TABLET PORTIONING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a tablet portioning device comprising multiple tablet containers, a collection device arranged below the tablet container and having a dispensing device, and a packaging device for packing the tablet portions in portions, wherein the collection device receives tablets from the tablet containers and dispenses them as tablet portions via the dispensing device, wherein a conveying device having multiple conveying trays and extending in a conveying direction connects the dispensing device with the packaging device, wherein the dispensing device dispenses a respective tablet portion in one of the conveying trays and the conveying device transports the tablet portions to the packaging device, wherein the conveying device has a dispensing unit via which the tablet portions are transferred to the packaging device in portions.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A tablet portioning device, comprising: a plurality of tablet containers and a collection device arranged below the tablet containers and having a dispensing device, as well as a packaging device for packaging tablet portions in portions, wherein the collection device receives tablets from the tablet containers and dispenses the same as tablet portions via the dispensing device, wherein a conveying device having multiple conveying trays and extending in a conveying direction connects the dispensing device with the packaging device, wherein the dispensing device dispenses a respective tablet portion into one of the conveying trays and the conveying device transports the tablet portions to the packaging device, wherein the conveying device has a dispensing unit via which the tablet portions are transferred to the packaging device in portions.

27. The tablet portioning device according to claim 26, wherein the conveying device is supported on a rail device and can be moved via the rail device in a horizontal direction transverse to the conveying direction of the conveying device from a transport position, in which the conveying device transports tablet portions from the dispensing device to the packaging device, to a parking position.

28. The tablet portioning device according to claim 26, wherein the dispensing device has a controllable outlet via which the tablet portions are dispensed in a controlled manner

29. The tablet portioning device according to claim 26, wherein the collection device comprises a funnel device connected with the dispensing device.

30. The tablet portioning device according to claim 27, wherein a movable packing device which, in the parking position of the conveying device, can be arranged below the dispensing device to receive tablet portions from the dispensing device, wherein the packing device is movable from a use position below the dispensing device to a stow position to clear a region below the collection device for the conveying device.

31. The tablet portioning device according to claim 26, wherein the conveying device is formed by an endless studded belt with protruding studs spaced from one another by a distance D, two adjacent studs respectively delimiting a respective one of the conveying trays on at least two sides.

32. The tablet portioning device according to claim 31, wherein the conveying device has side walls that are arranged laterally beside the studded belt and delimit the conveying trays on two further sides at least in a transport region of the studded belt.

33. The tablet portioning device according to claim 31, wherein the dispensing unit is arranged in a first deflection region of the studded belt.

34. The tablet portioning device according to claim 33, wherein the dispensing unit is in contact with the side walls at least in the first deflection region and connects the same with each other, wherein the dispensing unit covers a conveying tray present in the first deflection region.

35. The tablet portioning device according to claim 34, wherein the dispensing unit extends by a length L starting from the first deflection region below a lower run of the studded belt and forms a transfer region, wherein the length L corresponds to at least the distance D between two adjacent studs, wherein the dispensing unit has a transfer opening in the transfer region.

36. The tablet portioning device according to claim 35, wherein the transfer opening is adapted to the size of an opening of a package or to the size of a filling opening of the packaging device.

37. The tablet portioning device according to claim 31, wherein a RFID chip is arranged in each stud.

38. The tablet portioning device according to claim 26, wherein the packaging device comprises multiple filling trays each having one filling opening, their arrangement being adapted to a package with multiple compartments, wherein the bottoms of the filling trays are formed by one or more slides via which the filling trays can be opened at their bottom side, and wherein the tablet portions can each be filled into one of the filling trays, respectively.

39. The tablet portioning device according to claim 38, wherein the filling trays are arranged on a table that is horizontally movable in two directions.

40. The tablet portioning device according to claim 39, wherein the packaging device comprises a package holder for holding a package in a filling position, wherein the table can be positioned above the package holder for the purpose of filling the package.

41. The tablet portioning device according to claim 40, wherein, after filling, the package holder transports the package from the filling position to a removal position.

