Apparatus and method for separating blister strips

Abstract

An apparatus for the automated separation of a strip of primary packages comprises a plurality of vacuum grippers arranged along a row, each vacuum gripper comprising a gripping surface for contacting the respective sealing foil portion sealed to a dedicated primary packaging shell of one primary package of the strip. Adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis. The apparatus further comprises a rotary drive unit for rotating the plurality of vacuum grippers with respect to one another between an inplane arrangement, in which the gripping surfaces of all vacuum grippers are arranged in a common plane, and a twisted arrangement, in which the gripping surfaces of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are arranged rotated relative to one another around the rotation axis and include a rotational angle (α) in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is generally related to the field of manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses, in particular contact lenses such as soft contact lenses. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the automated separation of a strip of primary packages each containing such an ophthalmic lens into single primary packages.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the field of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, in particular contact lenses such as soft contact lenses, large numbers of lenses are produced in an automated lens manufacturing process in an automated lens manufacturing line. Typically, a number of inspections are performed for each lens to ensure that the strict quality criteria are met by each manufactured lens. Once the manufactured lenses have successfully passed the inspections, they are transferred to primary packages, one lens into one primary package.

[0003] Typically, strips of primary packages are produced in the automated lens manufacturing process. Such a strip of primary packages is typically formed by a plurality of individual primary packages such as three or five such primary packages (any other number being possible as well) adjacently arranged along a (straight) row. Each primary package comprises a primary packaging shell. All primary packages of a said strip are sealed by a common sealing foil strip in a manner such that a respective sealing foil portion of the common sealing foil strip is sealed to each primary packaging shell arranged along the row. Thus, the common sealing foil strip separably connects the primary packages of the strip. The sealing foil strip may, for instance, comprise perforated lines defining predetermined lines of separation arranged between adjacent primary packages of the strip.

[0004] In contrast to the normal distribution of primary packages in the form of strips, in patient trials it is often required to provide quite a considerable number of lenses in separate single primary packages (i.e. single primary packages which are not connected to one another). The lenses to be used in patient trials are normally selected taking the results of the inspections into account, and oftentimes the selected lenses are not contained in the primary packages of the same strip. Accordingly, in a first step those strips containing the selected lenses must be identified and sorted out, and thereafter in a second step at least that individual single primary package of the strip containing the selected lens must be separated from the rest of the primary packages of the strip. This separation of the single primary package containing the selected lens is performed manually by an operator. However, this manual separation of the single primary packages from the respective strips is time-consuming, labor-intensive and is therefore expensive. In addition, manually separating the single primary packages containing the selected lenses from the strips may result in the seal seams of one or more of these packages getting inadvertently damaged, as an operator may not always take sufficient care during separation of the selected primary package from the respective strip.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for the separation of a strip of primary packages into single primary packages, the apparatus and method overcoming the afore-mentioned problems.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects are achieved by an apparatus and a method for the automated separation of a strip of primary packages, each containing an ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens, into single primary packages, as specified by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous aspects of the apparatus and the method according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] As used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural, unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. When using the term "about" with reference to a particular numerical value or a range of values, this is to be understood in the sense that the particular numerical value referred to in connection with the "about" is included and explicitly disclosed, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, if a range of "about" numerical value A to "about" numerical value B is disclosed, this is to be understood to include and explicitly disclose a range of numerical value A to numerical value B. Also, whenever features are combined with the term "or", the term "or" is to be understood to also include "and" unless it is evident from the specification that the term "or" must be understood as being exclusive.

[0008] According to the invention, an apparatus for the automated separation of a strip of primary packages, each containing an ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens, into single primary packages is suggested. Each primary package of the strip comprises a primary packaging shell, and a respective sealing foil portion of a common sealing foil strip is sealed to each primary packaging shell to separably connect the primary packages of the strip.

[0009] The apparatus comprises

[0010] a plurality of vacuum grippers arranged along a row, each vacuum gripper comprising a gripping surface for contacting the respective sealing foil portion sealed to a dedicated primary packaging shell of one primary package of the strip to grip said one primary package. Adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis extending in a direction of the row along which the plurality of vacuum grippers are arranged.

