Method And An Apparatus For Transferring Articles From A Packaging Machine To Containers

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are described for transferring a plurality of articles ( 1 ), at least partially made of a fragile material, such as for example syringes for injections, by an automatic machine (M) which presents them at an outlet (U) thereof, separated from one another, to containers ( 2, 20 ) having a plurality of housings ( 21, 210 ). The articles ( 1 ) are singly housable, separate from one another, in the housings. The method comprises the following steps: placing a plurality of articles ( 1 ) presented at the output (U) of the automatic machine (M), in a predetermined formation in which they are maintained separated from one another; removing more than one of the articles ( 1 ) and while maintaining them separate from one another, taking them to a container ( 2, 20 ) and inserting the articles ( 1 ) therein, with the articles maintained separated from each other in the container ( 2, 20 ).

1 . A method for transferring a plurality of articles ( 1 ), at least partially made of a fragile material, for example syringes for injections, from an automatic machine (M) which presents them to an outlet (U) thereof separated from one another, to containers ( 2 ,  20 ) containing a plurality of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) in each of which the articles are singly housable separately from one another; wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 arranging a plurality of articles ( 1 ) presented at the outlet (U) of the automatic machine (M) in a predefined formation in which they are maintained separated from one another;   removing more than one of the articles ( 1 ) arranged in step a. and maintaining them separated from one another, taking them to a container ( 2 ,  20 ); and   inserting the articles ( 1 ), maintaining them separated from one another, into the container ( 2 ,  20 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the articles ( 1 ) has a support element ( 10 ) which projects laterally, and a bottom ( 11 ) at a lower end thereof, wherein:
 during step a., a following sub-step is performed: arranging the articles ( 1 ) while they are in the predefined formation, resting on the respective support elements ( 10 ), with the bottom ( 11 ) thereof left free: and   during step b., a following sub-step is performed: pushing the bottom ( 11 ) of several articles ( 1 ) upwards so as to lift the articles ( 1 ) while keeping them resting by means of the bottom ( 11 ) thereof, keeping them separate, and such that a respective upper part ( 101 ) comprising the support element ( 10 ) is lifted and free; and then taking the lifted articles ( 1 ) by the upper part ( 101 ) thereof, keeping them separated from one another, and taking them to the container ( 2 ,  20 ).   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , usable for transferring elongate articles ( 1 ) at least partially made of a fragile material to containers, wherein each container comprises a tray ( 20 ) for containing the elongate articles ( 1 ), the tray having a plurality of open housings ( 210 ) for singly accommodating respective articles ( 1 ) lying horizontally, the housings ( 210 ) being arranged with respect to one another in such a way as to be separated from one another, wherein:
 during step a., a following sub-step is performed: arranging each article ( 1 ) vertically when it is in the above-mentioned predefined formation; and wherein   before or together with step c., a following step is performed: rotating each article ( 1 ) taken in step b. so as to arrange the article ( 1 ) horizontally.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a conveyor line (L) for transporting the containers ( 2 ,  20 ), presenting the containers ( 2 ,  20 ) without articles ( 1 ) and distancing the containers once all the housings ( 21 ,  210 ) thereof house respective articles ( 1 ), the housings ( 21 ,  210 ) in each container being arranged in at least a line, wherein, in the method:
