WO2023084406A1

WO2023084406A1 - Packaging apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2023084406A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/060781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qi Wu
Original assignee: Hollycon Italy Pte. Ltd. - S.R.L.
Priority date: 2021-11-09
Filing date: 2022-11-09
Publication date: 2023-05-19
Also published as: IT202100028442A1

Abstract

A packaging apparatus (300) of rows of closed receptacles (99) containing disposable inhalers (100) in a secondary packaging, wherein said packaging apparatus (300) comprises, arranged along a transportation direction (Y) of said rows of closed receptacles (99): a feeding station (301) of said rows of closed receptacles (99); stacking means (302) of one or more, preferably two or more rows, of closed receptacles (99), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99'); transportation means (303) of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') along the transportation direction (Y), wherein said transportation means (303) comprise a conveyor belt (304) comprising a plurality of separated belt compartments (305) for said stacked rows of receptacles (99'); a feeding system (306) of box bodies (500) in a three-dimensional configuration, wherein each of said box bodies (500) delimits a body compartment (501) and at least one open axial opening (502) for access to the body compartment (501), and comprises at least one closing flap (503), wherein said feeding system (306) of box bodies (500) is configured to guide said open axial openings (502) of said box bodies (500) in a position flanking and facing the belt compartments (305) of said conveyor belt (304); insertion means (307) of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') housed in each belt compartment (305) in a flanked and facing body compartment (501) through said open axial opening (502), said insertion means (307) having an insertion direction (I) transverse or orthogonal to the transporting direction (Y); a closing station (308) of the open axial openings (502) through said at least one closing flap (503), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99') in a closed secondary packaging. It also forms an object of the present invention a method of packaging.

Description

Packaging apparatus and method"

The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging rows of closed receptacles containing disposable inhalers in a secondary packaging.

It also forms an object of the present invention a method of packaging rows of closed receptacles containing disposable inhalers.

From Italian Patent Application No. 102020000032354 by the same Applicant, an apparatus and process for manufacturing a disposable inhaler are known. At the end of the process described in that application, rows of qualitatively acceptable closed receptacles are placed - at a packaging station - in secondary packaging s. The secondary packaging are then closed to give finished products.

Said placement of the rows of receptacles in secondary packaging is to date performed manually. In fact, the physical characteristics of the rows of receptacles (such as: overall size, shape, coefficient of friction of the surfaces, weight), and the necessary production flexibilities (due, inter alia, to: number of rows of receptacles and, consequently, type of secondary packaging required, frequency and intermittency of feeding of said rows to the packaging station) have not so far allowed this final operation to be handled in an automated way.

In addition to this, there are socioeconomic concerns, and personal fulfillment concerns of the labor delegated to filling and closing secondary packaging, related to psychological frustration and alienation resulting from the repetitiveness and execution of strictly predetermined tasks.

The Applicant, after long and intensive research and development activity, has developed a packaging apparatus and pocess that can provide an adequate response to the existing limitations, inconveniences and problems.

Specifically, the packaging apparatus and method object of the present invention are designed to cope with an automation of filling and closing operations of secondary packaging, regardless of the physical characteristics of the rows of receptacles, and the necessary production flexibilities.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention a packaging apparatus, having the characteristics as defined in the accompanying claims. It is, also, an object of the present invention a method of packaging, having the characteristics as defined in the accompanying claims.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example, and thus not limitation, based on the attached drawings illustrating:

- Figure 1 : a block diagram of a part of the packaging apparatus, which is an object of the present invention, according to a possible embodiment;

- Figures 2, 3: block diagrams, respectively, of an optional second part and an optional third part of the packaging apparatus, which is is an object of the present invention, according to possible embodiments, wherein the units in Figure 2 are located downstream of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and the units in Figure 3 are located downstream of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;

- Figure 4: disposable inhaler object of the present invention, according to a possible embodiment, in a plan view from above;

- Figure 5: plan view of an opening grid, according to a possible embodiment, arranged inside the disposable cartridge shown in Figure 4;

- Figure 6: perspective view of rows of closed receptacles, according to an embodiment, fed at the feeding station (before secondary packaging );

- Figure 7: side view of stacked rows of receptacles, specifically two stacked rows of receptacles (shown as an example);

- Figure 8: frontal perspective view of a box body in a three-dimensional configuration, in which the open axial opening, body compartment and at least one closing flap are visible;

- Figure 9: front perspective view of an insertion (not yet completed) of stacked rows of receptacles into the box body of Figure 8;

- Figure 10: perspective view of a feeding station, stacking means (in particular: a robotic arm) and transportation means;

