EP2962944B1 - Method for filling a blister web with tablets - Google Patents

Method for filling a blister web with tablets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2962944B1
EP2962944B1 EP14175756.7A EP14175756A EP2962944B1 EP 2962944 B1 EP2962944 B1 EP 2962944B1 EP 14175756 A EP14175756 A EP 14175756A EP 2962944 B1 EP2962944 B1 EP 2962944B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tablets
blister web
filling
blister
supply device
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.)
Active
Application number
EP14175756.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2962944A1 (en
Inventor
Harald Mauz
Wolfgang Rodi
Dmytro Kostyrko
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.)
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
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 Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Uhlmann Pac Systeme GmbH and Co KG
Priority to EP14175756.7A priority Critical patent/EP2962944B1/en
Publication of EP2962944A1 publication Critical patent/EP2962944A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2962944B1 publication Critical patent/EP2962944B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/06—Separating single articles from loose masses of articles
    • B65B35/08—Separating single articles from loose masses of articles using pocketed conveyors
    • 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
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/12—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by gravity
    • 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
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
    • B65B57/06—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B65B9/045—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for single articles, e.g. tablets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets.
  • blister packs are often used, which are stored in cartons.
  • cups for receiving the medical or pharmaceutical products are first formed into a forming film web so as to produce a blister sheet.
  • the products are filled in these wells before the blister tray having the cups is sealed with a cover sheet and the individual blister packs are punched out of the blister sheet.
  • the punched out blister packs are transferred from the blister machine to a downstream cartoning machine. In this stack of blister packs are formed and inserted into cartons, often together with a leaflet.
  • a corresponding device for supplying and transferring tablets into a blister web is, for example WO 2014/013310 A1 known.
  • This comprises an endlessly circulating filling belt with through-holes for receiving the tablets and a stationary support plate on which the tablets located in the through-holes rest and are pulled along by the filling belt.
  • the filling belt and the blister web move in a transfer region parallel to each other in an identical conveying direction. At one end of the support plate, this has a discharge edge over which the tablets are pushed by the filling belt and thereby fall into the wells of the blister sheet.
  • EP 0 224 017 A1 and EP 1 647 487 A1 each disclose a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets.
  • the feeding devices used for this purpose comprise perforated plates with a plurality of passage openings formed therein for receiving tablets.
  • the perforated plates are filled with tablets and moved perpendicular to the conveying direction of the blister sheet on flat support elements with through holes formed therein.
  • the support elements are arranged above the respective blister web.
  • the perforated plates and the support elements are then moved relative to each other so that the passage openings in the perforated plates and in the support elements are aligned, so that the tablets fall into the underlying wells of the blister sheet.
  • the support elements are moved in the conveying direction of the blister web.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets, with which an adaptation of the transfer point to production-related influences is possible.
  • the discharge edge of the support element for moving the transfer point in or against the first conveying direction is moved before passing the tablets from the feeder into the wells of the blister, wherein the movement of the discharge edge takes place in dependence on at least one production parameter.
  • the at least one production parameter comprises a shrinkage of the blister web in the second conveying direction.
  • the at least one production parameter preferably also comprises at least one parameter from the following selection: a distance between individual rows of recesses of the feed device in the first conveying direction, the first speed of the feed device, a spacing between individual rows of wells in the blister web in the second conveying direction, the second speed of the blister sheet, a dimension of the tablets in the first conveying direction, a dimension of the recesses of the feeding device in the first conveying direction, a dimension of the wells of the blister sheet in the second conveying direction. Combinations of several of these parameters can also be used as the basis for the movement of the discharge edge. Preset, unchanged parameters can also serve as a starting point, as can changing parameters during the process.
  • a special case of a changing parameter is the shrinkage of the blister sheet in the second conveying direction.
  • the blister web By hot working the forming film web into a blister web, the blister web after the forming station has an elevated temperature. As the production line continues, the blister sheet cools, causing it to shrink.
  • the recesses of the delivery device In the area of the discharge edge at which the tablets are transferred from the supply device to the blister web, it is necessary, however, for the recesses of the delivery device to be aligned with the cups of the blister web in order to ensure fault-free and trouble-free transfer.
  • the movement of the discharge edge is regulated via a control loop. This allows the exact and sufficiently rapid adjustment of the movement of the discharge edge to changing production parameters.
  • the moving feeder is designed as a filling belt, filling roller, perforated plate or perforated disc. These are particularly suitable for feeding and transporting the tablets to the discharge edge.
  • the first speed of the feeder is equal to the second speed of the blister web. In this case, it is possible that the recesses of the feeding device have the same pitch as the wells of the blister sheet.
  • the first speed of the feeder is different than the second speed of the blister web, more preferably slower than the second speed of the blister web. This simplifies the filling of the feeder with tablets and is less susceptible to errors due to the lower speed of the feeder.
  • the support element is driven by a motor to move the discharge edge. This makes it particularly well-suited for fast and precisely controlled movement.
  • the discharge edge is moved linearly.
  • the support element may be formed as a slide plate.
  • the discharge edge can be moved by rotation.
  • a rotatively moving feed device e.g. a stuffing roll
  • the first conveying direction of the feeding device is parallel to the second conveying direction of the blister web. In this way, a simple and reliable transfer is possible with low error rate.
  • Fig. 1 shows the feeding of tablets 2 in a feeder 10 and the transfer of the tablets 2 in the wells 4 of the blister web 1.
  • the feeding device 10 is formed in this embodiment as a filling or perforated plate with recesses 12 for receiving the individual tablets 2.
  • suitable feeding devices 10 are known to those skilled in the art, such as filling rollers or rotatable perforated discs, which receive the tablets 2 in respective recesses 12.
  • the spacing of the center lines of two adjacent wells 4 or recesses 12 is referred to as a gauge.
  • the cups 4 of the blister web 1 have a gauge S1, which may be different from the gauge S2 of the recesses 12 of the feeder 10.
  • the gauge S2 is smaller than the gauge S1, but in an alternative embodiment, the gauge S1 can also be equal to the gauge S2. If the gauge size S1 of the blister sheet 1 is greater than the gauge size S2 of the feeder 10, the speed V1 of the feeder 10 can be set lower than the speed V2 of the blister sheet 1, thereby simplifying the filling operation of the tablets 2 into the feeder 10 and more stable and with fewer disturbances, since more time is available to fill the delivery device 10 with tablets 2.
  • the tablets 2 are supported in the recesses 12 at least in the region in front of the transfer point 30 by a support element 20 until they are pushed by the delivery device 10 via the discharge edge 22 of the support element 20.
  • the support member 20 is formed in this case as a slide plate.
  • Alternative support elements 20 are conceivable, whose geometry is adapted, for example, curved to the contour of a filling roller. In any case, the support element 20 is to be designed such that a reliable support of the tablets 2 is ensured in the feeder 10.
  • the recesses 12 of the feeding device 10 are aligned with the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 and the tablets 2 are pushed over the discharge edge 22.
  • the first conveying direction F1 of the feeding device 10 and the second conveying direction F2 of the blister web 1 are parallel to each other.
  • a production parameter such as the shrinkage of the blister sheet 1
  • this shrinkage-related offset is in Fig. 1 characterized by the distance ⁇ 1 between the transfer point 30a in regular operation (top) and the transfer point 30b when the production parameter is changed (below).
  • the location and thus the timing of depositing the tablets 2 is changed according to the invention.
  • the transfer point 30 and thus the transfer time is adapted to the shrinkage-related offset ⁇ 1 of the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1, so that the tablet 2 can then be stored when the position of the Recesses 12 of the feeder 10 is optimal to the position of the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1.
  • the speed V1 of the feeding device 10 has to be changed.
  • the new transfer point 30 is preferably determined as follows: A passage time of each transverse row of cups 4 of the blister web 1 is regularly measured at a predetermined location upstream of the transfer station 30 with a sensor 40 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) and passed a corresponding signal to the controller.
  • the sensor 40 is preferably designed as a light barrier. Subsequently, the deviation of the position at which the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 are aligned with corresponding recesses 12 of the feeding device 10, calculated from the previous position of the transfer point 30 based on at least the determined transit time and the second speed V2. Now the discharge edge 22 must be brought only in the changed position according to the calculated deviation.
  • the shrinkage can also go back to normal in the course of filling, so that the transfer point 30 moves back again.
  • the starting point for the displacement of the transfer point 30 can also be other production parameters.
  • a relevant production parameters are, for example in question, the distance between individual rows of recesses 12 of the feeder 10 in the first conveying direction F1, the first speed V1 of the feeder 10, a distance between individual rows of cups 4 in the blister sheet 1 in the second conveying direction F2, the second speed V2 of the blister sheet 1, a dimension of the tablets 2 in the first conveying direction F1, a dimension of the recesses 12 of the feeding device 10 in the first conveying direction F1, a dimension of the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 in the second conveying direction F2.
  • Combinations of several of these parameters may also be used as the basis for the movement of the discharge edge 22.
  • unchanged parameters can also serve as a starting point, as can changing parameters during the process.
  • Fig. 2 shows a device suitable for the inventive method, in which the feeder 10 is formed as a filling roller and the support member 20 is adapted to the discharge edge 22 corresponding to the circumference of the filling roller.
  • the feeding device 10 filling roller
  • the feeding device 10 is filled in this case in an upper region, wherein the tablets 2 are supported by the support element 20 when moving along the conveying direction F1 in the filling roller.
  • FIG. 3 A detailed, schematic sectional view of the transfer region of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is in Fig. 3 shown.
  • the pitch 2 of the recesses 12 in the feeder 10 is preferably smaller than the gauge of the wells 4 in the blister web 1. Due to gravity, the tablet 2 on the support element 20th supported and pushed by the recess 12 of the feeder 10 on this. At the end of the support element 20, the tablet 2 is pushed over the discharge edge 22 into the cup 4 of the blister web 1. By shifting the discharge edge 22, the discharge time is changed at constant speeds V1 and V2 of the feeder 10 and the blister sheet 1, for example, to compensate for a shrinkage caused offset.
  • the discharge edge 22 can be displaced linearly or rotationally.
  • the speeds V1 and V2 of the feeding device 10 of the blister sheet 1 may be the same or different from each other.
  • the movable discharge edge 22 is driven by a motor in the various embodiments, wherein its position is preferably regulated via a control loop.
  • the control of the position of the discharge edge 22 can be done mechanically or electronically.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Befüllen einer Blisterbahn mit Tabletten.The present invention relates to a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets.

