EP3263467B1 - A filling machine for capsules - Google Patents
A filling machine for capsules Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3263467B1 EP3263467B1 EP17179085.0A EP17179085A EP3263467B1 EP 3263467 B1 EP3263467 B1 EP 3263467B1 EP 17179085 A EP17179085 A EP 17179085A EP 3263467 B1 EP3263467 B1 EP 3263467B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- conveyor
- filling machine
- capsule
- feeding
- capsules
- 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
Links
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 title claims description 144
- 210000003462 vein Anatomy 0.000 claims description 48
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 45
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012263 liquid product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001364 causal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004069 differentiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
- B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
-
- 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
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
- B65B29/022—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package packaging infusion material into capsules
-
- 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
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/52—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using roller-ways or endless 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
- B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
- B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
- B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product (i.e. which is without cohesion, adhesion between the parts of which it is composed and therefore is without a defining form such as a powder product or a liquid product).
- an incoherent product i.e. which is without cohesion, adhesion between the parts of which it is composed and therefore is without a defining form such as a powder product or a liquid product.
- the present invention finds advantageous application in a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of a powdered pharmaceutical product, to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without losing any generality.
- the automatic filling machines to fill a capsule with a quantity of a powdered pharmaceutical product are relatively complex (therefore expensive) and slow (that is, they are not able to achieve very high hourly productivity).
- Patent applications WO2013035061A2 , US4151698A , WO2010007633A1 and US4024694A describe some examples of automatic filling machines to fill a container with a quantity of an incoherent product.
- WO 2013/035061 A2 also discloses a filling machine according to preamble of claim 1.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product, the filling machine is both easy and inexpensive to implement and allows a higher hourly productivity to be obtain with respect to the known automatic filling machines.
- a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product is provided, as claimed in the appended claims.
- Figure 1 illustrates a capsule 1 containing a quantity of an incoherent product 2 (that is, which is without cohesion, adhesion between the parts of which it is composed and therefore is without a defining form such as a powder product or a liquid product).
- the capsule 1 is cup-shaped and has an upper end 3 which is initially opened for introducing a quantity of an incoherent product and is subsequently sealed by applying a lid 4; preferably, at the upper end 3, the capsule 1 has an annular rim 5 on which the lid 4 is placed and heat-sealed to obtain an airtight seal.
- the incoherent product is a powder product for medical use.
- number 6 denotes, as a whole, a filling machine that performs the filling and sealing of the capsules 1.
- the filling machine 6 comprises a feeding unit 7 which receives a disorderly mass of empty capsules 1 (i.e. a mass of empty capsules 1 loosely arranged), sorts and arranges the empty capsules 1, and feeds the empty capsules 1 in corresponding trays 8 each provided with a plurality of pockets 9 (illustrated in Figure 5 ) designed to hold respective empty capsules 1.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises an input station S1 in which the empty trays 8 (i.e. without capsules 1) arrive to the feeding unit 7, an insertion station S2 in which the trays 8 progressively receive the empty capsules 1, and finally an output station S3 in which the full trays 8 (that is, in which all the pockets 9 contain respective empty capsules 1) leave the feeding unit 7.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a feeding conveyor 10 (shown in Figure 4 with a pusher) which moves each tray 8 along a feeding direction D1 from the input station S1 to the output station S3 passing through the feeding station S2.
- each tray 8 comprises a plurality of pockets 9 arranged in a series of rows (ten rows in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 ) each having a plurality of pockets 9 (ten pockets 9 in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 ); according to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the various rows have a number of differentiated pockets 9 (e.g. the first and the last row can comprise eight pockets 9 instead of ten pockets 9) and/or the pockets 9 of the various rows are all aligned to one another (e.g. the pockets 9 of the various rows can have two alignments interposed one with the other).
- the various rows have a number of differentiated pockets 9 (e.g. the first and the last row can comprise eight pockets 9 instead of ten pockets 9) and/or the pockets 9 of the various rows are all aligned to one another (e.g. the pockets 9 of the various rows can have two alignments interposed one with the other).
- Each pocket 9 is formed by a blind hole which is obtained through an upper wall of the corresponding tray 8 and reproduces in negative the shape of the capsules 1 so as to house (with a minimum clearance) the capsules 1 themselves.
- the trays 8 have a square shape, but alternatively they can have a rectangular shape having two smaller shorter sides and two larger longer sides.
- the filling machine 6 comprises a filling unit 11 which receives the trays 8 filled with empty capsules 1 from the feeding unit 7 and provides to fill each empty capsule 1 with the corresponding quantity 2 of product and to apply to each full capsule 1 a corresponding lid 4.
- the filling machine 6 comprises a transferring unit 12 which receives from the filling unit 11 the trays 8 containing full capsules 1 and transfers the full capsules 1 to an output 13 of the filling machine 6.
- a container 14 is arranged (by way of non-limiting example) which receives the full capsules 1; by means of the container 14 the full capsules 1 can be fed to a packing machine which makes packs of full capsule 1.
- the filling machine 6 comprises a main conveyor 15 which feeds the full trays 8 from the output station S3 of the feeding unit 7 to the input station S1 of the feeding unit 7 passing through the filling unit 11 and to the transferring unit 12.
- the main conveyor 15 can be formed by a single conveying device which extends along the entire path or it can be formed by several conveying devices arranged in series one after the other (in this case the plurality of conveying devices can all be of the same type or also of a different type).
- the main conveyor 15 is formed by two conveying devices that cyclically exchange, one with the other, the trays 8: a first conveying device which extends outside of the filling unit 11 and of the filling unit 12 and comprises a fixed guide arranged along the path and a series of slits, each of which is designed to slide along the fixed guide and supports a corresponding tray 8, and a second conveying device which extends into the filling unit 11 and into the filling unit 12 and comprises a conveyor belt which supports the trays 8; in the first conveying device, the slits are driven along the fixed rail by means of a linear electric motor having a stator (typically provided with electrical windings) arranged along the fixed guide and a series of sliders (typically provided with permanent magnets) each coupled to a slit.
- a linear electric motor having a stator (typically provided with electrical windings) arranged along the fixed guide and a series of sliders (typically provided with permanent magnets) each coupled to a slit.
- the main conveyor 15 has a "spiral" shape having a final straight branch 16 arranged at the input station S1 of the feeding unit 7 and an initial straight branch 17 arranged at the output station S3 of the feeding unit 7; the feeding conveyor 10 of the feeding unit 7 picks up each tray 8 from the final branch 16 of the main conveyor 15 arranged at the input station S1 and feeds the tray 8 along the feeding direction D1 up to the initial branch 17 of the main conveyor 15 arranged at the output station S3 of the feeding unit 7. It is important to note that the branches 16 and 17 of the main conveyor 15 are perpendicular to the feeding direction D1 of the feeding conveyor 10 of the feeding unit 7, i.e. at the branches 16 and 17 the main conveyor 15 feeds the trays 8 along directions D2 which are horizontal and perpendicular to the feeding direction D1 of the feeding conveyor 10.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a funnel-shaped hopper 18 which is designed to receive, on the upper side, a disorderly mass of empty capsules 1 and has, on the lower side, an output opening facing downwards.
- the intermediate conveyor 19 comprises a plate 20 provided with lateral edges which is inclined downwards so that an input end of the intermediate conveyor 19 at the output opening of the hopper 18 is higher than an output end of the intermediate conveyor 19; moreover, the intermediate conveyor 19 comprises a vibrating device 21 (e.g. provided with an eccentric element which is set in rotation) which causes vibrations to the plate 20 to facilitate the flow of the empty capsules 1 along the plate 20 from the input end of the intermediate conveyor 19 to the output end of the intermediate conveyor 19.
