
DE2325341A DE2325341C2 (de) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Vorrichtung zur Kontrolle der Länge von Kapselteilen bei der gruppenweisen Herstellung von Arznei-Hartkapseln
AU55875/73A AU480374B2 (en) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Inspection apparatus and means
BR3694/73A BR7303694D0 (pt) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Aparelho para o controle de qualidade de capsulas farmaceuticas de casca dura
GB2394973A GB1402239A (en) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Inspection apparatus
IT50065/73A IT986088B (it) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Dispositivo per la selezione di mensionale di elementi componen ti di capsule
FR7318161A FR2185450B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18
CH713373A CH554672A (de) 1972-05-22 1973-05-18 Vorrichtung zum zusammensetzen pharmazeutischer kapseln.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00255766A US3814931A (en) 1972-05-22 1972-05-22 Inspection apparatus and means

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3814931A true US3814931A (en) 1974-06-04

Family

ID=22969762

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00255766A Expired - Lifetime US3814931A (en) 1972-05-22 1972-05-22 Inspection apparatus and means

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3814931A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4929670A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE799781A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR7303694D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA998133A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH554672A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2325341C2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2185450B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1402239A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT986088B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942900A (en) * 1973-05-24 1976-03-09 Smithkline Corporation Quality control monitor for medicinal capsule packaging apparatus
US20050006606A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-13 Asm Assembly Automation Ltd Missing die detection

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH624846A5 (en) * 1975-12-15 1981-08-31 Hoffmann La Roche Solid pharmaceutical unit dose form and process and apparatus for producing it
DE3740991C2 (de) * 1987-12-03 1996-02-08 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Verfahren sowie Vorrichtung zur Überwachung der Zuführung von Verschlußelementen bei Verschließmaschinen
CN112958478B (zh) * 2021-01-29 2023-07-21 广州小奇灵制药有限公司 一种药物胶囊的生产检测装置

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2383313A (en) * 1943-05-07 1945-08-21 Fed Cartridge Corp Protection apparatus
US2385700A (en) * 1942-07-14 1945-09-25 Jr Edward E Garlits Sorting device
US2944667A (en) * 1951-10-08 1960-07-12 Timken Roller Bearing Co Electronic inspection apparatus
US2948890A (en) * 1956-04-26 1960-08-09 Dell Brothers O Position meter
US3089594A (en) * 1960-06-13 1963-05-14 Owens Illinois Glass Co Shape and height detection
US3123217A (en) * 1964-03-03 Capsule inspection method and sorting machine
US3395794A (en) * 1966-05-05 1968-08-06 Fabri Tek Inc Component sizing apparatus
US3436555A (en) * 1964-08-24 1969-04-01 North Atlantic Research Produc Ovality measurement apparatus comprising two photoelectric gauging systems having an angle between their optical axes of the order of 70
US3529169A (en) * 1967-12-06 1970-09-15 Fmc Corp Photoelectric apparatus for detecting shape of bottles
US3549890A (en) * 1969-01-16 1970-12-22 Emhart Corp Article inspection apparatus

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE542428A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) *
NL133583C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1961-01-19 1900-01-01
GB1048585A (en) * 1962-07-20 1966-11-16 North Atlantic Res Products Lt Apparatus for the automatic dimensional inspection of an object
DE1303548B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1963-09-14 1972-02-03 Zavody Vi Lenina Plzen Np
US3508647A (en) * 1968-05-27 1970-04-28 Parke Davis & Co Capsule rejection means
DE1936986A1 (de) * 1969-07-21 1971-02-04 Sick Erwin Fa Anwesenheitskontrolle von verpackten Tabletten

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3123217A (en) * 1964-03-03 Capsule inspection method and sorting machine
US2385700A (en) * 1942-07-14 1945-09-25 Jr Edward E Garlits Sorting device
US2383313A (en) * 1943-05-07 1945-08-21 Fed Cartridge Corp Protection apparatus
US2944667A (en) * 1951-10-08 1960-07-12 Timken Roller Bearing Co Electronic inspection apparatus
US2948890A (en) * 1956-04-26 1960-08-09 Dell Brothers O Position meter
US3089594A (en) * 1960-06-13 1963-05-14 Owens Illinois Glass Co Shape and height detection
US3436555A (en) * 1964-08-24 1969-04-01 North Atlantic Research Produc Ovality measurement apparatus comprising two photoelectric gauging systems having an angle between their optical axes of the order of 70
US3395794A (en) * 1966-05-05 1968-08-06 Fabri Tek Inc Component sizing apparatus
US3529169A (en) * 1967-12-06 1970-09-15 Fmc Corp Photoelectric apparatus for detecting shape of bottles
US3549890A (en) * 1969-01-16 1970-12-22 Emhart Corp Article inspection apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942900A (en) * 1973-05-24 1976-03-09 Smithkline Corporation Quality control monitor for medicinal capsule packaging apparatus
US20050006606A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-13 Asm Assembly Automation Ltd Missing die detection
US7045803B2 (en) * 2003-07-11 2006-05-16 Asm Assembly Automation Ltd. Missing die detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE799781A (fr) 1973-09-17
JPS4929670A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-03-16
CH554672A (de) 1974-10-15
FR2185450B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-08-04
FR2185450A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-01-04
DE2325341A1 (de) 1973-12-06
AU5587573A (en) 1974-11-21
CA998133A (en) 1976-10-05
DE2325341C2 (de) 1984-07-19
GB1402239A (en) 1975-08-06
IT986088B (it) 1975-01-10
BR7303694D0 (pt) 1974-07-11

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