Blood bag labeling and packaging automation system and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a blood bag labeling and packaging automation system and method, comprising a transmission belt mechanism, a labeling device and a bundling device. By pushing a packaging box body onto a workbench where the entrance end of the conveyor belt mechanism is located, manually taking a blood bag and putting it into the packaging box body, labeling the blood bag contained in the packaging box body and performing information verification, rejecting unqualified blood bags together with the packaging box body, covering the packaging box body, and bundling the packaging box body and a cover plate to form a secondary packaging product, the three functions of automatic labeling of blood bags, centralized information verification, and automatic secondary packaging are realized. The system has a compact structure, a small size, is easy to use, and is highly efficient. It has positive significance in terms of both social benefits and economic value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to secondary packaging of medical products, and in particular to a system and method for automatically labeling and packaging blood bags. Background Art

[0002] Blood centers (blood stations) often need to label and repackage blood bags containing plasma and red blood cells individually. Both are placed in plastic bags for cooling. For example, plasma is generally processed into a solid plate below -18°C, and red blood cells are processed into a liquid at around -3°C. After that, a label containing specific medical information is affixed to the surface of the bag. Labeling and information verification are generally done manually, with blood bags manually packed into cartons and red blood cell bags packed into plastic bags. The entire work is cumbersome and inefficient, and there are hidden dangers to blood safety.

[0003] In recent years, machine labeling has gradually been adopted, but the labeling machines on the market cannot automatically position, resulting in blood bags being reworked due to inaccurate labeling positions.

[0004] In addition, there are difficulties in managing blood bags after cooling: first, the plasticity of the bag increases and it is easy to break; second, the label attached to the bag may fall off. When the medical product is a liquid such as red blood cells, the output tube at the end of the bag is not easy to protect. Therefore, it is necessary to repackage the labeled blood bag.

[0005] Secondary packaging is usually done manually by putting the products into cartons or plastic bags. This is a cumbersome and inefficient process, and poses a safety hazard to medical products.

[0006] The market is in urgent need of an automated system that is compact, small, easy to use, and highly efficient, and can simultaneously perform labeling, information verification, and secondary packaging of blood bags. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an automated, multifunctional and efficient blood bag labeling and packaging automation system and method thereof.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a blood bag labeling and packaging automation system, including: a conveyor belt mechanism, a labeling device and a bundling device, the conveyor belt mechanism is used to transport the packaging box containing the blood bag so that the blood bag can complete the labeling, information verification and packaging operations during the movement; the labeling device labels the blood bag in the packaging box, attaches the label to the label position of the blood bag and verifies the information; the bundling device bundles the cover plate to encapsulate the blood bag in the packaging box to complete the secondary packaging process.

[0009] Furthermore, the conveyor belt mechanism is provided with a screw adjustment mechanism, which includes a sleeve, a limit plate is installed on the sleeve, and the sleeve is threadedly connected to the screw; the screw is driven by a motor to drive the sleeve to move back and forth, so that the limit plate forms an adjustable conveying channel with different spacings.

[0010] Furthermore, the conveyor belt mechanism is divided into a labeling section, a capping section and a bundling section corresponding to the labeling device, the capping device and the bundling device.

[0011] Furthermore, the labeling device includes a code reader for automatically scanning and reading codes on blood bags; and also includes a labeling head and an artificial visual code reader for labeling blood bags and verifying information.

[0012] Furthermore, a workbench where the entrance section of the conveyor mechanism is located is provided with a box delivery device; the box delivery device includes a silo for storing packaging boxes, and a lifter is provided below the silo, and the lifter delivers the packaging box body to the workbench.

[0013] Furthermore, a covering device is arranged between the labeling section and the bundling section of the conveyor mechanism to cover the packaging box body with a cover plate to protect the blood bag; the covering device includes a barrel, a suction cup and a manipulator for storing the cover plate, a suction cup is arranged above the barrel, the suction cup is installed on the manipulator, the suction cup sucks the cover plate away from the barrel, and the manipulator drives the suction cup to move to the working surface and releases it, so that the cover plate covers the packaging box.