- the empty capsules 1 move along the plate 20 of the intermediate conveyor 19 due to gravity, (as previously mentioned, the plate 20 is inclined downwards) and due to the vibrations generated by the vibrating device 21 which causes vibrations to the plate 20.
- a arranging conveyor 22 Arranged at the output end of the intermediate conveyor 19 and underneath the output end of the intermediate conveyor 19 an input end of a arranging conveyor 22 is arranged provided with a conveyor belt 23 having a plurality of pockets 24 arranged in rows and designed to each hold a capsule 1.
- the arranging conveyor 22 is inclined upwards so that the input end of the arranging conveyor 22 is lower than the output end of the arranging conveyor 22.
- the arranging conveyor 22 is provided with a vibrating device 25 (e.g. provided with an eccentric element which is set in rotation) which causes vibrations to the arranging conveyor 22.
- the vibrations do not have the function of feeding the empty capsules 1 (the feeding action is delegated to the movement of the conveyor belt 23), but have the function of imparting a continuous change of arrangement to the empty capsules 1 arranged above the conveyor belt 23 so as to facilitate the insertion of the empty capsules 1 into the pockets 24.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a separator drum 26 arranged above the arranging conveyor 22, close to the output end of the arranging conveyor 22 and rotates in the opposite direction relative to the arranging conveyor 22; in other words, the separator drum 26 rotates in a direction opposite to the arranging conveyor 22 as illustrated in Figure 6 and tends to push the empty capsules 1 in the opposite direction relative to the feeding direction of the arranging conveyor 22.
- the separator drum 26 is arranged immediately above the arranging conveyor 22 and at a short distance from the arranging conveyor 22 so that between the separator drum 26 and the arranging conveyor 22 there is only enough space to pass empty capsules 1 inserted in corresponding pockets 24 and not empty capsules 1 inserted in corresponding pockets 24 (which are then pushed back by the separator drum 26 until they enter the corresponding pockets 24).
- the separator drum 26 performs the function of a " scraper " that " cleans " the arranging conveyor 22 thus preventing the passage of empty capsules 1 that are not inserted into corresponding pockets 24.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a transferring drum 27 which is arranged at the output end of the arranging conveyor 22 and has a plurality of pockets 28 arranged in a row, each of which is designed to contain an empty capsule 1 and receives the empty capsule 1 from a pocket 24 of the arranging conveyor 22.
- the pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27 are provided with suction means to hold the capsules 1 by suction.
- the arranging conveyor 22 comprises a pulley 29 which is arranged at the output end and beside the transferring drum 27 and comprises expulsion needles 30 (only one of which is schematically illustrated in Figure 6 ), each coupling a corresponding pocket 24 when the pocket 24 itself travels around the pulley 29 and radially moves under the thrust of a cam device 31 to expel an empty capsule 1 from the pocket 24 itself and towards (i.e. on the inside of) a pocket 28 of the transferring drum 27.
- expulsion needles 30 only one of which is schematically illustrated in Figure 6
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a plurality of veins 32, which are arranged beside one another in the insertion station S2, are substantially vertically arranged and due to gravity, feed the empty capsules 1 up to respective output ends; in particular, each vein 32 has an input end which is arranged beside (in close proximity) to the transferring drum 27 to receive from the corresponding pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27 the empty capsules 1 one after the other and an output end which is arranged in the insertion station S2 above the feeding path of the trays 8 and in alignment with the corresponding pockets 9 of the trays 8.
- the input end at each vein 32 is arranged perpendicular to the outer limit of the transferring drum 27 (i.e.
- each vein 32 is vertically arranged to maximize the thrust effect of gravitational force.
- the transferring drum 27 is provided with a pneumatic expelling device 33 arranged at the input ends of the veins 32; in essence, the pneumatic expelling device 33 comprises a plurality of nozzles (one for each pocket 28 of the same row) which, on command, blow a jet of air directed outwardly into the pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27 which are aligned with the input ends of the veins 32 to extract the empty capsules 1 from the pockets 28 and direct the empty capsules 1 into the veins 32.
- the transferring drum 27 is provided with a pneumatic expelling device 34 arranged downstream of the veins 32 (therefore downstream of the pneumatic expelling device 33); in essence, the pneumatic expelling device 34 comprises a plurality of nozzles (one for each pocket 28 of the same row) which, on command, blow a jet of air directed outwardly into the pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27 to extract the capsules 1 from the pockets 28 and direct the capsules 1 towards a collecting container 35.
- the collecting container 35 receives and collects the loosely arranged empty capsules 1 that have not been transferred to the veins 32 and which are accumulated for being cyclically recycled (i.e. re-entered into the hopper 18).
- the use of the pneumatic expelling device 34 is alternative to the use of the pneumatic expelling device 33: in fact, only an empty capsule 1 that has not been extracted by the pneumatic expelling device 33 can reach the area of the pneumatic expelling device 34 which is arranged downstream of the pneumatic expelling device 33.
- the pneumatic expelling device 34 is always actuated (redundantly) independently of the action of the pneumatic expelling device 33 to ensure a correct emptying of the pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27; i.e. the pneumatic expelling device 34 is always operated even if a pocket 28 of the transferring drum 27 may already be empty due to the action of the pneumatic expelling device 33 to expel (as far as possible) an empty capsule 1 that has not been previously expelled by the pneumatic expelling device 33 as a result of some sort of problem.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises an optical control device 36 which is coupled to the veins 32 and determines the presence of the empty capsules 1 inside the veins 32; in other words, the optical control device 36 is designed for determining the filling of each vein 32, to determine how many empty capsules 1 are arranged in vein 32.
- the optical control device 36 can comprise for each vein 32 two or more sensors which detect the presence of the empty 1 capsules in multiple key points.
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a regulating device 37 which is coupled to the veins 32 and is designed to enable or prevent the release of the empty capsules 1 from the output ends of the veins 32; in other words, the regulating device 37 is a mechanical " faucet " which is controlled to allow the release of an empty capsule 1 from the output end of a vein 32 when, an empty pocket 9 of a tray 8 is arranged underneath the output end of the vein 32, and to prevent the release of an empty capsule 1 from the output end of a vein 32 otherwise (i.e. when no empty pocket 9 of a tray 8 is arranged underneath the output end of the vein 32).
- the feeding unit 7 comprises a control unit 38 (schematically illustrated in Figure 6 ) which administers the operation of the feeding unit 7 by controlling, among other things, the advancement of the trays 8 through the input station S2 due to the action of the feeding conveyor 10, the release of the empty capsules 1 from the output ends of the veins 32 due to the action of the regulating device 37, and the correct filling of the veins 32 with the empty capsules 1 as a function of the detections carried out by the control device 36 and by suitably driving the pneumatic expelling devices 33 and 34.
- a control unit 38 (schematically illustrated in Figure 6 ) which administers the operation of the feeding unit 7 by controlling, among other things, the advancement of the trays 8 through the input station S2 due to the action of the feeding conveyor 10, the release of the empty capsules 1 from the output ends of the veins 32 due to the action of the regulating device 37, and the correct filling of the veins 32 with the empty capsules 1 as a function of the detections carried out by the control device 36 and by suitably driving
- the control unit 38 does not actuate the corresponding pneumatic expelling device 33 so as to not overload an already full vein 32 and therefore force the removal of the empty capsule 1 from the corresponding pocket 28 of the transferring drum 27 by the pneumatic expelling device 34; in this way, the empty capsules 1 are inserted only in the veins 32 which actually have the capacity (need) to house further empty capsules 1 and not in the veins 32 which are completely full and therefore are unable (temporarily) to receive additional empty capsules 1.
