Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
File number: 11821-038
Title of the Invention
Method for operating a packaging apparatus, and packaging
apparatus
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for operating a
packaging device for individual pharmaceutical portions, and a
packaging device which may be implemented using this method.
Background of the Invention
Such packaging devices, also referred to as blister machines,
are known from the prior art. For example, WO 2013/034504 Al
describes a blister machine which is usable in pharmacies and
hospitals, or, with appropriate dimensioning, also in blister
packaging centers, which puts
together pharmaceutical
compositions, composed of multiple pharmaceutical portions,
individually for a patient according to the medically prescribed
administration times. The device packages, corresponding to the
order dates, pharmaceutical compositions, which may consist of
only a single portion or a plurality of individual pharmaceutical
portions, into bags, so-called blister bags, which are formed from
a packaging material web; these bags leave the packaging device
as a strand of blister bags (also referred to as a blister tube)
for further use. A blister bag generally corresponds to an
administration time for a patient; i.e., it contains all
pharmaceutical portions which a patient must take at a specified
time of day. The known packaging device for individual
pharmaceutical portions includes a plurality of supply and
dispensing units for pharmaceutical portions which cooperate with
a plurality of guide units, which are moved past the supply and
dispensing units by means of a transport unit. From the guide
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units, the pharmaceutical portions are customarily supplied to a
packaging station in which the above-mentioned blister bags are
formed and the individual pharmaceutical portions are introduced
into the blister bags during forming of same. Due to the use of
the plurality of supply and dispensing units and the use of a
plurality of guide units which are moved past the supply and
dispensing units, numerous different pharmaceutical compositions,
which all may contain all pharmaceutical portions stored in the
supply and dispensing units, may be prepared at the same time.
The number of pharmaceutical compositions which may be
prepared at the same time as well as the number of different
pharmaceutical portions which may be stored at the same time may
be set via the number of supply and dispensing units used in the
packaging device, and the number of guide units moved past same.
For the case that a different pharmaceutical is stored in each
supply and dispensing unit, the number of pharmaceuticals that may
be stored in the packaging device corresponds to the number of
supply and dispensing units included in the packaging device.
However, since various pharmaceuticals are requested with
different frequencies, it is generally the case that various
pharmaceuticals are stored in several of the supply and dispensing
units.
The transport unit for moving the guide units along the supply
and dispensing units has at least one transport means to which the
guide units are fastened. This transport means may be designed,
for example, as a toothed belt which moves between a drive axle
and a deflection axle and which has a plurality of mountings to
which the guide units are fastened. The supply and dispensing units
are customarily situated in a matrix; i.e., multiple supply and
dispensing units are situated one on top of the other. The guide
units have a corresponding design, and have a plurality of
receiving openings which correspond to delivery openings of the
supply and dispensing units, and a transfer of pharmaceutical
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portions from the supply and dispensing units to the guide units
can take place when the delivery openings are aligned with the
receiving openings. Due to the matrix-like configuration of the
supply and dispensing units, the guide units have a certain
installation height and thus a certain weight. The total weight
of the guide units used is significant, depending on the number
of guide units, so that the transport means of the transport unit
is under considerable stress, and a substantial expenditure of
energy is necessary for the drive, i.e., the movement of the guide
units.
In particular for packaging devices having a plurality of guide
units, and the stress on the transport means which is thus
necessary, it is possible that the transport means may rupture.
Without the corresponding counterforce, the transport means
together with the associated guide units is pulled "unguided"
through the packaging device via the drive axle, and during this
unguided motion the guide units may become wedged inside the
packaging unit and cause significant damage in the packaging unit.
Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide
a method for operating a packaging device for individual
pharmaceutical portions, in which the risk of damaging the
packaging device during a malfunction of a transport means of the
guide units is reduced. A further object of the present invention
is to provide a corresponding packaging device.
The object is achieved by a method for operating a packaging
device, the packaging device comprising a plurality of guide units
which are fastened to at least one transport means of a transport
unit. According to the invention, the guide units are moved along
a plurality of supply and dispensing units in which pharmaceutical
portions may be stored, whereby delivery openings of the supply
and dispensing units are aligned with receiving openings of the
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guide units, the at least one transport means of the transport
unit being driven by a drive axle which is coupled to a motor and
returned via a deflection axle, and the motor being coupled to a
control unit.
