Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/003—Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
  • B65B3/28—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by weighing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
  • B65B39/12—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable towards or away from container or wrapper during filling or depositing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
  • B65B43/54—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
  • B65B43/59—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation vertically movable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
  • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
  • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
  • B65B7/2821—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers applying plugs or threadless stoppers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
  • B65B2210/02—Plurality of alternative input or output lines or plurality of alternative packaging units on the same packaging line for improving machine flexibility
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
  • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
  • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
  • B65B7/285—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure
  • B65B7/2857—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure and the container rim

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for weighing a container according to the preamble of the independent claim.
• the system comprises a control unit which controls the transport of the container carrier, a transport surface which is subdivided into subsections and on which the container carriers are movably arranged, and drive means, wherein the drive means are controlled by the control unit and a respective drive surface is associated with a respective drive means wherein a respective drive means is adapted to act on an associated container carrier with a driving force.
• This system is characterized by high flexibility, as required in particular for the transport of sample containers of a laboratory analysis system.
• the invention has for its object to further optimize a weighing system. This object is solved by the features of the independent claim.
• a device with the features of the independent claim has the advantage that sequential process steps or fixed process steps are no longer necessarily required.
• magnetically coupled mover are provided, and the mover on the drive surface in at least two degrees of freedom displaced and / or rotatably arranged and the container receptacle is arranged on the mover, can be in a particularly flexible manner, the containers of the weighing device and remove.
• the particle emission or the abrasion can be reduced by means of this drive principle by means of relative movements of otherwise required rollers, sliding elements or drive means, since the movers can now be moved contactless relative to the drive surface due to the magnetic coupling. This is particularly advantageous for pharmaceutical weighing devices.
• the cleanability of the system is improved by requiring only planar surfaces without the usual mechanical and difficult to clean connections between the drive and moving container transport.
• the effort is reduced just in the establishment or assembly of the processes to the weighing device by the transport does not always have to provide the containers at a fixed position.
• the service life is increased by reducing wear parts.
• fixed, unchangeable mechanical routes can be avoided. Switching functions are no longer localized, but can be defined by appropriate programming at any point within the drive surface.
• the flexible drive concept with superimposition of a rotary movement of the mover can directly influence the sloshing behavior of a filled container by the mover generates a rotational movement, which counteracts the sloshing of the bottled product. Due to the high flexibility of the drive concept, the weighing control can be carried out at a higher percentage of containers or for all containers, without thereby reducing the output. This increases the accuracy and safety of the device. There is also the option to return with bad weighing results.
• the drive surface is formed as a vertical plane.
• a plurality of independently movable mover are provided. In this way, the process sequences can be made more flexible by being able to approach other stations depending on the condition of the container.
• the mover prefferably moves the container receptacle relative to the weighing device so that at least one receptacle is released during weighing, in particular not held by the receptacle receptacle.
• the just desired container of the weighing device is supplied in a flexible manner, without thereby affecting the usual further processing of the other containers, which are moved by further movers.
• the output of the system can increase further.
• the weighing device comprises at least one weighing device for determining a tare weight and / or a gross weight of the container.
• the drive surface is configured such that the mover moves at least the container receptacle between two weighing devices.
• At least one closing station and / or at least one filling station and / or at least one inspection device and / or an inlet and / or an outlet are provided and the drive surface is configured such that the mover at least the receptacle receptacle to at least one of the aforementioned stations moves.
• the drive surface is configured so that the mover after weighing the container receptacle with at least one filled container selectively moves to at least two of the aforementioned stations.
• FIG. 1 shows both a passive mover module and an active one
• FIG. 2 shows a system representation of the device
• FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a machine concept for filling nested pharmaceutical containers
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of further machine concepts for filling, in particular, pharmaceutical
• Containers, Figure 6 the inlet situation with a planar drive in nine different states a to i and the figure 7 movers with filled containers without and with special
• a base platform 10 comprises a carrier plate 12 or a carrier plate 12
• the mover 20 is a normally passive mover 20, which preferably comprises permanent magnets 19, which cooperate with coils on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 for producing a relative movement.
• the mover 20 could also be actively operated by the mover 20 comprising at least one coil package for voltage supply, which cooperates with magnetic field generating means (permanent magnets, coils) on the support plate 12 and drive surface 13 for generating a relative movement in a suitable manner.
• FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, the first carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, which is designed as a horizontal plane, and also an ne further adjacent thereto support plate 12 and drive surface 13, which is formed as a vertical plane.
• the two movers 20 arranged thereon are likewise of a planar design and cooperate with the respective drive surfaces 13 in such a way that a preferably contactless movement of the movers 20 relative to the drive surface 13 both in the plane of the drive surfaces 13 in at least two degrees of freedom as well as optionally a rotation to the normal of the drive surface 13 is possible.
• two movers 20 are shown by way of example with different basic shapes, namely a substantially rectangular mover 20 or a round mover 20.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 consists of several individual parts or tiles 16.
• the tiles 16 are square or rectangular in shape.
• the tiles 16 essentially have a planar surface and are constructed in layers.
• the tile 16 is square or rectangular in shape.
• the tile 16 comprises a coil plane 18, a sensor plane 22 and a power electronics level 24.
