Apparatus for assembling auto-injector devices

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for assembling auto-injector devices (2) formed by a set of mutually assembled components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is described. The apparatus comprises: - a transport line (20) comprising a guide (21) extending along a transport path (K), closed in a loop, and a plurality of units (22) mobile on the guide (21) along the transport path (K), wherein said transport line (20) is configured so that said mobile units (22) are movable independently along the transport path (K); wherein each mobile unit (22) comprises at least one seat (22A, 22A', 22B, 22B') within which at least one sub-assembly of the set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) of a respective device (2) is assembled; and - a series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) arranged in succession along the transport path (K) of the transport line (20) and configured to operate on the mobile units (22) in order to gradually assemble an auto-injector device on each mobile unit (22), while it moves along the transport path (K).

Description

[0001] "Apparatus for assembling auto-injector devices"

[0002] ****

[0003] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field and object of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling autoinjector devices or articles, formed by a set of components, in particular at least three components, mutually assembled.

[0006] The apparatus described herein was specifically conceived for assembling medical articles, in particular medical devices for the autoinjection of medicines (so-called "pens").

[0007] It is specified from the outset that the apparatus described herein can, however, be advantageously employed for assembling articles of other types as well, for reasons that will become apparent below.

[0008] With specific reference to pens for the injection of medicines, these are constituted by a set of mutually assembled components, specifically a container, a cartridge containing the medicine, a doser, and a cap. Generally, the container houses the cartridge inside it and is snap-coupled with the doser; the cap is mounted, also by snap-fit, onto the container. For using the pen, the cap is removed to allow the needle to be mounted onto the container; at this point, the user can perform the injection, after possibly adjusting the quantity of medicine to be injected via the doser.

[0009] A very wide variety of injection pens is available on the market, which differ from each other in detailed aspects, for example relating to shape, dimensions, or specific functional characteristics.

[0010] In this context, there is therefore a perceived need to provide an apparatus for assembling the aforementioned articles that can be easily set up to assemble articles of different types.

[0011] Furthermore, there is a perceived need to integrate an apparatus of the type in question into a production and packaging line for medical articles of the type indicated above, in a simple and fast maimer, while leaving the possibility of reconfiguring the line in view of possible new applications.

[0012] An additional need concerns the possibility of associating with the apparatus in question component feeding systems presenting different levels of automation depending on the type of application.

[0013] Finally, there is a perceived need for an apparatus of the type in question that is capable of operating according to variable production volumes within a wide range of values, guaranteeing optimal production quality under any operating condition.

[0014] The apparatus described herein was created for the purpose of satisfying one or more of the aforementioned needs.

[0015] In general, the present invention relates to an apparatus according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12.

[0016] The claims form an integral part of the teachings provided herein.

[0017] Detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0019] - figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the apparatus described herein;

[0020] - figures 2 to 6 represent various details of the apparatus of figure 1;

[0021] - figure 7 represents an example of a system for feeding components to the apparatus described herein;

[0022] - figure 8 represents an example of an injection pen.

[0023] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for the purpose of a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be realized without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiment.

[0024] The references used herein are for convenience only and thus do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0025] As anticipated above, the apparatus described herein performs the function of assembling articles of the type comprising a set of mutually assembled components, in particular at least three components.

[0026] The preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures operates in particular to assemble an injection pen of the type shown in figure 8.

[0027] With reference to this figure, the illustrated injection pen, overall indicated by reference number 2, comprises a container 2A, a cartridge 2B containing the medicine, a doser 2C, and a cap 2D. The container 2A houses the cartridge 2B inside it and is snap-coupled with the doser 2C. The cap 2D is in turn applied by snap-fit onto the container 2A so as to cover it at least partially.

[0028] With reference to figure 1, the apparatus illustrated therein, overall indicated by reference number 10, comprises a transport line 20 comprising a guide 21 extending along a transport path K, closed in a loop, and a plurality of mobile units 22 that move on the guide 21 along the transport path K.

[0029] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the transport line 20 is configured so that the mobile units 22 are movable independently of each other along the transport path K.

