AN APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING DOSED QUANTITIES OF SOLID DRUG PORTIONS

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

Claims

1. A method of using an apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions, the method comprising: aligning, by a first conveyor coupled to a plurality of fall ducts, a first fall duct adjacent to a first column of dosing stations of a plurality of dosing stations arranged in a plurality of columns, each fall duct comprising a first part coupled to one of a plurality of mounting elements on the first conveyor and an opposed second part detachably connected to the first part to define an enclosed space for falling solid drug portions; dispensing a solid drug portion from an output opening of a first dosing station of the first column of dosing stations into a first inlet of the first fall duct; guiding the solid drug portion falling from the first inlet of the first dosing station down the enclosed space of the first fall duct; aligning, the first fall duct above a first collector of a plurality of collectors; receiving, by the first collector, the solid drug portion from the first fall duct; and forwarding the solid drug portion from the first collector to a packager.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: moving, by the first conveyor, the plurality of fall ducts in parallel with the plurality of columns of dosing stations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of collectors is connected to a second conveyor, the method further comprising: moving, by the second conveyor, the plurality of collectors relative to the plurality of fall ducts.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first fall duct is detachably connected to a first mounting element on the first conveyor, the method further comprising: detaching the first fall duct from the first conveyor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detaching the second part of the first fall duct from the first part of the first fall duct; removing the second part of the first fall duct; and cleaning inner portions of the first part and the second part of the first fall duct.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second part of the first fall duct comprises a plurality of sub-parts, the method further comprising: detaching a first sub-part from the first part of the first fall duct; and cleaning inner portions of the first fall duct.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second part of the first fall duct is secured to the first part of the first fall duct by a latching element, the method further comprising: releasing the latching element; drawing the second part of the first fall duct away from the first part of the first fall duct; and cleaning inner portions of the first part and the second part of the first fall duct.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: drawing the second part of the first fall duct back to the first part of the first fall duct; and engaging the latching element to secure the first and second parts of the first fall duct together.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor comprises a first conveyor belt having a plurality of first mounting elements and a second conveyor belt having a plurality of second mounting elements, the method further comprising: coupling a first mating element of the first fall duct with one of the first mounting elements of the first conveyor belt; and coupling a second mating element of the first fall duct with one of the second mounting elements of the second conveyor belt.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor comprises a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt disposed below the first conveyor belt, the method further comprising: engaging a central guide element of the first fall duct with a stationary guide of the apparatus; and stabilizing the first fall duct and the first and second conveyor belts during movement of the first fall duct.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fall duct comprises a plurality of constrictions, the method further comprising: limiting a falling speed of the solid drug portion through the first fall duct by one or more of the plurality of constrictions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fall duct comprises a plurality of input openings and a plurality of constrictions, the method further comprising: guiding the falling solid drug portion away from each input opening of the first fall duct.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by a sensor disposed in the first fall duct, one or more surface characteristics within the first fall duct; determining, by a control unit coupled to the sensor, that contamination of an inner surface of the first fall duct exceeds a predetermined limit; and initiating, by the control unit, a maintenance signal for the first fall duct.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by a sensor disposed in the first fall duct, a number of solid drug portions having fallen through the first fall duct; determining, by a control unit coupled to the sensor, that the number of solid drug portions having fallen through the first fall duct exceeds a predetermined limit; and initiating, by the control unit, a maintenance signal for the first fall duct.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by a sensor disposed in the first fall duct, a time when the solid drug portion falls into the first fall duct from the first dosing station; determining, by a control unit coupled to the sensor, that the first dosing station is empty of solid drug portions; and initiating, by the control unit, a replenishment signal for the first dosing station.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the first fall duct is coated with a non-stick coating, the method further comprising: preventing, by the non-stick coating, the solid drug portion from sticking to the inner surface of the first fall duct when the solid drug portion contacts the inner surface while falling.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor is an endless loop conveyor, the method further comprising: moving, by the first conveyor, the first fall duct away from the first column of dosing stations and around the endless loop; and realigning, by the first conveyor, the first fall duct adjacent to the first column of dosing stations.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of collectors is connected to a second conveyor comprising an endless loop conveyor, the method further comprising: moving, by the second conveyor, the first collector away from the first fall duct and around the endless loop; and realigning, by the second conveyor, the first collector below the first fall duct.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid drug portion is a first solid drug portion, the method further comprising: dispensing a second solid drug portion from one of: an output opening of a second dosing station into a second inlet of the first fall duct; and an output opening of a third dosing station into a third inlet of a second fall duct; guiding the second solid drug portion falling down the enclosed space of the corresponding first or second fall duct; receiving, by the first collector, the second solid drug portion from the corresponding first or second fall duct; and forwarding the first and second solid drug portions from the first collector to a packager.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the packager, the solid drug portion within a pocket of a packaging strip; and sealing the pocket to create a sealed package.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will be described on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention for transporting dosed quantities of solid drug portions from a plurality of dosing stations to a packaging station,

