Device for counting and unloading pharmaceutical products

Abstract

A device (100) for counting and unloading pharmaceutical products, comprising: an accumulation chamber (60) for receiving pharmaceutical products falling from a descending channel (40) and having an unloading mouth (63) for unloading pharmaceutical products, and comprising a closure element (65) of the unloading mouth (63), movable between a first closed position (01) and a second open position (02) of the unloading mouth (63) to open the unloading mouth (63) and enable the unloading of pharmaceutical products. The closure element (65) is configured and adapted to comprise a first abutment surface (R1) and a second abutment surface (R2) arranged at an angle to each other, so that, with the closure element (65) positioned in the first closed position (01), the first abutment surface (R1) is arranged in the accumulation chamber (60) inclined and at a first angle with respect to a first inner wall (61) of the accumulation chamber (60), which defines between the first abutment surface (R1) and the first inner wall (61) a first accumulation volume (V1) for a first group of pharmaceutical products, and the second abutment surface (R2) is arranged in the accumulation chamber (60) inclined and at a second angle with respect to a second inner wall (62) of the accumulation chamber (60), defining between the second abutment surface (R2) and the second inner wall (62) a second accumulation volume (V2) for a second group of pharmaceutical products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of filling bottles with pharmaceutical or quasi-pharmaceutical products, such as tablets.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for counting pharmaceutical articles as tablets and subsequently unloading these articles for insertion into relevant bottles. Background Technology

[0003] Each bottle needs to be filled with the exact quantity of the pharmaceutical product in order to be released to the market.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to count the pharmaceutical products before inserting them into the relevant bottles.

[0005] In this regard, known devices are referred to in the art as counter fillers, which perform counting and unloading of pharmaceutical articles to insert the articles into bottles.

[0006] Pharmaceutical products are typically stacked in storage funnels, while bottles awaiting filling are pushed forward one after another along a conveyor line, for example, made of a screw conveyor.

[0007] To transport pharmaceutical products from storage funnels to the filling area above bottles that are moving forward along the conveyor line, a vibrating conveyor is used. This vibrating conveyor has a series of “V”-shaped transport channels in which the pharmaceutical products leaving the storage funnel are deposited.

[0008] Vibrating conveyors use their vibrational motion to propel pharmaceutical products deposited in various transport channels forward, separating them from one another.

[0009] A known counter filling device for counting pharmaceutical articles from a vibrating conveyor and for unloading these pharmaceutical articles for subsequent insertion into bottles advancing along the conveyor line is implemented in the following manner, and Figure 1 Examples are provided below.

[0010] The known device (A) includes a plurality of vertically arranged descending channels (C) and an accumulation chamber (CA) disposed below the descending channels (C), the descending channels being configured to receive inside by gravity from a vibrating conveyor ( Figure 1 (Not shown) The drug product falls. The drug product thus passes through the descending channel (C) under the influence of gravity for delivery and unloading in the accumulation chamber (CA).

[0011] The device includes a suitable sensor device ( Figure 1(Not shown in detail), the sensor device is arranged to count the pharmaceutical products falling inside each descending channel (C) and is configured to provide the device with data on the total number of pharmaceutical products present inside the descending channel (C).

[0012] The accumulation chamber, typically funnel-shaped, is pre-configured to receive and accumulate pharmaceutical products exiting from the outlets of the various descending channels (C) until the required quantity of pharmaceutical products is unloaded, and then inserted into the relevant bottle.

[0013] The accumulation chamber (CA) includes a loading port (R) located above the descending channel (C) and an unloading port (S) below for unloading the counted and accumulated articles therein.

[0014] The device (A) also has a closing element (G) (similar to a door) for the descending channel (C), which can be activated to close the descending channel (C) once the accumulation chamber (CA) contains the required amount of pharmaceutical product for filling the bottle.

[0015] In order to allow the required amount of pharmaceutical product to be accumulated into the bottle, the device (A) includes a closing plate (SP) (i.e., a hatch) for closing / opening the unloading port (S) of the accumulation chamber (CA).

