Patent Grant
11858282
The disclosed subject matter is directed to systems and methods for printing or marking tablet-shaped articles.
Printers for printing tablet-shaped medicament, e.g., analgesic tablets, and candies, e.g., M&M's® chocolate candies, have been used to indicate product identification logos and marks. For example, a tablet-shaped article can be fully produced and then subjected to a printing process, such as marking or printing one surface of the tablet-shaped article while leaving an opposing surface of the tablet-shaped article unmarked. In addition to identification logos and marks, printing tracking marks using a bar code and the like on medicament tablets can be useful, for example, to discourage counterfeit products. Printing or marking a surface of an already produced tablet-shaped article is often referred to as post-production printing. Another example of using post-production printing on a tablet-shaped article is personalizing the article, including printing marks or other personalized information.
Systems for post-production printing on tablet-shaped articles often convey the articles on a continuous conveyor that is made of a multitude of articulately connected conveyor bars, which is moved with a driver system, such as a chain drive. The printer prints on the exposed topside of the tablet-shaped article as the article is carried on the conveyor bar. The conveyor bar can also include one or more holding cavities having voids on an underside of thereof such that some portion of the underside of the articles can be exposed and can be printed through the void of the conveyor bar. Rotogravure printers, inkjet printers, and other types of printing mechanisms have been known to be used for post-production printing. Of these, inkjet printers can be particularly suitable for applications in which markings or information to be printed on the article need to be changed frequently. However, known printing systems often have too many moving parts, which can increase cost and the likelihood of failure. For example, conveyors having many moving parts, such as chain drives, can be prone to jamming Ink residues from the printer can accumulate around the moving parts of the printer and conveyor and can cause printer malfunctions. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to have a printer or printer system with fewer moving parts and a simpler conveying system.
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a system for marking tablet-shaped articles. The system includes a hopper and a conveyor. The conveyor has opposing first and second side portions, and at least one pocket is defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions. The conveyor is configured to receive from the hopper a tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. A first window is defined in the first side portion of the conveyor. The first window defining an opening between the pocket and an external environment. The system further includes a first printing head adjacent the first side portion of the conveyor. The first printing head is configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the first window.
Systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can include an article aligner disposed proximate an exit path of the hopper. The article aligner can define a channel having a longitudinal dimension. A width dimension of the channel can be greater than a thickness dimension of articles to be dispensed from the hopper and less than a width dimension of the articles to be dispensed from the hopper.
Conveyors in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be rotary wheel conveyors. The rotary wheel conveyor can include an inner wheel portion and a plurality of outer wheel portions coupled to the inner wheel portion. The at least one pocket can be defined in at least one of the plurality of outer wheel portions. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the rotary wheel conveyor can include a plurality of outer wheel portions along an outer periphery thereof, and each of the plurality of outer wheel portions can be removable from the rotary wheel conveyor and configured to be replaced by another outer wheel portion. The at least one pocket can be defined in at least one of the plurality of outer wheel portions.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the pocket can include a U-shape in front view. The conveyor can include at least one pressure port in communication with the at least one pocket.
Systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can include an inspection system. The inspection system can be configured to control the first printing head to print on the tablet-shaped article through the first window. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the system can include an article rotator configured to rotate the tablet-shaped article and orient a first surface of the tablet-shaped article towards the first side portion of the conveyor.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the first printing head can include at least one of an inkjet printer, laser printer, and laser etching-printer.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a second window can be defined in the second side portion of the conveyor. The second window can define a second opening between the pocket and the external environment. The system can include a second printing head adjacent the second side portion, and the second printing head can be configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the second window.
The disclosed subject matter also includes methods for marking tablet-shaped articles. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter include providing a system for marking tablet-shaped articles as described above. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include disposing at least one tablet-shaped article in the system's hopper and dispensing the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper into the at least one pocket defined in the conveyor. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include conveying the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper to the first print head and marking the at least one tablet-shaped article with the first printing head. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the first printing head marks the at least one tablet-shaped article through the first window.
Dispensing the at least one tablet-shaped article can include passing the tablet-shaped article through an article aligner. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the conveyor can be a rotary wheel conveyor and the rotary wheel conveyor can rotationally transfer the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper. Conveying the at least one tablet-shaped article can include applying a vacuum to a pressure port in communication with the at least one pocket to retain the at least one tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. The method can additionally or alternatively include applying a positive pressure to the pressure port to eject the at least one tablet-shaped article from the conveyor.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, conveying the at least one tablet-shaped article can include detecting the presence of a marking on the tablet with an inspection station and instructing the first printer to mark the tablet-shaped article when no marking is detected. Methods can additionally or alternatively include rotating the at least one tablet-shaped article to orient an unmarked face of the tablet-shaped article towards the first side portion of the conveyor when a marking is detected.
