Package making – Methods – With contents treating
Patent
1995-08-31
1997-09-02
Moon, Daniel
Package making
Methods
With contents treating
53116, 53118, 53250, 53281, 53457, 53468, 53564, B65B 6304
Patent
active
056619545
ABSTRACT:
The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances. At a third station, the package and needle are rotated to tension the suture and position the package and the suture for automatic winding of the suture into the package. At a fourth station, the rotatable tool nest is rapidly rotated to wind the suture into a circumferential channel in the package which surrounds the needle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5213210 (1993-05-01), Cascio et al.
patent: 5230424 (1993-07-01), Alpern et al.
patent: 5469689 (1995-11-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5473810 (1995-12-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5473854 (1995-12-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5477609 (1995-12-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5487212 (1996-01-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5487216 (1996-01-01), Demarest et al.
patent: 5491954 (1996-02-01), Sobel
Bauder Erwin
Ivanov Konstantin
Lotze James
Mucheyer Jost
Pompei Donald
Ethicon Inc.
Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Moon Daniel
LandOfFree
Needle feed wheel and needle transfer mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Needle feed wheel and needle transfer mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Needle feed wheel and needle transfer mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-299127