An infeeding device for infeeding products, being tablets, pills, capsules, internally of cells of a celled continuous belt

Abstract

The infeeding device (100) comprises a drum element (1), activatable in rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (H) and comprising, annularly, along the respective annular surface, a series of sectors (S), distinct and each containing a group of housings (S1, S2) having a shape suitable to receive internally thereof respective products and having a reciprocal arrangement of housings (E1, E2) which corresponds to an arrangement of groups of cells (A1, A2) present in portions (N1) that are successive and moved away of a celled continuous belt (N).

Description

[0001] AN INFEEDING DEVICE FOR INFEEDING PRODUCTS, BEING TABLETS, PILLS, CAPSULES, INTERNALLY OF CELLS OF A CELLED CONTINUOUS BELT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packaging of products, in particular pharmaceutical, parapharmaceutical, food products, internally of corresponding cells of a celled continuous belt moving along an advancement direction.

[0003] In particular, the invention concerns an infeeding device for infeeding products and inserting products, being tablets, pills, capsules, internally of cells of a celled continuous belt moved along an advancement direction.

[0004] DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0005] In this sector use of continuous belts is known, which can be made of different materials, and which are unwound from respective storage reels and then subjected to various processes for formation of a celled continuous belt comprising a series of cells which are arranged in predetermined and reciprocal orientations and arrangements, and destined to receive, internally thereof, corresponding products, such as, for example, tablets, pills, capsules. In particular, the cells are usually made in such a way as to form distinct groups of cells that are appropriately distanced from one another, where the cells of each group represent a predetermined arrangement of cells.

[0006] The continuous belts can be made of a heat-formable plastic material, such as for example PVC; in this case, the continuous belts are subjected to heatforming processes for the creation of the cells.

[0007] The continuous belts can also be made of aluminium, and in these cases the continuous belts are subjected to processes of extrusion for realising the cells. For the continuous belts of plastic material, the heat-forming process enables realising the cells with the respective profiles, i.e. shape and size, which can substantially correspond to those of the products which are to be packagedinternally thereof.

[0008] Differently, on the other hand, in the case of continuous belts made of aluminium, this is not possible, owing to the different structure of the material and the process of extrusion which has to be carried out for the formation of the cells.

[0009] Therefore, in the case of use of continuous belts made of aluminium, it is not possible to realise the cells with a shape and dimension that substantially correspond to those of the products to be packaged internally thereof, but only cells which have a shape and dimensions that are larger than those of the products.

[0010] Further, the continuous belts made of aluminium are much more delicate with respect to those made of a heat-formable plastic material, and can therefore be damaged in the case of impacts during the advancement thereof.

[0011] Consequently, the ways in which the operations of infeeding and inserting of the products in the cells of the continuous belts vary according to the type of material with which the celled continuous belt is made.

[0012] Further, also the shape and size of the products can have an impact on the type and modalities of infeeding to be used to proceed to a correct filling of the cells of the celled continuous belt, both in the case of those being made of a heat-formable plastic material, and for those made of aluminium.

[0013] Therefore, time by time, according to the conformation and size of products to be packaged, and also for the type of material with which the celled continuous belt is made, it is necessary to predispose corresponding types of infeeding devices.

[0014] For example, a first method of infeeding at present used is the accumulation type, which includes the use of trays or crates, into which the products are infed to create accumulation areas of products above a transit area of the celled continuous belt.

[0015] The trays include lower mouths that are open for unloading products on the celled belt in such a way as to have an overabundance of products arrangedon the celled belt in transit and with the skimming systems, for example rotary brushes, the upper surface of the celled continuous belt is “skimmed” or brushed, facilitating the inserting of the products internally of the cells.

[0016] An infeed method of this type however cannot be used for belts made of aluminium, as the rotation of the brushes might cause damage thereto.

[0017] Further, according to the effective dimensions of the products in relation to the dimensions of the cells, there might occur an erroneous insertion, in excess or even absence, of the products into the cells, as more than a single product might fall into a single cell, or there might even occur a situation in which some cells do not receive respective products at all.

[0018] Another method at present used includes the use of descent channels (chutes) for products, which are flanked to one another, and which are positioned above a transit area of the celled continuous belt: a descent channel for a respective cell to be filed present in the celled continuous belt. This technique is used both for the celled continuous belts, made of a heat-formable plastic material and for the belts made of aluminium.

[0019] The products, falling by force of gravity along the channels, are deposited internally of respective cells during the transit thereof beneath the channels. The shape of the channels, in particular, the section thereof, must however be designed and realised as a function of the effective dimensions and shape of the products.

[0020] Also, in a case where it is necessary to proceed to a size change of the products that are to be packaged, it will be necessary to demount the channels used up to that moment and to mount other channels appropriately shaped and dimensioned in relation to the dimensions and shape of the new products.

[0021] Further, in this solution, with the aim of preventing more products from being inadvertantly inserted internally of a same cell, it is necessary to resort to the use of particular mechanisms, of a mechanical or pneumatic type, to stop, each time a product is falling into a respective cell, the products that arelocated along the channels above the product that is falling.

[0022] The use of these mechanisms, however, can cause damage to the products by scratching or damaging them.

[0023] Further, especially in cases in which the celled continuous belts are made of aluminium, in which the dimensions of the cells are oversized with respect to the products, there is still the distinct risk that more than one product at a time will fall, and insert, into a same cell.

[0024] A further and other type of technique of infeeding at present in use, includes the use of a drum element, drivable in rotation about a rotation axis comprised in a vertical plane to the advancement direction of the celled continuous belt. The drum element comprises, over the whole extension of the respective lateral surface, a continuous and indistinct series of housings, each of which is dimensioned so as to receive, internally thereof, a respective product which is to be inserted into a corresponding cell of the celled continuous belt.

[0025] The products are infed in bulk into the upper part of the drum element, in order to create a products accumulation area, and by use of a skimming system, such as for example rotary brushes, the products are tentatively nudged singly into the various housings.

[0026] The rotation of the drum element carries the products into the housings in a release area which is beneath the drum element and above a transit area of the celled belt.

[0027] In order to prevent the fall and exiting of the products from the housings during the rotation of the drum element, laterally to the drum element, between the upper loading area and the lower release area, in the rotation direction of the drum element, a rigid retaining element of products is located, having a complementary shape to that of the lateral surface of the drum element.

[0028] In this case too, however, there are various drawbacks.

[0029] Firstly, the number of the housings present on the lateral surface of the drum element is excessive with respect to the number of cells present in the variousgroups of cells of the celled belt, which are transiting in the release area, so as to prevent any cell from remaining empty following the passage of the celled belt through the products release area.

[0030] Further, the presence of the rigid containing element, which constitutes a sort of casing, can cause damage to the products, as the products, during the rotation of the drum element, tend to exit from the respective housings and can be trapped between a wall of the housing and the rigid containing element, as well as dragging against the rigid containing element.

[0031] This circumstance can lead to a deterioration or damaging of the products before insertion thereof into the cells of the celled belt, with a consequent need to proceed to a rejection of the packages obtained.

[0032] Further, there are issues with synchronisation between the rotation of the drum element and the advancement of the celled belt, with consequent centring problems between the housings present in the drum element, and containing the products, and the cells of the celled continuous belt at the passage of the cells into the release area.

[0033] Further, in the various technical solutions mentioned in the foregoing, the products that are not completely intact, as being for example chipped, scratched, or cut in the longitudinal direction, but in any case presenting a profile that would seem to correspond to an intact product, or having a different colour from what is required, or even possibly not suitable for packaging, as they contain a quantity of active ingredient or excipients that does not conform, can be, without distinction, inserted anyway in the cells of the celled strips together with the products that are perfectly intact, as regards the shape and the colour, and conforming, in relation to the content thereof, to the packaging.

[0034] In these cases, it will be necessary to proceed to the rejection of the blister packs, with consequent rejection and loss also of the products that are intact and suitable for packaging.

[0035] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a novel an infeeding device for infeeding products, being tablets, pills, capsules, internally of cells of a celled continuous belt, which is able to obviate the drawbacks referenced in the foregoing.

[0036] In particular, an aim of the invention is to provide a novel infeeding device which can be utilisable independently of the material with which celled continuous belts are realised, thus, for example, both in a case of celled continuous belts made of a heat-formable plastic material, and in a case of celled continuous belts made of aluminium, and independently of the type and shape of the products to be packaged, and that therefore can be considered an infeeding device of a “universal” type.

[0037] A further aim of the invention is to provide an infeeding device able to infeed, internally of the cells of celled continuous belts, only products that are intact, i.e. products that have no shape defect, and suitable, which relates to a colour and the relative contents, the packaging, and guarantee a complete filling of all the cels for each group of cells present in the celled belt.

[0038] The above-mentioned aims are obtained according to the contents of the claims.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The characteristics of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the infeeding device object of the present invention will be described in the following description with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which:

[0041] - figure 1 schematically illustrates a frontal view, partly-sectioned, of infeeding device of the invention;

[0042] - figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a lateral view in vertical section, some significant components of the infeeding device of the invention of figure 1; - figure 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a possible preferred embodiment of a particular component of the infeeding device of the invention conformed in such a way as to be usable for infeeding products to a celledcontinuous belt having a series of belt portions consecutive to one another, in which each belt portion comprises cells which are reciprocally arranged according to a first possible arrangement and configuration of cells;

[0043] - figure 4 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a possible further preferred embodiment of the component of figure 3 of the infeeding device of the invention, which is conformed in such a way as to be usable for infeeding products to a celled continuous belt having a series of belt portions consecutive to one another which are reciprocally arranged according to a further possible arrangement and configuration of cells;

[0044] - figures from 5A to 5F illustrate, in respective schematic frontal views, a possible mode of functioning of the infeeding device of the invention in which a group of products recognised as intact and suitable for packaging is released internally of a respective group of cells in a portion of the celled continuous belt which is transiting in the products release area beneath the infeeding device;

[0045] - figures 6A and 6B illustrate, schematically and according to respective frontal views, two distinct operating steps of the operation of the infeeding device of the invention in a case in which non-intact and / or non-suitable products for packaging, or which are not in sufficient number for filling all the cells of a respective group of cells present in the celled belt, have not been released into the cells of the celled belt;

[0046] - figure 7 illustrates, schematically and in a frontal view, a particular operating step of the infeeding device of the invention in which the non-intact or nonsuitable products for packaging are released into a collecting bin of products to be rejected;

[0047] - figure 8 illustrates, schematically and in a frontal view, a further possibly operating step of the invention of the infeeding device the invention in which the products that are intact and suitable for packaging, but which are not in a sufficient number for filling all the cells of a respective group of cells present in the celled strip, and which have not been released in the cells of the celled belt, are newly transported into an accumulation and products infeed area;- figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a possible use of the infeeding device of the invention;

[0048] - figure 10 is a respective schematic perspective view of a further possible use of the infeeding device of the invention;

[0049] - figure 11 is a frontal schematic view of some other components of the infeeding device of the invention;

[0050] - figure 12 is an extremely schematic view of portions of celled continuous belts realised in a different material, for example heat-formable plastic material and aluminium, with a different conformation of the respective cells.

[0051] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, reference numeral (100) denotes the infeeding device for infeeding of products (P), being tablets, pills, capsules, internally of cells of a celled continuous belt (N), object of the present invention, in its entirety, and in the various possible preferred embodiments thereof.

[0053] The infeeding device (100) of the invention is suitable for carrying out the infeeding of products (P), such as, for example, tablets, pills, capsules, in all those cases in which the celled continuous belt (N) is moved along an advancement direction (V), on the basis of a predefined advancement motion and comprises a series of belt portions (N1) which are arranged consecutive to one another and distanced from one another, with each belt portion (N1) comprising a group of cells (A1; A2) which are reciprocally arranged with a predetermined arrangement and configuration of cells (D1; D2).

[0054] The belt portions (N1), in which there are present groups of cells (A1, A2) distanced from one another, so as to enable a subsequent separation thereof for example by cutting-off, once the relative groups of cells have been filled with respective products.

[0055] For example, in figure 3, purely by way of example, a celled continuous belt (N) is illustrated which comprises a series of series of portions (N1) distanced from one another, in which each belt portion (N1) has been subjected to aforming process in such a way that a group of cells (A1) is present on the belt portion (N1) which group of cells are reciprocally arranged according to an arrangement and configuration of cells (D1) comprising at least a row, in this case two parallel rows, of five cells.

[0056] Instead, for example, in figure 4, again solely by way of example, a celled continuous belt (N) is illustrated having a series of portions (N1) consecutive and distanced from one another, in which each belt portion (N1) comprises a group of cells (A2) which are reciprocally arranged according to an arrangement and configuration of cells (D2) comprising two parallel rows of cells in which a first row comprises three cells and a second row comprises two cells.

[0057] In any case, it is specified that the infeeding device (100) of the present invention is designed and realised, in regard to a respective characterised component described in detail in the following, so as to be applicable and utilisable for any arrangement of groups of cells that can be present in a celled continuous belt, independently of the type of material with which the celled continuous belt is realised, as well as the type and format of the products. The infeeding device (100) comprises a drum element (1), which is activatable in rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (H), and which is positionable with respect to the celled continuous belt (N) in such a way that the rotation axis (H) is in a vertical plane with respect to the celled continuous belt (N) at a transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) and with a lower end (10) of the drum element (1) arranged superiorly of the transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) to define a products release area (F).

[0058] A first peculiarity of the infeeding device (100) of the invention consists in the fact that the drum element (1) is conformed in such a way as to comprise, annularly along the respective lateral surface, a series of operating sectors (S), distinct and moved away from one another.

[0059] In greater detail, on the basis of the arrangement of the groups of cells present in the various portions of the celled continuous belt, the drum element (1) is realised and configured with each operating sector (S) of the series ofoperating sectors (S) which comprises a respective group of housings (S1, S2) which are reciprocally arranged with an arrangement and configuration of housings (E1, E2) corresponding to the predetermined arrangement and configuration of cells (D1, D2) present in the series of belt portions (N1) of the celled continuous belt (N).

[0060] Further, on the basis of the dimensions of the products that are to be infed and inserted in the groups of cells, each housing of the group of housings (S1; S2) is conformed and dimensioned to receive internally thereof a respective single product (P).

[0061] In other words, the drum element present in the infeeding device of the invention is time by time realised and configured in such a way that, in the various sectors arranged distanced from one another annularly along the respective lateral surface, groups of housings are present having a reciprocal arrangement which exactly matches the arrangement of the groups of cells in the various portions of the celled continuous belt.

[0062] For example, as illustrated in figure 3, in a case in which the series of portions (N1) consecutive to one another and distanced of the celled continuous belt (N) comprises a group of cells (A1) which are reciprocally arranged according to an arrangement and configuration of cells (D1) comprising two parallel rows of five cells, then, in each sector (S) present annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element (1) groups of housings (S1) will be present having an arrangement and configuration of housings (E1) comprising two parallel rows of five housings.

[0063] Instead, for example as illustrated in figure 4, in a case in which the series of portions (N1) consecutive to one another and distanced of the celled continuous belt (N) comprises a group of cells (A2) that are reciprocally arranged according to an arrangement and configuration of cells (D2) comprising two parallel rows of cells, in which a first row comprises three cells, and a second row which comprises two cells, then, in each sector (S) present annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element (1) there will be groups of housings (S2) present having an arrangement and configuration ofhousings (E2) comprising two parallel rows of housings, in which a first row comprises three housings and a second row comprises two housings.

[0064] The infeeding device (100) further comprises a products accumulation chamber (2), which is arranged superiorly of the drum element (1) and which is conformed to receive and accumulate internally thereof products (P) that are to be transferred and infed internally of the cells of the celled continuous belt (N).

[0065] The accumulation chamber (2) is open in the lower part thereof so that the products (P) accumulated therein are in contact, during the rotation of the drum element (1), with the series of operating sectors (S) present annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element (1) for inserting the products (P) into respective housings of the groups of housings (S1; S2) present in the operating sectors (S).

[0066] The infeeding device (100) also has an activation system (60) for a vacuum or suction system comprising a plurality of channels (61) which are arranged internally of the drum element (1) and which are in communication with respective housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) present in the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1).

[0067] The channels (61) are activatable independently of one another to retain the products that have been inserted in respective housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) present in the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1) following passage thereof through the accumulation chamber (2), during the further rotation of the drum element (1) from the accumulation chamber (2) to the products release area (F).

[0068] In the figures, by way of example, the plurality of channels (61) has been illustrated in an entirely schematic way as a sort of spoke array, i.e. a plurality of radial lines internally of the drum element (1).

[0069] In particular, the housings of each group of housings (S1, S2) of each operating sector (S) present annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element (1) are in communication, for example via a hole (not illustrated) in the respect bottom, with a respective channel of the plurality of channels (61).For example, according to a possible embodiment, all the housings of a group of housings (S1, S2) can be in communication, via a common manifold, with a respective channel (61), or each housing of a group of housings (S1, S2) can be communicating via a respective manifold with a corresponding channel (61).

[0070] Further, according to other particular aspects, the infeeding device (100) of the invention comprises (see for example figure 1):

[0071] a viewing and control system (VC) for viewing and controlling intactness and suitability characteristics for packaging of the products (P), which is arranged in an operating position facing a part of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) towards the products accumulation chamber (2) and the release area (Z); an optic sensor (4), which is arranged upstream of the transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) beneath the drum element (1), and which is configured to detect a position of a group of cells (A1; A2) present in a respective belt portion (N1) which is advancing, according to the predefined advancement motion, towards the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), and thus towards the products release area (F);

[0072] a control unit (5), which is interfaced with drum element (1), the viewing and control system (VC) and the optic sensor (4), as well as to the vacuum or suction system (60).

[0073] In detail, the viewing and control system (VC) is configured to detect the intactness of shape and suitability of contents (such as for example the colour, quantity and active ingredient and / or excipients) of the products (P) present in the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) which transit at the viewing and control system (VC), as well as the presence of products in all the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) which transit at the viewing and control system (VC), and to transmit, to the control unit (5) respective information on the intactness and suitability for packaging, and on the presence, of products internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2).

[0074] The viewing and control system (VC) can for example comprise, singly or inany combination thereof, optic sensors, video cameras, optic or infrared scansion devices, laser devices, etc., which are configured to detect the effective shape, dimensions and volume of the products, as well as the colour and the quantity of active ingredient or excipients present therein, therefore the complete intactness of shape and suitability for packaging of the products (P) present in the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) of the operating sectors (S) when they transit at the viewing and control system (VC).

[0075] In particular, with the viewing and control system (VC) it is possible to detect whether, internally of one or more housings, there are products that have a perfectly intact shape but which have a different colour to the one required for the packaging, or products which have an apparently intact profile, if seen in a plan view from above, but which instead are shown to be cut, partially or even completely, in a longitudinal plan view.

[0076] In turn, the control unit (5) is configured to receive from the optic sensor (4) a datum on a position detected of the group of cells (A1; A2) present in the belt portion (N1) which is advancing towards the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), and towards the products release area (F) and, as a function of the information received and of the predefined advancement motion of the celled continuous belt (N), to drive the drum element (1) in rotation with a respective rotation velocity in such a way that a respective operating sector (S), having a respective group of housings (S1; S2) containing products (P), transits in the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), which is arranged at the products release area (F), at the same time as the passage of the group of cells (A1; A2) through the products release area (F).

[0077] The control unit (5) is further configured, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that, internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), there are present products that are intact, as regards correspondence of shape, dimensions, volume, and suitable for packaging, regarding colour and relative contents, to deactivate the channel (61) or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) in such a way as to release the products (P) contained therein so that the products (P) are inserted internallyof respective cells (A1; A2) of the group of cells (A1; A2) during the passage thereof from the products release area (F) (see for example figure 1 or figure 5F).

[0078] Therefore the infeeding device (100), owing to the presence of the vacuum or suction system (60), is able to retain the products internally on the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) of the various operating sectors (S) during the rotation of the drum element (1) from the products accumulation chamber (2) to the products release area (F) in a simple and effective way, without recourse to external physical retaining and resisting elements that might compromise the intactness of the products.

