Method and Device For Transferring Products From a Supply Vessel Into the Blisters of a Foil

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transferring products from a supply vessel ( 1 ) into the recesses ( 2 ) of a conveyed foil ( 3 ), whereby transfer recesses ( 6 ) are formed in a filling band ( 4 ) according to an arrangement, corresponding to one with the recesses ( 2 ) in the foil ( 3 ) and the endless filling band ( 4 ) is positioned on a first and a second deflecting pulley ( 5 ), for the consecutive loading of the products from the supply vessel ( 1 ), the sorting thereof into the transfer recesses ( 6 ) and the transfer thereof into a plurality of placing means ( 9 ), by means of which the products are removed from the transfer recesses ( 6 ) in a controlled manner and transferred into the recesses ( 2 ). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

1 . A method for transferring objects, particularly tablets, capsules, coated tablets, pills or the like from a supply vessel ( 1 ) to blisters ( 2 ) in a foil ( 3 ), moving in a continuous or step-wise manner, transfer blisters ( 6 ) being formed in a transfer belt ( 4 ) corresponding in their position to the position of the blisters ( 2 ) in the foil ( 3 ), the transfer belt ( 4 ) in the form of an endlessly running belt being positioned on a first and on a second deflection roller ( 5 ) for subsequent filling with the objects from the supply vessel ( 1 ), for sorting the objects into the transfer blisters ( 6 ) and for their transfer to a plurality of placers ( 9 ) by means of which the objects are directly picked up from the transfer blisters ( 6 ) and transferred to the blisters ( 2 ). 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the transfer belt ( 4 ) that is designed as a disposable transfer belt ( 4 ), is removed from the deflection rollers ( 5 ) and disposed of after fulfilling an exclusion criterion and is replaced by a new transfer belt. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the transfer belt ( 4 ) is oriented perpendicular to the travel direction of the foil ( 3 ). 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the transfer belt ( 4 ) is oriented parallel to the travel direction of the foil ( 3 ). 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one section of at least an upper reach of the transfer belt ( 4 ) is led upward in the transport direction. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the deflection roller ( 5 ) facing the foil ( 3 ) is a drive roller and the transfer belt ( 4 ) is driven in to a reciprocating movement. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the drive roller is provided with recesses ( 10 ) for the form-fit reception of the transfer blisters ( 6 ), with the recesses providing the drive of the transfer belt ( 4 ). 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in order to form the transfer belt ( 4 ) at least two transfer blisters ( 6 ) are plugged together circumferentially for the realization of a positive locking and the free ends of the transfer belt ( 4 ) are permanently connected. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that edges of the transfer belt ( 4 ) are cut after the shaping of the transfer blisters ( 6 ) to match the working width of the belt. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a plurality of transfer belts ( 4 ) are formed and mounted such that they are adjacent to each other and are intermittently driven. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that synchronization of the adjacent transfer belts ( 4 ) is carried out by means of the drive roller. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that a sensor juxtaposed with the transfer belt ( 4 ) detects the overlapping area of the formerly free ends of the transfer belt ( 4 ) and the placer ( 9 ) accordingly adjusts the picking of the objects dependant on the sensor signal. 
   
   
       13 . A device for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , characterized by a supply vessel ( 1 ) for holding the objects that is mounted above a transfer belt ( 4 ) with a plurality of transfer blisters ( 6 ) placed in positions corresponding to the positions of the blisters ( 2 ) in the foil ( 3 ) to be filled and that is led around two deflection rollers ( 5 ) and is directed toward the foil ( 3 ), as well as by a placer ( 9 ) for the direct transfer that separately picks the objects up from the transfer blisters ( 6 ) and places them in the blisters ( 2 ) of the foil ( 3 ). 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the placers are provided in a pick-and-place system with a plurality of pickers, particularly suckers or grippers, by means of which the objects can be removed from the transfer blisters ( 6 ), transferred to and placed in the blisters ( 2 ), and that the pickers are mounted in positions corresponding to positions of the blisters ( 2 ) or respectively of the transfer blisters ( 6 ). 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the deflection roller ( 5 ) is a drive roller and thus connected with a drive and is provided with recesses ( 10 ) in its outer surface, corresponding in their positions to positions of the transfer blisters ( 6 ). 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a collecting tray ( 11 ) is mounted beneath the transfer belt. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a conveyor belt for the return transport of the surplus objects on the transfer belt ( 4 ) is oriented parallel to the transfer belt ( 4 ). 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 16 , characterized in that there are a plurality of such transfer belts ( 4 ) and that the transfer belts ( 4 ) are mounted parallel to each other and are synchronized by means of the drive roller. 
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 16 , characterized in that a servomotor is provided for driving the drive roller. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a flow obstacle ( 7 ), particularly a scraper, is mounted above the transfer belt ( 4 ), preferably inclined to the direction of transportation of the latter. 
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the supply vessel ( 1 ) as well as the transfer belt ( 4 ) with the deflection rollers ( 5 ) and the drive are mounted on a mobile rack ( 8 ). 
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a satellite station is provided for the formation of the transfer belt ( 4 ). 
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the transfer belt ( 4 ) consists of a thermoplastic foil and in that a forming tool for shaping the transfer blisters ( 6 ) is removably mounted in the satellite station. 
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the transfer blisters ( 6 ) in the transfer belt ( 4 ) are of smaller vertical dimension than the objects to be placed in the transfer blisters ( 6 ). 
   
   
       25 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a swivel plate ( 12 ) is juxtaposed with an upper reach of the transfer belt ( 4 ). 
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that a camera ( 13 ) for monitoring the objects after their removal from the transfer blisters ( 6 ) before the transfer into the blisters ( 2 ) is mounted beneath the placers ( 9 ).