Propulsion system and method for separating and delivering contents from an outer package

Abstract

The invention proposes a propulsion system for separating and conveying contents from an outer packaging, wherein the outer packaging is open at least on one side to enable the separation and conveying, the propulsion system comprising: - a pushing device configured and adapted to push the contents to separate and convey the contents from the outer packaging; - a holding device configured and adapted to hold the outer packaging at least while the separation and conveying; - a drive device configured and adapted to drive the pushing device to complete the separation and conveying. The invention also relates to a method for separating and conveying contents from an open outer packaging from a first area through a boundary exit between a first area and a second area to the second area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a propulsion system for separating and conveying contents of an open outer packaging. The invention also relates to a method for separating contents of an open outer packaging from the outer packaging and conveying them from a first region through a boundary outlet between the first and second regions to a second region. This invention particularly relates to the food, pharmaceutical, and medical fields. Background Technology

[0002] Production processes in fields such as food and pharmaceuticals typically need to comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) regulations. In these processes, if conveyor elements, such as conveyor belts or suction arms, are required to transport products from one area to another with a different cleanliness level, these elements cross the boundary between the two areas. According to GMP regulations, the conveyor elements must be continuously sterilized. This method of transport is undoubtedly costly and inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a propulsion system for separating and conveying contents in an open outer packaging from the outer packaging, such that the propulsion system can separate the contents from the outer packaging and convey them through the boundary exit without passing through the boundary exit itself.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a propulsion system is provided for separating and conveying contents within an outer package from said outer package, wherein,

[0005] The outer packaging is open on at least one side to facilitate the separation and transport.

[0006] The propulsion system includes:

[0007] - A pushing device configured to push the contents to separate and convey the contents from the outer packaging;

[0008] - A retaining device configured to retain the outer packaging at least during the separation and transport;

[0009] - A drive unit configured to drive the actuating device to perform the separation and conveying.

[0010] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is arranged in a first region and configured to transport the contents from the first region partially through a boundary outlet between the first and second regions to the second region. The first region has a different cleanliness level than the second region, and particularly a lower cleanliness level. The propulsion system is specifically configured such that the propulsion device does not pass through the boundary outlet.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the drive device is configured to drive the actuation device in a pushing manner.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system includes a clamping device configured to clamp the outer packaging and the contents therein, and a drive device configured to drive the clamping device to pre-feed the clamped outer packaging and the contents therein to a position suitable for the separation and transport. This position is particularly adjacent to the boundary outlet.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drive system includes a first piston and a second piston arranged concentrically, the first piston being configured to drive the clamping device and the second piston being configured to drive the pushing device.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is provided with a locking element configured to lock the pushing device and the clamping device during pre-delivery, such that the clamping device and the pushing device can be synchronously driven by the drive element of the drive device, and during separation and delivery, the locking element is unlocked, such that the pushing device can be driven independently by the drive element, which is particularly configured as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking element is configured to achieve the locking and is movable to unlock. The locking element is particularly provided with a spring that loads the locking element in the locking direction. The movement is particularly a pivoting movement.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system is provided with an unlocking element configured to unlock the locking element at the end of the pre-delivery.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system includes a carrier device, the clamping device and the holding device are disposed on the carrier device, and the locking element is configured to lock the pushing device to the carrier device during pre-delivery, so that the carrier device and the pushing device can be driven synchronously by the driving element, and during separation and delivery, the locking element is unlocked, so that the pushing device can be driven by the driving element alone.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the carrier device includes a slider that can be driven by the driving element and a carrier disposed on the slider for the clamping device and the holding device. The slider is guided on a guide seat, particularly a guide rod of the guide seat. The unlocking element is configured as a push rod located in the end region of the guide seat. The push rod is configured to actuate the locking element when the slider reaches the end region, thereby unlocking the locking element.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for separating contents in an open outer packaging from the outer packaging and conveying them from a first region through a boundary outlet between the first and second regions to a second region, wherein the outer packaging is open on at least one side to achieve the separation and conveying, the method comprising the steps of: in a holding step, holding the outer packaging and the contents therein near the boundary outlet; and in a separation and conveying step, pushing the contents by means of a pushing device such that the contents are separated from the outer packaging and conveyed from the first region partially through the boundary outlet between the first and second regions to the second region, wherein the pushing device is always located in the first region.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the method further includes at least one of the following steps: in a pre-delivery step, pre-delivering the outer packaging and the contents within the outer packaging together in the first region to the vicinity of the boundary exit; in a dragging step, completely dragging the contents partially passing through the boundary exit from the second region, particularly by means of a suction arm, into the second region.

