Device For Inserting Articles In Blisters Of A Blister Band

Abstract

A device for inserting articles in blisters of a blister strip in a blister packing machine is described, the device being associated to a supply station which terminates with a supply channel and comprising an obstructing strip located in contact on an upper surface of the blister strip and affording at least a through-hole and an obstruction carriage interposed between the channel and the obstructing strip and affording at least a through-seating of such dimensions as to contain at least one of the articles. The obstruction carriage is moved in alternating motion along an advancement direction of the blister strip between a first position in which the through-seating is coaxial to the channel and is inferiorly closed by the obstructing strip in order to receive at least an article from the channel, and a second position in which the through-seating is coaxial with the through-hole afforded in the obstructing strip in order to enable a release of the article contained internally of the through-seating into an underlying blister to be filled.

1 . A device for inserting articles in blisters of a blister strip in a blister packing machine, the device being associated to at least a supply station which terminates with at least a supply channel facing downwards and which is located above the blister strip, the blister strip being moved along an advancement direction, and blisters of which blister strip being accessible from above, the device comprising an obstructing strip located in contact on an upper surface of the blister strip, the obstructing strip affording at least a through-hole of a size such as to enable free transit through the through-hole of at least an article, the device comprising an obstruction carriage interposed between the channel and the obstructing strip and affording at least a through-seating of such dimensions as to contain at least one of the articles, the obstruction carriage being moved in alternating motion along an advancement direction of the blister strip between a first position in which the through-seating is coaxial to the channel and is inferiorly closed by the obstructing strip in order to receive at least an article from the channel, and a second position in which the through-seating is coaxial with the through-hole afforded in the obstructing strip in order to enable a release of the article contained internally of the through-seating, which article passes through the hole and falls into an underlying blister to be filled. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , which further comprises second means for activating, associated to an operating group, which operating group supports the supply station, the obstructing strip and first activating means which are associated to the obstruction carriage, the second means for activating being destined to move the operating group in the advancement direction of the blister strip in phase relation with the first activating means and in alternating motion with an outward and a return run, in order to define, in the outward run, a centering of the hole of the obstructing strip with a blister to be filled, the centering being maintained for a predetermined time in order to allow the article to be unloaded into the blister. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the obstruction carriage is L-shaped with a side thereof being parallel to the advancement direction of the blister strip. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the supply station comprises a hopper to which means for moving are associated, for vertically alternatingly shifting the hopper between two extreme positions with respect to the supply channel, such as to facilitate descent of the articles from the hopper into the channel. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the supply station comprises a hopper to which means for moving are associated, for vertically alternatingly shifting the hopper between two extreme positions with respect to the supply channel, such as to facilitate descent of the articles from the hopper into the channel. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the supply station comprises a supply system with vibrating plates and at least a brush for preventing excessive accumulation of articles in proximity of the entry section of the supply channel. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the supply station comprises a supply system with vibrating plates and at least a brush for preventing excessive accumulation of articles in proximity of the entry section of the supply channel. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises means for moving the obstructing strip between an operating position, in which it enables transit of an article there-through, and a non-operating position, in which it does not enable transit there-through of an article.