DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of capsule/tablet feeders.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Blister: The term “Blister” hereinafter in the complete specification refers to a cavity or pocket made from a formable web, usually a thermoformed plastic, usually used as unit-dose packaging for pharmaceutical tablets and capsules.
Blister strip: The term “Blister strip” hereinafter in the complete specification refers to a strip, a packet, or a sheet of plastic with pockets that are capable of containing tablets or capsules.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Generally, a feeder is used to deliver capsules/tablets to a blister package receiving web. The conventional feeders generally feed the capsules/tablets from a capsule collection zone to a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism facilitates the movement of the capsules/tablets to a plurality of individual feed passageways positioned to align with the blisters. The feed rate of dispensing the capsules/tablets is properly timed. However, each feed passageway carries the capsules/tablets serially in a single article line. As a result, the single article line has a reduced rate of speed of packaging. The single article line minimizes back pressure on the capsule/tablet which thereby, creates discontinuity in the flow of the capsules/tablets. Further, increasing the feed rate affects the movement of the capsules/tablets, thereby fragmenting the capsules/tablets, or changing the ambient conditions of the capsules/tablets, surface of the capsules/tablets, and orientation of the capsules/tablets with respect to the orientation of the blisters.
There is therefore, felt a need for a feeding system that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system for articles such as capsules/tablets.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that increases feed rate of capsules/tablets.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that maintains the back pressure on the capsules/tablets.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that maintains continuous flow of the capsules/tablets.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a feeding system for feeding articles into the empty pockets of a blister type packaging such as a blister strip or packet. The system comprises a collection zone that receives articles from an article forming machine, at least one relatively deep channel provided for transporting the articles from the collection zone to a feeding station located at a lower height as compared to the collection zone. A rotary unit is also provided for supplying articles from the collection zone into the channel/s. The rotary unit supplies at least two articles placed one on top of the other at a time for delivering into the channels.
The channels of feeding system are inclined at an angles that ranges from 30 degree to 60 degree with respect to a horizontal surface.
The depth of each of the channel is such that it can retain two articles placed one on top of the other during their traverse through the channel/s.
The rotation speed of the rotary unit can be varied depending upon the desired feed rate.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, the distribution structure is provided with a manual stopper, such that the manual stopper is configured for stopping the flow of the articles through the distribution structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a plurality of sensors (not shown in figures) is provided along the distribution structure, such that the sensors are configured for detecting the quantity of articles, continuity of the articles in the channels, and for counting the flow rate of articles through the channels.
A controller may be configured for controlling the operation and speed of the feeding system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A feeding system, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus to enhance capsule feed rate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2a through Figure 2c illustrates a conventional channel with a single queue of articles; and
Figure 3a through Figure 3c illustrates the feeding system in accordance with the present disclosure with two queues of the articles.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
35 – Conventional channel
100 – System
101 - Articles
105 – Collection zone
110 – Distribution structure
115 – Rotary unit
120 – Struts
125 – Manual stopper
130 – Blister strips
135 – Channel/s
136 – Sidewall/s of channel/s
L1 – First queue of articles
L2 – Second queue of articles
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc.,when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a feeding system 100 for articles 101 such as capsules/tablets.
Referring to Figure 1, a feeding system 100 (hereinafter referred to as “the system 100”) comprises a collection zone 105, at least one channel 135 provided along a distribution structure 110, and a rotary unit 115. The system 100 is used for feeding articles such as capsules or tablets into a blister type packaging. The collection zone 105 includes a distribution structure 110 in the form of channel/s 135. The collection zone 105 is configured for receiving articles such as capsules or tablets therein from a forming machine (not shown in figures). The Distribution structure 110 and channel/s 135 extend from the collection zone 105 to a delivery location where the articles are fed into empty blister pockets. The Distribution structure 110 is further configured to dispense the capsules/tablets at a controlled rate. The rotary unit 115 is configured to facilitate movement of the capsules/tablets through the Distribution structure 110 in a double decked arrangement. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each channel 135 of the present system 100 is having a relatively more depth as compared to conventional channels, wherein the conventional channels are configured to accommodate only a single queue of capsules. The depth of the channel/s is slightly more than twice the width of the article (capsule or tablet) 101.
Figure 2a through Figure 2c illustrates a conventional channel 35 that carries only a single queue of the article 101 flowing there through. The conventional channel/s 35 had an inherent limitation of the flow rate of the articles 101. The flow rate could not be increased beyond a certain limit as increasing the flow rate causes errors like discontinuity of the articles 101 in the queue due to lower back pressure and deformation of the surface of articles 101.
