U.S. patent application number 12/299834 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for method for packaging products in wallet packages.
Invention is credited to Cyrille Fuellemann, Daniel Schwarz.
Application Number | 20090126322 12/299834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38109498 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126322 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fuellemann; Cyrille ; et
al. |
May 21, 2009 |
METHOD FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS IN WALLET PACKAGES
Abstract
A system for packing products in wallet packages incorporates a
main feeding line for transporting the wallet packages as cut
lengths of packaging or as strip material. It also includes a
feeding mechanism for feeding the products in this main feeding
line, and a placing mechanism for placing the products down on the
cut lengths of packaging or on the strip material. The feeding
mechanism is capable of pivoting in an approximately horizontal
direction, in order to release the products into the main feeding
line. This allows synchronization of several products supplied via
different feeders, without the main feeding speed having to be
dramatically reduced. In addition, periodically fed products can
also be released in this way into the continuously running main
process.
Inventors: |
Fuellemann; Cyrille;
(Schaffhausen, CH) ; Schwarz; Daniel;
(Unterstammheim, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RONALD E. GREIGG;GREIGG & GREIGG P.L.L.C.
1423 POWHATAN STREET, UNIT ONE
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
38109498 |
Appl. No.: |
12/299834 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2007/052646 |
371 Date: |
November 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/475 ;
53/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 35/26 20130101;
B65B 35/18 20130101; B65G 47/848 20130101; B65B 35/58 20130101;
B65B 5/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/475 ;
53/253 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/02 20060101
B65B005/02; B65B 35/16 20060101 B65B035/16; B65B 35/26 20060101
B65B035/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 022 656.9 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A method for packaging products in wallet packages, comprising
the steps of: transporting the wallet packages as package blanks or
as strip material along a primary conveyor line; placing the
products on the package blanks or on the strip material in this
primary conveyor line; delivering at least some of the products in
an arbitrary direction and order, to a region of the primary
conveyor line; and transferring the at least some of the products
to the primary conveyor line synchronously with a conveyor speed of
the primary conveyor line, wherein the primary conveyor line moves
substantially continuously.
20. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein at least some of the
products are delivered to the region of the primary conveyor line
in cadence.
21. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the conveyor speed
is predetermined by the primary conveyor line.
22. The method as defined by claim 20, wherein the conveyor speed
is predetermined by the primary conveyor line.
23. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the conveyor speed
is determined by a process which is located upstream of a delivery
of at least some of the products.
24. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the conveyor speed
is varied.
25. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the step of
synchronization of the transfer of the products to the primary
conveyor line is effected by means of a virtually horizontal
pivoting motion of the products.
26. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the step of
synchronization of the transfer of the products to the primary
conveyor line is effected by means of at least one virtually
horizontally rotating carousel.
27. The method as defined by claim 26, wherein at least two
carousels transfer products to the primary conveyor line.
28. The method as defined by claim 27, wherein at least two
carousels reposition products from different upstream processes to
the primary conveyor line.
29. The method as defined by claim 23, wherein a single upstream
process determines the conveyor speed of the primary conveyor
line.
30. The method as defined by claim 28, wherein a single upstream
process determines the conveyor speed of the primary conveyor
line.
31. The method as defined by claim 29, wherein buffer storage means
are furnished for products of second and further upstream
processes.
32. The method as defined by claim 31, wherein either movable arms
of a carousel, or a further self-contained circulation path, is
used as the buffer storage means.
33. The method as defined by claim 19, wherein the primary conveyor
line extends virtually horizontally.
34. A method for packaging products in wallet packages, comprising
the steps of: transporting the wallet packages as package blanks or
as strip material along a primary conveyor line; placing the
products on the package blanks or on the strip material in this
primary conveyor line; and transferring at least some of the
products to the primary conveyor path via an at least virtually
horizontal pivoting motion.