42. The tablet portioning device according to claim 41, wherein the packaging device may comprise a removal device at which the package can be sealed, wherein the removal position of the package is located in the removal device.

43. The tablet portioning device according to claim 39, wherein the table is fastened to a drive device by two laterally opposite L-shaped brackets arranged at the table, wherein the slide or the slides for opening the bottoms of the filling trays can be moved between the L-shaped brackets.

44. The tablet portioning device according to claim 31, wherein in the transport position of the conveying device, the dispensing device is spaced in the conveying direction by a distance A, which is at least equal to the distance D, from a second deflection region of the studded belt.

45. A tablet portioning device with multiple tablet containers, comprising: a collection device arranged below the tablet containers and having a dispensing device, and with a packing device for packing tablet portions, wherein the collection device receives tablets from the tablet containers and dispenses the same as a tablet portion via the dispensing device, wherein the packing device is arranged below the dispensing device when in a use position and receives the tablet portions from the dispensing device, wherein the packing device can be moved from the use position to a stow position to clear the region below the collection device, and comprising a conveying device with a plurality of conveying trays, wherein, in the stow position of the packing device, the dispensing device can be connected with a packaging device via the conveying device, wherein the dispensing device dispenses one tablet portion into one of the conveying trays, respectively, and the conveying device transports the tablet portions to the packaging device, and wherein the conveying device is supported on a rail device to be moved via the rail device in a horizontal direction transverse to the conveying direction of the conveying device from a transport position, in which the conveying device transports tablet portions from the dispensing device to the packaging device, to a parking position.

46. The tablet portioning device according to claim 45, wherein the conveying device comprises a dispensing unit via which the tablet portions are transferred to the packaging device in portions.

Description

[0075] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures. In the Figures:

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of the tablet portioning device according to the invention,

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the conveying device of the tablet portioning device of FIG. 1 in the conveying position,

[0078] FIG. 3 shows another detail of the conveying device,

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a detail of the dispensing device of the conveying device of

[0080] FIG. 3 without a side wall of the conveying device, and

[0081] FIGS. 5a to 5c are perspective views of the packaging device of the tablet portioning device according to the invention in different filling positions.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a tablet portioning device 1 according to the invention. The tablet portioning device 1 comprises multiple tablet trays 3 arranged in a first part of the tablet portioning device above a collection device 5 seen best in FIG. 2. Beside the first part of the tablet portioning device 1 of the present invention that includes the tablet trays 3 and the collection device 5, a second part is arranged which comprises a packaging device 7 for tablet portions. The packaging device 7 is seen best in FIGS. 5a to 5c.

[0083] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the collection device 5 comprises a funnel device 9, as well as a dispensing device 11. The funnel device 9 opens into the dispensing device 11. Tablets are dispensed from the tablet containers and fall into the funnel device 9 and are directed to the dispensing device 11. The dispensing device 11 dispenses the tablets present in the collection device 5 as a tablet portion. For this purpose, the dispensing device 11 can comprise a closure plate pivotable in a horizontal plane, the plate closing or opening a downward directed opening of the dispensing device 11.

[0084] In the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, a conveying device 15 is arranged below the dispensing device 11, which extends in a conveying direction (illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 2) and by means of which the tablet portions can be transported from the dispensing device 11 to the packaging device 7.

