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
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged

Definitions

• the invention relates to an installation for packaging tablets in alveolate sheets in movement, and for example in the blisters of thermoformed wafers in a sheet of synthetic material and receiving at another station a closure film. It relates more particularly to the devices ensuring the distribution of the tablets over the width of the blister sheet in movement. Such devices are arranged downstream of a temporary storage tank for the tablets to be dispensed, a distribution hopper and means delivering the tablets in waves so that they form a heap over the entire width of the blister sheet. in scrolling, downstream of at least one rotary cylindrical brush, the axis of rotation of which is transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet.
• the brush is unique and associated with other distribution means arranged downstream of it or is associated with several identical brushes arranged downstream of it, for example as described in the French patent application FR-A -2,785,866.
• the brush or brushes are rotated so that their lower part adjoining the blister sheet moves in direction opposite to that of moving this sheet.
• the bristles or strands 5 of the brush come in contact with the products 6 to be distributed in the cells 7.
• these strands 5 are braced on some of the products in the pile, as shown in 5a, by exerting on them a localized and temporary stress ceasing as soon as the strand deforms or changes position by relative movement between the brush and the pile of products.
• the multiplication of these braces in the same period of time slows down the movement of the blister sheet, placed on the conveyor belt, and can cause the sheet to slide relative to the belt. of the conveyor, the offset of the cells of this sheet relative to the position assigned to them, which can cause disturbances and faults at the next work station of the packaging installation.
• the localized stress exerted by the bristles of the brushes on them can reach values sufficient to fragment them or at least to detach a piece of them, that is to say to generate breakages or splinters and dust.
• the dust deteriorates the mechanisms of the device, and by being distributed in the cells, degrades the aesthetic appearance of the packaging.
• the presentation of the packaging can also be damaged by chipped tablets due to loss of shine.
• the dust formed accumulates on all sides of the device and requires, at the end of work, a thorough cleaning of each element of the device, for example, when it is a question of using it to dispense tablets having another composition.
• each brush is composed of tubular brush sections mounted on a common cylindrical shaft, each brush section being, on the one hand, connected to the means for driving the brush in rotation. with the interposition of a torque limiter tolerating the pivoting of the section on the shaft beyond an adjustable value of the resistive torque stressing this section and, on the other hand, associated with a means limiting its rotation relative to the tree.
• each brush section has a degree of freedom in rotation which, when one of its strands arches on a tablet, allows it to reduce the resistance on the brush and the stress on the tablet and to eliminate the consequences of this bracing on the tablets and on the displacement of the blister sheet.
• the torque limiter associated with each section comprises, on the one hand, two axial support rings constituting drive members in rotation by friction and coming to bear, on one side, against a face diametral of the section, and on the other side, against a diametrical face of the juxtaposed section, or against a bearing face for the end rings, and, on the other hand, means for adjusting the value of the trigger threshold of the limiter by modifying the axial plating force exerted on one of the end rings, by the sections on the intermediate rings and by the other end ring on the diametrical face of a member linked in rotation to motor means.
• each section is associated with a torque limiter, the setting of the triggering threshold of which is ensured by modification of the plating force exerted between rings and sections. This adjustment is carried out from one of the ends of the brush, and can be carried out in operation.
• the means of adjusting the torque limiter comprise, in a bearing supporting the rotation guide bearing of the shaft carrying the brush sections, a threaded sleeve which is screwed into the bearing and is supported by the 'Intermediate of the aforementioned bearing, on an adjustment ring, said ring being in abutment on one of the extreme rings of the stack ring-brush section.
• each brush section is constituted by a sleeve made of composite material having a mass less than a metal sleeve of the same dimension.
• This characteristic makes it possible to reduce the inertia of each section and consequently, the value of the kinetic force which can be transmitted to a tablet during the bracing of one of the strands of the brush on the latter.
• the device according to the invention comprises several brushes and each of these brushes is driven by an electric motor independent of that of the other brushes, each motor, with speed and direction of rotation adjustable in operation, being supplied through a control box common to all the brushes and reacting to the indications of a level sensor, with high threshold and low threshold, disposed upstream of each brush and above the tablet accumulation area, so as to regulate the accumulation of tablets in front of each brush and according to the position of this brush relative to the other brushes.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic side view in cross section of a distribution brush when one of its strands is clamped on a tablet
