Shearing assembly
By introducing detection components and instruction sets into the shear assembly, the shear assembly can quickly switch between the shear configuration and the non-shear configuration, solving the problems of low efficiency, high energy consumption and easy wear in the prior art, and improving the efficiency of blister packaging production and the durability of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380074638.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-20
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing shear components are inefficient, have high energy consumption, are prone to wear and slow down production when handling non-compliant blister packaging, making it difficult to efficiently distinguish between compliant and non-compliant blister packaging.
Design a shear assembly, including a detection assembly and a shear unit, detect the compliance of the blister belt through the detection assembly, and control the shear unit to quickly switch between the shear configuration and the non-shear configuration through the instruction set to achieve shear or non-shear action, and combine the cutting group to remove non-compliant blister packaging.
It realizes efficient, fast and energy-saving blister packaging production, reduces the generation of non-compliant blister packaging, improves production efficiency and equipment durability, and reduces energy consumption and wear.
Smart Images
Figure CN120265546A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a shearing assembly.
[0002] Specifically, the shearing assembly which is the subject of the present invention is suitable for manufacturing blister packs from a continuous blister strip.
[0003] Specifically, a "blister pack" refers to a package that contains pharmaceutical products (such as capsules, tablets or similar products) within special blisters. The definition of "blister pack" in this discussion is not limited to the type of products contained in each blister. Background Art
[0004] In this discussion, a distinction is made between compliant blister packs (i.e., ready for market) and non - compliant blister packs (to be discarded). For example, when an undesired situation for selling a blister pack is detected, non - compliant blister packs are identified: such undesired situations include the presence of a broken blister, the presence of an empty blister, the presence of a blister containing more than one product, etc.
[0005] In the prior art, there are known shearing assembly solutions which are suitable for producing compliant and marketable blister packs from a continuous blister strip by performing a shearing action. Solutions for the shearing assembly are also known which, when matching an undesired situation, do not produce a blister pack by, for example, not performing the shearing action or performing the shearing action in a different way than for producing a blister pack, thereby producing non - compliant blister packs.
[0006] In more detail, it has also been pointed out how shearing assembly solutions are typically included in complex packaging lines, as well as in packaging lines for gathering and packaging batches of blister packs. Other non - compliant situations may occur during such operations, for example, non - compliant situations related to later stages of packaging. In such cases, a large number of blister packs are discarded due to non - compliance related to the packaging rather than to the blister pack product itself. This situation requires the inclusion of a compliant blister product reintegration station in the production and packaging lines to avoid unnecessary and unwanted waste. Therefore, it is very important to distinguish between compliant and non - compliant blister packs in order to avoid re - introducing into the production and packaging lines packages that should have been discarded without the possibility of reintegration.
[0007] Specifically, according to the above, known shearing assembly solutions can be configured in a mode of performing shearing and a mode of not performing shearing or only partially performing shearing.
[0008] In particular, in the solutions of the prior art, in the event of an undesired situation, instead of shearing, the non-compliant blister pack is connected to the blister strip, thereby avoiding problems related to the shape of the blister pack. In subsequent steps, the non-compliant blister pack is managed as scrap (or waste). In this solution, there are problems related to the complex management of the blister strip, where the blister strip continues its path even if only partially formed.
[0009] In some embodiments, the mode of not performing shearing is a mode of not moving. In other embodiments, the mode of not performing shearing is such that the shearing component moves in the opposite direction with respect to the mode of not performing shearing. In both cases, the energy consumption associated with the stopping and restarting of the shearing component (or at least the part thereof affected by the shearing action) or the energy consumption associated with running the shearing component in reverse is very high. Additionally, in both cases, there is an additional production slowdown of the shearing component.
[0010] Finally, some known solutions perform partial shearing of the blister strip, thereby leaving non-compliant, partially sheared blister packs on the blister strip itself. This embodiment also has an additional problem: the blister strip is sometimes difficult to flow.
[0011] However, in other embodiments, the shearing component is designed to make a selection downstream of the shearing action, which can be the subject or cause of additional errors, for example in cases where blister pack reintegration has to be performed.
