Patent Application
20240249584
The present disclosure relates to a hopper for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments, an outlet valve for use in said hopper, a dispensing device comprising said hopper and a method for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,457,427 B2 discloses an apparatus for dispensing solid substances, wherein the apparatus comprises a feeder section with a plurality of feeder units and a collection section with a plurality of hoppers located below the plurality of feeder units. The plurality of hoppers are rotatable with respect to the feeder units for receiving solid substances from one or more of said feeder units. Each hopper is provided with a hopper outlet for dispensing the solid substances to a packing unit below and a dispensing valve at the hopper outlet that is movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the hopper outlet.
A disadvantage of the known hopper is that they are part of a circular array of hoppers that is moved in a fast, stepped rotation along the plurality of feeder units. Consequently, the solid substances collected in the hopper outlet are repeatedly subjected to sudden horizontal forces that cause the solid substances to behave unpredictably. In particular, the solid substances tend to bounce off each other and the internal surfaces of the hopper. The discrete medicaments may be damaged as a result.
Moreover, when the dispensing valve is moved to the open position shortly after stepped movement of the respective hopper into a packaging position above the packing unit, some of the solid substances contained in the hopper outlet just above the dispensing valve may still be bouncing and will not fall out immediately. Moreover, the trajectories of the solid substances become unpredictable as a result of the bouncing. Some solid substances may fall outside of the receiving funnel of the packing unit.
Hence, precautionary measures, such as additional sensors or longer waiting times, have to be taken to ensure that all solid substances collected in the hopper are correctly dispensed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hopper for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments, an outlet valve for use in said hopper, a dispensing device comprising said hopper and a method, wherein the reliability of the dispensing of discrete medicaments from the hopper can be improved.
According to a first aspect, a Hopper for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments is provided, wherein the hopper comprises a hopper inlet, a hopper outlet and an outlet valve in the hopper outlet that is movable between a closed position in which the outlet valve blocks passage of the discrete medicaments out of the hopper through the hopper outlet and an open position in which the outlet valve allows passage of the discrete medicaments out of the hopper through the hopper outlet in a drop direction, wherein the outlet valve has a valve body that defines a holding surface at a side of the valve body that supports the discrete medicaments in the hopper outlet when the outlet valve is in the closed position, wherein said holding surface has a cross section for receiving the discrete medicaments, wherein said cross section is trough-shaped. The hopper further comprises a valve position sensor for detecting the open position and/or the closed position of the outlet valve.
The kinetic energy of the falling discrete medicaments can be absorbed by the downwardly angled or tapering sides of the trough-shaped cross section before the discrete medicaments reach the bottom of the holding surface where they can be supported in a reliable manner prior to dispensing. Hence, the discrete medicaments are less likely to bounce back up from the trough-shaped cross section.
Moreover, the hopper, as part of a circular array of hoppers in a dispensing device rotating along a plurality of feeder positions and/or one or more packing positions, is repeatedly subjected to a fast stepped, sideways movement which can generate both horizontal and centrifugal forces on the discrete medicaments supported on the holding surface. The trough-shaped cross section forms a recessed volume that can receive a plurality of discrete medicaments in a closely packed manner, thereby reducing the chances of the discrete medicaments bouncing off and/or damaging each other. More in particular, the trough-shaped cross section allows the discrete medicaments, urged by the centrifugal force exerted on the rotating circular array of hoppers, to become nested as close as possible to the bottom of the trough-shaped cross section of the holding surface, thereby minimizing or preventing that the horizontal forces exerted on the discrete medicaments with each stepped movement of the hopper cause unpredictable bouncing and/or damage.
Detection of the open position and/or the closed position of the valve by the sensor can provide insight into the correct operation and/or any faults occurring with the outlet valve during the operation. In particular, it can be detected when the outlet valve does not fully return to the closed position, for example because at least part of a discrete medicament is stuck between the outlet valve and the hopper outlet.
The aforementioned technical effects further ensure that the discrete medicaments, at the moment of dispensing, are relatively stationary with respect each other and/or the hopper. As a result, the discrete medicaments can fall uniformly and/or without substantial delay, and in particular with less chances of significant trajectory altering contact between said discrete medicaments.
