WO2014029753A1 - Appareil et procédé de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014029753A1
WO2014029753A1 PCT/EP2013/067274 EP2013067274W WO2014029753A1 WO 2014029753 A1 WO2014029753 A1 WO 2014029753A1 EP 2013067274 W EP2013067274 W EP 2013067274W WO 2014029753 A1 WO2014029753 A1 WO 2014029753A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
substantially spherical
liquid containing
analysing
reservoir
spherical object
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/067274
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Samantha MATRICINI
Nicola MICHELI
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products S.A.
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 Philip Morris Products S.A. filed Critical Philip Morris Products S.A.
Publication of WO2014029753A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014029753A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N3/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
    • G01N3/08—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress by applying steady tensile or compressive forces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0439—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels
    • G01N2035/0441—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels for samples
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2203/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
    • G01N2203/0058—Kind of property studied
    • G01N2203/0076—Hardness, compressibility or resistance to crushing
    • G01N2203/0087—Resistance to crushing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2203/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
    • G01N2203/02—Details not specific for a particular testing method
    • G01N2203/0202—Control of the test
    • G01N2203/0206—Means for supplying or positioning specimens or exchangeable parts of the machine such as indenters...
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2203/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
    • G01N2203/02—Details not specific for a particular testing method
    • G01N2203/026—Specifications of the specimen
    • G01N2203/0262—Shape of the specimen
    • G01N2203/0276—Spherical specimens

