Appliance for the inspection of strips of bfs-type containers

Abstract

The present invention concerns an appliance (1) for the inspection of strips (S) of BFS-type containers, comprising a gripping device (11) of said ending portion (E) of one of said strips (S) of containers and tilting means (12) of said gripping device (11) around a tilting axis (B), between a lowered position, wherein said gripping device (11) is suitable to position said strip (S) with the containers (C) substantially vertical to carry out the inspection, and a raised position, wherein said gripping device (11) is adapted to turn said strip (S) over to move the contents within the containers (C) prior to the inspection.

Description

[0001] APPLIANCE FOR THE INSPECTION OF STRIPS OF BFS-TYPE CONTAINERS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to an appliance for the inspection of strips of Blow- Fill-Seal (BFS) type containers.

[0005] Background Art

[0006] It is well known, particularly in the pharmaceutical field but not only, the use of polymeric material containers made by means of the Blow-Fill-Seal (extrusion / blow-fill-seal, briefly referred to as BFS) technology.

[0007] Such containers typically consist of single-dose vials made of polymeric material, and the use of the BFS technology allows for multiple closed containers joined and grouped into cards or strips, which can be separated by the end user before use.

[0008] With reference to the manufacturing process of BFS containers, particularly when used for pharmaceutical products, the need to perform all its steps in contamination-controlled environments is known and felt, thus complying with different degrees of cleanliness and in compliance with certain parameters, in order to limit the concentration of airborne particles in the filling areas with BFS machines.

[0009] In addition to this, special inspection machines are known to be used to carry out the inspection of BFS containers once they are filled in order to detect the presence of any particles inside them.

[0010] Typically, such inspection machines comprise one or more carousels adapted to successively pick up the container strips from an input line and to move them to an output line, as well as one or more inspection stations adapted to check for the presence of particles within containers as the carousel rotates.

[0011] For this purpose, the inspection stations of known type commonly comprise one or more cameras adapted to capture images of the containers and of their contents as they are moved by the carousel.

[0012] In addition, the inspection stations commonly comprise special illuminating TRANSLATION (RULE 12.3)

[0013] 18 June 2024

[0014] 2 devices, arranged in the proximity of the cameras, and adapted to ensure the most correct and effective illumination of the BFS containers during image acquisition by the cameras.

[0015] A software implemented on a processing unit of the machine itself is configured

[0016] 5 to process the acquired images and to recognize the presence of contaminating particles within the containers (as well as possibly other anomalies).

[0017] Carousels are then used to move the contaminated containers towards one or more rejection lines.

[0018] It is also known that the inspection machines, particularly carousels, are provided

[0019] 10 with means to set containers into vibration during movement and prior to check by means of the inspection stations. Such vibration allows any gas bubbles within the containers to be removed, preventing them from being mistakenly recognized as particles by the inspection stations.

[0020] However, the use of such means to set containers into vibration does not always allow for the removal of all bubbles that may be present, causing new bubbles to form in some cases.

[0021] In addition, the vibration of the containers does not allow for the effective movement of any particles within the container which are arranged, e.g., at the bottom or the inner walls of the container itself, making them more difficult to

[0022] 20 detect.

[0023] Object of the Invention

[0024] By virtue of the above issues, the Applicant realized the need to detect more effectively the presence of contaminating particles within the BFS containers by avoiding vibrational movements.

[0025] The main aim of the present invention is, therefore, to make an appliance for the inspection of strips of Blow-Fill- Seal (BFS) type containers provided with tilting means in order to make controlled movements on the containers themselves to remove any air bubbles within the containers and making the detection of contaminating particles more effective.

[0026] 30 The aforementioned objects are achieved by this appliance for the inspection of strips of Blow-Fill- Seal (BFS) type containers according to the characteristics described in claim 1.

[0027] List of figures

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an appliance for the inspection of strips of BFS-type containers, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the inspection appliance according to the invention;

[0030] - Figure 2 is a view from above of the carousel and of the inspection stations of the inspection appliance according to the invention;

[0031] - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the appliance according to the invention;

[0032] - Figures 4, 5 and 6 show different placements and configurations of the gripping means of the inspection appliance according to the invention.

[0033] Detailed description

[0034] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an appliance for the inspection of strips S of BFS-type containers C (i.e., obtained by means of Blow-Fill- Seal technology).

[0035] Specifically, the appliance 1 according to the invention is employable for performing inspection of the strips S of BFS-type containers, each comprising a plurality of containers C and an ending portion E adapted to associate the containers C with each other and provided with a plurality of weakening zones I for the separation of the containers C before use.

