Deblistering machine with feed assembly

Abstract

A feed assembly (1) for feeding blister packs (BP1, BP2) into a deblistering machine (10). The feed assembly (1) includes a pair of pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) and a drive mechanism (14) for driving the pinch conveying mechanism (4a, 4b) to engagingly convey a blister pack (BP1, BP2) at a feed speed along a feed direction into the deblistering machine (10). The pinch conveying mechanism (4a, 4b) is configured to disengage, in use, from the drive mechanism (14) if the blister pack (BP1, BP2) is drawn into the deblistering machine (10) by opposed deblistering rollers (12, 13) at a speed greater than the feed speed.

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to a deblistering machine comprising a feed assembly.

[0002] It is known to provide an automatic feed assembly that introduces individual blister packs from a stack into the deblistering mechanism of a deblistering machine. Typically, this is achieved with a reciprocating pushing plate that urges the blister pack into the deblistering mechanism.

[0003] EP0860364 describes such a feed assembly, in which a pusher plate reciprocates along a support plate beneath a magazine within which a stack of blister packs is loaded. The deblistering machine described in this document includes a series of opposed cutting and squeezing rollers. The pusher plate moves from a retracted position, in which it is withdrawn from beneath the stack in the magazine, toward a deployed position to push the lowermost blister pack of the stack into the rollers.

[0004] CN209127113 describes a similar feed assembly in which the pusher plate is connected to a linkage of the roller drive mechanism. This machine uses a single pair of rollers, one of which has a continuous circumferential surface and the other has a series of rings at spaced intervals between which the contents of the blister pack are urged.

[0005] Whilst the use of pusher plates has proven to be quite effective, the applicant has recognised that their reliability could be improved. More specifically, pusher plates can be prone to jamming, particularly when the stack of blisters is not loaded correctly. This is particularly true where such machines are configured to accommodate different sizes of blister packs.

[0006] US2015191268A1 describes a feed assembly with driving wheels that advance a blister pack toward a depilling station. JP2013159372A describes a drug product take-out device with pinching rollers with a space between them that is adjustable.

[0007] It would therefore be advantageous to provide a more reliable means of feeding blister packs into a deblistering machine. It would also be advantageous to provide a more versatile deblistering system that is capable of accommodating a wide variety of blister pack sizes and configurations.

[0008] Accordingly, the invention provides a deblistering machine according to claim 1.

[0009] It is believed that the provision of a pinch conveying mechanism improves the reliability of the feed assembly, since it positively engages the blister pack to ensure its proper introduction into the deblistering machine.

[0010] The pinch conveying mechanisms may be located on opposite sides of the feed assembly. Each pinch conveying mechanism may comprise one or more pinch wheels, for example a pair of pinch wheels. Each pinch conveying mechanism may comprise opposed pinch wheels, e.g. for engagingly captivating and / or conveying a blister pack therebetween. In some examples, only one of the opposed pinch wheels of each pinch conveying mechanism is operatively connected to the drive means by or via clutch means. The clutch means may be configured to disengage, in use, the pinch wheel(s) from the drive means, e.g. if the blister pack is drawn into the deblistering machine at a speed greater than the feed speed.

[0011] The drive means may comprise a motor or any other suitable driving mechanism. The or each clutch means may comprise a clutch or clutch mechanism. The or each clutch means may comprise a one-way clutch means, e.g. a one-way clutch or clutch mechanism. The or each clutch means may comprise a one-way freewheel clutch means, e.g. a one-way freewheel clutch or clutch mechanism.

[0012] In some examples, the pinch wheels engagingly convey the blister pack directly. In other examples, the conveying mechanism includes another element between the pinch wheels and the blister pack. For example, the pinch conveying mechanism may comprise a pinch conveyor, which may include or be driven by the pinch wheels. The pinch conveyor may comprise a pair of opposed belts, which may engagingly convey the blister pack.

[0013] The feed assembly may comprise an adjustment mechanism, e.g. for adjusting the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms. The adjustment mechanism may comprise a manual or automatic or motorised adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may comprise a ball and screw adjustment mechanism. One of the pinch conveying mechanisms may be mounted to a carriage. The carriage may be movable, e.g. relative to the other pinch conveying mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may be connected to and / or configured to adjust the position of the carriage.

[0014] In some examples, one of the pinch conveying mechanisms is mounted to a carriage while the other is mounted to a frame of the feed assembly. In such examples, the frame and / or the pinch conveying mechanism mounted thereto may be fixed. In such examples, the carriage and / or the pinch conveying mechanism mounted thereto may be movable, e.g. relative to the frame and / or the pinch conveying mechanism mounted thereto. In other examples, each pinch conveying mechanism is mounted to a respective carriage and at least one of the carriages is movable relative to the other carriage.