In one embodiment the outlet valve is rotatable between the closed position and the open position about a valve axis, wherein the cross section is parallel to the valve axis. In other words, the outlet valve can have a trough-shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the valve axis, such that when the outlet valve is rotated towards the open position, the holding surface can drop away from underneath the discrete medicaments in the direction in which the trough-shape tapers.
In a further embodiment the valve body comprises a first half and a second half that converge in the drop direction from opposite sides of a mid-plane. Said halves can effectively deflect the discrete medicaments as they fall towards the lower portion of the holding surface, and absorb kinetic energy of the discrete medicaments along the way.
Optionally, the first half and the second half are symmetrical about said mid-plane. Consequently, the discrete medicaments can behave similarly when contacting any one of the halves.
Additionally or alternatively, the outlet valve is rotatable between the closed position and the open position about a valve axis, wherein the mid-plane extends perpendicular to the valve axis. Again, when the outlet valve is rotated towards the open position, the holding surface can drop away from underneath the discrete medicaments in the direction in which the halves taper.
In a further embodiment the valve body further comprises a valley interconnecting the first half and the second half, wherein the valley extends linearly. The discrete medicaments can be received on the holding surface in a uniform manner, e.g. more or less in a single file, so that they can be dropped more uniformly when the outlet valve is moved towards the open position.
In one particular embodiment the cross section is at least partially V-shaped. The inclined side walls of the V-shaped cross section can effectively deflect the discrete medicaments towards the bottom of the holding surface and/or absorb the kinetic energy of said discrete medicaments.
Alternatively, the cross section is at least partially concave. Like the V-shaped cross section, the concave side walls of the concave cross section may be equally suited for deflecting the discrete medicaments and/or absorbing the kinetic energy thereof.
In another embodiment in the cross section the holding surface has a width and a depth that is at least half the width. The cross section can thus be sufficiently deep or steep to receive a plurality of the discrete medicaments with a reduced chance of the discrete medicaments bouncing back from or out of the volume defined within said cross section.
In another embodiment the holding surface has a longitudinal direction that is at an oblique angle to the horizontal plane when the outlet valve is in the closed position. The oblique orientation of the holding surface can promote the nesting of the discrete medicaments in the trough-shaped cross section thereof, especially under the influence of the aforementioned centrifugal forces experienced during rotation of the array of hoppers. In, particular, the hopper would be positioned in the array of hoppers in such a way that the holding surface is at an obtuse angle or perpendicular to the centrifugal force.
In another embodiment the hopper is provided with a pin, wherein the outlet valve is rotatable about said pin between the closed position and the open position, wherein the outlet valve at the location of the pin is provided with a reinforcement bushing to receive the pin. The reinforcement bushing can increase the lifetime of the hopper by preventing the outlet valve wearing out early and becoming detached from the pin after a period of repeated opening and closing of the outlet valve.
Optionally, the reinforcement bushing has a thickness in an axial direction parallel to the pin that is thicker than valve body directly around said reinforcement bushing. The rest of the valve body does not need to be reinforced because it is not subjected to wear relative to the pin. Hence, by only locally increasing the thickness, the overall weight of the outlet valve can be kept to a minimum.
In another embodiment the outlet valve further comprises a lever that is operable to move the outlet valve between the closed position and the open position. The lever can be operated manually or by an actuator. The actuator may be part of the hopper, or located externally to said hopper, for example at one of the packing positions of the dispensing device.
According to a second aspect, an outlet valve for use in a hopper outlet of a hopper is provided, wherein the outlet valve has a valve body that defines a holding surface at a side of the valve body that, in use, supports discrete medicaments in the hopper outlet when the outlet valve is in a closed position, wherein said holding surface has a cross section for receiving the discrete medicaments, wherein said cross section is trough-shaped.
The outlet valve corresponds to the outlet valve described above as part of the hopper and, as such, has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter. The outlet valve may be retrofitted to a conventional hopper.
In one embodiment the valve body comprises a first half and a second half that converge in a drop direction from opposite sides of a mid-plane.
Optionally, the first half and the second half are symmetrical about said mid-plane.
In another embodiment the valve body further comprises a valley interconnecting the first half and the second half, wherein the valley extends linearly.
In another embodiment the cross section is at least partially V-shaped.
Alternatively, the cross section is at least partially concave.
In another embodiment in the cross section the holding surface has a width and a depth that is at least half the width.
In another embodiment the outlet valve is rotatable about a valve axis between the closed position and an open position, wherein the outlet valve at the location of the valve axis is provided with a reinforcement bushing.