[0030] Preferably, the transport line 20 is made according to a linear electric motor configuration such that respective permanent magnets are carried on the mobile units 22, while a series of windings is arranged on the guide 21; the windings are distributed along the transport path K; the windings are electrically powered in an appropriate maimer to move the mobile units 22 along the transport path K by effect of the electromagnetic interaction between the electrically powered windings and the permanent magnets arranged on the mobile units 22.

[0031] Each mobile unit 22 comprises a plurality of seats for receiving containers 2 A of the injection pen shown in figure 2.

[0032] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated here, each mobile unit 22 comprises a first pair of seats 22B, 22B’ and a second pair of seats 2A, 2A’. The two seats 2B, 2B’ are configured to receive the container 2A in a horizontal position wherein the longitudinal axis I of the container is arranged horizontally, while the two seats 2 A, 2A’ are configured to receive the container 2A in a vertical position wherein the longitudinal axis I of the container 2A is arranged vertically.

[0033] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, each mobile unit 22 comprises a tray-like body on which the seats 2A, 2A’ and the seats 2B, 2B’ are formed, all in the form of appropriately shaped cavities to receive the container 2A and hold it stably in said horizontal position or in said vertical position; for this purpose, each cavity has a wall configured to wrap, at least partially, the container 2A in an adherent manner to keep the latter still in position inside the cavity.

[0034] The mobile units 22 of the illustrated example each comprise the two pairs of seats 2A, 2A’ and 2B, 2B’ to simultaneously receive two containers 2A.

[0035] It is however clear that the number of seats provided on the single mobile unit 22 may vary depending on the specific needs of the various applications.

[0036] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the guide 21 has a vertical configuration such that it comprises a first upper horizontal section 21A and a second lower horizontal section 2 IB located below the section 21A and aligned with it so as to define a common vertical geometric plane passing through both sections; the guide 21 further comprises two curvilinear sections 21C, 2 ID which are respectively positioned at the opposite ends of the two horizontal sections 21 A, 2 IB and connect the same horizontal sections together.

[0037] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a series of pick-and-place devices which are positioned in a distributed maimer along the transport line 20.

[0038] As will be described in detail below, this series of devices is set up to operate on the mobile units 22 that move along the upper horizontal section 21 A, each in a respective predefined zone along this section, in order to gradually build the injection pen 2 on each mobile unit 22, while it moves together with the respective pen 2 in formation, along the horizontal section 21A.

[0039] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated (see figure 2), the apparatus 10 comprises a first device 30 for picking a group of containers 2A from a pick-up station 102 positioned adjacent to the transport line 20, and for placing said group of containers 2A inside respective seats 2B, 2B’ of a group of mobile units 22 of the transport line 20 that have moved into a zone R1 of the section 21A of the guide 21.

[0040] In particular, in the illustrated example the device 30 picks four containers 2 A from the pick-up station 102 and places them inside the seats 2B, 2B’ of two mobile units 22 that have moved into the zone Rl. The person skilled in the art will understand that the indicated number of containers 2A picked by the device 30 is merely exemplary.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the pick-up station 102 comprises a tray 102 A, on which a plurality of containers 2 A are arranged ordered in rows, each row containing a number of containers 2A equal to the number of containers that the device 30 is set up to pick in a single operating cycle.

[0042] It will be noted that, on the tray 102 A, the containers 2 A are in the same horizontal position in which they are then placed by the device 30 inside the seats 2B, 2B’ of the mobile units 22.

[0043] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 30 comprises a robotic arm 32, in the illustrated example specifically of the SCARA type, which carries an end effector constituted by a gripping unit 34 provided with a plurality of gripping members 34A associated with an air suction system.

[0044] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, each gripping member 34A is carried by the gripping unit 34 according to a horizontal attitude and presents on its lower side a shaped cavity for receiving the container 2A in said horizontal position. The respective container 2A remains adherent to the walls of the cavity by effect of the air suction.

[0045] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated (see figure 3), the apparatus 10 further comprises a device 40 for picking the containers 2A that are in the seats 2B, 2B’ of each mobile unit 22, in said horizontal position, and for transferring them respectively into the seats 2A, 2A’ of the same mobile unit 22, arranging them in said vertical position.