[0015] The feed assembly may comprise a pair of guides, e.g. for supporting a stack of blister packs. One of the guides may be mounted to a carriage, e.g. the carriage to which the pinch conveying mechanism is mounted. Adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms may adjust a space between the guides.

[0016] The feed assembly may comprise one or more conveyors, e.g. a pair of conveyors. The conveyor(s) may be below the guides. The conveyor(s) may be upstream of the pinch conveying mechanisms. The conveyor(s) may be for conveying a blister pack into the pinch conveying mechanisms, e.g. a lowermost blister pack of a stack of blister packs loaded between the guides. One of the conveyors may be mounted to a carriage, e.g. the carriage to which the pinch conveying mechanism is mounted. Adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms may adjust a space between the conveyors.

[0017] The feed assembly may comprise a ramp. The ramp may be between and / or above the conveyors. The ramp may be between the guides. The ramp may be on the upstream side of the guides, e.g. the opposite side of the guides to the pinch conveying mechanism(s). The ramp may be for tilting the lowermost blister pack of the stack, e.g. such that its leading edge contacts the conveyors before it is conveyed by the conveyors toward the pinch conveying mechanism. At least part of the ramp may be movable, e.g. toward and / or away from the pinch conveying mechanism. The movable ramp or ramp portion may be for advancing a blister pack on the conveyors.

[0018] The ramp may be mounted, e.g. movably mounted, to the carriage. The feed assembly may comprise a centring mechanism, e.g. for centring the ramp between the pinch conveying mechanisms and / or between the guides and / or between the conveyors and / or between the carriage and the frame. The feed assembly and / or centring mechanism may be configured such that adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms adjusts the position of the ramp, e.g. relative to the pinch conveying mechanisms and / or relative to the conveyors and / or relative to the carriage and the frame. The feed assembly and / or centring mechanism may be configured to centre the ramp between the pinch conveying mechanisms and / or between the guides and / or between the conveyors and / or between the carriage and the frame.

[0019] The feed assembly may comprise at least one flexible stop. The or each flexible stop may be downstream of the ramp. The or each flexible stop may be for retaining the stack of blister packs, e.g. in the guides. One of the flexible stops may be mounted to a carriage, e.g. the carriage to which the pinch conveying mechanism is mounted. Adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms may adjust a space between the flexible stops.

[0020] The pinch conveying mechanisms may be for engagingly conveying a blister pack at a feed speed along a feed direction into opposed deblistering rollers of the deblistering machine.

[0021] The feed assembly may comprise a controller. The controller may be operatively connected to the motorised adjustment mechanism. The controller may be configured to operate the motorised adjustment mechanism, for example to adjust the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms. The controller may be configured to operate the motorised adjustment mechanism in response to an input from a user.

[0022] For purposes of this disclosure, and notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that any controller(s), control units and / or control modules described herein may each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. The controller may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the control of the system or apparatus may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers or control modules. As used herein, the terms "control unit" and "controller" will be understood to include both a single control unit or controller and a plurality of control units or controllers collectively operating to provide the required control functionality. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) or control module(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the method(s) described herein). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, may be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s).

[0023] For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful.

[0024] In any event, the set of instructions described herein may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors / computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM ad EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information / instructions. The set of instructions described herein may be stored on a remote server.

[0025] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination provided always that they are consistent with the claims.

[0026] That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a deblistering machine incorporating a feed assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the deblistering machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 from another angle with the controller and the cover panel removed to expose the drive motors of the feed assembly; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the feed assembly; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the conveying area of the feed assembly with a blister pack shown as it enters the pinch conveying mechanisms; and Figure 6 is a side view showing the alignment between one of the pinch conveying mechanisms and the deblistering rollers of the deblistering machine of Figure 1.

[0028] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a deblistering machine 10 incorporating a feed assembly 1 for feeding blister packs into the deblistering machine 10. The deblistering machine 10 includes a controller 11 and opposed deblistering rollers 12, 13 all of which are mounted to a frame F. The opposed deblistering rollers 12, 13 include a discharge roller 12 with a series of spaced rings 12a describing evacuation channels 12b therebetween, and a compression roller 13 having a continuous circumferential surface 13a. The deblistering rollers 12, 13 are driven by a drive mechanism 14, which includes a drive motor 14a (shown in Figure 3) and a transmission assembly 14b connecting the drive motor 14a to the opposed deblistering rollers 12, 13.

