US20070271882A1 - System for ordering, conveying, and depositing small objects - Google Patents

System for ordering, conveying, and depositing small objects Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070271882A1
US20070271882A1 US11/803,145 US80314507A US2007271882A1 US 20070271882 A1 US20070271882 A1 US 20070271882A1 US 80314507 A US80314507 A US 80314507A US 2007271882 A1 US2007271882 A1 US 2007271882A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
objects
conveyor
pockets
arrays
strip
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/803,145
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English (en)
Inventor
Harald Litke
Wolfgang Krahl
Markus Habdank
Martin Seiffert
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
Assigned to UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG reassignment UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HABDANK, MARKUS, KRAHL, WOLFGANG, SEIFFERT, MARTIN, LITKE, HARALD
Publication of US20070271882A1 publication Critical patent/US20070271882A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for packaging small objects. More particularly this invention concerns a system for separating small objects into an orderly array and depositing them into respective blisters or pockets of a packaging strip.
  • Small objects such as pills, capsules, and tablets are typically produced in bulk but packaged by placing them each in a respective pocket or blister of a plastic packaging strip.
  • the process entails the steps of separating the pills from each other, positioning them in an orderly array, and then transferring them from this array to the respective pockets of the packaging strip.
  • the sorting and arraying step is relatively easy.
  • the objects are deposited on a slightly inclined and relatively broad feed plate that is vibrated such that the objects orient themselves in a single layer.
  • the lower outlet end of the vibrating feed plate deposits them gently on a slowly moving conveyor formed with an array of upwardly open pockets typically arrayed identically to the blisters pockets of the packaging strip to be loaded.
  • the pockets of this conveyor are dimensioned such that they can each just hold a single one of the objects, and the conveyor is vibrated also so that the objects work their way into the pockets, filling them all.
  • a scraper oriented somewhat downstream along the path of the conveyor pushes the excess objects off the upper surface of the conveyor and recirculate them back to the upstream end of the process, so that downstream of the scraper the conveyor is transporting an exactly ordered array of the objects, one in each pocket.
  • a transfer device comprising a multiplicity of suction grabs oriented identically to the conveyor pockets drops down on the conveyor, which can move slowly continuously or in steps, and picks out all the objects from a short length of the conveyor, then swings normally further downstream and deposits the picked-up objects into the pockets of the packaging foil, which typically is moving in steps transversely past the downstream end of the conveyor.
  • the conveyor is formed as a succession of hinged together plates each having an array of pockets identical to some multiple of the array of the package to be produced, and the transfer device has an identical number of grabs.
  • each conveyor plate can hold 84 pills and the transfer device will have 84 grabs, so that a strip of packaging strip can be loaded with each cycle for subsequent division into 14 packages each holding six pills.
  • Another object is the provision of such an improved system for ordering, conveying, and depositing small objects that overcomes the above-given disadvantages, in particular that can work faster, that is package more of the small objects in less time.
  • An apparatus for packaging small identical objects in respective pockets of a package strip where the pockets are in a succession of identical arrays has according to the invention a conveyor extending and displaceable from an upstream loading end to a downstream transfer end and having a plurality of sections each formed with an array of pockets dimensioned to hold a respective one of the objects.
  • the array of each section corresponds to at least two of the arrays of the package strip interleaved with each other so that each section can hold a number of the objects equal to at least twice what one of the arrays of the package strip can hold.
  • the objects are fed to the conveyer at the upstream end ordered such that at the transfer station there is one of the objects in each of the pockets and otherwise the conveyor is free of the objects.
  • a transfer device at the transfer station has a plurality of grabs in a number and array equal to one of the arrays of pockets of the package strip.
  • a controller relatively displaces the packaging strip, the conveyor, and the transfer device such that in a first half cycle the transfer device picks up all the objects from one of the interleaved arrays of pockets of the conveyor section at the transfer station and deposits the picked up objects into the packaging strip. Thereafter in a second half cycle the package strip is advanced by a length of one of its pocket arrays and the transfer device picks up all the objects from the other of the interleaved arrays of the same section in the transfer station and deposit the picked up objects into the packaging strip downstream of the previously deposited objects and the conveyor is advanced to bring another of the conveyor sections into the conveyor station.
  • the instant invention is based on the discovery that it is the loading of the conveyor, which has to be done perfectly since if one pocket is left empty the resultant package is a reject, that is the limiting factor on the operation speed of the system. Furthermore the conveyor has to be moved at a very slow pace to work properly and prevent any of the objects from popping out of its pocket.