[0011] The apparatus further comprises

[0012] a rotary drive unit for rotating the plurality of vacuum grippers with respect to one another between

[0013] an in-plane arrangement of the gripping surfaces, in which the gripping surfaces of all vacuum grippers are arranged in a common plane, and

[0014] a twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces, in which the gripping surfaces of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are arranged rotated relative to one another around the rotation axis and include a rotational angle in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees, in particular 90 degrees to 105 degrees, and especially 95 degrees.

[0015] According to one aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the gripping surface of each vacuum gripper defines a respective plane, and the rotation axis extends within each respective plane.

[0016] According to another aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, in the twisted arrangement of the plurality of vacuum grippers adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are translationally movable relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The apparatus further comprises a translational drive unit for translationally moving the plurality of vacuum grippers with respect to one another in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis between

[0017] an on-axis twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces, in which the gripping surfaces of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are arranged without any translational offset in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis relative to one another, and

[0018] an offset twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces, in which the gripping surfaces of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are arranged at a translational offset in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis relative to one another.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the apparatus according the invention, in the offset twisted arrangement the translational offset is in a range of 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus further comprises

[0021] a stationary frame, wherein one of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers of the plurality of vacuum grippers is mounted to the stationary frame, and

[0022] a pivotable frame, wherein the other one of the adjacently arranged vacuum grippers of the plurality of vacuum gripper is mounted to the pivotable frame.

[0023] The pivotable frame is pivotable around the rotation axis, and the rotary drive unit is configured for pivoting the pivotable frame between

[0024] a non-pivoted position, in which the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers are arranged in the in-plane arrangement, and

[0025] a pivoted position, in which the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers are arranged in the twisted arrangement.

[0026] According to another aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the translational drive unit comprises one or more linear actuators mounted to the stationary frame for moving the vacuum grippers mounted to the stationary frame relative to the vacuum grippers mounted to the pivotable frame in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and perpendicular to the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers mounted to the stationary frame.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a support table having an upper support surface, and a carrier tray movably arranged on the upper support surface for carrying and arranging the strip of primary packages underneath the gripping surfaces of the plurality of vacuum grippers with the sealing foil strip facing upwards.

[0028] In the in-plane arrangement each gripping surface of the plurality of vacuum grippers faces downwardly towards the carrier tray,

[0029] such that each sealing foil portion of the sealing foil strip of the strip of primary packages carried by the carrier tray is arrangeable underneath the gripping surface of one of the vacuum grippers.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the plurality of vacuum grippers consists of five vacuum grippers.

[0031] According to the invention, a method for the automated separation of a strip of primary packages, each containing an ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens, into single primary packages is suggested, too. Each primary package of the strip comprises a primary packaging shell, and a respective sealing foil portion of a common sealing foil strip is sealed to each primary packaging shell to separably connect the primary packages of the strip.

[0032] The method comprises the steps of:

[0033] vacuum gripping each of the primary packages at the respective sealing foil portion sealed to the respective dedicated primary packaging shell of one primary package of the strip,

[0034] rotating adjacent primary packages of the strip with respect to one another around a rotation axis by an angle which is in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees, in particular between 90 degrees to 105 degrees, and especially 95 degrees, wherein the rotation axis extends in a direction of the strip of primary packages.

[0035] According to one aspect of the method according to the invention, each sealing foil portion sealed to a respective dedicated primary packaging shell of the strip defines a respective plane and the rotation axis extends within each respective plane.

[0036] According to another aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises, after the step of rotating, the step of translationally moving adjacent primary packages with respect to one another in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis by an offset.

[0037] According to yet another aspect of the method according to the invention the offset by which adjacent primary packages are translationally moved with respect to one another is in a range between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of moving adjacent primary packages back into an arrangement in which the outwardly facing surfaces of all sealing foil portions sealed to the respective primary packaging shell are arranged in a common plane.

[0039] According to another aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of releasing the gripped primary packages.

[0040] According to yet another aspect of the method according to the invention, the strip of primary packages contains five primary packages.

[0041] The apparatus according to the invention is advantageous in that the strip of primary packages can be separated into single primary packages for instance for use in patient trials efficiently in an automated manner. The primary packages can be separated in a less time-consuming and cost-efficient way by the apparatus according to the invention. In addition, the apparatus allows to separate the individual primary packages of the strip in a uniform and controlled manner (e.g. by controlling for instance the exerted force / torque) compared to manual separation of the primary packages of the strip, and further allows to grip each primary package at the respective sealing foil during separation. Through the automated and uniform manner of separating the primary packages of the strip, inadvertent damaging of the seal seam can be avoided.

