System of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labelling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatically actuated machine (1) for labelling vials and ampoules (5), provided with a vertical magazine (3) having a spool (4) that guides the receptacles to conduits (6) that lead to the work area (7), positioning them upright, in a stable and balanced manner, due to the action of cooperating rollers, including a pre-positioning roller (9), a final positioning roller (10), and a motor roller (11), as well as a drive roller (12) forming part of a set of pulleys and spools for the strip (13) of labels to be printed by the printer (18).

Description

COOPERATIONAL ROLLER SYSTEM FOR VIAL AND AMPOULE LABELING MACHINE Introduction

[0001] This patent application refers to an invention of an unprecedented “COOPERATING ROLLER SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE FOR LABELING VIALS AND AMPOULES”, which concerns a machine for labeling vials and ampoules made available in the work area by the force of gravity, acting on a cabinet and respective guiding reel, and through the cooperative action of rollers in the work area and in the operational area of ​​the machine itself, they enable perfect balance, positioning of said vials and ampoules in a vertical position, as well as the automation of the entire label application process. Field of application

[0002] The invention is applied in the healthcare industry, more specifically in machines for placing identification and control labels by hospital pharmacies on drugs packaged in vials and ampoules. Conviction

[0003] Specialists in the field know that a lack of information, alerts, and warnings creates a serious problem in hospitals. Approximately 72% of patient errors that lead to death are due to a lack of information for nurses, and vials are far more dangerous than orally administered drugs.

[0004] In the medication administration category, there are products called LASA (look alike and sound alike). These products are very similar. For these products, using distinguishing colors on labels is one solution.

[0005] Typically, labeling machines for vials and ampoules available on the market are classified as automatic or semi-automatic. The automatic machines are horizontal and require a series of manual vertical positioning adjustments to adjust the entire system of reels and traction, printing, and application knife for the various vial and ampoule diameters. In turn, semi-automatic versions require the presence of an operator to manually feed the vials or ampoules, placing them one by one to be labeled.

[0006] In this context, new technologies for labeling glass or plastic vials and ampoules with rigorous, safe and faster identification and control of the medication are welcome in the segment in question. State of the art

[0007] The current state of the art anticipates some patent documents dealing with labeling machines, such as CN 108298157 A entitled "AMPOULE BOTTLE AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE" - which includes a support stand, a controller, a labeling member, and a conveyor member. The labeling member is configured with the upper left rear end of the support stand connected to the upper right rear end of the support stand by a vertical rod, and the lower part of the conveyor member is fixed to the upper front end of the support stand by a bracket. The labeling member includes a first base, a second base, a rotary electric machine, a vertical shaft, and a horizontal plate. The second base is disposed at an upper end of the first base, and the rotary electric machine is disposed at the upper end of the second base.

[0008] The above document anticipates a labeling machine whose novelty is the use of a support bench for assembling the transport belt and the labeling member that works based only on the overlapping bases and the vertical axis, still requiring many adjustments during operation.

[0009] Document CN 212862923 U entitled “AMPOULE FEEDING DEVICE IN ONLINE PRODUCTION OF LABELING MACHINE” - deals with an ampoule feeding device in the online production of a labeling machine including a storage hopper and a discharge tube. The bottom of the storage hopper is fixedly connected to a discharge tube, and is characterized by: a transfer box fixedly connected to the top of the discharge tube, a transfer wheel is rotatably installed in the inner cavity of the transfer box, and one side wall of the transfer case is provided with a cleaning window. A cleaning box is installed on one side of the cleaning window, and cleaning cotton is added to one side of the inner cavity of the cleaning box.

[0010] The above document anticipates a hopper-type feeder with a reel and a duct for conveying vials and ampoules to the labeling machine.

[0011] The document CN 216834678 U entitled “LABELING DEVICE SUITABLE FOR AMPOULE PRODUCTS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS” - ​​characterized in that: a plurality of fixed pressure plates for pushing the whole plate of ampoule products are arranged on the chain plate conveyor belt at intervals, and the fixed pressure plates include a pressure plate body and a pressure plate fixed on one side of the pressure plate body A protrusion, the pressure plate protrusion is provided with a space avoidance position to avoid the labeling plate, and the inlet end and / or the outlet end of the product transmission device are respectively provided with an anti-rollover structure to prevent the ampoule product from rolling.

[0012] The above document operates with anti-pressure plates for the correct positioning of the ampoules and not with cooperating rollers. Objectives of the invention

[0013] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine capable of positioning the containers vertically in a stable and balanced manner.

[0014] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine that does not require manual adjustments during operation, since it is fully automated.

[0015] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine with reduced construction and operational complexity.

[0016] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine capable of labeling more flexible and precise way in the various diameters and lengths of vials and ampoules available on the market.

[0017] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine capable of ensuring adequate information and control of drugs by hospitals.

[0018] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine whose machine setup is carried out without manual interventions, allowing productivity gains in both large and small batches.

[0019] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine that does not allow longitudinal variation in the application of the label to the product, especially in vials and ampoules of non-slender dimensions, where the space for placing the label is restricted.

[0020] The objective of the present invention is to propose a system of cooperating rollers for a vial and ampoule labeling machine with an excellent cost-benefit ratio. Summary of the invention

[0021] The “COOPERATING ROLLER SYSTEM FOR VIAL AND AMPOULE LABELING MACHINE” - refers to a machine fed by means of a magazine with a reel that directs the vials and ampoules through conduits to the work area, where a contact sensor is located, flanked by motor, positioning and adjustment rollers that cooperate with the traction roller in the operational area, rotate the vials or ampoules in synchronization with the system of rollers and reels of the label strip. Figures of the invention

[0022] The following figures are presented to better explain the patent application in an illustrative and non-limiting manner: Figure 1: Perspective view of the cooperating roller system for vial and ampoule labeling machine, operational side; Figure 2: Perspective view of the cooperating roller system for vial and ampoule labeling machine, work area side illustrating positioning of the container vertically; Figure 3: Side view of the cabinet / reel of the cooperating roller system for vial and ampoule labeling machine; Figure 4: Perspective view of the duct of the cooperating roller system for the vial and ampoule labeling machine, work area side; Figure 5: Perspective view of the cooperating roller system machine for vial and ampoule labeling machine. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] The “COOPERATING ROLLER SYSTEM FOR VIAL AND AMPOULE LABELING MACHINE”, which is the subject of this invention patent application, concerns a machine (1) for labeling vials and ampoules (5), with automatic operation, equipped with a vertical magazine (3) with a reel (4) that directs the containers to conduits (6) that lead to the work area (7), positioning them upright, in a stable and balanced manner, due to the action of cooperating rollers, including a pre-positioning roller (9), a final positioning roller (10), a motor roller (11), in addition to a traction roller (12) which is part of the set of pulleys and reels of the strip (13) of labels to be printed by the printer (18).

