Method for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for exchanging a coiled film holder (3) of a cassette (2), the cassette comprising a cassette base plate (4) provided with a shaft (6) for supporting a coiled film holder and a protection plate fitted on the shaft for supporting and protecting the coiled film, the method comprising the step of; a. separating the coiled film holder (3) from the protection plate to form a defined space between the coiled film holder and the protection plate, and subsequently b. pressing the coiled film holder away from the protection plate and off from the shaft (6).

Description

[0001] Method for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The current disclosure relates to a method for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette as well as to an apparatus for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette.

[0004] Such a cassette is known per se and is used in a device for packaging discrete medicaments in pouches, and a method for packaging discrete medicaments in pouches. Such packaging devices are used for packaging large amounts of pouches with usually a small selection of dose units each to be administered at once to a patient. Data needs to be printed on each pouch and the film in the cassette is a consumable during the printing process. Although, the amount of film in a cassette can be 1000 meters, still the cassette needs to be exchanged regularly.

[0005] Such a packaging device is known from US 2014 / 0366489 Al concerning a device for dispensing solid substances for medical use. The device is provided with a great number of feeder units, also known as ‘canisters’, distributed in a radial grid about a rotation 15 axis. Each feeder unit holds an amount of solid substances specific to that respective feeder unit. Hence, together, the feeder units can dispense a wide variety of solid substances. The device is further provided with a collection frame that is rotatable about the rotation axis below the 20 array of feeder positions. The collection frame is provided with a series of collection trays for collecting solid substances dispensed from any of the feeder units in the array of feeder positions. The device further comprises a packing unit 25 arranged in a stationary position below the collection frame for packing the solid substances received from the collection trays. The collection frame is rotated about the rotation axis such that each collection tray passes along each of the feeder units in the array of feeder positions before arriving 30 at the packing unit.

[0006] Each packaging unit 61, 62 comprises a stock member for holding the packaging material, in this example a foil, a 20 printer for printing information about the medicaments 90 on the foil, a filling member for positioning the foil to receive the medicaments 90, a seal member for forming a pouch around the received medicaments 90, a perforation member for providing the foil with perforations between subsequently 25 formed pouches and an output member for outputting the packaged medicaments F from the dispensing device 1.

[0007] Thus, known packaging devices are arranged to form pouches in an elongate web and to fill said pouches with a discrete medicament. Subsequently, the pouches are sealed to contain the discrete medicaments. The known packaging device comprises a driven roller for pulling the elongate web along a trajectory through the sealing and filling parts of the packaging device. The printer of such a known packaging device, “the Indivion” uses printer film also referred as printer ribbon. This ribbon is placed in the printer by means of a cassette. When the ribbon is fully used the cassette has to be exchanged. At that moment, the coils of the ribbon have to be removed from the cassette. Removal of a coil from a shaft requires a substantial force. The cassette also comprises protection rings on the shafts. The protecting rings contact and support the coils, and guide the ribbon. Often, a protecting ring is removed from the shaft by accident by an operator while removing a coil from a cassette. This removal of a protecting ring may subsequently lead to faulty production because of poorly printed information on the pouches.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The object of the current invention is to provide a method as well as an apparatus that facilitates removal of the coil without pulling of a protecting ring.

[0010] Therefore, the invention provides a method for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette, the cassette comprising a cassette base plate provided with a shaft for supporting a coiled film holder and a protection plate fitted on the shaft for supporting and protecting the coiled film, the method comprising the step of; a. separating the coiled film holder from the protection plate to form a defined space between the coiled film holder and the protection plate, and subsequently b. pressing the coiled film holder away from the protection plate and off from the shaft. The solution according to the invention is a method wherein the coiled film holder is removed in two separate steps from the shaft. In step a) the coil is moved from protection plate, for example until halfway the shaft. Important is that a defined space is created between the protection plate and the coiled film holder. The defined space is configured to allow a pressing tool to extend into the space for pressing the coiled film holder from the shaft. In other words, in step b) the space between the coil and the ring is used for finishing the removal of the coiled film holder from the shaft.