[0046] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 40 comprises an arm 42, which is articulated around a rotation axis 421 and which carries at its end a gripper 44. The device 42 further comprises a head 46 movable vertically, on which the arm 42 is mounted in an articulated maimer around the rotation axis 421. The coordinated movements of the head 46, according to an alternating motion of lowering and raising, and of the arm 42, according to an oscillating movement around the rotation axis 421, allow the gripper 44 to grasp the single container 2A arranged in one of the two seats 2B, 2B’ and to deposit it in one of the two seats 2A, 2A’.

[0047] The device 40 is set up to operate on each mobile unit 22 that reaches a zone R2 of the section 21A of the guide 21, located immediately downstream of the zone Rl, with reference to the direction of advancement of the mobile units 22 along the section 21 A.

[0048] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 40 is configured to grasp only one container 2A at a time; the mobile unit 22 that reaches the zone R2 is therefore configured to perform, within said zone, an advancement step such as to allow the device 40, which has already picked a container 2A from the seat 22B and transferred it to the seat 22A, to grasp a second container 2A from the seat 22B’ and transfer it to the seat 22A’.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the device 40 is instead configured to pick and transfer simultaneously both of the two containers 2A carried by a same mobile unit 22.

[0050] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated (see figure

[0051] 4), the apparatus 10 further comprises a device 50 configured to pick cartridges 2B from a pick-up station 104 placed adjacent to the transport line 20, and to deposit them inside respective containers 2A carried by each mobile unit 22 that reaches a zone R3 of the section 21A of the guide 21. In the pick-up station 104 the cartridges 2B are arranged on a tray 104A.

[0052] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 50 comprises a robotic arm 52, in the illustrated example specifically of the SCARA type, which carries an end effector constituted by a gripper 54 for grasping the cartridges 2B.

[0053] The device 50 is configured to pick only one cartridge 2B at a time from the pick-up station 104; preferably, each mobile unit 22 that reaches the zone R3 is therefore configured to execute an advancement step, within said zone, so as to allow the device 50, which has already picked a first cartridge 2B and deposited it inside the container 2A that is in the seat 22A, to pick a second cartridge 2B and to deposit it inside the container 2A that is inside the seat 22A’.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the device 50 can instead be configured to reach both of the two seats 22 A, 22 A’ without the need for the mobile unit 22 to perform said advancement step.

[0055] The device 50 can also be configured to pick two cartridges 2B simultaneously and then deposit them, also simultaneously, inside two respective containers 2A carried by a same mobile unit 22.

[0056] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated (see figure

[0057] 5), the apparatus 10 further comprises a device 60 configured to pick dosers 2C from a pick-up station 106 and to couple them to respective containers 2A carried by each mobile unit 22 that reaches a zone R4 of the section 21A of the guide 21.

[0058] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 60 comprises a robotic arm 62, in the illustrated example specifically of the SCARA type, which carries an end effector comprising a gripper 64 and a pusher member (not visible in the figures).

[0059] The gripper 64 is configured to grasp each single doser 2C in order to allow the device 60 to pick the single doser 2C from the pick-up station 106 and, then, to deposit it onto the respective container 2 A.

[0060] On the other hand, the pusher member is vertically movable and is configured to perform a pushing action on the doser 2C, once it has been deposited onto the container 2A, so as to snap-couple it with the same container.

[0061] Also in this case, the device 60 is configured to pick one doser 2C at a time from the pick-up station 106; preferably, each mobile unit 22 that reaches the zone R4 is therefore configured to execute an advancement step, within said zone, so as to allow the device 60, which has already picked a doser 2C and coupled it to the container 2A that is in the seat 22A of the mobile unit, to subsequently pick a second doser 2C and to couple it to the container 2 A arranged in the other seat 22 A’ of the same mobile unit.

[0062] Alternatively, the device 60 can instead be configured to reach both seats 22 A, 22 A’ of the mobile unit 22, without the need for the mobile unit 22 to execute said advancement step.

[0063] The device 60 can also be configured to pick two dosers 2C simultaneously and then couple them, also simultaneously, to two respective containers 2 A carried by a same mobile unit 22.