Für die Verpackung von medizinischen oder pharmazeutischen Produkten werden häufig Blisterverpackungen verwendet, die in Faltschachteln aufbewahrt werden. Bei der Herstellung der Blisterverpackungen in einer Blistermaschine werden zunächst Näpfe zur Aufnahme der medizinischen oder pharmazeutischen Produkte in eine Formfolienbahn geformt, um so eine Blisterbahn zu erzeugen. Die Produkte werden in diese Näpfe gefüllt, bevor die die Näpfe aufweisende Blisterbahn mit einer Deckfolie versiegelt wird und die einzelnen Blisterverpackungen aus der Blisterbahn ausgestanzt werden. Mit einem Übergabesystem werden die ausgestanzten Blisterverpackungen von der Blistermaschine an eine nachgeschaltete Kartoniermaschine übergeben. In dieser werden Stapel von Blisterverpackungen gebildet und in Faltschachteln, oft gemeinsam mit einem Beipackzettel, eingeschoben.For the packaging of medical or pharmaceutical products blister packs are often used, which are stored in cartons. In the manufacture of the blister packs in a blister machine, cups for receiving the medical or pharmaceutical products are first formed into a forming film web so as to produce a blister sheet. The products are filled in these wells before the blister tray having the cups is sealed with a cover sheet and the individual blister packs are punched out of the blister sheet. With a transfer system, the punched out blister packs are transferred from the blister machine to a downstream cartoning machine. In this stack of blister packs are formed and inserted into cartons, often together with a leaflet.

Eine entsprechende Vorrichtung zur Zuführung und Übergabe von Tabletten in eine Blisterbahn ist beispielsweise aus WO 2014/013310 A1 bekannt. Diese umfasst ein endlos umlaufendes Füllband mit Durchgangsöffnungen zur Aufnahme der Tabletten und eine unbewegte Abstützplatte, auf der die in den Durchgangsöffnungen befindlichen Tabletten aufliegen und vom Füllband entlang gezogen werden. Das Füllband und die Blisterbahn bewegen sich in einem Übergabebereich parallel zueinander in eine gleiche Förderrichtung. An einem Ende der Abstützplatte weist diese eine Abwurfkante auf, über die die Tabletten vom Füllband geschoben werden und dadurch in die Näpfe der Blisterbahn fallen.A corresponding device for supplying and transferring tablets into a blister web is, for example WO 2014/013310 A1 known. This comprises an endlessly circulating filling belt with through-holes for receiving the tablets and a stationary support plate on which the tablets located in the through-holes rest and are pulled along by the filling belt. The filling belt and the blister web move in a transfer region parallel to each other in an identical conveying direction. At one end of the support plate, this has a discharge edge over which the tablets are pushed by the filling belt and thereby fall into the wells of the blister sheet.

Das Zuführen und Schieben der Tabletten über eine ortsfeste Abwurfkante in die Näpfe der Blisterbahn kann allerdings zu verschiedenen Problemen führen. Insbesondere ist man an der fest definierten Übergabestelle darauf angewiesen, dass genau dort die Durchgangsöffnungen mit den Näpfen der Blisterbahn fluchten. Schon bei kleinen Abweichungen aufgrund von produktionsspezifischen Besonderheiten kann es notwendig sein, die gesamte Vorrichtung neu zu justieren.The feeding and pushing the tablets over a stationary discharge edge in the wells of the blister can, however, lead to various problems. In particular, it is dependent on the firmly defined transfer point that exactly there the through holes are aligned with the cups of the blister web. Even with small deviations due to production-specific features, it may be necessary to readjust the entire device.

Ein weiteres Problem ergibt sich durch das Schieben der Tabletten über die Abwurfkante. Dabei kippen insbesondere manche längliche Formen von Tabletten mit einem in Förder-10348 P 1231 EP richtung vorderen Ende zuerst in den Napf der Blisterbahn, während der hintere Teil der Tablette erst kurze Zeit später nachrutscht. Dadurch kommen manche Tabletten nicht sauber in den Näpfen zu liegen, was zu Siegelfehlern und schließlich zu fehlerhaften Blisterverpackungen und zum Maschinenstopp führen kann.Another problem arises when pushing the tablets over the discharge edge. In particular, some oblong forms of tablets tilt with a in Förder-10348 P 1231 EP Towards the front end first into the bowl of the blister, while the rear part of the tablet slips shortly afterwards. As a result, some tablets do not come clean in the wells, which can lead to sealing errors and eventually to faulty blister packs and machine stops.

EP 0 224 017 A1 und EP 1 647 487 A1 offenbaren jeweils ein Verfahren zur Befüllung einer Blisterbahn mit Tabletten. Die hierzu verwendeten Zuführvorrichtungen umfassen Lochplatten mit mehreren darin ausgebildeten Durchgangsöffnungen zur Aufnahme von Tabletten. Die Lochplatten werden mit Tabletten befüllt und senkrecht zur Förderrichtung der Blisterbahn über flache Abstützelemente mit darin ausgebildeten Durchgangsöffnungen bewegt. Die Abstützelemente sind über der jeweiligen Blisterbahn angeordnet. Die Lochplatten und die Abstützelemente werden anschließend derart relativ zueinander bewegt, dass die Durchgangsöffnungen in den Lochplatten und in den Abstützelementen fluchten, so dass die Tabletten in die darunter befindlichen Näpfe der Blisterbahn fallen. Die Abstützelemente werden dabei in Förderrichtung der Blisterbahn bewegt. EP 0 224 017 A1 and EP 1 647 487 A1 each disclose a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets. The feeding devices used for this purpose comprise perforated plates with a plurality of passage openings formed therein for receiving tablets. The perforated plates are filled with tablets and moved perpendicular to the conveying direction of the blister sheet on flat support elements with through holes formed therein. The support elements are arranged above the respective blister web. The perforated plates and the support elements are then moved relative to each other so that the passage openings in the perforated plates and in the support elements are aligned, so that the tablets fall into the underlying wells of the blister sheet. The support elements are moved in the conveying direction of the blister web.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zum Befüllen einer Blisterbahn mit Tabletten anzugeben, mit dem eine Anpassung der Übergabestelle an produktionsbedingte Einflüsse möglich ist.The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for filling a blister sheet with tablets, with which an adaptation of the transfer point to production-related influences is possible.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

Gemäß der Erfindung umfasst das Verfahren zum Befüllen einer Blisterbahn mit Tabletten folgende Schritte:

  • Befüllen einer Zuführvorrichtung mit Tabletten, wobei die Tabletten einzeln in Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung aufgenommen werden;
  • Fördern der Tabletten in der Zuführvorrichtung entlang einer ersten Förderrichtung mit einer ersten Geschwindigkeit, wobei die Tabletten zumindest teilweise durch ein Abstützelement abgestützt werden;
  • Fördern einer Blisterbahn entlang einer zweiten Förderrichtung mit einer zweiten Geschwindigkeit; und
  • Übergeben der Tabletten aus der Zuführvorrichtung in Näpfe der Blisterbahn an einer Übergabestelle, an der Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung mit Näpfen der Blisterbahn fluchten und die Tabletten über eine Abwurfkante des Abstützelements geschoben sind.
According to the invention, the method for filling a blister sheet with tablets comprises the following steps:
  • Filling a delivery device with tablets, wherein the tablets are received individually in recesses of the delivery device;
  • Conveying the tablets in the feeding device along a first conveying direction at a first speed, wherein the tablets are at least partially supported by a supporting element;
  • Conveying a blister web along a second conveying direction at a second speed; and
  • Passing the tablets from the feeder into cups of the blister sheet at a transfer point, are aligned with the recesses of the feeder with cups of the blister sheet and the tablets are pushed over a discharge edge of the support element.

Dabei wird vor dem Übergeben der Tabletten aus der Zuführvorrichtung in die Näpfe der Blisterbahn die Abwurfkante des Abstützelements zur Verschiebung der Übergabestelle in oder entgegen der ersten Förderrichtung bewegt, wobei die Bewegung der Abwurfkante in Abhängigkeit von mindestens einem Produktionsparameter erfolgt. Der mindestens eine Produktionsparameter umfasst eine Schrumpfung der Blisterbahn in der zweiten Förderrichtung.In this case, the discharge edge of the support element for moving the transfer point in or against the first conveying direction is moved before passing the tablets from the feeder into the wells of the blister, wherein the movement of the discharge edge takes place in dependence on at least one production parameter. The at least one production parameter comprises a shrinkage of the blister web in the second conveying direction.

Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, die Übergabestelle und somit den Übergabezeitpunkt derart anzupassen, dass auch bei geänderten Rahmenbedingungen eine korrekte Übergabe erfolgen kann, ohne beispielsweise die Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung verändern zu müssen.In this way, it is possible to adapt the transfer point and thus the transfer time in such a way that even under changed circumstances, a correct transfer can be done without having to change, for example, the speed of the feeder.

Der mindestens eine Produktionsparameter umfasst dabei vorzugsweise noch mindestens einen Parameter aus folgender Auswahl: einen Abstand zwischen einzelnen Reihen von Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung in der ersten Förderrichtung, die erste Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung, einen Abstand zwischen einzelnen Reihen von Näpfen in der Blisterbahn in der zweiten Förderrichtung, die zweite Geschwindigkeit der Blisterbahn, eine Abmessung der Tabletten in der ersten Förderrichtung, eine Abmessung der Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung in der ersten Förderrichtung, eine Abmessung der Näpfe der Blisterbahn in der zweiten Förderrichtung. Kombinationen von mehreren dieser Parameter können ebenfalls als Basis für die Bewegung der Abwurfkante verwendet werden. Dabei können voreingestellte, unveränderte Parameter ebenso als Ausgangspunkt dienen wie sich während des Prozesses ändernde Parameter.The at least one production parameter preferably also comprises at least one parameter from the following selection: a distance between individual rows of recesses of the feed device in the first conveying direction, the first speed of the feed device, a spacing between individual rows of wells in the blister web in the second conveying direction, the second speed of the blister sheet, a dimension of the tablets in the first conveying direction, a dimension of the recesses of the feeding device in the first conveying direction, a dimension of the wells of the blister sheet in the second conveying direction. Combinations of several of these parameters can also be used as the basis for the movement of the discharge edge. Preset, unchanged parameters can also serve as a starting point, as can changing parameters during the process.

Ein besonderer Fall eines sich ändernden Parameters ist jedoch die Schrumpfung der Blisterbahn in der zweiten Förderrichtung. Durch das Warmumformen der Formfolienbahn zu einer Blisterbahn weist die Blisterbahn nach der Formstation eine erhöhte Temperatur auf. Im weiteren Verlauf der Produktionslinie kühlt die Blisterbahn aus, wodurch sie schrumpft. Im Bereich der Abwurfkante, an der die Tabletten von der Zuführvorrichtung an die Blisterbahn übergeben werden, ist es aber notwendig, dass die Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung mit den Näpfen der Blisterbahn fluchten, um eine fehler- und störungsfreie Übergabe zu gewährleisten. Durch den Schrumpf verschiebt sich die Position der Näpfe der Blisterbahn jedoch in Richtung eines Fixpunktes, z.B. einer nachgeordneten Siegelvorrichtung, wodurch die Ausnehmungen des Förderbandes und die Näpfe der Blisterbahn unter Umständen nicht mehr synchron sind und ein Versatz entsteht. Beim Schieben der Tabletten über die Abwurfkante durch die Zuführvorrichtung kann es deshalb dazu kommen, dass die Tabletten nicht richtig in den Näpfen der Blisterbahn zu liegen kommen und im Folgenden beispielsweise zwischen der Blisterbahn und der Zuführvorrichtung oder zwischen der Blisterbahn und einer Siegelfolie eingeklemmt werden. Dies führt im weiteren Füllprozess beispielsweise zu Folienriss, beschädigten Tabletten oder einem geringen Folienfüllgrad. Dieser schrumpfungsbedingte Versatz lässt sich durch eine Verschiebung der Übergabestelle ausgleichen, gegebenenfalls kombiniert mit anderen Maßnahmen wie einer Änderung der ersten Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung.A special case of a changing parameter, however, is the shrinkage of the blister sheet in the second conveying direction. By hot working the forming film web into a blister web, the blister web after the forming station has an elevated temperature. As the production line continues, the blister sheet cools, causing it to shrink. In the area of the discharge edge at which the tablets are transferred from the supply device to the blister web, it is necessary, however, for the recesses of the delivery device to be aligned with the cups of the blister web in order to ensure fault-free and trouble-free transfer. Due to the shrinkage, however, the position of the cups of the blister sheet shifts in the direction of a fixed point, for example a downstream sealing device, as a result of which the recesses of the conveyor belt and the cups of the blister sheet may are out of sync and an offset occurs. When pushing the tablets over the discharge edge by the feed device, it may therefore happen that the tablets do not come to lie properly in the wells of the blister sheet and are trapped below, for example between the blister sheet and the feeder or between the blister sheet and a sealing film. In the further filling process, for example, this leads to film breakage, damaged tablets or a low degree of film filling. This shrinkage caused offset can be compensated by a shift of the transfer point, possibly combined with other measures such as a change in the first speed of the feeder.

Dieses Phänomen der Schrumpfung tritt im laufenden Betrieb auf, erst Recht aber bei einem zwischenzeitlichen Maschinenstillstand. Dann kühlt die Blisterbahn im Bereich zwischen der Formstation und den nachgeordneten Stationen stärker ab als im regulären Förderbetrieb. Dies hat eine größere Schrumpfung der Blisterbahn in diesem Bereich zur Folge. Beim Wiederanfahren der Produktion ist deshalb die Verschiebung der Übergabestelle ebenfalls relevant.This phenomenon of shrinkage occurs during operation, especially in the case of an interim machine downtime. Then the blister web cools more in the area between the forming station and the downstream stations than in the regular conveying operation. This results in a greater shrinkage of the blister sheet in this area. When restarting production, therefore, the shift of the transfer point is also relevant.

Vorzugsweise wird die Bewegung der Abwurfkante über einen Regelkreis geregelt. Dadurch wird die exakte und ausreichend schnelle Anpassung der Bewegung der Abwurfkante an sich ändernde Produktionsparameter ermöglicht.Preferably, the movement of the discharge edge is regulated via a control loop. This allows the exact and sufficiently rapid adjustment of the movement of the discharge edge to changing production parameters.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform umfasst die Bewegung der Abwurfkante folgende Schritte:

  • Ermitteln eines Durchlaufzeitpunkts von Näpfen der Blisterbahn an einem der Übergabestelle vorgelagerten, vorbestimmten Ort mit einem Sensor;
  • Berechnen einer Abweichung der Position, an der die Näpfe der Blisterbahn mit zugehörigen Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung fluchten, von der bisherigen Position der Übergabestelle auf Basis zumindest des ermittelten Durchlaufzeitpunkts und der zweiten Geschwindigkeit; und
  • Bewegen der Abwurfkante in eine geänderte Position gemäß der berechneten Abweichung.
In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the discharge edge comprises the following steps:
  • Determining a flow time of filling the blister sheet at a predetermined location upstream of the transfer point with a sensor;
  • Calculating a deviation of the position at which the wells of the blister sheet are aligned with corresponding recesses of the feed device, from the previous position of the transfer point based on at least the determined transit time and the second speed; and
  • Move the discharge edge to a changed position according to the calculated deviation.

Dadurch ist eine besonders genaue und zuverlässige Anpassung der Übergabestelle an veränderte Produktionsparameter möglich, insbesondere beim oben erwähnten Vorgang der Schrumpfung der Blisterbahn.As a result, a particularly accurate and reliable adaptation of the transfer point to changed production parameters is possible, in particular in the abovementioned process of shrinking the blister web.

In bevorzugten Ausführungsformen ist die bewegte Zuführvorrichtung als Füllband, Füllwalze, Lochplatte oder Lochscheibe ausgebildet. Diese eignen sich in besonderem Maße zur Zuführung und zum Transport der Tabletten zur Abwurfkante.In preferred embodiments, the moving feeder is designed as a filling belt, filling roller, perforated plate or perforated disc. These are particularly suitable for feeding and transporting the tablets to the discharge edge.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist die erste Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung gleich der zweiten Geschwindigkeit der Blisterbahn. In diesem Fall ist es möglich, dass die Ausnehmungen der Zuführvorrichtung dieselbe Teilung aufweisen wie die Näpfe der Blisterbahn.In another embodiment, the first speed of the feeder is equal to the second speed of the blister web. In this case, it is possible that the recesses of the feeding device have the same pitch as the wells of the blister sheet.

Vorzugsweise ist die erste Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung verschieden von der zweiten Geschwindigkeit der Blisterbahn, mehr bevorzugt langsamer als die zweite Geschwindigkeit der Blisterbahn. Dadurch wird das Befüllen der Zuführvorrichtung mit Tabletten vereinfacht und ist aufgrund der geringeren Geschwindigkeit der Zuführvorrichtung weniger fehleranfällig.Preferably, the first speed of the feeder is different than the second speed of the blister web, more preferably slower than the second speed of the blister web. This simplifies the filling of the feeder with tablets and is less susceptible to errors due to the lower speed of the feeder.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird das Abstützelement zur Bewegung der Abwurfkante motorisch angetrieben. Dadurch ist diese besonders gut geeignet für eine schnelle und genau geregelte Bewegung.In a preferred embodiment, the support element is driven by a motor to move the discharge edge. This makes it particularly well-suited for fast and precisely controlled movement.

Vorzugsweise wird die Abwurfkante linear bewegt. In diesem Fall kann das Abstützelement als Schieberplatte ausgebildet sein.Preferably, the discharge edge is moved linearly. In this case, the support element may be formed as a slide plate.

Alternativ kann die Abwurfkante rotativ bewegt werden. Dadurch ist die Anpassung des Abstützelements an eine rotativ bewegte Zuführvorrichtung, z.B. eine Füllwalze möglich.Alternatively, the discharge edge can be moved by rotation. Thereby, the adaptation of the support element to a rotatively moving feed device, e.g. a stuffing roll possible.

Besonders bevorzugt ist es, wenn zumindest im Bereich der Übergabestelle die erste Förderrichtung der Zuführvorrichtung parallel zur zweiten Förderrichtung der Blisterbahn ist. Auf diese Weise ist eine einfache und zuverlässige Übergabe mit geringer Fehleranfälligkeit möglich.It is particularly preferred if, at least in the area of the transfer point, the first conveying direction of the feeding device is parallel to the second conveying direction of the blister web. In this way, a simple and reliable transfer is possible with low error rate.

Weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen.

Fig. 1
zeigt die Übergabe der Tabletten aus der Zuführvorrichtung in die Näpfe der Blisterbahn an der Übergabestelle im regulären Betrieb (oben) und bei Verschiebung der Abwurfkante (unten) in einer schematischen Schnittansicht;
Fig. 2
zeigt die Zuführvorrichtung in Form einer Füllwalze, das Abstützelement und die Blisterbahn in einer schematischen Perspektivansicht; und
Fig. 3
zeigt einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt des Übergabebereichs der Füllwalze nach Fig. 2 in einer schematischen Schnittansicht.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1
shows the transfer of the tablets from the feeder in the wells of the blister at the transfer point in regular operation (above) and in displacement of the discharge edge (bottom) in a schematic sectional view;
Fig. 2
shows the feed device in the form of a filling roller, the support element and the blister sheet in a schematic perspective view; and
Fig. 3
shows an enlarged section of the transfer area of the filling roller after Fig. 2 in a schematic sectional view.

Fig. 1 zeigt die Zuführung von Tabletten 2 in einer Zuführvorrichtung 10 und die Übergabe der Tabletten 2 in die Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1. Die Zuführvorrichtung 10 ist in dieser Ausführungsform als Füllband oder Lochplatte mit Ausnehmungen 12 zur einzelnen Aufnahme der Tabletten 2 ausgebildet. Es sind dem Fachmann allerdings auch weitere geeignete Zuführvorrichtungen 10 bekannt, wie z.B. Füllwalzen oder drehbare Lochscheiben, die die Tabletten 2 jeweils in entsprechenden Ausnehmungen 12 aufnehmen. Fig. 1 shows the feeding of tablets 2 in a feeder 10 and the transfer of the tablets 2 in the wells 4 of the blister web 1. The feeding device 10 is formed in this embodiment as a filling or perforated plate with recesses 12 for receiving the individual tablets 2. However, other suitable feeding devices 10 are known to those skilled in the art, such as filling rollers or rotatable perforated discs, which receive the tablets 2 in respective recesses 12.

Als Stichmaß wird im Folgenden der Abstand der Mittellinien zweier benachbarter Näpfe 4 bzw. Ausnehmungen 12 bezeichnet.In the following, the spacing of the center lines of two adjacent wells 4 or recesses 12 is referred to as a gauge.

Die Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 weisen ein Stichmaß S1 auf, das ungleich dem Stichmaß S2 der Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 sein kann. Vorzugsweise ist das Stichmaß S2 kleiner als das Stichmaß S1, in einer alternativen Ausführungsform kann das Stichmaß S1 aber auch gleich dem Stichmaß S2 sein. Ist das Stichmaß S1 der Blisterbahn 1 größer als das Stichmaß S2 der Zuführvorrichtung 10, kann die Geschwindigkeit V1 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 geringer gewählt werden als die Geschwindigkeit V2 der Blisterbahn 1, wodurch der Einfüllvorgang der Tabletten 2 in die Zuführvorrichtung 10 vereinfacht wird bzw. stabiler und mit weniger Störungen abläuft, da mehr Zeit zur Befüllung der Zuführvorrichtung 10 mit Tabletten 2 zur Verfügung steht.The cups 4 of the blister web 1 have a gauge S1, which may be different from the gauge S2 of the recesses 12 of the feeder 10. Preferably, the gauge S2 is smaller than the gauge S1, but in an alternative embodiment, the gauge S1 can also be equal to the gauge S2. If the gauge size S1 of the blister sheet 1 is greater than the gauge size S2 of the feeder 10, the speed V1 of the feeder 10 can be set lower than the speed V2 of the blister sheet 1, thereby simplifying the filling operation of the tablets 2 into the feeder 10 and more stable and with fewer disturbances, since more time is available to fill the delivery device 10 with tablets 2.