- the nominal feeding capacity of the transferring drum 27 exceeds (slightly) the nominal feeding capacity of the veins 32 in order to obtain a (slight) over-dimensioning; in this way, it is possible to compensate for any imbalance in the filling of the veins 32 due to causal factors (that is, it can happen that for some concatenated casual events some veins 32 are temporarily less full relative to other veins 32) since there is a " reserve " of empty capsules 1 that, by running the pneumatic expelling devices 33 and 34, is directed only into the veins 32 that need it.
- FIGs 7, 8 and 9 schematically illustrate the filling of the pockets 9 of a tray 8 in the insertion station S2: the feeding conveyor 10 step-feeds (that is, with feeding steps alternated with rest steps) the tray 8 through the insertion station S2 so as to stop the empty pockets of the tray 8 underneath the output ends of the veins 32; when underneath the output ends of the vein 32 empty pockets 9 of the tray 8 remain stationary, the regulating device 37 lowers the empty capsules 1 from the veins 32 to insert the empty capsules 1 into the corresponding empty pockets of the tray 8.
- the feeding conveyor 10 step-feeds each tray 8 through the insertion station S2 and underneath the output ends of the veins 32 so as to stop, with every step, the tray 8 with a row of empty pockets 9 aligned with the output ends.
- the feeding unit 7 is arranged to work in parallel, i.e. the arranging conveyor 22 has a series of rows of pocket 24 (in each row all the pockets 24 are axially aligned one with the other), the transferring drum 27 has a series of rows of pockets 28 (in each row all the pockets 28 are axially aligned one with the other), and row of veins 32 axially aligned one with the other is provided.
- each row of pockets 28 of the transferring drum 27 comprises one hundred pockets 28 and each row of pockets 24 of the arranging conveyor 22 comprises one hundred pockets 24.
- the filling unit 11 comprises three cleaning devices 39 arranged one after the other that work in parallel (that is, simultaneously) a cleaning cycle (better described hereinafter) of the empty capsules 1 contained in corresponding trays 8, five filler devices 40 which are arranged downstream of the cleaning devices 39 and work in parallel (that is, simultaneously) the filling of the empty capsules 1 contained in respective trays 8, and a closure device 41 which is arranged downstream of filler devices 40 and apply the lids 4 to the filled capsules 1 contained in each tray 8.
- each cleaning device 39 is provided with a plurality of cleaning heads 42, each coupled to a corresponding empty capsule 1 so as to perform a cleaning of the empty capsule 1 itself.
- the cleaning heads 42 (arranged in matrix by assuming the arrangement of the pockets 9 of the trays 8) are carried by a common support that is vertically movable (i.e.
- each cleaning head 42 comprises a tubular body 43 having a lower edge resting on the annular rim 5 of the corresponding empty capsule 1, so as to temporarily create a closed chamber on the inside of which the cleaning is performed; in other words, each tubular body 43, in use, is coupled to the corresponding empty capsule 1, so as to temporarily create a closed chamber on the inside of which the cleaning is performed.
- Each tubular body 43 contains at least one feeding nozzle 44, which feeds a cleaning fluid within the corresponding empty capsule 1 and a plurality of suction openings 45, which are arranged alongside the feeding nozzle 44 and suck the cleaning fluid. As illustrated in Figure 11 , the feeding nozzle 44 is arranged more externally relative to the suction openings 45 (i.e.
- the feeding nozzle 44 protrudes beyond the suction openings 45) so that the nozzle 44 blows the cleaning fluid onto the bottom of an empty capsule 1; the cleaning fluid blown by the feeding nozzle 44 after impacting against the bottom of the empty capsule 1 rises upwardly by skimming the side wall of the empty capsule 1 until it reaches the suction openings 45.
- the cleaning fluid is ionized air to which additional cleaning and/or disinfecting agents may be added.
- each cleaning head 42 comprises a feeding means 46 providing the cleaning fluid to all feeding nozzles 44 and a sucking means 47 that sucks the cleaning fluid from all the suction openings 45.
- a recirculation system for the cleaning fluid from the sucking means 47 to the feeding means 46 can be provided; typically, the recirculation system performs filtration and regeneration of the cleaning fluid.
- the three cleaning devices 39 work in parallel, i.e. they simultaneously perform the cleaning of the empty capsules 1 carried by three trays 8 arranged one after the other along the main conveyor 15.
- each cleaning device 39 also cleans the upper part of the corresponding tray 11, in particular for eliminating product residue that may have been left behind by a filler device 40 during the previous filling cycle; for this purpose, each cleaning device 39 may comprise cleaning heads 42 exclusively dedicated to clean the upper part of the corresponding tray 11.
- Each filler device 40 is provided with a plurality of filler nozzles, each coupled to a corresponding empty capsule 1 carried by a tray 8 to feed, from the top, the corresponding quantity 2 of product in the empty capsule 1 itself.
- the five filler devices 40 work in parallel, that is, they simultaneously fill the empty capsules 1 carried by five trays 8 arranged one after the other along the main conveyor 15.
- a closing device 41 uses a tape of thermoplastic material which is unwound from an initial spool 48 and then rewound into a final spool 49; between the initial spool 48 and the final spool 49 an applicator head 50 is arranged which is provided with a plurality of heat-sealing means having circular blades.
- the applicator head 50 is pressed from the top against the filled capsules 1 contained in tray 8 with the interposition of the tape of thermoplastic material; in this manner around each full capsule 1 the corresponding lid 4 is cut out by a circular blade while a heat-sealing means performs a heat-sealing of the lid 4 itself to the annular rim 5 of the full capsule 1.
- the initial spool 48 contains the new tape of thermoplastic material (from which the circular lids 4 will be obtained) while the final spool 49 contains the used tape of thermoplastic material (i.e. " punctured " following the removal of the circular lids 4) (which constitutes a scrap (that is, a processing waste). Cyclically (that is, when the initial spool 48 runs out) it is necessary to replace the spools 48 and 49.
- the final spool 49 could be replaced by a shredder device, which shreds the tape of used thermoplastic material (i.e. " punctured " following the removal of the circular lids 4) and feeds the shredded remains into a collecting container.
- a semi-automatic or automatic change of the initial spool 48 can be provided; consequently, two initial spools 48 are always present arranged side by side: an initial spool 48 currently in use, and a new initial spool 48 ready to replace the initial spool 48 currently in use as soon as it runs out.
- the filling unit 11 comprises one or more control stations wherein the correct conformation of the capsules 1 (normally by means of non-contact optical control) is verified and the discharge of the defective capsules 1 is programmed.
- the transferring unit 12 comprises at least one robotic arm having a suction head reproducing the arrangement of the pockets 9 of each tray 8 (in Figures 2 and 3 , two robotic arms working in parallel are illustrated); in use, each robotic arm cyclically moves the suction head from the main conveyor 15 to pick up the capsules 1 from a tray 8 at the output 13 of the filling machine 6 to release the capsules 1.
- the transferring unit 12 may also have a different conformation, e.g.
- a first robotic arm could pick up the capsules 1 from a tray 8 and release the capsules 1 to a second robotic arm, which modifies the spatial arrangement of the capsules 1 (normally to reduce the gap between two capsules 1 that are next to one another) and then deposits the capsules 1 in a new support located in the output 13 of the filling machine 6.
- the filling unit 11 comprises an encasement 51 (typically of glass material) that encloses the filling unit 11; the encasement 51 is a container (casing, shield) made of a rigid material that encloses and protects the various devices of the filling unit 11.
- the encasement 51 may be internally provided with a suction to maintain a certain internal depression that prevents the release of particles of the product from the encasement 51 which is dosed into the capsules 1.
- each cleaning device 39, each filler device 40 and closing device 41 operates in the same manner on all the capsules 1 carried by the same tray 8, i.e. there is no differentiation between the capsules 1 carried by the same tray 8; according to an alternative (and more complex) embodiment, each cleaning device 39, each filler device 40 and/or closing device 41 operates by independently controlling the operations on the capsules 1 carried by the same tray 8, i.e. by individually controlling the operations on each capsule 1.