[0042] Each vacuum gripper may comprise a vacuum cup the gripping surface of which extends circumferentially around an opening of the vacuum cup in a plane. After contacting the sealing foil with the gripping surface, suction may be applied through the opening of the vacuum cup to grip the respective primary package. The vacuum grippers are arranged such that the arrangement of the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers with respect to one another matches the arrangement of the sealing foil portions sealed to the respective primary packaging shells of the strip of primary packages relative to one another other.

[0043] The vacuum grippers allow to grip each primary package of the strip at the sealing foil portion sealed to the respective primary packaging shell by contact. Upon rotation of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers relative to one another to cause rotation of adjacent primary packages of the strip relative to one another, the force / torque required to tear the sealing foil strip between adjacent primary packaging shells in order to separate the single primary packages of the strip into individual single primary packages is directly applied to the sealing foil strip rather than being (indirectly) applied to the sealing foil strip via the primary packaging shells. Thus, possible stress to the seal seam of the primary packages during separation may be reduced.

[0044] The arrangement of the plurality of vacuum grippers along the row is to be understood as a straight linear arrangement of the vacuum grippers, i.e. the centers of the vacuum grippers are all arranged along a straight line.

[0045] Every one out of two adjacently arranged vacuum grippers of the plurality of vacuum grippers arranged along the row may be rotatable around the rotation axis, while every other out of two adjacently arranged vacuum grippers of the plurality of vacuum grippers arranged along the row is rotationally fixed, so that a rotatable and a rotationally fixed mounted vacuum gripper are alternately arranged along the row. The rotatable vacuum grippers may be rotated by the same angle α and in the same direction relative to the rotationally fixed vacuum grippers so as to change the arrangement of the vacuum grippers from the in-plane arrangement (in which the gripping surfaces of all vacuum grippers arranged in the row are arranged in a common plane) to the twisted arrangement (in which the gripping surfaces of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are rotated relative to one another by the angle α).

[0046] Rotation of the rotatable vacuum grippers is achieved with the aid of the rotary drive unit which may be any motorized drive unit capable of directly or indirectly generating a rotary motion of the rotatable vacuum grippers. For instance, the driving unit may comprise a rotary electric motor or, alternatively, may comprise any kind of drive capable of generating a motion that is converted to a rotary motion. The force / torque applied for generating the relative rotation of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers may be controlled by a controller of the rotary drive unit.

[0047] The arrangement of the rotation axis such that it extends within each respective plane defined by the gripping surface of each vacuum gripper allows for a purely rotational movement of the sealing foil portions of adjacent primary packages of the strip relative to one another (regardless of whether all gripping surfaces are arranged to extend in the same plane, or whether they are arranged rotated relative to one another such that the planes of gripping surfaces or adjacently arranged vacuum grippers are rotated relative to one another). Accordingly, the rotation axis also extends within an outer surface of the sealing foil strip of a strip of primary packages that is vacuum gripped by and adheres to the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers. The rotation axis further extends across portions of the sealing foil strip arranged between the primary packaging shells of adjacent primary packages of the gripped strip. In case the foil strip is perforated along perforation lines between adjacent primary packaging shells of the strip, the rotation axis extends across the perforation lines, and may in particular extend centrally across the perforation lines to facilitate separation of adjacently arranged primary packages of the strip into single primary packages.

[0048] In such instance, the rotation axis may extend either through a web of the perforation line (i.e. through a piece of material) of the sealing foil strip. Thus, by a simple rotational movement of adjacent primary packages of the strip relative to one another, the sealing foil strip may not get completely separated at the location of the web and may still connect the adjacent primary packages of the strip despite the rotation. Therefore, an additional translational movement of every other of the plurality of vacuum grippers may be performed, and this additional translational movement is performed to move the gripping surfaces from the on-axis twisted arrangement (in which the gripping surfaces are purely rotated relative to one another) to the offset twisted arrangement (in which every other of the plurality of gripping surfaces is additionally moved in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis). In case the purely rotational movement of the adjacent primary packages of the strip has not resulted in complete separation of all primary packages of the strip into single primary packages, this additional translational movement makes sure the foil strip is completely broken and the primary packages of the strip are completely separated into single primary packages.