[0050] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0051] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0052] FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of a dosing station for use in a apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

[0055] FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of the dosing station as shown in FIG. 6,

[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collecting means for use in a apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

[0057] FIG. 9 is a side view of the collecting means according to FIG. 8,

[0058] FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of the dispensing and packaging station as applied in the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

[0059] FIG. 11 is a perspective rear view of the dispensing and packaging station according to FIG. 10,

[0060] FIG. 12 shows a fall duct as applied in the apparatus according to FIGS. 1-4,

[0061] FIG. 13 shows a side view of an embodiment of a fall duct as applied in the apparatus,

[0062] FIG. 14 shows an explosion view of the fall duct according to FIG. 13,

[0063] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the base part of the fall duct according to FIGS. 13 and 14,

[0064] FIG. 16 shows a perspective rear view of the fall duct according to FIG. 13, and

[0065] FIG. 17 shows another explosion view of the fall duct according to FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] FIGS. 1 and 2 show different perspective views, FIG. 3 shows a bottom view and FIG. 4 shows a side view of a apparatus 1 according to the invention. Apparatus 1 comprises a support structure 4 (frame) to which a plurality of dosing stations 2 is connected in stationary, releasable manner. Each dosing station 2 is adapted to hold a supply of one type of solid drug portions. Different dosing stations 2 will generally hold a supply of different types of solid drug portions, although it is also possible that frequently-dosed solid drug portions are held by a plurality of dosing stations 2. The majority of the number of applied dosing stations 2 are arranged in two matrix structures 5 (of which only a single matrix structure is shown in the figure), which matrix structures 5 together enclose a part of a first endless conveyor, wherein this first conveyor is provided by two first horizontally running conveyor belts 6a, 6b for fall ducts 7. In this embodiment, fall ducts 7 are mounted releasably on mounting elements 8 forming part of both first conveyor belts 6a, 6b. In the shown embodiment only a few fall ducts 7 are shown, although in practice each mounting element 8 will generally be connected to a fall duct 7, whereby the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b are provided all the way round with fall ducts 7. In accordance with the invention the fall ducts 7 comprise at least a first and a second part. These parts are not shown in the FIGS. 1,2 and 3 but in the FIGS. 6-17 to not overload the separate figures.

[0067] The first conveyor belts 6a, 6b are driven by drive wheels 9 which are coupled by means of a vertical shaft 10 to an electric motor 11. In order to be able to counter slippage of conveyor belts 6a, 6b the running surfaces 12 of the drive wheels take a profiled form. Through driving of the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b the fall ducts 7 can be guided along the dosing stations 2 arranged in matrix structures 5 for the purpose of receiving dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by dosing stations 2.

[0068] In the shown embodiment each fall duct 7 comprises two parts, a front part 7a and a base part 7b, and is adapted for simultaneous co-action with a plurality of dosing stations 2 positioned above each other. Each front part 7a is provided with a number of input openings 13 (see FIG. 12) corresponding to the number of dosing stations 2 with which fall duct 7 will simultaneously co-act. As can be seen from FIGS. 13-17 the base part 7b of a fall duct 7 is also provided with several constrictions 14 for limiting the maximum length of the free fall of falling solid drug portions, in order to limit the falling speed, and thereby limit damage to the falling solid drug portions. Use is generally made here of a maximum free-fall length of 20 cm. The constrictions 14 also guide falling solid drug portion away from the input openings 13 of the front part 7a of a fall duct (and therefore from the output opening of the dosing stations) to prevent falling solid drug portion from entering an output opening 13 of a dosing station and sticking there.