 during step a., a following substep is performed: arranging, in the predefined formation, a number of articles ( 1 ) which is at least equal to the number of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of the line in a container ( 2 ,  20 ),   during step b., a following substep is performed: picking up and taking to the container ( 2 ,  20 ) a number of articles ( 1 ) equal to the number of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of the line in the containers ( 2 ,  20 ),   during step c., a following substep is performed: inserting each articles picked up and taken to the container in step b. into a respective housing of the line in the container,   steps a., b. and c. are repeated and applied cyclically to each of the housings ( 2 ,  210 ) and are actuated such that stage a. has a duration which is at most equal to a sum of a duration of step b. and step c., so that step a. of a cycle in which the articles destined to be inserted in a given line of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of a container ( 2 ,  20 ) are predisposed can be completed during steps b. and c. applied in the preceding cycle to a further line of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of the same container ( 2 ,  20 ) or in a further container; and wherein   after respective articles ( 1 ) are housed in all the housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of the container ( 2 ,  20 ), the container ( 2 ) is distanced by means of the conveyor line (L);   whereby the housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of other containers ( 2 ,  20 ) can receive respective articles ( 1 ) and the steps of the method can be repeated from the start, for as long as articles ( 2 ) are presented at the outlet of the machine (M).   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during step a., the following substeps are performed:
 distancing the articles ( 1 ) progressively presented at the outlet (U) of the machine (M) from the outlet (U), so as to form at least a line, comprising a plurality of articles ( 1 );   moving the line of articles ( 1 ) that have exited the machine (M) distancingly from the outlet (U) of the machine (M), the line being the predefined formation;   moving the line of articles ( 1 ) that have exited the machine (M) continuously;   and wherein during step b., a following substep is performed: removing the articles ( 1 ) from the line in a following-mode, while the line is actually moving.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the conveyor line (L) transports the containers ( 2 ,  20 ) continuously, wherein step c. is actuated as follows: inserting the articles ( 1 ) in the respective housings ( 21 ,  210 ) of a line in a container ( 2 ,  20 ), maintaining them separated from one another and in a following-mode, while the containers are moving borne on the conveyor line (L). 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for transferring a plurality of articles ( 1 ) at least partially made of a fragile material, such as for example syringes for injections, by an automatic machine (M), which presents the articles ( 1 ) at an outlet (U) thereof separated from one another, to containers ( 2 ,  20 ) having a plurality of housings ( 21 ,  210 ) in each of which the articles ( 1 ) can be singly accommodated so as to be separated from one another; the apparatus comprising:
 at least a drawing device ( 5 ) for receiving and taking delivery of a plurality of articles ( 1 ) which exit the machine (M) as and when they are presented at the outlet (U) thereof; and   at least a pick-up and place device ( 3 ) for removing the articles from the drawing device ( 5 ), taking them to the container ( 2 ,  20 ) and inserting them in respective housings ( 21 ,  210 ) thereof,   wherein in the apparatus (A):   the drawing device ( 5 ) comprises a plurality of mobile seatings ( 51 ) for singly housing respective articles ( 1 ) presented at the outlet (U) of the machine (M) and moves the housed articles ( 1 ) distancingly from the outlet (U) of the machine (M), the mobile seatings ( 51 ) being arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the articles ( 1 ) housed therein are maintained separated from one another, and wherein   the pick-up and place device ( 3 ) comprises at least a gripping means ( 30 ) configured such as to be able to pick up or alternatively release a plurality of articles ( 1 ) and to maintain the picked-up articles separate from one another.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein elongate articles ( 1 ) are transported, each elongate article comprising one or more lateral walls ( 110 ), a support element ( 10 ) which projects laterally, and a bottom ( 11 ) at a lower end thereof, wherein, in the apparatus (A), the drawing device ( 5 ) comprises at least a rest guide ( 52 ) for supporting the articles ( 1 ) presented at the outlet (U) of the machine (M), the rest guide ( 52 ) being configured so as to be able to restingly slidingly receive the support elements ( 10 ) of the articles, leave a bottom ( 11 ) thereof free and enable distancing thereof from the outlet (U) of the machine (M). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the drawing device ( 5 ) comprises at least an Archimedes screw ( 50 ) rotatable about a central rotating axis which passes through the outlet (U) of the machine (M), with a first end of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) being locatable at the outlet (U) of the machine (M), the Archimedes screw having, at a lateral periphery thereof, a helical groove ( 500 ) arranged about the central axis, which groove ( 500 ) is dimensioned such as to be able to receive an article ( 1 ) arranged vertically, abutting the lateral wall ( 110 ) of the article ( 1 ), the groove ( 500 ) further originating from the first end of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) so as to be able to directly accommodate the articles ( 1 ) presented at the outlet (U) of the machine (M). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the rest guide ( 52 ) is straight, is positionable parallel to the rotation axis of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) and is further arrangeable with respect thereto such that the groove ( 500 ) of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) defines, together with the rest guide ( 52 ), the plurality of mobile seatings ( 51 ), which are arranged in a line along the longitudinal development of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ), each article ( 1 ) being housable in each of the mobile seatings ( 51 ) accommodated in the groove ( 50 ) and resting on the straight guide ( 52 ) on the respective support element ( 10 ) with the free bottom ( 11 ), each mobile seating ( 51 ) moving along the longitudinal development of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ), distancingly from the outlet of the machine (M) when the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) is activated in rotation. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a straight passage ( 520 ) is afforded in the rest guide ( 52 ), which straight passage ( 520 ) is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) and is defined by two lateral edges ( 521 ,  522 ) facing one another, the straight passage ( 530 ) being arranged above the Archimedes screw ( 50 ) and having a width which is such that the articles ( 1 ) can be freely inserted between the lateral edges ( 521 ,  522 ) only up to relative support elements ( 10 ) thereof, such that two opposite sides of each support element ( 10 ) are each received restingly on a different lateral edge ( 521 ,  522 ) flanking and defining the passage ( 50 ) of the guide and rest element ( 52 ). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the gripping means comprise a plurality of pliers ( 30 ), each of which is closable for solidly gripping an article ( 1 ) or alternatively openable for releasing the article, the pliers ( 30 ) being arranged at a reciprocal distance such that the articles ( 1 ), while being picked up and once picked up by a respective pliers ( 30 ), are maintained separated from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein elongate articles ( 1 ) are transported, each elongate article comprising one or more lateral walls ( 110 ), wherein, in the apparatus (A), each pliers ( 30 ) comprises a pair of jaws ( 31 ) that are reciprocally rotatable with respect to a rotation axis, alternatively to near and thus close the pliers ( 30 ) or to distance and open the pliers ( 30 ), the jaws ( 31 ) having a shape such that, when the pliers ( 30 ) close, an article ( 1 ) can be coupled thereto, solidly gripping the lateral wall ( 100 ) which is gripped between the jaws ( 31 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the pick-up means ( 3 ) comprises at least a thrust element ( 32 ), arrangeable inferiorly of the pick-up device and comprising an upper abutting surface ( 320 ), the thrust element ( 32 ) being able to oscillate vertically such that when thrust element performs an upwards run, the thrust element can push, with the upper surface ( 320 ) thereof, the free bottom ( 11 ) of articles housed in the mobile seatings, causing an upper part ( 101 ) of the pushed articles ( 1 ) comprising the support element ( 10 ) to project superiorly of the mobile seating and the rest guide ( 21 ),   the plurality of pliers ( 30 ) being arrangeable above the pick-up device; and wherein   each of the relative pliers ( 30 ) is closable in order to grip one of the articles ( 1 ) pushed upwards by the thrust element ( 32 ), solidly gripping it by the upper projecting part ( 101 ) thereof, or is alternatively openable in order to release the article ( 1 ).   