[0085] The conveying device 15 is supported by a rail device 17. By means of the rail device 17, the conveying device 15 can be displaced horizontally from the transport position illustrated in FIG. 2 in a direction transverse to the conveying device to a parking position. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the conveying device 15 is thus displaced backward. Thereby, a space 19 below the dispensing device 11 is cleared almost completely, so that a packing device, not illustrated, can be arranged therein. The packing device may, for example, pack the tablet portions in portions in individual bags. To allow the use of the conveying device 15 and thus of the packaging device 7, the packing device is moved from its use position, in which it is arranged below the dispensing device 11, to a stow position which, for example, can also be arranged outside the tablet portioning device 1. The conveying device 15 is thereafter again moved to the transport position illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0086] A wall section 21 is arranged at the conveying device 15, which when the conveying device 15 is displaced, closes an opening 24 formed in a side wall for the conveying device 15, so that in the parking position of the conveying device 15 the side wall is closed almost completely. It can thereby be prevented that, e.g., when the packing device is used, an access between the space 19 and the adjacent space for the packaging device 7 is formed through which a user may inadvertently reach. It can further be prevented that in operation of the tablet portioning device 1 of the present invention comprising the packing device, access is possible from the space in which the packaging device 7 is arranged to the danger zone of the space 19 in which the packing device is operating.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows the conveying device 15 of FIG. 2 in detail, wherein other parts of the tablet portioning device are largely omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0088] The conveying device 15 is formed by an endless studded belt 25 with protruding studs 27. The protruding studs 27 are, as can be seen in FIG. 4, spaced by a distance D and delimit conveying trays 29. The dispensing device 11 is adapted to the conveying tray 29 and the tablet portions are each dispensed in portions into one conveying tray 29, respectively.

[0089] Further, the conveying device 15 comprise a sidewall 31 on either side, which forms a lateral border of the conveying trays 29.

[0090] At a first end section 15a arranged in the region of the packaging device 7 of the tablet portioning device of the present invention, the conveying device 15 forms a deflection region 25a of the studded belt 25. In the first deflection region of the studded belt 25, a dispensing unit 33 is arranged which is configured as a dispensing head that covers a conveying tray 29 arranged in the deflection region 25a.

[0091] By means of the dispensing unit 33 it can be achieved that tablet portions arranged in a conveying tray 29 do not fall from the conveying tray 29 by the effect of gravity already in the deflection region 25a of the studded belt 25, but that a gravity-induced transfer to the packaging device 7 is performed only at a determined position, as is seen best in FIG. 4.

[0092] In FIG. 4, the first deflection region 25a of the studded belt 25, as well as the dispensing unit 33 are illustrated in detail, wherein the front side wall 31 is omitted for the sake of clarity. The dispensing unit 33 extends at least in the first deflection region 25a of the studded belt 25, wherein the first deflection region 25a is the region of the studded belt 25 that is bent by deflection. Further, starting from the first deflection region 25a, the dispensing unit 33 extends for a length L below the lower run 25b of the studded belt 25, the length L being greater than the distance D between two adjacent studs 27. In the part of the dispensing unit 33 extending by the length L, a transfer region 35 is formed which has a transfer opening 37. The transfer opening 37 thus forms an outlet for a tablet portion arranged in a conveying tray 29, so that the same can be transferred to the packaging device 7 under the effect of gravity, as indicated by the arrow.

[0093] The side wall 31 extends laterally of the studded belt 25 in a vertical direction and protrudes beyond a conveying tray bottom 29a by a height H that is at least the height h of a stud 27 of the studded belt 25.

[0094] A RFID chip 39 is arranged in each stud 27. The same may be sensed by a sensor, not illustrated, so that the position of a stud 27 can be identified clearly.

[0095] On the one hand, by virtue of the transfer opening 37, the dispensing unit 33 offer the possibility to provide a defined position for dispensing the tablet portions. Furthermore, by covering the conveying tray 29 in the first deflection region 25a, it is achieved that a tablet portion arranged in this conveying tray 29 is not yet dispensed under the effect of gravity so that in case of a malfunction the studded belt 25 can be moved back by one conveying tray 29 without any doubt about whether a tablet portion that had previously been arranged in the conveying tray 29 located in the deflection region 25a has already been dispensed or not.

[0096] A structure similar to the dispensing unit 33 is also provided in the second deflection region 25c arranged in the second end section 15b of the conveying device 15 averted from the first deflection region 25a. Using a corresponding cover 43, also a conveying tray 29 present in the second deflection region 25c is covered.

[0097] The dispensing device 11 is spaced from the second deflection region of the studded belt by a distance A, wherein the distance A at least corresponds to the distance D, so that it is ensured that when the studded belt 25 is moved opposite to the conveying direction by a path with the amount D, no tablet portions reach the second deflection region 25a.