In der Zuführvorrichtung 10 werden die Tabletten 2 in den Ausnehmungen 12 zumindest im Bereich vor der Übergabestelle 30 durch ein Abstützelement 20 abgestützt, bis sie durch die Zuführvorrichtung 10 über die Abwurfkante 22 des Abstützelements 20 geschoben werden. Das Abstützelement 20 ist in diesem Fall als Schieberplatte ausgebildet. Alternative Abstützelemente 20 sind denkbar, deren Geometrie beispielsweise kurvenförmig an die Kontur einer Füllwalze angepasst ist. In jedem Fall ist das Abstützelement 20 derart zu gestalten, dass eine zuverlässige Abstützung der Tabletten 2 in der Zuführvorrichtung 10 gewährleistet ist.In the feeding device 10, the tablets 2 are supported in the recesses 12 at least in the region in front of the transfer point 30 by a support element 20 until they are pushed by the delivery device 10 via the discharge edge 22 of the support element 20. The support member 20 is formed in this case as a slide plate. Alternative support elements 20 are conceivable, whose geometry is adapted, for example, curved to the contour of a filling roller. In any case, the support element 20 is to be designed such that a reliable support of the tablets 2 is ensured in the feeder 10.

An der Übergabestelle 30 fluchten die Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 mit den Näpfen 4 der Blisterbahn 1 und die Tabletten 2 sind über die Abwurfkante 22 geschoben. Zumindest im Bereich dieser Übergabestelle 30 sind die erste Förderrichtung F1 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 und die zweite Förderrichtung F2 der Blisterbahn 1 parallel zueinander.At the transfer point 30, the recesses 12 of the feeding device 10 are aligned with the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 and the tablets 2 are pushed over the discharge edge 22. At least in the region of this transfer point 30, the first conveying direction F1 of the feeding device 10 and the second conveying direction F2 of the blister web 1 are parallel to each other.

Wenn sich nun ein Produktionsparameter ändert, beispielsweise die Schrumpfung der Blisterbahn 1, kann dies durch eine Verschiebung der Übergabestelle 30 ausgeglichen werden. Im dargestellten Beispielsfall wurde die Blisterbahn 1 durch stärkere Schrumpfung in Richtung eines Fixpunkts, z.B. der nachgeschalteten Siegelstation, nach rechts gezogen, wodurch sich ein Versatz der Position der Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 zur Position ergibt, die bei unveränderten Rahmenbedingungen vorliegen würde. Dieser schrumpfungsbedingte Versatz ist in Fig. 1 durch den Abstand δ1 zwischen der Übergabestelle 30a im regulären Betrieb (oben) und der Übergabestelle 30b bei geändertem Produktionsparameter (unten) gekennzeichnet.If now changes a production parameter, such as the shrinkage of the blister sheet 1, this can be compensated by a shift of the transfer point 30. In the illustrated example case, the blister sheet 1 was pulled by greater shrinkage in the direction of a fixed point, such as the downstream sealing station, to the right, resulting in a displacement of the position of the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1 to the position, which would be present under unchanged conditions. This shrinkage-related offset is in Fig. 1 characterized by the distance δ1 between the transfer point 30a in regular operation (top) and the transfer point 30b when the production parameter is changed (below).

Um weiterhin ein fehlerfreies Ablegen der Tabletten 2 in die Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 zu gewährleisten, wird erfindungsgemäß der Ort und somit der Zeitpunkt des Ablegens der Tabletten 2 verändert. Durch die Verschiebung des Abstützelements 20 und somit der Abwurfkante 22 in Richtung des Versatzes δ1 wird die Übergabestelle 30 und somit der Übergabezeitpunkt an den schrumpfungsbedingten Versatz δ1 der Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 angepasst, sodass die Tablette 2 dann abgelegt werden kann, wenn die Position der Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 optimal zur Position der Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 ist. Vorzugsweise muss hierbei noch nicht einmal die Geschwindigkeit V1 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 geändert werden.In order to continue to ensure a flawless placement of the tablets 2 in the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1, the location and thus the timing of depositing the tablets 2 is changed according to the invention. By the displacement of the support element 20 and thus the discharge edge 22 in the direction of the offset δ1 the transfer point 30 and thus the transfer time is adapted to the shrinkage-related offset δ1 of the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1, so that the tablet 2 can then be stored when the position of the Recesses 12 of the feeder 10 is optimal to the position of the wells 4 of the blister sheet 1. Preferably, not even the speed V1 of the feeding device 10 has to be changed.

Die neue Übergabestelle 30 wird vorzugsweise folgendermaßen ermittelt: Regelmäßig wird ein Durchlaufzeitpunkt jeder Querreihe von Näpfen 4 der Blisterbahn 1 an einem der Übergabestelle 30 vorgelagerten, vorbestimmten Ort mit einem Sensor 40 (Fig. 2) ermittelt und ein entsprechendes Signal an die Steuerung weitergegeben. Der Sensor 40 ist vorzugsweise als Lichtschranke ausgebildet. Anschließend wird die Abweichung der Position, an der die Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 mit zugehörigen Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 fluchten, von der bisherigen Position der Übergabestelle 30 auf Basis zumindest des ermittelten Durchlaufzeitpunkts und der zweiten Geschwindigkeit V2 berechnet. Nun muss die Abwurfkante 22 nur noch in die geänderte Position gemäß der berechneten Abweichung gebracht werden.The new transfer point 30 is preferably determined as follows: A passage time of each transverse row of cups 4 of the blister web 1 is regularly measured at a predetermined location upstream of the transfer station 30 with a sensor 40 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) and passed a corresponding signal to the controller. The sensor 40 is preferably designed as a light barrier. Subsequently, the deviation of the position at which the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 are aligned with corresponding recesses 12 of the feeding device 10, calculated from the previous position of the transfer point 30 based on at least the determined transit time and the second speed V2. Now the discharge edge 22 must be brought only in the changed position according to the calculated deviation.