  • the conveyor sections each hold a number of objects equal to at least twice what each grab can pick up and handle at a given time, meaning that the grab can operate at basically double speed, which it is perfectly capable of doing without error, while the conveyor continues its steady careful and normally stepwise advance.
  • the pockets of the arrays of the sections are arrayed in columns extending in a travel direction of the conveyor and rows extending transverse to the direction. Furthermore in a first half of the cycle the transfer device first picks up all the objects in every other row of the conveyor section and deposits them in a respective array of the package strip and then in a second half of the cycle picks up the objects in the remaining rows and deposits them in the next array of the package strip.
  • the pickup device cycles back three or four times for each cycle.
  • the pickup device or the conveyor can shift transversely to the conveyor travel direction between succeeding part cycles for picking up of another interleaved array.
  • the controller advances the conveyor in the direction by a distance equal to a spacing between immediately succeeding rows of the pockets in the conveyor, meaning that the arrays are interleaved in the conveyor travel direction.
  • the transfer device is moved at the start of each half cycle upstream to a position above the section of the conveyor in the transfer station, but at the start of the second half of the cycle the transfer device is moved back upstream by a distance shorter or longer by an amount equal to the spacing in the direction between succeeding rows of the pockets than the distance it is moved for the first half of the cycle.
  • the pickup location for the objects from the conveyor can be changed either by shifting the pickup position of the pickup device or the position of the conveyor.
  • sorting aids are embodied between the columns on the surface of the conveyor plate, that is, it facilitates adding the small objects to the pockets from which they can then be removed by the suction grippers for the transfer.
  • the sorting aids are formed by ridges that have a triangular cross-section and that have sides facing the pockets so that small objects conveyed from a supply container to the conveyor plate slide along the sides of the sorting aids, are arranged in columns, and can be shaken or brushed into the pockets.
  • the conveyor plate is provided with a friction-reducing coating, for instance polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • FIG. 1 perspective view of an inventive apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is a detail view of the downstream end of the apparatus
  • FIG. 3 is a detail view of a single conveyor plate
  • FIG. 4 is a top view showing a single conveyor plate and the adjacent package strip.
  • an apparatus sorts, feeds, and arrays small objects to be packaged, such as tablets, coated tablets, pills, or the like, into the blisters 14 of a package strip 6 that form succeeding arrays each holding fourteen subarrays A or B each in turn with six of the blisters 14 .
  • This apparatus has a supply 1 downstream of which in a conveyor travel direction 10 is a conveyor formed of an endless loop of plates 4 each formed with an array of pockets 12 .
  • Each plate 4 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed with 168 pockets 12 so that, as described below, each plate can hold enough of the objects to fill all two succeeding arrays of subarrays A and B.
  • the pockets 12 of the plates 4 as oriented as shown in FIG. 12 in 28 columns extending in the direction D and spaced apart identically to the blisters 14 of the strip 16 and six rows spaced part in the direction by a distance equal to half the spacing of the pockets 14 in the same direction.
  • the small objects are metered via vibrating troughs 2 and a slide 3 to the plurality of conveyor plates 4 that are moved via holders 5 in the direction 10 toward the package strip 6 .
  • the small objects are caused to move into the pockets 12 by shaking.
  • the excess product is scraped off upstream of a transfer station 7 adjacent the package strip 6 .
  • the small objects are removed from the pockets 12 by means of a transfer device 8 and transferred into the blisters 14 of the package strip 6 , the transfer device 8 itself having a plurality of suction grippers that are arranged in the same array as the blisters 4 in the package strip and the alternate rows of pockets 12 in the conveyor plates 4 .
  • the arrays A and B of the pockets 12 is embodied multiple times in the conveyor plate 4 ( FIG. 4 ) with a minimum offset, determined by the size of the pockets 12 , between two adjacent arrays A and B that are offset in the direction that is perpendicular to a transverse direction 11 of travel for the package strip 6 .
  • the plates have sorting ridges 13 ( FIG. 3 ) on the surface on the conveyor plate 4 between the columns and of triangular cross-section with sides facing the pockets 12 .
  • the conveyor plate 4 is furthermore provided with coating that reduces friction, Teflon for instance being suitable for this.
  • the conveyor plate 4 itself can be made of steel or even aluminum when reduced weight is needed.
  • a plurality of cycles can be executed for the transfer device 8 from one conveyor plate 4 so that the need to move them is less frequent and more time is available for filling the other conveyor plates 4 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
US11/803,145 2006-05-11 2007-05-11 System for ordering, conveying, and depositing small objects Abandoned US20070271882A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102006022260.1-27 2006-05-11
DE102006022260A DE102006022260B4 (de) 2006-05-11 2006-05-11 Vorrichtung zum geordneten Zuführen und Ablegen zu verpackender Kleinteile