[0029] The feed assembly 1 is mounted to the frame F and includes a pair of stack guides 2a, 2b, a pair of conveyors 3a, 3b, a pair of pinch conveying mechanisms 4a, 4b and a shoe assembly 5 (shown more clearly in Figures 4 to 6). The stack guides 2a, 2b include opposed L-shaped guide members 20a, 20b that together describe a receptacle 21 for receiving and supporting a stack of blister packs BP 1 , BP 2 . Each stack guide 2a, 2b also includes a flexible brush 22a, 22b depending from an arm 23a, 23b projecting beyond the guide member 20a, 20b. One stack guide 2a is mounted to the frame F of the deblistering machine 10, while the other stack guide 2b is mounted to a carriage 6.

[0030] The carriage 6 is mounted on a series of bars 60 secured at each end to the frame F of the deblistering machine 10. The bars 60 run parallel to the deblistering rollers 12, 13, and cooperate with respective linear bushings 61 secured to the carriage 6, which enable the carriage 6 to move along the bars 60 relative to the frame F. An adjustment motor 62 drives a leadscrew 63, which extends between and parallel to the bars 60 and threadedly engages the carriage 6, thereby to move the carriage 6 along the bars 60 and adjust the space between the stack guides 2a, 2b.

[0031] The conveyors 3a, 3b, which are belt conveyors in this example, are below the stack guides 2a, 2b and are driven by respective gear assemblies 30a, 30b, both of which are driven by drive shaft 31 coupled to a conveyor motor 32. One conveyor 3a is mounted to the frame F of the deblistering machine 10, while the other conveyor 3b is mounted to a carriage 6. As a result, the aforementioned movement of the carriage 6 along the bars 60 adjusts the space between the conveyors 3a, 3b at the same time as the space between the stack guides 2a, 2b is adjusted. The conveyors 3a, 3b convey the lowermost blister pack BP 1 received within the receptacle 21 described between the stack guides 2a, 2b toward the pinch conveying mechanisms 4a, 4b. The brushes 22a, 22b of the stack guides 2a, 2b act together as a flexible stop to inhibit movement of the lowermost blister pack BP 1 received within the receptacle 21 described between the stack guides 2a, 2b, until the conveyors 3a, 3b are initiated.

[0032] Each pinch conveying mechanism 4a, 4b includes a respective pair of opposed pinch wheels 40a, 41a and 40b, 41b. A first pinch wheel 40a, 40b of each pair is coupled to a gear 42a, 42b by a one-way freewheel clutch 43a, 43b, while the second pinch wheel 41a, 41b of each pair is free to rotate. Each gear 42a, 42b engages and is driven by the gear assemblies 30a, 30b that drive the conveyors 3a, 3b.

[0033] One pinch conveying mechanism 4a is mounted to the frame F of the deblistering machine 10, while the other pinch conveying mechanism 4b is mounted to a carriage 6. As a result, the aforementioned movement of the carriage 6 along the bars 60 adjusts the space between the pinch conveying mechanism 4a, 4b at the same time as the space between the conveyors 3a, 3b and the stack guides 2a, 2b is adjusted. The pinch conveying mechanism 4a, 4b engagingly convey the lowermost blister pack BP 1 into the deblistering rollers 12, 13.

[0034] The shoe assembly 5 includes a pair of beds 50 along and between which a shoe 51 is slidable between the stack guides 2a, 2b and above the conveyors 3a, 3b. A pusher 52 is movably received within the shoe 51 between a retracted position, in which the pusher 52 describes with the shoe 51 a ramp 53, and a deployed position in which the pusher 52 projects from the shoe 51 for advancing the lowermost blister pack BP 1 on the conveyors 3a, 3b into the pinch conveying mechanisms 4a, 4b. The pusher 52 includes a ramp surface 53a, which is substantially contiguous with a ramp surface 53b of the shoe 51 that surrounds the pusher 52 when it is in the retracted position. The pusher 52 also includes a toe 52a projecting from the ramp surface 53a for engaging and pushing the lowermost blister pack BP 1 when it moves to the deployed position.

[0035] The shoe assembly 5 is movably mounted to the frame F of the deblistering machine 10 and to the carriage 6 by a centring mechanism 7. The centring mechanism 7 includes a pair of leadscrews 70, only one of which is visible in the drawings. Each leadscrew 70 includes a left-hand thread along one side and a right-hand thread along its other side, and is axially fixed, but free to rotate relative to the shoe assembly 5. A respective one of the threads engages each of the frame F and the carriage 6, so that as the carriage 6 moves relative to the frame F, the leadscrews 70 rotate to keep the shoe assembly 5 central between them. As a result, the aforementioned movement of the carriage 6 along the bars 60 adjusts the position of the shoe assembly 5 at the same time as the space between the pinch conveying mechanism 4a, 4b, the conveyors 3a, 3b and the stack guides 2a, 2b is adjusted.