[0036] Preferably, the strips S of BFS-type containers inspected by means of the appliance 1 comprise a substantially plate-shaped ending portion E and each of the containers C is provided with a first end associated with the ending portion E and with a second end opposite the first end.

[0037] Specifically, the containers C extend from the ending portion E and are parallel to each other.

[0038] The strip S may also comprise additional weakening stretches made between the containers C.

[0039] According to the possible embodiment shown in the figures, each container C may be provided with a respective removable closure element made at the second end, opposite the ending portion E.

[0040] The use of different strips S of containers with different conformation and arrangement of the containers C themselves, their closure elements and the ending portion E cannot however be ruled out.

[0041] The appliance 1 according to the invention comprises at least one input line 2 of a plurality of strips S of BFS-type containers to be inspected, at least one output line 3 of the inspected strips S of containers and at least one carousel 4 for moving the strips S of containers, supported revolving around a substantially vertical axis of rotation R and adapted to move the strips S of containers from the input line 2 to the output line 3.

[0042] The carousel 4 comprises a plurality of gripping means 5 of the strips S of containers.

[0043] In addition, the appliance 1 comprises at least one inspection station 6 provided with image acquisition means 7 of the containers C and of their contents during the movement by the carousel 4, and a processing unit configured to process the acquired images and to recognize the presence of contaminating particles within the containers C.

[0044] With reference to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the appliance 1 comprises just one movement carousel 4 adapted to pick up the strips S of containers from the input line 2 and to move them through one or more inspection stations 6 and then to release them on the output line 3.

[0045] The use of multiple movement carousels 4 operationally connected to each other to define a movement line between the input line 2 and the output line 3 cannot however be ruled out.

[0046] The carousel 4 is configured for the horizontal movement of the strips S of containers, with the containers C oriented with a vertical axis through the inspection stations 6.

[0047] The carousel 4 preferably comprises a plurality of gripping means 5 arranged along the entire circumference and equidistant from each other.

[0048] Each of the gripping means 5 is configured and conformed to grasp and move an individual strip of containers.

[0049] According to the possible embodiment, shown in the figures, the carousel 4 comprises a substantially circular structure supported rotatable by a holding framework 8.

[0050] According to this possible embodiment, the holding framework 8 comprises a horizontal bracket 9 and vertical uprights 10 for supporting the bracket, which are arranged outside the perimeter circumference of the carousel.

[0051] Still according to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the appliance 1 comprises three different inspection stations 6 through which the carousel 4 sequentially moves the strips S of containers.

[0052] The use of a different number of differently arranged inspection stations 6 cannot, however, be ruled out.

[0053] In addition, the input line 2 and the output line 3 preferably consist of conveyor belts adapted to supply and to move the strips S of containers to / away from the inspection appliance 1, respectively.

[0054] Again, the use of different types of input and output lines 2 and 3 cannot be ruled out.

[0055] Advantageously, each of the gripping means 5 of the appliance 1 according to the invention comprises a gripping device 11 of the ending portion E of one of the strips S of containers.

[0056] In addition, each of the gripping means 5 comprises tilting means 12 of the gripping device 11 around an axis of tilting B, between a lowered position, wherein the gripping device 11 is adapted to position the strip S with the containers C according to a substantially vertical orientation for inspection by means of the inspection station 6, and a raised position, wherein the gripping device 11 is adapted to turn the strip S over to move the contents within the containers C prior to the inspection by means of the inspection station 6.

[0057] Preferably, the tilting means 12 of the gripping device 11 are configured to make the strip S with the containers C rotate of between 0° (lowered position) and 150° (raised position).

[0058] Even more preferably, the tilting means 12 of the gripping device 11 are configured to make the strip S with the containers C rotate of between 0° (lowered position) and 120° (raised position).

[0059] Even more preferably, the tilting means 12 of the gripping device 11 are configured to make the strip S with the containers C rotate of between 0° (lowered position) and no more than 120° (raised position). It cannot however be ruled out that the lowered position may be set to rotate inferiorly by 120°; it will therefore turn out to be possible depending on the shaking requirements of the strips S, to rotate the tilting means 12 of between 0° and 90°, of between 0° and 60°, of between 0° and 40°, etc.

[0060] It should be specified that the time taken by the tilting means 12 to rotate around the axis of tilting B between the lowered position and the raised position is adjusted depending on the pitch of the carousel 4, the number of strips that the appliance 1 moves in an hour and / or depending on the predefined shaking that is to be given to the strips S. The round trip time t for the tilting means 12 to rotate around the axis of tilting B, i.e., to move from the lowered position to the raised position and back again to the lowered position, can be defined by the following relationship: t = 3600 / n where n is the number of strips moved in one hour by the appliance 1.