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070271882A1 true US20070271882A1 (en) 2007-11-29

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/803,145 Abandoned US20070271882A1 (en) 2006-05-11 2007-05-11 System for ordering, conveying, and depositing small objects

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20070271882A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1854723B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE433913T1 (de)
DE (2) DE102006022260B4 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090133362A1 (en) * 2007-11-24 2009-05-28 Josef Bentele System for individualized filling of blisters of blister packs
EP2110326A1 (de) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-21 UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG Zuführung
CN103449144A (zh) * 2013-09-05 2013-12-18 广东邦宝益智玩具股份有限公司 玩偶零件的包装生产线
US9061780B2 (en) 2009-07-07 2015-06-23 Waldorf Technik Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging method, packaging device and injection moulding system

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013110948A1 (de) * 2013-10-02 2015-04-02 Hekuma Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von Spritzgussteilen
CN105599988A (zh) * 2015-10-21 2016-05-25 华侨大学 一种将序列物料进行并行分装的方法
CN106002156A (zh) * 2016-07-11 2016-10-12 江苏亨通光网科技有限公司 一种光纤活动连接器插芯自动上料机及其方法

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4676050A (en) * 1984-02-25 1987-06-30 Ostma Maschinenbau Gmbh Method and apparatus for transporting flexible packages, particularly flat bags, filled with pourable or flowable material to container filling stations
US5284003A (en) * 1992-03-26 1994-02-08 Prototype Equipment Corporation Machine for conditioning product in a sealed bag
US5287957A (en) * 1991-05-08 1994-02-22 Shikoku Kakoki Co, Ltd. Conveyor for transporting containers
US5722216A (en) * 1994-04-15 1998-03-03 Ferag Ag Process for storing sheet-like products
US5967293A (en) * 1996-08-30 1999-10-19 U.S. Vibra, Inc. Belt feeder for component delivery system with intermittently moving conveyor
US6206172B1 (en) * 1998-01-26 2001-03-27 Omori Machinery Co., Ltd. PTP conveying method and apparatus therefor
US20020104741A1 (en) * 2001-02-07 2002-08-08 David Buckley Conveyor for use in contaminaton sensitive equipment
US6439631B1 (en) * 2000-03-03 2002-08-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Variable-pitch pick and place device
US20030014944A1 (en) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-23 Robert Bennett Packaging system
US6516939B1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2003-02-11 Gea Finnah Gmbh Device for transporting bottles
US20030221932A1 (en) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-04 Costanzo Mark B. Singulating conveyor
US20050226711A1 (en) * 2003-11-08 2005-10-13 Bernd Schnoor Process and device for handling objects
US6959525B2 (en) * 2004-01-06 2005-11-01 Blueprint Holding B.V. Method and assembly for filling a box