As described above, systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can include a second window defined in the second side portion of the conveyor. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, methods can include marking the at least one tablet-shaped article through the second window with a second printing head.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed subject matter claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to the various non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The structure and corresponding method of operation of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for marking tablet-shaped articles. The presently disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for post-production marking and/or printing on tablet-shaped articles, such as candies.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the present disclosure and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner in describing the systems and methods of the present disclosure and how to make and use them.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises,” mean “including but not limited to,” and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
As used herein, the use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification can mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” Still further, the terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and “comprising” are interchangeable and one of skill in the art is cognizant that these terms are open ended terms.
The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, “about” can mean within 3 or more than 3 standard deviations, per the practice in the art. Alternatively, “about” can mean a range of up to 20%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% of a given value. Alternatively, particularly with respect to biological systems or processes, the term can mean within an order of magnitude, within 5-fold, or within 2-fold, of a value.
Preferred features of each aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, can be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, certain example embodiments. Subject matter can, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, subject matter can be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The disclosed subject matter is directed to printing on tablet-shaped articles, such as for purposes of example drugs and candies. Tablet-shaped articles suitable for the present printer include medicinal tablets or pills, such as Advil® ibuprofen tablets and Tylenol® acetaminophen tablets, candies, such as M&M's chocolate candies, Skittles® fruity candies and Reese's™ Pieces candies, and tablet gums, such as Orbit® gum tablets. A tablet-shaped article as used herein can have two opposing surfaces joined by a continuous transitional surface that connects the two opposing surfaces. The two opposing surfaces can be flat surfaces or have a convex or concave contour. The shape of the opposing surfaces can be any geometric shape, including a circle, oval, square or rectangle, and the transitional surface can be flat or curved. The diameter or width of each opposing surface can be larger than the width of the transitional surface such that the thickness of the tablet-shaped article is smaller than the diameter or width of the opposing surfaces. Tablet-shaped articles suitable for use with the disclosed subject matter can be relatively small such that one or more of the articles can be easily handled. Examples of tablet-shaped articles in accordance with the disclosed subject matter include medicament tablets and candies, as noted above.
Systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter include a hopper and a conveyor. The conveyor has opposing first and second side portions, and at least one pocket is defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions. The conveyor is configured to receive from the hopper a tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. A first window is defined in the first side portion of the conveyor. The first window defines an opening between the pocket and an external environment. The system further includes a first printing head adjacent the first side portion of the conveyor. The first printing head is configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the first window. Printing systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have fewer moving parts such that the printer can be operated reliably with less maintenance downtime of operation, such as for cleaning and replacing parts. In addition, printers and systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have a compact profile and can be suitable as a mobile printer. Hereinafter, the terms printing and marking are used to indicate printing and marking by applying inks, etching a thin layer from the surface, or causing a change in color on the surface of a tablet-shaped article.
A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter for marking and/or printing marks or information on tablet-shaped articles is illustrated with reference to
A non-limiting exemplary article aligner 30 is illustrated in
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the hopper 12 can include an opening at the bottom of the hopper 12. The opening can have a shape and dimensions substantially similar to a shape and dimensions of a vertically standing tablet-shaped article to be dispensed, such that the tablet-shaped articles fall through the bottom opening of the hopper, one at a time and properly aligned. As embodied herein, the hopper 12 can be mounted to a table 24. The table 24 can provide a sturdy surface for mounting components of the system. The table 24 can be moveable, such as on wheels, which can facilitate movement of the system 10 to the desired location.
Systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include a conveyor 14. As embodied herein, the conveyor can be a rotary wheel conveyor. The rotary wheel conveyor can rotationally transfer the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper. With reference to the non-limiting exemplary system 10 depicted in
As embodied herein, the rotary wheel conveyor 14 has an inner wheel portion 42, and a plurality of outer wheel portions 44 coupled to the inner wheel portion 42. The plurality of the outer wheel portions 44 can together define an outer circumference of the rotary wheel conveyor 14. As embodied herein, the plurality of outer wheel portions 44 can also define an inner surface that securely couples with the inner wheel portion 42 to form the rotary wheel conveyor 14. As embodied herein, each of the plurality of outer wheel portions 44 can be removable from the rotary wheel conveyor 14 and configured to be replaced by another outer wheel portion. As described further herein, the at least one pocket 46 can be defined in at least one of the plurality of outer wheel portions 44. One advantage of using the multi-portion outer wheel design is that each outer wheel portion 44 can be individually replaced. As such, if one outer wheel portion is damaged, it can be quickly and easily replaced while the remaining outer portions remain affixed to the inner wheel portion. Furthermore, each outer wheel portion can be the same to receive the same sized tablets therein or can be different to accommodate different shapes and sizes of the tablet-shaped articles.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the conveyor includes opposing first and second side portions 41, 43 and at least one pocket 46 defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions 41, 43. With reference to
The at least one pocket 46 can have different shapes, including the lower holding section of the pocket as further described below. The non-limiting exemplary system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is described with reference to a circular tablet-shaped article, for illustration purposes.