Die Schrumpfung kann im Laufe der Befüllung auch wieder auf ein Normalmaß zurückgehen, sodass die Übergabestelle 30 wieder zurück wandert. Grundsätzlich sind Verschiebungen der Übergabestelle in beide Richtungen möglich. Ausgangspunkt für die Verschiebung der Übergabestelle 30 können auch andere Produktionsparameter sein. Als relevante Produktionsparameter kommen beispielsweise in Frage der Abstand zwischen einzelnen Reihen von Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 in der ersten Förderrichtung F1, die erste Geschwindigkeit V1 der Zuführvorrichtung 10, ein Abstand zwischen einzelnen Reihen von Näpfen 4 in der Blisterbahn 1 in der zweiten Förderrichtung F2, die zweite Geschwindigkeit V2 der Blisterbahn 1, eine Abmessung der Tabletten 2 in der ersten Förderrichtung F1, eine Abmessung der Ausnehmungen 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 in der ersten Förderrichtung F1, eine Abmessung der Näpfe 4 der Blisterbahn 1 in der zweiten Förderrichtung F2. Kombinationen von mehreren dieser Parameter können ebenfalls als Basis für die Bewegung der Abwurfkante 22 verwendet werden. Dabei können voreingestellte, unveränderte Parameter ebenso als Ausgangspunkt dienen wie sich während des Prozesses ändernde Parameter.The shrinkage can also go back to normal in the course of filling, so that the transfer point 30 moves back again. Basically, displacements of the transfer point in both directions are possible. The starting point for the displacement of the transfer point 30 can also be other production parameters. As a relevant production parameters are, for example in question, the distance between individual rows of recesses 12 of the feeder 10 in the first conveying direction F1, the first speed V1 of the feeder 10, a distance between individual rows of cups 4 in the blister sheet 1 in the second conveying direction F2, the second speed V2 of the blister sheet 1, a dimension of the tablets 2 in the first conveying direction F1, a dimension of the recesses 12 of the feeding device 10 in the first conveying direction F1, a dimension of the cups 4 of the blister sheet 1 in the second conveying direction F2. Combinations of several of these parameters may also be used as the basis for the movement of the discharge edge 22. Preset, unchanged parameters can also serve as a starting point, as can changing parameters during the process.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren geeignete Vorrichtung, in der die Zuführvorrichtung 10 als Füllwalze ausgebildet ist und das Abstützelement 20 mit der Abwurfkante 22 entsprechend an den Umfang der Füllwalze angepasst ist. Die Zuführvorrichtung 10 (Füllwalze) wird in diesem Fall in einem oberen Bereich befüllt, wobei die Tabletten 2 bei der Bewegung entlang der Förderrichtung F1 in der Füllwalze durch das Abstützelement 20 unterstützt werden. Fig. 2 shows a device suitable for the inventive method, in which the feeder 10 is formed as a filling roller and the support member 20 is adapted to the discharge edge 22 corresponding to the circumference of the filling roller. The feeding device 10 (filling roller) is filled in this case in an upper region, wherein the tablets 2 are supported by the support element 20 when moving along the conveying direction F1 in the filling roller.

Eine detaillierte, schematische Schnittansicht des Übergabebereichs der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2 ist in Fig. 3 dargestellt. Die Tablette 2 befindet sich dabei noch in der Ausnehmung 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10. Das Stichmaß der Ausnehmungen 12 in der Zuführvorrichtung 10 ist vorzugsweise kleiner als das Stichmaß der Näpfe 4 in der Blisterbahn 1. Bedingt durch die Schwerkraft wird die Tablette 2 auf dem Abstützelement 20 abgestützt und von der Ausnehmung 12 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 auf diesem weitergeschoben. Am Ende des Abstützelements 20 wird die Tablette 2 über die Abwurfkante 22 in den Napf 4 der Blisterbahn 1 geschoben. Durch ein Verschieben der Abwurfkante 22 wird der Abwurfzeitpunkt bei konstanten Geschwindigkeiten V1 und V2 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 und der Blisterbahn 1 verändert, um z.B. einen schrumpfbedingten Versatz auszugleichen.A detailed, schematic sectional view of the transfer region of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is in Fig. 3 shown. The pitch 2 of the recesses 12 in the feeder 10 is preferably smaller than the gauge of the wells 4 in the blister web 1. Due to gravity, the tablet 2 on the support element 20th supported and pushed by the recess 12 of the feeder 10 on this. At the end of the support element 20, the tablet 2 is pushed over the discharge edge 22 into the cup 4 of the blister web 1. By shifting the discharge edge 22, the discharge time is changed at constant speeds V1 and V2 of the feeder 10 and the blister sheet 1, for example, to compensate for a shrinkage caused offset.

Grundsätzlich kann die Abwurfkante 22 linear oder rotativ verschoben werden. Die Geschwindigkeiten V1 und V2 der Zuführvorrichtung 10 der Blisterbahn 1 können gleich oder verschieden voneinander sein.In principle, the discharge edge 22 can be displaced linearly or rotationally. The speeds V1 and V2 of the feeding device 10 of the blister sheet 1 may be the same or different from each other.

Die bewegliche Abwurfkante 22 wird in den verschiedenen Ausführungsformen motorisch angetrieben, wobei ihre Position vorzugsweise über einen Regelkreis geregelt wird. Die Steuerung der Position der Abwurfkante 22 kann mechanisch oder elektronisch erfolgen.The movable discharge edge 22 is driven by a motor in the various embodiments, wherein its position is preferably regulated via a control loop. The control of the position of the discharge edge 22 can be done mechanically or electronically.

Claims (12)

  1. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2), with the following steps:
    - filling a supply device (10) with tablets (2) wherein the tablets (2) are received individually in recesses (12) of the supply device (10);
    - conveying the tablets (2) in the supply device (10) along a first conveying direction (F1) at a first speed (V1), wherein the tablets (2) are supported at least in part by a supporting element (20);
    - conveying a blister web (1) along a second conveying direction (F2) at a second speed (V2), and
    - transferring the tablets (2) from the supply device (10) into cups (4) of the blister web (1) at a transfer point (30) at which the recesses (12) of the supply device (10) align with the cups (4) of the blister web (1) and the tablets (2) are pushed over a discharge edge (22) of the supporting element (20),
    wherein in order to displace the transfer point (30) the discharge edge (22) of the supporting element (20) is moved in or against the first conveying direction (F1),
    characterised in that prior to transferring the tablets (2) from the supply device (10) into the cups (4) of the blister web (1) the discharge edge (22) of the supporting element (20) is moved for displacing the transfer point (30) in dependence on at least one production parameter, and
    the at least one production parameter comprises a contraction of the blister web (1) in the second conveying direction (F2).
  2. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one production parameter comprises at least one parameter from the following selection: a distance between individual rows of recesses (12) of the supply device (10) in the first conveying direction (F1), the first speed (V1) of the supply device (10), a distance between individual rows of cups (4) in the blister web (1) in the second conveying device (F2), the second speed (V2) of the blister web (1), a dimension of the tablets (2) in the first conveying direction (F1), a dimension of the recesses (12) of the supply device (10) in the first conveying direction (F1, a dimension of the cups (4) of the blister web (1) in the second conveying direction (F2).
  3. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement of the discharge edge (22) is regulated via a control circuit.
  4. Method for filing a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to claim 3, characterised in that the regulated movement of the discharge edge (22) comprises the following steps:
    - determining a run-through time of the cups (4) of the blister web (1) at a predetermined spot in front of the transfer point (30) by a sensor (40);
    - calculating a deviation of the position, at which the cups (4) of the blister web (1) align with the associated recesses (12) of the supply device, from the previous position of the transfer point (30) on the basis of at least the determined run-through time and the second speed (V2); and
    - moving the discharge edge (22) into a modified position according to the calculated deviation.
  5. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supply device (10) is designed as a filling belt, filling roller, perforated plate or perforated disc.
  6. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supporting element (20) is designed as a sliding plate.
  7. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the first speed (V1) of the supply device (10) is equal to the second speed (V2) of the blister web (1).
  8. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the first speed (V1) of the supply device (10) is different from the second speed (V2) of the blister web (1), preferably is slower than the second speed (V2) of the blister web (1).
  9. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the supporting element (20) is driven by a motor for moving the discharge edge (22).
  10. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the discharge edge (22) is moved linearly.
  11. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the discharge edge (22) is moved rotationally.
  12. Method for filling a blister web (1) with tablets (2) according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that at least in the region of the transfer point (30) the first conveying direction (F1) of the supply device (10) is parallel to the second conveying direction (F2) of the blister web (1).
EP14175756.7A 2014-07-04 2014-07-04 Method for filling a blister web with tablets Active EP2962944B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14175756.7A EP2962944B1 (en) 2014-07-04 2014-07-04 Method for filling a blister web with tablets