When the rotary unit 115 rotates about its axis at a predetermined rotational speed, the rotary unit 115 supplies articles 101 to the channels 135 such that, at least two articles placed one on top of the other at a time. This arrangement is known as the double decked arrangement as mentioned above.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution structure 110 is in the form of a chute. The chute/s transport the articles from the collection zone 105 to the delivery location.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a conveyor belt is aligned with respect to the distribution structure 110 at an angle such as to facilitate smooth movement and transfer of the articles 101 (capsules or tablets) from the channel/s 135 to the empty pockets of the blister strip 130 . The articles 101 are thus dispensed onto the blister strips/packages 130 that are carried on a conveyor belt at a predetermined speed.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotary unit (115) is configured to rotate along a central axis. The rotary unit 115 includes a plurality of struts 120 protruding out of the circumference of the rotary unit 115. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the struts 120 are inclined at an angle with respect to the radial direction of the rotary unit 115.
In an embodiment, the plurality of struts 120 is configured to transfer the articles 101 from the collection zone 105 into the distribution structure 110 or channel/s 135 when the rotary unit 115 rotates.
Referring to Figures 3a to 3c, the articles/capsules/tablets 101 is transferred by the rotary unit 115 to a first line/queue (L1) and a second line/queue (L2) of the articles, wherein the second line L2 of the articles 101 is arranged over the first line L1. Since, the capsules/tablets/articles 101 are dispensed through the distribution structure 110 in a double decked arrangement, the speed of packaging of the capsules/tablets increases significantly. The feed rate of the tablets is doubled. The double deck arrangement also increases the back pressure and minimizes the discontinuity in the capsule/tablet flow.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the capsules/tablets are dispensed in a double decked arrangement, such that air gap between the two decks of capsules/tablets 101 is avoided, thereby facilitating proper dispensing of the capsules/tablets 101 without any deformation of the capsule/tablet 101.
In an embodiment, a manual stopper 125 is positioned near an operative lower portion of the distribution structure 110. The manual stopper 125 is configured to discontinue the dispensing of the capsules/tablets 101 from the distribution structure 110 during a maintenance period at the delivery location or conveyor belt.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of sensors (not shown in figures) is provided along the distribution structure 115 or the channel/s 135 for capturing various signals for monitoring the operation of the feeding system 100. A controller (not shown in figures) is also provided for controlling the operation and speed of the system 100.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the channel/s 135 is/are inclined at an angles that ranges from 30 degree to 60 degree with respect to a horizontal surface.
Test results and inference:
Experimental tests were performed for validating the performance of the new feeding system. For experiment the same capsules were used to determine the effectiveness of the system.
The results of the tests are tabulated below. The effectiveness of the present system is evident from the present system is evident from the following tabular data.

Test result:
Sr. No. Description Before After
1 Speed 85 mm x 45 CPM =
3825 mm/min. 85 mm x 60 CPM =
5100 mm/min.
2 Feed rate 260 Tab / Track / Min. 550 Tab / Track / Min.
3 Advance (Index/Cycle) 85 mm. 85mm.

From the aforementioned tabulated results, it is inferred that, the feed rate of tablets/capsules into the blister strips is significantly increased.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a feeding system, that:
• increases feed rate of capsules/tablets;
• maintains the back pressure on the capsules/tablets;
• reduces damage to the articles/capsules/tablets; and
• maintains continuous flow of the capsules/tablets.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, apparatus, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A feeding system (100) for feeding articles into pockets of a blister strip (130), said system (100) comprising:
• a collection zone (105) for receiving articles from an article forming machine (not shown in figures);
• at least one relatively deep channel (135) provided for transporting said articles (101) from said collection zone (105) to a blister strip feeding station located operatively below said collection zone (105);
• a rotary unit (115) for supplying articles (101) from said collection zone (105) into said at least one channel (135),
characterized in that, the rotary unit (115) is configured to supply at least two articles placed one on top of the other at a time for delivering into said channels (135).
2. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channel/s (135) is/are inclined at an angles that ranges from 30 degree to 60 degree with respect to a horizontal surface.
3. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein sidewall (136) of said channel/s (135) therefore the depth of said channel/s (135) is such that it can retain two articles (101) placed one on top of the other during the traverse through said channel/s (135).
4. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of said rotary unit (115) is variable depending upon the desired feed rate.
5. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said distribution structure (110) is provided with a manual stopper (125), said manual stopper (125) configured for pausing the flow of said articles (101) in said distribution structure (110) towards said delivery location.
6. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of sensors (not shown in figures) is provided along said distribution structure (110), said sensors are configured for detecting the quantity of articles (101), continuity of said articles (101) in said channel/s (135), and counting the flow rate of articles through said channel/s (135).
7. The feeding system (100) as claimed in claim 1, is provided with a controller configured for controlling the operation and speed of said system (100).