[0049] The translational movement may for instance be performed in a direction perpendicular to any of the adjacently arranged gripping surfaces (preferred). Alternatively, the translational movement may be performed in any direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0050] A translational offset in the range of 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters, is suitable and sufficient to break a said web of the foil strip at the perforation line in case it remains intact after the purely rotational movement of adjacent primary packages of the strip relative to one another.

[0051] There are various ways how adjacent ones of the vacuum grippers may be rotatable relative to one another. One possible way is to have every one of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers mounted to a stationary frame and every other of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers mounted to a pivotable frame. This allows for a simple and reliable constructional implementation of a mechanism enabling rotation of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers relative to one another. Those vacuum grippers mounted to the pivotable frame may then be simultaneously rotated relative to those vacuum grippers mounted to the stationary frame by simply pivoting the pivotable frame from the non-pivoted position to the pivoted position.

[0052] Linear actuators mounted to the stationary frame may allow for a translational movement of the vacuum grippers mounted to the stationary frame (and thereby also their respective gripping surfaces) relative to the vacuum grippers mounted to the pivotable frame (and thereby also their respective gripping surfaces) once rotation of the pivotable frame has been completed. As mentioned, it may occur that rotation of adjacent primary packages of the strip relative to one another may in some instances lead to a scenario where small webs of the foil strip may still connect adjacent primary packages of the strip. The translational movement will then tear the foil at these connections to complete separation of the primary packages of the strip into single primary packages.

[0053] To achieve full automation, the strips of primary packages may be moved to a position underneath the gripping surfaces of the vacuum grippers and away therefrom. For that purpose, a carrier tray may be provided which is movably arranged on an upper support surface of a support table. The carrier tray may comprise structures thereon for receiving the primary packages of the strip and for determining the position of the primary packages of the strip on the carrier tray. A pick-and-place robot may place a strip of primary packages on the carrier tray which is then moved with the primary packages arranged on the carrier tray at the determined positions to the vacuum grippers for separation of the primary packages of the strip, as described above.

[0054] While a strip of primary package may generally contain any number of primary packages (for example three packages), in one embodiment the strip of primary packages may contain (i.e. consist of) five primary packages. In this case, the plurality of vacuum grippers may consist of five vacuum grippers, one for each primary package of the strip. However, an apparatus having five vacuum grippers is also suitable for separating a strips of less than five primary packages, e.g. three primary packages. In such case, for example, the strip of three primary packages may be arranged such that the outermost two out of the five vacuum grippers are 'inactive' (i.e. they do not grip a primary package).

[0055] In essence, the method according to the invention offers the same advantages as those discussed above in connection with the apparatus according to the invention, so that they are not reiteratedBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Further advantageous aspects of the invention become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with the aid of the (schematic) drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a strip of primary packages;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the strip of primary packages;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of detail III of FIG. 2;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a strip of primary packages;

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the strip of primary packages with adjacent primary packages of the strip rotated relative to one another;

[0062] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of detail VI of FIG. 4;

[0063] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of detail VII of FIG. 5;

[0064] FIG. 8 shows the primary packages shown in FIG. 5 wherein adjacent primary packages of the strip are in addition translationally moved with respect to one another;

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a side view of planes defined by sealing foils portions sealed to the primary packaging shells of adjacent primary packages rotated relative to one another;

[0066] FIG. 10 shows side view of the planes of FIG. 9, which are in addition translationally moved relative to one another;

[0067] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the planes of FIG. 10, indicating a reverse translational movement back the arrangement shown in FIG. 10;

[0068] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the planes of FIG. 11, indicating a rotation reverse to the one shown in FIG. 9;

[0069] FIG. 13 shows perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

[0070] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a tray carrier for carrying and arranging the strip of primary packages;

[0071] FIG. 15 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;

[0072] FIG. 16 shows an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;

[0073] FIG. 17 shows a front view of the embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;

[0074] FIG. 18 shows an enlarged view of detail XVIII of FIG. 17;

