BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a device which accommodates a series of feeders for solid
substances, in particular pills, tablets or capsules, in particular for medical use,
and which are arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid substances
from one or more feeders for packing. The invention further relates to a method for
dosing and packing of said solid substances.
[0002] The
U.S. Patent 6,792,736 describes a medication filling apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. The
medication filling apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tablet cases for accommodating
medications of respective types, a plurality of hoppers provided side by side below
the respective tablet cases in a corresponding manner to receive the medication dispensed
therefrom, and charging means for guiding the medications dispensed from a dispensing
port formed at the bottommost portion of each hopper to a predetermined collection
container and for charging said collection container. The apparatus comprises a series
of collection containers arranged on a rotating plate for moving the containers with
respect to the plurality tablet cases and hoppers.
[0003] The
U.S. Patent 5,481 855 describes a tablet packing device which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets
and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing. A plurality of feeder units
is provided along the circumferential edge of a circular split ring unit. Five feeders
are mounted one over another in each of the feeder units. The split ring unit comprises
a pocket plate at its top and a shutter plate at its bottom. The pocket plate is formed
with a plurality of holes all of which are wider at the top. A tablet which is discharged
from one of the feeders will fall into a hole formed in the pocket plate. Since a
shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles
down after a while. Thereafter, the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop
the table to a hopper which is arranged under the split ring unit. The tablet is the
slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at
the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further there-through into a packing
sheet. After the tablet has reached the inside of the packing sheet which is folded,
it is sealed in one backing bag by use of heater rollers.
[0004] In the device as described in
US 5,481,855, it is possible to save the time required to pack the tablets according to the tablet
types by presetting the time required for each type of tablet to settle down from
landing and discharging the tablet after lapse of the preset time. Moreover, less
bouncy tablets can be accommodated in the higher feeders, while lower feeders accommodate
tablets which have a longer stabilization time period and are used more frequently.
[0005] Although the known device takes account of the settling time for each type of tablet,
the time for a series of packing operations is determined by this settling time and
cannot be reduced further.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device and method
which allow a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a device which accommodates a
series of feeder units for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively
discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing,
said device comprising:
a holding device provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in
a plane, wherein the holding device at each of said array of feeder positions is provided
with a holder for one of said feeder units and with a through opening for passing
discharged solid substances there through,
a collection frame arranged below the holding device, wherein the collection frame
and the holding device are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection
frame is provided with a series of collection trays, said trays have an elongated
shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane
and over a length of at least two of said through openings, wherein said trays comprises
a receiving opening at a side facing said holding device for capturing said discharged
solid substances and each comprises an output opening, and
a packing unit arranged below the collection frame for collecting the captured solid
substances from the output opening of a tray and packing said solid substances.
[0008] By using collection trays which are movable with respect to the table, and thus with
respect to the feeder units arranged on said array of feeder positions, each of said
trays can collect the required solid substances from one or more of said feeder units,
which need to be packed for one of the doses according to a prescription. By using
a series of collection trays, multiple doses of solid substances from one or more
of said feeder units can be collected simultaneously, in stead of successively as
in the device as described in
US 5,481,855. This provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
[0009] In the device as described in
US 5.481.855 where tablets from feeders first fall on a pocket plate with a shutter plate at its
bottom and are released into a tray after the tables have settled down. In the device
of the invention, the series of feeders are arranged on feeder positions which are
arranged adjacently in a plane. Thus the feeders on these feeder positions are arranged
directly above the collection trays. Any amount of solid substances discharged by
the feeders falls directly in one of the collection trays, substantially without delay.
[0010] In addition, the trays in the device of the invention have an elongated shape with
a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over
a length of a plurality of said through openings. Thus multiple feeders of said series
of feeders can discharge an amount of solid substances directly into one of the trays,
in particular depending on the required recipe.
[0011] In an embodiment, said feeder units of said series each comprises a discharge opening,
and wherein said discharge openings of said feeder units, when arranged at corresponding
feeder positions, are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through
openings.
[0012] In an embodiment, the discharge openings of the feeder units of said series is arranged
at substantially the same distance above the receiving opening of the trays. Preferably
the feeder units are arranged immediately above the receiving opening of the trays.
By arranging the feeder units, and in particular the discharge opening thereof, at
the same distance above the receiving opening of the trays the time required to transport
an amount of said solid substances from the feeder units into the trays is essentially
the same for all feeder units of the series of feeder units. In addition, when arranging
the feeder units immediately above the receiving opening the time required to transport
an amount of said solid substances into the trays is substantially minimized, which
provides a further reduction of the time required for a series of packing operations.
[0013] In an embodiment, the collection frame is rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein
the rotation axis extends substantially perpendicular to said plane. In an embodiment,
the longitudinal direction of said trays is arranged substantially radially with respect
to said rotation axis. By rotating the collection frame, the collection trays move
underneath the holding device and the series of feeder units arranged at the feeder
positions thereof. Each one of the collection trays can capture and accumulate one
or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more
feeder units arranged in a substantially circular path above said collection tray.
[0014] In an embodiment, said trays extend from a position near the rotation axis to an
edge of said holding device. Each one of the collection trays can capture and accumulate
one or more of the solid substances which are selectively discharged from one or more
feeder units arranged in a substantially circular area above said trays. When all
feeder units are arranged in said circular area, the collection tray is able to collect
one or more of said solid substances from any one or from any combination of said
feeder units.
[0015] In an embodiment, a width of said trays increases in a radial outward direction with
respect to said rotation axis. Preferably the trays are wedge shaped, and a series
of said trays covers a substantially circular area under the holding device
[0016] In an embodiment, the holding device is arranged for substantially stationary holding
the series of feeder units. In particular, the feeder units are arranged stationary
in the device of the invention, and the collection trays are moved underneath these
stationary feeder units.
[0017] In an embodiment, said trays comprise a bottom surface which is arranged to slope
down to said output opening. In an embodiment, said output opening is provided with
a closing member which is movable into a first position for closing the output opening
and into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray.
When moving the trays with respect to the holding device, each tray can collect solid
substances from each feeder unit arranged above the path of the tray, and can hold
these substances as long as the closing member is in the first position.
[0018] In an embodiment, the packing unit is arranged at a stationary position in the device
of the invention, underneath the movable collection trays. When the output opening
of one of the trays aligns with the stationary position of the packing unit, the closing
member of this particular tray is moved to the second position which allows the solid
substances in this tray to move through the output opening into the packing unit.