[0069] The apparatus 1 also comprises a second conveyor belt 15 provided with mounting elements 16 on which a plurality of collecting means 17, also referred to as solid drug portion carriages, are releasably mounted. Each mounting element 16 will generally be provided here with a collecting means 17 adapted for temporary storage of a dosed quantity of solid drug portions made up in accordance with a prescription. Not all collecting means 17 are shown in the figures. The second conveyor belt 15 is coupled mechanically to first conveyor belts 6a, 6b and is also driven by electric motor 11, wherein the direction of displacement and displacement speed of conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 are the same. It is moreover advantageous for the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b and the second conveyor belt 15 to be mutually aligned, wherein mounting elements 8, 16 lie in a substantially vertical line (directly under each other). The distance between adjacent mounting elements 8, 16 amounts to 80 mm, this substantially corresponding to the width of collecting means 17, fall ducts 7 and dosing stations 2.

[0070] Collecting means 17 are adapted to receive solid drug portions falling through fall ducts 7. Each fall duct 7 is provided for this purpose with a passage opening for falling solid drug portions on the underside. In accordance with this embodiment, for a part of the conveying route each collecting means 17 will be positioned here directly under a fall duct 7. In order to be able to prevent as far as possible sagging of conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 due to the weight of fall ducts 7 and collecting means 17 respectively, conveyor belts 6a, 6b are tensioned under a bias of about 600 N. Conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 are generally manufactured from a relatively strong plastic such as nylon. As shown in the figures, the second conveyor belt 15 is longer than each of the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b.

[0071] Collecting means 17 will then be guided in the direction of the dispensing and packaging station 3 where the solid drug portions collected in accordance with prescription are removed from collecting means 17, wherein the solid drug portions are transferred to an opened foil packaging 18. In packaging station 3 the foil packaging 18 will be successively sealed and provided with specific (user) information. The overall control of apparatus 1 is realized by applying a control unit 19.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of support structure 4 provided with conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 of apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4, this in fact forming the heart of the apparatus 1 on which fall ducts 7 and collecting means 17 are mounted and around which dosing stations 2 are then positioned on both longitudinal sides of support structure 4.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of a dosing station 2 for use in a apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Dosing station 2 is also referred to as a canister, formed by a unit which can be coupled releasably to support structure 4 and which comprises a housing 20 and a cover 21 closing the housing 20. The housing is preferably manufactured at least partially from a transparent material so that the degree of filling of dosing station 2 can be determined without opening dosing station 2. An outer side of housing 20 is provided with a receiving space 22 for a tablet or pill corresponding to tablets or pills held in the housing. Receiving space 22 is covered by means of a transparent cover element 23. An operator can hereby see immediately with which tablets or pills the dosing station 2 has to be filled. In the perspective front view of dosing station 2 as shown in FIG. 7 the housing 20 is shown partially transparently in order to make visible the inner mechanism of dosing station 2. Accommodated as shown in housing 20 is an axially rotatable individualizing wheel 24 which is releasably connected to housing 20 and which is adapted during axial rotation to separate a single tablet or single pill which can subsequently be removed from housing 20 via a fall guide 25 arranged in the housing and can be transferred to a passage opening of a fall duct 7 connecting onto fall guide 25. Individualizing wheel 24 is provided here with a plurality of receiving spaces 26 for pills or tablets distributed over the edge periphery. The size of receiving spaces 26 can generally be adapted to the size of the pills or tablets to be held in supply. Individualizing wheel 24 can be rotated axially by means of an electric motor 27 also accommodated in housing 20. Arranged in fall guide 25 is a sensor 28 which can detect the moment at which a pill or tablet for separation falls, and thereby also whether housing 20 has been emptied. Dosing stations 2 are visible from an outer side of apparatus 1 and accessible for possible replenishment of dosing stations 2. Housing 20 will generally be provided with multiple LEDs (not shown) to enable indication of the current status of dosing station 2, and particularly in the case that dosing station 2 has to be replenished or is functioning incorrectly.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a perspective view and FIG. 9 is a side view of a collecting means 17 for use in apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Collecting means 17 comprises here a mating mounting element 29 for co-action with mounting element 16 of the second conveyor belt 15. In order to increase the stability of collecting means 17, the collecting means 17 also comprises two securing gutters 30a, 30b for clamping or at least engaging round the second conveyor belt 15. An upper side of collecting means 17 takes an opened form and has a funnel-like shape so that it can receive solid drug portions falling out of a fall duct 7. An underside of collecting means 17 is provided with a pivotable closing element 31 provided with an operating tongue via which the closing element 31 can be pivoted to enable opening, and thereby unloading, of collecting means 17. Collecting means 17 will generally be provided with a biasing element (not shown), such as a compression spring, in order to urge closing element 31 in the direction of the position closing the collecting means 17, whereby erroneous opening of collecting means 17 can be prevented.