As embodied herein, the shape of the lower holding section 47 of the at least one pocket 46 resembles or substantially resembles at least the lower half of the vertically standing tablet-shaped article to be conveyed. The dimensions of the at least one pocket 46 can be selected such that the tablet-shaped article snugly fits into the pocket and can rest on the lower holding section 47 of the pocket 46 when the at least one pocket 46 is in an upright orientation, with the upper longitudinal section 45 above the lower holding section 47. As embodied herein, the dimensions of the pocket 46 can be slightly larger than the dimensions of the tablet-shaped article to be conveyed for tolerances and the like, such that the tablet-shaped article can move in and out of the pocket 46 under gravitational forces without requiring additional mechanical force and without substantial friction. For example, and as embodied herein, tablet-shaped articles to be conveyed can be received in the at least one pocket 46 with the pocket in an upright orientation with the upper longitudinal section 45 above the lower holding section 47. As the conveyor 14 turns, the at least one pocket 46 can transition to a downward facing orientation, with the upper longitudinal section 45 below the lower holding section 47. Conveyed tablet-shaped articles can be dispensed from the conveyor with the pocket in a downward facing configuration. As embodied herein, the tablet-shaped articles can be dispensed into a collection basket 22.
The dimensions of the pocket can be selected such when the tablet-shaped article is received in the at least one pocket 46 and sits in the lower holding section 47, the tablet-shaped article does not tilt from side to side or move around within the pocket 46. For example, the pocket thickness and the pocket width of the lower holding section 47 of the pocket can be less than 2 mm, desirably less than 1 mm, larger than the thickness and width, respectively, of the tablet-shaped article to be conveyed.
As embodied herein, the at least one pocket 46 has an upper opening 52 with opening dimensions larger than the dimensions of the tablet-shaped article to be conveyed. For example, the upper opening 52 can have opening thickness and opening width dimensions larger than the pocket thickness and the pocket width of the lower holding section 47 of the pocket 46 so that the tablet-shaped articles can freely (i.e., without any frictional or other dimensional restrictions) move in and out of the pocket 46 through the upper opening 52. For example, the opening thickness and the opening width of the upper opening 52 of the pocket 46 can be less than 4 mm, desirably less than 3 mm, larger than the thickness and width, respectively, of the tablet-shaped article to be conveyed. The dimensions of the at least one pocket 46 can gradually transition from the upper opening 52 to the lower holding section 47 of the pocket 46 through the upper longitudinal section 45, which can ensure uninterrupted, smooth passage between the two sections.
As embodied herein, and with reference to
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the first side portion 41 of the conveyor 14 defines a first window 50. The first window 50 comprises an opening between the pocket and an external environment. As embodied herein, the first window 50 can expose a surface of the tablet-shaped article when the tablet-shaped article is placed in the pocket 46, and the exposed surface of the tablet-shaped article can be printed through the first window 50. The dimensions of the first window 50 can be smaller than the width of the tablet-shaped article to be marked to prevent the tablet-shaped article from slipping out of the pocket 46 through the first window 50. As embodied herein, the first window 50 can expose a center area of one of the opposing surfaces of the tablet-shaped article. The first window 50 can be an opening defined in the lower holding section 47 of the at least one pocket 46. Alternatively, and as embodied herein, the first window can be an elongated opening extending from the upper opening 52 to the lower holding section 47 of the at least one pocket 46.
With reference to
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and with reference to
As embodied herein, and with reference to
As embodied herein, and with reference to
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the system 10 can include an article rotator configured to rotate the tablet-shaped article and orient a first surface of the tablet-shaped article towards the first side portion 41 of the conveyor 14. The rotating mechanism can be a robotic manipulating device, for example. An article rotator can be used, for example, in systems configured with only a first printer head 18. For example, the tablet-shaped article rotator can be disposed between the inspection station and the printing head. Based on the result of the inspection, if an unmarked surface of the tablet-shaped article is not oriented towards the first printing head 18, the article rotator can remove the tablet-shaped article from the pocket 46, rotate the tablet-shaped article, and insert the tablet-shaped article back into the pocket 46 with the unmarked side oriented towards the printing head 18.