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , for transferring articles ( 1 ) to containers, each container having a tray ( 20 ) for receiving articles ( 1 ) made of a fragile material, each tray comprising a plurality of open housings ( 210 ), accessible superiorly, and able to singly house the articles ( 1 ) lying horizontally so that the articles ( 1 ) are separated from one another, wherein, in the apparatus (A), each pliers ( 30 ) comprises a pair of jaws ( 31 ) that are dimensioned such as to insert in a housing ( 210 ) in order to grip an article ( 1 ); and further the gripping means comprises a rotation device connected to the plurality of pliers ( 30 ) so as to be able to rotate the articles ( 1 ) picked up from the drawing device ( 5 ) so as to arrange them horizontally in order to be able to insert them in the relative housings ( 210 ) of the tray ( 20 ). 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said pick-up and place device ( 3 ) comprises a robot ( 4 ) for supporting and moving the plurality of pliers ( 30 ) in space. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a conveyor line (L) for transporting the containers ( 2 , 20 ), for presenting containers ( 20 ) without articles ( 1 ) and then for distancing the containers once all housings ( 21 ,  210 ) thereof are accommodating respective articles ( 1 ), the housings being arranged in at least a line, wherein the robot ( 400 ) comprises:
 a bearing body ( 40 ) destined to oscillate between loading positions thereof, by a flank of the pick-up device, and an unloading position thereof, in proximity of a container transported by the conveyor line,   a guide ( 41 ) for constraining oscillation of the bearing body ( 40 ),   a motor for displacing the bearing body ( 40 ) along the guide ( 41 ) or for halting the bearing body ( 40 ) at any position along the guide ( 41 ); and   a support arm ( 42 ) solidly mounted to the bearing body ( 40 ), on which support arm ( 42 ) the plurality of pliers ( 30 ) is mounted, the support arm ( 42 ) being movable such as to displace the pliers ( 30 ) along two Cartesian axes of a vertical plane;   when in the loading position, the bearing body ( 40 ) being arranged with respect to the drawing device ( 5 ) such that the support arm ( 42 ) can lift the pliers ( 30 ), once the pliers ( 30 ) have gripped the articles ( 1 ), so as to extract the articles ( 1 ) from the respective mobile seatings ( 51 ), and the bearing body ( 40 ), when in the unloading position, being further arranged with respect to the conveyor line (L) such that the arm ( 42 ) can lower the pliers ( 30 ) which bear the articles in order for the articles ( 1 ) to be inserted in respective housings of a container to which they are destined.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein: the pliers ( 30 ) are arranged in a horizontal line; the pick-up and place device ( 3 ) further comprises a pusher organ ( 34 ) solidly mounted to the bearing body ( 40 ) of the robot ( 400 ) and inferiorly fixed to the thrust element ( 32 ), activatable to cause the vertical oscillation of the thrust organ ( 32 ); and wherein
 the thrust element ( 32 ) is mounted on the pusher organ ( 34 ) such that the upper abutting surface ( 320 ) is vertically below the line of pliers ( 30 ).   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , usable for transferring articles ( 1 ) which each comprise a syringe for injections, which syringe comprises a barrel ( 100 ) for the liquid to inject, the upper element ( 10 ) is a collar formed at a rim of a mouth of the tube ( 100 ), and the bottom ( 11 ) of which is a lower end of a safety cap which houses a needle of the syringe, wherein, in the apparatus (A), the rest guide ( 52 ), the groove ( 500 ) of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ), the jaws ( 31 ) of the pliers ( 30 ) and the thrust element ( 32 ) are dimensioned such as to able respectively to: restingly slidingly receive the collars of the barrels of the syringe, accommodate the syringes by abutting a lateral wall thereof, solidly grip the lateral wall of the syringes and push the lower end of the safety cap. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each article ( 1 ) comprises a syringe for injections and a safety device for housing and retaining the needle once an injection has been made, which safety device at least partially includes the barrel ( 100 ) of the syringe between lateral walls thereof, the safety device having lateral projections which constitute the support element ( 10 ) of the article and has a lower end which constitutes the bottom ( 11 ), wherein, in the apparatus (A), the rest guide ( 52 ), the groove ( 500 ) of the Archimedes screw ( 50 ), the jaws ( 31 ) of the pliers ( 30 ) and the thrust element ( 32 ) are dimensioned such as respectively to be able to: restingly sliding receive the lateral projections of the safety device, accommodate the safety device by abutting a lateral wall thereof, solidly grip the lateral wall of the safety device and push the lower end of the safety device.