[0075] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a perspective front view and perspective rear view of the dispensing and packaging station 3 as applied in apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Packaging station 3 comprises a foil roll 32 which can be unwound by means of an electric motor 33, after which the unwound foil 34 is guided via a plurality of guide rollers 35 in the direction of the collecting means 17 to be emptied. The transport direction of foil 34 is indicated by means of arrows in both FIGS. 10 and 11. Before foil 34 is transported below a collecting means 17 for emptying, foil 34 is provided with a longitudinal fold, whereby a V-shaped fold 36 is created in which the solid drug portions can be received following opening of collecting means 17. Foil 34 can be provided with two transverse seals and a longitudinal seal to enable complete sealing of packaging 18. Applied in making the longitudinal seal are two heat bars 37, of which only one heat bar 37 is shown, and which press on either side of the two foil parts to be attached to each other, whereby the foil parts fuse together and the longitudinal seal is formed. It is advantageous here for each heat bar 37 to engage foil 34 via a stationary strip manufactured from plastic, in particular Teflon or displaceable band 38 in order to prevent adhesion of heat bars 37 to the foil. The transverse seals are also created by two upright rotatable heat bars 39 which co-act with each other and press the foil parts against each other in realizing a transverse seal. Packaging 18 can optionally be further provided with a label. Successive packages 18 remain mutually connected in the first instance and together form a packaging strip.

[0076] FIG. 12 shows a fall duct 7, the base part 7b being provided with two mating mounting elements 40a, 40b for co-action with mounting elements 8 of the two first conveyor belts 6a, 6b as applied in an apparatus 1 according to any of the FIGS. 1-4. A particular feature however of the fall duct 7 shown in FIG. 12 is that the fall duct 7 (in this embodiment the base part 7b of the fall duct) is provided with an additional central guide element 41 for co-action with a stationary guide 42 which can be attached to support structure 4 of apparatus 1, whereby additional stability is imparted to fall duct 7 and both first conveyor belts 6a, 6b.

[0077] FIGS. 13-17 show various views of an embodiment of a fall duct (or at least a part of the fall duct) in accordance with the present invention, wherein the shown embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in the FIGS. 1-12. As mentioned above, a fall duct comprises at least two parts and in the shown embodiment the at least two parts are provided as base part 7b and front part 7a. The base part 7b is detachably connected to a mounting beam 52 which is detachably connected to a (not shown) conveyor belt of the first conveyor. The front part 7a comprises a plurality of input openings 13 which have a kind of funnel shape. The (not shown) dosing stations release dosed quantities of solid drug portions which leave the dosing stations via the output openings and enter the front parts 7a of a fall ducts 7 via an input openings 13. The shape/configuration of the input openings is not essential as long as it is ensured that any kind of solid drug portion can pass through it. For example, the input openings can be formed as simple openings in the front part as it is implied in FIG. 12.

[0078] The front part 7a of the shown fall duct is detachably connected to the base part 7b of the fall duct 7. In the shown embodiment the front part 7a comprises a number of retainer means 50a and the base part 7b comprises a number of mating openings 50b which have a shape of a long hole in the shown embodiment. The front part 7a is also secured by a latching element 50c located at the upper part of the fall duct.

[0079] To detach the front part 7a, the latching element is released and the front part is raised and drawn away from the base part 7b. To assemble the fall duct (for example after both parts have been cleaned) the procedure is performed in reverse.

[0080] The base part 7b of the fall duct 7 comprises a number of constrictions 14 which limit the falling speed of the solid drug portion and prevent falling solid drug portion from entering an output opening of a dosing station by guiding the falling solid drug portion away from the input openings of the front part/the output openings of the dosing stations.

[0081] In the shown embodiment the base part 7b of a fall duct comprises two sensors 53, 54 (see FIG. 17). Sensor 54 is arranged at the lower section of the base part 7a and is arranged to monitor the number of falling solid drug portion. The sensor is coupled with the (not shown) control unit, and the control unit may, depending on the number of solid drug portion units that have passed the sensor 54, initiate maintenance of the fall duct in which the sensor is arranged.

[0082] The sensor 53 is arranged somewhere within the base part 7b of a fall duct and is adapted to monitor the contamination of the inner surface of the base part. As soon as such contamination exceeds a predetermined limit, the control unit, to which the sensor 53 is also coupled, may initiate maintenance.

[0083] It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that numerous variants which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field are possible within the scope of the appended claims.