Abstract:
A supply device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, converts the movement of empty bags supplied intermittently in a plurality of rows into a continuous motion in a single row and supplies these empty bags continuously to retainers that are conveyed at a constant speed. The supply device includes an empty-bag holding member conveying device and an intermittent bag supply device. In the empty-bag holding member conveying device, a plurality of empty-bag holding members (that contain therein empty bags) disposed at equal intervals are moved in one direction along a ring-form track that has a pair of parallel sections, and during this movement, the empty-bag holding members are moved intermittently by a specified distance (a distance equal to an integral multiple of an attachment spacing of the empty-bag holding members) on a bag entry side of the parallel sections and are moved continuously at a constant speed on a bag exit side of the parallel section. The intermittent bag supply device simultaneously supplies empty bags to the plurality of empty-bag holding members (with one bag being supplied to each empty-bag holding member) on the bag entry side. On the bag entry side, empty bags are supplied in a plurality of rows to stopped empty-bag holding members by the intermittent bag supply device; and on the bag exit side, the empty bags are successively extracted from the continuously moving empty-bag holding members and supplied to the retainers that are continuously conveyed.
Abstract:
The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricating coating that is thermally cured at less than 200° C. or radiation-cured. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts and with relatively low or no water content, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping, renewable lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide dry lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
Abstract:
An automated packaging line has capability of filling large and small orders, of one or more bottles, each bottle filled with a respective one of a plurality of different pharmaceutical tablets, in a single run. Structure is provided for filling orders for an individual consumer, for a pharmacist, and for a wholesaler, simultaneously, using differently sized bottles, and providing customized labels for each bottle. A flexible filler station simultaneously fills plural bottles with respective tablets. An intelligent data carrying puck carries each bottle, including therein information describing, among others, the bottle, the customer, the order, the pharmaceutical, the bottle size and label information. Puck handling stations (PHS) are dispersed throughout the line, to verify a number of operations implemented on the line and to reject a puck at the earliest opportunity, while permitting subsequent rejection by a subsequent PHS. The PHS units are substantially identical, with DIP switch modifying operation of the controlling software thereof to implement different features at different points on the line. The pucks are recycled after each pass along the line. An initializing PHS wipes clean the puck data storage and, in a fail safe operation, marks it as a reject. The flexible filler station must mark the puck acceptable. Each subsequent PHS, following the flexible filler station, following a capper and following a label printer, may reject the puck if marked as a reject or if failing to meet various criteria
Abstract:
A carrier assembly including a carrier container (e.g., a box) and a bag (e.g., a flexible transparent plastic bag) for holding an article, e.g., a garment belt. The garment belt has scanner-readable indicia associated with it (e.g., a bar code is disposed on a hang tag secured to the belt's buckle). The carrier assembly is arranged to be used with other such assemblies, each holding an article (e.g., a garment belt), by an automatic dispensing machine to select the carrier assembly from other similar carrier assemblies and to dispense the selected carrier assembly therefrom based on the scanner readable indicia. The automatic dispensing machine includes a scanner for scanning the scanner-readable indicia. The bag is adapted to hold the garment belt in a compact, e.g., coiled, configuration therein. The bag with the coiled belt therein is located within the interior of the hollow carrier container and is held in place therein (e.g., the carrier container includes a slit for engaging a portion of the bag). The carrier container includes at least one window through which the scanner-readable indicia is visible to be readily scanned by the scanner of the automatic dispensing machine to enable the machine to selectively dispense the carrier assembly therefrom based on the scanner-readable indicia read.
Abstract:
A conveying apparatus for electric parts has a tape and a driving mechanism. The tape has holding holes for holding board-shaped electric parts therein at regular intervals and feeding holes for feeding the tape at regular intervals. The driving mechanism can feed the tape by engaging with the feeding holes of the tape. Each of the holding holes has a pair of abutting edges for abutting on both opposite surfaces of the board-shaped electric parts and at least one cutout portion formed from the abutting edges. Due to the above constitution, the board-shaped electric parts are held by the pair of abutting edges. Thus, the electric parts can be conveyed with their attitude kept fixed regardless of adverse influences such as vibrations from the moving tape, and can be easily removed from the holding holes by using the cutout portions.
Abstract:
There is provided a carrier puck for movement on a conveying circuit comprising at least one conveyor having lateral guides including at least two vertically spaced and distinct lateral guide plates adapted to slidably engage a distinct portions of said carrier puck to temporarily prevent rotation of said carrier puck while advancing on said conveying circuit. The carrier puck preferably comprises a rounded main body suitable for bulk conveying. Preferably, the carrier puck is manufactured by injection molding of separate parts, later assembled.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a reservoir for at least one capsule for oral administration which comprises a substance which is dangerous for the environment, in particular a radioactive composition, which reservoir can be enclosed within an at least substantially cylindrical shielding sleeve, has a closed bottom and can be closed at its open upper end by means of a cap, the reservoir internally comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs. The reservoir is prefereably constructed so that it is locked against rotation within the shielding sleeve. The invention further relates to a shielded holder comprising the last-mentioned locked reservoir and a shielding sleeve having a bottom portion with an internal cross-section which is triangular to dodecagonal or forms a segment of a circle.
Abstract:
The test object container holder of the present invention comprises a holder body having a container storage portion, a first ring groove, and a second ring groove, and an indication ring engaged in the outer circumference of the holder body. The test object container holder conveyer apparatus of the present invention includes a test object container holder including a holder body and an indication ring, holder conveyer, for conveying the test object container holder, a sensor for detecting and notifying the indication ring, a convey pause mechanism operated in response to an output from the sensor, an orientation control mechanism for orienting the paused test object container holder in a predetermined direction, a read device for reading information of the indication ring, and command device for supplying the test object container holder with a necessary command.
Abstract:
Apparatus for use in analytical instruments such as autosamplers comprises a tapered vial and a sleeve. The sleeve includes an annular inner frustoconical portion which receives the closed end of the vial to locate it in an operative position of an autosampler. The portion may include a cylindrical extension for precisely defining the axial height of the vial relative to the sleeve, and hence the instrument.