Apparatus and method for boxing ampoules

Abstract: The machine (1) automatically carries out the operations for ampul boxing, because it comprises the following elements operating in coordination with one another: a framework (2) , a conveyor device (3) for conveying the ampuls, a box transporting and positioning unit (4), an ampul transfer device (5) and an either pneumatic (6) or mechanical (6A) device for transient ampul clamping.

Description: The present invention relates to a packaging machine for ampoules. However, the known packaging machines are not able to perform correctly the discharge operation of the ampoules into a box. The filled boxes of presently known boxing machines frequently have empty spaces between the rows of boxed ampoules. Said empty spaces must be manually filled by the operators. Furthermore, in packaging machines for glass-ampoules as described in EP-A-0325312 and WO-A-91/07321 broken ampoules may be present, because said machines are not generally capable of automatically removing ampoules broken during the loading cycle. At present, the presence of an operator is consequently necessary, with all the consequences which such a situation may cause. Furthermore, the operator is requested to supply a performance which depends on production cycles of a machine. A device for packaging elongated articles is known from CH-A-575854. Having regard to the prior art teachings, it is thus the object of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks, i.e. to provide a machine method which is able to both reliably and automatically perform the boxing operations and, in particular, is capable of eliminating the necessary interventions by the operator in order to complete the rows of ampoules packaged inside the boxes and to remove any broken ampoules. Therefore, the task of the operator is mainly restricted to the check of the machine. This object is achieved by a packaging machine according to claim 1, and a method according to claim 8. The invention is described with reference to the following drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic view of the packaging machine which, with reference to the ampoules advancing direction, is defined as a side view; Figure 2 is a front view of the machine; Figure 3 is a side view of the ampoules conveyor; Figure 4 is a front view of the ampoules conveyor; Figure 5 is a side view of the box transport and positioning device; Figure 6 is a front view of the box transport and positioning device; Figure 7 is a side view of the ampoule transfer device; Figure 8 is a front view box transport and positioning device; Figure 9 is a side view of the ampoule loading device; Figure 10 is a front view of the ampoule loading device; Figure 11 is a schematic view according to the arrow XI of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a side view of the ampoule loading device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and relevant devices; Figure 13 is a front view of the ampoule loading device according to the second embodiment of the invention, and relevant devices; and Figure 14 shows an ampoule loading device according to a third embodiment of the invention, which is different from the second embodiment as regards the structure of stop devices, and Figure 15 is a detail of the stop device. With particular reference to the drawings of Figures 1 and 2, in particular, the packaging machine for ampoules generally indicated with 1, comprises a framework 2, an ampoules conveyor 3, a box transport and positioning device 4, an ampoule transfer device 5 and an ampoule loading device 6. Referring next to Figures 3 and 4, the ampoule conveyor 3 comprises a frame 7, actuator means 8, one pair of fixed rectilinear toothed devices 9 and one pair of mobile rectilinear toothed elements 10. The frame 7 has a substantially "U" shape, is integral with the framework 2 of the packaging machine 1 and supports both the actuator means 8 and the pair of fixed toothed elements 9. The actuator means 8 (see Figures 3 and 4), comprise an actuator element 11 for horizontal translation along a transport direction shown by an axis 12 and two actuator elements 13 (or, at least one of them), for the vertical translation according to vertical axes 14. The actuator element 11 for the horizontal translation is associated with a stroke regulator 15 in order to enable the conveyor 3 to be adapted for transporting ampoules with different diameters. The actuator elements 13 for vertical translation support, at their ends, the pair of mobile toothed elements 10. The toothing of the fixed toothed elements 9 and mobile toothed elements 10 is identical and is such as to create indentations 18, preferably with "V" shape, in order to house ampoules 16 each centered on a respective axis 17 whose projection is perpendicular to axis 12. In their resting position, the pair of fixed toothed elements 9 is at a higher level than of the mobile toothed elements 10, and therefore the ampoules are located inside the indentations 18 provided by the first ones. The "V" shapes of such indentations 18 makes it possible ampoules with different diameters to be housed and automatically centered. During machine operation, the mobile toothed elements 10 are lifted according to the axes 14 (arrow A), owing to the action of the actuator elements 13, such that the bottoms of the mobile indentations reach a higher level than the tops of the fixed indentations. Subsequently, the mobile toothed elements 10 are horizontally shifted (Arrow B) by at least one pitch relatively to their toothing along the axis 12, by the action of the actuator element 11. When the horizontal shift is ended, the mobile toothed elements 10 are moved downwards (Arrow C) according to the axis 14, such that the tops of the mobile indentations reach a lower level than the bottom of the fixed indentations, thus depositing all of the ampoules into the indentations 18 of the fixed toothed elements 9 after being advanced by at least one toothing pitch. The actuator element 11 is now started up and brings the mobile toothed elements 10 back to their respective starting positions, by means of a horizontal translation according to the axis 12 in reversed direction relative to the preceding ones, i.e., contrary to the direction of advancement (arrow D). Such cycles follow each other, causing the advancement of ampoules, with continuity. The ampoules 16 are changed to the conveyor 3 at the indentations 18 placed at the right-hand end (looking at Figure 3) of the conveyor device 3. At that end, also means are provided in order to detect the presence of ampoules 16 inside the indentations. Such means preferably comprise a photocell, not illustrated, which ensures that the conveyor 3 will operate (and consequently the ampoules already charged to it advance), only if the filling of the indentations provided at the right-hand end has taken place. In such a way, it is sure that the loading of ampoules 16 onto the conveyor 3, although carried out by any kind of means, and, possibly, also using per se known means, has actually taken place. Therefore, during this initial step of the packaging cycle, the ampul rows are already complete. Any possible ampoules which may arrive broken to the conveyor 3, are automatically removed by gravity. The broken ampoules fall down through the hollow existing between the toothed elements 9 and 10, and are soon replaced by further ampoules arriving on the conveyor 3, that remains motionless until the photocell has detected the presence of an ampoule on the outermost indentation. The box transporting and positioning device 4 (see Figures 5 and 6), comprises a frame 20, a lifting element 21, a support plane 22 for supporting a box 23, a belt conveyor 24 and at least one stop device 25. The frame 20 is integral with the framework 2 of the boxing machine 1, The lifting element 21 preferably is an either pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder integral with the frame 20 and acting at the barycentre of the support plane 22. According to an alternative embodiment, the lifting element 21 may comprise rack means which are characterized by their action reliability and speed. The support plane 22 is installed inside the free space defined by two belts 26 of the conveyor 24, which are taut on respective pairs of end pulleys 27. During its lifting movement, said support plane is guided, relative to the frame 20, by means of guides 71 and counter-guides 72. The stop device 25 preferably comprises a pin integral with the frame 20 and protruding upwards relatively to both the support plane 22 and the belts 26. The stop device 25 may be integrated by optional side guide means, not illustrated for the sake of simplicity, in order to realize an as precise as possible positioning of the box 23 on the support plane 22, in view of the subsequent filling step disclosed hereinafter. The stop device, and, in particular, the pin 25, may be of retractible type in order to enable the box 23 to further translate in order to be discharged after being filled with ampuls, as is better explained in the following. During the operation of the transport and positioning device 4, a box 23 is loaded by known means, or manually, onto the pair of belts 26. The upper stretches of the pair of belts 26 run in the direction of arrow E, i.e., parallel to axis 12. The box 23 translates until it is stopped against the stop device 25, so centred that its bottom will hang over the centre of the support plane 22, and parallel to it. Owing to the action of the element 21, the support plane 22 is now vertically moved upwards according to the axis 28 (arrow F), by being guided by guides 71 and counter-guides 72, bringing the box to such a position as to be capable of receiving the ampoules temporarily clamped by the ampoule loading device 6, as is better explained in the following. The box transport and positioning device 4 may be associated with a device (not depicted) for opening the flanges of the boxes, in the event the latter are of the type with flanges. The