The transport means has a plurality of markings spaced at
predefined intervals in the peripheral direction, and/or the
deflection axle has a plurality of markings spaced at predefined
intervals.
According to the invention, at least one travel difference or
time difference (hereinafter "difference") between two markings
is determined, the determined difference is compared to a
corresponding setpoint value, whereby the setpoint value
corresponds to the difference when the transport unit is
functioning without error, and the drive axle is stopped when a
deviation between the setpoint value and the determined difference
is ascertained which exceeds a threshold value.
The markings, provided according to the invention, on the
transport means and/or the deflection axle may be markings which
are detected, for example, by a proximity sensor, i.e., a sensor
system which functions contact-free without direct contact with
the markings. Inductive, capacitive, magnetic, or optical
proximity sensors may be used, depending on the specific procedure
of the method and the design of the packaging devices used for
carrying out the method according to the invention. Alternatively,
photoelectric barriers, for example, may be used which detect entry
of a marking. In an error-free transport unit, the transport means
moves at a predefined speed between the drive axle, driven by the
motor, and the deflection axle. In the process, the motor for
moving the transport means expends a certain force, and there is
a certain stress in the transport means. Due to the uniform
movement of the transport means, between predefined markings, time
differences are continually measured which lie in a certain range
around a predefined setpoint value.
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If the transport means now ruptures, for example due to the
high tensile stress, the movement speed of the transport means
changes, whereby the speed of the transport means may be less or
greater than the setpoint value, depending on the location of the
rupture and the detection of the time difference; i.e., in the
event of a rupture, the speed of the transport means may increase
or decrease as a function of the location, but in any case the
time difference deviates from a predefined setpoint value.
As soon as such a deviation is recorded, the drive shaft is
stopped to prevent further movement of the transport means, and
thus of the guide units, through the packaging device.
The markings may be provided on the transport means itself
and/or on the deflection axle. The markings may be provided, for
example, by components which are spaced apart on the deflection
roller or on a transport means. It is also conceivable that both
markings are provided by only one component, whereby the
"beginning" and the "end" of the component is determined. The
difference may then be determined based on values associated with
the "beginning" and the "end."
The time difference between two predefined markings on the
deflection axle will also change when there is a rupture of the
transport means; i.e., the rotational speed will change, so that
such a rupture may be detected based on the markings on the
deflection axle.
As an alternative to determining a time difference between two
markings, the travel difference between two markings may be
determined. Position values of the motor and/or of the drive axle
are utilized for this purpose.
The motor coupled to the drive axle undergoes a predefined
number of rotary steps (number of steps per revolution) during one
full revolution of the drive axle, the instantaneous position being
increased with each rotary step. After one full revolution is
completed, the instantaneous position of the motor and/or of the
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drive axle may be set to zero, or alternatively, it may simply be
continually further increased without resetting.
For determining the travel difference, the instantaneous
position of the motor or of the drive axle during detection of the
first marking and the instantaneous position of the motor or of
the drive axle during detection of the second marking are compared.
During error-free functioning of the transport unit, the
determined difference always corresponds to the setpoint value
(taking a certain error tolerance into account). When there is a
malfunction, this results in a deviation due to a retardation or
acceleration of the deflection axle or of a transport means. For
example, if the transport means slows down, more rotary steps than
usual are determined between two markings, since the motor and the
drive axle continue to move "normally," but the markings move more
slowly, and therefore more rotary steps have passed by before the
second marking is detected.
In the method according to the invention, the movement of the
guide units through the packaging device is automatically stopped
when a malfunction of the transport unit is determined; according
to the invention, this malfunction is determined based on
deviations of a difference between two markings which are provided
on the transport means and/or the deflection roller.
If the packaging device for carrying out the method according
to the invention includes only one transport means, the difference
between two predefined markings on the transport means or between
two markings on the deflection axle may be detected.
However, if only one transport means is present, the situation
may arise that a second marking is never reached, namely, when the
malfunction results in the transport means abruptly stopping.
Although such an abrupt stop is unlikely, in order to still be
able to determine such an occurrence it is provided in one
preferred embodiment that during the determination of the travel
difference or time difference between two markings, the
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determination is ended after a predefined termination value is
exceeded, and the drive axle is stopped. This termination value
may correspond, for example, to the sum of the setpoint value and
the threshold value. However, other values may also be specified.