[0012] Therefore, in the known solutions of the shearing component, it has been found that configuring the shearing component into a shearing configuration and a non-shearing configuration is particularly inefficient: such shearing components operate according to a relatively long delivery cycle, have a short life cycle, are vulnerable to wear, and are particularly energy-consuming. Summary of the Invention
[0013] The object of the present invention is to propose a shearing component that can effectively solve all the above problems. In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide a shearing component that is suitable for quickly configuring itself into a shearing configuration or a non-shearing configuration as needed, while being non-wearing.
[0014] This object is achieved by the shearing component described in claim 1. The dependent claims thereto claim further features and bring further technical benefits. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015] Furthermore, other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of its preferred embodiments, which are provided as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] Figure 1a 、Figure 1b and Figure 1b’ shows a side view of a shearing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shearing assembly being configured in a shearing configuration, Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1b’ respectively show the stamping device in a first retracted stamping position, the stamping device in a first advanced stamping position corresponding to the shearing position, and the stamping device in the aforementioned first advanced stamping position corresponding to the stamping position, wherein the auxiliary lever is shown transparently;
[0017] Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2b’ show a side view of a shearing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shearing assembly being configured in a non-shearing configuration, Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2b’ respectively show the stamping device in a second retracted stamping position, the stamping device in a second advanced stamping position corresponding to the non-shearing position, and the stamping device in the aforementioned second advanced stamping position, wherein the auxiliary lever is shown transparently;
[0018] Figure 3a and Figure 3a’ show a schematic view of a shearing assembly according to another preferred embodiment, the shearing assembly being in a shearing configuration and having a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0019] Figure 3b and Figure 3b’ show Figure 3a and Figure 3a’ a schematic view of the shearing assembly in and , the shearing assembly being in a non-shearing configuration and having a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0020] Figure 4a and Figure 4a’ show a schematic view of a shearing assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment, the shearing assembly being in a shearing configuration and having a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0021] Figure 4b and Figure 4b’ show Figure 4a and Figure 4a’ a schematic view of the shearing assembly in and , the shearing assembly being in a non-shearing configuration and having a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0022] Figure 5a and Figure 5a’ show a schematic view of a shearing assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment, the shearing assembly being in a shearing configuration and having a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0023] Figure 5b and Figure 5b’ shows Figure 5a and Figure 5a’ a schematic view of the cutting assembly in [[ID=]], which is in a non-cutting configuration and has a retracted stamping device and an advanced stamping device;
[0024] Figure 6a and Figure 6b respectively show a compliant blister under cutting action and a non-compliant blister under non-cutting action;
[0025] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c and Figure 7d respectively show a continuous blister strip in four different stages: under cutting action, under non-cutting action, under cutting action, and under cutting action. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a cutting assembly 1 according to the present invention.
[0027] The cutting assembly 1 described in detail below is suitable for manufacturing blister packages 550', 550'' from a continuous blister strip 500.
[0028] The cutting assembly 1 which is the subject of the present invention includes a cutting unit 2 which is suitable for performing or not performing a cutting operation on the continuous blister strip 500.
[0029] In fact, the continuous blister strip 500 (e.g., a continuous blister strip supported by one or more rollers) runs through the cutting assembly 1, and the cutting unit 2 runs transversely (preferably vertically) to perform cutting actions and non-cutting actions as required, as described below.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting assembly 1 includes a detection assembly which is located upstream of the cutting unit 2 and is suitable for detecting the compliance or non-compliance of the continuous blister strip 500 to control the cutting unit 2 to perform a cutting action or a non-cutting action.
[0031] According to an implementation variant, the detection group is included in a station before the cutting assembly 1, and this station is not part of the cutting assembly 1.
[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the inspection group is adapted to check the compliance of the continuous blister strip 500. For example, if the inspection group detects that all the blisters meet the predetermined requirements, it commands the cutting unit 2 to perform a cutting action: producing a compliant blister package 500'. If the inspection group detects that the blisters do not meet the predetermined requirements, it commands the cutting unit 2 to perform a non-cutting action in part: producing a non-compliant blister package 500". Similarly, the inspection group also detects other characteristics of the continuous blister strip 500 (e.g., the correct sealing of its constituent layers, or the correct positioning of the identification or marking), and if an undesirable situation is detected, it produces a non-compliant blister package 500", i.e., it does not produce a compliant blister package.
[0033] According to the present invention, the cutting unit 2 includes a stamping device 20 that is movable along a cutting axis X-X.
[0034] According to the present invention, the cutting unit 2 moves along the cutting axis X-X in a continuous alternating motion.
[0035] Preferably, the cutting axis X-X is transverse (preferably perpendicular) to the direction of the flowing continuous blister strip 500.
[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting unit 2 further includes a stamping die 21 that is adapted to cooperate with the stamping device 20 to cut the continuous blister strip 500. Preferably, relative to the continuous blister strip 500, the stamping device 20 and the stamping die 21 are located on opposite sides. In other words, the stamping die 21 and the stamping device 20 are aligned along the cutting axis X-X on both sides of the continuous blister strip 500.
[0037] According to the present invention, the cutting unit further includes a stamping rod 25 that extends between a first stamping rod end 251 and a second stamping rod end 252 that is hinged to the stamping device 20.
[0038] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cutting assembly 1 includes an instruction group 3 that is adapted to move the cutting unit 2 in a continuous alternating motion. In fact, the instruction group 3 is adapted to move the stamping device 20 between a retracted stamping position and a forward stamping position.
[0039] According to the present invention, the instruction group 3 is operably connected to the first stamping rod end 251. In other words, the instruction group 3 is adapted to command the stamping device engaged at the first stamping rod end 251 of the stamping rod 25 to perform an alternating motion.
[0040] According to the present invention, the instruction set 3 can be configured into a shearing configuration and a non-shearing configuration. In the shearing configuration, the first punching rod end 251 is located at the first starting position, such that the punching device 20 in the forward punching position intercepts and shears the continuous blister strip 500, thereby forming a compliant blister package 500'. In the non-shearing configuration, the first punching rod end 251 is located at the second starting position, such that the punching device 20 in the forward punching position is spaced apart from the continuous blister strip 500 and cannot shear it, thus producing a non-compliant blister package 500".
[0041] In other words, according to the present invention, the instruction set 3 continuously controls the movement of the shearing unit 2 by changing the stroke of the punching device 20 and the punching rod 25, and changing their starting positions.
[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the instruction set 3 includes an instruction member 33, which is operable to control the shearing configuration or the non-shearing configuration, and vice versa.
[0043] Preferably, the instruction member 33 is of a mechanical type. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the instruction member 33 is a cam or an eccentric shaft.
[0044] Preferably, the instruction member 33 is of an electromechanical type. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the instruction member 33 is a linear actuator.
[0045] Preferably, the instruction member 33 is of a pneumatic type. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the instruction member 33 is a pneumatic piston.
[0046] Preferably, the instruction member 33 includes a cam element positioned eccentrically with respect to the control axis C-C.
[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the instruction set 3 includes a movement member 30, which is adapted to perform a rotational movement with respect to the rotational axis R-R.
[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the movement member 30 includes an electric motor, and its rotating shaft 300 extends along the rotational axis R-R.
[0049] Preferably, the movement member 30 is adapted to perform a rotational movement (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) with respect to the rotational axis R-R in the movement direction, and through this rotation, both the shearing cycle and the non-shearing cycle of the shearing unit 2 can be executed.
[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the instruction set 3 includes a main lever 31, which engages with the movement member 30 at a position offset with respect to the rotational axis R-R. The main lever 31 is adapted to convert the rotational movement of the movement member 30 into a linear movement. Due to the deviation from the rotational axis R-R, the main lever 31 is adapted to convert the rotational movement of the movement member 30 into a linear alternating movement.
[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the instruction group 3 includes an auxiliary lever 32 that connects the main lever 31 to the first punching rod end 251. Preferably, the auxiliary lever 32 transmits the movement of the main lever 31 to the punching rod 25.
[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, in the shearing configuration, the auxiliary lever 32 is in a first position, wherein the first punching rod end 251 is in a first starting position, and in the non-shearing configuration, the auxiliary lever 32 is in a second position, wherein the first punching rod end 251 is in a second starting position.
[0053] In other words, the instruction member 33 controls the position of the auxiliary lever 32 and then affects the position of the punching rod 25.
[0054] In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the instruction member 33 is adapted to change the distance between the first punching rod end 251 and the main lever 31 to affect its stroke and the movement of the punching device 20.
[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary lever 32 includes a first connection area 321 hinged to the main lever 31 and a second connection area 322 hinged to the first punching rod end 251.
[0056] Preferably, the auxiliary lever 32 further includes an instruction area 323, wherein, in the shearing configuration, the instruction area 323 is in a first position, and wherein, in the non-shearing configuration, the instruction area 323 is in a second position.
[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the instruction member 33 engages in the instruction area 323 and controls its position.
[0058] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the shearing assembly 1 includes a cutting group 4 located downstream of the shearing unit 2, and the cutting group 4 is adapted to cut the continuous blister strip 500 to remove the waste part generated by the shearing operation performed by the shearing unit 2 and to remove the non-compliant blister packages 500'' generated by the non-shearing operation performed by the shearing unit 2.
[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting group 4 includes a cutting element 40 that translates along the cutting axis Y-Y
[0060] Preferably, the cutting axis Y-Y is substantially parallel to the shearing axis X-X.
[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting element 40 is mounted on the auxiliary lever 32 and is thus moved by the auxiliary lever 32.
[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting element 40 is mounted on the shearing unit 2 and is thus moved by the auxiliary lever 32.
[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting element 40 is positioned to move successively with the stamping device 20 in an alternating motion, but intercepts and cuts the continuous blister strip 500 both in the shearing configuration and the non-shearing configuration.
[0064] According to an implementation variant, the cutting group 4 includes a cutting lever 41 with one end joined to the main lever 31, where the cutting element 40 is located at the other end of the cutting lever 41.
[0065] Preferably, the cutting lever 41 moves due to the movement of the main lever 31, regardless of the configuration of the command group 3 and thus regardless of whether the shearing unit 2 cuts the continuous blister strip 500.
[0066] According to another preferred embodiment, the cutting element 40 moves in an alternating motion through a cutting activation device different from the shearing unit 2 and the command group 3.
[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, regardless of the configuration of the command group 3 and the shearing unit 2, the cutting element 40 is commanded to cut. That is, the cutting element 40 always cuts the portion of the continuous blister strip 500 that it intercepts, whether the blister strip has been previously sheared to produce compliant blister packages 500 or not.
[0068] Innovatively, the shearing assembly fully achieves the expected goal of overcoming typical problems of the prior art.
[0069] In fact, it is advantageous that the shearing assembly operates continuously.
[0070] Advantageously, the shearing assembly has the same constant alternating motion over time. Advantageously, the alternating motion of the shearing assembly between the shearing configuration and the non-shearing configuration remains unchanged, only changing the starting position of the stamping device.
[0071] Advantageously, the shearing assembly has no motion interruptions or reverse motions.
[0072] Advantageously, the shearing assembly is extremely fast, especially when switching between the shearing configuration and the non-shearing configuration.
[0073] Advantageously, the shearing assembly is energy-saving and requires less energy compared to shearing assemblies of the prior art.
[0074] Advantageously, the shearing assembly is extremely robust and safe, with strong levers and a fracture-proof motion mechanism.
[0075] Advantageously, the shearing assembly is very versatile: in fact, according to requirements, only the stamping rod or the auxiliary lever or the main lever needs to be replaced to change the spacing of the stamping device and thus cut different blister packages.
[0076] Advantageously, the cutting assembly is very versatile: in fact, by simply replacing the stamping device and the stamping die, the cutting pattern can be changed, and thus the shape of the compliant blister packaging can be changed.
[0077] Advantageously, the cutting assembly solves many wear problems of various components, especially electrical components such as electric motors.
[0078] Advantageously, the cutting assembly can be managed by a set of instructions controlled by extremely simple software, and only extremely basic operations need to be performed: starting (on or off) of the moving member, and starting of the instruction member (including the forward or retraction movement of the stamping rod).
[0079] It is obvious that those skilled in the art can make changes to the above invention to meet possible requirements, and these changes all fall within the protection scope defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A shearing assembly (1) for producing blister packs (550’, 550”) from a continuous blister strip (500), comprising: - a shearing unit (2), said shearing unit (2) including a stamping device (20) and a stamping rod (25), said stamping device (20) being movable along a shearing axis (X-X), said stamping rod (25) extending between a first stamping rod end (251) and a second stamping rod end (252) hinged to said stamping device (20); - an instruction set (3), said instruction set (3) being adapted to move said shearing unit (2) in a continuous alternating motion by moving said stamping device (20) between a retracted stamping position and an advanced stamping position, wherein said instruction set (3) is operatively connected to said first stamping rod end (251); wherein said instruction set (3) is configurable into a shearing configuration and a non-shearing configuration, in said shearing configuration, said first stamping rod end (251) is positioned at a first starting position such that in said advanced stamping position, said stamping device (20) intercepts and shears said continuous blister strip (500) to produce a compliant blister pack (500’), and in said non-shearing configuration, said first stamping rod end (251) is positioned at a second starting position such that in said advanced stamping position, said stamping device (20) is spaced apart from said continuous blister strip (500) and cannot shear said continuous blister strip (500) to produce a non-compliant blister pack (500”).
2. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, Said instruction set (3) includes an instruction member (33) capable of operating to command a shearing configuration or a non-shearing configuration and vice versa, wherein said instruction member is of mechanical type, or electrical type, or electromechanical type, or pneumatic type.
3. The shearing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Said instruction set (3) includes a motion member (30), a main lever (31) and an auxiliary lever (32), said motion member (30) being adapted to perform a rotational action relative to a rotational axis (R-R) in a motion direction, said main lever (31) engaging said motion member (30) at an offset position relative to said rotational axis (R-R), said auxiliary lever (32) connecting said main lever (31) to said first stamping rod end (251), wherein in said shearing configuration, said auxiliary lever (32) is in a first position, wherein said first stamping rod end (251) is in said first starting position, and wherein in said non-shearing configuration, said auxiliary lever (32) is in a second position, wherein said first stamping rod end (251) is in said second starting position.
4. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein, Said motion member (30) includes an electric motor and a rotating shaft (300) extending along said rotational axis (R-R).
5. The shearing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein, The auxiliary lever (32) includes a first connection area (321) hinged to the main lever (31) and a second connection area (322) hinged to the first punching rod end (251), wherein the auxiliary lever (32) further includes a command area (323), wherein, in the shearing configuration, the command area (323) is in a first position, and wherein, in the non-shearing configuration, the command area (323) is in a second position.
6. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 5, in combination with claim 2, wherein, The command member (33) engages in the command area (323) and commands its position.
7. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The command member (33) is a cam element eccentrically positioned relative to the command axis (C-C).
8. The shearing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cutting group (4) located downstream of the shearing unit (2), the cutting group (4) being adapted to perform a cutting action on the continuous blister strip (500) to remove the waste portion generated when the shearing unit (2) performs a shearing action, and to remove the non-compliant blister packages (500”) generated when the shearing unit (2) performs a non-shearing action.
9. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The cutting group (4) includes a cutting element (40) that translates along a cutting axis (Y-Y) substantially parallel to the shearing axis (X-X).
10. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The cutting element (40) is accommodated on the auxiliary lever (32) or the shearing unit (2) and is moved along the cutting axis (Y-Y) by the auxiliary lever.
11. The shearing assembly (1) according to claim 9, in combination with claims 3 to 8, wherein, The cutting group (4) includes a cutting lever (41) having one end engaged with the main lever (31), wherein the cutting element (40) is located at the other end of the cutting lever (41).
12. The shearing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The cutting element (40) is commanded to cut, regardless of the configuration of the command group (3) and the shearing unit (2).
13. The shearing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detection group located upstream of the shearing unit (2) and adapted to detect the compliance or non-compliance of the continuous blister strip (500) and to command the command group (3) to be in the shearing configuration or the non-shearing configuration.