35. An apparatus for packaging products in wallet packages, in
comprising: a primary conveyor line transporting the wallet
packages as package blanks or as strip material; delivery means for
delivering the products to this primary conveyor line; and placing
means for placing the products on the package blanks or on the
strip material, wherein at least some of the delivery means are
pivotable in a virtually horizontal direction, in order to transfer
the products to the primary conveyor line.
36. The apparatus as defined by claim 35, wherein the apparatus has
at least one carousel, rotatable about a virtually vertical axis,
for pivoting the products.
37. The apparatus as defined by claim 35, wherein at least two
carousels are disposed in line with one another along the primary
conveyor line.
38. The apparatus as defined by claim 35, wherein the carousels
have vacuum suction devices for grasping and setting down the
products.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for
packaging products in wallet packages, as generically defined by
the preambles to claims 1, 14 and 15.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Wallets are combination packages whose absence in the
pharmaceutical industry would by now be unthinkable. In the wallet,
tablet blister strips and package inserts are secured in a folding
box and cannot be removed from it without being destroyed. Hence
the package insert cannot be lost. Moreover, regular consumption of
the tablets is assured, since the patient can readily see which
tablets he has already taken.
[0003] Typically in putting the various products into a package, in
particular the package inserts and the blister strips with the
tablets, cardboard blanks for the folding boxes are delivered to a
primary conveyor line. The delivery is done in cadence. The tablet
blister strips and package inserts, also delivered in cadence, are
laid on the cardboard blanks and typically glued to them. Next, the
cardboard blanks are folded and put in the desired wallet form.
This method has proved itself in practice. However, it is
relatively slow. Typically, from 200 to 300 wallet packages per
minute are manufactured.
[0004] A method and an apparatus for packaging products in wallets
is also known from International Patent Disclosure WO 2006/000172.
In it, cardboard blanks are not delivered; instead, the folding
boxes are manufactured and folded during the filling process. For
that purpose, a strip material, especially cardboard, is advanced
from a roll continuously along a primary conveyor line. The strip
material is cut to size along this primary conveyor line and folded
into the desired wallet form, once the individual blanks have been
filled or in other words provided with the necessary products. This
apparatus already makes greater throughputs possible. However, as
before, it is limited by the speed at which the individual products
can be transferred. The disclosure content of this publication is
hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety into the
present description.
[0005] European Patent Disclosure 1 598 828 and German Patent
Disclosure DE 10 2004 043 332 disclose apparatuses for transferring
blister strips. These apparatuses have means for pivoting the
blister strips, and the pivoting motion is effected in the vertical
direction.
[0006] From European Patent Disclosure EP 1 216 939, an apparatus
for buffer storage of products is also known, which includes a
carousel device. In this carousel, grippers revolve, in a regular
first distribution, over a closed and virtually horizontal
circulation path. The grippers can be switched individually between
a first state, in which they grasp the products and carry them with
them, to a second state, in which they release the products from
the grippers. At a transfer point, the grippers pass through, above
the input conveyor. At the transfer point, they are switched to the
first state, in which they each grasp one product and carry it
along with them. A reservoir, in a regular second distribution, has
drivers that revolve in a closed, virtually horizontal second
circulation path. The second circulation path extends by way of a
buffer region parallel to the first circulation path. Inside the
buffer region, the grippers can be switched to their second state.
The speed of revolution of the grippers is greater than the speed
of revolution of the drivers. The control device controls the
switching of the grippers to the second state, in such a way that
each storage compartment between adjacent drivers downstream of the
buffer region receives one product. The disclosure content of this
publication is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety in the present specification.
[0007] In German Patent Disclosure DE 10 2005 054 005.8, filed Nov.
10, 2005 and not yet published, a carousel device or turret with
pivotable arms is also known. These movable arms allow a tracking
and pivoting motion of an arm sleeve for receiving, rotating, and
positioned deposition of products. As a result, fluctuations in
speed between delivery conveyors and downstream removal conveyors
can be compensated for without problems. The disclosure content of
this still unpublished German patent application is likewise an
integral component of the present specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to create a method and an
apparatus for packaging products in wallet packages which increase
the throughput.