[0075] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of apparatus according to the invention wherein adjacent vacuum grippers of the apparatus are arranged in a twisted arrangement;

[0076] FIG. 20 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention wherein vacuum grippers are arranged in the twisted arrangement; and

[0077] FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of detail XXI of FIG. 20.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a strip 1 consisting of five primary packages 10. Each primary package 10 comprises one primary packaging shell 12 and contains an ophthalmic lens such as contact lens, in particular a soft contact immersed in saline (not shown). A respective sealing foil portion 11 of a common sealing foil strip 13 is sealed to each primary packaging shell 12 along a seal seam 16 (indicated by the dashed line at the outermost left primary packaging shell 12). Seal seam 16 surrounds a lens receptacle 15 of the respective primary packaging shell 12 which may also contain a storage solution such as saline (not shown). The primary packages 10 of strip 1 are separably connected to one another via the common sealing foil strip 13.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the strip 1 of the primary packages 10 (with the foil strip 13 sealed to the primary packaging shells 12). Adjacent primary packages 10 of the strip 1 are connected to one another via a respective connecting portion of sealing foil strip 13, this connecting portion comprising a perforated line 14. Perforated lines 14 allow for separation of adjacent primary packages 10 of the strip 1 into single primary packages 10 along perforated line 14. For manual separation of the primary packages 10 of the strip by a user (not in accordance with the invention) to obtain single primary packages which may subsequently be opened to access the lens contained therein, or by an operator to obtain single primary packages for patient trials, adjacent primary packages 10 are typically grasped at the respective primary packaging shell 12 and are moved relative to one another such that adjacent primary packages 10 are separated along perforated line 14.

[0080] As can be seen best in FIG. 3 showing an enlarged view of detail III of FIG. 2, the respective perforated line 14 extends over the whole width of the connecting portion between two adjacent sealing foil portions 11 of sealing foil strip 13. Perforated line 14 comprises a plurality of perforation holes 141 and webs 140 arranged between the perforation holes 141.

[0081] The automated separation of the strip 1 of primary packages 10 in accordance with the invention is described in the following with the aid of FIG. 4 to FIG. 11.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows the strip 1 of primary package 10 prior to separation (initial state of the strip 1). FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the detail VI of FIG. 4, showing perforated line 14 prior to separation (similar to FIG. 3). Perforated line 14 is completely intact. As is shown in FIG. 5, the primary packages 10 of strip 1 are then vacuum gripped (as is described in more detail below) and are rotated relative to one another by an angle α around a rotation axis r. Rotation of the primary packages 10 of strip 1 is performed such that, for example, the first, third and fifth primary package 10 of strip 1 are rotated by the angle α, while the second and fourth primary package 10 of strip 1 are not rotated. Rotation axis r extends in direction of the strip 1 (along a straight line) and within the respective plane pf, pf' defined by each of the sealing foil portions 11 sealed to respective dedicated primary packaging shell 12 of the strip 1, regardless of the rotational orientation of the planes pf, pf'. Even after rotation, rotation axis r still extends within each of the planes pf, pf'.

[0083] As is shown in FIG. 7, after rotation it may occur that adjacent sealing foil portions 11 of the strip are still connected with one another at the perforated line 14 via a single web 140, so that the primary packages 10 of strip 1 are not yet completely separated into single primary packages 10. This may in particular occur in case the rotation axis r extends through a web 140 rather than through a perforation hole 141.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8, those two primary packages 10 that are not rotated are then translationally moved in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis r by a translational offset s relative to those primary packages 10 that are rotated, as is indicated by the unlabeled arrows in FIG. 8. Through this translational movement, the web 140 (see FIG. 7) still connecting the adjacent sealing foil portions 11 is broken and the adjacent primary packages 10 of strip 1 are then completely separated into single primary packages 10.

[0085] The steps described above are illustrated schematically in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 9, in a first step adjacent primary packages of the strip are rotated relative to one another, such that the planes pf, pf' defined by sealing foil portions 11 of adjacent primary packages of the strip include the angle α. In a second step (shown in FIG. 10) the adjacent primary packages and thus the planes pf, pf' are translationally moved relative to one another. In particular, in the embodiment described those primary packages that are not rotated are translationally moved (movement of plane pf by a translational offset s) to make sure the primary packages of the strip are completely separated (web 140 is broken) Thereafter, those primary packages that are translationally moved may be moved back (movement of plane pf by a translational offset -s), as is shown in FIG. 11, and finally those primary packages that are rotated are rotated back by the angle -α (shown in FIG. 12), so that the in-plane arrangement of the primary packages is re-established again. The separated single primary packages may then be further processed.