Definitions

  • the reservoir comprises a conical shape with diminishing dimensions in a direction of an outlet of the reservoir.
  • the open side of the funnel allows an easy refilling of the reservoir.
  • the gravitational force urges the liquid containing, substantially spherical objects contained in the reservoir into a downward direction to the outlet of the reservoir.
  • the outlet is advantageously arranged in the bottom region of the reservoir, preferably in the bottom of the reservoir.
  • a reservoir comprising a conical shape gives the liquid containing, substantially spherical objects contained in the reservoir an additional continuous flow direction to the center of the conical shape of the reservoir.
  • the dimensions of the outlet of the reservoir are preferably adapted to dimensions of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object.
  • the reservoir comprises a certain volume for receiving a plurality of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects but may comprise an outlet dimensioned for the passage of only few or only a single liquid containing, substantially spherical object.
  • the outlet of the reservoir has a dimension large enough for a single substantially spherical object to fit through the outlet of the reservoir but small enough such as to prevent two liquid containing, substantially spherical objects to pass through the outlet at the same time.
  • a dosing unit arranged underneath the outlet of the reservoir may ensure that exactly one liquid containing, substantially spherical object is transferred from the reservoir onto a sample plate.
  • the presence of more than one substantially spherical object on the sample plate in the loading position could falsify the results of a subsequent analysis of the substantially spherical object. It might also lead to the loss of a liquid containing, substantially spherical object, which could also alter an analysing process, possibly of a whole series of substantially spherical objects to be analysed.
  • the reservoir further comprises a cover for covering an inlet of the reservoir.
  • the cover for covering an inlet of the reservoir prevents liquid containing, substantially spherical objects from falling out of the reservoir and at the same time prevents unwanted objects from falling into the reservoir.
  • the reservoir further comprises an agitator for agitating the plurality of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects, such as capsules contained in the reservoir.
  • An agitator may advantageously unblock a random jam in the reservoir and thus ensure a continuous supply of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects.
  • An agitator may be a gas, preferably compressed air, which is blown into the reservoir through a gas inlet.
  • a gas nozzle for providing a gas jet is arranged in an unloading position for discharging the liquid containing, substantially spherical object from the sample plate when the liquid containing, substantially spherical object is in the unloading position.
  • the substantially spherical object is then preferably transported to an unloading position different from the analysing position.
  • a discharging of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object is advantageously performed by application of a gas jet, for example originating from a compressed air source.
  • a liquid containing, substantially spherical object is deformed or broken into pieces during analysis.
  • the term "discharging the liquid containing, substantially spherical object” is therefore meant to include the discharge of a whole liquid containing, substantially spherical object but also of a broken liquid containing, substantially spherical object, of parts of a broken liquid containing, substantially spherical object, also including any content of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object that may have leaked from or have been forced out of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object upon the analysing procedure.
  • a safety sensor may be provided.
  • Such a safety sensor is preferably arranged such as to detect any accidental interference with the handling apparatus or analysing unit, for example a dynamometer, especially to detect undesired elements entering an analysing region.
  • the analysing process or only individual steps of the analysing process, such as the loading or the analysing are interruptible.
  • An exemplary safety sensor comprises a light barrier detecting a disturbance of the light barrier.
  • the safety sensor initiates the interruption of any analysing process upon the detection of such a disturbance.
  • the apparatus further comprises a base, which comprises the reservoir, the sample plate and the control unit.
  • the base is demountably attachable to the dynamometer.
  • an existing the analysing unit may be upgraded from a manual to an automatised process in a simple and convenient manner. This is advantageous not only for the acceleration of an analysing process but also of analysing process sequences. In addition, this enables to use non- automatised commercially available dynamometer in different modes. An automatisation may be carried out reversibly.
  • the apparatus according to the invention may be used together with different analysing units enabling an automatisation of different analysing processes or of an analysing sequence.
  • Exemplary dynamometers used in the present invention measure a breaking force or deformation behaviour of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object, such as a capsule or bead.
  • a method for the handling liquid containing, substantially spherical objects in an analysing process of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects in a reservoir; entering a selected number of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects to be analysed via a control unit, transferring a liquid containing, substantially spherical object to be analysed from the reservoir into a seat provided in a sample plate at a loading position of the sample plate and transporting the liquid containing, substantially spherical object to be analysed from the loading position to an analysing position by moving the sample plate.
  • the method further comprises the steps of:
  • the array of spherical object capturing locations in the sampling device comprises a predefined number of spherical object capturing locations. If the array or also only part of the array of spherical object capturing locations of the sampling device is filled after the insertion and removal of the sampling device into and out of the stock of liquid containing, substantially spherical objects, a counting of substantially spherical objects and a touching of individual substantially spherical objects may be omitted.
  • the array may comprise a 10 times 10 matrix of bores in the sheet material to swiftly capture exactly 100 objects, for example capsules from the bulk of material.
  • Liquid containing, substantially spherical objects captured in the spherical object capturing locations are preferably released from the capturing location upon tilting or turning the sampling device upside down.
  • the liquid containing, substantially spherical objects from the sampling device may be filled into the reservoir of the apparatus according to the present invention for analysing purposes.
  • the step of analysing the liquid containing, substantially spherical object in a dynamometer comprises a measurement of a breaking force of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object or a determination of deformation behaviour of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object.
  • Fig. 2 shows a sample plate provided with a protecting cover in the discharging position
  • Fig. 3 shows an enlarged cut of the object releases system.
  • the sample plate 2 is then rotated by 90 degrees in the rotation direction indicated by arrow 27. Thereby the first sample pit 26 is arranged at a waiting position 22 and a second sample pit is arranged in the loading position 21 to be filled with a next capsule 5 transferred from the dosing unit 6 into the second sample pit. Upon a further rotation of the sample plate 2 by 90 degrees the capsule in the first sample pit 26 is transported into an analysing position 23 and a third sample pit is arranged at the loading position 21 to be filled with a capsule. In the analysing position 23 the capsule 5 in the first sample pit 26 is analysed by the dynamometer 4. Generally, a breaking force of the capsule is measured.
  • the strength of a force acting on the capsule or other measurement parameters may initially be entered into the control unit 3 and communicated to the dynamometer 4 via a corresponding communication port (schematically indicated with dash-dotted lines).
  • the analysing results from the dynamometer 4 are preferably also communicated via the communication port to the control unit 3, where the results may be displayed and stored.