- Figure 11 : side view of transportation means, particularly a conveyor belt comprising a plurality of belt compartments;

- Figures 12, 13: side views of a part of a box body feeding system and a body compartment opening or expansion unit, wherein the suction assembly is shown in two different operating positions;

- Figures 14, 15: side views of a second box body transportation unit in the three-dimensional configuration, wherein said second unit shows different adjustable widths of the transportation slot;

- Figure 16: front view of a paper supports feeding station arranged frontally to first insertion means;

- Figures 17, 18: perspective views of a closing flap approaching guide and approaching organ, wherein the latter is placed in two different operating positions, according to an embodiment; - Figures 19, 20: perspective views of a presser assembly, according to an embodiment, wherein said assembly is illustrated in two different operating positions differing in the angle of rotation - offset by 180° from each other - of said assembly;

- Figure 21 : a front view of a portion of the connection between body compartments and open axial openings, wherein an optional converging (descending) section for paper supports is also visible;

- Figure 22: a side view of the presser assembly, and an overlying portion of the first transportation unit;

- Figures 23, 24: side perspective views of a first packaging collection compartment, conveyor belts and first rejection lever, wherein the first rejection lever is shown in a packaging transit position and a packaging rejection position, respectively.

It is therefore an object of the present invention a packaging apparatus 300 of rows of closed receptacles 99 containing disposable inhalers 100 in a secondary packaging.

Each disposable inhaler 100 comprises an inhaler body 101 and a disposable cartridge 102 connected to said inhaler body 101. Preferably, inhaler body 101 and disposable cartridge 102 are snap-connected.

The inhaler body 101 is preferably a hollow body shaped substantially like a pipe.

More preferably, the inhaler body 101 comprises a first portion or housing portion 108 for housing the disposable cartridge 102, and a second portion or dispensing portion 109 for dispensing a content (hereafter, "powder dose") of the disposable cartridge 102 into the mouth of a user or patient.

The dispensing portion 109 is then fluidically connected to the housing portion 108, and comprises a free end 109' configured to be placed in the user's mouth.

Preferably, the substantially pipe-shaped hollow body is constructed - unless otherwise specified in this description - according to the teaching of the previous document WO 2018/051266 A1, specifically as described from page 5, line 12 to page 9, line 4, these steps having to be considered fully incorporated within this description as reference.

The disposable cartridge 102 comprises a hollow cartridge body 103 bordering an enclosed cartridge compartment in which a dose of powder and an opening grid 104 (shown in Figure 5) of the hollow cartridge body 103 are housed.

The powder dose is preferably a dose of medicament in a powder form.

Preferably, the powder dose consists of a dry powder, more preferably a dry powder for suction by mouth. In this description, the expression "dry powder" means a powder with a moisture content ranging from 0.01% to 20%, preferably from 3.0% to 15%, even more preferably from 3.5% to 12%, e.g., 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10% or 11%, with respect to the total weight of said powder. This moisture content is variable depending on the type or nature of the powder dose contained in the hollow cartridge body 103. The opening grid 104 preferably comprises an annular grid base 105 that is substantially planar, and a plurality of branches 106 that grow away from the annular grid base 105 and converge so as to demarcate a perforated canopy 107.

The function of the opening grid 104 is to ensure proper opening of the hollow cartridge body, and to facilitate a release of the powder dose from the cartridge compartment in a disaggregated form and, as such, easily aspirated by the user of the disposable inhaler.

In this description, "proper opening" is understood to be such when the hollow cartridge body is torn to quantitatively discharge the powder dose within the inhaler housing 101, specifically at a drop zone (not illustrated) of the powder dose bounded by said housing 101. More specifically, the drop zone is located at the bottom of the first portion or housing portion 108.

Preferably, the annular base of grid 105 is bordered by a sharp annular edge 110or provided with a sharp edge.

Said packaging apparatus 300 comprises, arranged along a transportation direction Y of said rows of closed receptacles 99: a feeding station 301 of said rows of closed receptacles 99; stacking means 302 of two or more rows of closed receptacles 99, to give stacked rows of receptacles 99'; transportation means 303 of said stacked rows of receptacles 99' along the transportation direction Y; a feeding system 306 of box bodies 500 in a three-dimensional configuration; first insertion means 307 of said stacked rows of receptacles 99'; and a closing station 308.

Feeding station 301 provides to feed (i.e.: to supply) the rows of closed receptacles 99.

Preferably, the feeding station 301 is placed downstream of a "third separating station" (as described in Italian Patent Application No. 102020000032354 mentioned above), in which closed inhaler receptacles are separated transversely by rows. For example, said rows comprise from 2 to 10 receptacles, preferably from 3 to 7 receptacles, more preferably from 4 to 6 receptacles, e.g., 5 receptacles as schematized in Figure 6. Incidentally, the third separating station preferably comprises a cutting unit comprising a die for separating said rows of closed receptacles.

According to a first embodiment, each receptacle of said rows of closed receptacles 99 accommodates a disposable inhaler 100.

According to a second embodiment, one or more receptacles of said rows of closed receptacles 99 is empty, that is, devoid of a disposable inhaler 100 accommodated within said receptacle. Preferably, the receptacles of said rows of closed receptacles 99 could accommodate from 1 to 5 disposable inhalers 100, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 disposable inhalers 100. The stacking means 302, placed downstream of the feeding station 301, provide to stack one or more (preferably two or more) rows of closed receptacles 99, to give the stacked rows of receptacles 99' (e.g. see Figure 7 or Figure 9). The stacking means 302 preferably comprise a robotic arm 311 (shown in Figure 10). More preferably, said robotic arm is provided with at least one mechanical gripping organ or at least one suction organ for picking up the rows of closed receptacles 99 from the feeding station 301 and depositing them at the transportation means 303. Preferably, said suction organ is connected to a vacuum source.

Preferably, the stacking means 302 stack the rows of closed receptacles 99 at the transportation means 303, preferably on a conveyor belt 304 of said transportation means 303 and, more specifically, on a supporting surface 309 bounded by the conveyor belt 304.

Thus, the means of transportation 303 comprise the conveyor belt 304, where the latter comprises a plurality of separated belt compartments 305 for said stacked rows of receptacles 99'.

In this description, the expression "separated" means that the belt compartments 305 are mutually divided by at least one separating element or wall 310 for each pair of adjacent belt compartments 305. Preferably, each separating element or wall 310 extends away from the supporting surface 309, preferably at right angles to the supporting surface 309.

Therefore, each belt compartment 305 is preferably bounded inferiorly by the supporting surface 309 for said stacked rows of receptacles 99', and frontally and posteriorly - with respect to the transportation direction Y - by at least one pair of separating elements or walls 310 that run away from the supporting surface 309. Preferably, each belt compartment 305 is opened laterally by side openings 325.

The function of the separating elements or walls 310 is to divide or fractionate the space of the conveyor belt 304 into the belt compartments 305, and further to keep the rows of closed receptacles 99 stacked during the conveyance of these receptacles. A further function performed by the separating elements or walls 310 is to guide the stacked rows of receptacles 99' along the insertion direction I, under the action of the first insertion means 307 (preferably push element) described hereafter. In this way, the closed rows of receptacles 99 cannot lose their stacking or move relative to each other so that they are no longer insertable into the box body 500.

In the embodiment of Figure 11, the separation wall 310 comprises or consists of a plate that runs orthogonally to the support surface 309 and the transportation direction Y and preferably runs substantially across the whole width of the conveyor belt 304.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), the separation element 310 comprises or consists of a plurality of rods or strips spaced along the width of conveyor belt 304. Stacking means 302 preferably comprise the robotic arm 311. Said robotic arm 302 is preferably reciprocating between the feed station 301 and the belt compartments 305.

Box bodies 500 enclose a body compartment 501 and at least one open axial opening 502 to access the body compartment 501 . In addition, each box body 500 comprises at least one closing flap 503.

Preferably, each box body 500 bounds a pair of opposing open axial openings 502.

Each box body 500 can preferably assume either a two-dimensional (or at least partially flattened) configuration or the three-dimensional configuration: in the two-dimensional configuration the body compartment 501 is at least partially (e.g.: completely) collapsed, while in the three-dimensional configuration the body compartment 501 is expanded. Preferably, the conversion of the box body 500 from the two-dimensional configuration to the three-dimensional configuration (and possibly vice versa) occurs by deformation of said box body 500. Preferably, said deformation occurs along creasing lines 505 arranged at longitudinal edges 506 of said box body 500.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the box body 500 comprises four closing flaps 503 for each open axial opening 502, preferably two major flaps (top and bottom, according to the orientation of that figure) and two minor flaps (left and right). Preferably, said four closing flaps 503 jointly cooperate to close the respective open axial opening 502.

The feed system 306 of the box bodies 500 is configured to drive said open axial openings 502 of said box bodies 500 side-by-side and facing (preferably coplanar and aligned) to the belt compartments 305 of said conveyor belt 304.

Said feeding system 306 of box bodies 500 in three-dimensional configuration preferably comprises:

- a first transportation unit 312 of box bodies 500 with at least partially collapsed (two-dimensional or at least partially flattened configuration) body compartments 501;

- a unit of opening or expansion 313 of body compartments 501 of box bodies 500 from two-dimensional to three-dimensional configuration;

- a second transportation unit 314 of the box bodies 500 in the three-dimensional configuration.

The first transportation unit 312 comprises a horizontal transportation unit and a vertical transportation unit, arranged downstream of the horizontal transportation unit.

The horizontal transportation unit (e.g., visible in Figure 22) preferably comprises a conveyor belt 337. The vertical transportation unit (e.g., visible in Figure 12) preferably comprises a downhole 338. Said downhole 338 is preferably bounded by framing that circumscribes inspection openings 341 of said downhole 338.

Preferably, the downhole 338 terminates with a withdrawal opening 339 at which means of stopping 340 the box bodies are arranged to prevent uncontrolled escape of the box bodies from the downhole 338.

The opening unit 313 comprises a deformation ramp 315 and a suction assembly 316 of box bodies 500 that is movable relative to the deformation ramp 315.

Preferably, the deformation ramp 315 is inclined with respect to a displacement direction S (preferably a substantially vertical direction) of the suction assembly 316 so as to expand the body compartments 501 of said box bodies 500 from two-dimensional to three-dimensional configuration.

In practice, the suction assembly 316 adheres to a surface of the box body 500 facing the suction assembly 316. After that, the suction assembly 316 is moved in the displacement direction S, so that box body 500 - still in the two-dimensional configuration - begins to slide in part along the deformation ramp 315, which, by virtue of its own conformation, progressively deforms box body 500 (in particular by straightening a side wall of said body) and expands the compartment the body 501 .

The second transportation unit 314 preferably comprises at least one pair of overlapping toothed belts 343 bounding a transportation slot 344 between them for box bodies 500 in the three-dimensional configuration.

Preferably, the distance between the toothed belts 343 is adjustable (as one toothed belt approaches/moves away from the other), and thus the width of the transportation slot 344 is also adjustable.

The first means of insertion 307 are configured to insert said stacked rows of receptacles 99' (accommodated in each belt compartment 305) into a flanked and facing body compartment 501 through said open axial opening 502.

First insertion means 307 preferably have an insertion direction I transverse or orthogonal to the transportation direction Y.

Preferably, the first insertion means 307 comprise at least one movable pushing element along the insertion direction I.

Preferably, said packaging apparatus 300 comprises, in addition, a feeding station 317 of paper supports 504. Said feeding station 317 is configured to drive said paper supports 504 (preferably folded paper supports 504) into a space between belt compartments 305 and open axial openings 502, so that said pushing element inserts said stacked rows of receptacles 99' and said paper supports 504 into body compartment 501 in one operation.

In other words, the pushing element works on, or presses the, stacked rows of receptacles 99' toward the body compartment 501. Since at least one paper support 504 is arranged along the path of the stacked rows of receptacles 99' toward the open axial opening 502, the stacked rows of receptacles 99' press and drag the paper support 504 with themt into the body compartment 501 .

Preferably, the feeding station 317 is conformed so that the stacked rows of receptacles 99' are matched with the paper support 504 approximately at the mid-length of the paper support 504.

Preferably, the feeding station 317 comprises a connecting portion 342 between the belt compartments 305 and the open axial openings 502. Preferably, said connecting portion 342 comprises at least one connecting conduit 345 traversable by the stacked rows of receptacles 99' under the action of the pushing element. More preferably, the connecting portion 342 comprises a converging section 346 for feeding the paper supports 504, where said converging section 346 flows at the connecting conduit 345.

Preferably, the feeding station 317 comprises a folding unit 347 of paper supports 504 from a flat configuration to a folded configuration, to give folded paper supports 504.

Closing station 308 is delegated to close open axial openings 502 via the at least one closing flap 503, to give stacked rows of receptacles 99' in a closed secondary packaging.

The closing station 308 preferably comprises at least one approaching guide 348 and/or approaching organ 349 of the at least one closing flap 503 to close the open axial opening 502. For example, refer to Figure 17 and Figure 18.

The approaching guide 348 is preferably developed toward the box body 500 so that, through the movement of said box body 500 along the transportation direction Y, the closing flap 503 is forced by said approaching guide 348 to bend toward the body compartment 501.

The approach organ 349 is preferably mounted in a movable (rotatable or translatable) manner, preferably in a rotatable manner (around an axis of rotation R3), relative to said packaging apparatus 300.

More preferably, the approaching organ 349 is movable so as to approach the flap arranged posteriorly to the transportation direction Y, preferably one of said minor flaps.

Closing station 308 preferably comprises:

- a glueing unit 318 of the at least one closing flap 503; and

- a presser assembly 319 of said glued closing flap 503 to at least partially close the open axial opening 502. Preferably, the presser assembly 319 is mounted in a rotatable manner around at least one axis of rotation R1, R2 (preferably around two mutually parallel axes of rotation R1, R2) and is arranged so that the transportation direction Y is substantially tangential to a circumference centered on at least one of said axes of rotation R1, R2.

Referring to Figure 19 and Figure 20, the presser assembly 319 comprises a bedplate 350, a pair of rotors 351, and a working portion 352: the bedplate 350 supports the pair of rotors 351 in a rotatable manner, where said rotors 351 are moved by synchronous motion. The working portion 352 is mounted on the rotors 351 in an eccentric position, so that said working portion 352 is moved between a pressure position (Figure 19), to match the glued closing flap 503, and an inactive position (Figure 20).

Said packaging apparatus 300 preferably comprises a first secondary packaging rejection station 320 arranged downstream from the closing station 308. At the first rejection station 320, secondary packaging that does not possess properties found to meet production standards is discarded.

Preferably, said first rejection station 320 comprises:

(a) a first packaging collection compartment 321;

(b) at least one pair of conveyor belts 322 of said secondary packaging arranged above the first packaging collection compartment 321, wherein said conveyor belts 322 are mutually spaced to retain said secondary packaging in an intermediate space 323 bounded between them;

(c) a rejection lever 324, movable in said intermediate space 323 between a packaging transit position and a packaging rejection position;

(d) first means of detection TC7, TC8, TC9 of at least one property of said secondary packaging.

In the packaging transit position, the first rejection lever 324 lies spaced apart from secondary packaging (e.g., see Figure 23). Conversely, in the packaging rejection position, said first rejection lever 324 interferes with secondary packaging, preferably in a way that separates or deflects secondary packaging that possesses a nonconforming property. As an example, Figure 24 shows a secondary packaging in which the closing flaps 503 are not arranged to close the open axial openings 502.

The first rejection lever 324 is functionally connected to the first detection means TC7, TC8, TC9 so that said first rejection lever 324 is controllable (through non-illustrated means of management and control) toward the rejection position depending on said property detected by the first detection means TC7, TC8, TC9.

Preferably, the property detected by the first means of detection TC7, TC8, TC9 relates to the operations performed by the stacking means 302, and/or the feeding system 306 of the box bodies 500, and/or the optional feeding station 317 of the paper supports 504. As an example, said detected property is selected from the group comprising or consisting of: presence of box bodies 500, stacking of rows of closed receptacles 99, presence of paper supports 504, and combinations thereof. With reference to Figure 2, downstream of the first rejection station 320, said packaging apparatus 300 preferably comprises the following units:

- an application unit 326 of adhesives or stickers on said secondary packaging (where the secondary packaging arrived at the application unit is the only packaging for which the first rejection lever 324 is retained in the packaging transit position); preceded or followed by

- a printing unit 327 of variable data.

Preferably, said adhesives or stickers comprise at least one optically readable element, such as a bar code or a pharmaceutical binary code (or pharmacode).

Preferably, said variable data comprise at least one product information, such as a production batch number and/or expiration date of said powder dose.

Preferably, downstream of said application unit 326 or said printing unit 327, said packaging apparatus 300 comprises a second rejection unit 328. More preferably, said second rejection unit 328 is constructed similarly or differently from said first rejection unit 320.

In a first embodiment, a second rejection lever (not shown) is functionally connected to second means of detection TC10, TC11 so that said second rejection lever is controllable toward the rejection position based on said property detected by second means of detection TC10, TC11, in order to convey said secondary packaging to a second packaging collection compartment 329.

In a second embodiment, a rejection nozzle (not shown) is functionally connected to the second detection means TC10, TC11 so that a jet of pressurized air is controllable exiting the rejection nozzle depending on said property detected by the second detection means TC10, TC11, so as to convey or move said secondary packaging to the second packaging collection compartment 329.

Preferably, the property detected by the second means of detection TC10, TC11 relates to the operations performed by the application unit 326 and/or the printing unit 327. By way of example, said detected property is selected from the group comprising or consisting of: placement, adhesion and/or readability of said adhesives or stickers, placement and/or readability of said variable data.

Referring to Figure 3, downstream of the second rejection station 328, said packaging apparatus 300 preferably comprises an insertion station 330 of said secondary packaging into transportation cartons.

