Device and Method for the Monitored Loading of Tablets into Pockets in a Web of Plastic Sheet

Abstract

The device for the monitored loading of tablets into pockets in a web of plastic sheet for the production of blister packs comprises a transport device for conveying the plastic sheet and a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the pockets in the plastic sheet. The feed unit comprises a plurality of filling channels. Downstream from the feed unit, an inspection device is provided to verify that each individual pocket in the plastic sheet has been filled. A control unit actuates a lighting or beam-emitting device on the basis of the results acquired by the inspection device to visually identify any blocked filling channel.

1 . A device for monitored loading of tablets into pockets in a web of plastic sheet for a production of blister packs, the device comprising:
 a transport device for conveying the plastic sheet in a transport direction;   a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the pockets in the plastic sheet, wherein the feed unit comprises a plurality of filling channels;   an inspection device downstream from the feed unit to check whether each individual pocket in the plastic sheet has been filled;   a control unit, which receives results acquired by the inspection device; and   a lighting or beam-emitting device, which is actuatable by the control unit on the basis of the results acquired by the inspection device and which visually identifies a blocked filling channel,   wherein the lighting or beam-emitting device comprises at least one laser pointer, which directs a laser pointer beam at a blocked filling channel, or comprises a plurality of lighting devices, each of which is assigned to a separate one of the filling channels.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the inspection device comprises an optical camera system. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each filling channel is designed as a filling tube. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  relating to the laser pointer wherein the at least one laser pointer is pivotable in several directions. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  relating to the lighting devices wherein the lighting devices are designed as LEDs. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  relating to the lighting devices wherein each filling channel is designed as a filling tube, and wherein the lighting devices are integrated into the filling tubes. 
     
     
         7 . A method for monitored loading of tablets into pockets in a web of plastic sheet for a production of blister packs, comprising:
 conveying the plastic sheet in a transport direction;   feeding the tablets into the pockets in the plastic sheet by means of a feed unit, which comprises a plurality of filling channels;   inspecting each individual pocket in the plastic sheet downstream from the feed unit by means of an inspection device to check whether the pocket is filled;   actuating a lighting or beam-emitting device on the basis of results acquired by the inspection device to visually identify a blocked filling channel, wherein the lighting or beam-emitting device comprises at least one laser pointer, which directs a laser pointer beam at a blocked filling channel, or comprises a plurality of lighting devices, each of which is assigned to a separate one of the filling channels.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the control unit detects regularly recurring defects in the pockets of the plastic sheet and assigns the defects to a specific filling channel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  relating to the laser pointer wherein, if several blocked filling channels are present, the laser pointer identifies the blocked filling channels in succession. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  relating to the lighting devices wherein, if several blocked filling channels are present, the lighting devices light up the blocked filling channels simultaneously.