[0014] Furthermore, a diversion section is arranged between the labeling section and the capping section of the conveyor mechanism, and a diversion device is arranged at the diversion section; the diversion device includes a flexible push plate and a side slide, and the flexible push plate is driven by a cylinder or a motor to push the unqualified blood bag to the side slide.

[0015] Furthermore, the bundling device includes an automatic tape feeding device, a tightening device and a tape heat-sealing device. After the packaging box containing the blood bag arrives at the bundling station along with the conveyor belt mechanism, the tightening device bundles the blood bag and the packaging box together with transparent tape, and the heat-sealing device heat-seals the joints of the tape to form a secondary packaging product.

[0016] Furthermore, the collecting platform comprises an inclined plate and an inclined plate driving mechanism. The packages enter the inclined plate by gravity, and the driving mechanism translates the inclined plate, so that the packages fill the inclined plate one by one.

[0017] Another technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a blood bag labeling and packaging method, which is characterized in that the labeling and packaging process is: first, a box feeding device pushes the packaging box body onto the work surface where the entrance end of the conveyor belt mechanism is located; then, a blood bag is manually taken and put into the packaging box body; then, a labeling device is used to label the blood bags contained in the packaging box body and to verify the information; then, a diversion device is used to remove unqualified blood bags together with the packaging box body; then, a covering device is used to cover the packaging box body; finally, a bundling device is used to bundle the packaging box body and the cover plate to form a secondary packaging product.

[0018] By implementing the above technical scheme, owing to the design of the box feeding device, labeling device, capping device and bundling device, in conjunction with the multi-stage conveyor belt mechanism, the three major functions of automatic labeling of blood bags, centralized information verification, and automatic packaging are realized. This system has a compact structure, small size, easy use, and high efficiency, and has positive significance both in terms of its social benefits and economic value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the finished packaging product after the blood bags are labeled and bundled.

[0020] Figure 3 It is the workflow diagram of the blood bag labeling and packaging automation system;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the screw adjustment mechanism;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a box feeding device;

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the diversion device;

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the capping device;

[0025] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the collection station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present invention are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is used to help understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the blood bag labeling and packaging automation system and method are used to accurately attach the label 301 to the predetermined position on the front of the blood bag 8, and then the packaging box 9 and the transparent cover 9.2 containing the labeled blood bag are automatically bundled with tape 601 to complete the packaging, so as to facilitate storage management.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the blood bag labeling and packaging automation system includes: a box feeding device 1, a conveyor belt mechanism 2, a labeling device 3, a diversion device 4, a capping device 5, a bundling device 6 and a collecting table 7.

[0029] The conveyor mechanism 2 is composed of a labeling section, a diversion section, a capping section and a bundling section, which are, from the inlet end to the outlet end, a labeling device 3, a diversion device 4, a capping device 5 and a bundling device 6. The packaging box 9 containing the blood bag 8 moves along with the conveyor mechanism to complete the labeling, packaging and collection processes.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, a screw adjustment mechanism is arranged above the inlet end of the conveyor belt mechanism 2, the screw 201 has a threaded structure, the screw thread is connected to the sleeve 202, the sleeve 202 is installed with a limit plate 203, the screw 201 is driven by a motor 204, and the sleeve 202 is driven to move toward or in the opposite direction at the same time under the action of the thread, and the limit plate 203 fixedly connected to the sleeve forms channels of different sizes above the conveyor belt mechanism to accommodate the passage of blood bags 8 of different specifications.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, a box feeding device 1 is arranged on the workbench on the side of the entrance end of the conveyor belt mechanism 2. The box feeding device 1 consists of a barrel 101, an elevator 102 and a positioning plate 103. The barrel 101 is used to store the packaging box body 9.1. The elevator 102 pushes the packaging box body 9.1 to the workbench according to computer instructions, and positions the packaging box in the positioning plate 103.