[0061] For example, in the case of 7800 strips per hour, the round trip time of the tilting means 12 is 400 ms. In the case, on the other hand, of 6000 strips per hour, the round trip time of the tilting means 12 is 600 ms.

[0062] According to a preferred version, the round trip time taken by the tilting means 12 to rotate around the axis of tilting B is of between 100 ms and 2000 ms, even more preferably of between 400 ms and 1200 ms.

[0063] Advantageously, tipping the strip S over by means of the tilting means 12 and prior to the inspection by means of an inspection station 6 allows moving any contaminant particles within the containers C, making their correct detection more effective. In addition, such tilting allows the removal of any air bubbles within the containers C.

[0064] Specifically, the gripping device 11 comprises at least one jaw gripper 13, wherein the jaws are provided with respective gripping pads 14 adapted to close where opposite surfaces of the ending portion E of the strip S of containers are located.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the gripping pads 14 have an enlarged conformation along a substantially horizontal direction.

[0066] Furthermore, the gripping pads 14 extend along the substantially horizontal direction by a stretch which substantially corresponds to the width of the ending portion E of the strip S of containers.

[0067] Advantageously, this allows effective gripping of the strips S of BFS-type containers without compromising their integrity in any way, while ensuring effective inspection of the containers C and of their contents by means of the inspection stations 6.

[0068] In order to achieve the aforementioned advantages even more effectively, particularly considering that the ending portion of the strip S of containers is substantially plate-shaped, preferably the gripping pads 14 are respectively provided with flat surfaces adapted to be placed where opposite surfaces of the ending portion E are located, adhering to the surfaces themselves when the jaw gripper 13 is closed.

[0069] In addition, the tilting means 12 are configured to rotate the gripping device 11 around an axis of tilting B which is substantially tangential to the circular rotational trajectory of the carousel 4.

[0070] Therefore, according to the preferred embodiment described and illustrated in the figures, being the axis of rotation R of the carousel 4 substantially vertical, the axis of tilting B of the gripping devices 11 is substantially horizontal and the tilting of the gripping devices 11 from the lowered position to the raised position occurs with an outward rotational movement of the carousel 4.

[0071] Preferably, the tilting means 12 comprise at least one holding element 15 associated with the carousel 4, at least one small arm 16 supporting the gripping device 11, associated with the holding element 15 in a rotatable maimer around the axis of tilting B, and at least one actuator device 17 associated with the holding element 15 and operationally connected to the small arm 16 to move the gripping device 11 between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0072] Specifically, the holding element 15 is attached to the circular structure of the carousel 4 where a perimeter portion is located, and the small supporting arm 16 comprises a first end associated rotatable with the holding element 15 and a second end provided with the gripping device 11.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the tilting means 12 comprise a pair of small arms 16 provided with respective first ends associated rotatable with substantially opposite portions of the holding element 15 and with second ends associated with substantially opposite portions of the gripping device 11.

[0074] In addition, the holding element 15 may be provided with at least one protruding abutment element 18, made on the outer surface of the holding element itself, and adapted to contact at least one of the small arms 16 when this is in the lowered position and / or in the raised position, so as to operate as an end-of-stroke stop. In particular, with reference to the possible embodiment shown in the figures, the holding element 15 is provided with a protruding abutment element 18, made protruding on one side of the holding element itself, adapted to contact one of the small arms 16 when this is in the lowered position and in the raised position.

[0075] Advantageously, the processing unit of the appliance 1 according to the invention is configured to operate the tilting means 12 in order to bring the gripping device 11 from the lowered position to the raised position and back to the lowered position, prior to the movement of the strip S of containers where an inspection station 6 is located.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the acquisition means 7 of each inspection station 6 consist of at least one camera configured to acquire the images of the containers C and of their contents during the movement by means of the carousel 4.

[0077] In addition, each inspection station 6 preferably comprises an illuminating device 19 arranged in close proximity to the camera 7 and adapted to illuminate the containers C during image acquisition.

[0078] Each inspection station 6 is movable and moved in such a way as to follow, along at least one stretch, a strip S of containers during the movement by means of the carousel 4.

[0079] In particular, the appliance 1 comprises at least one supporting element 20 of each inspection station 6. Such supporting element 20 oscillates around an axis of rotation which coincides with the axis of rotation R of the carousel 4.