Said insertion station 330 preferably comprises the following units:

- a stacking unit 331 of secondary packaging;

- a feeding unit 332 of transportation cartons in a three-dimensional configuration;

- second means of insertion 333 of stacked secondary packaging in said transportation cartons in a three- dimensional configuration; - an application unit 334 of labels on said transportation cartons within which the stacked secondary packaging were placed;

- a third rejection unit 335 of said labeled transportation cartons.

Preferably, said third rejection unit 335 is constructed in a similar manner as the first rejection unit 320 or the second rejection unit 328, i.e., with a rejection lever or organ (not illustrated) functionally connected to third detection means TC12, TC13 so that said rejection lever or organ is controllable toward the rejection position depending on said property detected by third detection means TC12, TC13, so as to convey said labeled transportation cartons to a third collection compartment or environment 336.

Preferably, the property detected by the third detection means TC12, TC13 relates to the operations performed by the stacking unit 331 and/or the application unit 334. As an example, said detected property is selected from the group comprising or consisting of: presence, placement and/or stacking of secondary packaging, presence, adhesion and/or readability of said labels.

It also forms an object of the present invention a method of packaging of rows of closed receptacles 99 containing disposable inhalers 100.

Preferably, said packaging method is implemented through said packaging apparatus 300. Therefore, even where this is not expressly stated, the packaging method could comprise any one of the steps evincible and set forth in structural terms in the foregoing description.

Said method comprises the following steps, performed along a transportation direction Y of said rows of closed receptacles:

- feeding 301 of said rows of closed receptacles 99;

- stacking 302 of one or more rows (preferably two or more rows) of closed receptacles 99, to give stacked rows of receptacles 99';

- transportation 303 of said stacked rows of receptacles 99' along the transportation direction Y, wherein said transportation is performed by means of a conveyor belt 304 comprising a plurality of separate belt compartments 305 for said stacked rows of receptacles 99';

- feeding 306 of box bodies 500 in a three-dimensional configuration, in which each of said box bodies 500 bounds a body compartment 501 and at least one open axial opening 502 to access the body compartment 501, and comprises at least one closing flap 503; wherein said feeding of box bodies 500 is carried out so as to guide said open axial openings 502 of said box bodies 500 in a position flanking and facing the belt compartments 305 of said conveyor belt 304; - inserting, through said axial opening 502, of said stacked rows of receptacles 99' accommodated in each belt compartment flanking and facing the body compartment 501, said insertion having an insertion direction I transverse or orthogonal to the transportation direction Y;

- closing of open axial openings 502 by the at least one closing flap 503, to give stacked rows of receptacles 99' in a closed secondary packaging.

The stacking step is preferably repeated a sufficient number of times so that each belt compartment comprises from one to twelve, preferably from two to ten, more preferably from two to eight, even more preferably from two to six, stacked rows of receptacles 99'.

More preferably, the transportation of said stacked rows of receptacles 99' along the transportation direction Y is temporally alternated with the insertion of said stacked rows of receptacles 99' into the body compartment 501.

In other words, said transportation is controlled step-by-step with a preferably constant progress step, while said insertion is controlled between one progress step and the next.

Preferably, said closing step comprises the following steps:

- glueing 318 of the at least one closing flap 503; and

- pressing said glued closing flap 503 to close at least partially the open axial opening 502 wherein a presser assembly 319 is rotatably mounted around at least one axis of rotation R1, R2 and is arranged so that the transportation direction Y is arranged substantially tangential to a circumference centered on said axis of rotation R1, R2.

Advantageously, the packaging apparatus object of the present invention enables rapid and versatile production changes through a few operations. Specifically, through:

(I) a variation of the adjustable width of the transportation slot;

(II) a replacement of the connecting conduit at the paper supports feeding station; and

(ill) a selection of a different format of fed box bodies; the same packaging speed can be guaranteed whatever the number of rows of receptacles to be packed in each secondary packaging.

Advantageously, the packaging apparatus object of the present invention allows for a more noiseless closing of body compartments than apparatuses of the known technique, as the closing movement is not performed by hammering but by a movement in a tangential direction that accompanies the approaching of the flap or plurality of them. To the embodiments of the above apparatus and method, a person skilled in the art could make substitutions or modifications to the described features depending on contingencies. These embodiments are also to be considered included in the scope of the invention as stated in the following claims.