- the filling machine 6 described above has many advantages.
- the filling machine 6 described above is very fast, that is, it allows to achieve very high hourly productivity, while guaranteeing high speeds of the capsules 1 at all speeds.
- the filling machine 6 described above allows to reduce the percentage of waste (i.e. of defective capsules 1); this result is achieved due to the fact that the filling machine 6 described above guarantees a very gentle treatment (that is, without excessively high accelerations/ decelerations) of the capsules 1.
- the filling machine 6 described above allows to reduce occupancy of space and improve accessibility for performing cleaning, maintenance and format change (i.e. all the parts of the filling machine 6 described above are easily accessible by an operator). Finally, the filling machine 6 described above is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product (i.e. which is without cohesion, adhesion between the parts of which it is composed and therefore is without a defining form such as a powder product or a liquid product).
- The present invention finds advantageous application in a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of a powdered pharmaceutical product, to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without losing any generality.
- At present, the automatic filling machines to fill a capsule with a quantity of a powdered pharmaceutical product are relatively complex (therefore expensive) and slow (that is, they are not able to achieve very high hourly productivity).
- Patent applications
WO2013035061A2 ,US4151698A ,WO2010007633A1 andUS4024694A describe some examples of automatic filling machines to fill a container with a quantity of an incoherent product.WO 2013/035061 A2 also discloses a filling machine according to preamble ofclaim 1. - The object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product, the filling machine is both easy and inexpensive to implement and allows a higher hourly productivity to be obtain with respect to the known automatic filling machines. According to the present invention, a filling machine to fill a capsule with a quantity of an incoherent product is provided, as claimed in the appended claims.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of a non-limiting embodiment, wherein:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule containing a quantity of an incoherent product; -
Figure 2 is a perspective and schematic view of a filling machine which performs the filling and sealing of the capsule ofFigure 1 and is made according to the present invention; -
Figure 3 is a different perspective and schematic view of the filling machine ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 4 is a schematic and plan view of the filling machine ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 5 is a schematic and plan view of a tray used in the filling machine ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 6 is a schematic view of a feeding unit of the filling machine ofFigure 2 ; -
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are three schematic views of a vein of the feeding unit ofFigure 6 ; -
Figure 10 is a schematic view of a cleaning device of the filling machine ofFigure 2 ; and -
Figure 11 is a perspective and enlarged view of a cleaning nozzle of the cleaning device ofFigure 10 . -
Figure 1 illustrates acapsule 1 containing a quantity of an incoherent product 2 (that is, which is without cohesion, adhesion between the parts of which it is composed and therefore is without a defining form such as a powder product or a liquid product). Thecapsule 1 is cup-shaped and has anupper end 3 which is initially opened for introducing a quantity of an incoherent product and is subsequently sealed by applying alid 4; preferably, at theupper end 3, thecapsule 1 has anannular rim 5 on which thelid 4 is placed and heat-sealed to obtain an airtight seal. According to a possible, but not limiting embodiment the incoherent product is a powder product for medical use. - In
Figures 2 and3 ,number 6 denotes, as a whole, a filling machine that performs the filling and sealing of thecapsules 1. - The
filling machine 6 comprises afeeding unit 7 which receives a disorderly mass of empty capsules 1 (i.e. a mass ofempty capsules 1 loosely arranged), sorts and arranges theempty capsules 1, and feeds theempty capsules 1 incorresponding trays 8 each provided with a plurality of pockets 9 (illustrated inFigure 5 ) designed to hold respectiveempty capsules 1. As illustrated inFigure 4 , thefeeding unit 7 comprises an input station S1 in which the empty trays 8 (i.e. without capsules 1) arrive to thefeeding unit 7, an insertion station S2 in which thetrays 8 progressively receive theempty capsules 1, and finally an output station S3 in which the full trays 8 (that is, in which all thepockets 9 contain respective empty capsules 1) leave thefeeding unit 7. Thefeeding unit 7 comprises a feeding conveyor 10 (shown inFigure 4 with a pusher) which moves eachtray 8 along a feeding direction D1 from the input station S1 to the output station S3 passing through the feeding station S2. - As better illustrated in
Figure 5 , eachtray 8 comprises a plurality ofpockets 9 arranged in a series of rows (ten rows in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated inFigure 5 ) each having a plurality of pockets 9 (tenpockets 9 in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated inFigure 5 ); according to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the various rows have a number of differentiated pockets 9 (e.g. the first and the last row can comprise eightpockets 9 instead of ten pockets 9) and/or thepockets 9 of the various rows are all aligned to one another (e.g. thepockets 9 of the various rows can have two alignments interposed one with the other). Eachpocket 9 is formed by a blind hole which is obtained through an upper wall of thecorresponding tray 8 and reproduces in negative the shape of thecapsules 1 so as to house (with a minimum clearance) thecapsules 1 themselves. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, thetrays 8 have a square shape, but alternatively they can have a rectangular shape having two smaller shorter sides and two larger longer sides. - As illustrated in
Figures 2 ,3 and4 , the fillingmachine 6 comprises a fillingunit 11 which receives thetrays 8 filled withempty capsules 1 from thefeeding unit 7 and provides to fill eachempty capsule 1 with thecorresponding quantity 2 of product and to apply to each full capsule 1 acorresponding lid 4. In addition, the fillingmachine 6 comprises a transferringunit 12 which receives from the fillingunit 11 thetrays 8 containingfull capsules 1 and transfers thefull capsules 1 to anoutput 13 of the fillingmachine 6. InFigures 2 and3 , at theoutput 13 of the filling machine 6 acontainer 14 is arranged (by way of non-limiting example) which receives thefull capsules 1; by means of thecontainer 14 thefull capsules 1 can be fed to a packing machine which makes packs offull capsule 1. - Finally, the filling
machine 6 comprises amain conveyor 15 which feeds thefull trays 8 from the output station S3 of thefeeding unit 7 to the input station S1 of thefeeding unit 7 passing through the fillingunit 11 and to the transferringunit 12. Themain conveyor 15 can be formed by a single conveying device which extends along the entire path or it can be formed by several conveying devices arranged in series one after the other (in this case the plurality of conveying devices can all be of the same type or also of a different type). In the non-limiting example illustrated in the accompanying drawings, themain conveyor 15 is formed by two conveying devices that cyclically exchange, one with the other, the trays 8: a first conveying device which extends outside of the fillingunit 11 and of the fillingunit 12 and comprises a fixed guide arranged along the path and a series of slits, each of which is designed to slide along the fixed guide and supports acorresponding tray 8, and a second conveying device which extends into the fillingunit 11 and into the fillingunit 12 and comprises a conveyor belt which supports thetrays 8; in the first conveying device, the slits are driven along the fixed rail by means of a linear electric motor having a stator (typically provided with electrical windings) arranged along the fixed guide and a series of sliders (typically provided with permanent magnets) each coupled to a slit. - As illustrated in
Figure 4 , themain conveyor 15 has a "spiral" shape having a finalstraight branch 16 arranged at the input station S1 of thefeeding unit 7 and an initialstraight branch 17 arranged at the output station S3 of thefeeding unit 7; the feedingconveyor 10 of thefeeding unit 7 picks up eachtray 8 from thefinal branch 16 of themain conveyor 15 arranged at the input station S1 and feeds thetray 8 along the feeding direction D1 up to theinitial branch 17 of themain conveyor 15 arranged at the output station S3 of thefeeding unit 7. It is important to note that thebranches main conveyor 15 are perpendicular to the feeding direction D1 of the feedingconveyor 10 of thefeeding unit 7, i.e. at thebranches main conveyor 15 feeds thetrays 8 along directions D2 which are horizontal and perpendicular to the feeding direction D1 of the feedingconveyor 10. - As illustrated in