• FIG. 2 is a side view, in longitudinal section, of an embodiment of a distribution device forming part of a gravity distribution installation
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2 showing, on an enlarged scale, an embodiment of a segmented brush according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a functional diagram of the means for driving the brushes in rotation
• FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale and in section along V-V of FIG. 3,
• Figure 6 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the distribution device.
• FIG. 2 represents a device for the gravity distribution of tablets comprising, in an enclosure 10, a reservoir 12 for storing tablets 6.
• the reservoir comprises distribution means 14. These means deliver, in waves, batches 15 of tablets 6 extending over the entire width of the blister sheet 2 scrolling in the direction of the arrow 1.
• the distribution of the tablets in the blisters 7 of the sheet 2 is ensured by three distribution brushes 4a, 4b, 4c, associated to a smoothing brush 16.
• the axis of rotation of the different brushes is horizontal and transverse.
• the brushes are spaced longitudinally so as to form accumulation zones of the tablets referenced Z1 to Z4.
• the means for supplying tablets, namely the reservoir 12, as well as the means 14 for distributing these tablets in waves are given by way of example, since they may have any other form, since these means are independent of the invention which relates to the device for distribution of the tablets on the blister sheet 2.
• the sliding flap 17, displaceable in translation by a motor means 18 and the free end of which is provided with a straight brush 19, cooperating with a fixed brush 20, for sealing the bottom of the reservoir 12 or open it can be used alone, as shown, or be associated with another component, as described in French patent application FR-A-2 785 866.
• each of the distribution brushes 4a, 4b, 4c is mounted to rotate freely between the front longitudinal wall 10a of the enclosure 10 and the rear wall 10b.
• the wall 10a which preferably is translucent, carries a bearing 22, in which is slidably mounted, the outer cage of a bearing 23.
• the inner cage of this bearing is mounted, with the possibility of longitudinal translation, on the extreme cylindrical and shouldered bearing 24 of a cylindrical and tubular shaft 25.
• the other end of the shaft 25 is mounted to rotate freely in a ring 21 mounted, with the possibility of displacement in longitudinal translation, in a flange 26, secured to the rear longitudinal wall 10b of the enclosure.
• tubular sections 27a, 27b, 27c constituting the barrel of the brush are mounted on the shaft 25with the possibility of sliding in translation and in rotation.
• Each section is made of a composite material having a mass less than that of a metallic material.
• each section has, in each of its diametrical faces, a recess 31 against the diametrical face of which abuts a support ring 28 made of synthetic material, such as polyamide.
• the brush section 27a disposed next to the front wall 10a is associated with an extreme support ring 28a whose face opposite to that in support with the section 27a is supported on an adjustment ring 29. This is mounted free in rotation and in translation on the end of the shaft 25 and in support, by its other face, on the inner cage of the bearing 23.
• the other extreme section 27c is associated with an extreme support ring 28c which comes to bear on the ring 21 of the rear bearing and tends to press this ring 21 against the diametrical support face of a member 30 positively linked in rotation to the output shaft of an electric motor 32 ( Figure 4).
• This drive member also has an internal toothing 33 cooperating with corresponding dogs provided at the end of the shaft 25 to ensure the rotational drive of this shaft.
• the shaft 25 is linked in translation to the member 30 by a screw 41 passing through its axial bore and screwing into a threaded well 30a of the member 30.
• the head 41a of this screw is supported on the bottom of a cup protection 50.
• the pressing force of the brush sections 27a to 27c on the rings 29, 28 and 21 ensuring their friction drive is determined by a threaded sleeve 35 screwing into a threaded bore 36 formed at the front end of the bearing 22.
• the end of this sleeve bears on the outer cage of the bearing 23.
• the screwing of the sleeve 35 therefore exerts, on the bearing 23, a longitudinal force which is transmitted by the inner cage of this bearing to the adjusting ring 29 and , by this ring, to the axial support ring 28a bearing on the first section 27a of the brush.
• Each section transmits this force to the next section through the intermediate ring 28 and this up to the end ring 28c which, by pressing on the end ring 21, presses this ring against the drive member 30.
• These different means allow ensuring the rotational drive of the sections while forming, for each section, a torque limiter.
• this brush section can shift in rotation relative to the juxtaposed sections, thereby limiting the impact of its strands on the tablets.
• the triggering threshold of the various torque limiters can be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the threaded sleeve 35 and this even while the brush is rotated.
• This freedom of sliding in rotation of each section is limited by elastic means which, in the embodiment shown, consist of a helical spring 40 having a length substantially equal to that of the brush.