In addition, it is made clear that any embodiment may be implemented independently of the other embodiments described.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

99 rows of closed receptacles

99' stacked rows of receptacles

100 disposable inhaler

101 inhaler body

102 disposable cartridge

103 cartridge hollow body

104 opening grid

105 grid annular base

106 brane

107 perforated canopy

108 first portion or housing portion

109 second portion or dispensing portion

109’ free end of the second portion

110 sharp annular edge

300 packaging apparatus

301 feeding station of rows of closed receptacles

302 stacking means

303 transportation means

304 conveyor belt

305 belt compartments

306 box bodies feeding system

307 insertion means

308 closing station

309 supporting surface

310 separating elements or walls

311 robotic arm

312 first transportation unit

313 opening unit or expansion unit

314 second transportation unit

315 deformation ramp

316 suction assembly

317 paper supports feeding station

318 glueing unit

319 pressor assembly 320 first secondary packaging rejection station

321 first packaging collection compartment

322 conveyor belts

323 intermediate space

324 first rejection lever

325 lateral opening, or discharging of stacked rows of receptacles

326 adhesives or stickers application unit

327 variable data printing unit

328 secondary packaging rejection unit

329 second packaging collection compartment

330 insertion station of secondary packaging in transportation cartons

331 stacking unit

332 feeding unit of transportation cartons in three-dimensional configuration

333 second means of insertion

334 label application unit

335 third rejection unit of labeled transportation cartons

336 third collection compartment or enviroment

337 conveyor belt

338 downhole

339 withdrawal opening

340 stopping means

341 inspection opening

342 connecting portion

343 toothed belt

344 transportation slot

345 connecting conduit

346 converging section or drop for paper supports

347 folding unit

348 approaching guide

349 approaching organ.

350 presser assembly bedplate

351 pressor assembly rotor

352 pressor assembly working portion

500 box body

501 body compartment 502 open axial opening

503 closing flap

504 paper supports, preferably paper supports containing product information

505 weakening or creasing line

506 longitudinal edge

I insertion direction

R1 axis of rotation of the presser assembly

R2 axis of rotation of the presser assembly

R3 axis of rotation of the approaching organ

S displacement direction

TC7 first detection means (*)

TC8 first detection means (*)

TC9 first detection means (*)

TC10 second detection means (*)

TC11 second detection means (*)

TC12 third detection means (*)

TC13 third detection means (*)

(*) = preferably one or more cameras

Y direction of transportation

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus (300) of rows of closed receptacles (99) containing disposable inhalers (100) in a secondary packaging; wherein each disposable inhaler (100) comprises an inhaler body (101) and a disposable cartridge (102) connected to said inhaler body (101), said disposable cartridge (102) comprising a hollow cartridge body (103) delimiting a closed cartridge compartment in which a powder dose and an opening grid (104) of the hollow cartridge body (103) are housed; wherein said packaging apparatus (300) comprises, arranged along a transportation direction (Y) of said rows of closed receptacles (99):

- a feeding station (301) of said rows of closed receptacles (99);

- stacking means (302) of two or more rows of closed receptacles (99), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99');

- transportation means (303) of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') along the direction of transportation (Y), wherein said transportation means (303) comprise a conveyor belt (304) comprising a plurality of separated belt compartments (305) for said stacked rows of receptacles (99');

- a feeding system (306) of box bodies (500) in a three-dimensional configuration, wherein each of said box bodies (500) delimits a body compartment (501) and at least one open axial opening (502) for access to the body compartment (501), and comprises at least one closing flap (503); wherein said feeding system (306) of box bodies (500) is configured to drive said open axial openings (502) of said box bodies (500) in a position flanking and facing the belt compartments (305) of said conveyor belt (304);

- insertion means (307) of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') housed in each belt compartment (305) into a flanked and facing body compartment (501) through said open axial opening (502), said insertion means (307) having an insertion direction (I) transverse or orthogonal to the direction of transportation (Y);

- a closing station (308) of the open axial openings (502) through the at least one closing flap (503), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99') in a closed secondary packaging.

2. The packaging apparatus (300) according to the preceding claim, wherein each belt compartment (305) is delimited by a support surface (309) for said stacked rows of receptacles (99') and a pair of separating elements or walls (310) extending away from the support surface (309), and wherein the stacking means (302) comprise a robotic arm (311) reciprocating between the feeding station (301) and the belt compartments (305).

3. The packaging apparatus (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said feeding system (306) of box bodies (500) in a three-dimensional configuration comprises:

- a first transportation unit (312) of box bodies (500) with body compartments (501) at least partially collapsed (two-dimensional configuration);

- an opening or expansion unit (313) of body compartments (501) of box bodies (500) from two- dimensional to three-dimensional configuration;

- a second transportation unit (314) of the box bodies (500) in the three-dimensional configuration; wherein said opening unit (313) comprises a deformation ramp (315) and a suction assembly (316) of the box bodies (500) that is movable with respect to the deformation ramp (315), wherein said deformation ramp (315) is inclined with respect to a displacement direction (S) of the suction assembly (316) so as to expand the body compartments (501) of said box bodies (500) from the two-dimensional configuration to the three-dimensional configuration.