Figure 6 , thefeeding unit 7 comprises a funnel-shapedhopper 18 which is designed to receive, on the upper side, a disorderly mass ofempty capsules 1 and has, on the lower side, an output opening facing downwards. - Underneath the output opening of the
hopper 18 anintermediate conveyor 19 is provided, so as to receive theempty capsules 1 from the output opening of thehopper 18. Theintermediate conveyor 19 comprises aplate 20 provided with lateral edges which is inclined downwards so that an input end of theintermediate conveyor 19 at the output opening of thehopper 18 is higher than an output end of theintermediate conveyor 19; moreover, theintermediate conveyor 19 comprises a vibrating device 21 (e.g. provided with an eccentric element which is set in rotation) which causes vibrations to theplate 20 to facilitate the flow of theempty capsules 1 along theplate 20 from the input end of theintermediate conveyor 19 to the output end of theintermediate conveyor 19. In other words, theempty capsules 1 move along theplate 20 of theintermediate conveyor 19 due to gravity, (as previously mentioned, theplate 20 is inclined downwards) and due to the vibrations generated by the vibratingdevice 21 which causes vibrations to theplate 20. - Arranged at the output end of the
intermediate conveyor 19 and underneath the output end of theintermediate conveyor 19 an input end of a arrangingconveyor 22 is arranged provided with aconveyor belt 23 having a plurality ofpockets 24 arranged in rows and designed to each hold acapsule 1. The arrangingconveyor 22 is inclined upwards so that the input end of the arrangingconveyor 22 is lower than the output end of the arrangingconveyor 22. According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the arrangingconveyor 22 is provided with a vibrating device 25 (e.g. provided with an eccentric element which is set in rotation) which causes vibrations to the arrangingconveyor 22. In the arrangingconveyor 22 the vibrations do not have the function of feeding the empty capsules 1 (the feeding action is delegated to the movement of the conveyor belt 23), but have the function of imparting a continuous change of arrangement to theempty capsules 1 arranged above theconveyor belt 23 so as to facilitate the insertion of theempty capsules 1 into thepockets 24. - According to a preferred but not limiting embodiment, the
feeding unit 7 comprises aseparator drum 26 arranged above the arrangingconveyor 22, close to the output end of the arrangingconveyor 22 and rotates in the opposite direction relative to the arrangingconveyor 22; in other words, theseparator drum 26 rotates in a direction opposite to the arrangingconveyor 22 as illustrated inFigure 6 and tends to push theempty capsules 1 in the opposite direction relative to the feeding direction of the arrangingconveyor 22. Preferably, theseparator drum 26 is arranged immediately above the arrangingconveyor 22 and at a short distance from the arrangingconveyor 22 so that between theseparator drum 26 and the arrangingconveyor 22 there is only enough space to passempty capsules 1 inserted in correspondingpockets 24 and notempty capsules 1 inserted in corresponding pockets 24 (which are then pushed back by theseparator drum 26 until they enter the corresponding pockets 24). In other words, theseparator drum 26 performs the function of a "scraper" that "cleans" the arrangingconveyor 22 thus preventing the passage ofempty capsules 1 that are not inserted into correspondingpockets 24. - According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the
feeding unit 7 comprises a transferringdrum 27 which is arranged at the output end of the arrangingconveyor 22 and has a plurality ofpockets 28 arranged in a row, each of which is designed to contain anempty capsule 1 and receives theempty capsule 1 from apocket 24 of the arrangingconveyor 22. According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, thepockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27 are provided with suction means to hold thecapsules 1 by suction. - According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the arranging
conveyor 22 comprises apulley 29 which is arranged at the output end and beside the transferringdrum 27 and comprises expulsion needles 30 (only one of which is schematically illustrated inFigure 6 ), each coupling acorresponding pocket 24 when thepocket 24 itself travels around thepulley 29 and radially moves under the thrust of acam device 31 to expel anempty capsule 1 from thepocket 24 itself and towards (i.e. on the inside of) apocket 28 of the transferringdrum 27. - The
feeding unit 7 comprises a plurality ofveins 32, which are arranged beside one another in the insertion station S2, are substantially vertically arranged and due to gravity, feed theempty capsules 1 up to respective output ends; in particular, eachvein 32 has an input end which is arranged beside (in close proximity) to the transferringdrum 27 to receive from the correspondingpockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27 theempty capsules 1 one after the other and an output end which is arranged in the insertion station S2 above the feeding path of thetrays 8 and in alignment with the correspondingpockets 9 of thetrays 8. The input end at eachvein 32 is arranged perpendicular to the outer limit of the transferring drum 27 (i.e. it is radially arranged relative to the rotation axis of the transferring drum 27) so as to be perfectly aligned with the correspondingpockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27, while at the output, end eachvein 32 is vertically arranged to maximize the thrust effect of gravitational force. - According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the transferring
drum 27 is provided with a pneumatic expellingdevice 33 arranged at the input ends of theveins 32; in essence, the pneumatic expellingdevice 33 comprises a plurality of nozzles (one for eachpocket 28 of the same row) which, on command, blow a jet of air directed outwardly into thepockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27 which are aligned with the input ends of theveins 32 to extract theempty capsules 1 from thepockets 28 and direct theempty capsules 1 into theveins 32. - According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the transferring
drum 27 is provided with a pneumaticexpelling device 34 arranged downstream of the veins 32 (therefore downstream of the pneumatic expelling device 33); in essence, the pneumaticexpelling device 34 comprises a plurality of nozzles (one for eachpocket 28 of the same row) which, on command, blow a jet of air directed outwardly into thepockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27 to extract thecapsules 1 from thepockets 28 and direct thecapsules 1 towards acollecting container 35. Thecollecting container 35 receives and collects the loosely arrangedempty capsules 1 that have not been transferred to theveins 32 and which are accumulated for being cyclically recycled (i.e. re-entered into the hopper 18). Obviously, the use of the pneumaticexpelling device 34 is alternative to the use of the pneumatic expelling device 33: in fact, only anempty capsule 1 that has not been extracted by the pneumaticexpelling device 33 can reach the area of the pneumaticexpelling device 34 which is arranged downstream of the pneumaticexpelling device 33. - According to a preferred embodiment, the pneumatic
expelling device 34 is always actuated (redundantly) independently of the action of the pneumaticexpelling device 33 to ensure a correct emptying of thepockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27; i.e. the pneumaticexpelling device 34 is always operated even if apocket 28 of the transferringdrum 27 may already be empty due to the action of the pneumaticexpelling device 33 to expel (as far as possible) anempty capsule 1 that has not been previously expelled by the pneumaticexpelling device 33 as a result of some sort of problem. In fact, if apocket 28 of the transferringdrum 27 arrives in front of anarranging conveyor 22 full (that is, still having an empty capsule 1), thecorresponding expulsion needle 30 would push a newempty capsule 1 against the previousempty capsule 1 thus destroying both theempty capsules 1 and risking both a system overflow and damage to the mechanics of the system. - As illustrated in