In any event, it is ensured that in a case as described above, the
control unit does not wait "too long" for the determination of the
second marking. Also, in such a case it is thus ensured that the
transport unit is stopped after a certain time or a certain
rotational speed of the drive axle or of the motor in order to
avoid damage within the device.
If the device includes at least two transport means, which is
preferred on account of the height of the guide units, the
difference between two markings on the same transport means may
be determined. Alternatively, it is conceivable to determine the
difference between two predefined markings which are situated on
different transport means, i.e., between a first marking on a first
transport means and a second marking on a second transport means.
During determination of the difference between two markings on
different transport means, it is possible to determine not only
the rupture of a transport means, in which the difference abruptly
deviates from the setpoint value, but also to determine slow
slippage in one of the transport means, which may result in a
gradual tilted position of the guide units, which may in turn
result in the guide units catching in the transport unit and
causing more or less damage to it.
Since the damage which occurs in the event of a rupture of a
transport means may be significant, in one preferred embodiment
of the method according to the invention in which the transport
unit includes multiple transport means, it is provided that
differences between two markings of at least two transport means
are determined, the determined differences are compared to a
corresponding setpoint value and/or to one another, whereby the
setpoint value corresponds to the difference for error-free
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functioning of the transport unit, and when a deviation between a
setpoint value and a determined difference or between the
differences themselves is ascertained which exceeds a threshold
value, the drive axle is stopped. Thus, in this particular
embodiment, the differences between markings on both transport
means are monitored so that the rupture of one of the two transport
means may be detected very quickly. Alternatively or additionally,
the differences themselves may be compared. When the transport
units are functioning without error (and with an appropriate
selection of the markings), these differences are approximately
equal, and deviate from one another only slightly. If one of the
transport means ruptures, the differences between two predefined
markings on the transport means also deviate from one another, so
that this value may also be used to stop the packaging device.
According to the invention, it is provided that the drive axle
is stopped when a deviation is determined which exceeds a threshold
value. In one preferred embodiment, it is also provided that the
drive axle and the deflection axle are stopped when a deviation
is determined which exceeds a threshold value. Depending on the
exact configuration of the deflection axle and of the transport
means, due to the friction that is present at least between the
surface of the deflection axle and the surface of the transport
means it is ensured that the transport means is stopped also in
the area of the deflection axle, which is advantageous in
particular for packaging devices which have very long transport
means.
For stopping the deflection axle, the deflection axle may have
a simple lock which is triggered by the control unit when a
deviation is determined which exceeds a threshold value.
In another preferred embodiment in which the transport unit
has at least one transport means guide, it is provided that in
addition, the movement of a transport means for the at least one
transport means guide is stopped when a deviation is determined
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which exceeds a threshold value. Carrying out the method in a
corresponding manner may be appropriate in particular when very
long transport means are used, since they may possibly require a
horizontal support. The transport means guide, which is engaged
with the transport means which it guides, whether solely due to
friction or, for example, via toothing on the inner face of the
transport means and on the transport means guide, may have a
braking effect on the transport means when a deviation is
determined which exceeds a threshold value, thus further reducing
damage to the packaging device.
As already indicated, the difference between the markings
provided according to the invention may be determined with a
plurality of sensor systems, the selection depending on the
specific design of the packaging device. The sensor systems which
may be used are known to those skilled in the art, so that a more
detailed description is dispensed with here. In one preferred
embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided
that the markings of the deflection axle are provided by teeth of
a deflection roller of the deflection axle. Although use of a
deflection roller and use of a transport means having corresponding
toothing is preferred, this is generally the case with regard to
the need for the drive of the transport means. Due to use of the
teeth of the deflection roller as markings, it is not necessary
to provide additional markings besides the ones that are already
present. Accordingly, in another embodiment it is provided that
the markings of a transport means are provided by teeth on toothing
of the transport means, whereby the teeth may cooperate with teeth
of a deflection roller of the deflection axle, although this is
not absolutely necessary.
The markings used according to the invention for determining
a travel difference or time difference may be provided by one tooth
(beginning and end of the tooth) or two teeth on the deflection
roller or the transport means.