[0086] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vacuum grippers 21, 22 for vacuum gripping the strip 1 of primary packages 10 arranged along a row. Vacuum grippers 21, 22 are mounted to frame system 3 that comprises a stationary frame 30 and a pivotable frame 31, which is pivotable relative to stationary frame 30 about a hinge joint 32. Vacuum grippers 21 are mounted to stationary frame 30 while vacuum grippers 22 are mounted to pivotable frame 31. By pivoting pivotable frame 31 relative to stationary frame 30, vacuum grippers 22 mounted to pivotable frame 31 may be rotated relative to vacuum grippers 21 mounted to stationary frame 30. Each of vacuum grippers 21 is adjacently arranged to a vacuum gripper 22 for being capable of separating the strip 1 of primary packages 10 gripped by vacuum grippers 21, 22 into single primary packages 10 according to the principles described above.

[0087] The apparatus further comprises a support table 5 having an upper support surface 50. A carrier tray 6 for carrying and arranging the strip 1 of primary packages 10 underneath the vacuum grippers 21, 22 is movably arranged on upper support surface 50.

[0088] Carrier tray 6 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 14. Carrier tray 6 comprises five primary package holders 61 arranged along a first row at a first end of carrier tray 6 and five primary package holders 61 arranged along a second row at a second end of carrier tray 6 arranged opposite to the first end. Carrier tray 6 further comprises a tray base 60 for movably arranging carrier tray 6 on upper support surface 50 of support table 5.

[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 15, the apparatus further comprises a rotary drive unit 4. Rotary drive unit 4 comprises a rotary motor 40 capable of driving an articulated arm 41. Articulated arm 41 is connected to pivotable frame 31 via a hinge joint 42. By a rotational motion of rotary motor 40, pivotable frame 31 can be pivoted via articulated arm 41 between a pivoted position and a non-pivoted position. In FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, pivotable frame 31 is shown in the non-pivoted position in which pivotable frame 31 abuts against an upper stop 34 of frame system 3. When pivotable frame 31 is arranged in this non-pivoted position, vacuum grippers 21, 22 are arranged in an in-plane arrangement of the gripping surfaces 210, 220 (see FIG. 16).

[0090] This in-plane arrangement of the gripping surfaces 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22 is shown in FIG. 16. Each vacuum gripper 21 comprises a gripper housing 211 which is mounted to stationary frame 30 via a linear actuator (explained in more detail with the aid of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18). Each vacuum gripper 21 comprises a vacuum cup 212 having a gripping surface 210 that faces downwards. Each vacuum gripper 22 comprises a gripper housing 221 which is fixedly mounted to pivotable frame 31. Each vacuum gripper 22 comprises a gripping surface 220 which - in the in-plane arrangement of gripping surfaces 210, 220 - also faces downwards. In the in-plane arrangement of gripping surfaces 210, 220, the gripping surfaces 210, 220 of all vacuum grippers 21, 22 are arranged in a common plane pg (schematically indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 16). A rotation axis r around which vacuum grippers 22 are rotatable relative to the vacuum grippers 21 extends within a respective plane that is defined by each gripping surface 210, 220. In the in-plane arrangement of gripping surfaces 210, 220, said respective planes coincide with the common plane pg shown in FIG. 16.

[0091] FIG. 17 shows a front view of the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and FIG. 18 shows an enlarged view of detail XVIII of FIG. 17. The apparatus comprises a translational drive unit 7 (see also FIG. 15). Translational drive unit 7 comprises linear actuators 71, 72 for translationally moving those vacuum grippers 21 which are mounted to stationary frame 30 (and thus also for translationally moving their gripping surface 210) in a vertical direction perpendicular to rotation axis r, as is indicated by the unlabeled vertical double-headed arrows.