Figures 7, 8 and 9 , thefeeding unit 7 comprises anoptical control device 36 which is coupled to theveins 32 and determines the presence of theempty capsules 1 inside theveins 32; in other words, theoptical control device 36 is designed for determining the filling of eachvein 32, to determine how manyempty capsules 1 are arranged invein 32. Theoptical control device 36 can comprise for eachvein 32 two or more sensors which detect the presence of the empty 1 capsules in multiple key points. - As illustrated in
Figures 7, 8, and 9 , thefeeding unit 7 comprises aregulating device 37 which is coupled to theveins 32 and is designed to enable or prevent the release of theempty capsules 1 from the output ends of theveins 32; in other words, theregulating device 37 is a mechanical "faucet" which is controlled to allow the release of anempty capsule 1 from the output end of avein 32 when, anempty pocket 9 of atray 8 is arranged underneath the output end of thevein 32, and to prevent the release of anempty capsule 1 from the output end of avein 32 otherwise (i.e. when noempty pocket 9 of atray 8 is arranged underneath the output end of the vein 32). - Finally, the
feeding unit 7 comprises a control unit 38 (schematically illustrated inFigure 6 ) which administers the operation of thefeeding unit 7 by controlling, among other things, the advancement of thetrays 8 through the input station S2 due to the action of the feedingconveyor 10, the release of theempty capsules 1 from the output ends of theveins 32 due to the action of the regulatingdevice 37, and the correct filling of theveins 32 with theempty capsules 1 as a function of the detections carried out by thecontrol device 36 and by suitably driving the pneumatic expellingdevices vein 32 is completely full then thecontrol unit 38 does not actuate the corresponding pneumatic expellingdevice 33 so as to not overload an alreadyfull vein 32 and therefore force the removal of theempty capsule 1 from thecorresponding pocket 28 of the transferringdrum 27 by the pneumatic expellingdevice 34; in this way, theempty capsules 1 are inserted only in theveins 32 which actually have the capacity (need) to house furtherempty capsules 1 and not in theveins 32 which are completely full and therefore are unable (temporarily) to receive additionalempty capsules 1. In this regard it is important to note that the nominal feeding capacity of the transferringdrum 27 exceeds (slightly) the nominal feeding capacity of theveins 32 in order to obtain a (slight) over-dimensioning; in this way, it is possible to compensate for any imbalance in the filling of theveins 32 due to causal factors (that is, it can happen that for some concatenated casual events someveins 32 are temporarily less full relative to other veins 32) since there is a "reserve" ofempty capsules 1 that, by running the pneumatic expellingdevices veins 32 that need it. -
Figures 7, 8 and 9 schematically illustrate the filling of thepockets 9 of atray 8 in the insertion station S2: the feedingconveyor 10 step-feeds (that is, with feeding steps alternated with rest steps) thetray 8 through the insertion station S2 so as to stop the empty pockets of thetray 8 underneath the output ends of theveins 32; when underneath the output ends of thevein 32empty pockets 9 of thetray 8 remain stationary, the regulatingdevice 37 lowers theempty capsules 1 from theveins 32 to insert theempty capsules 1 into the corresponding empty pockets of thetray 8. In other words, the feedingconveyor 10 step-feeds eachtray 8 through the insertion station S2 and underneath the output ends of theveins 32 so as to stop, with every step, thetray 8 with a row ofempty pockets 9 aligned with the output ends. - It is important to note that, as illustrated in
Figures 2 and3 , thefeeding unit 7 is arranged to work in parallel, i.e. the arrangingconveyor 22 has a series of rows of pocket 24 (in each row all thepockets 24 are axially aligned one with the other), the transferringdrum 27 has a series of rows of pockets 28 (in each row all thepockets 28 are axially aligned one with the other), and row ofveins 32 axially aligned one with the other is provided. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated inFigures 2 and3 , there are one hundredveins 32 that simultaneously insert theempty capsules 1 into tencorresponding trays 8; similarly, each row ofpockets 28 of the transferringdrum 27 comprises one hundredpockets 28 and each row ofpockets 24 of the arrangingconveyor 22 comprises one hundred pockets 24. - As illustrated in
Figures 2 ,3 and4 , the fillingunit 11 comprises threecleaning devices 39 arranged one after the other that work in parallel (that is, simultaneously) a cleaning cycle (better described hereinafter) of theempty capsules 1 contained incorresponding trays 8, fivefiller devices 40 which are arranged downstream of thecleaning devices 39 and work in parallel (that is, simultaneously) the filling of theempty capsules 1 contained inrespective trays 8, and aclosure device 41 which is arranged downstream offiller devices 40 and apply thelids 4 to the filledcapsules 1 contained in eachtray 8. - As better illustrated in
Figure 10 , each cleaningdevice 39 is provided with a plurality of cleaning heads 42, each coupled to a correspondingempty capsule 1 so as to perform a cleaning of theempty capsule 1 itself. In eachcleaning device 39, the cleaning heads 42 (arranged in matrix by assuming the arrangement of thepockets 9 of the trays 8) are carried by a common support that is vertically movable (i.e. along a vertical direction D3 which is perpendicular to the feeding direction D2 of the main conveyor 15): when atray 8 is stationary underneath thecleaning device 39, the common support is lowered to couple the cleaning heads 42 to the correspondingempty capsules 1 brought by thetray 8 and perform the cleaning cycle; at the end of the cleaning cycle, thecommon support 43 is raised again to separate the cleaning heads 42 from the correspondingempty capsules 1 brought by thetray 8 and thus allow the feeding of thetray 8 and the simultaneous arrival of asubsequent tray 8. - As illustrated in
Figure 11 , each cleaninghead 42 comprises atubular body 43 having a lower edge resting on theannular rim 5 of the correspondingempty capsule 1, so as to temporarily create a closed chamber on the inside of which the cleaning is performed; in other words, eachtubular body 43, in use, is coupled to the correspondingempty capsule 1, so as to temporarily create a closed chamber on the inside of which the cleaning is performed. Eachtubular body 43 contains at least onefeeding nozzle 44, which feeds a cleaning fluid within the correspondingempty capsule 1 and a plurality ofsuction openings 45, which are arranged alongside the feedingnozzle 44 and suck the cleaning fluid. As illustrated inFigure 11 , the feedingnozzle 44 is arranged more externally relative to the suction openings 45 (i.e. the feedingnozzle 44 protrudes beyond the suction openings 45) so that thenozzle 44 blows the cleaning fluid onto the bottom of anempty capsule 1; the cleaning fluid blown by the feedingnozzle 44 after impacting against the bottom of theempty capsule 1 rises upwardly by skimming the side wall of theempty capsule 1 until it reaches thesuction openings 45. In this way, on the inside of theempty capsule 1, an optimal fluid circulation is established which effectively cleans the entire inner surface of theempty capsule 1 itself. According to a preferred, but non-binding, embodiment, the cleaning fluid is ionized air to which additional cleaning and/or disinfecting agents may be added. - As illustrated in
Figure 10 , each cleaninghead 42 comprises a feeding means 46 providing the cleaning fluid to all feedingnozzles 44 and a suckingmeans 47 that sucks the cleaning fluid from all thesuction openings 45. According to a possible embodiment, a recirculation system for the cleaning fluid from the sucking means 47 to the feeding means 46 can be provided; typically, the recirculation system performs filtration and regeneration of the cleaning fluid. - As mentioned above, the three
cleaning devices 39 work in parallel, i.e. they simultaneously perform the cleaning of theempty capsules 1 carried by threetrays 8 arranged one after the other along themain conveyor 15. - According to a possible, but not binding, embodiment, each cleaning
device 39 also cleans the upper part of the correspondingtray 11, in particular for eliminating product residue that may have been left behind by afiller device 40 during the previous filling cycle; for this purpose, each cleaningdevice 39 may comprise cleaning heads 42 exclusively dedicated to clean the upper part of the correspondingtray 11. - Each
filler device 40 is provided with a plurality of filler nozzles, each coupled to a correspondingempty capsule 1 carried by atray 8 to feed, from the top, the correspondingquantity 2 of product in theempty capsule 1 itself. As mentioned above, the fivefiller devices 40 work in parallel, that is, they simultaneously fill theempty capsules 1 carried by fivetrays 8 arranged one after the other along themain conveyor 15. - A closing