[0098] As best seen in FIG. 5a, the conveying device 15 can comprise a cover plate 43 that connects the side walls 31 above the studded belt 25 and thus forms a protection for the tablet portions arranged in the conveying trays 29. Further, it is prevented by the cover plate 43 that individual tablets fall from a conveying tray 29 or fall into an adjacent conveying tray 29, when the studded belt 26 is started or stopped abruptly.

[0099] A camera, not illustrated, can be arranged above the conveying device 15, the camera being directed toward the studded belt 26. For this purpose, for example, the cover plate 43 may have a recess. By means of the camera, a tablet portion arranged in a conveying tray 29 can be detected optically and can be identified with respect to the combination of the tablets by means of image analysis. Thereby, it can be determined whether the intended tablet portion is arranged in a conveying tray 29.

[0100] FIGS. 5a to 5c illustrate the packaging device 7 in different filling positions.

[0101] The packaging device 7 comprises a table 45. A plurality of filling trays 46, each with a filling opening, is arranged in the table 35. The bottoms of the filling trays 46 are formed by a slide by which the filling trays 46 can be opened at their bottom side. The table 45 is arranged at a drive device 49 by means of L-shaped brackets 47 and is moved in two directions in a horizontal plane by the drive device 49. Thereby, each filling opening can be arranged below the transfer opening 37 of the dispensing unit 33. In this case, the transfer opening 37 is ideally adapted to the size of the filling openings of the filling trays 46. The table 45 is then moved such that the filling trays 46 can each be filled individually with a tablet portion arranged in a conveying tray 29.

[0102] If it is determined e.g., via the camera that a wrong tablet portion is arranged in a conveying tray 29, the same can be dispensed into a waste tray 51 of the table 45. As soon as the desired number of filling trays 46 is filled, the table 45 is moved above a package holder 53 holding a package 55, as seen best in FIG. 5b. The package 55 has multiple compartments 55a and, for example, is a so-called tray into which a plurality of tablet portions can be filled assorted according to their intake time.

[0103] The arrangement of the filling trays 46 in the table 45 is adapted to the compartments 55a of the package 55. If, as illustrated in FIG. 5b, the table 45 has been moved over the package holder 53 comprising the package 55, the filling trays 46 in the table 45 can be opened by moving the slide so that their contents fall into the compartments 55s of the package 55. Due to the L-shaped brackets 47 arranged at a distance from each other, an advantageous free space is formed, so that the slide can be moved between the L-shape brackets 47 to open the filling trays 46.

[0104] The package holder 53 is equipped in particular with a lift function so that the package holder 53 can transport the package after filling from the filling position illustrated in FIG. 5b to the removal position illustrated in FIG. 5c. For the removal of a filled package 55, the packaging device 7 comprises a removal device 57 into which the package can be moved by means of the package holder 53. The package 55 can be sealed in the removal device 57.

[0105] The package holder 53 further comprises a bottom 59 arranged below the package 55. If, in operation, a package 55 should not be inserted into the package holder 53 due to an erroneous operation or a malfunction, tablet portions transferred from the table 45 to the package holder 53 through the bottom 59 are caught so that spilling is prevented.

[0106] The tablet portioning device of the present invention is particularly flexible in use, since allows both a filling of packages 55 having multiple compartments 55a via the packaging device 7 and a packing of tablet portions in individual bags using the packing device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0107] tablet portioning device [0108] tablet container [0109] collection device [0110] packaging device [0111] funnel device [0112] dispensing device [0113] conveying device [0114] 15a first end section [0115] 15b second end section [0116] rail device [0117] space [0118] wall section [0119] opening [0120] studded belt [0121] 25a first deflection region [0122] 25b lower run [0123] 25c second deflection region [0124] studs [0125] conveying tray [0126] 29a conveying tray bottom [0127] side wall [0128] dispensing unit [0129] transfer region [0130] transfer opening [0131] RFID chip [0132] cover [0133] cover plate [0134] table [0135] filling trays [0136] brackets [0137] drive device [0138] waste tray [0139] package holder [0140] package [0141] 55a compartments [0142] removal device [0143] bottom