[0092] In the arrangement shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the primary packages 10 of strip 1 have not yet been vacuum gripped by vacuum grippers 21, 22 and are still arranged immediately beneath gripping surfaces 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22. Vacuum is then supplied to the vacuum cups 212, 222 of all vacuum grippers 21, 22 to suck the primary packages 10 of strip 1 against the gripping surfaces 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22.. Thereafter, each gripping surface 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22 contacts a respective sealing foil portion 11 sealed to the respective primary packaging shell 12 of primary package 10 of strip 1 to grip the respective one primary package 10. For example, the vacuum applied to each vacuum cup 212, 222 is in the range of 300 mbars to 700 mbars (relative to 1 bar pressure of the ambient).

[0093] Once gripping of the primary packages 10 of strip 1 is completed, pivotable frame 31 is pivoted relative to stationary frame 30 by a rotational angle α. Thereby, all gripping surfaces 220 of those vacuum grippers 22 mounted to pivotable frame 31 are rotated relative to all gripping surfaces 210 of vacuum grippers 21 mounted to stationary frame 30 by the same angle α (see FIG. 19) about rotation axis r.

[0094] In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, pivotable frame 31 is shown in the pivoted position in which gripping surfaces 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22 are arranged in a twisted position. Pivotable frame 31 abuts against a lower stop 33 of frame system 3. The primary packages 10 are not shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. In the twisted arrangement of gripping surfaces 210, 220, each gripping surface 220 of the respective vacuum gripper 22 mounted to the pivotable frame 31 includes the angle α with the respective adjacently arranged gripping surface gripping surface 210 of the respective vacuum gripper 21.

[0095] FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of detail XXI of FIG. 20. As can be seen in FIG. 21, the gripping surfaces 210 of all vacuum grippers 21 mounted to stationary frame 30 include the angle α with the gripping surface 220 of each adjacently arranged vacuum gripper 22 mounted to the pivotable frame 31. As each vacuum gripper 22 is rotated around the rotation axis r without vacuum grippers 21 being translationally moved yet, the gripping surfaces 210, 220 of vacuum grippers 21, 22 are arranged in an on-axis twisted arrangement (see also FIG. 9).

[0096] Subsequent to rotating vacuum grippers 22 relative to vacuum grippers 21, vacuum grippers 21 are translationally moved in the vertical direction perpendicular to rotation axis r by a translational offset (indicated by the unlabeled double-headed arrows in FIG. 21). Vacuum grippers 22 mounted to the pivotable frame 31 remain in their rotated position without being translationally moved, such that after translational movement of vacuum grippers 21 gripping surfaces 210, 220 are arranged in an off-axis twisted arrangement at a translational offset s (see FIG. 10) relative to one another. The translational offset s is in the range of 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters (see also FIG. 10). This translational offset s is to make sure the blister packages 10 of the strip are completely separated into individual single primary packages 10.

[0097] Thereafter, vacuum grippers 21 may be translationally moved back by the offset -s (see also FIG. 11), and thereafter vacuum grippers 22 are rotated back by the angle - α (see also FIG. 12). Finally, the vacuum supplied to vacuum cups 212, 222 of vacuum grippers 21, 22 is terminated, whereupon the single primary packages 10 may be released from the vacuum grippers 21, 22 back into the primary package holders 61 of carrier tray 6. For releasing the primary packages 10 from the vacuum grippers 21, 22, a slight overpressure may be applied to the vacuum cups 212, 222, which may for instance be in the range of 300 millibars to 700 millibars (relative to 1 bar pressure of the ambient).