device 41 uses a tape of thermoplastic material which is unwound from aninitial spool 48 and then rewound into afinal spool 49; between theinitial spool 48 and thefinal spool 49 anapplicator head 50 is arranged which is provided with a plurality of heat-sealing means having circular blades. When atray 8 is stationary underneath theapplicator head 50, theapplicator head 50 is pressed from the top against the filledcapsules 1 contained intray 8 with the interposition of the tape of thermoplastic material; in this manner around eachfull capsule 1 thecorresponding lid 4 is cut out by a circular blade while a heat-sealing means performs a heat-sealing of thelid 4 itself to theannular rim 5 of thefull capsule 1. Theinitial spool 48 contains the new tape of thermoplastic material (from which thecircular lids 4 will be obtained) while thefinal spool 49 contains the used tape of thermoplastic material (i.e. "punctured" following the removal of the circular lids 4) (which constitutes a scrap (that is, a processing waste). Cyclically (that is, when theinitial spool 48 runs out) it is necessary to replace thespools - According to an alternative embodiment illustrated, the
final spool 49 could be replaced by a shredder device, which shreds the tape of used thermoplastic material (i.e. "punctured" following the removal of the circular lids 4) and feeds the shredded remains into a collecting container. In this embodiment, a semi-automatic or automatic change of theinitial spool 48 can be provided; consequently, twoinitial spools 48 are always present arranged side by side: aninitial spool 48 currently in use, and a newinitial spool 48 ready to replace theinitial spool 48 currently in use as soon as it runs out. - According to a possible embodiment, the filling
unit 11 comprises one or more control stations wherein the correct conformation of the capsules 1 (normally by means of non-contact optical control) is verified and the discharge of thedefective capsules 1 is programmed. - As illustrated in
Figures 2 and3 , the transferringunit 12 comprises at least one robotic arm having a suction head reproducing the arrangement of thepockets 9 of each tray 8 (inFigures 2 and3 , two robotic arms working in parallel are illustrated); in use, each robotic arm cyclically moves the suction head from themain conveyor 15 to pick up thecapsules 1 from atray 8 at theoutput 13 of the fillingmachine 6 to release thecapsules 1. Alternatively, the transferringunit 12 may also have a different conformation, e.g. a first robotic arm could pick up thecapsules 1 from atray 8 and release thecapsules 1 to a second robotic arm, which modifies the spatial arrangement of the capsules 1 (normally to reduce the gap between twocapsules 1 that are next to one another) and then deposits thecapsules 1 in a new support located in theoutput 13 of the fillingmachine 6. - According to a possible embodiment illustrated in
Figure 4 , the fillingunit 11 comprises an encasement 51 (typically of glass material) that encloses the fillingunit 11; theencasement 51 is a container (casing, shield) made of a rigid material that encloses and protects the various devices of the fillingunit 11. In particular, theencasement 51 may be internally provided with a suction to maintain a certain internal depression that prevents the release of particles of the product from theencasement 51 which is dosed into thecapsules 1. - In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, each cleaning
device 39, eachfiller device 40 andclosing device 41 operates in the same manner on all thecapsules 1 carried by thesame tray 8, i.e. there is no differentiation between thecapsules 1 carried by thesame tray 8; according to an alternative (and more complex) embodiment, each cleaningdevice 39, eachfiller device 40 and/or closingdevice 41 operates by independently controlling the operations on thecapsules 1 carried by thesame tray 8, i.e. by individually controlling the operations on eachcapsule 1. - The filling
machine 6 described above has many advantages. - First, the filling
machine 6 described above is very fast, that is, it allows to achieve very high hourly productivity, while guaranteeing high speeds of thecapsules 1 at all speeds. - In addition, the filling
machine 6 described above allows to reduce the percentage of waste (i.e. of defective capsules 1); this result is achieved due to the fact that the fillingmachine 6 described above guarantees a very gentle treatment (that is, without excessively high accelerations/ decelerations) of thecapsules 1. - The filling
machine 6 described above allows to reduce occupancy of space and improve accessibility for performing cleaning, maintenance and format change (i.e. all the parts of the fillingmachine 6 described above are easily accessible by an operator). Finally, the fillingmachine 6 described above is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.
Claims (15)
- A filling machine (6) to fill capsules (1) with respective quantities (2) of an incoherent product; the filling machine (6) comprises:at least one tray (8) having a plurality of first pockets (9), which are designed to each hold a corresponding capsule (1);a feeding unit (7), which receives a disorderly mass of empty capsules (1) and inserts the capsules (1) into the first pockets (9) of the tray (8) so as to fill the tray (8);a filling unit (11), which receives, from the feeding unit (7), the tray (8) containing empty capsules (1), so as to feed into each capsule (1) the corresponding quantity (2) of product;a transferring unit (12), which receives, from the filling unit (11), the tray (8) containing full capsules (1) and transfers the full capsules (1) to an output (13) of the filling machine (6); anda main conveyor (15), which feeds the tray (8) from an output station (S2) of the feeding unit (7) to an input station (S1) of the feeding unit (7) passing through the filling unit (11) and the transferring unit (12);the filling machine (6) is characterized in that:the main conveyor (15) has a final straight branch (16), which is arranged at the input station (S1) of the feeding unit (7), and an initial straight branch (17), which is arranged at the output station (S3) of the feeding unit (7) and is parallel to as well as faces the final branch (16); andthe feeding unit (7) comprises a feeding conveyor (10), which picks up the tray (8) from the final branch (16) of the main conveyor (15) arranged at the input station (S1) and feeds the tray (8), along a feeding direction (D1), up to the initial branch (17) of the main conveyor (15) arranged at the output station (S3) of the feeding unit (7).
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 1, wherein the final branch (16) and the initial branch (17) of the main conveyor (15) are perpendicular to the feeding direction (D1) of the feeding conveyor (10) of the feeding unit (7).
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises:an insertion station (S2), which is arranged between the input station (S1) and the output station (S3) and in which the tray (8) progressively receives the empty capsules (1);a plurality of veins (32), which are arranged beside one another in the insertion station (S2) and feed the capsules (1), because of gravity, up to respective output ends; anda feeding conveyor (10) which step-feeds the tray (8) through the insertion station (S2) and underneath the output ends of the veins (32), so as to stop, with every step, the tray (8) with a row of first pockets (9) aligned with the output ends.
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 3, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises:an arranging conveyor (22), which is provided with a conveyor belt (23) having a plurality of second pockets (24), each designed to contain a capsule (1); anda transferring drum (27), which is arranged between an output end of the arranging conveyor (22) and an upper end of the veins (32) and has a plurality of third pockets (28), each of which is designed to contain a capsule (1), receives the capsule (1) from a second pocket (24) of the arranging conveyor (22) and releases the corresponding capsule (1) to a vein (32).
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 4, wherein:the arranging conveyor (22) is inclined upwards, so that an input end of the arranging conveyor (22) is lower than the output end of the arranging conveyor (22); andthe arranging conveyor (22) is provided with a first vibrating device (25), which causes vibrations to the arranging conveyor (22).
- The filling machine (6) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein:the transferring drum (27) is provided with a first pneumatic expelling device (33), which is designed to extract the capsule (1) from a third pocket (28) of the transferring drum (27) so as to lead the capsule (1) towards a vein (32); andthe transferring drum (27) is provided with a second pneumatic expelling device (34), which is designed to extract the capsule (1) from a third pocket (28) of the transferring drum (27) so as to lead the capsule (1) towards a collecting container (35).