[0079] Further, owing to the combined presence of the viewing and control system (VC), of the optic sensor (4) and the control unit (5), the infeeding device (100) of the invention is able to infeed only products that are intact and suitable for packaging internally of a group of cells of a belt portion, and in a number exactly corresponding to the number of cells present in the belt portion, filling all the cells present therein.

[0080] In fact, with the viewing and control system (VC) it is possible to detect in real time the presence of products that are intact and suitable for packaging internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) present in the drum element (1), while with the optic sensor (4) it is possible to identify the effective position of the various groups of cells present in the various and successive portions of celled continuous belt which are in arrival, on the basis of the type of advancement motion of the celled belt (which can be an advancement motion, alternating, continuous or mixed) at the products release area (F).

[0081] Consequently, the control unit (5), on the basis of the data received from the optic sensor (4), can activate the drum element (1) with an adequate rotation velocity so that a group of housings (S1, S2) transits in the products release area (F), at the same time, to a corresponding group of cells (A1, A2) and, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that, internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1 , S2) of the respective in transit in theproducts release area (F), there are present products that are intact and suitable for packaging, the control unit (5) can deactivate the channel (61) or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) at the same time as the passage of the group of cells (A1 ; A2) through the products release area (F) in such a way as to release the products (P) contained therein so that the products fall and insert into respective cells (A1, A2) of the group of cells (A1, A2).

[0082] Also, with the infeeding device of the invention it is possible to correctly infeed the intact and suitable products to be packaged inside respective cells of the celled continuous belt independently of possible displacements of the position of the cells owing to the stretching of the celled continuous belt during the forming processes of the cells, or due to other causes.

[0083] The infeeding device of the invention is therefore usable independently of the type of material with which the celled continuous belt is realised.

[0084] With the infeeding device of the invention it is therefore possible always to obtain portions of celled belt in which all the respective cells are filled only with intact and suitable products for packaging, thus obviating the need to carry out any subsequent rejection.

[0085] The infeeding device of the invention is utilisable, see for example figure 12, both in a case in which the celled continuous belts (TP) made of a heat-formable plastic material, in which the cells (AP) can have shapes and dimensions that are substantially different corresponding to the actual shape and dimension of the products, as well as also in the case of celled continuous belts (NA), made of aluminium, wherein the respective cells (AA) have, instead, a shape and dimension that is greater than the actual shape and size of the products.

[0086] Further, owing to the particular arrangement of the groups of housings present in the various sectors along the lateral surface of the drum element, which correspondingly replicate the arrangement of the groups of cells present in the various belt portions, the infeeding device of the invention is suitable for useindependently of the type of product, whether constituted by heat-sensitive tablets or capsules, or gummy pastilles.

[0087] In this regard, the vacuum or suction application system enables, by the creation of a depression or suction in the housings of the groups of housings, retaining and maintaining all the possible type of products mentioned in the foregoing internally of the housings during the rotation of the drum element from the products accumulation area to the release area in a simple and effective way, conserving the intactness thereof.

[0088] The distance between the various sectors, where there are present respective groups of housings, annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element, can be different, and preferably but not exclusively, can be greater than the distance existing between the various belt portions having respective groups of cells present along the celled continuous belt.

[0089] This enables regulating the rotation velocity of the drum element more effectively so that a group of housings, containing respective products, transits in the products release area at the same time as a passage of a corresponding group of cells, enabling the carrying out of the release of the products internally of the cells with precision.

[0090] Further and other aspects of the infeeding device (100) of the invention are described in the following.

[0091] The control unit (5) is further configured, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) of a given respective operating sector (S) which is arriving at the products release area (F) there is present at least a defective product, as not intact (for example as it is scratched, chipped, or having a shape that apparently corresponds to the predetermined shape but which is actually cut, partially or even completely in a longitudinal direction) or a non-suitable product for packaging (as being of a different colour from the one required or having a content of active ingredient or excipients not corresponding to what is required), or at least a housing of the group of housings (S1, S2) of the operating sector (S) has not been filled with a respective product, to maintainthe channel (61) active, or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), to retain the products (P) contained therein so that the products (P) are not released internally of the respective cells (A1; A2) of a belt portion (N1) during the passage of the group of cells (A1; A2) through the products release area (F) (see for example figures 6A and 6B).

[0092] In a further advantageous aspect, the infeeding device (100) comprises a collecting bin (R) of products (D) that are defective or not suitable for packaging which is arranged facing a part of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) in a position downstream of the release products area (F) and upstream of the products accumulation chamber (2).

[0093] In this case, the control unit (5) is further configured, in conjunction with the transit of a given group of housings (S1, S2), in which the products are retained as at least one of the products has been recognised as a product (D) that is defective or not-suitable for packaging at the collecting bin (R), to deactivate the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the given group of housings (S1 , S2) in such a way that the products (D) that are defective or not suitable for packaging are released into the collecting bin (R) (see figure 7).

