Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A transfer device adaptable to a load-cell having plurality of weighing pans, the transfer device comprising:
a first jaw member comprising plurality of retention regions, each retention region capable of receiving one test-load; and
a second jaw member comprising plurality of horizontal rods, each horizontal rod aligned with each retention region, the second jaw member movably adapted with the first jaw member to be in a holding position or a release position, in the holding position the second jaw member abuts the first jaw member and each horizontal rod is received in each retention region of the first jaw member such that each test-load is held within each retention region, and in the release position the second jaw member moves away from the first jaw member moving each rod away from each test-load allowing each test-load to transfer/release on to each weighing pan of the load-cell.

2. The transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retention region has at-least a top surface and a wall extending from the top surface.

3. The transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of retention regions and number of rods correspond to the number of weighing pans of the load-cell.
4. The transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second jaw member is adapted with the first jaw member via a pair of guide rods.

5. The transfer device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of first jaw member and the second jaw member has a pair of through holes for receiving the guide rods.

6. The transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a driving mechanism is provided for moving the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member.

7. The transfer device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the driving mechanism comprises of a knob and a shaft extending from the knob, the shaft adaptable between abutting edges of the first jaw member and the second jaw member, wherein the shaft is received by a cut-out in the first member such that rotation of the knob causes the shaft to rotate and move in or out of the cut-out, thereby moving second jaw member.