- The filling machine (6) according to claims 4, 5 and 6, wherein the arranging conveyor (22) comprises a pulley (29), which is arranged at the output end and beside the transferring drum (27) and comprises expulsion needles (30), each coupled to a corresponding second pocket (24) and is radially movable, pushed by a cam device (31), so as to expel a capsule (1) from the second pocket (24).
- The filling machine (6) according to any of the claims from 4 to 7, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises a separator drum (26), which is arranged above the arranging conveyor (22), close to the output end of the arranging conveyor (22) and rotates in the opposite direction relative to the arranging conveyor (22).
- The filling machine (6) according to any of the claims from 4 to 8, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises:a funnel-shaped hopper (18), which is designed to receive, on the upper side, the disorderly mass of empty capsules (1) and has, on the lower side, an output opening; andan intermediate conveyor (19), which is arranged underneath the output opening of the hopper (18) so as to receive the empty capsules (1) from the output opening of the hopper (18) and releases the empty capsules (1) to the arranging conveyor (22).
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate conveyor (19) comprises:a plate (20), which is inclined downwards so that an input end of the intermediate conveyor (19) at the output opening of the hopper (18) is higher than an output end of the intermediate conveyor (19) at the arranging conveyor; anda second vibrating device (21), which causes vibrations to the plate (20).
- The filling machine (6) according to any of the claims from 3 to 10, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises:an optical control device (36), which is coupled to the veins (32) and determines the presence of the empty capsules (1) on the inside of the veins (32); andthe feeding unit (7) comprises a control unit (38), which regulates the feeding of the empty capsules (1) into the veins (32) depending on the signals received from the optical control device (36).
- The filling machine (6) according to any of the claims from 3 to 11, wherein the feeding unit (7) comprises a regulating device (37) which is coupled to the veins (32) and is designed to enable or prevent the release of the capsules (1) from the output ends of the veins (32).
- The filling machine (6) according to any of the claims from 1 to 12, wherein the filling unit (11) comprises:at least one filler device (40), which is provided with a plurality of filler nozzles, each coupled to a corresponding capsule (1) so as to feed the corresponding quantity (2) of product; anda cleaning device, which is arranged upstream of the filler device (40) and is provided with a plurality of cleaning heads (42), each coupled to a corresponding capsule (1) so as to clean the capsule (1).
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 13, wherein each cleaning head (42) comprises at least one feeding nozzle (44), which feeds a cleaning fluid, in particular ionized air, into the corresponding capsule (1) and at least one suction opening (45), which is arranged beside the feeding nozzle (44) and sucks the cleaning fluid.
- The filling machine (6) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein:each cleaning head (42) comprises a tubular body (43), which, in use, is coupled to the corresponding capsule (1), so as to temporarily create a closed chamber and contains, on the inside, the feeding nozzle (44) and the suction opening;each cleaning head (42) comprises one single feeding nozzle (44) arranged in the middle and a plurality of suction openings (45), which are arranged around the feeding nozzle (44); andthe feeding nozzle (44) protrudes beyond the suction opening (45).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102016000068514A IT201600068514A1 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2016-07-01 | Filling machine for filling a capsule with a dose of inconsistent product. |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3263467A2 EP3263467A2 (en) | 2018-01-03 |
EP3263467A3 EP3263467A3 (en) | 2018-02-14 |
EP3263467B1 true EP3263467B1 (en) | 2019-01-02 |
Family
ID=58606265
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17179085.0A Active EP3263467B1 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2017-06-30 | A filling machine for capsules |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3263467B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201600068514A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN115783444A (en) * | 2023-02-03 | 2023-03-14 | 山东华玺食品科技有限公司 | Novel meat food production and processing packagine machine |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4024694A (en) * | 1976-06-18 | 1977-05-24 | Marvin Cooper | Apparatus for filling and assembling cups and process therefore |
DE2645904A1 (en) * | 1976-10-12 | 1978-04-13 | Hamba Maschf | DEVICE FOR FILLING FOOD AND BEVERAGE PRODUCTS, E.G. DAIRY PRODUCTS, IN CUP-SHAPED UNIT CONTAINERS |
WO2010007633A1 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2010-01-21 | Gima S.P.A. | Machine for packaging products, in particular capsules for machines for delivering infusion beverages |
ITMI20111619A1 (en) * | 2011-09-08 | 2013-03-09 | Technology For Beverage S R L | MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLY, FILLING AND CLOSING OF CAPSULES FOR PORTIONED DRINKS |
-
2016
- 2016-07-01 IT IT102016000068514A patent/IT201600068514A1/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-06-30 EP EP17179085.0A patent/EP3263467B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3263467A2 (en) | 2018-01-03 |
EP3263467A3 (en) | 2018-02-14 |
IT201600068514A1 (en) | 2018-01-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN104039655B (en) | For distributing and pack the apparatus and method of solid matter | |
CN105307849B (en) | Bag collecting robot people system and for assembling and collecting the unfilled method with mouth bag | |
CN100415608C (en) | Medicine supplying apparatus | |
CN108791978B (en) | Automatic packaging machine for filling bags made of heat-sealable material with a quantity of loose product | |
EP3295920B1 (en) | Machine for filling capsules and related method | |
IT201800009078A1 (en) | METHOD FOR PACKAGING ITEMS, AND RELATED PACKAGING MACHINE. | |
CN111417991A (en) | Device for packaging doses of solid medicaments | |
CN113060322A (en) | Boxing production line | |
JPH0834413A (en) | Cutting/stacking device for foil tube package | |
EP1162142B1 (en) | Device for recovering excess products from a blister band in a blistering machine | |
EP3263467B1 (en) | A filling machine for capsules | |
AU769047B2 (en) | Device for producing and withdrawing stacks of plastic bags, especially bags for automatic machines | |
KR20170068279A (en) | Apparatus for blister-packing medicine | |
KR102046025B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for filling capsules with loose material and for their sealing | |
US6675555B1 (en) | Unit for feeding articles to a blister band | |
CN111717623A (en) | Sorting device for tablets | |
JP7159298B2 (en) | Manufacturing machine for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes | |
WO2018088971A1 (en) | A pencil boxing apparatus and method | |
JP7157145B2 (en) | Manufacturing machine for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes | |
CN114502470B (en) | Packaging machine for producing filter bags with infusion products | |
ITBO980276A1 (en) | ORIENTING UNIT AND BASE FEEDING UNIT FOR MEDICINAL CAPSULES I. | |
JP2017524614A (en) | Unit and method for filling container elements of disposable capsules | |
JP7189205B2 (en) | Manufacturing machine for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes | |
CN203439307U (en) | Packaging machine | |
KR20170068284A (en) | Apparatus for blister-packing medicine |
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 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 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 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 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 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 65/00 20060101ALI20180108BHEP Ipc: B65B 43/52 20060101ALI20180108BHEP Ipc: B65B 29/02 20060101AFI20180108BHEP Ipc: B65B 55/04 20060101ALI20180108BHEP |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20180504 |
|
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 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: LANZARINI, LUCA Inventor name: MORETTI, CARLO Inventor name: GHIOTTI, ROBERTO Inventor name: SARTONI, MASSIMO Inventor name: MADERA, GIOVANNI Inventor name: FEDERICI, LUCA |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20180713 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
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: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1084065 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602017001662 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20190102 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1084065 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190102 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
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: 20190502 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190402 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
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: 20190403 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: 20190502 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: 20190102 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: 20190402 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602017001662 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
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: 20190102 Ref country code: IT 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 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: 20190102 Ref country code: AT 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: 20190102 |
|
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 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
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: 20190102 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20191003 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20190630 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190630 |
|
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: 20190630 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190630 |
|
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: 20190630 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
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: 20200630 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200630 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
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: 20190102 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: 20170630 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210630 |
|
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: 20210630 |
|
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: 20190102 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240627 Year of fee payment: 8 |