The disclosed subject matter also includes methods for marking tablet-shaped articles. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter include providing a system for marking tablet-shaped articles having any combination of the features described above. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include disposing at least one tablet-shaped article in the system's hopper and dispensing the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper into the at least one pocket defined in the conveyor. Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include conveying the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper to the first printing head and marking the at least one tablet-shaped article with the first printing head. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the first printing head marks the at least one tablet-shaped article through the first window.
With reference to the non-limiting exemplary system 10 depicted in
Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include conveying the at least one tablet-shaped article from the hopper to the first print head 18. As embodied herein, the rotary wheel conveyor 14 can rotationally advance the pocket 46 with the tablet-shaped article therein from the hopper 12 to an inspection station 16, and the inspection station can inspect the tablet-shaped article as described above. For example, the inspection station 16 can detect the presence of a marking on the tablet-shaped article and instruct the first printer 18 to mark the tablet-shaped article when no marking is detected. After the inspection station 16, the conveyor can convey the tablet-shaped article to the first printing station 18. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the system can include an article rotator as described above, and if the inspection 16 detects that the surface of the tablet-shaped article oriented towards the first printing head 18 has previously been marked, the article rotator can rotate the at least one tablet-shaped article to orient an unmarked surface of the tablet-shaped article towards the first side portion of the conveyor and the first printing head 18.
Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter further include marking the at least one tablet-shaped article, wherein the first printing head 18 marks the at least one tablet-shaped article through the first window 50. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the system can include a second window defined in the second side portion of the conveyor, as described further above. With reference to
Methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can include marking the at least one tablet-shaped article through the second window 51 with the second printing head 20. For example, based on the inspection information obtained from the inspection station 16 and stored in the CPU, one or both of the printing heads can be instructed to mark or print on one surface or both opposing surfaces of the tablet-shaped article. One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is directed to printing tablet-shaped articles that have pre-printed information on one of the opposing surfaces of the tablet-shape article. For example, a new printing can be applied on the unmarked opposing surface of the tablet-shaped article, and the pre-printed information can remain on the pre-printed opposing surface without further marking. For example, the CPU can instruct one of the first printing head 18 or the second printing head 20 that is aligned with the unmarked surface of the tablet-shaped article to apply printing. The new information applied on the unmarked surface can be any information, for example, tracking information, identification mark, bar code, or a legible message. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the system can be programmed to print on the pre-printed surface of the tablet-shaped article, thereby adding or supplementing additional information.
After the tablet-shaped articles are printed, the tablet-shaped articles can be discharged from the rotary wheel conveyor 14. The tablet-shaped articles can be gravitationally discharged as the rotary wheel conveyor rotationally advances to position the upper opening 52 and the pocket 46 to allow the tablet-shaped article to gravitationally roll or slide out through the upper opening 52. Alternatively, the tablet-shaped article can be pneumatically discharged by applying positive air pressure, for example, through the pressure port 52. The discharged tablet-shaped articles can then be collected and advanced for further processing, such as packaging or an additional inspection for printing quality.
Systems and methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can include additional features, for example, to integrate the systems and methods into existing manufacturing operations. For example, and with reference to the non-limiting exemplary system depicted in
As described above, systems and methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have improved performance characteristics. For example, systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have fewer moving parts compared to prior art printers and can be operated reliably with less maintenance downtime of operation. For example, the outer wheel portions of the rotary wheel conveyor can be easily removed from the conveyor for cleaning, whereas prior art printing systems often use conveyor belts with additional components, such as backing plates and chain assemblies that may require additional maintenance and downtime. In addition, systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have a compact profile that can be particularly suitable for mobile applications. Additionally, systems and methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can print more accurately than prior art printers. For example, rotary wheel conveyors, with a rigid wheel directly driven by a gear motor can provide better position tolerance for positioning tablet-shaped articles relative to the printing heads.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/810,766, filed on Feb. 26, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2020/019897 | 2/26/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/176618 | 9/3/2020 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4189996 | Ackley, Sr. | Feb 1980 | A |
| 5996768 | Boyce | Dec 1999 | A |
| 20030035870 | Ackley, Jr. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20040094050 | Ackley | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20080152756 | Ream | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20090241482 | Yagyu | Oct 2009 | A1 |
| 20090256897 | Polk | Oct 2009 | A1 |
| 20110132729 | Chisholm | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20150083548 | Ackley | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20160136966 | Cassoni | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20180236760 | Imai | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 201800094 | Jan 2018 | TW |
| WO-2015008505 | Jan 2015 | WO |
| 2018009617 | Jan 2018 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220134771 A1 | May 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62810766 | Feb 2019 | US |