[0011] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, step a) comprises moving the coiled film holder in unity with the protection plate along the shaft. Moving the coiled film holder in unity with the protection plate enables to press the coiled film from the shaft instead of pulling the coiled film holder from the shaft. Pulling the coiled film holder from the shaft is more elaborate and less controllable. In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, between method step a) and step b), the cassette base plate is moved from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position of the base plate a press member extends between the protection plate and the coiled film holder. Moving the cassette base plate from a first position to a second position allows to reposition the protection plate with respect to a pressing member.

[0012] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the protection plate is fitted on the shaft with a loose fit and the method comprises driving the protection plate away from the coiled film holder by gravity before method step b). The protection plate being loose fitted to the shaft facilitates to drive the protection plate away from the coiled film holder and obtain the defined space.

[0013] The invention also relates to a cassette obtained from the method according to the invention.

[0014] The invention also relates to an apparatus for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette, and suitable for the method according to a preceding claim, the apparatus comprising; a holding station for receiving a cassette base plate, a press system for pressing a coiled film holder on and / or off a shaft provided on the cassette base plate, wherein the holding station is configured to define a first and a second position of the cassette base plate with respect to the press system and wherein the first and second position are offset. The holding station being configured to define a first and a second position of the cassette base plate facilitates to reposition the protection plate with respect to a pressing member of the press system in a controllable manner. The apparatus can also be referred to as “ribbon exchange tool”.

[0015] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the press system comprises a stationary press member, and a moveable press member moveable with respect to the stationary press member in a pressing direction, wherein the first and second position of the cassette base plate are offset from each other in the pressing direction. This all the more facilitates to reposition the protection plate with respect to the pressing member of the press system in a controllable manner and allows a simple movement sequence of the pressing system. The pressing direction is normally the vertical, however a different orientation of the pressing direction is conceivable.

[0016] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the holding station comprises a moveable frame moveable in the pressing direction and comprising opposite slots for receiving the cassette base plate. The moveable frame facilitates controlled pressing because the holding system maintains engagement with the cassette base plate during pressing. The opposite slots enable to define the first and second position of the cassette base plate.

[0017] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, a pair of opposite slots define the first position of the cassette base plate. This all the more facilitates robust positioning of the cassette base plate with respect to the holding system.

[0018] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the holding station comprises a detection system for detecting the presence of cassette base plate in the first position of the cassette base plate. The detection system enables control of the position of the press system depending on the presence of cassette base plate in the first position of the cassette base plate.

[0019] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the press system comprises a control unit for controlling a position of the moveable press member, wherein the detecting system is coupled with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the position of the moveable press member depending on the presence of cassette base plate in the first position of the cassette base plate. The control unit enables to have a different stroke of the press system in step a) compared to step b). In other words, the control unit can control a stroke-limiter that ensures that the stroke of the press is limited in the first step a), and not limited in step b).

[0020] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the holding station comprises a spring system for spring loading the moveable frame towards the stationary press member. This all the more facilitates robust initial positioning of the cassette base plate with respect to the holding system because the moveable frame is spring loaded against a defined stop surface. Also, the moveable frame assists in determining the defined space between the coiled film holder and the protection plate because the movement of the moveable frame corresponds to the defined space.

[0021] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the stationary press member comprises a plate part having a plate thickness smaller than the offset between the first and second position of the cassette base plate in the pressing direction. The plate part having a plate thickness smaller than the offset between the first and second position of the cassette base plate facilitates to extend the stationary press member into the defined space.

[0022] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the press system comprises a tool change station for changing between pressing tools. The tool station facilitates to use the apparatus for both pressing a coiled film holder on and off the shaft. In other words, the press system can also be used for placing new coils with some pressure because a mechanism is provided to switch the function, in one position pressing on the shaft to press the shaft out of the coil, in the other position pressing on the coil to press the coil on the shaft.

[0023] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the tool change station comprises a carousel for supporting the pressing tools. The carousel all the more facilitates a controlled tool change and defined pressing of the coiled film holder.