[0024] The “COOPERATING ROLLER SYSTEM FOR VIAL AND AMPOULE LABELING MACHINE” - the machine (1) is mounted in a prismatic cabinet (2) with doors on the top that allow access for operation, replacement and maintenance of the components and raw material used in the labeling process, which starts in a vertical magazine (3) with a reel (4) that, when rotating, moves the vial or ampoule (5) to conduits (6) that are intended to transport the containers from the magazine (3) to the labeling point in the work area (7). The vial or ampoule (5) is transported to the work area (7) in a vertical position, in a stable and balanced manner, with its base facing down, where it rests on a load sensor (8) that detects the container by the weight of the product. A pre-selection of the vial or ampoule diameter (5) is performed by the system. After this selection, the only manual intervention the operator must make is to change the spool (4) of the magazine (3). Based on when selecting the diameter of the vial or ampoule (5), the system pre-adjusts, by means of a rack and pinion mechanism (not demonstrated), the two pre-positioning and final positioning rollers (9, 10), respectively, of said vial or ampoule (5), ensuring that when falling into the work area (7) there is no lateral tipping, due to the joint action of such rollers (9, 10), in which the final positioning roller (10) imposes pressure on the vial or ampoule (5) by means of a permanent magnetic field system, the container in turn remains in contact with the motor roller (11), which rotates the vial or ampoule (5) in synchrony cooperating with the traction roller (12) and the set of pulleys and reels of the label strip (13).The reel (14) of the label strip (13) is mounted on an unwinding mechanism that has an arm (15) and a spring that maintains the tension of the strip throughout the path to the traction roller (12) that has a means capable of detecting if any label eventually stuck to the traction roller (12), interrupting the process. The label strip (13) unwinds from the reel (7) and advances through the set of pulleys and spools passing through the synchronization sensor (16) that detects the black reference strip (17) on its back and informs the printer (18) the exact moment to print the information pertinent to the drug on the label, just as the traction roller (12) advances the exact distance of the strip (13) for the application of the label. The next stage of labeling is to pass it through the application knife (19) which causes the adhesive label to begin to detach from the waxed paper strip, touching the surface of the ampoule or bottle (5), thus transferring the adhesive label from the paper to the product.The waxed strip, without the label, then passes through the traction roller (12) and onto the rewinder (20), which has a constant circular motion. Between the motor and the rewinder (20), there is a clutch that maintains constant strip tension between the traction roller (12) and the rewinder (20). After labeling, the rotary motion of the vial or ampoule (5) is interrupted, as is the strip traction system. The pre-positioning roller (9) moves away, and the final positioning roller (10) advances against the ampoule or vial (5), launching it onto another slide system that will take it to the labeled ampoule tray.

Claims

MODIFIED CLAIMS Received by the International Secretariat on 22 October 2024 (22.10.2024) 1) “COOPERATING ROLLER SYSTEM FOR VIAL AND AMPOULE LABELING MACHINE”, mounted in a prismatic cabinet (2) with doors on the top that allow access for operation, replacement and maintenance of the components and raw material used in the labeling process, which starts in a vertical magazine (3) with a reel (4) that, when rotating, moves the vial or ampoule (5) to conduits (6) that transport the containers from the magazine (3) to the labeling point in the work area (7); it has a load sensor (8) that detects the container by the weight of the product; a rack and pinion mechanism acts on a pre-positioning roller (9) and a final positioning roller (10), which, cooperating with the motor roller (11) and traction roller (12), ensure that there is no lateral tipping;the final positioning roller (10) imposes pressure on the vial or ampoule (5) by means of a permanent magnetic field system, the container in turn remains in contact with the motor roller (11), which rotates the vial or ampoule (5) in synchrony cooperating with the traction roller (12) and the set of pulleys and reels of the label strip (13); after labeling the rotary movement of the vial or ampoule (5) is interrupted, as well as the strip traction system, the pre-positioning roller (9) moves away and the final positioning roller (10) advances against the ampoule or vial (5) launching it into another slide system that will take it to the labeled ampoule tray - characterized by having a system to pre-select the diameter of the vial or ampoule (5);further, by having a reel (14) of the strip (13) of labels mounted on an unwinding mechanism that has an arm (15) and a spring that maintains the tension of the strip throughout the path to the traction roller (12) that has a means capable of detecting if any label eventually stuck to the traction roller (12), interrupting the process; the strip (13) of labels unwinds from the reel (7) and advances through the set of pulleys and reels passing through the synchronization sensor (16) that detects the black reference strip (17) on its back and informs the printer (18) the exact moment to print the information pertinent to the drug on the label, as well as the traction roller (12) advances the exact distance of the strip (13) for the application of; MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) label, and, by comprising an application knife (19) that allows the adhesive label to begin to detach from the waxed paper strip, touching the surface of the ampoule or bottle (5), thus transferring the adhesive label from the paper to the product; then the waxed strip, now without the label, passes through the traction roller (12), followed by the rewinder (20) which has a constant circular movement; between the motor and the rewinder (20) there is a clutch responsible for maintaining constant strip tension between the traction roller (12) and the rewinder (20). MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) Declaration under Article 19 I hereby declare that, for the sake of clarity, I have rewritten the set of claims, grouping them into a single claim, without, however, leaving or altering the patent's inventive concept. The amendments do not add any new material.

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