[0036] As such, the entire feed assembly 1 may be configured to be adjusted for accommodating blister packs BP 1 , BP 2 of different sizes, simply by adjusting the position of the carriage 6 using the adjustment motor 62.

[0037] In use, a stack of blister packs BP 1 , BP 2 is loaded into the receptacle 21 described between the stack guides 2a, 2b. The lowermost blister pack BP 1 is tilted by the ramp 53 such that it's leading edge engages the conveyors 3a, 3b. Meanwhile the other blister packs BP 2 in the stack are retained by the brushes 22a, 22b of the stack guides 2a, 2b. The conveyors 3a, 3b are then initiated and convey the lowermost blister pack BP 1 toward the pinch conveying mechanisms 4a, 4b. The opposed pinch wheels 40a, 41a and 40b, 41b engagingly convey the blister pack BP 1 at a feed speed along the feed direction into the deblistering rollers 12, 13 of the deblistering machine 10.

[0038] The deblistering rollers 12, 13 are configured to rotate at a speed that draws the blister pack BP 1 in at a speed greater than the feed speed. As a result, the one-way freewheel clutches 43a, 43b disengage the gear 42a, 42b driven by the gear assemblies 30a, 30b, and therefore from the conveyor motor 32. As a result, the opposed pinch wheels 40a, 41a and 40b, 41b allow the blister pack BP 1 to be drawn into the deblistering rollers 12, 13 without resistance.

[0039] The skilled person will appreciate that this arrangement provides a simple, yet effective means of ensuring a reliable handover from the feed assembly 1 to the deblistering rollers 12, 13. In addition, the pusher 52 may be deployed if the blister pack BP 1 fails to enter into the pinch conveying mechanisms 4a, 4b. In fact, the deblistering machine 10 may include one or more sensors (not shown) for determining whether such a failure occurs. If the controller 11 detects such a fault, it may deploy the pusher 52 to cause the toe 52a to urge the blister pack BP 1 into the opposed pinch wheels 40a, 41a and 40b, 41b.

[0040] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and / or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein. However, any such variations and / or combinations are only envisaged where they fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A deblistering machine (10) comprising: a pair of deblistering rollers (12, 13); and a feed assembly (1) for feeding blister packs (BP1, BP2) into the deblistering rollers (12, 13), the feed assembly comprising: a pair of pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b); and a drive means (32) operatively connected to the pinch conveying mechanisms for driving the pinch conveying mechanisms such that each pinch conveying mechanisms engagingly conveys a respective side of a blister pack at a feed speed along a feed direction into the deblistering rollers (12, 13); wherein the deblistering rollers (12, 13) are aligned with the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) for receiving a blister pack (BP1) therefrom along the feed direction; characterised in that the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms is adjustable for accommodating blister packs of different sizes and the pinch conveying mechanisms are operatively connected to the drive means (32) by clutch means (43a, 43b) configured to disengage, in use, from the drive means if the blister pack is drawn into the deblistering machine at a speed greater than the feed speed.

2. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the clutch means (43a, 43b) comprises a one-way clutch.

3. The deblistering machine (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) comprise opposed pinch wheels (40a, 41a, 40b, 41b).

4. The deblistering machine (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the pinch conveying mechanisms (4b) is mounted to a carriage (6) which is movable relative to the other pinch conveying mechanism (4b).

5. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 4 comprising a pair of guides (20a, 20b) for supporting a stack of blister packs (BP1, BP2), wherein one of the guides is mounted to the carriage (6) such that adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) adjusts a space between the guides.

6. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 5 comprising a pair of conveyors (3a, 3b) below the guides (20a, 20b) and upstream of the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) for conveying a lowermost blister pack (BP1) of a stack of blister packs (BP1, BP2) loaded between the guides into the pinch conveying mechanisms, wherein one of the conveyors is mounted to the carriage (6) such that adjustment, in use, of the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms adjusts a space between the conveyors.

7. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 6 comprising a ramp (53) between and above the conveyors (3a, 3b) on the upstream side of the guides (20a, 20b) for tilting the lowermost blister pack (BP1) of the stack such that its leading edge contacts the conveyors before it is conveyed by the conveyors toward the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b).

8. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 7 comprising a flexible stop (22a, 22b) for retaining the stack of blister packs (BP1, BP2) in the guides (20a, 20b).

9. The deblistering machine (10) of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein at least part of the ramp (53) is movable toward the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) for advancing a blister pack (BP1) located on the conveyors (3a, 3b).

10. The deblistering machine (10) of any preceding claim comprising a motorised adjustment mechanism (62) for adjusting the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms (4a, 4b) and a controller (11) operatively connected to the motorised adjustment mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to operate the motorised adjustment mechanism to adjust the space between the pinch conveying mechanisms in response to an input from a user.

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