[0016] The closing plate (SP) can be laterally translated relative to the unloading port (S). Figure 1 (Given an example of a plane perpendicular to the paper) so as to close the unloading port (S) and make it possible to accumulate and count the pharmaceutical product inside it, and then the closing plate can be laterally translated relative to the unloading port (S) to open the unloading port (S) and unload the pharmaceutical product toward the bottle (F) to be filled.

[0017] To achieve this purpose, the device (A) is arranged such that the unloading port of the accumulation chamber (CA) is located above the conveyor line (L) of the bottle (F).

[0018] Typically, a tubular connecting element (T) can be provided below the unloading port (S) to connect the unloading port (S) to the opening of the bottle (F), and this connecting element is positioned by a conveyor line suspended below the device (A).

[0019] Position the closure plate (SP) to close the unloading port (S) until the accumulation chamber (CA) contains the required amount of pharmaceutical product for filling bottles.

[0020] Then, once the required quantity of pharmaceutical product (CA) for filling the bottle has fallen into the accumulation chamber, the closing element (G) of the descending channel (C) is activated to close the descending channel (C), while the closing plate (SP) is translated to open the unloading port (S) and be able to unload the pharmaceutical product toward the bottle (F).

[0021] As previously described, the accumulation chamber (CA) has a funnel structure, for example, with at least a pair of walls (P1, P2) facing the unloading port (S), which converge toward each other and toward the unloading port (S) for the purpose of facilitating the delivery and guidance of pharmaceutical products accumulated inside the accumulation chamber (CA) above the closing plate (SP) of the unloading port (S).

[0022] Therefore, above the closed plate (SP), during the counting of drug products falling from the descending channel (S), drug products that are difficult to clearly identify gradually accumulate and pile up.

[0023] The orientation and arrangement of the pharmaceutical products accumulating above the closed plate and between the lower part of the converging walls (P1, P2) of the accumulation chamber (CA) cannot be predetermined based on the shape, size and quantity of the pharmaceutical products to be accumulated, and therefore will be completely random and irregular.

[0024] In fact, a bunch of unidentifiable and disordered pharmaceutical products are formed above the closing plate (SP) and below the converging walls (P1, P2) of the accumulation chamber (CA). Once the required quantity for filling the bottle is reached, these products must be unloaded through the unloading port (S).

[0025] Due to productivity requirements, which depend on the number of bottles to be filled per unit time and therefore on the frequency with which the bottles move forward along the conveyor line, the pharmaceutical products must be unloaded extremely quickly, and the closing plate (SP) must be moved abruptly to open and close the unloading port (S) almost instantly.

[0026] In fact, the unloading port (S) must also be closed again immediately to prevent any other pharmaceutical products intended for delivery to the next bottle from being released through the descent channel during this period and falling through the still-open unloading port, thus being unloaded into the wrong bottle.

[0027] By instantly shifting the unloading port (S) and closing the plate (SP), these sudden opening and closing patterns can lead to various disadvantages.

[0028] In fact, it has been found that during a portion of the time the unloading port (S) is opened, a portion of the drug products that are difficult to identify and disordered are not properly unloaded from the closed plate, and this portion of the drug products remains blocked inside the accumulation chamber.

[0029] In these situations, it is impossible to fill the bottle with the correct required quantity of the pharmaceutical product.

[0030] Furthermore, the sudden closure of the closing plate may impact the drug products that are still present and blocked at the unloading port, causing them to bounce inside the accumulation chamber.

[0031] This can lead to product damage and missed product unloading, resulting in these products being added to the continuous pharmaceutical products released through the downcomer in a way that is difficult to identify and cannot be prevented, thus causing changes in product counts and affecting the bottles to be filled subsequently. Summary of the Invention

[0032] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a counter filling device for counting and unloading pharmaceutical products, which can eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art devices described above.

[0033] Specifically, the object of the present invention is to propose a novel device capable of effectively, reliably and accurately unloading pharmaceutical products accumulated in an accumulation chamber.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for counting and unloading pharmaceutical articles is provided, comprising:

[0035] Multiple descending channels, wherein the descending channels are configured to receive a pharmaceutical product therein;

[0036] An accumulation chamber is arranged below the descending channel and has an inlet for receiving the pharmaceutical article exiting the descending channel and an unloading port for unloading the pharmaceutical article.