[0009] This object is attained by a method and an apparatus having
the characteristics of claims 1, 14, and 15, respectively.
[0010] In the method of the invention for packing products in
wallet packages, the wallet packages are transported as package
blanks or as strip material along a primary conveyor line, and the
products are placed on the package blanks or the strip material in
this primary conveyor line. At least some of the products are
delivered to the region of the primary conveyor line in an
arbitrary direction and order, and they are transferred to the
primary conveyor line synchronously with its conveyor speed, and
the primary conveyor line preferably moves continuously.
Preferably, at least some of the products are delivered in
cadence.
[0011] In the method, also of the invention, for packaging products
in wallet packages, the wallet packages are transported as package
blanks or as strip material along a primary conveyor line, and the
products are placed on the package blanks or the strip material in
this primary conveyor line, and at least some of the products are
transferred to the primary conveyor line via a virtually horizontal
pivoting motion.
[0012] The apparatus for packaging products in wallet packages has
a primary conveyor line for transporting the wallet packages as
package blanks or strip material. The apparatus moreover has
delivery means for delivering the products to this primary conveyor
line as well as placing means for depositing the products on the
package blanks or on the strip material. At least some of the
delivery means are pivotable in a virtually horizontal direction,
for transferring the products to the primary conveyor line.
[0013] The methods according to the invention and the apparatus
according to the invention permit a synchronization of a plurality
of products, delivered via different deliverers, without having to
reduce the primary conveyor speed markedly. Conveyor speeds and
production speeds of up to 600 or more packages per minute are
possible. Moreover, in this way, even products delivered in cadence
can be transferred to the continuously running main process.
[0014] The methods of the invention and the apparatus of the
invention have a plurality of further advantages. The apparatus can
be designed in compact form and is nevertheless quite flexible in
its design. Moreover, the accessibility of the primary conveyor
line is improved, since in particular, fewer components, such as
delivery chutes, have to be disposed above this line.
[0015] The products can be rotated and oriented in a single step
and moreover also brought to the necessary conveyor speed, or in
other words synchronized. Product reservoirs can be integrated with
the apparatus in a simple way. The methods and the apparatus are
economical. Moreover, automatic quality control can be integrated
with the apparatus relatively simply.
[0016] Further advantageous embodiments and variants of the methods
are disclosed in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The subject of the invention will be described below in
terms of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the
accompanying drawings. Identical elements are identified by the
same reference numerals. Shown are:
[0018] FIG. 1, a schematic view of a packaging apparatus in the
prior art;
[0019] FIG. 2, a schematic view of a packaging apparatus according
to the invention, in a first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3, a detail of FIG. 2 in a simplified illustration;
[0021] FIG. 4, a schematic view of a turret of the apparatus
according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; and
[0022] FIG. 5, a detail of an apparatus of the invention, in a
second embodiment.
WAYS OF EMBODYING THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for packaging products in wallet
packages of the kind described in WO 2006/000172. The wallet
package forms an initial package, which is then additionally packed
into a second package, in particular a bag package.
[0024] Along a preferably rectilinear and preferably virtually
horizontally extending primary conveyor line 1, striplike cardboard
is unwound from a roll. The primary conveyor line 1 can be
single-track or multiple-track. The cardboard strip material 2 is
imprinted in a printing unit 3, cut into cardboard blanks in a
following cutting and scoring unit 4, and then automatically folded
into a wallet W. Before, during and after the folding, individual
products, as will be explained later, are placed in and onto the
wallet W. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 identifies a point where a
package insert, for instance, can be added. Reference numeral 6
identifies a point where a tablet blister pack, for instance, can
be glued into the partially folded wallet W.
[0025] Once the wallet W is folded, it is transported to a
horizontal bag forming machine 7 of a known kind. In it, a foil
strip material 70 is shaped into a packaging bag 71, and the
wallets W are conveyed into this bag. A transverse sealing and
cutting unit 72 seals transverse seams and cuts the individual bags
73 apart from one another.
[0026] This apparatus is preferably operated continuously, and the
conveyor speed along the primary conveyor line 1 can be varied
during the packaging process by means of a controller.
[0027] In FIG. 2, two delivery units are shown, which furnish the
products to be packaged into the wallets and which are located in
line with one another in the primary conveying direction. The two
units can furnish either the same type of products, or each can
furnish its own product, different from what the other unit
supplies. It is also possible for fewer or more delivery units to
be disposed in line with one another in the primary conveying
direction. Preferably, each delivery unit includes one carousel 8,
8'. The remaining embodiment of the delivery unit depends on the
type of product to be introduced and also on the way in which the
product reaches the delivery unit.
[0028] In the first delivery unit, in terms of the primary
conveying direction, a supply unit 9 supplies first products, such
as package inserts, also called patient information sheets, to a
first deliverer 90. The supply unit 9 may, as shown here, include
slides that are displaceable for instance on a plate. The deliverer
90 is preferably an endlessly revolving conveyor belt or an
endlessly revolving chain of drivers, which extends virtually
perpendicular to the primary conveyor line 1 and in a horizontal
plane.
[0029] A first carousel 8 or turret is disposed at the interface of
the deliverer 90 and the primary conveyor line 1. The carousel will
be described in further detail hereinafter.
[0030] The second delivery unit supplies second products, such as
first blister strips filled with tablets, directly from a
production unit 9'. A second deliverer 90, preferably also a belt
conveyor or a chain of drivers, is again virtually perpendicular to
the primary conveying direction and extends in a horizontal plane.
Once again, on the end of the second deliverer 90' oriented toward
the primary conveyor line 1, there is a second carousel 8', for
introducing the second products into the primary conveyor line 1
and for depositing these products onto or into the wallet W.
[0031] Further delivery units can deliver further tablet blister
strips, or other products to be placed in the wallets.
[0032] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the delivery means or carrousels 8, 8' can
now be better seen. These carrousels are also called feeding
wheels. Each carousel 8, 8' has a virtually horizontally extending
turret 82, which is held by a support arm 83. The turret 82 rotates
about a central axis, and it is disposed with a first region above
the primary conveyor line 1 and with a second region above the
associated deliverers 90, 90'. Downward-protruding package blanks
or gripper arms 80, distributed uniformly over the periphery of the
turret, are secured to the turret 82. The gripper arms 80 may, but
need not, be embodied rotatably about their own axis. Suction cups
81 are present on the downward-protruding free ends of the gripper
arms 80 and can be triggered via a pneumatic connection 84. By
means of these suction cups 81, the individual products can be
grasped from the deliverers 90, 90' and transferred to the primary
conveyor line 1 in the desired alignment and position. The products
can be rotated and aligned during the repositioning. Moreover, as
they are deposited, a pressure can be exerted on the deposited
product, so that it is forced into the wallet. This can serve to
cause the product to latch into a predetermined recess, or to
secure the product in the wallet by means of a spot of glue applied
to the wallet and/or the product beforehand.
[0033] The carrousels 8, 8' can all be embodied identically, or
they can be embodied differently, depending on the type of product
to be repositioned. In particular, the gripper arms 80 and the
shape and number of suction cups 81 can be variously designed.
Moreover, instead of the suction cups 81, mechanical grippers or
other means suitable for repositioning the products can be
employed.
[0034] For repositioning the products, the carousel 8, 8' rotates
at a speed which is adapted to the primary conveying direction of
the primary conveyor line 1, and which at the same time takes the
delivery rate of the deliverer 90, 90' into account. If too few
products are supplied, then the primary conveyor line 1 can be
operated more slowly by means of a central controller. However, if
too many products reach the carousel 8, 8' when the maximum
attainable speed of the primary conveyor line 1 has already been
reached, or if other conditions make it impossible for this speed
to be increased, then reservoirs are necessary.
[0035] In a first embodiment, the carousel 8, 8' can itself be used
as a reservoir, by embodying the gripper arms 80 pivotably, as is
proposed in the aforementioned, still unpublished German
Application DE 10 2005 054 005.8. This embodiment is especially
suitable whenever the process preceding the delivery cannot be
synchronized with the primary process in FIG. 1, or in other words
the manufacture of the wallets and the packaging of the products in
the wallets cannot be synchronized. The movable arms can compensate
to a certain extent for fluctuations in the speeds of the two
processes.
[0036] In addition to or instead of these pivotable gripper arms, a
storage path 10 with a closed circulation path can be used, as
shown in FIG. 5. The repositioning of the products from this
storage path 10 to the primary conveyor line 1 is preferably
effected by means of a third carousel 8'''. This third carousel
8''' is preferably designed identically or similarly to the
carrousels 8, 8'' described above. In particular, its gripper arms
preferably have suction cups. Moreover, the gripper alms may be
embodied either rigidly or pivotably. Such an apparatus is
described in detail in the European Patent Disclosure 1 216 939
mentioned at the outset. The use of this kind of closed circulation
path has the advantage that even major fluctuations in speed can be
compensated for, and that further reservoirs are dispensed
with.
[0037] In the method of the invention, which can for instance be
performed by means of the above-described apparatus, various
components or products, such as tablet blister strips and package
inserts, are delivered to the wallet in the packaging process. At
least some of these components are delivered from different
manufacturing, processing and/or supplying processes in different
directions and essentially are not synchronized with the primary
process of FIG. 1. At least some of the components are typically
delivered not continuously but rather in cadence.
[0038] The primary process, conversely, is distinguished by a high
continuous speed. The individual products must therefore,
regardless how they are furnished, be delivered to the primary
conveyor line synchronously with that speed.
[0039] Thanks to the carrousels described above, the various
products can now be delivered from arbitrary directions. This
enhances the flexibility of the layout of the entire system. The
accessibility can always be selected optimally. Moreover, the
throughput can be kept at a high level, since the products can be
transferred synchronously with the process speed. The process speed
can either be the primary conveying direction, or depending on the
type of products delivered, it can be determined by a delivery unit
or the associated production unit for an individual product.
[0040] The total output of the process is controlled either by the
primary process of FIG. 1 or by an upstream process, that is, a
process that is associated with a delivery operation. Preferably,
the output is controlled such that a buffer or reservoir is kept at
a virtually constant degree of filling between the primary process
and the output-determining process.
[0041] It is also advantageous if automatic quality control of the
delivered products is already done in the delivery, and products
that do not meet the desired requirements are rejected before the
repositioning to the primary conveyor line 1.
[0042] In these exemplary embodiments, a continuously operating
packaging means for wallets has been described. The methods of the
invention and the apparatus of the invention may also be used,
however, with other apparatuses, and in particular cadenced
packaging units. However, continuously operating packaging units
are preferred.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0043] 1 Primary conveyor line [0044] 2 Cardboard strip material
[0045] 3 Printing unit [0046] 4 Cutting and scoring unit [0047] 5
Package insert [0048] 6 Tablet blister strip [0049] 7 Horizontal
bag forming machine [0050] 70 Foil strip material [0051] 71
Packaging bag [0052] 72 Transverse sealing and cutting unit [0053]
73 Bag [0054] 8 First carousel [0055] 80 Gripper arm [0056] 81
Suction cup [0057] 82 Turret [0058] 83 Support arm [0059] 84
Pneumatic connection [0060] 8' Second carousel [0061] 8''Third
carousel [0062] 9 Supply unit [0063] 90 First deliverer [0064] 9'
Production unit [0065] 90 Second deliverer [0066] 10 Storage path
[0067] W Wallet
* * * * *