[0032] The labeling device 3 is composed of a code reader, a labeling head with a pressing device, and artificial vision. The blood bag 8 moves forward with the conveyor belt mechanism, and completes the operations of automatic scanning and reading, labeling 301, and information code verification.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the diversion device 4 is composed of a cylinder and a flexible push plate 401, and is located at the rear of the blood information code verification area. The blood bag 8 judged as unqualified by the machine is pushed away from the conveyor belt mechanism and diverted out through the side slide 402.

[0034] like Figure 7As shown, the capping device 5 is composed of a barrel 501 driven by a motor, a suction cup 502 composed of a plurality of suction heads, and a manipulator 503. The barrel 501 is used to store the transparent cover plate 9.2 and is located on one side of the conveyor belt mechanism capping section. The suction cup 502 is located at the end of the manipulator 503. According to computer instructions, the transparent cover plates 9.2 are sucked out of the barrel 501 one by one. The manipulator 503 moves back and forth along the gantry 504 and then puts them into the packaging box body 9.1 containing the blood bag 8 to cover the blood bag in the packaging box body. The capping device can also be a plastic sealing machine or a coil cutting machine, and then the covering mechanism will be changed accordingly.

[0035] The bundling device 6 is composed of an automatic tape feeding device, a tightening device, and a tape heat-sealing device. After the packaging box containing the blood bag and the transparent cover plate arrive at the predetermined position with the conveyor belt mechanism, the tightening device on the bundling device bundles the three together with the transparent tape 601 to the blood bag 8, and then the heat-sealing device heat-seals the joints of the tape.

[0036] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the collecting table 7 is composed of an inclined plate 701 and a driving mechanism 702. The driving mechanism 702 translates the inclined plate, and the packaged finished products 10 cover the inclined plate 701 one by one, and the inclined plate 701 is reset.

[0037] The following is an example of the entire process of labeling, packaging and collecting a bag of plasma:

[0038] a. Turn on the power switch and enter the number of the blood bag of this batch on the operation screen. The motor on the screw adjustment mechanism 201 drives the screw 202, driving the positive and negative sleeves 203 to move towards or in the opposite direction at the same time, and the positioning plate 204 fixedly connected to the sleeve moves accordingly, forming a channel suitable for the blood bags 8 of this batch to pass through.

[0039] b. Start the switch of the box feeding device 1, manually take the packaging box body 9.1, put the blood bag 8 into the packaging box 9.1, and then push the packaging box body 9.1 into the limit plate 203 of the screw adjustment mechanism above the inlet end of the conveyor belt.

[0040] c. The packaging box 9 containing the blood bag 8 starts to move from the entrance end of the conveyor belt mechanism 2, and the packaging box 9 enters the labeling section of the conveyor belt mechanism 2, and completes the initial code scanning, labeling, information verification and other actions in sequence.

[0041] d. The packaging box 9 enters the diversion section of the conveyor mechanism 2 along with the conveyor mechanism. The blood bag 8 judged as unqualified by the machine is pushed away from the conveyor mechanism by the flexible push plate 401 in the diversion device 4 and flows out of the multifunctional labeling machine through the slide 402.

[0042] e. The blood bag 8 that is qualified as determined by the detection mechanism of the labeling device 3 moves forward with the conveyor mechanism and enters the capping section of the conveyor mechanism 2. The barrel 501 in the capping device 5 is equipped with a number of cut transparent plastic transparent cover plates 9.2. The suction cup 502 composed of multiple suction heads is located at the end of the manipulator 503. The suction cup 502 sucks up a transparent cover plate 9.2. The manipulator 503 moves the suction cup 502 to the top of the plasma box. The transparent cover plate 9.2 is placed in the packaging box 9 containing the blood bag 8 to cover the blood bag 8 in the packaging box.

[0043] f. The packaging box 9 enters the bundling section of the conveyor belt mechanism 2 along with the conveyor belt mechanism. The tightening device in the bundling device 6 bundles the packaging box 9, the blood bag 8 and the transparent cover plate 9.2 together with transparent tape. Subsequently, the heat sealing device heats the joints of the tape to form a finished package.

