System and method for bandoliering syringes
First Claim
1. A method of banding a plurality of syringes comprising the steps of:
- introducing the plurality of syringes into a feeder;
aligning the plurality of syringes in a predetermined arrangement and delivering the aligned syringes to a rotary device;
advancing and controlling the rotary device so that syringes held therein are successively delivered to a transport device that holds and maintains the syringes in a spaced relationship,placing a cap, in an automated manner, on an empty syringe barrel as it is advanced and carried by the transport device;
advancing the transport device such that the syringes are delivered to a web application device;
activating the web application device to cause a first web material to be applied to a first face of the syringes and a second web material to be applied to a second face of the syringes, the first and second web materials being simultaneously applied at substantially the same point, wherein the first and second web materials are joined together in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure; and
advancing the banded syringe structure from the web application device.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an automated system and method of banding (bandoliering) a plurality of syringes. The system includes a feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation and an indexed device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that includes individual pockets for receiving and holding the syringes in a spaced relationship as the syringes are advanced due to movement of the transport device. The system also includes a web application device disposed along the transport device for applying a first web material to a first face of a predetermined number of syringes and a second web material to a second face of the syringes and being configured to press the first and second materials into contact with the first and second faces of the syringes, respectively, and into contact with each other in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure.
80 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of banding a plurality of syringes comprising the steps of:
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introducing the plurality of syringes into a feeder; aligning the plurality of syringes in a predetermined arrangement and delivering the aligned syringes to a rotary device; advancing and controlling the rotary device so that syringes held therein are successively delivered to a transport device that holds and maintains the syringes in a spaced relationship, placing a cap, in an automated manner, on an empty syringe barrel as it is advanced and carried by the transport device; advancing the transport device such that the syringes are delivered to a web application device; activating the web application device to cause a first web material to be applied to a first face of the syringes and a second web material to be applied to a second face of the syringes, the first and second web materials being simultaneously applied at substantially the same point, wherein the first and second web materials are joined together in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure; and advancing the banded syringe structure from the web application device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of providing a banded syringe product comprising the steps of:
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banding a plurality of syringes by aligning the plurality of syringes in a predetermined arrangement and simultaneously applying a first web material to a first face of the syringes and a second material to a second face of the syringes and pressing the first and second webs into contact with the syringes and into contact with each other in areas between the syringes so as to form a plurality of banded syringes; and providing a control feature in an area between the syringes, the control feature being different from the surrounding web material. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for banding a plurality of syringe barrels, the system including:
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a first feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation; a first transfer device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that receives and holds the syringes in a spaced relationship and moves them from one location to another location; a web application device disposed along the transport device for simultaneously applying a first web material to a first face of a predetermined number of syringes and a second web material to a second face of the syringes at the same location such that the first and second web materials adhere to the first and second faces of the syringes, respectively, and with each other in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure; and a mechanism that detects whether all the syringes are in the proper predetermined orientation prior to the syringes being transferred to the web application device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for banding a plurality of syringe barrels, the system including:
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a first feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation; a first transfer device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that receives and holds the syringes in a spaced relationship and moves them from one location to another location; a web application device disposed along the transport device for simultaneously applying a first web material to a first face of a predetermined number of syringes and a second web material to a second face of the syringes at the same location such that the first and second web materials adhere to the first and second faces of the syringes, respectively, and with each other in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure; and a vision safety detection station disposed along the transport device downstream of the web application station for determining whether any of the banded syringes are damaged or otherwise unfit for loading into packaging at a station downstream therefrom, wherein if the vision safety detection station detects that the syringe is damaged or unfit, then the handling of the syringes is influenced. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A system for banding a plurality of syringe barrels, the system including:
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a first feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation; a first transfer device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that receives and holds the syringes in a spaced relationship and moves them from one location to another location; a web application device disposed along the transport device for simultaneously applying a first web material to a first face of a predetermined number of syringes and a second web material to a second face of the syringes at the same location such that the first and second web materials adhere to the first and second faces of the syringes, respectively, and with each other in areas between the syringes so as to form a banded syringe structure; and a cap placement station having an automated device for placing caps on empty barrels of the syringes that are fed into the feed device and then delivered to the first transport device via the first transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification