Device for separating caps from their packaging tray

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging for pharmaceutical products. In particular, it relates to equipment for separating caps from a packaging tray after the caps have been attached to pharmaceutical bottles to seal said bottles. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is customary for caps, intended to seal bottles after they have been filled with a medical product, to be collectively held by a packaging tray for their storage, transport and handling before use. This collective packaging prevents these caps, considered as medical devices, from being contaminated or damaged by contact and friction between them.

[0003] Document EP3505458 proposes this type of packaging. The caps held by hooking systems on the lower face of a packaging tray are assembled on bottles, which can also be collectively held by a tray. After assembly, a rod, fixed to a plate, is moved downwards, so as to pass through an opening made in the tray of caps, directly above each cap, and to gradually push each cap downwards, until they are detached from the tray.

[0004] The disadvantage that can be encountered when the number of rods is equal to the number of caps is that the force to be applied is significant and tends to damage the plate due to excessive flexing.

[0005] DE 20 2017 103606 U1 discloses equipment for separating caps from a tray comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a solution to the stated problem. The invention relates to equipment for separating caps collectively held on a packaging tray, this separation occurring after they have been fixed on bottles to seal the latter. The invention also relates to a method for separating caps from a packaging tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention relates to equipment for separating caps from a tray, after said caps have been fixed on bottles to seal the latter, the tray comprising: a plurality of attachment systems, each attachment system being configured to hold a cap and being arranged on a lower face of the tray, and a through opening centered on each attachment system, the plurality of openings being distributed on the tray according to a distribution pattern, the equipment comprising an unclipping plate provided, on a lower face, with rods distributed according to the distribution pattern, the unclipping plate extending along a horizontal plane parallel to an upper face of the tray, and being movable along a vertical axis, so that each rod can pass through an opening.

[0008] The equipment is remarkable in that certain rods, called first rods, have a first length along the vertical axis and other rods, called second rods, have a second length less than the first length.

[0009] According to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, which can be taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination: the first rods are located in a central region of the lower face of the unclipping plate and the second rods are located in a peripheral region; the first rods are located in a peripheral region of the lower face of the unclipping plate and the second rods are located in a central region; the first and second rods are arranged on the lower face of the unclipping plate in a uniform distribution relative to each other, and potentially alternating; the first rods represent between 30% and 70% of all the rods; the difference between the first length and the second length is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm; the equipment comprises a mechanical device for lowering the unclipping plate along the vertical axis, involving a manually operable lever, or a controllable pneumatic or electrical cylinder;the equipment includes a support to keep the tray parallel to the horizontal plane; the support is fixed and allows the tray to be kept stationary; the support is mobile and allows the tray to be moved vertically towards the unclipping plate; the unclipping plate includes between 9 rods and 100 rods; the equipment has several removable and interchangeable unclipping plates, so as to adapt to each type of tray.

[0010] The invention also relates to a method of separating caps from a tray, using equipment as above, comprising the following steps: a) a collective association of the caps on bottles to seal the latter, each cap being fixed to a bottle and also held to the tray, called the first tray, the bottles being held in another tray, called the second tray, then, b) a first movement of the unclipping plate, downwards, along the vertical axis, to a first altitude to bring the first rods into contact with the upper parts of the caps, then, c) the continuation of the first movement of the unclipping plate, downwards, along the vertical axis, the first tray being held stationary and the second tray being able to move vertically, until the separation between the caps and the first tray, or c') a second movement of the first tray, upwards, along the vertical axis, the unclipping plate being held stationary at the first altitude, and the second tray also being held stationary,up to the separation between the caps and the first tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the appended figures in which: [ Fig. 1a ] [ Fig. 1b ] THE figures 1a et 1b present two examples of packaging trays for collectively holding caps; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 presents an example of a cap held by a clip-type attachment system, on a packaging tray; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 presents an example of a pharmaceutical bottle, sealed with a cap; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 presents a collective association between a plurality of caps and a plurality of vials filled with a pharmaceutical liquid, the caps being suspended from a first tray and the vials held in a second tray; [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 has a plate for unclipping equipment in accordance with the present invention, arranged above the first tray from which the caps are suspended; [ Fig. 6a ] [ Fig. 6b ] THE figures 6a et 6b show two examples of regions (central or uniformly distributed) of a first plate, opposite which first rods or second rods (of different lengths) of the unclipping plate will be brought; [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 presents equipment in accordance with the present invention; [ Fig. 8a ] [ Fig. 8b ] THE figures 8a et 8b present two steps of the separation process according to the present invention; [ Fig. 9a ] [ Fig.9b ] THE figures 9a et 9b present an example of equipment in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] In the descriptive part, the same references in the figures may be used for elements of the same type. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to equipment for separating caps 2 from a packaging tray 50, after said caps 2 have been fixed on bottles 1 to seal the latter.

[0014] The packaging tray 50, which holds the caps 2, will be called the first tray 50 in the remainder of the description ( figure 1a ). It has an upper face 50a and a lower face 50b. A plurality of attachment systems 52 are arranged on its lower face 50b. Each attachment system 52 is configured to hold a cap 2. To facilitate the visualization of the attachment systems 52, a single cap 2 has been shown, fixed to the first plate 50, on the figure 1a ; of course, the practice is to have a cap 2 held by each of the attachment systems 52 of the plate 50.

[0015] The first tray 50 also comprises a through opening 51, centered on each attachment system 52, the plurality of openings 51 being distributed on the first tray 50 according to a distribution pattern. Two examples of the first tray are illustrated in figures 1a et 1b , showing two different distribution patterns. Of course, many other distribution patterns are possible, depending on the number of attachment systems 52 provided on the plate 50 and their size (conditioned by the size of the caps 2).

[0016] On the figures 1a et 1b , each attachment system 52 corresponds to a clip, formed of a plurality of flexible branches, extending substantially perpendicular to the main plane (x,y) of the first plate 50, and ending in a claw 53, intended to grip the cap 2, and advantageously an upper part 23 of the cap 2, as illustrated in the figure 2 . The number of branches can typically be chosen between two, three ( figure 1a ) and four ( figure 1b ). The upper surface, substantially flat, of the cap 2 also comes into contact with a stop 54 arranged on the lower face of the first plate 50. This stop 54 is for example annular in shape in the examples of the figures 1a et 2 .

[0017] The attachment systems 52 may be of the clip type, as mentioned above, but may also be of a completely different type. For example, the caps 2 may be held by clamping in a housing made of deformable material, or by magnetism (it being understood, in the latter case, that the caps will each comprise a magnetic element to cooperate with the associated magnetic attachment system).

[0018] Each cap 2 is thus suspended (when the lower face 50b of the first plate 50 is facing downwards), vertically (along the z axis in the figures), on the side of the lower face 50b.

[0019] Each cap 2 comprises a cylindrical body 22a, 22b, which houses the elastomer stopper 21 intended to close the neck 11a of the bottle 1 after it has been filled; it also comprises a closed upper part 23 and has the function of securely plugging and sealing the bottle 1 filled with pharmaceutical product. Advantageously, it is formed of an external body 22a, an upper capsule 23, a cage 22b and a stopper 21 ( figure 3 ), as, for example, described in documents EP2464577 or FR3098504. The foot 21a of the stopper 21 is adapted to be inserted into and close the neck 11a of the bottle 1, its head 21b is configured to come against the collar 13 of the bottle 1, and to be held in support by the cage 22b. The cage 22b, fixed without freedom of axial movement in the external body 22a, comprises flexible tabs allowing it to grip under the collar 13 of the bottle 1 to secure the retention of the stopper 21 and thus the closure of the bottle 1.

[0020] The context of the invention is therefore located in or just at the exit of a unit or line for collective filling and closing of bottles for medical use. The bodies 11 of the bottles 1 are held on a packaging or holding tray, called the second tray 60, and successively undergo the step of filling with pharmaceutical product 70 and the step of closing by the caps 2, the latter being held on the lower face 50b of the first tray 50 ( figure 4 ). Of course, the number and respective arrangement of the bottles 1 and the caps 2 on their respective trays 50,60 are compatible with this assembly.