[0044] g. The finished packaged product after labeling and packaging is sent away from the conveyor belt mechanism and slides into the stainless steel inclined plate 701 of the collection table 7. The subsequent blood bags slide down in sequence until the position warning line is touched. Then the driving mechanism 702 translates the inclined plate 701, and the finished packages fill the inclined plate 701 in sequence, and the inclined plate 701 is reset. In addition to using the collection table 7 for collection, the finished packaged product 10 can also reach the target position through the external conveying mechanism of the shuttle machine.

[0045] The above-mentioned whole process of labeling, packaging and collection is the best implementation case. However, in actual operation, the stamping step can be omitted depending on the situation without affecting the labeling and packaging effects.

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations of these embodiments are made without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blood bag labeling and packaging automation system, characterized in that include: Conveyor belt mechanism, labeling device, capping device and bundling device; The conveyor belt mechanism is used to transport the packaging box containing the blood bag so that the blood bag can be labeled, information checked and packaged during the process of traveling; The labeling device performs labeling operations on the blood bags in the packaging box, attaches the labels to the label positions of the blood bags and performs information verification; The bundling device bundles the cover plate to seal the blood bag in the packaging box, completing the secondary packaging process; The conveyor mechanism is divided into a labeling section, a covering section and a bundling section corresponding to the labeling device, the capping device and the bundling device. A covering device is arranged between the labeling section and the bundling section of the conveyor mechanism to cover the packaging box body with a cover plate to protect the blood bag; the capping device comprises a barrel, a suction cup and a manipulator for storing the cover plate. A suction cup is arranged above the barrel and is installed on the manipulator. The suction cup sucks the cover plate away from the barrel, and the manipulator drives the suction cup to move to the working surface to release it, so that the cover plate covers the packaging box.

2. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyor belt mechanism is provided with a screw adjustment mechanism, which includes a sleeve, a limit plate is installed on the sleeve, and the sleeve is threadedly connected to the screw; the screw is driven by a motor to drive the sleeve to move back and forth, so that the limit plate forms an adjustable conveying channel with different spacings.

3. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The labeling device includes a code reader for automatically scanning and reading the code of the blood bag; and also includes a labeling head and an artificial visual code reader for labeling the blood bag and checking the information.

4. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench where the entrance section of the conveyor mechanism is located is provided with a box delivery device to push the packaging box onto the work surface; the box delivery device includes a silo for storing the packaging boxes, and a lifter is provided below the silo to deliver the packaging box body to the work surface.

5. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A diversion section is arranged between the labeling section and the capping section of the conveyor mechanism, and a diversion device is arranged at the diversion section; the diversion device comprises a flexible push plate and a side slide, and the flexible push plate is driven by a cylinder or a motor to push the unqualified blood bag to the side slide.

6. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bundling device includes an automatic tape feeding device, a tightening device and a tape heat-sealing device. After the packaging box containing the blood bag arrives at the bundling station along the conveyor belt mechanism, the tightening device bundles the blood bag and the packaging box together with transparent tape, and the heat-sealing device heat-seals the joints of the tape to form a secondary packaging product.

7. The blood bag labeling and packaging automation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The collecting platform comprises an inclined plate and an inclined plate driving mechanism. The packages enter the inclined plate by gravity, and the driving mechanism translates the inclined plate, so that the packages fill the inclined plate one by one.

8. A blood bag labeling and packaging method, characterized in that The labeling and packaging process is: First, the box feeding device pushes the packaging box body onto the work surface where the entrance end of the conveyor belt mechanism is located; Next, the blood bag is manually taken and placed into the packaging box; Next, a labeling device is used to label the blood bag in the packaging box and to verify the information; Next, the unqualified blood bags and packaging boxes are removed using a diversion device; Next, a covering device is used to cover the packaging box body, wherein the covering device comprises a barrel for storing the cover plate, a suction cup and a manipulator, a suction cup is arranged above the barrel, the suction cup is mounted on the manipulator, the suction cup sucks the cover plate away from the barrel, and the manipulator drives the suction cup to move to the working surface and releases it, so that the cover plate covers the packaging box body; Finally, a bundling device is used to bundle the packaging box body and the cover plate to form a secondary packaging product.

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