• This spring is disposed in a bore formed by the alignment of channels 42 (FIG. 5) formed in each brush section 27, parallel to the axis of rotation of the section, but close to its periphery.
• the spring 40 also ensures the return of each section to its original position, as soon as the resistant force has ceased.
• Other means for limiting the pivoting can be implemented, such as, complementary shapes made on the opposite faces of the sections, spiral spring associated with each section and one end of which is linked to the shaft 25 and the the other end is linked to the section.
• the strands or bristles 5 are distributed in tufts 52 which are spaced angularly and possibly transversely.
• each of the shafts 25 of the distribution brushes 4a to 4c, as well as the shaft 43 ensuring the rotation drive of the smoothing brush 16 is connected to an independent electric motor 32, of the type with adjustable speed and direction of rotation and, as shown in FIG. 4, each of these motors 32 is supplied and controlled by means of a link 45, by a command and control box 46.
• This box is connected, by circuits electrical 47, to sensors 48.
• sensors high threshold and low threshold, are arranged, as shown in FIG. 2, upstream of each of the brushes 4a, 4b, 4c and 16 and above the zone Z1 , Z2, Z3, Z4 receiving the tablets.
• the command and control unit 46 is thus permanently informed of the level of accumulation of the tablets 6 in each of the zones, and can, according to this information, modify the speed of rotation, and even even the direction of rotation of each.
• distribution brushes 4a, 4b, 4c to regulate the quantity of tablets placed in front of each of them, and in front of the smoothing brush 16, so that this quantity allows a fluid displacement of the tablets and is favorable for the rapid filling of all the cells 7 of the blister sheet 2 in movement.
• the zone Z3 contains only a few tablets, while the zone, Z2 still has a large number thereof, the speed of rotation of the brush 4b, pivoting in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 2, can be reduced to allow more tablets to pass.
• the device according to the invention makes it possible to suppress any fragmentation or the formation of splinters on the tablets, to virtually eliminate the formation of dust, by simplifying the subsequent cleaning operations and the maintenance of the mechanism, but also to improve filling the cells and reducing, at start-up and during the shutdown phase, the time required to completely fill the rows of cells.
• the brushes arranged upstream of a zone Z1 to Z4 comprising a pile of tablets that are too low are driven in rotation in opposite direction to that of the arrow 3 in Figure 2, to drive downstream the tablets taken from the upstream piles and simultaneously participate in the filling of the cells of the honeycomb rows stopped towards them.
• the brush 4c upstream of this zone is stopped. This is the case until the formation of the heap in the upstream zone Z1, which as soon as it reaches the high threshold height, causes the shutter 17 to close and the drive means for the blister sheet to be started and or even upstream means forming the cells in this sheet. Simultaneously, the brushes are rotated in the direction of arrow 3, under the control of the housing 46 which then regulates the height of the heaps with the help of the sensors 48.
• the distribution device comprises two groups A and B of four distribution brushes, respectively 104a to 104d, 104e to 104h, arranged upstream of a smoothing brush 116.
• Each brush is identical to those described with reference to Figure 3 and is associated with a sensor 148 detecting the height of the pile of tablets arranged upstream of it. This sensor is connected by an electrical circuit 147 to the command and control unit 146 which leads to the control circuit 145 of the electric motor 132 of this brush.
• Each of the groups A and B of brushes is associated with a counting barrier, respectively 160A and 160B disposed downstream of it and controlling the filling of the cells 7 of each of the rows of cells of the cellular sheet 2 in movement.
• the metering barriers are connected by electrical circuits 161 to the housing 146. The addition of the metering barriers to the control means
• the counting barriers 160A and 160B detect the filling of each row of cells 7 and inform the control unit 146 which reacts by adapting the instantaneous speed and the direction of rotation of the brushes, so that the filling of the cells is optimal.
• the electric motors 132 of the brushes arranged upstream of the barrier (s) are supplied in the direction of an increase or a reduction in speed, and / or an inversion of their direction of rotation, as a function of the information provided by their sensor 148, so that, without altering the optimal filling conditions, the operating conditions which, until then, favored the reproducibility of the fault, are modified.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9551273

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Citations (5)

• 1999
  • 1999-10-19 FR FR9913245A patent/FR2799727B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2000
  • 2000-10-18 EP EP00969638A patent/EP1222113B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-10-18 WO PCT/FR2000/002901 patent/WO2001028860A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2000-10-18 DE DE60008567T patent/DE60008567T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-10-18 AT AT00969638T patent/ATE260209T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-10-18 AU AU79306/00A patent/AU7930600A/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (5)

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