  • the first sample pit 26 with the now analysed and generally broken capsule is transported into the discharging position 24.
  • the capsule is removed from the first sample pit 26 and from the sample plate 2.
  • a removal may be done manually but is preferably also done in an automated manner, for example by a brush-like device or preferably by a gas jet or a liquid jet provided by an appropriate gas nozzle or liquid nozzle (not shown).
  • the now emptied first sample pit 26 has performed a 360 degree rotation and is arranged in the loading position 21 again.
  • the first sample pit 26 may be loaded anew with a further capsule to be analysed.
  • Such a loading of sample pits and performing analysis on the capsules may be repeated as long as a number of analysed capsules is smaller or equal to a number of capsules to be analysed.
  • the number of capsules to be analysed is initially entered into the control unit 3 and is communicated to the dynamometer 4 and preferably also to the dosing unit 6.
  • the dosing unit 6 is arranged below the reservoir 1 and comprises an aligning channel 61 , an upper sliding system 62, a dosing chamber 63 and a lower sliding system 64.
  • the aligning channel 61 is arranged below the outlet 51 of the reservoir.
  • the aligning channel is formed by two walls forming a gap 61 1 in between the two walls.
  • the size of the gap 61 1 essentially corresponds to the size of a capsule 5 such that a capsule neatly fits through the aligning channel 61 .
  • the diameter of the outlet 51 of the reservoir 1 corresponds to the size of the gap 61 1 .
  • a single file of capsules 5 may form in the aligning channel 61 .
  • the lowermost capsule in the aligning channel enters the dosing chamber 63 if the upper sliding system 62 is in its open position.
  • the dosing chamber 63 is formed by a throughhole in a plate and encloses a space dimensioned such as to receive one single capsule.
  • the dosing chamber 63 is fixed with the dosing aligning chamber 61 .
  • opening the upper sliding system 62 requires displacing a thin plate 622 towards the side of the aligning chamber 61 by a predetermined distance that allows free passage of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object into the dosing chamber 63.
  • a capsule 5 falls inside the dosing chamber 63 from the aligning chamber 61 .
  • the thin plate 622 moves back to its initial position, thus closing the passageway between the aligning chamber 61 and the dosing chamber 63.
  • the speed of the closing movement of the thin plate 622 is adapted to prevent the unintended rupture of a capsule 5 that may be positioned on top of the capsule 5 that has entered the dosing chamber 63. Any following capsules are securely held back in the aligning channel 61 .
  • the lower sliding system 64 is activated.
  • the thin plate 644 moves to the side of the dosing chamber 63 by a predetermined distance that allows free passage of the liquid containing, substantially spherical object out of the dosing chamber 63 and into the seat arranged at the desired position on plate 2.
  • the thin plate 644 of the lower sliding system 64 returns into its initial, closed position.
  • Upper and lower sliding system 62, 64 are essentially formed as L-shaped elements that are preferably actuated automatically, for example by means of electromotors that receive their commands from the control unit 3.
  • the lower sliding system 64 is preferably only open when a capsule is in the dosing chamber and when a sample pit - or any other seat - is in the loading position 21 .
  • the upper sliding system 62 may then be actuated to open the inlet of the dosing chamber again to allow a next capsule to enter the dosing chamber. This procedure is repeated until a last capsule to be analysed has entered the dosing chamber 6 and has been transferred to the sample plate 2.
  • the reservoir 1 comprises a conical shape 56.
  • the lower end of the conical shape 56 forms the outlet 51 of the reservoir 1 .
  • the reservoir 1 is provided with a gas inlet 53 for leading a gas stream 52 into the reservoir (indicated by a dashed line).
  • a gas for a gas stream is preferably provided by a compressed air source. The gas stream 52 led into the reservoir keeps the capsules agitated such that a blocking of capsules in the reservoir or in the outlet 51 may be prevented.
  • Such a gas stream may also support an alignment of capsules if the capsules are not of a spherical but for example of an elongated shape.
  • the reservoir 1 also comprises a cover 54 for covering the inlet 55 of the reservoir. Such a cover 54 prevents agitated capsules from falling out of the reservoir 1 and prevents unwanted objects from falling into the reservoir.
  • a safety sensor 41 for example a light barrier, is arranged next to the dynamometer 4.
  • a safety sensor 41 is preferably coupled to the control unit 3 in order to interrupt the analysing process or at least the analysing step in the dynamometer 4, should an unexpected object enter the analysing region.
  • control unit 3 reservoir 1 and dynamometer 4 are not shown.
  • the sample plate 2 is mounted on a base 8 and a protecting cover 9 is provided in the unloading position 24.
  • the protecting cover covers a sample pit in the unloading position 24 and the capsule or parts of the capsule if the capsule had been broken during the analysing step.
  • Sidewalls 91 of the protection cover are preferably arranged such as to neatly close off a region around the sample pit in the unloading position 24, especially such as to prevent any liquid spilled from the capsule upon analysis to contaminate the environment upon discharging of the capsule
  • One of the sidewalls 91 is provided with a drawer-like container 92 serving as a waste box.
  • a drawer-like container 92 discharged capsules including spilled liquid content of the capsules and possibly also discharging liquid from a liquid jet used for discharging the capsules may be collected.
  • the drawer-like container 92 may be removed for emptying and cleaning and may be inserted back into the protection cover 9 for refilling.
  • Any discharging device such as a gas nozzle or liquid nozzle is preferably arranged under the protecting cover 9. If a compressed air source or other gas source is used for providing a gas stream into the reservoir for agitating the capsules in the reservoir, this air source may also be used to provide a gas jet for the discharge of capsules.
  • sample pits or other seats for liquid containing, substantially spherical objects may be provided in the sample plate 2 and that also further or less process positions may be provided.
  • further waiting positions 22 may be present also after an analysing position 23 or unloading position 24.
  • a waiting position 22 or an unloading position 24 may be omitted. If no separate unloading position 24 is foreseen, a capsule having been analysed may be discharged in the analysing position 23, such that for example a so emptied sample pit may directly proceed to the loading position 21 .
  • a cleaning step of the sample pit may then also be used for or combined with a cleaning of the dynamometer or a dynamometer probe, respectively.
  • sample plate is not limited to a rotatable disc but may for example also be designed in the form of a conveyor.
  • a sample plate is preferably designed and arranged such that an emptied seat in the sample plate is transferable to a loading position to be loaded again.
  • the velocity and reliability of the analysing process of capsules may be noticeably enhanced.
  • An analysis of an identical amount of capsules may be performed in less than half the time than with a manually performed analysis.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide, ledit appareil comprenant un réservoir recevant une pluralité d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide. L'appareil comprend par ailleurs une plaque d'échantillonnage recevant en provenance du réservoir un objet sensiblement sphérique contenant un liquide. La plaque d'échantillonnage comprend un logement conçu pour recevoir un objet sensiblement sphérique contenant un liquide, la plaque d'échantillonnage étant conçue pour pouvoir être déplacée de telle manière que le logement de l'objet sensiblement sphérique contenant un liquide peut être positionné respectivement dans une position de chargement, une position d'analyse et une position de déchargement. Un dispositif d'entraînement assure le déplacement du logement de l'objet sensiblement sphérique contenant un liquide dans une position de chargement, une position d'analyse et une position de déchargement. Une unité de commande permet l'entrée des paramètres d'analyse, et un port de communication permet d'échanger les paramètres d'analyse avec une unité d'analyse.
PCT/EP2013/067274 2012-08-21 2013-08-20 Appareil et procédé de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide WO2014029753A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12181254.9 2012-08-21
EP12181254 2012-08-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014029753A1 true WO2014029753A1 (fr) 2014-02-27