ampoule transfer device 5 (reference is made in particular to Figures 7 and 8) is integral with the structure 2 of the machine, and is installed under the ampoule loading device 6 and above the ampoule conveyor 3. In other terms, the ampoule transfer device 5 is operatively installed between the ampoule conveyor 3 and the ampoule loading device 6. The ampoule transfer device 5 (see Figures 7 and 8), substantially comprises a suction device 29, first actuator means 30 for (vertical) translation according to axes 31, second actuator means 32 for (horizontal) translation according to axis 33, and third actuator means 34 for revolution around the horizontal axis 35, which is parallel to both axes 12 and 33. All of the actuator means 30, 32, 34 operate, either directly or indirectly, onto the suction device 29. Such a device comprises an aligned set of suction cups 36 connected by means of first single ducts 38 with a tubular element 42 which, through a subsequent single duct 40, is connected with a vacuum pump 37 (see Figure 1). The tubular element 42 is supported at its ends by bearings 43 constrained to the structure 2. The suction cups 36 are associated with a toothed element 39 which cooperates in order to keep the ampoules 16 correctly constrained in their expected position. The first actuator means 30 directly act on the suction cups 36, in order to move them along the axes 31. The second actuator means 32 operate associated with a stroke regulator 41 and are structurally identical to those associated with the actuator means 8 of the device 3. The third actuator means 34 comprise, in the herein exemplified case, a pneumatic piston 44, a rack 45 and a gear wheel 46 keyed to an end of the tubular element 42. Under rest conditions, the ampul transfer device 5 is in the position which is illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 1. The suction cups 36 are arranged according to a horizontal axis, the projections of which on axes 33 and 35 are perpendicular to said axes. At operation time, i.e., when an aligned ampoule group 16 must be collected, the third actuator means 34 are started up, arrow G, causing the tubular element 42 to revolve around the axis 35. Consequently, the suction cups 36 of the suction device 29 translate along a circular trajectory the centre of which lies on the axis 35, until the suction cups meet the ampoules 16 which are in waiting position, aligned inside the indentations 18 of the conveyor device 4. Each suction cup 36 "grips", i.e., attaches by suction, an ampoule 16 at the cylindrical body thereof. The third actuator means 34 are started up in the contrary direction to the above (arrow H), causing the suction cups 36 of the suction device 29 to return back to their starting positions, however retaining the ampoules 16 arranged according to a vertical axis the projection of which is perpendicular to axes 33, 35 and 12. The first actuator means 30 vertically lift (arrow L) the suction cups 36 of the suction device 29. The ampuls are transferred to the overhanging device 6, totally filling a row of seats provided on the latter. The actuator means 30 reverse their movement direction (arrow M), and the device 5 returns back to its initial position. In the case when a quincuncial arrangement of the ampoules 16, or of the various ampoule rows, is provided in the ampoule loading device 6 the second actuator means 32 move the ampoules 36 by one step, parallel to the axis 33, before the ampoules are transferred to the ampoule loading device 6 (arrow Q). The ampoule loading device 6, see Figures 9-11, comprises an ampoule clamping head 50, a device 51 for the adjustment of vertical position of the head, a device 52 for horizontally translating the head, and a suction device 53. The ampoule loading device 6 is constrained to the framework 2 of the boxing machine 1 over the ampoule transfer device 5. The ampoule clamping head 50 substantially comprises a first plate 54 and a second plate 55 connected with each other under tightly sealing conditions. The first plate 54 is provided with a plurality of rows of bores arranged according to a quincuncial arrangement, in order to optimize the clamping surface of the same plate, and therefore in order to optimize the useful volume of the box to be filled. Between the plates, suction ducts, not visible, are provided, each acting on one single row of bores 56 and connected through flexible piping 57 with a distributor 58 of the suction device 53. The suction device 53 comprises the distributor 58, the pipes 57, a device 59 for actuating the distributor 58 as a function of the pipe(s) 57 to be fed, and a third pipe 60 for connecting the distributor with the vacuum pump 37, visible in Figure 1. The device for vertical position adjustment 51 comprises mutually opposite pairs of screws 61 and knobs 62. The screws are integral with the plates 55 and 54, and the knobs 62 idly revolve integral with a third plate 63 integral, in turn, with the nut screws 65. By rotating the knobs 62 in either direction, or