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0989080B1 (de) * 1998-09-23 2003-07-16 Soremartec S.A. Greifvorrichtung zum automatischen Verpacken von Gegenständen
DE19926893C2 (de) * 1999-06-12 2003-12-11 Uhlmann Pac Systeme Gmbh & Co Vorrichtung zum Zuführen und Ablegen von Kleinteilen in die Näpfe einer Folienbahn
ITBO20030774A1 (it) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-24 Arcotronics Technologies Srl Dispositivo per disposizione a distanza di compresse a forma regolare
DE102004006375A1 (de) * 2004-02-09 2005-09-15 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Überführen von Produkten aus einem Vorratsgefäß in die Näpfe einer Folie

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4676050A (en) * 1984-02-25 1987-06-30 Ostma Maschinenbau Gmbh Method and apparatus for transporting flexible packages, particularly flat bags, filled with pourable or flowable material to container filling stations
US5287957A (en) * 1991-05-08 1994-02-22 Shikoku Kakoki Co, Ltd. Conveyor for transporting containers
US5284003A (en) * 1992-03-26 1994-02-08 Prototype Equipment Corporation Machine for conditioning product in a sealed bag
US5722216A (en) * 1994-04-15 1998-03-03 Ferag Ag Process for storing sheet-like products
US5967293A (en) * 1996-08-30 1999-10-19 U.S. Vibra, Inc. Belt feeder for component delivery system with intermittently moving conveyor
US6206172B1 (en) * 1998-01-26 2001-03-27 Omori Machinery Co., Ltd. PTP conveying method and apparatus therefor
US6516939B1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2003-02-11 Gea Finnah Gmbh Device for transporting bottles
US6439631B1 (en) * 2000-03-03 2002-08-27 Micron Technology, Inc. Variable-pitch pick and place device
US20020104741A1 (en) * 2001-02-07 2002-08-08 David Buckley Conveyor for use in contaminaton sensitive equipment
US20030014944A1 (en) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-23 Robert Bennett Packaging system
US20030221932A1 (en) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-04 Costanzo Mark B. Singulating conveyor
US20050226711A1 (en) * 2003-11-08 2005-10-13 Bernd Schnoor Process and device for handling objects
US6959525B2 (en) * 2004-01-06 2005-11-01 Blueprint Holding B.V. Method and assembly for filling a box

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090133362A1 (en) * 2007-11-24 2009-05-28 Josef Bentele System for individualized filling of blisters of blister packs
US8406916B2 (en) * 2007-11-24 2013-03-26 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg System for individualized filling of blisters of blister packs
EP2110326A1 (de) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-21 UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG Zuführung
US20090265034A1 (en) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-22 Gnann Kurt Feeder
US7946097B2 (en) 2008-04-16 2011-05-24 Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co. Kg Feeder
US9061780B2 (en) 2009-07-07 2015-06-23 Waldorf Technik Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging method, packaging device and injection moulding system
CN103449144A (zh) * 2013-09-05 2013-12-18 广东邦宝益智玩具股份有限公司 玩偶零件的包装生产线
CN103449144B (zh) * 2013-09-05 2016-08-24 广东邦宝益智玩具股份有限公司 玩偶零件的包装生产线

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1854723B1 (de) 2009-06-17
ATE433913T1 (de) 2009-07-15
DE102006022260B4 (de) 2008-04-03
DE102006022260A1 (de) 2007-11-15
EP1854723A2 (de) 2007-11-14
EP1854723A3 (de) 2008-05-21
DE502007000876D1 (de) 2009-07-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

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

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LITKE, HARALD;KRAHL, WOLFGANG;HABDANK, MARKUS;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019728/0371;SIGNING DATES FROM 20070611 TO 20070706

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION