System and method for polishing capsules

Abstract

A system for polishing capsules includes a brush located at least partially inside a wall arranged around an axis (Z). The brush has bristles arranged around the axis (Z) to form a helical conveying ramp for the capsules. The lengths of the bristles of the brush are distinct and a protrusion is mechanically coupled to the wall to bend at least some of the bristles of the brush when the latter is in rotational movement around the axis (Z).

Claims

1. A system for polishing capsules comprising: an inlet; an outlet; a wall arranged around an axis (Z) extending from said inlet to said outlet; a brush located at least partially inside the wall and comprising bristles arranged around said axis (Z) to form a helical conveying ramp for said capsules, from said inlet to said outlet, each of said bristles comprising a free end facing an inner face of said wall; and a mechanical unit configured to generate a rotational movement of said brush about said axis (Z) to convey said capsules from said inlet to said outlet; wherein: a distance between said axis (Z) and said free end of a first bristle of said brush, and a distance between said axis (Z) and said free end of a second bristle of said brush differ by at least 2 mm; said system comprising at least one protrusion; at said inner face of said wall, and arranged to bend at least some of said bristles of said brush during said rotational movement of said brush around said axis (Z).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the first bristle configured to support said capsules; said free end of said second bristle is configured to contact said capsules; and said protrusion is configured to contact said capsules to influence a trajectory of said capsules during said rotational movement of said brush around said axis (Z).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said bristles are arranged along straight line segments orthogonal to said axis (Z) to coincide with said straight line segments; said straight line segments corresponding to cross sections of circular helicoids supported by said axis (Z), said cross sections being made along planes orthogonal to said axis (Z); said circular helicoids having the same pitch and the same inner radius; an outer radius of a first one of said helicoids differing by at least 2 mm from an outer radius of a second one of said helicoids.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said free ends of said bristles included in a cross section of said brush along a plane comprising said axis (Z) are arranged along four to twenty straight lines parallel to said axis (Z), symmetrically aligned on said plane, on either side of said axis (Z); a distance between said axis (Z) and a first one of said straight lines, and a distance between said axis (Z) and a second one of said straight lines, differing by at least 2 mm.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said free ends of said bristles included in a cross section of said brush along a plane comprising said axis are substantially arranged along: similar half ellipses of axes parallel and/or orthogonal to said axis (Z); and along two straight lines parallel to said axis (Z), symmetrically aligned on said plane, on either side of said axis (Z).

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: said wall is cylindrical and symmetrically arranged along said axis (Z); said wall comprises: a lower cylindrical section comprising an inlet opening mechanically coupled to said inlet, and an upper cylindrical section surmounting said lower cylindrical section and comprising an outlet opening mechanically coupled to said outlet (3B); said inner face is cylindrical of radius R; said system further comprising a central cylindrical portion arranged symmetrically along said axis (Z) and comprising a cylindrical outer surface of radius r <R; each of said bristles of said brush comprising an end fixed to said central cylindrical portion.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wall comprises a plurality of sections mechanically coupled to each other, and in that said at least one protrusion comprises at least one protrusion section facing two of said sections, and fixed to at least one of said sections.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein in that said at least one protrusion comprises at least one protrusion portion fixed to an additional element configured to be mechanically coupled to said wall, so as to at least locally conform to a shape of said wall; said at least one protrusion portion being configured to enter a passage passing through said wall when said additional element is mechanically coupled to said wall, so that said at least one protrusion portion is arranged at least partially inside said wall.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: the system comprises a suction unit adapted to evacuate dust from the inside of said wall; said wall comprises at least one hole with a diameter capable of being strictly smaller than a diameter of said capsules; said additional element comprises a conduit, a first end of said conduit being mechanically coupled to a portion of said wall comprising said at least one hole, a second end of said conduit being mechanically coupled to said suction unit; said conduit being arranged to transport said dust.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein it further comprises at least one seal fixed to an inner face of said additional element, said at least one seal describing a curve on said inner face of said additional element, said curve being configured to locally conform to said shape of said wall, so as to surround an outer surface of said portion of said wall comprising said at least one hole, when said additional element is mechanically coupled to said wall.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises: a lower plate arranged perpendicularly to said axis (Z), mechanically coupled to said wall and to a lower end section of said brush; said lower end section of said brush being configured to convey said capsules from said inlet to an upper section of said brush surmounting said lower end section of said brush during said rotational movement of said brush; said upper section of said brush being configured to convey said capsules from said lower end section of said brush to said outlet during said rotational movement of said brush; at least one lug at a surface of said plate bordering the inside of said wall, said lug being capable of driving at least one of said capsules from said plate to said lower end section of said brush, during said rotational movement of said brush.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein: the system further comprises a suction unit configured to evacuate dust from the inside of said wall; said plate comprises at least one orifice having a diameter smaller than a diameter of said capsules; and said suction unit comprises a conduit mechanically coupled to said plate, said at least one orifice of said plate surmounting an opening of said conduit; said conduit being configured to transport said dust.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: an antistatic polymer tube mechanically coupled to said outlet and configured to convey said capsules from said outlet; a detection unit mechanically coupled to said tube and configured to detect metal intoxication of said capsules as said capsules are conveyed through said tube.

14. A method of polishing capsules comprising the steps of: (i) providing a system for polishing said capsules according claim 1; (ii) generating a rotational movement of said brush around said axis (Z) with said mechanical unit; (iii) introducing said capsules into said system through said inlet; (iv) conveying said capsules from said inlet to said outlet on said conveying ramp formed by said brush in rotational movement around said axis (Z); (v) discharging and collecting said capsules through said outlet.

15. A production line for capsules comprising the system for polishing said capsules according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will appear when reading the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the figures annexed hereto, among which are the following:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified three-dimensional overall schematic view of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a lower portion of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of an assembly of parts which make up the lower portion of the system for polishing capsules according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of an additional element of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the additional element of the system for polishing capsules according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6A illustrates a schematic three-dimensional view of a plate and a lug of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 6B illustrates a two-dimensional schematic view of the placement of a plate similar to that shown in FIG. 6A in a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a brush of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a planar transverse cross-section of the brush of the system for polishing capsules according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7;

(11) FIG. 9 illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of a brush of a system for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 10 shows a planar transverse cross-section of the brush of the system for polishing capsules according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9.

(13) The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Generally, similar elements are denoted by similar references in the figures. In the context of this document, identical or similar elements may have the same references.

(14) In addition, the presence of reference numbers in the drawings cannot be regarded as limiting, even where such numbers are indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) This part presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of this invention. The latter is described with particular embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited by them. In particular, the drawings or figures described below are only schematic and are not restrictive.

(16) It should also be noted that the axis Z, the straight lines d, d′, d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, d.sub.5, d.sub.6, and the circle S are represented on some figures that follow for purely illustrative purposes in order to visualize different characteristics of embodiments of systems for polishing capsules. In particular, these abstract geometrical elements do not correspond to concrete material objects.

(17) In the embodiments described, the axis of the system for polishing capsules according to the invention coincides with the axis Z=(0, 0, 1) of the co-ordinates system defined in the disclosure of the invention and the inlet is overhung by the outlet of the system according to the invention. These choices and this particular representation is in no way limiting the scope of the invention.

(18) FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified three-dimensional overall schematic view of a system 1 for polishing capsules according to an embodiment of the invention.

(19) The system 1 comprises an inlet 3A located at the bottom, an outlet 3B located at the top, and a cylindrical wall 4 symmetrically arranged along the axis Z. The wall is composed of three sections: a lower cylindrical section 4A, an intermediate cylindrical section 4C, and an upper cylindrical section 4B, mechanically coupled to each other from bottom to top along the axis Z. The section 4A comprises an inlet opening (9A, visible in FIG. 2) coupled to the inlet 3A and the section 4B comprises an outlet opening 9B coupled to the outlet 3B. Specifically, the inlet 3A and outlet 3B each comprise a conduit that fits into the respective inlet and outlet openings.

(20) A helical brush is located in the inside of the wall. Since the representation in the FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional global view of a polishing system according to an embodiment of the invention by an observer, the helical brush is not represented through the wall. The figures will concentrate on the helical brush later.

(21) Returning to the polishing system shown in FIG. 1. It comprises additional elements 12, 12C and 12B arranged from bottom to top in this order at the same length interval along the axis Z and respectively facing the centers of sections 4A, 4C and 4B of the wall 4. Each of the additional elements 12, 12C and 12B is coupled to the wall 4 via a conduit not shown in FIG. 1, one end of which is coupled with a portion of the wall comprising holes not shown in FIG. 1.

(22) The additional elements allow mechanical coupling with a series of conduits 11A, 11C and 11B belonging to a suction unit 11. These conduits are arranged from bottom to top, in this order, along the axis Z, so as to form a single long conduit arranged along the axis Z, two conduits being coupled to each other by one of the additional elements. The conduit 11A faces a base of the system 1 and a lower half of the section 4A, the conduit 11C faces an upper half of the section 4A and a lower half of the section 4C, the conduit 11B faces an upper half of the section 4C and a lower half of the section 4B. The conduit 11A is attached to a bend and to another conduit 11D surmounted by the wall, communicating via at least one orifice with the inside of the wall.

(23) The conduits 11A-D of the suction unit connect four zones bounding the inside of the wall communicating with the inside of the wall via the above-mentioned holes and orifices, so as to extract dust from the inside of the wall and evacuate it through conduits 11A-D. The dusts typically comprise powder adhered to the capsules.

(24) The system 1 preferably comprises an antistatic polymer tube 21 mechanically coupled to the outlet 3B by a flexible sleeve, the coupling being as described in European patent publication number EP2321564B1, so as to convey the capsules without any static electricity present on the shells thereof interfering with them. The tube 21 passes through a metal poisoning detection unit 20 of the capsules, so as to detect any capsules possibly poisoned by metals. A discharge for such capsules is also provided at the outlet of the tube 21.

(25) The system 1 is arranged on a trolley 18 comprising an enclosure in which technical and electronic infrastructures are arranged, including a possible dust collector coupled to the suction unit 11. The whole system can thus be easily moved and positioned, particularly at the outlet of a capsule filling machine.

(26) The trolley may also comprise a logic unit with an interface 17 shown in FIG. 1. Thus various parameters of the system 1 such as the speed of rotation of the helical brush around the axis Z can be communicated to a human operator or controlled by a human operator.

(27) The FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a lower portion of a system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a further detailed representation of conduits 11A and 11D and the lower cylindrical section of the wall 4 described above.

(28) The inlet opening 9A and the inlet 3A make it possible to introduce the capsules 2 into the system, and to allow them to be conveyed by the helical brush not shown and located inside the wall 4.

(29) The connection between the additional element 12 and the conduit 11A is made by means of connections 19. The additional element 12 is mechanically coupled to the wall 4 with fixing elements 13 so as to conform to the shape of a portion of the wall 4 comprising at least one hole to allow the dust sucked from the inside of the wall by the suction unit 11 to escape.

(30) Similar representations and descriptions are valid for the other additional elements 12C and 12B, as well as for the conduits 11B and 11C.

(31) The FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an assembly of parts which make up the lower portion of the system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIG. 2.

(32) This view constitutes a plan enabling a person skilled in the art to easily reconstruct the system according to the invention. This view reveals the holes 43 in a portion of the wall 4 coupled to one end of the conduit 14 of the additional element 12. Thus, the holes allow the passage of dust which is sucked from the inside of the wall by the suction unit 11, this dust being channelled through the conduit 14 and the conduits 11A and 11D.

(33) The additional element 12 is configured to be mechanically coupled to the portion of the wall 4 comprising the holes 43. In order to conform to the cylindrical shape of the wall 4, the additional element is elongated along the axis Z and in the form of a cylindrical portion. A curved seal 22A is included between one face of the additional element and the portion of the wall 4 comprising the holes 43, so as to isolate this portion and contribute to the sealing of the system 1. Another seal 22B is coupled to an upper end of the wall portion so as to also contribute to a sectional sealing of the system 1. This seal allows for easier cleaning and disassembly of the system 1. It also allows the system to include a capsule cleaning unit (not shown) using a liquid.

(34) The at least one protrusion comprises two portions of elongated protrusions along the axis, not visible in this figure, which are fixed to an inner face of the additional element so as to penetrate two elongated passages 42 through the wall 4, these being arranged on either side of the holes 43. When the additional element is coupled to the wall 4 with the fixing elements 13, the protrusion portions protrude through the passages 42 inside the wall 4 so as to constitute protrusions of the inner face 41 of the wall along the entire cylindrical section of the wall 4 shown. Thus, the at least one protrusion is capable of bending at least some of the bristles of the brush inside the wall 4. The at least one protrusion also comprises a protrusion section 8B fixed to the portion of the wall 4 so as to constitute an extension of a protrusion portion along the axis Z, and to obtain better draining along the entire axis Z, and not just along the protrusion portions.

(35) These considerations extend without limitation to the other additional elements and to other cylindrical sections of the wall 4. Furthermore, the number of such elements or sections is not limiting and a higher or lower number may be chosen without departing from the scope of the invention.

(36) The at least one protrusion is described as comprising protrusion sections 8B arranged straddling two cylindrical sections of the wall, aligned along the axis Z, as well as portions of elongated protrusions fixed to additional elements 12 conforming a portion of the wall 4 provided with holes. However, this latter production of protrusion portions is not limiting in the case where the protrusions are fixed to the inner face 41 of the wall 4 without having to be coupled to the latter by means of an additional element. In addition, the at least one protrusion may combine both sections of protrusions fixed to the inner face 41 of the wall and protrusions sections fixed to at least one additional element 12 mechanically coupled to the wall 4.

(37) FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an additional element 12 of a system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

(38) The connection 19A allows the conduits 11A and 11C illustrated in FIG. 1 to be connected to each other, and also to be connected to the conduit 14 of the additional element 12, one end of which faces the holes 43 of the wall 4. The dust is thus easily extracted from the inside of the wall 4 through holes 43 and channelled through the conduit 14 and conduits 11A-D.

(39) The connections 19B allow the additional element 12 to be mechanically coupled to a portion of the wall 4 by means of the fixing elements 13.

(40) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the top of the additional element 12 of the system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4.

(41) This figure is the first finally allowing to visualize precisely the position of the two elongated protrusions of the at least one protrusion 8 which are fixed on a cylindrical inner face of the additional element 12.

(42) The ends 14A and 14B of the conduit 14 are also visible in FIG. 5. The end 14A is mechanically coupled to the portion of the wall 4 containing the holes 43, and the end 14B is mechanically coupled to the conduits 11A and 11C, and therefore to the suction unit 11.

(43) FIG. 6A shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a plate 15 and a lug 16 of a system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to an embodiment of the invention, while FIG. 6B shows a two-dimensional schematic view of the placement of such plate 15 in this system 1 for polishing capsules 2.

(44) The plate 15 is annular in shape and comprises orifices 15A surmounting an opening of the conduit 11D, allowing a complementary connection from the inside of the wall 4 with the suction unit 11 so as to evacuate the dust through the conduit 11D.

(45) The lug 16 is typically half cylinder shaped to allow the capsules 2 that would be under the conveyor ramp to bounce off the lug 16, under the impulse of the rotating movement of the brush, so as to be driven from the plate 15 to a lower end section of the brush.

(46) An opening 19C in the center of the plate provides a housing for a central cylindrical part 10 arranged symmetrically around the axis Z, to which part the ends of the bristles are fixed. The central cylindrical part 10 is in rotational movement, driving the bristles of the brush in this movement, while the plate 15 and the wall 4 are fixed. The plate comprises feet 15B which are inserted in a flange 23 fixed to a base to which the wall 4 is coupled, the base comprising the mechanical unit of the system 1.

(47) The at least one protrusion comprises beginnings of protrusions 8A surmounting two portions of the lateral end of the plate 15. These beginnings of protrusions face the lower end section of the brush and are arranged to bend at least some of the bristles of the lower end section of the brush during the rotational movement. These beginnings of protrusions are in contact with the two elongated protrusions shown in FIG. 5 when all the parts of the polishing system 1 are interlocked.

(48) FIGS. 7 and 9 illustrate two schematic views of helical brushes 5 of a system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to two distinct embodiments of the invention.

(49) These two representations are neither exhaustive nor restrictive of the embodiments of the brush 5 according to the invention.

(50) The brush comprises the lower end section 5A discussed above and an upper section 5B essentially constituting the remainder of the brush 5. The lower end section 5A conveys the capsules from the inlet to the upper section 5B, and the upper section 5B conveys the capsules from the lower end section 5A to the outlet 5B.

(51) The brush 5 is arranged inside the wall 4 so that a plurality of free ends of the longest bristles touch lightly or are in contact with the wall 4, thereby forming a conveying ramp for the capsules 2 from the inlet 3A to the outlet 3B. The helical brush is supported on the axis Z and is arranged symmetrically to this axis and to the wall 4.

(52) FIG. 8 shows a flat cross section of the helical brush 5 of the system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7.

(53) In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates the bristles 6 of the brush 5 and the free end 7 of each bristle 6. Each bristle 6 comprises one end fixed to a central cylindrical part 10 already commented on above. A first bristle 61 comprises a free end 71 at a distance more than 2 mm further from the axis Z than the free end 72 of a second bristle 62. The free end 71 is arranged along the straight line d4, while the free end 62 is arranged along the straight line d6, these two straight lines being parallel to the axis Z and spaced more than 2 mm apart.

(54) The free ends 7 of the bristles 6 are aligned on parallel straight lines d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, d.sub.5 and d.sub.6, arranged symmetrically on either side of the axis Z. Thus, d.sub.1, d.sub.3 and d.sub.5 are respectively the orthogonal symmetries of d.sub.2, d.sub.4 and d.sub.6 with respect to the axis Z. The ends of the bristles 7 thus have a profile in the form of a vaulted stair step, as detailed in the disclosure of this invention.

(55) FIG. 10 shows a flat cross-section of the helical brush 5 of the system 1 for polishing capsules 2 according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9.

(56) In particular, FIG. 10 illustrates the individual bristles 6 of the brush 5 as well as the free end 7 of each bristle 6. Each bristle 6 comprises one end fixed to the central cylindrical part 10. A first bristle 61 has a free end 71 at a distance more than 2 mm further from the axis Z than the free end 72 of a second bristle 62. The free end 71 is arranged along the straight line d′, while the free end 62 is arranged along a circle similar to S with its centre on the straight line d′.

(57) In general, the free ends 7 of the bristles 6 are arranged along two straight lines d and d′ and along semi-circles based on the circle S, the centers of which are exclusively aligned at the same distance on two straight lines d and d′. The ends of the bristles 7 thus have a cup-shaped profile which is praised and detailed in the disclosure of this invention.

(58) In summary, this invention relates to a system 1 and a method for polishing capsules 2. The system 1 according to the invention comprises a brush 5 located at least partially inside a wall 4 arranged around an axis Z. The brush comprises bristles 6 arranged around the axis Z so as to form a helical conveying ramp for the capsules 2. The lengths of the bristles 6 of the brush 5 are substantially distinct and a protrusion 8, 8A, 8B is mechanically coupled to the wall 4 to bend at least some of the bristles 6 of the brush 5 when the latter is in rotational motion around the axis Z. The method according to the invention consists essentially of putting the above-mentioned system into practice.

(59) This invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which are purely illustrative and should not be regarded as restrictive.

(60) Generally speaking, it shall be obvious to the person skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above. The invention comprises each of the new features described herein as a whole, as well as all combinations thereof. For example, it is possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention, for the system to comprise bristles arranged as illustrated in FIG. 8 and bristles arranged as illustrated in FIG. 10.

(61) For the purpose of this document, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and “fourth” are used only to differentiate between the different elements and do not imply any order between them. The use of the verbs “to include”, “to comprise”, “to consist” or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article “an”, “a”, or the definite article “the”, to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.