[0021] We thus find ourselves with bottles 1 arranged on the second tray 60 and sealed by caps 2, themselves suspended from the first tray 50. In a following step, it therefore appears necessary to separate the caps 2 from the first tray 50, so as to be able to handle the filled and sealed bottles 1 individually or collectively.

[0022] Returning to the description of the equipment according to the invention, the latter comprises an unclipping plate 100 provided, on a lower face 100b, with rods 110, 120 distributed according to the distribution diagram of the through openings 51 of the first plate 50. The unclipping plate 100 extends along a horizontal plane (x, y), parallel to an upper face 50a of the first plate 50; it is movable along a vertical axis z, so that each rod 110, 120 can, by passing through a through opening 51, come to bear against the upper part 23 of a cap 2 gripped by a hooking system 52 ( figure 5 ). By applying a determined bearing force against a cap 2, the rod 110, 120 will move said cap 2 downwards and result in its detachment or separation from the attachment system 52.

[0023] According to the invention, certain rods of the unclipping plate 100, called first rods 110, have a first length along the vertical axis z and other rods, called second rods 120, have a second length less than the first length.

[0024] These two lengths make it possible to sequence the application of the support force, first by the first rods 110, then by the second rods 120, to successively separate a first group of caps 2 (facing the first rods 110) and a second group of caps 2 (facing the second rods 120). In this way, it is possible to limit the total force applied to the first plate 50, and the deflection of said plate is thus controlled.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, the first rods 110 are located in a central region of the lower face 100b of the unclipping plate 100, intended to be located opposite the central region C of the first plate 50 illustrated in the figure 6a . The second rods 120 are, in this case, located in the peripheral region of the unclipping plate.

[0026] According to a second embodiment, the first rods 110 are located in the peripheral region of the lower face 100b of the unclipping plate 100, and the second rods 120 in the central region intended to be located opposite the central region C of the first plate 50 illustrated in the figure 6a .

[0027] According to a third embodiment, the first 110 and second 120 rods are uniformly distributed on the lower face 100b of the unclipping plate 100. For example, the first 110 or the second 120 rods may be located opposite the regions R of the first plate 50 illustrated in the figure 6b .

[0028] For other distribution schemes of the openings 51 on the first plate 50, the first 110 and second 120 rods may be arranged alternately with each other, always with a uniform distribution on the lower face 100b of the unclipping plate 100.

[0029] According to a fourth embodiment, the first rods 110 or the second rods 120 are arranged in an annular region defined between a central region and a peripheral region of the lower face 100b of the unclipping plate 100.

[0030] Without this being limiting, the unclipping plate 100 may comprise between 9 rods and 100 rods, a typical range of numbers of attachment systems 52 arranged on packaging trays 50 of caps 2.

[0031] Advantageously, the first rods 110 (the longest) account for approximately 30% to 70% of the total number of rods, regardless of the embodiment considered. Advantageously, the first rods 110 account for 40% to 60% of the total number of rods, for example approximately 50%.

[0032] The difference between the first length and the second length is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. This difference in length is typically less than or equal to the displacement, along the z axis, which makes it possible to achieve total separation between the cap 2 and the attachment system 52. In the case of a clip-type attachment system, this displacement is of the order of the distance, along the z axis, between the claws 53 of the attachment system 52 and the stop 54.

[0033] When the total number of rods is large, the unclipping plate 100 may optionally include a third type of rod, with a third length, less than the second length. This allows a three-step separation sequencing of the caps 2 and increased control of the deflection of the first plate 50.

[0034] Alternatively, all the rods of the unclipping plate 100 may have a different length. The rods may then be distributed randomly or in a certain order aiming at increasing or decreasing lengths from a point on the unclipping plate 100.

[0035] Advantageously, the end of the rods 110, 120, which is intended to come into contact and bear against the upper parts 23 of the caps 2, has a flat surface to avoid damage to said upper parts 23. The area of ​​this extreme surface is less than (but advantageously close to) the area of ​​the through opening 51. The latter typically represents between 40% and 100%, preferably between 50% and 90%, of the surface (in the plane (x,y)) of the upper part (or upper capsule) 23 of the cap 2.