[0080] In this way, each inspection station 6 is moved alternately between a first position and a second position along an arc trajectory which corresponds to that of a strip S of containers moved by means of the carousel 4.

[0081] Specifically, each inspection station 6 is moved from the first position to the second position side by side with a strip S of containers in order to collect images of the relevant containers C and of their contents.

[0082] Next, each inspection station 6 is quickly moved back from the second position to the first position so as to position itself where a new strip S of containers is located, and then follows it by moving back to the second position.

[0083] According to one possible embodiment, the supporting element 20 is positioned below the carousel and is substantially plate-shaped with a substantially horizontal plane of lying.

[0084] In addition, the appliance 1 comprises removing means 21 of the strips S with containers C containing contaminating particles.

[0085] For example, the appliance 1 may comprise a rejection system 22 that adjusts the release of the containers C containing contaminating particles within one or more predefined discharge areas 23.

[0086] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

[0087] In particular, the fact is emphasized that the appliance for the inspection of strips of Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) type containers according to the invention enables effective detection of the presence of contaminating particles inside the BFS containers. Specifically, tipping each strip over by means of the tilting means, prior to the inspection by means of an inspection station, allows for the movement of any contaminant particles within the containers, making their detection more effective. In addition, such tilting allows any air bubbles within the containers to be removed.

[0088] In combination with tilting, the special gripping device used enables effective gripping of the strips of BFS-type containers without compromising their integrity in any way, while at the same time ensuring effective inspection of the containers and of their contents by means of the inspection stations.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Appliance (1) for the inspection of strips (S) of BFS-type containers, wherein each strip (S) of BFS-type containers comprises a plurality of containers (C) and an ending portion (E) adapted to associate said containers (C) with each other and provided with a plurality of weakening zones (I) for the separation of said containers (C) before use, comprising: at least one input line (2) of a plurality of strips (S) of BFS-type containers to be inspected; at least one output line (3) of said strips (S) of containers; at least one carousel (4) for moving said strips (S) of containers, supported revolving around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (R) and adapted to move said strips (S) of containers from said input line (2) to said output line (3), wherein said carousel (4) comprises a plurality of gripping means (5) of said strips (S) of containers; at least one inspection station (6) provided with image acquisition means (7) of said containers (C) and their contents during the movement on said carousel (4); a processing unit configured to process said acquired images and to recognize the presence of contaminating particles within said containers (C); characterized by the fact that each of said gripping means (5) comprises: a gripping device (11) of said ending portion (E) of one of said strips (S) of containers; tilting means (12) of said gripping device (11) around an axis of tilting (B), between a lowered position, wherein said gripping device (11) is adapted to position said strip (S) with the containers (C) substantially vertical for inspection by means of said inspection station (6), and a raised position, wherein said gripping device (11) is adapted to turn said strip (S) over to move the contents within the containers (C) prior to the inspection by means of said inspection station (6).2) Appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said gripping device (11) comprises at least one jaw gripper (13), wherein said jawsare provided with respective gripping pads (14) adapted to close where opposite surfaces of said ending portion (E) of the strip (S) of containers are located.3) Appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said gripping pads (14) have an enlarged conformation along a substantially horizontal direction.4) Appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said gripping pads (14) extend along said substantially horizontal direction by a stretch which substantially corresponds to the width of said ending portion (E) of the strip (S) of containers.5) Appliance (1) according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that said ending portion (E) of the strip (S) of containers is substantially plateshaped and said gripping pads (14) are provided with flat surfaces adapted to be placed where opposite surfaces of said ending portion (E) are located respectively, adhering to said surfaces, when said gripper is closed.6) Appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said tilting means (12) are configured to rotate said gripping device (11) around an axis of tilting (B) substantially tangential to the circular rotational trajectory of said carousel (4).7) Appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said axis of tilting (B) is substantially horizontal.8) Appliance (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said tilting means (12) comprise at least one holding element (15) associated with said carousel (4), at least one small arm (16) supporting said gripping device (11), associated with said holding element (15) in a rotatable maimer around said axis of tilting (B), and at least one actuator device (17) associated with said holding element (15) and operationally connected to said small arm (16) to move said gripping device (11) between said lowered position and said raised position.9) Appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said small supporting arm (16) comprises one first end associated rotatable with said holding element (15) and one second end provided with said gripping device (11).10) Appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that said tilting means (12) comprise a pair of small supporting arms (16) provided with respective first ends associated rotatable with substantially opposite portions of said holding elements and with second ends associated with substantially opposite portions of said gripping device (11).

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