[0024] When the pressing tool is in a pressing position, the press system is released for pressing a coiled film holder on and / or off a shaft provided on the cassette base plate. When the pressing tool is out of the pressing position, the pressing tool is preferably blocked, in particular the moveable press member is prevented from moving to avoid damage to a cassette.

[0025] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in perspective view, figure 2a shows a cassette supporting a pair or coiled film holders, figure 2b shows the cassette of figure 2b partly in exploded view, and figure 3a-3c show a schematic drawing in cross sectional side view of a cassette and a detail of the apparatus during method steps according to the invention.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the invention in perspective view.

[0029] The apparatus 1 is suitable for exchanging a coiled film holder 24 of a cassette 2. Such a cassette 2 is shown in fig. 2a and is known per se. The apparatus 1 is suitable for the method according to the invention. The apparatus 1 is shown here without a cassette 2.

[0030] The apparatus 1 comprises a holding station 7. The holding station 7 is configured for receiving a cassette base plate 4.

[0031] The holding station 7 is configured to define a first and a second position of the cassette base plate 4. The first position of the cassette base plate 4 is shown in fig. 3a. The second position of the cassette base plate 4 is shown in fig. 3c.

[0032] The apparatus 1 comprises a press system 8. The press system 8 is configured for pressing a coiled film holder 24 on and / or off a shaft 6a, 6b provided on the cassette base plate 4.

[0033] The first and the second position of the cassette base plate 4 are defined with respect to a press system 8. The first and the second position of the cassette base plate 4 are offset along a pressing direction 11.

[0034] The press system 8 comprises a stationary press member 9. In use the stationary press member 9 presses the coiled film holder 24. The press system 8 comprises a moveable press member 10. The moveable press member 10 is moveable with respect to the stationary press member 9. The moveable press member 10 is moveable in a pressing direction 11. The first and second position of the cassette base plate 4 are offset from each other in the pressing direction 11. In this case, the pressing direction 11 coincides with the vertical. The first and second position of the cassette base plate 4 are therefore offset from each other in the vertical direction.

[0035] The stationary press member 9 comprises a plate part having a plate thickness 18. The plate thickness 18 is smaller than the offset between the first and second position of the cassette base plate 4 in the pressing direction 11.

[0036] The press system 8 comprises a tool change station 19. The tool change station 19 is configured for changing between pressing tools. In this case, the pressing tools comprises a pair of pressing pins 21 as well as a pair of press stamps 22. A pressing pin 21 exerts a pressing force on a shaft 6 as shown in fig. 3 A to remove a coiled film holder 3 from the shaft 6. A press stamp 22 exerts a pressing force on a coiled film holder 3 to press the coiled film holder 3 onto the shaft 23. The press stamp 22 exerts the pressing force on a shoulder 32 of the coiled film holder 3. The pressing pin 21 exerts a pressing force on a shaft 6 as shown in fig. 3 A. Thus, the tool change station 19 is configured for changing between the pressing tools 21, 22 for pressing a coiled film holder 3 on or off the shaft 6 as desired. The tool change station 19 comprises a handle 13 to move the desired pressing tool 21, 22 into a pressing position. Here, the tool change station 19 comprises a carousel 20 for supporting the pressing tools 21, 22. The carousel 20 is rotatable around a carousel rotation axis 31. The handle 13 is rotatable around a handle rotation axis 12.

[0037] When the desired pressing tool 21, 22 is in the pressing position, the moveable press member 10 is allowed to move with respect to the stationary press member 9. When the desired pressing tool 21, 22 is out of the pressing position, movement of the moveable press member 10 is preferably blocked.

[0038] The holding station 7 comprises a moveable frame 14. The moveable frame 14 is moveable in the pressing direction 11. The moveable frame 14 comprises opposite slots 15. The opposite slots 15 are configured for receiving the cassette base plate 4 in the first and second position of the cassette base plate 4. A pair of opposite slots 15 is associated with the first position of the cassette base plate 4 and a different pair of opposite slots 15 is associated with the second position of the cassette base plate 4. In other words, a pair of opposite slots 15 defines the first position of the cassette base plate 4. The holding station 7 comprises a detection system 16. The detection system 16 is configured for detecting the presence of cassette base plate 4 in the first position of the cassette base plate 4 as shown in fig. 3 A.