[0036] The equipment according to the invention may include several types of unclipping plates 100, each having specific rod characteristics 110, 120 (number, dimensions, distribution of the first and second rods) and a distribution pattern, and being adapted to the separation between caps 2 and a particular first plate 50. In the equipment, each unclipping plate 100 is therefore removable and interchangeable, to allow the use of the appropriate plate 100 when caps 2 are to be detached from their plate 50.

[0037] To manage the movement of the unclipping plate 100, the equipment comprises a mechanical device adapted to lower and raise the unclipping plate 100 along the vertical axis z (shown diagrammatically by the arrows on the figure 7 ). This device may involve a manually operable lever 160 ( figures 9a et 9b ), or preferably, a controllable pneumatic or electric cylinder.

[0038] A support 150 for holding the first plate 50 parallel to the horizontal plane (x,y), and therefore parallel to the unclipping plate 100, is also required. This support 150 can be either part of the equipment according to the invention, or part of other equipment, for example present on the collective filling and sealing line of the bottles 1.

[0039] We will see in the following description of the separation method according to the invention that this support 150 can be fixed, and keep the first plate 50 stationary; or it can be mobile, and allow a vertical movement to be applied to the first plate 50 towards the unclipping plate 100, that is to say a rectilinear upward movement.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for separating the caps 2 from the first tray 50, using the equipment previously described.

[0041] The method comprises a first step a) corresponding to the collective association of the caps 2 on bottles 1 to seal the latter after their filling with pharmaceutical product 70. At the end of this step a), each cap 2 is fixed to a bottle 1 and also suspended from the first tray 50 via a hanging system 52; the bottles 1 are held on the second tray 60.

[0042] The following step b) involves a first movement of the unclipping plate 100, downwards, along the vertical axis z, from an initial altitude A0, to a first altitude A1 allowing the first rods 110 to be brought into contact with the upper parts 23 of the facing caps 2 (first group of caps 2). At this first altitude A1, the second rods 120, shorter than the first 110, do not touch the upper parts 23 of the facing caps 2 (second group of caps 2). This is illustrated in the figure 8a .

[0043] According to a first variant, the support 150 for holding the first plate 50 parallel to the horizontal plane (x,y) is fixed. The method then comprises, after step b), a step c) consisting of continuing the first movement of the unclipping plate 100, downwards, along the vertical axis z. During this step, the first plate 50 is kept stationary while the second plate 60 is, itself, able to deform or move vertically downwards, until the separation between the first plate 50 and the caps 2 of the first and second groups ( figure 8b ).

[0044] Equipment according to the invention, making it possible to implement this first variant of the method, is illustrated in the figures 9a et 9b. A lever 160 is connected to a roller 161 movable in rotation around an eccentric axis. The roller 161 is in contact with the upper face 100a of the unclipping plate 100: actuation of the lever 160 downwards allows the unclipping plate 100 to be lowered; actuation upwards allows the latter to rise. The rising of the plate 100, when the roller 161 no longer applies a bearing force, is made possible by a system of springs 163, arranged between two plates 162a, 162b, perforated (to allow the passage of the rods 110, 120); the lower plate 162b arranged on the support 150 is fixed, while the upper plate 162a is movable along the z axis. In this example, the first tray 50 is placed on the support 150 and remains stationary. The second tray 60 has full freedom to move downwards, as soon as the caps 2 are separated from the first tray 50.The assembly formed by the unclipping plate 100 and the two perforated plates 162a, 162b is removable and can be replaced, depending on the characteristics of the first plate 50 (number of caps supported, distribution diagram, etc.).

[0045] A shock-absorbing material 160 may be provided on a landing surface arranged under and at a distance (typically less than 5 cm) from the second tray 60 at the start of step c), so as to attenuate the impact of the second tray 60 or the bottles 1 (if their bottom protrudes from the bottom of the second tray 60) on the landing surface. The shock-absorbing material may for example be formed from an elastomer.

[0046] Alternatively, the second plate 60 can be held by a movable member (not shown) which allows it to lower depending on the support force applied by the rods 110, 120.