[0094] According to a first possible mode of configuration of the system for application of the vacuum or suction system (60) and for the configuration and arrangement of the various channels (61), the deactivation of the vacuum or suction system (60) can relate to the channel (61), or channels (61) that communicate with all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), that is, both with the housings containing defective or non-suitable products for packaging that is, with the housings containing defective or non-suitable products for packaging.

[0095] In this case, all the products present in the group of housings are released and fall into the collecting bin, therefore including also any products that are intact and suitable for packaging, if present.

[0096] Alternatively, according to a first possible mode of configuration of the systemfor application of the vacuum or suction system (60) and for the configuration and arrangement of the various channels (61), the deactivation of the vacuum or suction system (60) can relate only to the channel (61), or channels (61) that communicate with only the housings of the group of housings in which there are present products that are defective or non-suitable for packaging. In this second case, therefore, only the products (D) which are defective or non-suitable for packaging are released into the collecting bin (R), while the remaining other products, intact and suitable for packaging, are retained in the respective housings and will be released, following the deactivation of the respective channels, once the housings newly reach into the accumulation chamber (2).

[0097] Instead, in a case in which at least a housing of a group of housings (S1, S2) were to be lacking a respective product, but the products contained in the remaining housings have all been identified as intact and suitable for packaging by the viewing and control system (VC), then the vacuum or suction system (60) will be kept active until the given group of housings (S1, S2) has reached the accumulation chamber (2) in order to retain the products internally thereof during the rotation of the drum element (1), and then deactivated for the products to be released internally of the accumulation chamber (2) in order for a subsequent insertion thereof into housings of other groups of housings to be enabled (see for example figure 8).

[0098] A further and other preferred and advantageous aspect of the infeeding device (100) of the invention, consists in the fact that the products accumulation chamber (2) is mounted superiorly of the drum element (1) in such a way as to be angularly rotatable with respect to the drum element (1), for example about an axis coinciding with or parallel to the rotation axis of the drum element (see for example figure 11).

[0099] In this way it is possible to vary the accumulation position of the products with respect to the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1), wherein the groups of housings are present (S1, S2), for facilitating the inserting of the products into the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) during therotation of the drum element (1).

[0100] This detail is particularly useful according to the particular type and conformation of the products that are to be infed into the cells of the celled continuous belt.

[0101] In a further and other preferred aspect, the infeeding device (100) can comprise discharging elements (50) of any eventual electrostatic loads which can accumulate on the drum element (1) during the rotation thereof (see for example figure 1).

[0102] For example, in a first possible embodiment, the discharging elements (50) of electrostatic loads can comprise ionising elements or blower elements, which can be arranged downstream of the products release area, considering the rotation direction of the drum element.

[0103] The drum element (1), as for example illustrated in figure 2, can be mounted on a relative flange (15) coaxially mounted to a drive shaft (16) and activatable in rotation following the activation in rotation of the drive shaft (16).

[0104] In a further preferred aspect, the infeeding device (100) can comprise a system (8) for facilitating the inserting of the products internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) during the rotation of the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1) through the products accumulation chamber (2).

[0105] For example, the system (8) for facilitating the inserting of the products internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) comprises rotary brushes (81) and / or agitator elements (82).

[0106] Figures from 5A to 5F illustrate a possible operating sequence of the infeeding device (100) of the invention referring to the products (P) that are infed into the accumulation chamber (2) and which, during the rotation of the drum element (1), are inserted into a corresponding group of housings (S1, S2) present in a sector (S) of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) which transits inferiorly of the accumulation chamber (2) (sequence of figures 5A, 5B).

[0107] The channel (61), or channels (61) of the vacuum or suction system (60)communicating with the housings (S2, S2) of the sector (S) which are filled with products (P) and which, during the rotation of the drum (1) are about to exit from the accumulation chamber (2), are activated in such a way as to retain the products internally of the respective housings (figure 5C).

[0108] The further rotation of the drum element (1), in the indicated direction, from the accumulation chamber (2) towards the products release area (F), brings the products (P) retained in the respective housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), to transit to the viewing and control system (VC) which detects the intactness and suitability for packaging of the products (P), as well as the presence of products (P) in all the housings (see figure 5D).

[0109] The further rotation of the drum element (1) brings the products (P) retained in the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) towards the products release area (F) (see figure 5E) and, at the same time, the optic sensor (4) (see figure 1) detects the actual position of a group of cells (A1, A2) to be filled that are present in a belt portion (N1) of the celled belt (N) which is advancing towards the products release area (F), beneath the lower part of the drum element (1). The control unit (5), as a function of the datum received from the optic sensor (4) on the effective position of the group of cells (A1; A2), and as a function of the type of advancement motion (for example, continuous or mixed) of the celled continuous belt (N), activates the drum element (1) in rotation with a suitable rotation velocity in such a way that the group of housings (S1, S2) retaining the products (P) reaches the products release area (F) at the same time as the passage of the group of cells (A1, A2) and, when the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that, internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) of the respective operating sector (S) which is arriving in the products release area (F), there are present products that are intact and suitable for packaging, the control unit (5) deactivates the channel (61) or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) in such a way as to release the products (P) contained therein during the passage thereof from the products release area (F) so that the products (P) are inserted internally of respective cells (A1; A2) of the group of cells (A1; A2)contemporaneously with the passage thereof from the release area (F) (see figure 5F).