in the opposite direction, the plates 54 and 55 can be lifted or moved downwards. Such an adjustment is necessary when adapting the device 6 in order to operate on ampoules with different sizes is desired, and therefore, when size is being changed should be carried out before starting a boxing cycle. The horizontal translation device 52 substantially comprises a stepper motor 64, a screw 66 and at least one nut screw 65, a guide 69 and a counter-guide 70. The motor 64 and the guide 69 are integral with the framework 2 and the counter-guide 70 and the nut screw 65 are integral with the third plate 63. The screw 66 revolves around its own axis 68, supported at its ends, by supports 67 integral with the guide 69 and therefore with the framework 2 of the boxing machine. By actuating the motor 64 in either direction, or in the opposite direction, the suction device 53 and the ampoule clamping head 50 are moved in a direction or in the opposite direction, arrows N and P, parallely to axis 68, the position of which is perpendicular to the axis 12 along which the ampuls 16 advance. In the case exemplified herein, the ampoule clamping head 50 has a rectangular shape in plan view, because it is destined to fill a rectangular box with the bottom of the box being of the same shape and size thereof. By changing the shape and the size of the ampoule clamping head 50, however, also boxes having correspondingly different shapes and sizes in plan view, are also possible. For example, one might also think of the boxing machine 1 being also capable of filling boxes of square or circular shape by means of ampoules preferably arranged in quincuncial arrangement. The boxing machine is hence also flexible in use. The operating way of the packing machine 1 as a whole is as follows. The ampoules 16 are continuously charged to the conveyor device 3 at the right-hand end of Figure 3, by using known means. Each ampoule advances along the device 3, by being submitted to a cyclic movement which comprises, for each shift from an indentation 18 to the successive indentation: a vertical movement upwards, Arrow A; a horizontal shift in advancement direction, Arrow B; and a vertical translation downwards, Arrow C. In other terms, each ampoule is moved perpendicularly to its own axis 17, parallel to axis 12. When a group of ampoules 16, in a same number as of the suction cups 36, is aligned on the device 3 in the region of influence of the ampoule transfer device 5, the latter is enabled. By being revolved around the axis 35 of the tubular element 42, the suction cups 36 come into contact with the ampuls 16 which are lying with their axis 17 being horizontally arranged. The ampoules are sucked by suction by the suction cups 36 and translated along a circular trajectory until they reach such a position that their vertical axes pass through the centre of the bores 56 provided through the plate 54. The actuation of the actuator elements 30 upwards, arrow L, causes the upper end of the ampuls 16 to enter a row of bores 54, where they are retained by suction owing to the actuation of the distributor 58 which has previously connected with the suction line the only relevant row of interested bores. Subsequently, the distributor 58 progressively connects with the suction line the rows of bores 56 which are engaged by the ampoules, with simultaneously keeping active the already engaged rows. When the ampoules 16 are inserted, the suction action by the suction cups 36 of the transfer device 5 ends. The motor 64 is enabled, causing the ampoule clamping head 50 to advance by one step, so as to offer a next row of bores 56 ready to receive the subsequent row of ampuls 16. Inasmuch as such a bore row is arranged in quincuncial arrangement relative to the preceding one, in order that the axes of the ampoules may coincide with the centre of the bores, an horizontal shift by one step is necessary, which is supplied to the ampoules by means of the second actuator means 32, arrow Q. When all the rows of bores 56 of the plate 54 are occupied by the ampoules 16, the ampoule clamping head 50 substantially is on the perpendicular of the box transport and positioning device 4 and vertically under a relevant box 23 transported to the correct position by the pair of belts 26, and stopped by the pin 25. The support plane 22 is moved vertically upwards, arrow F, until the ampuls retained by the ampul clamping head 50 come to stand inside the interior of the box 23. The device 53 is switched off and the ampoules 16 are left inside the interior of the box 23 arranged in quincuncial arrangement, so as to take the maximal advantage of the available room. The support plane 22 is lowered (arrow R), and the by now filled box 23 comes to rest on the pair of belts 26. The pin 25 is retracted. The pair of belts is actuated and conveys the box to leave the packing machine (arrow E), ready to be closed and sealed by means of wrapping and heat-shrinking, as well as proper labelling, devices. The operating steps of the boxing machine 1 and of the subsequent machines are scheduled according to the pre-established sequence by means of a computer-supported unit, not illustrated for the sake of simplicity, which can be so programmed as to take into account any changes in size of ampoules, of the head 50 and, obviously of the boxes to be filled. During tests and experiments, it was observed that the ampoule loading device 6, which is of pneumatic type, may operate incorrectly in those cases when, for any reason, one ampoule leaves one of the bores 56, or undergoes breakage inside it. In such a case, through the bore 56, directly communicating with the outside, the suction action is prevailingly discharged, which normally is equally subdivided between all of the bores 56 of a same row, and therefore uniformly acts on all of the relevant ampoules which occupy them. As a consequence, a decrease in clamping action on the ampoules which occupy the bores of the corresponding row occurs, that sometimes may lead to the loss of other ampoules (usually, those ampoules which are the closest to the ampoule lacking bore 56), with consequently a further decrease occurring in the suction action throughout the involved row and the relevant ampoules progressively falling down. In order to obviate such a drawback, one might certainly think of providing a suction force which is more intense than as strictly necessary in order to keep the ampoules clamped; however, such a value cannot exceed certain limits, in order to prevent other negative phenomena from arising. For high depressure values, the device 6 for transient ampul clamping loses its characteristic of "smoothly" sucking and subsequently retaining the ampoules. However, in order to obviate the drawbacks the ampoule loading device 6 of pneumatic type is replaceable, as shown in Figures 12-13, by a mechanical ampoule loading device 6A. In such a device 6A, the corresponding elements to the elements of device 6 are indicated with the same reference numeral, however with an additional "A" suffix. Such a device comprises an ampul clamping head 50A, a vertical position adjustment device 51A, a device for horizontal translation 52A, a locking actuator device 80 and an unlocking actuator device 81. The ampul clamping head 50A substantially comprises a first plate 54A, a set of crosspieces 82, a set of beams 83, a first stop device 84 and a second stop device 85. The first plate 54A is provided with bores 56A preferably arranged in quincuncial arrangement, through which ampoules 16 are slid by the underlying ampoules 16 transfer device 5. The crosspieces 82 have ends 86 with polygonal, however not circular, and preferably hexagonal, shape, suitable for sliding without revolving around their respective longitudinal axes, according to the arrows "S" and "T" inside the interiors of seats 87 provided on the beams 83. For better clarity, when the device 6A is mounted on the boxing machine 1 instead of the device 6, such a sliding movement "S" takes place parallel to the horizontal axes 12 and 35, and prependicular to the axis 68. On each crosspiece 82, opposite to the bores 56A flexible clamping flat springs 88 are provided, which are suitable for engaging the ampoules 16. Each of the crosspieces 82 is centrally provided with a respective elongated opening 90 through which, owing to mechanical reasons, a stationary pin 89 runs. The first stop device 84 and the second stop device 85 are equal to each other. Each of them comprises a pawl 91 revolving relative to a pin 92 and an elastic element constituted by a flat spring 93, as well as a groove 98 provided at the end of the crosspiece 82 with which both devices 84 and 85 are associated. In other terms, on each crosspiece 82 both a first stop devie 84 and a second stop device 85 are active. The vertical position adjustment device 51A comprises, analogously to the device 51, mutually opposite pairs of screws 61A and adjustment knobs or nuts 62A. By varying the position of the nuts 62A along the screws 61A, the vertical position of the ampoule clamping head 50A can be changed. The device for horizontal translation 52A comprises, analogously to the device 51, a stepper motor (not visible in figures), a screw 66A, a nut screw 65A, guides 69A and counter-guides 70A. The screw 66A revolving owing to the action of the stepper motor causes the head 50A to slide along the guides 69A, the counter-guides 70A, and consequently to advance in the direction of the arrow N or P, usually by one step each time, in order to enable a new row of empty bores 56A to be positioned opposite to the underlying ampoule transfer device 5. The locking actuator device 80 substantially comprises an actuator element 94 which may be of either hydraulic or pneumatic type, a first presser element 95 and a second presser element 96. The locking actuator device 80 is constrained to the framework 2 of the boxing machine 1. The first presser element 95 and the second presser element 96 are moved by a stem 97 of the actuator element 94 parallel to the horizontal axes 12 and 33, perpendicular to the axis 68 (arrows "U", "V"). The first presser element 95 acts on the end 86 of the crosspiece 82 which is opposite to it, whilst the second presser element 94 acts on the pawl 91 of the corresponding first stop device 84. The length of the presser elements 95 and 96 is so calculated that the first presser element 95 may act on the relevant crosspiece and 86 only after that the second presser element 96 has caused the pawl 91 to rotate around the pin 92 to a sufficient extent in order to disengage it from the groove 98. The unlocking actuator device 81, which, on the contrary, is integral with the head 50A, comprises, analogously to the locking actuator device 80, an actuator element 99, a first presser element 100 and a second presser element 101. Both the presser elements 100 and 101 are moved by the stem 102 of the actuator element 99 according to arrows U and V. In this case too, the presser elements 100 and 101 have such a length as to respectively act, and with the same timing modalities as of the corresponding elements 95 and 96, on the crosspiece ends 86 and on the pawls 91; however, such elements 100 and 101 substantially are short rods parallel to beams 83. In such a way, the second element 101 simultaneously engages all of the pawls 91, and the first element 100 simultaneously engages all crosspieces 82 ends 86. During the operation of the boxing machine, the rows of ampuls 16 are progressively slid by the transfer device 5 into the bores 56A, owing to the effect of the translation of the head 50A caused by the means 52A for horizontal translation. The clamping flat springs 88 of the crosspieces 82 are in the position as illustrated in Figure 12, i.e., shifted in the direction of the arrow N, in order not to collide with the top portion of the ampoule which is being slid into. When the sliding of the row of ampoules 16 into the corresponding bores is complete and while the device 5 continues to support the inserted ampoules the locking actuator device 80 is started up and causes the presser elements 95 and 96 to translate in the direction as of the arrow V. The second presser element 96 acts on the pawl 91, disengaging it from the groove 98. With the advancement in the direction of arrow "V" continuing, the first presser element acts on the crosspiece end 86 opposite to it and pushes the relevant crosspiece 82 to move in the same direction, causing all of the ampoules 16 of the row to get locked inside the interior of the bores 56A owing to the spring action exerted by the clamping flat springs 88, which are further bent. The translation movement of the crosspiece 82 continues until the pawl 91 opposite to the inserted pawl snaps into its locking position, getting engaged with the groove 98, and blocks in locked position the crosspiece 82. The ampoules 16 of the row are hence clamped inside the interior of the bores 56A by an elastic force perpendicular to their respective longitudinal axes, exerted by the flat springs 88. As one may observe from the drawings, also under resting conditions, each flat spring 88 display a bend 103 which facilitates their task. In fact, such a bend prevents, as far as possible, each flat spring 88 from pressing, owing to the effect of its bending, on one point only on the ampoule 16, i.e., tangentially and at its top. Should such a situation arise, up on considering that each flat spring 88 is constrained to the crosspiece 82 above the same ampoule, it would also apply a force component directed along the axis 17 of the ampoule and directed towards the outside of the ampoule clamping head 50A, i.e., downwards. Therefore, such a force would tend to expel the ampoule 16, hindering the action of the friction forces acting at the interface between the surface of each ampoule 16 and the surface of each bore 56A, which retain said ampoules inside the bores 56A. When the ampoule clamping head 50A is totally filled and is inside the interior of the box to be filled, the simultaneous disengagement of all of the ampoules takes place by actuating the unlocking actuator device 81 in the direction of the arrow U. Owing to the structure of the presser elements 100 and 101, all of the pawls 96 are actuated simultaneously and all the crosspieces 82 are translated in succession in the direction of arrow "U", until all the pawls 91 acting on the crosspiece ends 86 which are opposite to those ends on which the second stop device 85 acts, get engaged with the relevant grooves 98, locking the crosspieces 82 in their "open" position, thus releasing the ampoules 16, which are placed inside the interior of the packaging box. Referring in particular to Figures 14 and 15, the stop devices, which are indicated with the reference numerals 106 and 107, respectively, substantially comprise, for each crosspiece 82, a ball 104 destined to becoming engaged with the relevant groove 98, and pre-loaded by a spring 105. By varying the pre-load of the spring 105 acting onto each ball 104, the resistance to device unlocking can be varied.

Claims: Packaging machine (1) for ampoules, in particular for glass-ampoules (16), the packaging machine having a framework (2) supporting the following operatively coordinated machine stations: a conveyor (3), conveying a single row of ampoules (16) in parallel side by side alignment perpendicular with respect to the transport direction (12) of said conveyor (3), and supported on said conveyor (3) along a substantially horizontal plane; a transfer device (5), transferring a predetermined number of aligned ampoules (16) from said conveyor (3) to an ampoule loading device (6) unloading a group of ampoules (16) taken from said transfer device (5) into a box (23) provided at a box transport and positioning device (4) characterised in that: the ampoule transfer device (5) comprises a row of suction cups (36) being aligned with respect to said transport direction (12) of the conveyor (3), said row of suction cups (36) being in communication with a suction chamber (29), said ampoule transfer device (5) being adapted to perform three different degrees of translatory movements: in a vertically reciprocating direction along axis (31) and actuated by actuator means (30); in a horizontally reciprocating direction along axis (33) actuated by actuator means (32); and in a 90 degree reciprocating rotational direction around the axis (35) actuated by actuator means (34); the ampoule loading device (6) comprises an ampoule clamping head (50), a means (51) for the vertical adjustment of said clamping head, and means (52) for the translation of said clamping head (50) in a horizontal direction along an axis (68) whose projection is perpendicular to the transport direction (12); wherein: upon the 90 degree reciprocating rotation around the axis (35) of the transfer device (5), a row of the ampoules (16) is vertically aligned under the ampoule loading device (6); upon the horizontal displacement of one or both of the transfer device (5) and the ampoule loading device (6), respectively, along the axis (33) and along the axis (68), the ampoules (16) reach a position so that the vertical axis (17) of the ampoules (16) passes through the centre of the bores (56) in the plate (54); the upwardly actuated actuator means (30) causes the upper end of the ampoules (16) to enter a row of bores (56) where they are retained, and the suction action by the suction cups (36) of the transfer device (5) ends, said transfer device (5) moving down along the axis (31) ready to collect the next row of ampoules (16); the ampoule loading device (6) release the ampoules (16) into the box (23) when all the rows of the bores (56) in the plate (54) are occupied by ampoules (16). Packaging machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said ampoule loading device (6) holds the ampoules (16) inside the rows of bores (56) by the suction exerted by the suction device (59). Packaging machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said ampoule loading device (6A) clamps the ampoules (16) inside the rows of bores (56A) by the pressure action performed by an elastic flat spring (88) acting perpendicularly with respect to the axis (17) of each ampoule (16). Packaging machine according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that said rows of bores (56, 56A) are arranged in quincuncial arrangement. Packaging machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveyor (3) comprises a pair of stationary rectilinear toothed elements (9) fastened to the framework (2), a pair of mobile rectilinear toothed elements (10) being provided in parallel arrangement, and movable with respect to said pair of stationary rectilinear toothed elements, both of said pairs of toothed elements (9, 10) being provided with aligned indentation (18) along their length, said mobile toothed elements (10) being capable of orderly performing the following movements: a vertical movement (14) from down upwards (A), until the bottom of the indentations (18) of the mobile toothed elements is at a higher level than the upper end of the indentations (18) of the stationary toothed elements; a horizontal movement (12) by at least one pitch existing between the indentations (18) in the advancement direction (B); a vertical movement (14) from up downwards (c), until the upper end of the indentations (18) of the mobile toothed elements reach a lower level than the bottom of the indentations (18) of the stationary toothed elements; a horizontal movement (12) by at least one pitch in the reverse direction (D), relative with respect to the advancement direction. Packaging machine according to claim 5 characterised in that said indentations (18) have a "V" shape. Packaging machine according to claim 1 characterised in that the box transport and positioning device (4) comprises a support plane (22) for a box (23), provided under one pair of belts (26) horizontally sliding according to an axis (12) in the box advancement direction (E), said support plane (22) having a stop device (25) for said box (23) and being movable in a vertical direction according to an axis (28) towards (F) and from (R) said ampoule loading device (6) to securely hold the ampoules during their transfer. Method for boxing ampoules (16), in particular ampoules (16) of glass type for medical use, comprising: a first step in which the advancement is carried out according to a rectilinear axis (12) of at least one row of ampoules (16) placed side by side to each other with their axes (17) aligned in parallel arrangement and perpendicular with respect to the advancement axis (12), and substantially in a horizontal plane; characterised in that said method comprises the following further steps: a second step in which a row of ampoules (16), having a length equal to one side of the box (23) to be filled, is collected and vertically arranged under an ampoule loading device (6) by a 90 degree rotation around axis (35) parallel with respect to the axis (12); a third step in which said row of ampoules (16) and/or said ampoule loading device (6) are displaced respectively along the horizontal axes (33 and 68) in such a way that the vertical axes (17) of the ampoules passes through the centre of bores (56) of the ampoule loading device (6); a fourth step of vertical translation of said row of ampoules (16) sliding the upper end of each of said ampoules into the bores (56) where they are retained; repetition of said second to fourth steps until the capacity of the ampoule loading device (6) is saturated owing to the sequential addition of successive ampoule (16) rows; a fifth step of positioning the ampoule loading device (6) vertically over with respect to the bottom of the container, and of releasing the rows of ampoules (16) into the box (23).

Inventors: PIAZZA ALDO, PIAZZA, ALDO
Applicants: ADVANCED MACHINERY CO LTD, ADVANCED MACHINERY CO. LTD.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65B23
IPC codes: B65B21, B65B23