[0047] According to a second variant of the method, the support 150 which keeps the first plate 50 parallel to the horizontal plane (x,y), is movable. The method then comprises, after step b), a step c') corresponding to a movement of the first plate 50 (called second movement), upwards, along the vertical axis z. During this step, the unclipping plate 100 is kept stationary at the first altitude A1, and the second plate 60 is also kept stationary. The second movement induces a sequential support of the first 110 then the second 120 rods on the caps 2 respectively of the first and second group, until the separation between the first plate 50 and all of the caps 2.

[0048] According to one or other of the variants described, the caps 2 are separated from the first tray 50 and secured to the bottles 1, which are collectively held in the second tray 60.

[0049] At the end of step c) or c'), the sealed bottles 1, held on the second tray 60, can optionally be placed in a conditioning tank.

[0050] At this stage, the standard steps of transporting and packaging the full and sealed 1 bottles can be carried out.

[0051] The separation equipment according to the invention and the associated method allow for efficient and less restrictive detachment of the caps 2 for the first plate 50, which can advantageously be reconditioned for reuse. The separation sequencing in two or more stages, due to the rods 110, 120 of different lengths, induces controlled deflection of the first plate 50 and limits the bearing force applied by the unclipping plate 100.

[0052] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples described, and variant embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Equipment for separating caps (2) from a tray (50), after said caps (2) have been attached to bottles (1) to seal said bottles, the tray (50) comprising: - a plurality of fastening systems (52), each fastening system (52) being configured to hold a cap (2) and being arranged on a lower face (50b) of the tray (50), and - a through-opening (51) centered on each fastening system (52), the plurality of openings (51) being distributed over the tray (50) according to a distribution pattern, the equipment comprising an unclipping plate (100) provided, on a lower face (100b), with rods (110,120) distributed according to the distribution pattern, the unclipping plate (100) extending along a horizontal plane (x,y) parallel to an upper face (50a) of the tray (50), and being movable along a vertical axis (z), so that each rod (110,120) can pass through an opening (51), the equipment being characterized in that certain rods, referred to as first rods (110), have a first length along the vertical axis (z) and other rods, referred to as second rods (120), have a second length less than the first length.

2. Equipment according to the preceding claim, wherein the first rods (110) are located in a central region of the lower face (100b) of the unclipping plate (100) and the second rods (120) are located in a peripheral region.

3. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first rods (110) are located in a peripheral region of the lower face (100b) of the unclipping plate (100) and the second rods (120) are located in a central region.

4. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first (110) and second (120) rods are arranged on the lower face (100b) of the unclipping plate (100) according to a uniform distribution relative to one another, and potentially in alternation.

5. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first rods (110) represent between 30% and 70% of all the rods.

6. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the first length and the second length is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

7. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a mechanical device for lowering the unclipping plate (100) along the vertical axis (z), involving a manually actuatable lever (160), a controllable pneumatic or electric cylinder.

8. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a support (150) for holding the tray (50) parallel to the horizontal plane (x,y).

9. Equipment according to claim 8, wherein the support (150) is fixed and allows the tray (50) to be held stationary.

10. Equipment according to claim 8, wherein the support (150) is movable and makes it possible to apply a vertical movement to the tray (50) toward the unclipping plate (100).

11. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the unclipping plate (100) comprises between 9 rods and 100 rods.

12. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, having a plurality of removable and interchangeable unclipping plates (100) so as to adapt to each type of trays (50).

13. Method for separating caps (2) from a tray (50), using the equipment according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps: a) a collective association of the caps (2) with bottles (1) to seal said bottles, each cap (2) being fixed to a bottle (1) and also held in the tray (50), referred to as the first tray (50), the bottles (1) being held in another tray (60), referred to as the second tray (60), then, b) a first movement of the unclipping plate (100), downward, along the vertical axis (z), to a first height (A1) to bring the first rods (110) into contact with the upper parts (23) of the caps (2), then, c) the continuation of the first movement of the unclipping plate (100), downward, along the vertical axis (z), the first tray (50) being held stationary and the second tray (60) being able to move vertically, until separation between the caps (2) and the first tray (50), or c') a second movement of the first tray (50), upward, along the vertical axis (z), the unclipping plate (100) being held stationary at the first height (A1), and the second tray (60) also being held stationary, until separation between the caps (2) and the first tray (50).