[0021] The positive effects of this invention are: it can construct a compact, safe and reliable propulsion system; it can improve transport efficiency and save transport costs; and it can prevent high-cleanliness areas from being contaminated by low-cleanliness areas. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will provide a better understanding of its principles, features, and advantages. The drawings include:

[0023] Figure 1An example of a propulsion system according to the present invention is shown in a three-dimensional schematic diagram.

[0024] Figure 2 An example of the process of the method according to the present invention is shown in a top view schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a propulsion system 1 of the present invention is shown in a perspective view for separating and conveying contents 2 from an open outer packaging (not shown). The outer packaging is open on at least one side (e.g., pre-opened using a packaging unpacking machine) to facilitate the separation and conveying. The outer packaging is, in particular, a packaging bag. The contents 2 are, in particular, a basin-like object, such as a square basin as shown in the figure. The propulsion system 1 includes: a pushing device 11 configured to push the contents 2 to separate and convey the contents 2 from the outer packaging; a holding device 12 configured to hold the outer packaging at least during the separation and conveying, so that the outer packaging is not moved; and a driving device 13 configured to drive the pushing device 11 to complete the separation and conveying. Figure 2 The example illustrates the conveying direction, with the pushing device 11, and in particular the push rod 112 of the pushing device 11, arranged after the contents 2 along the conveying direction. By pushing the contents 2 through the boundary outlet 3 with the pushing device 11, the pushing device 11 itself does not need to pass through the boundary outlet 3, thereby eliminating the need for continuous disinfection of the pushing device 11 and preventing the high-cleanliness-level area from being contaminated by the low-cleanliness-level area.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the propulsion system 1 is arranged in a first region A1 and configured to transport the contents 2 from the first region A1 partially through a boundary outlet 3 between the first region A1 and the second region A2 to the second region A2, wherein the first region A1 has a different cleanliness level than the second region A2, and particularly has a lower cleanliness level than the second region A2. The first region A1 is, for example, an ABO region with a cleanliness level of B. The second region A2 is, for example, an ATO region with a cleanliness level of A. The propulsion system 1 is particularly configured such that the actuating device 11 does not pass through the boundary outlet 3, for example, by mechanically or controllably limiting the range of action of the driving device 13.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system 1 includes a clamping device 14 configured to clamp an outer package and contents 2 within the outer package, and a drive device 13 configured to drive the clamping device 14 to pre-feed the clamped outer package and contents 2 within the outer package to a position suitable for the separation and transport, particularly adjacent to the boundary outlet 3. It is conceivable that the drive device 13 includes independent drive elements 131 for the pushing device 11 and the clamping device 14, or a common drive element 131 for both the pushing device 11 and the clamping device 14.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system 1 is provided with a locking element 15 (see...). Figure 1 (Partial enlarged view), the locking element 15 is configured to lock the pushing device 11 and the clamping device 14 during pre-feeding, so that the clamping device 14 and the pushing device 11 can be synchronously driven by the drive element 131 of the drive device 13, while during separation and conveying, the locking element 15 is unlocked, so that the pushing device 11 can be driven by the drive element 131 alone. The drive element 131 is particularly configured as a hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder or a similar actuator.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the locking element 15 is configured to achieve the locking and is movable to unlock. The locking element 15 is particularly provided with a spring that loads the locking element 15 in the locking direction. The movement is particularly a pivoting movement. However, it is also conceivable that the locking element 15 achieves locking and unlocking in other ways, such as electromagnetically.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system 1 is provided with an unlocking element 16 configured to unlock a locking element 15 at the end of pre-feeding. An electronic unit and a touch-sensitive sensor are conceivable. At the end of pre-feeding, the locking element 15 contacts the touch-sensitive sensor, and the electronic unit unlocks the locking element 15 based on the generated sensor signal.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system 1 includes a carrier device 17, the clamping device 14 and the holding device 12 are disposed on the carrier device 17, and the locking element 15 is configured to lock the pushing device 11 to the carrier device 17 during pre-delivery, so that the carrier device 17 and the pushing device 11 can be driven synchronously by the driving element 131. During separation and delivery, the locking element 15 is unlocked, so that the pushing device 11 can be driven independently by the driving element 131. However, it is also conceivable that the clamping device 14 and the holding device 12 are independent of each other.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the carrier device 17 includes a slider 171 that can be driven by a drive element 131 and a carrier 172 disposed on the slider 171 for holding the device 14 and the holding device 12. The slider 171 is guided on a guide seat 173, especially a guide rod 1731 of the guide seat 173. The unlocking element 16 is configured as a push rod located in the end region of the guide seat 173, the push rod being configured to actuate the locking element 15 when the slider 171 reaches the end region, thereby unlocking the locking element 15.