8. The transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each horizontal rod is a spring-loaded finger.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a transfer device, more particularly to a transfer device for loading/unloading a standard test-load to a load-cell to determine accuracy of the load-cell, and calibrate the load-cell in case there is any deviation in the accuracy thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Inspecting products for size, shape, weight at different stages of manufacturing/packaging cycle is a standard and essential practice across various industries. Especially, in pharmaceutical industry it is essential that a capsule or a tablet being manufactured is of a pre-determined physical parameters such as size, shape and weight. Any deviation in such pre-determined parameters is undesirable. Thus various systems/processes are employed at various stages to inspect at-least the physical parameters of products being manufactured.
[003] One such system which is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry is a checkweigher machine. The checkweigher machine comprises of a load-cell for measuring weight of capsules and sort capsules as per the measured weight. Accordingly, it is critical that the load-cell is measuring accurately and correctly at all times. To assure that the load-cell is measuring accurately and correctly, the load-cell is calibrated at regular intervals. For calibrating the load-cell, a test-load or standard weight is put on the load-cell, and the same is measured. In case there is any deviation in measuring the standard weight, the load-cell is adjusted to correct such deviation. It is common in the industry to put these standard weights on the load-cell manually. However, considering that the standard weights have small dimensions, the same are difficult to handle. Moreover, putting standard weights on the load-cell is time consuming as the load-cell may comprise of plurality of weighing pans. Thus, for each weighing pan of the load-cell a standard weight will have to be manually placed. Given the requirement of calibrating the load-cells at regular intervals, manual calibration is not optimum as the same is slow and cumbersome, which inevitably results in poor process cycle rate. Automated solutions commonly known include robotic arms which are equipped to grip and dispense standard-weight on the load-cell. However, these solutions are complex and also expensive.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a solution which addresses at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides a transfer device adaptable to a load-cell having plurality of weighing pans, the transfer device comprising a first jaw member comprising plurality of retention regions, each retention region capable of receiving one test-load; and a second jaw member comprising plurality of horizontal rods, each horizontal rod aligned with each retention region, the second jaw member movably adapted with the first jaw member to be in a holding position or a release position, in the holding position the second jaw member abuts the first jaw member and each horizontal rod is received in each retention region of the first jaw member such that each test-load is held within each retention region, and in the release position the second jaw member moves away from the first jaw member moving each rod away from each test-load allowing each test-load to transfer/release on to each weighing pan of the load-cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a checkweigher machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention is directed towards a transfer device for loading/unloading a standard test-load to a load-cell to determine accuracy of the load-cell so as to calibrate the load-cell in case there is any deviation in the accuracy of the load-cell.
[008] Figure 1 shows a checkweigher machine 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The checkweigher machine comprises of a hopper 110, a magazine assembly 120, a load-cell 130 and an exit chute 140.
[009] The hopper is loaded with plurality of pre-filled capsules which are to be weighed/verified by the checkweigher machine. The hopper has an opening provided towards its bottom. The opening is in communication with a top-end of the magazine assembly. Once loaded, the capsules are transferred to the magazine assembly which is provided below the hopper. As can be seen, the magazine assembly is vertically oriented. Accordingly, each capsule is vertically oriented. The magazine assembly comprises of plurality of tracks, wherein each track defines a passageway allowing capsules to be stacked one above the other, and pass through to the load-cell in a sequential manner. The magazine assembly feeds the capsules one by one on to the load-cell.
[010] The load-cell comprises of plurality of weighing pans 132, each weighing pan capable of receiving a capsule each. Accordingly, the number of weighing pans corresponds with the number of tracks of the magazine assembly. The load-cell measures the weight of each such capsule and depending upon weight of the capsule transfers the capsule to the exit chute. The exit chute has at-least two exits – one to accepted capsules bin and one to rejected capsules bin. In this regard, if the weight of the capsule is in accordance with the desired weight, the capsule is passed on to the accepted capsules bin, otherwise the capsule is passed on to the rejected capsules bin, thereby preventing capsules with improper/incorrect weight from being processed/packed further.
[011] As discussed hereinbefore, it is critical that the load-cell is calibrated at regular intervals to assure that the load-cell is measuring accurately and correctly. Figure 2 shows a transfer device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the transfer device is adaptable to the load-cell 130, and thus can be adapted as per requirement. When not in use, the transfer device can be stored separately. The transfer device is capable of holding and transferring plurality of test-loads to the load-cell i.e. the transfer device transfers a test-load each to each weighing pan of the load-cell simultaneously.
[012] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the transfer device. As shown, the transfer device comprises of a first jaw member 210, a second jaw member 220 and a driving mechanism 230. The first jaw member has plurality of retention regions 212, each retention region capable of accommodating one test-load 250. The retention region has at-least a top surface and a wall extending from the top surface so as to receive the test-load. The test-load, for example has weight of 1gm and is made of E2 material. The test-load may vary, and accordingly the retention regions may vary in dimension depending upon shape and size of the test-load.
[013] The second jaw member is adapted/interconnected with the first jaw member and is movable about the first jaw member. Each of first jaw member and the second jaw member has a pair of through holes 240, and the through holes receive a guide rod 242 each for interconnecting the jaw members. The guide rods allow the second jaw member to slide thereon. A compression spring is provided on each guide rod.
[014] Further, the second jaw member comprises a side-wall and plurality of horizontal member 222 extending from the side-wall. In an embodiment, the horizontal member is a spring loaded rod. The number of horizontal members provided on the second jaw member corresponds to the number of retention region provided on the first jaw member, wherein each horizontal member is aligned with each retention region of the first jaw member. In this regard, the number of retention regions or horizontal rods depends upon the number of weighing pans of the load-cell. In an embodiment, the second jaw member is movable about the first jaw member in a holding position and a release position. In the holding position, the second jaw member abuts the first jaw member and each horizontal member is received in each retention region of the first jaw member such that each test-load is retained within each retention region. The compression spring maintains the necessary force for maintaining the second jaw member in holding position. In the release position the second jaw member moves away from the first jaw member moving each horizontal member away from each test-load allowing the test-loads to transfer/release on to the respective weighing pan of the load-cell. Thus, the transfer device is capable of holding and releasing plurality of test-loads simultaneously, thereby reducing the time to load/unload each weighing pan with a test-load.
[015] The driving mechanism as shown in the figure is provided on the transfer device for moving the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member. The driving mechanism comprises of a knob and a shaft extending from the knob. The shaft is adapted between abutting edges of the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The first jaw member has semi-circular cut-out, which receives the shaft with similar profile. The knob, when rotated causes the shaft to rotate, the rotation causes the shaft to move in or out of the cut-out, thereby moving the second jaw member, whereby when the shaft moves out of the cut-out, it pushes the second jaw member, and when the shaft moves in to the cut-out, the second jaw member moves towards the first jaw member. In this regard, rotation of the knob in anti-clockwise direction moves the second jaw member away from the first jaw, and rotation of the knob in clockwise direction causes the second jaw member to move towards the first jaw. As mentioned hereinbefore, as the second jaw member moves away from the first jaw, the test-loads are released and as the second jaw member moves towards the first jaw, the test loads are held by the transfer device.
[016] Accordingly, in operation, the transfer device is adapted with the load-cell, whereby each retention region is aligned with each weighing pan. The load-cell when adapted is in the holding position whereby each test-load is retained by the transfer device. Once the transfer device is adapted, the transfer device is operated by moving the knob to move the second jaw member away from the first jaw member allowing each of the test-load to transfer onto each weighing pan of the load-cell. The load-cell measures these test-loads, and if any deviation is detected, the load-cell is calibrated to correct/adjust such deviation. Thereafter, the transfer device is operated by moving the knob to move the second jaw member towards the first jaw member to hold and retain the test-load within the slots of the first jaw member.
[017] Advantageously, the present invention provides a transfer device capable of transferring plurality of test-loads at once, thereby enabling a load-cell with plurality of weighing pans to be tested and calibrated.
[018] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.