[0037] A blocking element, which can be activated to open / close the descending channel, the blocking element being activated to open the descending channel and allow the pharmaceutical product to fall into the accumulation chamber, and closing the descending channel when the number of pharmaceutical products that have fallen into the accumulation chamber has reached a predetermined value;

[0038] A closing element is arranged relative to the unloading port and is movable relative to the unloading port, such that it can move between a first closed position and a second open position, wherein the closing element is positioned at the unloading port to close the unloading port and to accumulate the pharmaceutical product, and wherein the closing element is completely removed from the unloading port to release and open the unloading port to unload the pharmaceutical product accumulated in the accumulation chamber;

[0039] The closing element is configured to include a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface, the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface being arranged at an angle to each other, wherein the accumulation chamber and the closing element are arranged and configured such that, when the closing element is positioned in a first closed position at the unloading port to close the unloading port, the first abutting surface is disposed in the accumulation chamber, the accumulation chamber is inclined at a first angle relative to a first inner wall of the accumulation chamber, the accumulation chamber defining a first accumulation volume for the pharmaceutical product between the first abutting surface and the first inner wall, and the second abutting surface is disposed inside the accumulation chamber, the accumulation chamber is inclined at a second angle relative to a second inner wall of the accumulation chamber opposite to the first inner wall, the accumulation chamber defining a second accumulation volume for the pharmaceutical product between the second abutting surface and the second inner wall, thereby enabling the pharmaceutical product falling from the descent channel to accumulate into a first group of pharmaceutical products in the first accumulation volume and into a second group of pharmaceutical products in the second accumulation volume;

[0040] Furthermore, the closing element is capable of moving from the first closed position to the second open position relative to the unloading port, so as to first move the second abutment surface away from the second inner wall of the accumulation chamber, open the first portion of the unloading port to unload the second group of pharmaceutical products, and then move away from and completely remove the first abutment surface from the unloading port to unload the first group of pharmaceutical products. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The features of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the apparatus for counting and unloading pharmaceutical articles of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying tables, wherein:

[0042] -As mentioned above Figure 1 The prior art apparatus for counting and unloading pharmaceutical articles described above is schematically shown in a front view and a vertical section.

[0043] - Figure 2A A preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention is schematically shown in a front view and a vertical cross-section;

[0044] - Figure 2B Shown in the form of a vertical cross-section Figure 2A A device having an operational structure for accumulating pharmaceutical products;

[0045] - Figure 3A and Figure 3B Shown with corresponding front views and sectional views Figure 2A A device that conforms to the operating sequence for unloading pharmaceutical products;

[0046] - Figure 4APossible alternative embodiments of the device of the present invention are schematically shown in front view and vertical cross-section;

[0047] - Figure 4B and Figure 4C Shown with corresponding front views and sectional views Figure 4A A device that conforms to the operating sequence for unloading pharmaceutical products. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Referring to the accompanying table, reference numeral (100) generally indicates an apparatus for counting and unloading pharmaceutical articles such as tablets, for the purposes of this invention.

[0049] The device (100) includes a plurality of descending channels (40) and an accumulation chamber (60), wherein the plurality of descending channels are arranged to receive pharmaceutical articles therein, and the accumulation chamber is arranged below the descending channels (40) and adapted to include an inlet (50) for receiving pharmaceutical articles exiting from the descending channels (40) and an unloading port (63) for unloading pharmaceutical articles.

[0050] The descending channel (40) is constructed and arranged to receive within it pharmaceutical articles falling from a conveyor such as a vibrating conveyor (not shown in the figures, which is of a known type and is not relevant to the present invention).

[0051] The device (100) also has a blocking element (45) that can be activated to open / close, for example, a descending channel (40) at the outlet end portion of the pharmaceutical article located at the inlet (50) of the accumulation chamber (60).