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On account of the matrix-like configuration of the supply and
dispensing units, the guide units are guided vertically through
the packaging device, and due to the need for moving the guide
units on the at least one transport means, the guide units have a
certain spacing from one another, at least in the area of the
deflection axle. During error-free functioning of the transport
unit, the guide units are guided through the packaging device in
parallel to one another. A tilted position of the guide units
indicates a malfunction which is caused by slippage in one of the
transport means when multiple transport means are used, or by the
rupture of a transport means. In one preferred embodiment of the
method according to the invention, it is provided that the markings
of a transport means are provided by edges of guide units which
are fastened to the transport means. In each case, two edges of a
guide unit form a marking. When the difference between the two
markings is measured with a photoelectric barrier, for example,
the gap between two parallel guide units may be utilized for
measuring the difference. When the vertical alignment of the guide
unit on the at least one transport means is uniform, the vertical
parallel spaces between the guide units are very similar, taking
certain construction-related deviations into account, so that the
differences do not deviate from one another significantly. When a
tilted position of the guide units occurs due to slippage on a
transport means or the rupture of a transport means, due to the
changed alignment of the clearance space only another difference
may be measured by the measuring unit, and if the deviation from
the setpoint value exceeds a threshold value, this may be used for
determining a malfunction of the transport unit, which according
to the invention results in stopping of the drive axle.
The invention is further achieved by a packaging device
comprising a plurality of supply and dispensing units in which in
each case one type of pharmaceutical portions is stored, and a
transport unit having at least one transport means, the at least
Date Regue/Date Received 2022-08-30
one transport means of the transport unit being driven by a drive
axle which is coupled to a motor, and returned via a deflection
axle, the motor being coupled to a control unit.
The packaging device also includes a plurality of guide units
which are fastened, optionally detachably, to the at least one
transport means and which have a plurality of receiving openings
which are aligned with or moved past delivery openings of the
supply and dispensing units when the guide units move, and at least
one packaging unit which is supplied with pharmaceutical portions
via the guide units. This packaging unit transfers the
pharmaceutical portions, typically into the blister bag already
described above. The packaging unit may be situated within the
packaging device, but alternatively it is also possible for the
packaging unit to be situated in a component which is separate
from the actual packaging device.
According to the invention, the transport means in the
peripheral direction and/or the deflection axle have/has markings,
and the packaging device includes at least one sensor system,
coupled to the control unit, with which travel difference or time
differences (hereinafter "differences") between two markings may
be determined. As already discussed with reference to the method,
these two markings may be two markings on the deflection axle, two
markings on a transport means, or two markings, one each on a
transport means.
According to the invention, the control unit is designed in
such a way that the determined difference may be compared to a
setpoint value, the setpoint value corresponding to the difference
for an error-free transport unit, and that the control unit stops
the drive axle when a deviation is determined which exceeds a
threshold value.
The sensor system may be, for example, any proximity sensor,
the exact configuration of the sensor system once again depending
on the configuration of the packaging device per se. For example,
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the sensor systems already described with reference to the method
are suitable sensor systems.
In one preferred embodiment of the packaging device according
to the invention, the transport unit has at least two transport
means, whereby a sensor system with which a difference between two
markings of a transport means is determinable is associated in
each case with the at least two transport means, the control unit
in this embodiment being designed in such a way that the determined
differences may be compared to a setpoint value and/or to one
another, and that the control unit stops the drive axle when a
deviation is determined which exceeds a threshold value. In this
embodiment, the two transport means are monitored for a rupture,
thus ensuring that damage based on a rupture of a transport means
is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Alternatively or
additionally, the deviations of the two determined similar
differences of the same type (thus, two travel differences or two
time differences) from one another may be taken into account, which
may further increase security.
In one preferred embodiment, the packaging device according to
the invention includes at least one transport means guide which
is coupled to the control unit, and which may stop the movement
of a transport means when a deviation is determined which exceeds
a threshold value. The transport means guide may thus likewise
contribute toward quickly and reliably stopping the transport
means when a rupture is determined, thus avoiding damage in the
packaging device.
In one preferred embodiment, the markings of the deflection
axle are provided by teeth of a deflection roller of the deflection
axle. According to the invention, in this embodiment it is thus
provided that as markings, components are used which are provided
anyway for operating the transport unit; i.e., no additional
components are necessary for providing the markings.
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Similarly, in another embodiment it is provided that the
markings of a transport means are provided by teeth of toothing
on the transport means.