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14175756.7A EP2962944B1 (en) 2014-07-04 2014-07-04 Method for filling a blister web with tablets

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2962944A1 EP2962944A1 (en) 2016-01-06
EP2962944B1 true EP2962944B1 (en) 2016-11-30

Family

ID=51063322

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14175756.7A Active EP2962944B1 (en) 2014-07-04 2014-07-04 Method for filling a blister web with tablets

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2962944B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3909872A1 (en) 2020-05-12 2021-11-17 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG Method and assembly for transferring products
CN113353354B (en) * 2021-07-15 2022-08-19 山东聚胜生物科技有限公司 Preparation method of composite probiotic tablet
CN115465514A (en) * 2022-09-20 2022-12-13 上海江南制药机械有限公司 Tablet feeder

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2262951A1 (en) * 1972-12-22 1974-06-27 Hoefliger & Karg DEVICE FOR INSERTING LONGITUDINAL OBJECTS
DE3541672A1 (en) * 1985-11-26 1987-05-27 Uhlmann Maschf Josef DEVICE ON PACKAGING MACHINES FOR ADJUSTING AND DEPOSITING SMALL PARTS TO BE PACKAGED, LIKE TABLETS, CAPSULES, DRAGEES OR THE LIKE.
DE102004049560B4 (en) * 2004-10-12 2006-08-31 Mediseal Gmbh Method and device for placing tablets in the courtyards of a deep-drawn bottom sheet
DE202005008656U1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2005-07-28 Zieher, Wolfgang Device for individual stocking of blister packages with medicament tablets comprises a stocking template with tablet nests whose bottoms are openable/closable by a control template
JP5750712B2 (en) * 2008-03-19 2015-07-22 アイエムエー インダストリア マッキーネ オートマチケ エス．ピー．エー Unit for supplying products
ITBO20080666A1 (en) * 2008-11-03 2010-05-04 Marchesini Group Spa FEEDING DEVICE FOR CORRESPONDING ITEMS OF A HOLLOWED TAPE
DE102010028568A1 (en) * 2010-05-04 2011-11-10 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg Device for filling patient-customized package with tablets in e.g. nursing home, has control unit for controlling movements of drum storage and grippers based on prescription for patient-customized package
ITMI20121243A1 (en) 2012-07-17 2014-01-18 I M A Ind Macchine Automatic He S P A DISTRIBUTOR UNIT FOR PADS OR CAPSULES

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2962944A1 (en) 2016-01-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2836447B1 (en) Device and method for conveying lumpy products
DE19617014C2 (en) Method and device for refilling filling material in the wells of a film web
EP1595797B1 (en) Packaging machine and method of feeding containers in a packaging machine
EP3116787B1 (en) Method for controlling the parameters of a strapping system
EP1602584A1 (en) Device for stacking of goods and transferring of stacked goods in a transport system
EP2962944B1 (en) Method for filling a blister web with tablets
DE2702041B2 (en) Device for optionally dividing a number of individual wound rolls of foils or the like. from a feed conveyor via an intermediate conveyor to a number of distribution conveyors
EP3210896A2 (en) Deep draw packaging machine
DE202016006730U1 (en) Stacking device for breaking out and stacking articles
EP1871668A1 (en) Packaging machine
DE202019005396U1 (en) Packaging system and device for feeding products from a first process to a second process in a packaging system
EP3081927B1 (en) Device for packaging loose medicament portions and method for the operation thereof
DE2030165B2 (en) Device for forming multi-layer groups of cigarettes
DE102005044537B3 (en) Thermoforming machine for producing tubs from plastic sheet has chain conveyors on either side which transport sheet and are driven independently by servo-motors
EP2865618A1 (en) Apparatus for transferring stacks of blister packages
DE2438780C3 (en) Device for aligning and transferring equidistant objects from a manufacturing machine in irregular rows
WO2015091350A1 (en) Method and device for conveying and grouping fragmented products
EP0868349B1 (en) Device for forming groups of stacked disc-like products
DE102014103336A1 (en) Control of the main shaft of a strapping machine
EP3521185B1 (en) Method for controlling the feed rate of a film web in a packaging machine
EP3339818B1 (en) Device and method for weighing filled capsules
EP1661833A1 (en) Method and device for treating printed products
DE10302556B4 (en) Machine for the production of so-called strip packaging
EP2133293A1 (en) Device for transferring packaged items to a packaged item transport system or a storage device
EP3025587B1 (en) Device and method for transferring sausage portions

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20160407

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20160428

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20160811

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 849551

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20161215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170228

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170301

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170330

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170228

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20170831

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20180330

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170731

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170704

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170704

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180704

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180704

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20140704

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: KROHER . STROBEL RECHTS- UND PATENTANWAELTE PA, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO KG, 88471 LAUPHEIM, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: KROHER STROBEL RECHTS- UND PATENTANWAELTE PART, DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161130

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170330

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 849551

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190704

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190704

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 502014002072

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: KROHER STROBEL RECHTS- UND PATENTANWAELTE PART, DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230727

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230727

Year of fee payment: 10