[0098] While embodiments of the invention have been described with the aid of drawings, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather changers and modifications are possible without departing from the teaching underlying the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but rather is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the automated separation of a strip (1) of primary packages (10), each containing an ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens, into single primary packages (10), each primary package (10) of the strip (1) comprising a primary packaging shell (12), wherein a respective sealing foil portion (11) of a common sealing foil strip (13) is sealed to each primary packaging shell (12) to separably connect the primary packages (10) of the strip (1),the apparatus comprisinga plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) arranged along a row, each vacuum gripper (21, 22) comprising a gripping surface (210, 220) for contacting the respective sealing foil portion (11) sealed to a dedicated primary packaging shell (12) of one primary package (10) of the strip (1) to grip said one primary package (10), wherein adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) are rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis (r) extending in a direction of the row along which the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) are arranged, anda rotary drive unit (4) for rotating the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) with respect to one another betweenan in-plane arrangement of the gripping surfaces (210, 220), in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of all vacuum grippers (21, 22) are arranged in a common plane (pg),anda twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces (210, 220), in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) are arranged rotated relative to one another around the rotation axis (r) and include a rotational angle (a) in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees, in particular 90 degrees to 105 degrees,and especially 95 degrees.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping surface of each vacuum gripper (21, 22) defines a respective plane (pg2, pg2'), and the rotation axis (r) extends within each respective plane.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the twisted arrangement of the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) are translationally movable relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r), the apparatus further comprising a translational drive unit (7) for translationally moving the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) with respect to one another in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r) betweenan on-axis twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces (210, 220), in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) are arranged without any translational offset in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r) relative to one another, andan offset twisted arrangement of the gripping surfaces (210, 220), in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) are arranged at a translational offset (s) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r) relative to one another.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the offset twisted arrangement the translational offset (s) is in a range of 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisinga stationary frame (30), wherein one (21) of adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) of the plurality of vacuum grippers is mounted to the stationary frame (30), anda pivotable frame (31), wherein the other one (22) of the adjacently arranged vacuum grippers (21, 22) of the plurality of vacuum grippers is mounted to the pivotable frame (31), wherein the pivotable frame (31) is pivotable around the rotation axis (r), and wherein the rotary drive unit (4) is configured for pivoting the pivotable frame (31) betweena non-pivoted position, in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of the vacuum grippers are arranged in the in-plane arrangement, anda pivoted position, in which the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of the vacuum grippers are arranged in the twisted arrangement.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the translational drive unit (7) comprises one or more linear actuators (71, 72) mounted to the stationary frame (30) for moving the vacuum grippers (21) mounted to the stationary frame (30) relative to the vacuum grippers (22) mounted to the pivotable frame (31) in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r) and perpendicular to the gripping surfaces (210) of the vacuum grippers (21) mounted to the stationary frame (30).

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support table (5) having an upper support surface (50), and a carrier tray (6) movably arranged on the upper support surface, forcarrying and arranging the strip (1) of primary packages (10) underneath the gripping surfaces (210, 220) of the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) with the sealing foil strip (13) facing upwards,wherein in the in-plane arrangement each gripping surface (210, 220) of the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) faces downwardly towards the carrier tray (6), such that each sealing foil portion (11) of the sealing foil strip (13) of the strip (1) of primary packages (10) carried by the carrier tray (6) is arrangeable underneath the gripping surface (210, 220) of one of the vacuum grippers (21, 22).

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vacuum grippers (21, 22) consists of five vacuum grippers (21, 22).

9. Method for the automated separation of a strip (1) of primary packages (10), each containing an ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens, into single primary packages (10), each primary package (10) of the strip (1) comprising a primary packaging shell (12), wherein a respective sealing foil portion (11) of a common sealing foil strip (13) is sealed to each primary packaging shell (12) to separably connect the primary packages (10) of the strip (1),the method comprising the steps of:vacuum gripping each of the primary packages (10) at the respective sealing foil portion (11) sealed to the respective dedicated primary packaging shell (12) of one primary package (10) of the strip (1),rotating adjacent primary packages (10) of the strip (1) with respect to one another around a rotation axis (r) by an angle (a) which is in the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees, in particular between 90 degrees to 105 degrees, and especially 95 degrees, wherein the rotation axis (r) extends in a direction of the strip (1) of primary packages (11).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein each sealing foil portion (11) sealed to a respective dedicated primary packaging shell (12) of the strip (1) defines a respective plane, and the rotation axis (r) extends within each respective plane.

11. Method according claim 10, further comprising, after the step of rotating, the step of translationally moving adjacent primary packages (10) with respect to one another in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (r) by an offset (s).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the offset (s) by which adjacent primary packages (10) are translationally moved with respect to one another is in a range of 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, in particular 5 millimeters.

13. Method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of moving adjacent primary packages (10) back into an arrangement in which the outwardly facing surfaces of all sealing foil portions (11) sealed to the respective primary packaging shell (12) are arranged in a common plane.

14. Method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of releasing the gripped primary packages (10).

15. Method according to claim 9, wherein the strip (1) of primary packages contains five primary packages (10).

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