In another embodiment, it is provided that the markings of a
transport means are provided by edges of guide units which are
fastened to the transport means. As already discussed above, in
such an embodiment it is possible to determine a tilted position
of the guide unit which indicates a malfunction of the transport
unit, which may be caused by a rupture of a transport means or by
slippage on a transport means.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the packaging device according to the
invention and of the method according to the invention are
described below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the
packaging device according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
packaging device according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the first and second
embodiments;
Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of
the packaging device according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the third embodiment;
and
Figures 6a and 6b show schematic views of a fourth embodiment
of the packaging device according to the invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the
packaging device according to the invention; in this illustration,
numerous components of the packaging device which are not essential
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to the invention (such as external trim elements, for example) are
omitted. The packaging device includes a central support structure
having a horizontal top support element 2a and a horizontal bottom
support element 2b. The two horizontal support elements are
connected to one another via two support elements 3a and 3b which
are customarily vertical. Situated below the bottom horizontal
support element 2b and orthogonally with respect to same are two
support elements 4a, 4b, via which the section of the packaging
device according to the invention shown in Figure 1 is fastened
to external further support elements (not shown). Shown in the
right front portion of the packaging device is a plurality of
supply and dispensing units 20, configured in a matrix-like manner,
in which in each case a plurality of pharmaceutical portions may
be stored, and which are fastened, in a manner not illustrated,
to further components of the packaging device which are not
essential to the invention. A plurality of guide units 10, of which
only one guide unit is apparent in Figure 1, is situated "behind"
the plurality of supply and dispensing units 20.
The guide units are attached to fastening means 112, 122 of
two transport means 110, 120, respectively, of a transport unit
100. In the embodiment shown, the transport means 110, 120 are
revolving transport conveyors or transport belts which are guided
by drive rollers 141, 142 of a drive axle 140 and deflection
rollers 151, 152 of a deflection axle 150.
The drive axle 140 is coupled to a motor 130, and can be moved
and stopped by the motor. The motor 130 in turn is coupled to a
control unit (not illustrated in Figure 1), and may transmit the
instantaneous motor position to the control unit, whereby the motor
position may be used for determining a travel difference between
two markings. For this purpose, the motor position is determined
during detection of the first and second markings, and based on
these two values a difference is determined, which is then compared
to a setpoint value.
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Situated below the transport unit 100 is a collective transport
unit 200 which likewise includes a transport means 190, which in
the embodiment shown is also designed as a revolving transport
belt. This transport belt is driven via a drive roller 143, which
is likewise driven by the drive axle 140 described with reference
to the transport unit 100. The transport means 190 includes a
plurality of fastening means 192, on each of which a collection
unit 90 is situated.
In the embodiment shown, the drive roller 143 of the collective
transport unit 200 and the drive rollers 141, 142 of the transport
unit 100 are fastened to the same drive axle 140, so that the
transport means of the transport unit 100 and of the collective
transport unit 200 are moved at the same speed (assuming the same
radius for the drive rollers). The fastening means 112, 122, 192
of the transport means of the two transport units are oriented in
such a way that the collection units 90 are moved below the guide
units; i.e., the pharmaceutical portions delivered into the guide
unit 10 for the supply and dispensing units 20 are transferred to
the collection units, which are situated below the guide units and
moved at the same speed.
As is clearly apparent in Figure 1, the transport means 110,
120 of the transport unit 100 do not extend over the entire
"length" of the collective transport unit 200. Further components
of the packaging device may be situated in the area above the
collective transport unit 200 in which the transport unit 100 does
not extend. For example, it is conceivable to provide auxiliary
dispensing units in this area, specifically, for pharmaceutical
portions which are requested so infrequently that storage in a
supply and dispensing unit is not meaningful.
A packaging unit 50 is situated below the collective transport
unit 200 in the "left" section of the first embodiment of the
packaging device according to the invention. In the packaging unit,
the pharmaceutical portions received in the collection units 90
Date Regue/Date Received 2022-08-30
are blister-packed and led out from the packaging device as a
blister tube 51.
To be able to quickly detect a rupture of a transport means,
the packaging device in the shown embodiment includes three sensor
systems 60, 70, 80. Differences between two predefined markings
121 of the transport means 120 may be detected with the sensor
system 80 situated on the vertical support element 3a. The same
applies for the sensor system 70 situated on the top horizontal
support element 2a. Differences between two predefined markings
of the deflection roller 151 of the deflection axle 150 may be
determined with the sensor system 60 situated in the area of the
deflection roller 151 on the top support element 2a. The teeth
themselves (the difference between two teeth) or two points of a
tooth (beginning and end of the tooth and the difference between
them) are suitable as markings. As already described, the control
unit compares the determined differences to setpoint values, and
as soon as a deviation which exceeds a threshold value is
established, the two transport means 110, 120 are stopped via the
drive axle 140.
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
packaging device according to the invention; in this illustration
as well, elements which are not essential to the invention are
omitted.
The second embodiment largely corresponds to the first
embodiment; only the arrangement of the sensor systems 60, 70, 80
differs slightly, whereby in this embodiment, two sensor systems,
namely, the sensor systems 70, 80, are situated on the vertical
support element 3a.
In particular the parallel arrangement of the plurality of
guide units 10 is apparent in Figure 2, of which only a few on the
"rear" side of the packaging device are illustrated. A guide unit
10 is customarily situated on all retaining elements 112, 122.
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In the first and second embodiments, in each case three sensor
systems are provided, two of which detect time differences between
markings of the transport means and a difference in markings on
the deflection axle or deflection roller. In alternative
embodiments it is conceivable to use only one sensor system, in
particular when a transport unit having only one transport means
is provided. However, as already indicated, due to the length of
the guide units 10 it is customary to use at least two transport
means. In addition, the collective transport unit illustrated for
the two exemplary embodiments shown is not essential to the
invention, and has been illustrated only as an example. Thus, it
is also conceivable for the revolving guide units to deliver all
pharmaceutical portions collected at a certain point in the
packaging device to a further unit, via which they are supplied
to a packaging unit.
Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the first and second
embodiments; in this illustration, in particular the arrangement
of the guide units 10 in relation to the supply and dispensing
units 20 is depicted. As is apparent in the illustration shown,
all of the illustrated guide units 10 are aligned with an
oppositely situated supply and dispensing unit 20 (the collection
units are omitted in this area), and the transfer of the
pharmaceutical portions from the supply and dispensing units 20
to the guide units 10 takes place in the illustrated alignment of
the guide units with the supply and dispensing units. Depending
on the movement direction of the transport means, the guide units
10 are moved "left" or "right" in relation to the supply and
dispensing units 20, and as soon as a guide unit 10 has arrived
at a subsequent supply and dispensing unit 20, pharmaceutical
portions may be transferred anew into this guide unit. In the
bottom view shown, it is pointed out that the supply and dispensing
units 20 are situated in a matrix; i.e., a plurality of further
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supply and dispensing units is situated "above" the illustrated
supply and dispensing units 20.
Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of
the packaging device according to the invention, in this embodiment
the support structure for the top horizontal support element 2a
having further support elements 5a, 5b, 5c which are situated
orthogonally with respect to the support element 2a, and to which
the transport unit may be fastened within the packaging device.
In the embodiment shown, the transport means 100 has a plurality
of teeth 113 of toothing situated on the inner periphery of the
transport means. The deflection roller 141 and the drive roller
151 likewise have a plurality of teeth 145, 155, respectively,
which are engaged with the teeth of the transport means. In this
embodiment, the teeth 113 as well as the teeth 155 of the transport
means 110 and of the drive roller 151 are used as markings, whereby
differences may be determined between two predefined markings
using the sensor systems 60, 70, which are merely indicated, and
these differences are in turn compared to a predefined setpoint
value. Alternatively, the "beginning" of a tooth (113a, 155a) and
the "end" of a tooth (113b, 155b) may be used for determining a
difference; i.e., the two markings necessary for the determination
are not provided by two separate components (two teeth in this
case), but instead, by the same component.
In strictly practical terms, the situation is such, for
example, that the beginning of a tooth (first marking) is recorded
by the corresponding sensor system as a positive flank, and the
end of the tooth is recorded as a negative flank. A time difference
or a travel difference between these flanks is determined, the
position of the motor or of the drive axle at the time of the
positive flank and negative flank being used for determining the
travel difference.
In this illustration it is merely indicated that guide units
10 are situated on the outer periphery of the transport means 110,
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Date Regue/Date Received 2022-08-30
and in this illustration as well the guide units are depicted in
the transfer position with respect to the supply and dispensing
units 20. A delivery opening 21 of a supply and dispensing unit
20 is likewise indicated in this illustration.