[0039] The press system 8 comprises a control unit (not shown) for controlling a position of the moveable press member 10. The detection system 16 is coupled with the control unit, and the control unit is configured for controlling the position of the moveable press member 10 depending on the presence of cassette base plate 4 in the first position of the cassette base plate 4. The control unit controls in particular the stroke of the moveable press member 10.

[0040] The holding station 7 comprises a spring system 17. The spring system 17 is coupled with the moveable frame 14 for spring loading, that is pretensioning, the moveable frame 14 towards a stop (not shown) defining a position of the moveable frame 14. The moveable frame 14 is pretensioned towards the stationary press member 9.

[0041] Figure 2a shows a cassette 2. Such a cassette 2 is known per se. The cassette 2 supports a pair or coiled film holders 24. Coiled film holder 24 is also referred to as “coil”. Reference number 24 concerns the coiled film holder that is the holder plus film in a coiled form. The reference number 3 concerns the holder itself, also known as a bobbin 3. The cassette 2 comprises a cassette base plate 4 provided with two shafts 6a, 6b for supporting a pair of coiled film holders 24. A film 26 extends between the two coils. During operation of a packaging device, the film is transported from one coil to the other so that a new film section is available for printing.

[0042] Figure 2b shows the cassette 2 of figure 2a partly in exploded view. As shown, a protection plate 5 is fitted on each shaft 6a, 6b for supporting the coiled film itself as well as the coiled film holder 24.

[0043] Figure 3a-3c each show a schematic drawing in cross sectional side view of a cassette 2 and a detail of the apparatus 1 during method steps according to the invention. The method exchanges a coiled film holder 3 of a cassette 2. The cassette 2 comprises a cassette base plate 4 provided with a shaft 6 supporting a coiled film holder 3 and a protection plate 5 as shown in fig. 3a. The protection plate 5 is fitted on the shaft 6 for supporting and protecting the coiled film. The protection plate 5 rests on a flange 28. The protection plate 5 is coupled with the shaft 6 with a loose fit. Therefore, the protection plate 5 can easily slide with respect to the shaft 6.

[0044] The coiled film holder 3 is coupled with the shaft 6 with a press fit connection. Therefore, the shaft 6 comprises a spring or spring-ball 29 for tightly holding the coiled film holder 3. The spring-ball 29 is here shown as a simple spherical thickening 29 of the shaft 6. The spring-ball 29 also facilitates to maintain the protection plate 5 on the shaft 6 since the protection plate 5 is stopped from sliding along the shaft 6 by the spring-ball 29.

[0045] Now turning to the method steps. First, the cassette base plate 4 is placed in the holding station 7. The cassette base plate 4 is positioned in the holding station 7 in a first position. The first position of the cassette base plate 4 is defined by a pair of opposite sleeves 15a of a frame 14 that is part of the holding station 7. When the cassette base plate 4 is in the first position, both the coiled film holder 3 and the protection plate 5 are above the stationary press member 9. The protection plate 5 faces the stationary press member 9 from above.

[0046] Second, the press pin 21 exerts a pressing force Fpress to the shaft 6. Here, the shaft 6 has an inner shaft part 23 and an outer shaft part 27. The inner shaft part 23 is coupled to the cassette base plate 4. The press pin 21 exerts the pressing force Fpress to the inner shaft part 23. The outer shaft part 27 is rotatably mounted on the inner shaft part 23. The outer shaft part 27 is prevented from taken off from the inner shaft part 23 by a flange 33. The coiled film holder 3 is coupled with the outer shaft part 27 with the press fit connection. Therefore, the coiled film holder 3 can be rotatably driven with respect to the cassette base plate 4. The outer shaft part 27 is spring supported with respect to the cassette base plate 4 by a spring system 30. This facilitates the shaft 6 to engage with a drive system (not shown) to wind or unwind the film 26.