[0064] In view of the above, at the zone R4 of the section 21 A, on each mobile unit 22 an assembly 2’ is obtained which is formed by a sub-assembly of the set of components of the pen 2, in particular the container 2A, the cartridge 2B and the doser 2C.

[0065] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the apparatus 10 is set up to complete the assembly of the pen 2 not on the transport line 20, but directly on a receiving system 108 which is preferably distinct and separate from the transport line 20. In one embodiment, the receiving system 108 can be a transport system set up to feed the assembled pens 2 to further downstream operational stations.

[0066] In this regard, in one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated (see figure 6), the apparatus 10 comprises a device 70 configured to pick the aforementioned assemblies 2’ from each mobile unit 22 that reaches a zone R5 of the section 21A of the guide 21, and to couple said assemblies 2’ to respective caps 2D that are already on the receiving system 108.

[0067] In one or more preferred embodiments, as that illustrated, the device 70 comprises a robotic arm 72, in the illustrated example specifically of the SCARA type, which carries an end effector comprising a pair of grippers 74A, 74B and a pair of pusher members (not visible in the figures). The pair of grippers 74A, 74B is configured to grasp simultaneously the two assemblies 2’ that are brought into the region R5 by each mobile unit 22, and to deposit said assemblies onto respective caps 2D that are on the receiving system 108. On the other hand, the pair of pusher members is configured to exert a pushing action on the two assemblies 2’ deposited onto the caps 2D, so as to realize a snap-coupling between them.

[0068] In one embodiment, the receiving system 108 is a transport system configured to feed the caps 2D to the region R5, where the device 70 places the assemblies 2’ onto them, and, subsequently, to transport the pens 2 directly obtained on the same receiving system 108 to subsequent operational stations.

[0069] Such a transport system can be of any known type suitable for the functions indicated herein; for example, it can comprise an overhead conveyor carrying a continuous series of trays for housing the caps 2D.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, the receiving system 108 can instead be configured to receive the assemblies 2’ in the absence of the caps 2D and to feed the assemblies 2’ to a subsequent operational station where they will then be coupled to respective caps 2D.

[0071] In a further embodiment, the receiving system 108 can instead be a fixed system, provided with receptacles for receiving the caps 2D and the assemblies 2’, from which the obtained pens 2 are then transferred to downstream operational stations via transport means that interface with the receiving system 108.

[0072] The apparatus described herein can comprise a control system for verifying that the various treated components are positioned and assembled in the predefined maimers.

[0073] In particular, the control system can comprise one or more of the following devices:

[0074] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for verifying whether the rows of containers 2A fed from the tray 102A to the pick-up region 102 are complete or if instead they present one or more missing containers;

[0075] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for verifying whether each mobile unit 22 that is in the region R1 has been loaded with a container 2A in both its seats 2B, 2B’, after the pick-up and placement cycle of the containers 2 A performed by the device 30;

[0076] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for verifying whether each mobile unit 22 that is in the region R2 presents the respective pair of containers 2A correctly positioned in the two seats 2A, 2A’, after the repositioning operation performed by the device 40;

[0077] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for verifying that, inside the respective pair of containers 2A of each mobile unit 22 that reaches the region R3, respective cartridges 2B have been correctly inserted by the device 50;

[0078] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for detecting whether on the respective pair of containers 2A of each mobile unit 22 that reaches the region R4, respective dosers 2C have been correctly mounted by the device 60;

[0079] - an optical device (for example a video camera) for verifying whether the assemblies 2’ picked from each mobile unit 22 that reaches the region R5, have been correctly mounted onto respective caps 2D that are on the transport system 108.

[0080] The apparatus 10 can, furthermore, comprise a control unit configured to receive signals from the devices indicated above and to process control data based on said signals; the control unit can, furthermore, be configured to compare the processed control data with reference values, to establish whether the components in question have been positioned and assembled according to the predefined maimers.

[0081] The control unit can, furthermore, be configured to implement actions to remedy any anomalies identified through said devices.

[0082] For example, the control unit can be configured to command the devices 50, 60 and 70 so that they do not perform their respective operations for those seats 2A or 2A’ of the mobile units 22 for which the absence of the container 2A has been detected. In another application example, the control unit can instead interrupt the operation of the apparatus and generate a notification signal to request the intervention of an operator.

[0083] In the illustrated example, at the pick-up zones 102, 104 and 106 the devices 30, 50 and 60 interface with the trays 102A, 104A, 106A, on which the components to be picked are located. In particular, the pick-up regions 102, 104 and 106 can be configured to allow the manual transport of said trays, to the same regions, by an operator.

[0084] It is now noted that for feeding components to the apparatus 10 it is nevertheless possible to provide feeding systems of different types depending on the specific needs of the various applications and, in particular, depending on the required level of automation.

[0085] In a different application example, which is illustrated in figure 7, for one or more of the pick-up regions 102, 104, 106, it is possible to provide a component feeding system comprising a first conveyor belt 120, which extends along a direction orthogonal to the transport line 20 and is configured to advance a flow of components F 1 characterized by a width such that within each transverse section of the flow a minimum number of components greater than or equal to 2 is present.

[0086] The feeding system comprises, furthermore, a second conveyor 122, which constitutes the extension of the first conveyor 120, but which is configured to advance a row of components F2 (i.e., a flow of components in which, in each transverse section of the flow, a single component is present); in the zone of passage of the components from the first to the second conveyor a funnel-shaped deflector 124 is provided, which is configured to guide the components from an arrangement according to the flow of components Fl to an arrangement according to the row of components F2.

[0087] The feeding system comprises, therefore, a third conveyor 126, which is instead oriented parallel to the transport line 20 and is configured to feed to the device 30, 50 or 60 of the apparatus 10 a row F3 of products that advance in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement of the mobile units 22 along the section 21A of the guide 21.

[0088] In general, the component feeding systems to the transport line 20 can be both systems configured to feed single batches of components in succession and systems configured to feed a continuous flow of components.

[0089] It is in particular thanks to the vertical structure of the transport line 20 and the extreme compactness of the footprint volume occupied by it, that it is possible to provide such a diversified choice for feeding components to the apparatus 10.

[0090] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining firm, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (10) for assembling auto-injector devices (2) formed by a set of components, in particular at least three components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), said apparatus comprising:- a transport line (20) comprising a guide (21) extending along a transport path (K), closed in a loop, and a plurality of units (22) mobile on the guide (21) along the transport path (K), wherein said transport line (20) is configured so that said mobile units (22) are movable independently along the transport path (K); wherein each mobile unit (22) comprises at least one seat (22A, 22A’, 22B, 22B’) within which at least one sub-assembly of the set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) of a respective auto-injector device (2) is assembled;- a series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) arranged in succession along the transport path (K) of the transport line (20), wherein said series of pick-and-place devices comprises:- a first device (30) and at least one further device (50, 60) configured to pick respective components of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) from respective pick-up stations (102, 104, 106), and to place the respective components in the seat of each mobile unit (22) of said transport line (20), so as to realize, within said seat, an assembled sub-assembly (2’) of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D); and- a last device (70) configured to pick said assembled sub-assembly (2‘) of said set of components from the seat of each mobile unit (22) and to place said assembled sub-assembly (2’) at a receiving system (108) to be coupled to a last component (2D) of said series of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each mobile unit (22) comprises a first seat (22B) for receiving a first component (2A) of said set of components according to a first orientation in space, and a second seat (22A) for receiving the first component according to a second orientation in space different from said first orientation, wherein said first device (30) is configured to pick said first component (2 A) from a first pick-up station (102) and to place said first component in said first seat (22B) of said each mobile unit (22), in said firstorientation, wherein said series of pick-and-place devices comprises an auxiliary device (40) arranged between said first device (30) and said at least one further device (50, 60) and configured to pick said first component (2A) in said first orientation from said first seat (22B) of said each mobile unit (22) and to place it in said second orientation in said second seat (22A) of said each mobile unit (22).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in said first orientation, said first component (2 A) is in a horizontal position wherein its longitudinal axis (I) is arranged horizontally, and, in said second orientation, said first component (2A) is in a vertical position wherein the longitudinal axis (I) of the component is arranged vertically.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said at least one further device (60) is configured to pick a further component (2C) of said set of components from a second pick-up station (106) and to place said further component (2C) in said second seat (22A) of said each mobile unit (22), so as to couple it to said first component already placed in said second seat (22A).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each device among said first device (30), said at least one further device (50, 60) and said last device (70), comprises a robotic arm (52, 62, 72) carrying an end effector configured to realize a grip of a component, or of an assembled sub-assembly, of said set of components, said robotic arm (52, 62, 72) being configured to move said end effector between a pick-up station (102, 104, 106) and said transport line (20) or between said transport line (20) and said receiving system (108).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the end effector of said first device is operatively connected to an air suction system, via which it can grasp a first component of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D).