4. The packaging apparatus (300) according to claim 3, wherein said second transportation unit (314) comprises at least one pair of overlapping toothed belts (343) delimiting between them a transportation slot (344) for box bodies (500) in the three-dimensional configuration, a distance between said toothed belts (343) being adjustable so that a width of the transportation slot (344) is also adjustable.

5. The packaging apparatus (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said insertion means (307) comprise at least one movable pushing element along the insertion direction (I), and wherein said packaging apparatus (300) further comprises:

- a feeding station (317) of paper supports (504), wherein said feeding station is configured to guide said paper supports (504) into a space between the belt compartments (305) and the open axial openings (502); so that said pushing element inserts said stacked rows of receptacles (99') and said paper support (504) into the body compartment (501) in one operation.

6. The packaging apparatus (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing station (308) comprises:

- a glueing unit (318) of the at least one closing flap (503); and

- a presser assembly (319) of said glued closing flap (503) to at least partially close the open axial opening (502); wherein the presser assembly (319) is rotatably mounted around two axes of rotation (R1 , R2) parallel to each other and is arranged so that the direction of transportation (Y) is arranged substantially tangential to a circumference centered on at least one of said axes of rotation (R1, R2).

7. The packaging apparatus (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, in addition:

- a first rejection station (320) of secondary packaging, arranged downstream from the closing station (308); wherein said first rejection station (320) comprises:

(a) a packaging collection compartment (321);

(b) at least one pair of conveyor belts (322) of said secondary packaging arranged above the packaging collection compartment (321), wherein said conveyor belts (322) are mutually spaced to retain said secondary packaging in an intermediate space (323) delimited between them;

(c) a rejection lever (324), movable in said intermediate space (323) between a packaging transit position and a packaging rejection position, wherein said rejection lever (324) interferes with secondary packaging;

(d) first detection means (TC7, TC8, TC9) of at least one property of said secondary packaging; wherein said rejection lever (324) is functionally connected to the first detection means (TC7, TC8, TC9) so that said rejection lever (324) is controllable toward the rejection position depending on said property detected by the first detection means (TC7, TC8, TC9).

8. A method of packaging of rows of closed receptacles (99) containing disposable inhalers (100), for example implemented via the packaging apparatus (300) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein each disposable inhaler (100) comprises an inhaler body (101) and a disposable cartridge (102) connected to said inhaler body (101), said disposable cartridge (102) comprising a hollow cartridge body (103) delimiting a closed cartridge compartment in which a powder dose and an opening grid (104) of the hollow cartridge body (103) are housed; wherein said method comprises the following steps:

- feeding (301) of said rows of closed receptacles (99);

- stacking (302) two or more rows of closed receptacles (99), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99');

- transportation (303) of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') along the direction of transportation (Y), wherein said transportation is by means of a conveyor belt (304) comprising a plurality of separated belt compartments (305) for said stacked rows of receptacles (99');

- feeding (306) of box bodies (500) in a three-dimensional configuration, wherein each of said box bodies (500) delimits a body compartment (501) and at least one open axial opening (502) for access to the body compartment (501), and comprises at least one closing flap (503);

19 wherein said feeding of box bodies (500) is carried out so as to guide said open axial openings (502) of said box bodies (500) into a position flanking and facing the belt compartments (305) of said conveyor belt (304);

- inserting, through said open axial aperture (502), of said stacked rows of receptacles (99') housed in each belt compartment into a flanked and facing body compartment (501), said insertion having an insertion direction (I) transverse or orthogonal to the transportation direction (Y);

- closing of open axial openings (502) by the at least one flap (503), to give stacked rows of receptacles (99') in a closed secondary packaging.

9. The method of packaging according to the preceding claim, wherein the stacking step is repeated a sufficient number of times so that each belt compartment comprises from one to twelve, preferably from two to ten, more preferably from two to eight, even more preferably from two to six, stacked rows of receptacles (99').

10. The packaging method according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein said closing step comprises the following steps:

- glueing (318) of the at least one closing flap (503); and

- pressing said closing flap (503) to at least partially close the open axial opening (502); wherein a presser assembly (319) is rotatably mounted around at least one axis of rotation (R1, R2) and is arranged so that the transportation direction (Y) is arranged substantially tangential to a circumference centered on said axis of rotation (R1, R2).

20