[0047] Third, as shown in fig. 3B, the shaft 6 is pressed down with respect to the stationary press member 9. The coiled film holder 3 and the protection plate 5 are supported by the stationary press member 9. Therefore, the coiled film holder 3 is pressed from the shaft 6. The coiled film holder 3 moves in unity with the protection plate 5 along the shaft 6. The coiled film holder 3 is pressed from the shaft 6 to a position about halfway a height of the shaft 6 wherein the coiled film holder 3 is still in press fit contact with the shaft 6.

[0048] Fourth, the cassette base plate 4 is moved from the first position to a second position. The cassette base plate 4 is re-positioned in the holding station 7 in the second position as shown in fig. 3C. The second position of the cassette base plate 4 is defined by a pair of opposite sleeves 15b of a frame 14 that is part of the holding station 7. When the cassette base plate 4 is in the second position, the coiled film holder 3 is above the stationary press member 9. When the cassette base plate 4 is in the second position, protection plate 5 is below the stationary press member 9. The protection plate 5 still faces the stationary press member 9, however from below. In other words, when the cassette base plate 4 is in the second position, the stationary press member 9 extends between the protection plate 5 and the coiled film holder 3.

[0049] As a next step, the coiled film holder 3 is separated from the protection plate 5 to form a defined space 6 between the coiled film holder 3 and the protection plate 5. As the protection plate 5 is fitted on the shaft 6 with a loose fit, the method comprises driving the protection plate 5 away from the coiled film holder 3 by gravity. This step therefore, is normally taken during moving of the cassette base plate 4 from the first position to a second position.

[0050] Lastly, the coiled film holder 3 is pressed away from the protection plate 5 and off from the shaft 6. The coiled film holder 3 ends up in a situation as shown in fig. 2B. -0-0-0-0-0-0-

Claims

Claims1. Method for exchanging a coiled film holder (3) of a cassette (2), the cassette comprising a cassette base plate (4) provided with a shaft (6) for supporting a coiled film holder (24) and a protection plate (5) fitted on the shaft for supporting and protecting the coiled film, the method comprising the step of; a. separating the coiled film holder from the protection plate to form a defined space between the coiled film holder and the protection plate, and subsequently b. pressing the coiled film holder away from the protection plate and off from the shaft.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises moving the coiled film holder in unity with the protection plate along the shaft.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein between method step a) and step b), the cassette base plate is moved from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position of the cassette base plate a press member (9) extends between the protection plate and the coiled film holder.

4. Method according to a preceding claim, wherein the protection plate is fitted on the shaft with a loose fit and the method comprises driving the protection plate away from the coiled film holder by gravity before method step b).

5. Apparatus (1) for exchanging a coiled film holder of a cassette, and suitable for the method according to a preceding claim, the apparatus comprising; a holding station (7) for receiving a cassette base plate, a press system (8) for pressing a coiled film holder on and / or off a shaft provided on the cassette base plate,wherein the holding station is configured to define a first and a second position of the cassette base plate with respect to the press system and wherein the first and second position are offset.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the press system comprises a stationary press member (9), and a moveable press member (10) moveable with respect to the stationary press member in a pressing direction (11), wherein the first and second position of the cassette base plate are offset from each other in the pressing direction.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the holding station comprises a moveable frame (14) moveable in the pressing direction and comprising opposite slots (15) for receiving the cassette base plate.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a pair of opposite slots define the first position of the cassette base plate.

9. Apparatus according to a preceding claim 5 - 8, wherein the holding station comprises a detection system (16) for detecting the presence of cassette base plate in the first position of the cassette base plate.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the press system comprises a control unit for controlling a position of the moveable press member, wherein the detection system is coupled with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the position of the moveable press member depending on the presence of cassette base plate in the first position of the cassette base plate.

11. Apparatus according to a preceding claim, wherein the holding station comprises a spring system (17) for spring loading the moveable frame towards the stationary press member.

12. Apparatus according to a preceding claim 5 - 11, wherein the stationary press member comprises a plate part having a plate thickness (18) smaller than the offset between the first and second position of the cassette base plate in the pressing direction.

13. Apparatus according to a preceding claim 5 - 12, wherein the press system comprises a tool change station (19) for changing between pressing tools.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the tool change station comprises a carousel (20) for supporting the pressing tools.-0-0-0-0-0-

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