[0110] Instead, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) of a given respective operating sector (S) which is arriving at the products release area (F) there is present at least a non-intact or non-suitable product for packaging, or at least a housing of the group of housings (S1, S2) of the operating sector (S) has not been filled with a respective product, then the control unit (5) keeps active the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), to retain the products (P) contained therein in such a way that the products (P) are not released internally of the respective cells (A1; A2) of a belt portion (N1) during the passage of the group of cells (A1; A2) through the products release area (F) (see figures 6A and 6B).

[0111] In a case in which at least a product of the products retained in the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) has been identified as a defective product (D), then during the passage of the housings from the collecting bin (R), the control unit (5) deactivates the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the given group of housings (S1, S2) in such a way that the products (D) that are defective or not suitable for packaging are released into the collecting bin (R) (see figure 7).

[0112] Instead, in a case in which at least a housing of a group of housings (S1, S2) were to be lacking a respective product, but the products contained in the remaining housings have all been identified as intact and suitable for packaging by the viewing and control system (VC), then the vacuum or suction system (60) will be kept active until the given group of housings (S1, S2) has reached the accumulation chamber (2) in order to retain the products internally thereof during the rotation of the drum element (1), and then deactivated for the products to be released internally of the accumulation chamber (2) in order to enable a subsequent insertion thereof into housings of other groups of housings (see for example figure 8).Figure 9 illustrates a possible mode of use of the infeeding device (100) of the invention, in its various possible embodiments.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, two drum elements (1) can be arranged coaxially to one another in order to be able to infeed products into two celled continuous belts arranged parallel to one another, with the aim of increasing productivity.

[0114] The two celled continuous belts can also have arrangements of groups of cells different to one another, and likewise the two drum elements can have groups of housings having a different arrangement with each corresponding to the arrangement of the groups of cells in the two celled continuous belts.

[0115] Also, according to another possible embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the figures, in its various preferred embodiments, the drum element can be realised with a longitudinal extension, i.e. in the direction of the rotation axis, so that the groups of cells present in each sector can be arranged and utilised for infeeding the products to least two celled continuous belts that are contiguous and parallel to one another, and which have a same arrangement of groups of housings, and which advance in a same advancement motion. Also, according to another possible embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the figures, in its various preferred embodiments, the drum element can be realised with a longitudinal extension, i.e. in the direction of the rotation axis, so that the groups of cells present in each sector can be arranged and utilised for infeeding the products to groups of cells present in series of belt portions parallel to one another and flanked to a single celled continuous belt.

[0116] In figure 10, instead, two drum elements (1) are arranged consecutive to one another in such a way as both to be used for infeeding products to a single celled continuous belt transiting beneath them.

[0117] This last solution can be adapted and utilisable in cases in which the advancement velocity of the belt is particularly rapid.

[0118] In a further preferred aspect, the infeeding device (100) of the invention can comprise a products containing element (32) which is arranged facing thedrum element (1) in a position upstream of and in proximity of the products release area (F).

[0119] The products containing element (32) has a complementary shape to a portion of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) which is located in proximity of the products release area (F).

[0120] The possible presence of this products containing element (32) has the function of retaining the products internally of the housings whenever the deactivation of the channel, or channels, of the activation of the vacuum or suction takes place slightly prior to the passage thereof from the products release area (F) and thus enable the fall thereof, and therefore the insertion thereof, internally of a respective group of cells in conjunction with the passage of the group of cells from the products release area (F).