[0019] In an embodiment, the receiving opening of a tray extends substantially parallel
to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings.
[0020] In an embodiment, the holding device comprises one or more special feeder positions,
which are arranged directly above the packing unit for passing discharged solid substances
form a feeder unit on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding
through opening, a corresponding receiving opening and output opening of a tray, directly
into the packing unit. These special feeder positions are available for special feeder
units for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the inner surface of a tray.
By arranging these special feeder units at these special feeder position, the drug
released from the special feeder units fall directly into the packing unit, substantially
without contacting the inside of a collection tray.
[0021] In an embodiment, the device comprises a supply member for supplying one or more
feeder units to the device, and a manipulator system to transport at least one of
said feeder units from the supply member onto one of said feeder positions on the
holding device. When one or more of the feeder units has discharged all its supply
of solid substance and thus is substantially empty, these empty feeder units need
to be replaced by corresponding full ones. Usually this exchanging of an empty feeder
unit by a full one is time consuming and requires attendance of an operator. By providing
the device of the invention with the supply member and the manipulator system, the
exchanged of an empty feeder unit by a full one can be automated.
[0022] In an embodiment, the device comprises a discharge member for removing one or more
feeder units from the device, and wherein the manipulator system is arranged for transporting
at least one of said feeder units from one of said feeder positions on the holding
device towards the discharge member.
[0023] In an embodiment, the supply member and/or the discharge member comprises a conveyor,
preferably a belt conveyor.
[0024] In an embodiment, the manipulator comprises a robotic arm. In an embodiment, the
robotic arm is arranged on said holding device. In an embodiment, the robotic arm
is arranged on said holding device at or near the rotation axis of the collection
frame. The robotic arm is arranged centrally on the holding device and is preferably
arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions on the holding device, preferably
to reach one or more of the feeder units arranged on the supply member, and preferably
to position one or more of the empty feeder units on the discharge member. The use
of a robotic arm has the advantage that it also can be used for additional tasks,
for example to shake a specific feeder unit when the solid substance comprised therein
is stuck inside and cannot be discharged from said feeder unit.
[0025] In an embodiment, one or more of the collection trays is removable arranged on the
collection frame. The removable collection trays can be removed from the collection
frame for easy cleaning of these trays.
[0026] In an embodiment, one or more of the collection trays is provided with a supplementary
sheet which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom wall of said one or more of
the collection trays. In an embodiment, said supplementary sheet is removable and/or
disposable. Due to the use of these supplementary sheets, the frequency of cleaning
the trays is at least reduced. Preferably the supplementary sheets cover essentially
the complete part of the bottom wall onto which the solid substances fall from the
feeder units and onto which the solid substances move towards the output opening.
In this case the trays essentially do not need to be cleaned, and only the supplementary
sheets need to be replaced periodically.
[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for selectively discharging
an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units from a series of feeder
units for packing, in particular using a device or an embodiment as described above,
said method comprises the steps of:
providing a holding device with the series of feeder units on an array of feeder positions
arranged adjacently in a plane, wherein the holding device at each of said array of
feeder positions is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units and with a
through opening for passing discharged solid substances there through,
discharging a prescribed amount of solid substance from one or more prescribed feeder
units towards a collection frame arranged below the holding device, wherein the collection
frame and the holding device are movable with respect to each other, wherein said
collection frame is provided with a series of collection trays, said trays have an
elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel
to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings, wherein
said trays comprises a receiving opening at a side facing said holding device for
capturing said discharged solid substances in one of said trays, and each one of said
trays comprises an output opening, and
moving the captured solid substances from said one of said trays into a packing unit
arranged below the collection frame, which packing unit collects the captured solid
substances from the output opening of said one of said trays and packs said solid
substances.
[0028] In an embodiment, said method comprises the step of providing a recipe to a controller
of the device, which recipe comprises the amount and type of solid substance which
needs to be packed, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge the prescribed
amount of solid substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units into a particular
collection tray.
[0029] In an embodiment, said method comprises the step of providing a series of recipes
to the controller, wherein the controller controls the device to discharge for each
recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of solid substance from the
one or more prescribed feeder units into a separate one of said collection trays.
[0030] In an embodiment, the prescribed amount of solid substance in the separate ones of
said collection trays are individually packed in said packing unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in
the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of an embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2 shows the right hand side of the schematic cross section of figure 1 in more
detail,
Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the holding device of the embodiment of figure
1,
Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of the collection frame of the embodiment of figure
1, and
Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a packing system comprising a device which accommodates
a series of feeder units for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively
discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention is schematically shown
in figures 1 and 2. The device 1 accommodates a series of feeder units 2, 21 arranged
for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances, such as pills, tablets
or capsules, in particular for medical use, from one or more feeder units 2, 21 for
packing. Said device 1 comprises a holding device 3 provided with an array of feeder
positions 31 (see figure 3) arranged adjacently in a plane P, a collection frame 4
arranged below the holding device 3 comprising a series of collection trays 41, 41'
for capturing discharged solid substances from said feeder units 2, 21 and each collection
tray 41 comprises an output opening 42, and a packing unit 5 arranged below the collection
frame 4 for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening 42 of
a tray 41 and packing said solid substances.
[0033] The holding device 3 in this example, comprises a table which defines the plane P
as shown in figure 2, which is provided with the array of feeder positions 31 as shown
in figure 3, arranged adjacently in said plane P. The holding device 3 is provided
with a holder at each of said array of feeder positions 31 for holding one of said
feeder units 2, 21. In addition, the holding device 3, and in particular the table,
is provided with through openings 32 for passing discharged solid substances there
through. As schematically indicated in figure 3, each feeder position 31 is provided
with a corresponding through opening 32. Figure 1 is a schematic cross section along
the line I-I of figure 3.
[0034] The feeder units 2, 21 of said series each comprises a discharge opening at a bottom
side 22 of each one of said feeder units 2, 21. Said discharge openings of said feeder
units 2, 21, when arranged at corresponding feeder positions 31, are substantially
aligned with a corresponding one of said through openings 32.
[0035] As clearly shown in the partial cross section of figure 2, the bottom side 22 comprising
the discharge openings of said feeder units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the
plane P. The feeder units 2, 21 are arranged immediately above the plane P, in particular
immediately above the through openings 32. By arranging the feeder units 2, 21, and
in particular the discharge opening thereof in a substantially horizontal plane P
and in particular immediately above the through openings 32, the time required to
transport an amount of said solid substances from the feeder units 2, 21 into the
trays 41 is essentially the same for all feeder units 2, 21 of the series of feeder
units.
[0036] Below the holding device 3, a collection frame 4 is arranged. The collection frame
4 and the holding device 3 are movable with respect to each other. In this example,
the holding device 3 is arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of
feeder units 2, 21. In particular, the feeder units 2, 21 are arranged stationary
in the device 1, and the collection frame 4 is moved underneath these stationary feeder
units 2, 21. The collection frame 4 is rotatable around a rotation axis R, wherein
the rotation axis R extends substantially perpendicular to said plane P. The rotation
of the collection frame 4 is driven by a motor 43.
[0037] In an embodiment said motor 43 is a stepper motor or is stepwise driven around the
rotation axis R. This stepwise driving is arranged to have at least one stop for each
tray 41, 41' where the output opening 42 of said tray aligns with the packing unit
5.
[0038] The collection frame 4 is provided with a series of collection trays 41, 41' which
are arranged around the rotation axis R, as shown in figure 4. Figure 1 is a schematic
cross section along the line II-II of figure 4.
[0039] Said trays 41, 41' have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends
substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at least two of said through
openings 32. Each one of said trays 41 comprises a receiving opening 44 at a side
facing said holding device 3 for capturing said discharged solid substances. The bottom
side 22 of the feeder units 2, 21, comprising the discharge openings of said feeder
units 2, 21 is arranged substantially at the same distance above the receiving opening
44 of the trays 41.
[0040] The trays 41 are substantially open at the upper side thereof, which open upper side
defines the receiving opening 44 of the tray. As shown in figures 1 and 2, the open
upper side extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of at
least two, and in particular over a length of a plurality of said through openings
32.
[0041] The longitudinal direction of said trays 41 is arranged substantially radially with
respect to said rotation axis R. By rotating the collection frame 4, the collection
trays 41, 41' move underneath the holding device 3 and the series of feeder units
2, 21 arranged at the feeder positions 31 thereof. Each one of said collection trays
41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which are selectively
discharged from one or more feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular
path above said collection trays 41, 41' as shown in figure 3.
[0042] As shown in figures 1, 2 and 4, said trays 41, 41' extend from a position near the
rotation axis R to an edge 33 of said holding device 3. Each one of the collection
trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid substances which
are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially
circular area T on said table of the holding device 3 as shown in figure 3. Each one
of the collection trays 41, 41' is able to collect one or more of the solid substances
from substantially any one or from any combination of the feeder units 2, 21 which
are arranged in said circular area T.
[0043] As schematically indicated in figure 4, the width of said trays 41, 41' increases
in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis R. Preferably the
trays are wedge shaped, and the series of said trays 41, 41' covers a substantially
circular area under the holding device 3. The circular arrangement of collection trays
41, 41' comprises for example 20 collection trays 41.
[0044] As shown in figures 1 and 2, each one of said trays 41, 41' comprises a bottom surface
45 which is arranged to slope down to said output opening 42. Said output opening
42 is provided with a closing member 46 which is movable into a first position, as
shown in figure 2, for closing the output opening 42 and movable in the direction
M into a second position for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray
41. When moving the trays 41, 41' with respect to the holding device 3, each tray
41, 41' can collect solid substances from each feeder unit 2, 21 arranged above the
path of the tray 41, and can hold these substances at the output opening 42 as long
as the closing member 46 is in the first position.
[0045] Preferably the collection trays 41, 41' are removable arranged on the collection
frame 4. The removable collection trays 41" can be removed by substantially sliding
them in a radial direction out of the collection frame 4, as schematically indicated
in figures 3 and 4.
[0046] Alternatively or in addition, the collection trays 41, 41' can be provided each with
a supplementary sheet (not shown) which is arranged on at least a part of a bottom
wall 45. This supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable. Preferably the supplementary
sheets cover essentially the complete part of the bottom wall 45 onto which the solid
substances fall from the feeder units 2, 21 and onto which the solid substances move
towards the output opening 42. In this case the trays 41 essentially do not need to
be cleaned and do not need to be removable, and only the supplementary sheets need
to be replaced periodically.
[0047] Below the collection frame 4, a packing unit 5 is arranged for collecting the captured
solid substances from the output opening 42 of a tray 41 and packing said solid substances.
[0048] The packing unit 5 is arranged at a stationary position in the device 1, underneath
the movable collection trays 41. When the output opening 42 of the tray 41 aligns
with the stationary position of the packing unit 5, the closing member 46 is moved
to the second position which allows the solid substances in the tray 41 to move through
the output opening 42 into the packing unit.
[0049] The packing unit 5 comprises a supply of foil 51 which supplies a foil 52 to a folding
unit 53 which folds the foil 51 into U-shaped foil 54 which is open at the top. This
open top 55 is ready to receive the solid substances from a tray 41. When the solid
substances are deposited from the tray 41 into the U-shaped foil 54, the foil with
the solid substances is moved in the direction D to a vertical seal unit 56, which
provides a substantially vertical seal behind the deposited solid substances. Accordingly
the solid substances from each one of said trays 41 is arranged in individual pockets
of said U-shaped foil 54. Subsequently, the foil is moved in the direction D to a
closing seal unit 57 which provides a seal at the upper side 55 of the U-shaped foil
for enclosing the solid substances in individually closed pockets 59, as shown in
figure 2. As shown in figures 1 and 2, the packing unit 5 is arranged on a movable
carrier 60.
[0050] In a further embodiment, the device 1 can also be provided with two or more packing
units 5, 5' as indicated in figure 1.
[0051] The holding device 3 also comprises one or more special feeder positions, which are
arranged above a transfer area TA where the solid substances are transferred from
the collection trays 41 to the packing unit 5. Preferably the special feeder positions
are arranged directly above the packing unit 5 for passing discharged solid substances
form a feeder unit 21 on the one or more special feeder positions via a corresponding
through opening, a corresponding receiving opening 44 and output opening 42 of a tray
41, directly into the packing unit 5. These special feeder positions are available
for special feeder units 21 for the delivery of drugs which could contaminate the
inner surface of a tray 41. By arranging these special feeder units 21 at these special
feeder positions, the drug released from the special feeder units 21 fall directly
into the packing unit 5. When using a further packing unit 5', the holding device
3 can also comprise one or more special feeder positions for feeder units 21', which
are arranged above a further transfer area where the solid substances are transferred
from the collection trays 41 to the further packing unit 5'.
[0052] Special feeder units 21 which are not directly above the output opening 42 when at
the packing unit 5, are provided with a channel or chute 34 which guides solid substances
discharged from said feeder units 21 to an area directly above the output opening
42 when at the packing unit 5.
[0053] In addition the holding device 3 may comprise a supply unit 23 with a sorted medicine
supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments from supply trays 231, 232,
233 into a collection tray 41. As shown in figures 2 and 3, such a supply unit 23
is preferably arranged at the circumferential edge 33 of the table 3.
[0054] When one or more of the feeder units 2, 21 has discharged substantially all its supply
of solid substance and thus is substantially empty, these empty feeder units 2, 21
need to be replaced by corresponding full ones. In order to exchange an empty feeder
unit by a full one, the device 1 comprises a supply member 71 for supplying one or
more new and/or full feeder units 24 to the device 1, and a manipulator system 6 to
transport at least one of said new and/or full feeder units 24 from the supply member
71 onto one of said feeder positions 31 on the holding device 3. In addition, the
device 1 comprises a discharge member 72 for removing one or more feeder units 25,
in particular empty feeder units, from the device 1. As schematically indicated in
the figures, the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72 comprises a conveyor
7, preferably a belt conveyor, which can be used for both supplying and removing one
or more feeder units
[0055] The manipulator 6 comprises a robotic arm 61, 62, which is arranged on said holding
device 3. As shown in figure 1, the robotic arm 6 is arranged on said holding device
3 at or near the rotation axis R of the collection frame 4. By arranging the robotic
arm 61, 62 centrally on the holding device 3, a gripper 63 for picking up one or more
feeder units is arranged to reach each one of the feeder positions 31 on the holding
device 3, to reach one or more of the new and/or full feeder units 24 arranged on
the supply member 71, and to position one or more of the empty feeder units 25 on
the discharge member 72.
[0056] Each one of the feeder units 2, 21 can contain a large supply of identical pills,
tablets or capsules; in short medicaments. Each one of these medicaments may have
a specific weight and/or specific size and dimensions, which makes each one of the
feeder units 2, 21 specific to hold and discharge a specific medicament. The specific
feeder units 2, 21 are provided with an identification code which is readable by a
sensor in the device. By reading the identification code, for example when a specific
feeder unit 2, 21 is placed on the holding device 3 by the robotic arm 61, 62, the
information of the location of the specific feeder unit 2, 21 and the medicaments
it contains is provided to a control system 8 for the device, which control system
8 stores this information in a memory.
[0057] The sensor is for example arranged in the gripper 63 of the robotic arm 61, 62. Alternatively
or in addition one or more of the feeder position 31 are provided with a sensor for
acquiring the identification code.
[0058] The control system 8 is coupled to the device 1, and in particular to the feeder
units 2, 21, to the supply unit 23, to the motor 43, to the packing unit 5, to the
manipulator 6 and/or to the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72 as schematically
shown in figure 1. The control system 8 provides control commands to the device 1
and, in particular to the feeder units 2, 21, to discharge a prescribed amount of
medicament from one or more of said feeder units 2, 21, into a particular collection
tray 41. The control system 8 selects the specific feeder unit 2, 21 in accordance
with the prescribed type of medicament, by using the information stored in the memory.
[0059] Furthermore, each of the feeder units 2, 21 and/or the holding device 3 is provided
with a feedback sensor which reports the discharge of one or more pills, tablets or
capsules from a specific one of said feeder units 2, 21 back to the control system
8. The control system 8 can thus determine whether or not the discharged medicaments
into a specific collection tray 41 is in accordance with the prescribed amount.
[0060] In an embodiment, a part of the area of holding device 3 can be used for the storage
of feeder units. The robotic arm 61, 62 with the gripper 63 is arranged for moving
feeder units from the storage area on the holding device 3 to feeder positions 31
with through openings 32, and vice versa. In particular, the transfer area TA where
the solid substances are transferred from the collection trays 41 to the packing unit
5, which on the one hand is used for arranging special feeder units 21 as described
above, is on the other hand used for the storage of feeder units 2, 21.
[0061] When the device 1 is in use, a recipe is provided to the control system 8 for the
device 1, which recipe comprises the amount and type of medicaments which need to
be packed. The control system translates the recipe into control commands which are
send to the device 1 to discharge the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or
more prescribed feeder units 2, 21 into a particular collection tray 41, in order
to collect the required amount and type of medicament in said particular collection
tray 41 which corresponds to the recipe. The prescribed amount and type of said medicament
according to the recipe is moved towards the packing unit 5 and is individually packed
in foil 52.
[0062] In stead of a single recipe, usually a series of recipes is provided to the control
system 8. Again, the control system 8 translates the recipe into control commands
which are send to the device 1 to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes,
the prescribed amount of medicaments from one or more prescribed feeder units 2, 21
into a separate one of said collection trays 41, in order to collect an amount and
type of medicament in each one of said collection trays 41 which corresponds to one
recipe of said series of recipes. In addition the control commands are arranged for
collecting the medicaments of subsequent recipes of said series of recipes in subsequent
collection trays 41, which deliver the collected medicament subsequently to the packing
unit 5. The packing unit 5 individually packs the medicaments from each collection
tray 41, and thus provides a series of packed medicaments in accordance with the series
of recipes, and preferably in the same order as the series of recipes. It is noted
that the device 1 may also be provided with two packing units 5, 5' as schematically
shown in figure 1, or even more.
[0063] The packing unit 5 is preferably provided with a printing unit for printing the recipe
onto the foil, preferably at or near the pocket 59 which contains the medicaments
according to the recipe. Such a printing unit is for example arranged in the folding
unit 53 and obtains the required printing data from the control system 8.
[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the packing unit 5 is provided with a substantially
vertical foil unit in which the foil is substantially funnel shaped, which funnels
are filled from the top and subsequently sealed.
[0065] Figure 5 shows an example of a packing system 100 according to the invention. The
system 100 comprises device arranged inside a cage 108, which accommodates a series
of feeder units 102 for solid substances which series is arranged for selectively
discharging an amount of said solid substances from one or more feeder units 102 for
packing. Said device comprises a holding device 103 provided with an array of feeder
positions arranged adjacently in a plane just as in the example as shown in figure
3. The holding device 103 at each of said array of feeder positions is provided with
a holder for one of said feeder units 102 and with a through opening for passing discharged
solid substances there through. Underneath said holding device 103, a collection frame
and a packing unit are arranged which correspond substantially to the examples as
explained above and shown in figures 1, 2 and 4. In the system the collection frame
and the packing unit are mounted inside the system, behind a panel 104.
[0066] The system is furthermore provided with entry devices 170 which allow the introduction
of new and/or filled feeder units 102 or the removal of empty feeder units 102.
[0067] In addition the system 100 may comprise a supply unit 123 with a sorted medicine
supply for delivering an amount of sorted medicaments from supply trays as shown in
figures 2 and 3, and described in more detail above.
[0068] As described above, a part of the area of holding device 103 can be used for the
storage of feeder units 102. The robotic arm 161, 162 with the gripper 163 is arranged
for moving feeder units from the storage area on the holding device 103 to feeder
positions with through openings, and vice versa. When even more storage of feeder
units is required, such storage may be provided against the inner wall of the cage
18 and/or may be provided in a storage column 109 which is arranged adjacent to the
holding device 103. Also the storage feeder units 110 in the storage column 109 are
accessible by the robotic arm, by turning the column 109 so that the required storage
feeder unit 110 faces towards the robotic arm 106.
[0069] The packing system 100 may be provided with one or more of such storage columns 109
along the periphery of the holding device 103. These one or more storage columns 109
are connected to and controlled by the control system of the packing system 100.
[0070] The packing system 100, and in particular the collection frame and/or the packing
unit can be provided with a vacuum device in order to prevent the accumulation of
dust inside the trays and/or packing unit.
[0071] In addition a control panel 111 is arranged in a wall part, above the holding device
103, or above the supply unit 123 as shown in figure 5, in order to input data and/or
control commands into the system.
[0072] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation
of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the
art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0073] For example an alternative, small or simple model of the packing system of figure
5, the robotic arm and/or the storage against the inner wall of the cage 18 and/or
a storage column is omitted.
1. A device (1) which accommodates a series of feeder units (2, 21) for solid substances
which series is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said solid substances
from one or more feeder units (2, 21) for packing, said device (1) comprising:
a holding device (3) provided with an array of feeder positions (31) arranged adjacently
in a plane (P), wherein the holding device (3) at each of said array of feeder positions
(31) is provided with a holder for one of said feeder units (2, 21) and with a through
opening (32) for passing discharged solid substances there through,
a collection frame (4) arranged below the holding device(3), wherein the collection
frame (4) and the holding device (3) are movable with respect to each other, wherein
said collection frame (4) is provided with a series of collection trays (41, 41'),
characterized in that
said trays (41, 41') have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends
substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through
openings (32), wherein said trays (41, 41') comprises a receiving opening (44) at
a side facing said holding device (3) for capturing said discharged solid substances
and each comprises an output opening (42), and
wherein said device (1) comprises a packing unit (5) arranged below the collection
frame (4) for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening (42)
of a tray (41, 41') and packing said solid substances.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the collection frame (4) is rotatable around
a rotation axis (R), wherein the rotation axis (R) extends substantially perpendicular
to said plane (P).
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of said trays (41,
41') is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis (R), and/or
wherein said trays (41, 41') extend from a position near the rotation axis (R) to
an edge of said holding device (3), and/or wherein a width of said trays (41, 41')
increases in a radial outward direction with respect to said rotation axis (R).
4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said trays (41, 41') comprise a bottom
surface (45) which is arranged to slope down to said output opening (42), preferably
wherein said output opening (42) is provided with a closing member (46) which is movable
into a first position for closing the output opening (42) and into a second position
for allowing said solid substances to move out of the tray (41, 41').
5. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the holding device (3) is
arranged for substantially stationary holding the series of feeder units (2, 21).
6. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 5, wherein said feeder units (2, 21)
of said series each comprises a discharge opening (22), and wherein said discharge
openings (22) of said feeder units (2, 21), when arranged at corresponding feeder
positions (31), are substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said through
openings (32), preferably wherein the discharge openings (22) of said feeder units
(2, 21) is arranged at substantially the same distance above the receiving opening
(44) of the trays (41, 41').
7. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 6, wherein the receiving opening (44)
of a tray (41, 41') extends substantially parallel to said plane (P) and over a length
of at least two of said through openings (32).
8. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 7, wherein the holding device (3) comprises
one or more special feeder positions, which are arranged directly above the packing
unit (5) for passing discharged solid substances from a feeder unit (21) on the one
or more special feeder positions via a corresponding through opening (32), a corresponding
receiving opening (44) and output opening (42) of a tray (41, 41'), directly into
the packing unit (5).
9. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 8, further comprising a supply member
(71) for supplying one or more feeder units (2, 21) to the device (1), and a manipulator
system (6) to transport at least one of said feeder units (2, 21) from the supply
member (71) onto one of said feeder positions (31) on the holding device (3), preferably
wherein the device (3) comprises a discharge member (72) for removing one or more
feeder units (2, 21) from the device (1), and wherein the manipulator system (6) is
arranged for transporting at least one of said feeder units (2, 21) from one of said
feeder positions (31) on the holding device (3) towards the discharge member (72),
preferably wherein the supply member (71) and/or the discharge member (72) comprises
a conveyor (7), preferably a belt conveyor.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the manipulator (6) comprises a robotic arm (61,
62), preferably wherein the robotic arm (61, 62) is arranged on said holding device
(3).
11. Device according to claim 10, when depending on claim 2, wherein the robotic arm (61,
62) is arranged on said holding device (3) at or near the rotation axis (R) of the
collection frame (4).
12. Device according to any one of the claims 1 - 11, wherein one or more of the collection
trays (41, 41') is provided with a supplementary sheet which is arranged on at least
a part of a bottom wall (45) of said one or more of the collection trays (41, 41'),
preferably wherein said supplementary sheet is removable and/or disposable.
13. Method for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more
feeder units (2, 21) from a series of feeder units for packing, in particular using
a device (1) according to any one of the claims 1-12, said method comprises the steps
of:
providing a holding device (3) with the series of feeder units (2, 21) on an array
of feeder positions (31) arranged adjacently in a plane (P), wherein the holding device
(3) at each of said array of feeder positions (31) is provided with a holder for one
of said feeder units (2, 21) and with a through opening (32) for passing discharged
solid substances there through,
discharging a prescribed amount of solid substance from one or more prescribed feeder
units (2, 21) towards a collection frame (4) arranged below the holding device (3),
wherein the collection frame (4) and the holding device (3) are movable with respect
to each other, wherein said collection frame (4) is provided with a series of collection
trays (41, 41'), said trays (41, 41') have an elongated shape with a longitudinal
direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane (P) and over a length
of at least two of said through openings (32), wherein said trays (41, 41') comprises
a receiving opening (44) at a side facing said holding device (3) for capturing said
discharged solid substances in one of said trays (41, 41'), and each one of said trays
(41, 41') comprises an output opening (42), and
moving the captured solid substances from said one of said trays (41, 41') into a
packing unit (5) arranged below the collection frame (4), which packing unit (5) collects
the captured solid substances from the output opening (42) of said one of said trays
(41, 41') and packs said solid substances.
14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said method comprises the step of providing
a recipe to a controller (8) of the device (1), which recipe comprises the amount
and type of solid substance which need to be packed, wherein the controller (8) controls
the device (1) to discharge the prescribed amount of solid substance from the one
or more prescribed feeder units (2, 21) into a particular collection tray (41, 41').
15. Method according to claim 14, said method comprises the step of providing a series
of recipes to the controller (8), wherein the controller (8) controls the device (1)
to discharge for each recipe of said series of recipes, the prescribed amount of solid
substance from the one or more prescribed feeder units (2, 21) into an separate one
of said collection trays (41, 41'), preferably wherein the prescribed amount of solid
substance in the separate ones of said collection trays (41, 41') are individually
packed in said packing unit (5).
1. Vorrichtung (1), die eine Reihe von Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) für feste Stoffe aufnimmt,
welche Reihe zum selektiven Ausgeben einer Menge der festen Stoffe von einer oder
mehreren Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) zum Verpacken angeordnet ist, wobei die Vorrichtung
(1) umfasst:
eine Haltevorrichtung (3), die mit einer Reihe von Zuführpositionen (31) versehen
ist, die benachbart in einer Ebene (P) angeordnet sind, wobei die Haltevorrichtung
(3) an jeder der Reihe von Zuführpositionen (31) mit einem Halter für eine der Zuführeinheiten
(2, 21) und mit einer Durchgangsöffnung (32) zum hierdurch Hindurchführen ausgegebener
fester Stoffe versehen ist,
einen Sammelrahmen (4), der unterhalb der Haltevorrichtung (3) angeordnet ist, wobei
der Sammelrahmen (4) und die Haltevorrichtung (3) in Bezug aufeinander beweglich sind,
wobei der Sammelrahmen (4) mit einer Reihe von Sammeltrögen (41, 41') versehen ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Tröge (41, 41') eine längliche Form mit einer Längsrichtung aufweisen, die sich
im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Ebene und über eine Länge von zumindest zwei der Durchgangsöffnungen
(32) erstreckt, wobei die Tröge (41, 41') eine Aufnahmeöffnung (44) an einer der Haltevorrichtung
(3) zugewandten Seite zum Auffangen der ausgegebenen festen Stoffe umfasst und jede
eine Auswurföffnung (42) aufweist, und
wobei die Vorrichtung (1) eine Verpackungseinheit (5) umfasst, die unterhalb des Sammelrahmens
(4) zum Sammeln der aufgefangenen festen Stoffe aus der Auswurföffnung (42) eines
Trogs (41, 41') und Verpacken der festen Stoffe angeordnet ist.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sammelrahmen (4) um eine Rotationsachse (R)
drehbar ist, wobei die Rotationsachse (R) sich im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Ebene
(P) erstreckt.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Längsrichtung der Tröge (41, 41') im Wesentlichen
radial in Bezug auf die Rotationsachse (R) angeordnet ist und/oder wobei die Tröge
(41, 41') sich von einer Position in der Nähe der Rotationsachse (R) zu einer Kante
der Haltevorrichtung (3) erstrecken und/oder wobei eine Breite der Tröge (41, 41')
in einer radial nach außen gehenden Richtung in Bezug auf die Rotationsachse (R) wächst.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Tröge (41, 41') eine Bodenoberfläche
(45) umfassen, die in einer zu der Auswurföffnung (42) geneigten Neigung angeordnet
ist, wobei die Auswurföffnung (42) bevorzugt mit einem Schließelement (46) versehen
ist, das in eine erste Position zum Schließen der Auswurföffnung (42) und in eine
zweite Position, in der es den festen Stoffen möglich ist, sich aus dem Trog (41,
41') heraus zu bewegen, beweglich ist.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, wobei die Haltevorrichtung (3) angeordnet
ist, um die Reihe von Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) im Wesentlichen stationär zu halten.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei die Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) der Reihe
jeweils eine Ausgabeöffnung (22) aufweisen und wobei die Ausgabeöffnungen (22) der
Zuführeinheiten (2, 21), wenn sie in entsprechenden Zuführpositionen (31) angeordnet
sind, im Wesentlichen mit einer entsprechenden der Durchgangsöffnungen (32) fluchten,
wobei die Durchgangsöffnungen (22) der Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) bevorzugt in im Wesentlichen
demselben Abstand über die Aufnahmeöffnung (44) der Tröge (41, 41') angeordnet sind.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, wobei die Aufnahmeöffnung (44) eines Troges
(41, 41') sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Ebene (P) und über eine Länge von zumindest
zweien der Durchgangsöffnungen (32) erstreckt.
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, wobei die Haltevorrichtung (3) eine oder
mehrere spezielle Zuführpositionen umfasst, die unmittelbar oberhalb der Verpackungseinheit
(5) angeordnet sind, um ausgegebene feste Stoffe von einer Zuführeinheit (21) an der
einen oder den mehreren speziellen Zuführposition(en) über eine entsprechende Durchgangsöffnung
(32), eine entsprechende Aufnahmeöffnung (44) und Auswurföffnung (42) eines Troges
(41, 41') direkt in die Verpackungseinheit (5) hindurchzuführen.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-8, ferner umfassend ein Zuführelement (71)
zum Zuführen einer oder mehrerer Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) zu der Vorrichtung (1) und
ein Manipulationssystem (6), um zumindest eine der Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) von dem
Zuführelement (71) auf eine der Zuführpositionen (31) auf der Haltevorrichtung (3)
zu transportieren, wobei die Vorrichtung (3) bevorzugt ein Ausgabeelement (72) zum
Entfernen einer oder mehrerer Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) von der Vorrichtung (1) umfasst,
und wobei das Manipulationssystem (6) zum Transportieren zumindest einer der Zuführeinheiten
(2, 21) von einer der Zuführpositionen (31) auf der Haltevorrichtung (3) in Richtung
des Ausgabeelements (72) angeordnet ist, wobei das Zuführelement (71) und/oder das
Ausgabeelement (72) bevorzugt einen Förderer (7), bevorzugt einen Bandförderer, umfasst.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Manipulator (6) einen Roboterarm (61, 62) aufweist,
wobei der Roboterarm (61, 62) bevorzugt auf der Haltevorrichtung (3) angeordnet ist.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, abhängig von Anspruch 2, wobei der Roboterarm (61, 62)
auf der Haltevorrichtung (3) an oder nahe der Rotationsachse (R) des Sammelrahmens
(4) angeordnet ist.
12. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11, wobei einer oder mehrere der Sammeltröge
(41, 41') mit einer Ergänzungsblatt versehen ist oder sind, das auf zumindest einem
Teil der Bodenwand (45) der einen oder mehreren der Sammeltröge (41, 41') angeordnet
ist, wobei das Ergänzungsblatt bevorzugt entfernbar und/oder wegwerfbar ist.
13. Verfahren zum selectiven Ausgeben einer Menge von festen Stoffen aus einer oder mehreren
Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) aus einer Reihe von Zuführeinheiten zum Verpacken, insbesondere
unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung (1)
nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 12, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Bereitstellen einer Haltevorrichtung (3) mit der Reihe von Zuführeinheiten (2, 21)
auf einer Reihe von Zuführpositionen (31), die benachbart in einer Ebene (P) angeordnet
sind, wobei die Haltevorrichtung (3) an jeder der Reihe von Zuführpositionen (31)
mit einem Halter für eine der Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) und mit einer Durchgangsöffnung
(32) zum hierdurch Hindurchführen ausgegebener fester Stoffe versehen ist,
Abgeben einer vorgeschriebenen Menge des festen Stoffs aus einer oder mehreren vorgeschriebenen
Zuführeinheit (2, 21) in Richtung eines Sammelrahmens (4), der unterhalb der Haltevorrichtung
(3) angeordnet ist, wobei der Sammelrahmen (4) und die Haltevorrichtung (3) in Bezug
aufeinander beweglich sind, wobei der Sammelrahmen (4) mit einer Reihe von Sammeltrögen
(41, 41') versehen ist, wobei die Tröge (41, 41') eine längliche Form mit einer Längsrichtung
haben, die sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Ebene (P) und über eine Länge von
zumindest zweien der Durchgangsöffnungen (32) erstreckt, wobei die Tröge (41, 41')
eine Aufnahmeöffnung (44) an einer der Haltevorrichtung (3) zum Fangen der ausgegebenen
festen Stoffe in einem der Tröge (41, 41') zugewandten Seite aufweisen und jeder der
Tröge (41, 41') eine Auswurföffnung (42) umfasst, und
Bewegen der aufgefangenen festen Stoffe von dem einen der Tröge (41, 41') in eine
Verpackungseinheit (5), die unterhalb des Sammelrahmens (4) angeordnet ist, welche
Verpackungseinheit (5) die aufgefangenen festen Stoffe von der Auswurföffnung (42)
des einen der Tröge (41, 41') sammelt und die festen Stoffe verpackt.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei das Verfahren den Schritt des Bereitstellens eines
Rezeptes an einen Steuerer (8) der Vorrichtung (1) umfasst, wobei das Rezept die Menge
und den Typ des festen Stoffs beinhaltet, der verpackt werden soll, wobei der Steuerer
(8) die Vorrichtung (1) steuert, um die vorgeschriebene Menge des festen Stoffs von
der einen oder den mehreren vorgeschriebenen Zuführeinheiten (2, 21) in einen bestimmten
Sammeltrog (41, 41') abzugeben.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Verfahren den Schritt des Bereitstellens einer
Reihe von Rezepten an den Steuerer (8) umfasst, wobei der Steuerer (8) die Vorrichtung
(1) steuert, um für jedes Rezept der Reihe von Rezepten die vorgeschriebene Menge
des festen Stoffs aus der einen oder den mehreren vorgeschriebenen Zuführeinheiten
(2, 21) in einen separaten der Sammeltröge (41, 41') abzugeben, wobei die vorgeschriebene
Menge des festen Stoffs bevorzugt in den separaten der Sammeltröge (41, 41') einzeln
in der Verpackungseinheit (5) verpackt werden.
1. Dispositif (1) qui accueille une série d'unités de chargement (2, 21) pour substances
solides, ladite série étant conçue pour sélectivement décharger une quantité desdites
substances solides depuis une ou plusieurs unités de chargement (2, 21) pour emballage,
ledit dispositif (1) comprenant :
un dispositif de maintien (3) doté d'un ensemble de positions de chargement (31) agencées
de manière adjacente dans un plan (P), dans lequel le dispositif de maintien (3),
à chaque position dudit ensemble de positions de chargement (31), est pourvu d'un
support pour une desdites unités de chargement (2, 21) et d'une ouverture traversante
(32) pour faire passer les substances solides déchargées par celle-ci,
un cadre de collecte (4) agencé sous le dispositif de maintien (3), ledit cadre de
collecte (4) et le dispositif de maintien (3) étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre,
ledit cadre de collecte (4) étant pourvu d'une série de bacs de collecte (41, 41'),
caractérisé en ce que
lesdits bacs (41, 41') ont une forme allongée avec une direction longitudinale qui
s'étend de manière sensiblement parallèle audit plan et sur une longueur d'au moins
deux desdites ouvertures traversantes (32), lesdits bacs (41, 41') comprenant une
ouverture de réception (44) sur un côté tourné vers ledit dispositif de maintien (3)
pour capturer lesdites substances solides déchargées et comprenant chacun une ouverture
de sortie (42), et
dans lequel ledit dispositif (1) comprend une unité d'emballage (5) agencée sous le
cadre de collecte (4) pour collecter les substances solides capturées provenant de
l'ouverture de sortie (42) d'un bac (41, 41') et pour emballer lesdites substances
solides.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le cadre de collecte (4) peut tourner
autour d'un axe de rotation (R), l'axe de rotation (R) s'étendant de manière sensiblement
perpendiculaire audit plan (P).
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la direction longitudinale desdits
bacs (41, 41') est agencée de manière sensiblement radiale par rapport audit axe de
rotation (R), et/ou dans lequel lesdits bacs (41, 41') s'étendent depuis une position
proche de l'axe de rotation (R) jusqu'à un bord dudit dispositif de maintien (3),
et/ou dans lequel une largeur desdits bacs (41, 41') augmente dans une direction radiale
vers l'extérieur par rapport audit axe de rotation (R).
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel lesdits bacs (41, 41') comprennent
une surface inférieure (45) qui est conçue pour s'incliner vers ladite ouverture de
sortie (42), de préférence dans lequel ladite ouverture de sortie (42) est dotée d'un
élément de fermeture (46) qui est mobile dans une première position pour fermer l'ouverture
de sortie (42) et dans une seconde position pour permettre auxdites substances solides
de sortir du bac (41, 41').
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-4, dans lequel le dispositif
de maintien (3) est conçu pour maintenir de manière sensiblement fixe la série d'unités
de chargement (2, 21).
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-5, dans lequel lesdites unités
de chargement (2, 21) de ladite série comprennent chacune une ouverture de décharge
(22), et dans lequel lesdites ouvertures de décharge (22) desdites unités de chargement
(2, 21), quand elles sont agencées dans des positions de chargement correspondantes
(31), sont sensiblement alignées sur une ouverture traversante correspondante desdites
ouvertures traversantes (32), de préférence dans lequel les ouvertures de décharge
(22) desdites unités de chargement (2, 21) sont agencées sensiblement à la même distance
au-dessus de l'ouverture de réception (44) des bacs (41, 41').
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-6, dans lequel l'ouverture
de réception (44) d'un bac (41, 41') s'étend de manière sensiblement parallèle audit
plan (P) et sur une longueur d'au moins deux desdites ouvertures traversantes (32).
8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-7, dans lequel le dispositif
de maintien (3) comprend une ou plusieurs positions de chargement spéciales, qui sont
agencées directement au-dessus de l'unité d'emballage (5) pour faire passer les substances
solides déchargées depuis une unité de chargement (21) sur la ou les positions de
chargement spéciales via une ouverture traversante correspondante (32), une ouverture
de réception correspondante (44) et une ouverture de sortie (42) d'un bac (41, 41'),
directement dans l'unité d'emballage (5).
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-8, comprenant en outre un élément
d'alimentation (71) destiné à amener une ou plusieurs unités de chargement (2, 21)
jusqu'au dispositif (1), et un système manipulateur (6) pour transporter au moins
une desdites unités de chargement (2, 21) depuis l'élément d'alimentation (71) sur
une desdites positions de chargement (31) du dispositif de maintien (3), de préférence
dans lequel le dispositif (3) comprend un élément de décharge (72) pour retirer une
ou plusieurs unités de chargement (2, 21) du dispositif (1), et dans lequel le système
manipulateur (6) est conçu pour transporter au moins une desdites unités de chargement
(2, 21) depuis une desdites positions de chargement (31) du dispositif de maintien
(3) vers l'élément de décharge (72), de préférence dans lequel l'élément d'alimentation
(71) et/ou l'élément de décharge (72) comprennent un convoyeur (7), de préférence
un convoyeur à bande.
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le manipulateur (6) comprend un bras
robotique (61, 62), de préférence dans lequel le bras robotique (61, 62) est agencé
sur ledit dispositif de maintien (3).
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, quand elle dépend de la revendication 2, dans
lequel le bras robotique (61, 62) est agencé sur ledit dispositif de maintien (3)
au niveau de l'axe de rotation (R) du cadre de collecte (4) ou près de celui-ci.
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-11, dans lequel un ou plusieurs
des bacs de collecte (41, 41') sont pourvus d'une feuille supplémentaire qui est agencée
sur au moins une partie d'une paroi inférieure (45) dudit ou desdits bacs de collecte
(41, 41'), de préférence dans lequel ladite feuille supplémentaire peut être retirée
et/ou jetée.
13. Procédé pour décharger sélectivement une quantité de substances solides depuis une
ou plusieurs unités de chargement (2, 21) d'une série d'unités de chargement pour
emballage, en particulier à l'aide d'un dispositif (1)
selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-12 , ledit procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à :
utiliser un dispositif de maintien (3) avec la série d'unités de chargement (2, 21)
sur un ensemble de positions de chargement (31) agencées de manière adjacente dans
un plan (P), dans lequel ledit dispositif de maintien (3), à chaque position dudit
ensemble de positions de chargement (31), est pourvu d'un support pour une desdites
unités de chargement (2, 21) et d'une ouverture traversante (32) pour faire passer
les substances solides déchargées par celle-ci,
décharger une quantité prescrite de substance solide depuis une ou plusieurs unités
de chargement prescrites (2, 21) vers un cadre de collecte (4) agencé sous le dispositif
de maintien (3), dans lequel le cadre de collecte (4) et le dispositif de maintien
(3) sont mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre, dans lequel ledit cadre de collecte (4)
est pourvu d'une série de bacs de collecte (41, 41'), lesdits bacs (41, 41') ont une
forme allongée avec une direction longitudinale qui s'étend de manière sensiblement
parallèle audit plan (P) et sur une longueur d'au moins deux desdites ouvertures traversantes
(32), lesdits bacs (41, 41') comprenant une ouverture de réception (44) sur un côté
tourné vers ledit dispositif de maintien (3) pour capturer lesdites substances solides
déchargées dans un desdits bacs (41, 41'), et chacun desdits bacs (41, 41') comprenant
une ouverture de sortie (42), et
déplacer les substances solides capturées dudit un desdits bacs (41, 41') dans une
unité d'emballage (5) agencée sous le cadre de collecte (4), ladite unité d'emballage
(5) collectant les substances solides capturées provenant de l'ouverture de sortie
(42) dudit un desdits bacs (41, 41') et emballe lesdites substances solides.
14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel ledit procédé comprend l'étape consistant
à envoyer une recette à un dispositif de commande (8) du dispositif (11), ladite recette
comprenant la quantité et le type de substance solide qu'il faut emballer, dans lequel
ledit dispositif de commande (8) commande le dispositif (1) pour décharger la quantité
prescrite de substance solide de la ou des unités de chargement prescrites (2, 21)
dans un bac de collecte particulier (41, 41').
15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, ledit procédé comprenant l'étape consistant à envoyer
une série de recettes au dispositif de commande (8), dans lequel le dispositif de
commande (8) commande le dispositif (1) pour décharger, pour chaque recette de ladite
série de recettes, la quantité prescrite de substance solide de la ou des unités de
chargement prescrites (2, 21) dans un desdits bacs de collecte (41, 41') séparé, de
préférence dans lequel les quantités prescrites de substance solide dans les bacs
séparés desdits bacs de collecte (41, 41') sont individuellement emballées dans ladite
unité d'emballage (5).