IT201800006241A1 - MACHINE FOR MAKING PORTABLE INHALERS WITH MEDICAL PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Description

MACHINE FOR MAKING PORTABLE INHALERS WITH MEDICAL PRODUCTS.

The present invention relates to a machine for making portable inhalers with powdered medical products.

The portable nebulizing inhalers for medical products used directly by a known user comprise two main components: a product cartridge or medical component (usually in powder form) housed in an operating body structured so as to nebulize the product, when requested by the user. , inside the oral cavity or in any case in the respiratory tract of the user.

The operating body is composed of: a first containment portion, even partial, of the cartridge; by a pneumatic circuit for connection with the cartridge and by an outlet of the nebulized product upon user activation by pushing on the cartridge or on a special button on the operating body.

In some known solutions the cartridge is of the interchangeable type when exhausted, in other solutions the cartridge and the operating body are of the disposable type.

Currently, to make this type of portable inhaler there are automatic machines comprising:

- a station for coupling an empty cartridge body inside a seat of the operating body and with the cartridge body having an open end facing outwards; - a movable plane for moving the operating body arranged with the open end of the cartridge upwards;

- a dosing station of the powder product inside the cartridge through the open end; the dosing station is arranged above the movable plane for moving the operating bodies.

Subsequently, the operating body reaches at least one further station for pressurizing the cartridge and for closing the same cartridge.

The product dosing station, of particular interest in the present discussion, comprises;

- a container for containing the powder product;

- a hopper dispenser connected, on one side, to the tank, and on the other side having a counterfeit product outlet end at the open end of the cartridge for depositing the dose of product; the dispenser or the operating body with cartridge have a relative movement of approaching / moving away to allow the drop of the dose of product into the cartridge placed at that moment below the dispenser.

However, this machine structure entails some drawbacks.

A first drawback is given by the fact that the dosed powder product can be contaminated by the air surrounding the dispenser while it is falling towards the cartridge.

Another drawback is given by the fact that any movements of the up / down cartridge can cause product dispersions due to this type of movement and with consequent possible incorrect final dosage of product in the cartridge. A third drawback, linked to the first two drawbacks mentioned above, is given by the need for machine stops for a thorough cleaning of the machine in the presence of a change of powder product to be fed into subsequent cartridges.

The object of the present invention is to make available a machine for manufacturing portable inhalers with medical products which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for manufacturing portable inhalers with medical products capable of accurately dosing the product into the cartridge.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a machine for manufacturing portable inhalers with medical products capable of guaranteeing high productivity in the formation of the inhaler and, at the same time, a reduced dispersion of the product. Said purposes are fully achieved by the machine for manufacturing portable inhalers with medical products according to the present invention, which is characterized by the contents of the claims reported below.

The technical characteristics of the invention will be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a machine for making portable inhalers with medical products, according to the present invention, in a perspective view from above;

Figure 2 illustrates a detail on an enlarged scale of the machine of Figure 1 and in particular of a dispensing station for a product;

- figures 3 and 4 show the dosing station of figure 2 in two different operating configurations, both figures are in a lateral schematic view with some parts in section and others removed to better highlight some details.

With reference to the attached figures, and in particular to figure 1, the machine in question, globally indicated with 100, is used to manufacture portable inhalers 1 with medical products to be nebulized.

Each inhaler 1 comprises a cartridge 2 filled with a dose of powdery product to be nebulized.

The cartridge 2 is housed, at least partially, inside a seat 3 of an operating body 4 which can be manipulated by a user for its use.

The type of inhalers 1 can change in shape with respect to what is illustrated without thereby limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a movement plane 5 for moving, along a direction A of advancement, a plurality of operating bodies 4 in succession each having an empty cartridge 2 having an open end mouth 2a.

The machine 100 also comprises a powder product feeding station 6 configured to feed the empty cartridge 2 with a dose of powder product through its open end mouth 2a.

The feeding station 6 is arranged above the plane 5 for moving the operating bodies 4.

The movement plane 5 comprises a belt 5a closed in a loop on a pair of motorized pulleys.

The belt 5a is provided with a series of radially projecting walls 5b adapted to define individual housing seats for the body 4 operating with the empty cartridge 2 facing upwards.

The operating bodies 2 are fed into the housing seats at one end of the belt 5a which, by advancing along the movement direction A, carries the operating bodies 4 towards the dosing station 6.