[0052] The blocking element (45) can be activated to open the descending channel (40) and allow the pharmaceutical product to fall into the accumulation chamber (60), and close the descending channel (40) when the number of pharmaceutical products falling into the accumulation chamber (60) has reached a predetermined value, which corresponds to the number of pharmaceutical products to be unloaded and inserted into the corresponding bottle.

[0053] The device (100) further includes a closing element (65) disposed relative to the unloading port (63) and movable relative to the unloading port, such that it can move between a first closed position (O1) and a second open position (O2), wherein the closing element is positioned at the unloading port (63) to close the unloading port (63) and to accumulate the pharmaceutical product inside the accumulation chamber (60) above the closing element (65), and wherein the closing element (65) is completely removed from the unloading port (63) to release and open the unloading port (63) to unload the pharmaceutical product accumulated in the accumulation chamber (60).

[0054] A special feature of the device (100) of the present invention is that the closing element (65) is constructed and adapted to include a first abutting surface (R1) and a second abutting surface (R2), the first abutting surface (R1) and the second abutting surface (R2) being arranged at an angle to each other, and the accumulation chamber (60) and the closing element (65) being arranged and constructed to each other (see in detail). Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 4A ):

[0055] With the closing element (65) positioned in a first closed position (O1) at the unloading port (63) to close the unloading port (63), a first abutting surface (R1) is arranged in the accumulation chamber (60), the accumulation chamber (60) being inclined at a first angle relative to a first inner wall (61) of the accumulation chamber (60), the accumulation chamber defining a first accumulation volume (V1) for the pharmaceutical article between the first abutting surface (R1) and the first inner wall (61), and a second abutting surface (R2) is arranged in the accumulation chamber (O1). Inside 60), the accumulation chamber is inclined at a second angle relative to the second inner wall (62) opposite to the first inner wall (61) of the accumulation chamber (60). The accumulation chamber defines a second accumulation volume (V2) for the pharmaceutical articles between the second abutting surface (R2) and the second inner wall (62), so that the pharmaceutical articles falling from the descending channel (40) can accumulate in the first accumulation volume (V1) to form a first group (A1) of pharmaceutical articles and in the second accumulation volume (V2) to form a second group (A2) of pharmaceutical articles.

[0056] Additionally, the device (100) is pre-configured and arranged such that the closing element (65) can move from a first closed position (O1) to a second open position (O2) relative to the unloading port (63), so that the second abutment surface (R2) is first moved away from the second inner wall (62) of the accumulation chamber (60), opening the first part of the unloading port (63) to unload the second group (A2) of pharmaceutical products (see Figure 3A and Figure 4B Then move away and completely remove the first contact surface (R1) from the unloading port (63) to unload the first group (A1) of pharmaceutical products (see Figure 3B and Figure 4C ).

[0057] By continuously moving the closing element (65) from the first closed position (O1) to the second open position (O2) in the manner described above, the unloading port is opened gradually and continuously.

[0058] Therefore, since the closing element (65) of the unloading port (63) has a specific structure, and since there is a specific arrangement structure at the unloading port (63) when the closing element (65) is positioned in the first closed position (O1), and since the two abutting surfaces (R1, R2) are arranged at an angle to each other and are inclined relative to the two inner walls (61, 62) of the accumulation chamber (60), two different accumulation volumes (V1, V2) for the pharmaceutical products falling from the descending channel (40) can be defined and identified.

[0059] In this way, the pharmaceutical articles that fall into the accumulation chamber (60) can be accumulated into at least two different groups (A1, A2) of pharmaceutical articles, namely, the first group (A1) of pharmaceutical articles accumulated in the first accumulation volume (V1) between the first abutting surface (R1) of the closing element (65) and the first inner wall (P1) of the accumulation chamber (60), and the second group (A2) of pharmaceutical articles accumulated in the second accumulation volume (V2) between the second abutting surface (R2) of the closing element (65) and the second inner wall (P2) of the accumulation chamber (60).

[0060] Therefore, once the predetermined quantity of pharmaceutical products required for filling the bottles has fallen into the accumulation chamber (60) and the blocking element (45) of the descending channel (40) has been activated to close the descending channel (40), the second group (A2) of pharmaceutical products can be unloaded first by moving the closing element (65) from the first closed position (O1) of the unloading port (63) to the second open position (O2). Figure 3A and Figure 4B Then, the first group (A1) of drug products was also unloaded (see...). Figure 3B and Figure 4C ).