[0034] The carrier 172 includes, for example, a frame and an L-shaped connector. The frame is connected to the slider 171 via the connector, such that the frame is positioned beside the slider 171 and ahead of it in the conveying direction. For example, in the initial position of the slider 171, the front end of the frame already extends beyond the front end of the guide seat 173 (see...). Figure 2 (See the left figure). The frame has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the contents 2. In the figure, the frame has a square shape. For example, a gripper is provided on each side of the square frame, which grips the contents 2 on both sides. The gripper also has a strip-shaped support, on which the flange of the contents 2 can be supported. The holding device 12 is provided on the frame, for example, on the side facing the pushing device 11. The holding device 12 is constructed, for example, as a vacuum suction cup, thereby being able to hold the outer packaging, especially the packaging bag.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pushing device 11 includes an intermediate element 111 drivable by a driving element 131 and a push rod 112 disposed on the intermediate element 111. The intermediate element 111 has, for example, a retracting portion such that the push rod 112, when disposed on the intermediate element 111, can be positioned behind the contents 2.

[0036] For example, if the drive element 131 is constructed as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, it is conceivable that the drive element 131 has, for example, a concentrically nested arrangement of two pistons, wherein the first piston is connected to the slider 171, and the second piston is connected to the pusher 11, for example, the intermediate element 111. A locking element 15 is arranged, for example, on the slider 171 and blocks the pusher 11 or the second piston during pre-feeding, thereby locking the pusher 11 to the carrier device 17 and driving it synchronously. When the two pistons reach the end region of the guide seat 173, the first piston and slider 171 can no longer advance, and the locking element 15 is unlocked, for example, by being pushed up by a push rod, allowing the second piston and the pusher 11 to continue advancing past the first piston and slider 171. It is also conceivable that the drive element 131 has a single piston that directly drives the pusher 11 and can drive the slider 171 via the locking element 15 during pre-feeding, while after unlocking, the piston only drives the pusher 11.

[0037] Figure 2 A top-view schematic diagram illustrates an example of the flow of a method according to the invention, the method for separating contents 2 in an open outer packaging from the outer packaging and conveying them from a first region A1 through a boundary outlet 3 between the first region A1 and the second region A2 to a second region A2, wherein,

[0038] The outer packaging is open on at least one side to facilitate the separation and transport.

[0039] The method includes the following steps:

[0040] During the holding step, the outer packaging is held while the outer packaging and its contents 2 are near the boundary exit 3 (see [link]). Figure 2 (The middle image);

[0041] In the separation and conveying step, the contents 2 are pushed by the pushing device 11, causing the contents 2 to separate from the outer packaging and be conveyed from the first region A1, partially passing through the boundary outlet 3 between the first region A1 and the second region A2, to the second region A2. During this process, the pushing device 11 remains within the first region A1 (see [link to product description]). Figure 2 (The image on the right).

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes at least one of the following steps: in the pre-delivery step, the outer packaging in the first region A1 and the contents 2 within the outer packaging are pre-delivered together to the vicinity of the boundary exit 3 (see [reference]). Figure 2 (Left figure); In the dragging step, the contents 2 that have partially passed through the boundary outlet 3 are completely dragged from the second region A2 into the second region A2, especially by means of the suction arm.

[0043] The method can be performed at least in part by means of the aforementioned propulsion system 1.

[0044] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0045] List of reference numerals

[0046] 1. Propulsion System

[0047] 11. Propulsion device

[0048] 111 Intermediate Components

[0049] 112 putter

[0050] 12 Holding device

[0051] 13. Drive unit

[0052] 131 Driving element

[0053] 14 Clamping device

[0054] 15 Locking elements

[0055] 16 Unlocking Components

[0056] 17. Carrier device

[0057] 171 Slider

[0058] 172 carriers

[0059] 173 Guide seat

[0060] 1731 Guide Rod

[0061] 2. Contents

[0062] 3. Border Exit

[0063] A1 First Area

[0064] A2 Second Area.

Claims

1. A propulsion system (1) for separating and conveying contents (2) in an outer packaging from the outer packaging, the propulsion system (1) being used to convey the contents (2) from a first region where the propulsion system (1) is located, partially through a boundary outlet (3) between the first and second regions, to a second region, wherein, The outer packaging is open on at least one side to facilitate the separation and transport. The propulsion system (1) includes: - A pushing device (11) configured to push the contents (2) to separate and transport the contents (2) from the outer packaging; - A retaining device (12) configured to retain the outer packaging at least during the separation and transport; - A drive unit (13) configured to drive the push unit (11) to perform the separation and conveying. The propulsion system (1) includes a clamping device (14) configured to clamp the outer packaging and the contents (2) within the outer packaging. The drive device (13) is configured to drive the clamping device (14) to pre-feed the clamped outer packaging and the contents (2) within the outer packaging to a position suitable for the separation and transport, the position being adjacent to the boundary outlet (3). The propulsion system (1) is provided with a locking element (15) configured to lock the push device (11) and the clamping device (14) during pre-feeding, such that the clamping device (14) and the push device (11) can be synchronously driven by the drive element (131) of the drive device (13). During the separation and transport, the locking element (15) is unlocked, such that the push device (11) can be driven solely by the drive element (131).

2. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first region has a different cleanliness level than the second region, and the propulsion system (1) is configured such that the propulsion device (11) will not pass through the boundary outlet (3); The drive device (13) is configured to drive the drive device (11) in a pushing manner.

3. The propulsion system (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The driving device includes a first piston and a second piston arranged concentrically, the first piston being configured to drive the clamping device (14) and the second piston being configured to drive the pushing device (11).

4. The propulsion system (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pushing device (11) includes an intermediate element (111) that can be driven by a driving element (131) and a push rod (112) arranged on the intermediate element (111). The intermediate element (111) has a retractable portion so that the push rod (112) can be positioned behind the contents (2) when arranged on the intermediate element (111). The driving element (131) is configured as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

5. The propulsion system (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The locking element (15) is configured to achieve the locking and is movable to unlock. The locking element (15) is provided with a spring that loads the locking element (15) in the locking direction. The movement is a pivoting movement.

6. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The propulsion system (1) is provided with an unlocking element (16) configured to unlock the locking element (15) at the end of the pre-delivery.

7. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The propulsion system (1) is provided with a carrier device (17), the clamping device (14) and the holding device (12) are disposed on the carrier device (17), and the locking element (15) is configured to lock the pushing device (11) and the carrier device (17) during pre-delivery, so that the carrier device (17) and the pushing device (11) can be driven synchronously by the driving element (131), while during separation and delivery, the locking element (15) is unlocked, so that the pushing device (11) can be driven by the driving element (131) alone.

8. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The carrier device (17) includes a slider (171) that can be driven by the driving element (131) and a carrier (172) disposed on the slider (171) for the clamping device (14) and the holding device (12). The slider (171) is guided on a guide seat (173). The unlocking element (16) is configured as a push rod located in the end region of the guide seat (173). The push rod is configured to actuate the locking element (15) when the slider (171) reaches the end region, thereby unlocking the locking element (15). The carrier (172) includes a frame and an L-shaped connector, the frame being connected to the slider (171) via the connector such that the frame is positioned to the side of the slider (171) and in front of the slider (171) in the conveying direction.

9. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The first area has a lower cleanliness level than the second area.

10. The propulsion system (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The slider (171) is guided on the guide rod (1731) of the guide seat (173).

11. A method for separating contents (2) in an open outer packaging from the outer packaging and conveying them from a first region through a boundary outlet (3) between the first and second regions to a second region using a propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The method includes the following steps: During the holding step, the outer packaging is held while the outer packaging and the contents (2) inside the outer packaging are near the boundary exit (3); In the separation and conveying step, the contents (2) are pushed by means of a pushing device (11) so that the contents (2) are separated from the outer packaging and conveyed from the first region through the boundary outlet (3) between the first and second regions to the second region, wherein the pushing device (11) is always in the first region.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further includes at least one of the following steps: In the pre-delivery step, the outer packaging and the contents (2) in the outer packaging in the first area are pre-delivered to the vicinity of the border exit (3); During the dragging step, the contents (2) that have partially passed through the boundary outlet (3) are completely dragged from the second region into the second region using the suction arm.

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