Family

ID=47071078

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2013/067274 WO2014029753A1 (fr) 2012-08-21 2013-08-20 Appareil et procédé de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2014029753A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2017305A (en) * 1978-03-21 1979-10-03 Thomae Gmbh Dr K Apparatus for measuring thickness and compression strength of tablet-shaped specimens
WO1987000621A1 (fr) * 1985-07-19 1987-01-29 Microspan Process Controls Limited Appareil de controle
US5397025A (en) * 1994-02-22 1995-03-14 National Superior Vending, Inc. Product dispensing and storage device
EP1906775A2 (fr) 2005-06-21 2008-04-09 V. Mane Fils S.A. Dispositif pour fumeur incorporant une capsule frangible, capsule frangible et procede de fabrication de ladite capsule
DE202011003680U1 (de) * 2011-03-08 2011-06-09 Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, 71573 Kapselsortierblock und Sortiereinrichtung für unorientierte Kapseln

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2017305A (en) * 1978-03-21 1979-10-03 Thomae Gmbh Dr K Apparatus for measuring thickness and compression strength of tablet-shaped specimens
WO1987000621A1 (fr) * 1985-07-19 1987-01-29 Microspan Process Controls Limited Appareil de controle
US5397025A (en) * 1994-02-22 1995-03-14 National Superior Vending, Inc. Product dispensing and storage device
EP1906775A2 (fr) 2005-06-21 2008-04-09 V. Mane Fils S.A. Dispositif pour fumeur incorporant une capsule frangible, capsule frangible et procede de fabrication de ladite capsule
DE202011003680U1 (de) * 2011-03-08 2011-06-09 Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, 71573 Kapselsortierblock und Sortiereinrichtung für unorientierte Kapseln

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3119678B1 (fr) Machine et procédé de production de cartouches de cigarettes électroniques
KR100356647B1 (ko) 젤라틴캡슐과같은소형물품을중량측정하는장치
KR100844447B1 (ko) 소물품의 계수 공급 장치
JP3419826B2 (ja) 薬品をカプセルに分量するための方法および装置
US9959697B2 (en) Laboratory container transfer device
US3302452A (en) Coagulation detector and coagulability determination
US9285383B2 (en) Specimen analyzer
JP5417353B2 (ja) 自動分析システム
US8105535B2 (en) Pipette tip supplier, sample analyzer and pipette tip supplying method
JP5781316B2 (ja) ピペットチップ供給装置
EP3682428B1 (fr) Dispositif de conditionnement de quantités dosées de médicaments solides
US5033251A (en) Automatic product recovery apparatus
US8640557B2 (en) Automatic analysis of finely divided solids
WO2014029753A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de manipulation d'objets sensiblement sphériques contenant un liquide
KR102419060B1 (ko) 중량선별 일체형 계수기
US10422687B1 (en) System and method of batching a precise weight of cannabis inflorescences
CA3146200A1 (fr) Appareil et procede pour peser des contenants pharmaceutiques loges dans un support
US20230094031A1 (en) Lyophilized bead handling
JP6994525B2 (ja) 廃棄物処分システム
JP7454240B2 (ja) 薬剤供給装置
US11385247B2 (en) Solid waste removal
JPH08131725A (ja) フィルタ供給装置
GB2215476A (en) Apparatus for weighing a sample of a product
CN117795572A (zh) 用于分配离散药剂的方法、进料器单元和分配***
JP2022098656A (ja) サンプリングシステム及びサンプル重量測定装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 13755990

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 13755990

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1