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the end effector of said at least one further device (50) comprises a gripper for grasping a further component of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D).

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the end effectors of said at least one further device (60) and of said last device (70) comprise, each, a gripper (62, 72) for grasping a further component (2C), or said assembledsub-assembly (2’), of said set of components, and a pusher member configured to exert a pushing action on said further component (2C) or on said assembled sub-assembly (2’), once it is released by said gripper, so as to realize a snap-coupling between said further component and said first component or between said assembled sub-assembly and said last component.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the last device (70) is configured to pick said assembled sub-assembly (2‘) from the seat of each mobile unit (22) and to place said assembled subassembly (2’) onto the last component (2D) that is located at the receiving system (108), the latter being preferably distinct and separate from said transport line (20).

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide (21) has a vertical configuration such that it comprises a first upper horizontal section (21 A) and a second lower horizontal section (2 IB) located below the first section (21 A) and aligned with it so as to define a common vertical geometric plane passing through both said first and second sections, said guide (21) further comprising two curvilinear sections (21C, 21D) which are respectively positioned at the opposite ends of said, first and second, horizontal sections (21 A, 2 IB) and connect the same horizontal sections together.

11. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) are configured to operate on mobile units (22) of said transport line (20) that are in distinct regions (Rl, R2, R3, R4, R5) of said guide (21) located solely along said first upper horizontal section (2A), and not also along said second lower horizontal section (2B).

12. Method for assembling an auto-injector device (2) formed by a set of components, in particular at least three components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), said method comprising:- advancing a plurality of mobile units (22) of a transport line (20), independently of each other and along a transport path (K) closed in a loop, wherein each mobile unit (22) comprises at least one seat (22A, 22A’, 22B, 22B’);- providing a series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70)arranged in succession along the transport path (K) of the transport line (20);- via a first device (30) and at least one further device (50, 60) of said series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) picking respective components of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) from respective pick-up stations (102, 104, 106), and placing the picked components in the seat of a mobile unit (22) of said transport line (20), which advances along said transport path (K), so as to realize, within said seat, an assembled subassembly (2’) of said set of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D),- via a last device (70) of said series of pick-and-place devices (30, 40, 50, 60, 70), picking said assembled sub-assembly (2‘) of said set of components from said seat of the mobile unit (22), and coupling said assembled sub-assembly (2’) to a last component (2D) of said series of components (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) that is located in a receiving system (108).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein each mobile unit (22) of said transport line (20) comprises a first seat (22B) for receiving a first component (2A) of said set of components according to a first orientation in space, and a second seat (22A) for receiving the first component according to a second orientation in space different from said first orientation, said method comprising:- via said first device (30), picking said first component (2A) from a first pick-up station (102), and placing said first component in said first seat (22B) of the mobile unit (22), in said first orientation,- via an auxiliary device (40) of said series of pick-and-place devices, arranged between said first device (30) and said at least one further device (50, 60), picking said first component (2 A) in said first orientation from said first seat (22B) of the mobile unit (22), and placing said first component in said second orientation in said second seat (22A) of the mobile unit (22).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein, in said first orientation, said first component (2 A) is in a horizontal position wherein its longitudinal axis (I) is arranged horizontally, and, in said second orientation, said first component (2A) is in a vertical position wherein the longitudinal axis (I) of the component is arranged vertically.

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising realizing a snap-coupling between said components of said assembled subassembly and / or between said assembled sub-assembly and said lastcomponent.

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