Feeding assembly to dose tablets in capsules

Abstract

In a feeding assembly to dose tablets in capsules, each capsule is arranged at the outlet of a feeding channel, which, at its inlet, receives a given quantity of tablets delivered by a rotating distribution platen provided with at least one group of dosing holes which are normally closed by a closing plate, which is angularly integral with the distribution platen, and is mobile between a closing position and an opening position of the dosing holes.

1 . A feeding assembly to dose tablets ( 2 ) in capsules ( 3 ), each capsule ( 3 ) comprising a respective bottom ( 4 ) and a lid ( 5 ) to close the bottom ( 4 ), the feeding assembly comprising a dosing station ( 18 ) to dose a given quantity of tablets ( 2 ) in each bottom ( 4 ); a distribution platen ( 8 ), which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis ( 9 ) and is provided with at least one group ( 12 ) of dosing holes ( 13 ), which are each suitable to house at least one respective tablet ( 2 ) and to be fed by the distribution platen ( 8 ) through the dosing station ( 18 ); closing means ( 22 ), which are mounted under the distribution platen ( 8 ) so as to close the dosing holes ( 13 ); and a feeding drum ( 39 ), which is mounted so as to rotate around the rotation axis ( 9 ) and comprises, for each group ( 12 ) of dosing holes ( 13 ), a relative feeding channel ( 40 ) to transfer the relative tablets ( 2 ) into a respective bottom ( 4 ); and being characterized in that the closing means ( 22 ) comprise, for each group ( 12 ) of dosing holes ( 13 ), a respective closing plate ( 24 ), which is angularly integral with the distribution platen ( 8 ) so as to rotate around the rotation axis ( 9 ) and is mobile between a closed position and an open position of the relative dosing holes ( 13 . 
     
     
         2 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each closing plate ( 24 ) has a plurality of transfer holes ( 25 ), which are as many as the dosing holes ( 13 ) of the relative group ( 12 ) of dosing holes ( 13 ) and are moved by the closing plate ( 24 ) between the closing position, in which each transfer hole ( 25 ) is not aligned with the relative dosing hole ( 13 ), and the opening position, in which each transfer hole ( 25 ) is aligned with the respective dosing hole ( 13 ). 
     
     
         3 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each closing plate ( 24 ) is coupled to the distribution platen ( 8 ) in a sliding manner, so as to radially move between said opening and closing positions. 
     
     
         4 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, for each closing plate ( 24 ), a respective elastic pushing device ( 26 ) to move the closing plate ( 24 ) to its closing position and normally keep it there. 
     
     
         5 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 4  and comprising, furthermore, a cam operating device ( 27 ,  28 ) to move the closing plates ( 24 ) from their closing positions to their opening positions against the action of said elastic pushing devices ( 26 ). 
     
     
         6 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the cam operating device ( 27 ,  28 ) comprises a cam ( 27 ), which is mounted in the area of the dosing station ( 18 ), and, for each closing plate ( 24 ), a respective cam follower ( 28 ), which is suitable to be engaged in the cam ( 27 ). 
     
     
         7 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein each cam follower ( 28 ) is coupled to the relative closing plate ( 24 ) so as to move between an operating position, in which the cam follower ( 18 ) intercepts the cam ( 27 ) in order to move the relative closing plate ( 24 ) to its opening position, and a rest position, in which the cam follower ( 28 ) avoids the cam ( 27 ) in order to keep the relative closing plate ( 24 ) in its closing position. 
     
     
         8 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 7  and comprising, furthermore, actuator means ( 38 ), which are mounted in the dosing station ( 18 ) upstream of the cam ( 27 ) in a direction ( 17 ) of movement of the distribution platen ( 8 ) around the rotation axis ( 9 ), so as to selectively move the cam followers ( 28 ) from their operating positions to their rest positions. 
     
     
         9 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, a trimming disc ( 14 ), which is fixed above the distribution platen ( 8 ), has an annular shape and is radially limited by an inner wall ( 16 ) having a distance from the rotation axis ( 9 ) that increases in a direction ( 17 ) of movement of the distribution platen ( 8 ) around the rotation axis ( 9 ). 
     
     
         10 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said distance ranges from a minimum value, in correspondence to which the dosing holes ( 13 ) are closed by the trimming disc ( 14 ), and a maximum value, in correspondence to which the dosing holes ( 13 ) are radially staggered with respect to the trimming disc ( 14 ). 
     
     
         11 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, a vibrating device ( 48 ) to impart a vibrating motion to at least part of each feeding channel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         12 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each feeding channel ( 40 ) comprises an input segment ( 41 ), which converges towards the relative bottom ( 4 ) starting from the relative group ( 12 ) of dosing holes ( 13 ). 
     
     
         13 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, an annular disc ( 33 ), which is mounted under the closing plates ( 24 ) so as to close the closing plates ( 24 ) on the outside of the dosing station ( 18 ) and to define respective suction chambers ( 35 ) to suck the tablets ( 2 ) into the dosing holes ( 13 ); the annular disc ( 33 ) having a suction manifold ( 37 ), which is connected to the suction chambers ( 35 ) upstream and downstream of the dosing station ( 18 ). 
     
     
         14 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the annular disc ( 33 ) has, in the area of the dosing station ( 18 ), an opening ( 34 ) to allow the tablets ( 2 ) to fall along the feeding channels ( 40 ). 
     
     
         15 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, a first control device ( 20 ), which is arranged upstream of the dosing station ( 18 ) in a direction ( 17 ) of movement of the distribution platen ( 8 ) around the rotation axis ( 9 ), so as to check for the presence of tablets ( 2 ) in each dosing hole ( 13 ). 
     
     
         16 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1  and comprising, furthermore, a second control device ( 21 ), which is arranged downstream of the dosing station ( 18 ) in a direction ( 17 ) of movement of the distribution platen ( 8 ) around the rotation axis ( 9 ), so as to check for the absence of tablets ( 2 ) in each dosing hole ( 13 ). 
     
     
         17 . A feeding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each feeding channel ( 40 ) is provided with a measuring device ( 52 ) to measure the weight of the bottom ( 4 ) or the sum of the weights of the bottom ( 4 ) and of the tablets ( 2 ) contained in the bottom ( 4 ).