Optionally, the reinforcement bushing has a thickness in an axial direction parallel to the valve axis that is thicker than valve body directly around said reinforcement bushing.
In a further embodiment the outlet valve further comprises a lever that is operable to move the outlet valve between the closed position and the open position.
According to a third aspect, use of an outlet valve according to any one of the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention is provided in a hopper for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments.
According to a fourth aspect, a dispensing device is provided comprising the hopper according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, wherein the dispensing device further comprises a valve opener for moving the outlet valve from the closed position into the open position and a control unit operationally connected to the valve opener, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the valve opener to accelerate the outlet valve from the closed position towards the open position quicker than the gravitational acceleration. Preferably, the outlet valve is accelerated with more than 9.81 m/s2.
The holding surface can thus be dropped away from underneath the discrete medicaments faster than gravity, such that the discrete medicaments can be allowed to free fall from the moment the outlet valve starts to move from the closed position towards the open position. The discrete medicaments can thus fall vertically or substantially vertically into a chute of a packing unit underneath said hopper. In particular, it can be prevented that the outlet valve interferes with the trajectories of the discrete medicaments after the outlet valve starts to move from the closed position towards the open position.
According to a fifth aspect, a dispensing device is provided comprising the hopper according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the dispensing device comprises a valve position sensor for detecting the open position and/or the closed position of the outlet valve.
Detection of the open position and/or the closed position can provide insight into the correct operation and/or any faults occurring with the outlet valve during the operation. In particular, it can be detected when the outlet valve does not fully return to the closed position, for example because a discrete medicament is stuck between the outlet valve and the hopper outlet.
In an embodiment of the aforementioned dispensing device, wherein the valve position sensor comprises a transmitter and receiver at a first end of a detection area and a reflector at a second end of the detection area opposite to the first end, wherein the outlet valve in the closed position at least partially extends in the detection area and in the open position is clear of the detection area. By detecting a signal or an interruption of said signal, information about the current position of the outlet valve can be obtained.
Optionally, the transmitter is configured for emitting a beam in a horizontal detection direction. The valve position sensor can reliably detect the position of the outlet valve in said horizontal direction, without having to triangulate or interpolate. In particular, the valve position sensor can simply detect the presence or absence of the signal in said horizontal direction, indicative of the respective valve positions.
According to a sixth aspect, a method is provided for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments with the use of a hopper according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
The method relates to the practical implementation of the hopper according to the first aspect of the invention and thus has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter.
In one embodiment of the method, during the movement of the outlet valve from the closed position towards the open position, the outlet valve is accelerated quicker than the gravitational acceleration.
Optionally, the outlet valve is accelerated with more than 9.81 m/s2.
In a further embodiment the method further comprises the step of detecting the open position and/or the closed position of the outlet valve.
Optionally, the open position and/or the closed position are detected in a horizontal detection direction.
Further optionally, the step of detecting comprises detecting the position of a lever of the outlet valve. This can ensure that the sensor are out of the way of the movement of the valve itself and can accurately detect even small offsets from a fully closed position.
The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:
The hopper 1 is configured to be insertable into a dispensing device similar to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,457,427 B2, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the dispensing device, the hopper 1 forms part of a circular array of hoppers that is moved in a stepped rotation along a plurality of feeder positions, to receive discrete medicaments from feeder units positioned in said feeder positions.
As best seen in
The hopper outlet 3 is located at the tapering end of the hopper inlet 2 and is in open communication with said hopper inlet 2 to receive the discrete medicaments 9 collected by said hopper inlet 2. The hopper outlet 3 is open in the drop direction D to dispense or discharge the discrete medicaments 9 from the hopper 1. The hopper outlet 3 comprises two outlet side walls 31, 32 and an outlet rear wall 33 interconnecting the two outlet side walls 31, 32.
The hopper outlet 3 is further provided with a dust discharge channel 34 and a dust discharge opening 35 in the rear wall 33 allowing for the extraction of dust or small particles from the hopper outlet 3 through said rear wall 33. The hopper outlet 3 also comprises a suction grating 36 for connection to a vacuum source that cleans the hopper 1.
In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in
The hopper 1 is further provided with an outlet door, shutter or valve 4 at or in the hopper outlet 3 to open or close said hopper outlet 3. In particular, the outlet valve 4 is movable between a closed position, as shown in
As best seen in
As shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, the cross section C1 is V-shaped or substantially V-shaped. In particular, the valve body 40 comprises a first half 41 and a second half 42 that converge in the drop direction D from opposite sides of the mid-plane M. The first half 41 and the second half 42 preferably extend at an angle to the mid-plane M that is relatively sharp, e.g. equal to or smaller than forty-five degrees. Note that the first half 41 and the second half 42 are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about said mid-plane M.
As shown in
As best seen in
As shown in
As further shown in
The control unit 8 is programmed, arranged and/or configured for controlling the valve opener 5 to accelerate the outlet valve 4 from the closed position, as shown in
As shown in
In said subsequent position, the dispensing device may further be provided with a valve position sensor 6 to check if the outlet valve 4 has been returned correctly to the closed position. The outlet valve 4 may not return correctly when something is stuck between the outlet valve 4 and the hopper 1, for example a discrete medicament 9 or a part of a medicament that failed to fall out of the hopper outlet 3 in time. The valve position sensor 6 comprises a transmitter 60 and receiver 61 at a first end of a detection area A and a reflector 62 at a second end of the detection area A opposite to the first end. The transmitter 60 may be configured to emit a light beam B, for example infrared or laser light. The receiver 61 may be photocell sensitive to the spectrum of the light beam B.
In the open position, shown in dashed lines in
The operation of the valve position sensor 6 may alternatively be reversed, e.g. by positioning the transmitter 60, the reflector 61 and the receiver 62 such that a signal is detected when the outlet valve 4 is completely closed and no signal is detected when the outlet valve 4 is at least partially open.
The transmitter 60 and the reflector 62 are positioned such that even a slight offset of the outlet valve 4 from the closed position will cause the lever 44 to move at least partially out of the path of the light beam B. Hence, a signal is detected when the outlet valve 4 is not completely closed. Optionally, the detection direction E is horizontal or substantially horizontal. In other words, the light beam B is emitted and reflected horizontally or substantially horizontally.
The control unit 8 is operationally and/or electronically connected to the valve position sensor 6 to receive and process the signal (or absence thereof) generated by said valve position sensor 6, and to take appropriate action, for example stop the dispensing operation and/or alert an operator.
The deflection member 200 comprises a first deflection surface 201 and a second deflection surface 202 extending at an oblique deflection angle X to the horizontal plane. The deflection angle X is chosen in a range of thirty to sixty degrees, more particularly a range of forty to fifty degrees. In this example, the deflection angle X is approximately forty-five degrees. The deflection surfaces 201, 202 are oppositely angled away from the center of the hopper inlet 2, like an inverted V-shape. In this example, the deflection surfaces 201, 202 are part of a single body. Alternatively, the deflection member 200 may be formed by two or more separate parts, each having its own deflection surface 201, 202. The deflection surfaces 201, 202 can break the fall of the discrete medicaments 9. The oblique deflection angle X can minimize or prevent damage to said discrete medicaments 9.
The deflection member 200 is further provided with a through-hole 203 that provides a clear line of sight Z between a camera C, located above the hopper 1, to the outlet valve 4. In this example, the line of sight Z is vertical or substantially vertical. In other words, the camera C is aligned vertically above the outlet valve 4. In this example, the through-hole 203 is located between the deflection surfaces 201, 202. Optionally, the dimensions of the through-hole 203 are chosen to be larger than, match or substantially match the field of view of the camera C. The camera C can be used to determine if the outlet valve 4 has been opened or closed correctly, or to determine if there are any discrete medicaments 9 or other materials remaining in the hopper outlet 3.
The camera C may be arranged in a dedicated camera position between the feeder units F, or it may be configured to be inserted into one of the positions normally occupied by a feeder unit F. In particular, the camera C may be adapted to fit to a docking base for such a feeder unit F, with the line of sight travelling through the aperture that is normally used to feed the discrete medicaments 9 from the respective feeder unit F into the hopper 1. Alternatively, the camera C can be positioned below the hopper outlet 3 with its line of sight pointing upwards. In that case, a backlight can be provided at the top of the hopper 1.
A method for collecting and dispensing discrete medicaments 9 with the use of any one of the aforementioned hoppers 1, 101 will now be briefly elucidated with reference to
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028894 | Jul 2021 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/071457 | 7/29/2022 | WO |