[0061] In this way, when the closing element (65) reaches the second open position (O2), all pharmaceutical products have been unloaded through the unloading port.

[0062] Therefore, by utilizing the device of the present invention, the pharmaceutical products accumulated inside the accumulation chamber can be unloaded continuously and gradually, thereby avoiding and eliminating the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art devices.

[0063] The device may include a suitable connecting conduit (not shown) below the unloading port to connect the discharge port to the opening of a bottle suspended below the device from the conveyor line.

[0064] In addition, the device includes a sensor device (not shown in detail as a known type) positioned to detect the pharmaceutical product falling inside each descending channel (40) and configured to provide data on the number of pharmaceutical products present inside each descending channel (40) and falling into the accumulation chamber (60) for activating the blocking element (45) of the descending channel (40) and thus moving the closing element (65) from a first closed position (O1) to a second open position (O2).

[0065] Other advantageous aspects of the device proposed in this invention will be described below.

[0066] The construction of the closing element (specifically the construction of the first and second abutting surfaces), its arrangement at the unloading port, and its movement pattern from the first closed position to the second open position can vary with the shape, size, and quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be accumulated in the accumulation chamber before being unloaded into a jar, and are therefore not limited to the examples shown in the figures.

[0067] In any case, the closing element (65) is adapted to form such that the first abutting surface (R1) and the second abutting surface (R2) are arranged at an angle to each other to form a cusp (R) separating the first accumulation volume (V1) and the second accumulation volume (V2) to define and mark two different volumes inside the accumulation chamber, wherein the two groups of pharmaceutical articles can be accumulated separately from each other and then unloaded in sequence.

[0068] The device can be implemented and configured such that the closing element (65) can move between a first closed position (O1) and a second open position (O2) by rotational translation or by linear translation.

[0069] In one possible preferred embodiment, for example Figures 2A to 2B and Figures 3A to 3B As shown, the closing element (65) is adapted to include a first part (651) and a second part (652), the first part being arranged outside the accumulation chamber (60) and rotatably hinged to the hinge axis (70), the second part being arranged at an angle relative to the first part (652) and intended to occupy the unloading port (63) of the accumulation chamber (60) so as to close the unloading port (63) when the closing element (65) is positioned in the first closed position (O1).

[0070] For example, the cross-section of the closed element (65) can be L-shaped.

[0071] In this case, the second part (652) of the closing element (65) is adapted to define the first abutting surface (R1) and the second abutting surface (R2).

[0072] Includes a motor chamber (8) located on the side and outside of the accumulation chamber (60) to enable rotation of a first portion (651) of the closing element (65) relative to the hinge axis (70) to move the closing element (65) away from the first closed position (O1) to the second open position (O2), or vice versa, and to accommodate a second portion (652) of the closing element (65) when the closing element (65) enters the second open position (O2).

[0073] In order to activate the rotation of the first part (651) of the closing element (65) relative to the hinge axis (70), a shaft capable of being rotated by a related motor device can be used.

[0074] In another possible embodiment, such as Figures 4A to 4C As shown, the closing element (65) is adapted to be plate-shaped, having a first wall (51) defining a first abutment surface (R1), a second wall (52) opposite to the first wall (51), and a third wall (53) arranged to be inclined between the first wall (51) and the second wall (52) and defining a second abutment surface (R2).

[0075] In this configuration, the device (100) includes a guide and sliding channel (55) located on the side and outside of the accumulation chamber (60) to enable the closing element (65) to translate away from the first closed position (O1) to the second open position (O2), or vice versa. A linear actuator can be used to make the closing element (65) translate along the guide and sliding channel (55).