Claims

CLAIMS1) An infeeding device (100) for infeeding of products (P), such as tablets, pills, capsules, internally of cells of a celled continuous belt (N), wherein the celled continuous belt (N) is moved along an advancement direction (V) on a basis of a predefined advancement motion and comprises a series of belt portions (N1) consecutive to one another and distanced from one another, with each belt portion (N1) comprising a group of cells (A1; A2) which are reciprocally arranged with a predetermined arrangement and configuration of cells (D1, D2), wherein the infeeding device (100) comprises:a drum element (1), activatable in rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (H), wherein the drum element (1) is arranged with respect to the celled continuous belt (N) in such a way that the rotation axis (H) is in a vertical plane with respect to the celled continuous belt (N) at a transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) and with a lower end (10) of the drum element (1) arranged superiorly of the transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) to define a products release area (F), wherein the drum element (1) is conformed in such a way as to comprise, annularly along the respective lateral surface, a series of operating sectors (S), distinct and moved away from one another, wherein each operating sector (S) of the series of operating sectors (S) comprises a group of housings (S1 ; S2) which are reciprocally arranged with an arrangement and configuration of housings (E1, E2) corresponding to the predetermined arrangement and configuration of cells (D1, D2) present in the series of belt portions (N1) of the celled continuous belt (N), with each housing of the group of housings (S1, S2) being conformed and dimensioned to receive internally thereof a respective single product (P);a products accumulation chamber (2), arranged superiorly of the drum element (1) and conformed to receive and accumulate internally thereof products (P) that are to be transferred and infed internally of the cells of the celled continuous belt (N), wherein the accumulation chamber (2) is inferiorly open in such a way that the products (P) accumulated therein are in contact, during the rotation of the drum element (1), with the series of operating sectors (S) present annularly along the lateral surface of the drum element (1) forinserting the products (P) into respective housings of the groups of housings (S1; S2) present in the operating sectors (S);a vacuum or suction system (60) comprising a plurality of channels (61) which are arranged internally of the drum element (1) and which are in communication with respective housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) present in the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1), wherein the channels (61) are activatable independently of one another to retain the products that are inserted in respective housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) present in the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1) during the rotation of the drum element (1) from the accumulation chamber (2) to the products release area (F);a viewing and control system (VC) for viewing and controlling intactness and suitability characteristics for packaging of the products (P), arranged in an operating position facing a part of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) towards the products accumulation chamber (2) and the products release area (F);an optic sensor (4), arranged upstream of the transit area (Z) of the celled continuous belt (N) beneath the drum element (1), wherein the optic sensor (4) is configured to detect a position of a group of cells (A1; A2) present in a respective belt portion (N1) which is advancing, according to the predefined advancement motion, towards the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), and thus towards the products release area (F);a control unit (5);wherein the viewing and control system (VC) is configured to detect the intactness of shape and suitability of contents of the products (P) present in the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) which transit at the viewing and control system (VC), as well as the presence of products in all the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) which transit at the viewing and control system (VC), and to transmit, to the control unit (5) respective information on the intactness and suitability for packaging, and on the presence, of products internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1,wherein the control unit (5) is configured to receive from the optic sensor (4) a datum on a position detected of the group of cells (A1; A2) present in the belt portion (N1) which is advancing towards the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), and towards the products release area (F) and, as a function of the datum received and of the predefined advancement motion of the celled continuous belt (N), to drive the drum element (1) in rotation with a respective rotation velocity in such a way that a respective operating sector (S), having a respective group of housings (S1; S2) containing products (P), transits in the lower part (10) of the drum element (1), which is arranged at the products release area (F), at the same time as the passage of the group of cells (A1; A2) through the products release area (F);and wherein the control unit (5) is further configured, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that, internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) of the respective operating sector (S) which is arriving in the products release area (F), there are present products that are intact and suitable for packaging, to deactivate the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) to release the products (P) contained therein during the passage thereof from the products release area (F) so that the products (P) are inserted internally of respective cells (A1; A2) of the group of cells (A1; A2) contemporaneously with the passage thereof from the products release area (F).2) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (5) is configured, if the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that internally of all the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2) of a given respective operating sector (S) which is arriving at the products release area (F) there is present at least a non-intact or not-suitable product for packaging, or at least a housing of the group of housings (S1, S2) of the operating sector (S) has not been filled with a respective product, to maintain active the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the group of housings (S1, S2), to retainthe products (P) contained therein in such a way that the products (P) are not released internally of the respective cells (A1; A2) of a belt portion (N1) during the passage of the group of cells (A1; A2) through the products release area (F).3) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a collecting bin (R) of products (D) that are defective or not suitable for packaging which is arranged facing a part of the lateral surface of the drum element (1) in a position downstream of the release products area (F) and upstream of the products accumulation chamber (2), wherein the control unit (5) is configured, in conjunction with the transit of a given group of housings (S1 , S2) containing at least a product (D) that is defective or not-suitable for packaging at the collecting bin (R), to deactivate the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the given group of housings (S1, S2) in such a way that the products (D) that are defective or not suitable for packaging are released into the collecting bin (R).4) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 2-3, wherein the control unit (5) is configured, when the viewing and control system (VC) has detected that at least a housing of a given group of housings (S1, S2) is lacking a respective product, and that the products (P) contained in the remaining housings of the given group of housings (S1, S2) are all intact and suitable for packaging, to maintain active the channel (61), or the channels (61), of the vacuum or suction system (60) communicating with the housings of the given group of housings (S1, S2), and then to retain the products internally of the housings, until the given group of housings (S1, S2) newly reaches into the products accumulation chamber (2).5) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 4, wherein the products accumulation chamber (2) is mounted superiorly of the drum element (1) in such a way as to be rotatable with respect to the drum element (1) to vary the accumulation position of the products with respect to the operating sectors (S) of the drum element (1), wherein the groups of housings are present (S1, S2), for facilitating the inserting of the products into the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) during the rotation of thedrum element (1).6) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 5, comprising discharging elements (50) of electrostatic loads which accumulate on the drum element (1) during the rotation of the drum element (1).7) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the discharging elements (50) of electrostatic loads comprise ionising elements or blower elements.8) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 7, wherein the drum element (1) is mounted on a relative flange (15) coaxially mounted to a drive shaft (16) and activatable in rotation following the activation in rotation of the drive shaft (16).9) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 8, comprising a system (8) for facilitating the inserting of the products internally of the housings of the groups of housings (S1, S2) during the rotation of the drum element (1) through the products accumulation chamber (2).10) The infeeding device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the system (8) for facilitating the inserting of the products internally of the housings (S1 , S2) comprises rotary brushes (81) and / or agitator elements (82).

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