As illustrated, the powder product feeding station 6 comprises a dosing head 7 slidably connected, at one end thereof, to a hopper 8 for the metered feeding of powdery product.

The dosing head 7 has a duct 9 passing through for the powder product to fall into the empty cartridge 2 through the free end of the dosing head 7. The feeding station 6 comprises movement members 10 for moving the dosing head 7, along an axis Z perpendicular to the movement plane 5, between a first raised inoperative position (figure 3), in which the dosing head 7 is moved away from the movement plane 5, and a lowered operating position, in which the metering head 7 is approached to the movement plane 5 and engages the open end mouth 2a of the empty cartridge 2 (Figure 4).

Again according to what is illustrated, the feeding station 6 also comprises a lower closing plate 11 of the duct 9 of the dosing head 7 arranged in proximity to the same dosing head 7 and movable at least between a first rear inoperative position (figure 4), in in which the plate 11 is moved away from the free end of the metering head 7, and an advanced operating position, in which the plate 11 is arranged in contact with the metering head 7 to close the free end of the same metering head 7 in correspondence with the inoperative position of the dosing head 7 (Figure 3).

The feeding station 6 also comprises a first suction unit 12 connected to the dosing head 7 for the suction of residues of powdery product present inside the duct 9 of the dosing head 7 and which can be activated in correspondence with the raised inoperative position of the head. 7 dosage.

It should be noted that the feeding station 6 comprises the hopper 8 supported by a base frame 8a arranged behind the dosing head 7.

The frame 8a also supports other components, such as the plate 11, and the product housing and metering systems, such as for example the augers for feeding the product to the metering head 7.

The machine comprises a second suction unit 13 connected to the closing plate 11 for the suction of residues of powdery product falling onto the closing plate 11 from the duct 9 of the dosing head 7.

In this opening, the second suction unit 13 can be activated at the advanced operating position of the closing plate 11 (Figure 3).

The machine also comprises a pair of pincer arms 14, 15 for bilateral retention of the empty cartridge 2 at least in correspondence with the passage of the metering head 7 from the first raised inoperative position to the second lowered operating position.

The pincer arms 14 and 15 are advantageously used to center and stabilize the empty cartridge 2 along the descent axis of the dosing head 7 so as to ensure the correct coupling of the cartridge 2 - the dosing head 7.

Preferably, the metering head 7 is composed of a bushing 16 sliding inside a hollow cylinder 17 protruding from the hopper 8.

In this opening, the bushing 16 has the conduit 9 passing coaxial to the hollow cylinder 17.

This telescopic structure of the dosing head 7 allows to limit the movement to a single component that is part of the dosing structure, eliminating handling components in heavier and bulky parts of the rear dosing system and making the product unloading phase more precise and rapid. .

Preferably, the first suction unit 12 comprises a first suction duct 18 formed on an arm 19 for supporting and moving the dosing head 7.

The arm 19 being associated with a first actuator 20 configured to move the arm 19 and the dosing head 7 between the first raised inoperative position and the second lowered operating position, so as to define the moving members 10 for the dosing head 7 ( figure 2).

The arm 19 is arranged as a bridge over the belt 5a and facing the frame 8a so as to support the dosing head 7 without affecting the working spaces of the dosing head 7 itself.

In this opening, the arm 19 has a ring-shaped end which surrounds the metering head 7.

As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a trolley 21 for supporting the closing plate 11 and for the pair of pincer arms 14, 15.

The trolley 21 (schematically illustrated in figures 3 and 4) is movable between a raised position (figure 3), in which the trolley 21 is moved away from the handling plane 5, and a lowered position, in which the trolley 21 is approached to the plane 5 handling (figure 4).

The trolley 21 is preferably housed in the frame 8a of the feeding station 6 and is provided with height-moving members 21a (illustrated with a block in figures 3 and 4)

The trolley 21 supports a second actuator 22 connected to the closing plate 11 and capable of moving the plate 11, according to a direction 11D transversal to the perpendicular Z axis of movement of the dosing head 7 with respect to the movement plane 5, between the first backward inoperative position, in which the plate 11 is moved away from the free end of the metering head 7, and the second advanced operative position, in which the cap 11 is arranged in contact with the metering head 7.

In this opening, the second actuator 22 can be activated in correspondence with the raised position of the carriage 21.

It should be noted that the carriage 21 also supports a third actuator 23 connected to the pair of gripper arms 14 and 15 and capable of moving the pair of gripper arms 14 and 15 between an open inoperative position (Figure 2) and a closed operating position. (Figure 4), in which the pair of pincer arms 14 and 15 are in bilateral contact with the cartridge 2.

In this opening, the third actuator 23 can be activated on the pair of pincer arms 14 and 15 between the open position and the closed position in correspondence with the lowered position of the carriage 21.

In other words, according to the position of the carriage 21 (top / bottom) the actuators which move the plate 11 or the pair of arms 14 and 15 are activated in phase.

It should be noted that the closing plate 11 has a concave internal conformation that flows into a central open portion and connected to a second duct 24 for aspirating the residue of powdery product falling from the duct 9 of the dosing head 7.

The first 18 and the second 24 suction ducts can be connected to a single unit for the generation of a vacuum or to individual units for the generation of a vacuum. In the illustrated case, two are indicated with corresponding blocks.

The present invention provides acne a method for feeding a dose of a powdered medical product into portable inhalers 1.

The method comprises the following steps in succession:

- a provision of an operating body 4 having the cartridge 2 empty with the open end mouth 2a;

- bringing the metering head 7 closer to the end mouth 2a of the empty cartridge 2 by lowering;

- a dosing, by gravity, of the powdery product inside the cartridge 2 through the duct 9 for the passage of the dosing head 7;

- a removal, by lifting, of the dosing head 7 from the cartridge 2; - a closure of the duct 9 for the passage of the powdery product of the dosing head 7 with the closing plate 11 arranged in contact with a lower part of the dosing head 7;

- a first suction in the passage duct 9 for collecting residues of the powdery product inside the passage duct 9.

Preferably, the method comprises a second suction in the passage duct 9 for removing residues of the powdery product inside the duct 9 for passing through the closing plate 11 arranged in contact with the dosing head 7.

In this opening, the second suction phase is carried out simultaneously with the first suction phase.

Preferably, the method also comprises, prior to or simultaneously with the step of approaching, by lowering, the dosing head 7 to the end mouth 2a of the empty cartridge 2, a step for holding and stabilizing the empty cartridge 2 by means of the pair of arms 14, 15 with pliers.

Thanks, therefore, to a machine structured in this way, the set aims are achieved with innumerable advantages.

The structure of the product feeding station with a mobile dosing head allows to minimize the mechanical components in movement relative to the part affected by the powders.

The telescopic movement system of the dosing head is extremely flexible and allows the system to be used for any type of powder product and for any type of inhaler to be formed.

Thanks again to the telescopic system and to the independent suction and centering cartridge groups, it is possible to use the system for different designs of inhalers / containers and quantitatively different dosing systems.

The presence of suction systems along the feeding duct of the dosing head allows to reduce the presence of powders around the machine during the transitional phases between one dosing phase and another and without in any case having significant product losses during the cycle. .

Furthermore, the powder product, during filling, is not exposed to external air flows that can cause external contamination.

Thanks to the simple and compact structure of all components, maintenance and cleaning operations are extremely simple and fast.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Machine for making portable inhalers (1) with medical products each comprising a cartridge (2) filled with a dose of powdery product to be nebulized and housed, at least partially, inside a seat (3) of a operational body (4) manipulated by a user for its use; the machine (100) comprising at least: - a movement plane (5) for moving, along a direction (A) of advancement, a plurality of operating bodies (4) in succession each having an empty cartridge (2) having an open end mouth (2a); - a powder product feeding station (6) configured to feed the empty cartridge (2) with a dose of powder product through its open end mouth (2a); the feeding station (6) being arranged above the plane (5) for moving the operating bodies (4); characterized in that said feeding station (6) for the powdery product comprises at least: - a dosing head (7) slidably connected, at one of its ends, to a hopper (8) for the dosed feeding of powdery product; the dosing head (7) having a duct (9) passing through the fall of the powdery product into the empty cartridge (2) through the free end of the dosing head (7); - movement members (10) for moving the dosing head (7), along an axis (Z) perpendicular to the movement plane (5), between a first raised inoperative position, in which the dosing head (7) is moved away from the handling surface (5), and a lowered operating position, in which the dosing head (7) is approached to the handling surface (5) and engages the open end mouth (2a) of the empty cartridge (2) ; - a lower closing plate (11) of the duct (9) of the dosing head (7) arranged in proximity to the same dosing head (7) and movable at least between a first backward inoperative position, in which the plate (11) is away from the free end of the dosing head (7), and an advanced operating position, in which the plate (11) is arranged in contact with the dosing head (7) to close the free end of the same head (7) metering at the inoperative position of the metering head (7); - a first suction unit (12) connected to the dosing head (7) for the suction of residues of powdery product present inside the duct (9) of the dosing head (7) and activated in correspondence with the raised inoperative position of the dosing head (7). 2. Machine according to claim 1, comprising a second suction unit (13) connected to the closing plate (11) for the suction of residues of powdery product falling onto the closing plate (11) from the duct (9) of the head (7) dosing; the second suction unit (13) being activated in correspondence with the advanced operating position of the closing plate (11). 3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a pair of pincer arms (14, 15) for bilateral retention of the empty cartridge (2) at least in correspondence with the passage of the dosing head (7) from the first raised inoperative position to the second lower operating position. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the metering head (7) is composed of a bushing (16) sliding inside a hollow cylinder (17) protruding from the hopper (8); the bushing (16) having the conduit (9) passing coaxial to the hollow cylinder (17). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first suction unit (12) comprises a first suction duct (18) formed on an arm (19) for supporting and moving the dosing head (7); the arm (19) being associated with a first actuator (20) configured to move the arm (19) and the metering head (7) between the first raised inoperative position and the second lowered operating position, so as to define the members ( 10) for moving the dosing head (7). 6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, comprising a carriage (21) for supporting the closing plate (11) and for the pair of gripper arms (14, 15); the trolley (21) being movable between a raised position, in which the trolley (21) is moved away from the handling plane (5) and a lowered position, in which the trolley (21) is approached to the handling plane (5). 7. Machine according to claim 6, in which the trolley (21) supports a second actuator (22) connected to the closing plate (11) and capable of moving the plate (11), according to a direction (11D) transversal to the perpendicular axis (Z) of movement of the dosing head (7) with respect to the movement plane (5), between the first backward inoperative position, in which the plate (11) is moved away from the free end of the dosing head (7) , and the second advanced operating position, in which the plate (11) is arranged in contact with the metering head (7); the second actuator (22) being activated in correspondence with the raised position of the carriage (21). 8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 6 and 7, in which the carriage (21) supports a third actuator (23) connected to the pair of gripper arms (14, 15) and capable of moving the pair of arms (14 , 15) with gripper between an open inoperative position and a closed operating position, in which the pair of gripper arms (14, 15) is in bilateral contact with the cartridge (2); the third actuator (23) being activated on the pair of pincer arms (14, 15) between the open position and the closed position in correspondence with the lowered position of the carriage (21). 9. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the closing plate (11) has a concave internal conformation confluent in a central open portion and connected to a second suction duct (24) for the aspiration of the residual powdery product in falling from the duct (9) of the metering head (7). 10. Method for feeding a dose of a powdered medical product into portable inhalers (1) each comprising a cartridge (2) for the dose of powdered product to be nebulized housed, at least partially, inside a seat ( 3) of an operational body (4) that can be manipulated by a user for its use; the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the following phases in succession: - a provision of at least one operating body (4) having an empty cartridge (2) with an open end mouth (2a); - approaching, by lowering, a dosing head (7) to the end mouth (2a) of the empty cartridge (2); - a dosing, by gravity, of the powdery product inside the cartridge (2) through a duct (9) for the passage of the dosing head (7); - a removal, by lifting, of the metering head (7) from the cartridge (2); - a closure of the duct (9) for the passage of the powdery product of the dosing head (7) with a closing plate (11) arranged in contact with a lower part of the dosing head (7); - a first suction in the passage duct (9) for the withdrawal of residues of the powdery product inside the passage duct (9). 11. Method according to claim 10, comprising a second suction in the passage duct (9) for collecting residues of the powdery product inside the duct (9) for passing through the closing plate (11) arranged in contact with the dosing head (7); the second suction phase being carried out simultaneously with the first suction phase. Method according to claim 10 or 11, comprising, prior to or simultaneously with the step of approaching, by lowering, the metering head (7) to the end mouth (2a) of the empty cartridge (2), a holding and stabilizing step cartridge (2) empty.