Claims

1. A device (100) for counting and unloading pharmaceutical products, comprising: - a plurality of descending channels (40) configured to receive inside them pharmaceutical products; - an accumulation chamber (60) arranged below the descending channels (40) and having an inlet (50) for receiving the pharmaceutical products exiting from the descending channels (40) and an unloading mouth (63) for unloading the pharmaceutical products; - a blocking element (45) activatable to open / close the descending channels (40), activatable to open the descending channels (40) and to enable the pharmaceutical products to fall in the accumulation chamber (60) and to close the descending channels (40) when the number of pharmaceutical products that have fallen inside the accumulation chamber (60) has reached a predetermined value; - a closing element (65) arranged with respect to the unloading mouth (63) and movable with respect to the unloading mouth (63) so as to be movable between a first closed position (01) in which it is positioned at the unloading mouth (63) so as to close the unloading mouth (63) and to enable the accumulation of the pharmaceutical products, and a second open position (02) in which the closing element (65) is completely removed from the unloading mouth (63) so as to release and open the unloading mouth (63) to unload the pharmaceutical products accumulated in the accumulation chamber (60), characterized in that the closing element (65) is configured to comprise a first abutment surface (Rl) and a second abutment surface (R2) arranged at an angle with respect to each other, and in that the accumulation chamber (60) and the closing element (65) are mutually arranged and configured so that, with the closing element (65) positioned in the first closed position (01) at the unloading mouth (63) so as to close the unloading mouth (63), the first abutment surface (Rl) is arranged in the accumulation chamber (60) inclined and at a first angle with respect to a first inner wall (61) of the accumulation chamber (60), the accumulation chamber defining between the first abutment surface (Rl) and the first inner wall (61) a first accumulation volume (VI) for the pharmaceutical products, and the second abutment surface (R2) is arranged inside the accumulation chamber (60) inclined and at a second angle with respect to a second inner wall (62) of the accumulation chamber (60) opposite the first inner wall (61), the accumulation chamber defining between the second abutment surface (R2) and the second inner wall (62) a second accumulation volume (V2) for the pharmaceutical products, so that the pharmaceutical products falling from the descending channels (40) can accumulate in the first accumulation volume (VI) in a first group (Al) of pharmaceutical products and in the second accumulation volume (V2) in a second group (A2) of pharmaceutical products. and characterized in that said closure element (65) is movable with respect to said unloading opening (63) from said first closed position (01) to said second open position (02) so as to first move said second abutment surface (R2) away from said second inner wall (62) of said accumulation chamber (60), opening a first portion of said unloading opening (63) to unload said second group (A2) of pharmaceutical products, and then moving away and completely removing said first abutment surface (R1) from said unloading opening (63) to unload said first group (Al) of pharmaceutical products.

2. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein Said closure element (65) is movable in rotational translation or in linear translation between said first closed position (01) and said second open position (02).

3. The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein, Said closure element (65) is configured to comprise a first portion (651) arranged outside said accumulation chamber (60) and hingedly coupled to a hinge axis (70) in a rotatable manner, and a second portion (652) arranged at an angle with respect to said first portion (651) so as to preoccupy said unloading opening (63) of said accumulation chamber (60) so as to close said unloading opening (63) when said closure element (65) is positioned in said first closed position (01), wherein said second portion (652) is configured to define said first abutment surface (R1) and said second abutment surface (R2).

4. Device (100) according to claim 3, comprising a motorized chamber (8) located laterally and externally to said accumulation chamber (60) so as to be able to rotate said first portion (651) of said closure element (65) with respect to said hinge axis (70) to move said closure element (65) away from said first closed position (01) to said second open position (02) or vice versa.

5. The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein, Said closure element (65) is plate-shaped, having a first wall (51) defining said first abutment surface (R1), a second wall (52) opposite said first wall (51), and a third wall (53) arranged inclined between said first wall (51) and said second wall (52) and defining said second abutment surface (R2).

6. Device (100) according to claim 5, comprising a guide and sliding channel (55) located laterally and externally to said accumulation chamber (60) so as to be able to move said closure element (65) in translation away from said first closed position (01) to said second open position (02) or vice versa.

7. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, Said first abutment surface (R1) and said second abutment surface (R2) are arranged at an angle with respect to each other so as to form a cusp (R) separating said first accumulation volume (V1) from said second accumulation volume (V2).

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