Figure 5 shows a side view of the third embodiment illustrated
in Figure 4; some of the components illustrated in Figure 4 are
omitted for the sake of clarity. In Figure 5 it is apparent that
in the third embodiment, two transport means are provided, and a
sensor system 70, 80 is associated with the transport means 110
and 120, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the sensor systems
are designed as photoelectric barriers, each having a transmitter
unit 70a, 80a and a receiver unit 70b, 80b. Differences between
the markings 111 and 121 may be determined with the sensor systems
70, 80; these markings may be, for example, the teeth of the
toothing at the inner periphery of the transport means, already
illustrated in Figure 4. As illustrated, the sensor systems 70,
80 are coupled via a line 41 to a control unit 40, which in turn
is coupled to a motor 130 which drives and, if necessary, stops
the drive axle 140.
In this embodiment, the collective transport unit together
with a transport means 190, on which a plurality of collection
units 90 is situated, is once again situated below the actual
transport unit. As is apparent, the collection units 90 are aligned
with the guide units 10, and due to the fact that the transport
means 190 of the collective transport unit as well as the two
transport means 110, 120 of the actual transport unit are moved
via the same drive axle 140 with drive rollers of equal size, the
collection units 90 move at the same speed as the guide units 10,
so that in the area in which the transport unit extends above the
collective transport unit, pharmaceutical portions may be
continually transferred from the guide unit into the collection
units. The packaging unit 50, in which pharmaceutical portions are
transferred from the collection units 90 and blister-packed, is
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Date Regue/Date Received 2022-08-30
schematically illustrated on the "left" side, below the collective
transport unit.
Figures 6a, 6b show two schematic side views of a fourth
embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention. As
is apparent, three sensor systems 60, 70, 80 are provided in this
embodiment. In contrast to the above-mentioned embodiments, in
this embodiment, markings which are necessary for determining a
difference are provided, among other elements, by edges 12a, 12b,
13a, 13b of two adjoining guide units 10' and 10". In Figure 6a
the guide units are aligned vertically parallel and at a distance
from one another, this illustration representing the error-free
state of the packaging device. In this embodiment, the sensor
system 60 is designed, for example, as a photoelectric barrier
having a transmitter unit 60a and a receiver unit 60b, whereby the
distance between the adjoining guide elements, i.e., the
difference between an interruption of the light beam 60c, may be
determined via the photoelectric barrier.
The embodiment shown also illustrates two additional sensor
systems 70, 80, the sensor systems being designed not to determine
differences between two markings on the same transport means, but
rather to determine differences between two markings on the two
transport means 110, 120, respectively. As is apparent in Figure
6a, the markings 111, 121 of the two transport means 110, 120,
respectively, are situated perpendicularly with respect to one
another without an offset. This arrangement has been selected
strictly as an example. It is only necessary that a difference
between two predefined markings is measured; the arrangement of
these markings relative to one another is not relevant.
A malfunction of the packaging device is illustrated in Figure
6b. As is apparent, the guide units 10 are no longer illustrated
in the vertical position, but rather slightly inclined, which may
be brought about by one of the transport means being ruptured, or
by slippage in one of the transport means having taken place over
Date Regue/Date Received 2022-08-30
a certain time period. As is apparent, due to the tilted or
inclined position of the guide units 10' and 10", the same
difference (distance) between these guide units is no longer
determinable via the sensor system 60, so that a comparison to a
setpoint value results in a deviation which indicates a malfunction
of the packaging device, whereupon the control unit stops the drive
shaft 140. The same applies for the two sensor systems 70 and 80,
since, due to the offset of the markings 111, 121 which were
formerly situated one on top of the other, the "same" differences
between these markings is no longer determined, and instead, a
difference is determined which, based on the schematic
illustration, is only half as great.
Figure 6a shows an alternative to the collective transport
unit illustrated in the other embodiments. Thus, for example, it
is conceivable to transfer the pharmaceutical portions from the
guide units to the packaging unit at a certain location in the
packaging device via a pharmaceutical feed 91 designed as a chute,
for example. For this purpose, it is necessary, of course, for the
guide units to have a closing mechanism (not illustrated) which
is opened only when a guide unit reaches a predefined position
within the packaging device.
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