• a bus system 26 is provided, which connects the tiles 16 with a central computer or processor, not shown.
• a voltage supply 28 is provided with associated terminals, via which the power electronics plane 24 or the coil plane 18 and / or the sensor plane 22 can be supplied with energy.
• the base platform 10 describes the base element. From this arise the necessary design possibilities of the system in space.
• the basic platform 10 is understood to be the system carrier or a machine frame. It must have the necessary rigidity.
• the basic platform 10 can already accommodate control components and power electronics.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 could already be part of the base platform 10.
• the base platform 10 provides the base or element for placement of further functional units.
• the base platform 10 is also the base or element for arranging further transport systems.
• the basic platform 10 is said to be compatible with other basic platforms.
• On the surface of the base platform 10, the relatively movable mover 20 are arranged on the drive surface 13.
• the drive surface 13 or the carrier plate generates 12 a driving force acting on the mover 20 and put him in the desired movement.
• the stationary drive surface 13 is preferably designed planar.
• the mover 20 is controlled so that it is displaceable and / or rotatable at least in two degrees of freedom. In particular, as described below, different stations can be approached in a flexible manner when the drive surface 13 connects them in a suitable manner.
• the mover 20 describes the movable element of the device 8.
• the mover 20 serves to generate a relative movement with respect to the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13.
• the mover 20 generates a force on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13.
• the mover 20 comprises at least one means for generating a magnetic field, in particular a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet 19, the coil 18 of the carrier plate 12 generating a traveling field or the drive surface 13 cooperates for generating movement.
• an air gap between the support plate 12 and the drive surface 13 and the mover 20 is formed, so that a non-contact movement of the mover 20 relative to the drive surface 13 can take place.
• the mover 20 may comprise means for detecting a position.
• the mover 20 is shown in perspective.
• An underside 17 of the mover 20 interacts with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13.
• On the underside 17 of the mover 20 several permanent magnets 19 are arranged.
• the magnetic fields of adjacent arranged permanent magnets 19 differ.
• the underside 17 consists of four fields, each with a plurality of permanent magnets 19.
• the middle region of the bottom 17 has no permanent magnets 19.
• WO 2013/059934 A1 specifies further alternative embodiments, which are included in the disclosure of the present application.
• the mover 20 is surrounded by a collision protection 23, which is advantageous in the case of a large number of moving movers 20.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 represents a multilayer component according to FIG. 2. It has the following basic functionalities. First, it comprises means for generating a relative movement relative to the Mover 20. In addition, a force is generated which acts on the mover 20. In addition, it comprises means for generating distances (air gap) between the carrier plate 12 and the mover 20. In addition, the carrier plate 12 comprises means for detecting positions and means for detecting energy transmission and means for transmitting information.
• the mover 20 has at least one receptacle receptacle 38 for accommodating at least one receptacle 36 to be transported.
• the receptacle receptacle 38 is preferably slot-shaped in such a way that a plurality of containers 36 can be arranged next to each other and they are held by the receptacle 38.
• another embodiment of the container receptacle 38 is possible.
• the mover 20 could include means for moving the containers 36.
• the mover 20 is preferably potted to protect the internal magnets from environmental influences such as corrosion.
• a process movers 21 is technically identical or similar in structure to the movers 20, but moves instead of the containers 36 components of process stations as explained in more detail below. However, the drive principle or the interaction with the drive surfaces 13 described does not differ.
• the device 8 for processing in particular nest-bound containers 36 can be explained in more detail.
• a tub 32 a trough-shaped container as shown, containers 36 located in a nest 34 are delivered.
• the nest 34 serves to receive the containers 36, in particular in the tub 32.
• a tube 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown.
• the tubs 32 are moved in a direction indicated by an arrow transport direction 31 by a transport device 42.
• Various common transport solutions (belt, belt) can be used, shown is a solution with transport belt as a transport device 42.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20.
• the movers 20 moves upward from a start position 120 shown on the left to a singulation position 144.
• the mover 20 is in Range of a removal means 46.
• the removal means 46 is formed for example as a robot or robot arm. It serves to remove a nest 34 provided with containers 36 from the tub 32.
• the removal means 46 is able to remove by an up-down movement at least one arranged perpendicular to the transport direction 31 row of containers and / or set down in the receptacle receptacle 38 of the mover 20 , Thus, those in the nest 34 are located
• Containers 36 taken in rows and thus isolated. Row-by-row separation is understood to mean that a plurality of containers 36 are arranged essentially in a single row perpendicular to the transport direction 31.
• the mover 20 can accomplish the removal of the containers 36 from the tub 32 provided by the removal means 46 by the mover 20 itself a corresponding removal movement relative to
• Removal means 46 generated.
• the mover 20 moves the receptacle receptacle 38 over the openings of the receptacles 36 ready for removal.
• the width of the preferably slot-shaped recess of the receptacle receptacle 38 is greater than the diameter of the neck of the receptacle 36.
• the mover 20 moves the receptacle receptacle 38 into the way that the recess can enclose the containers 36. Subsequently, the holding of the container receptacle 38 enclosed containers 36 by the mover 20, the container receptacle 38 is rotated so that thereby the containers 36 are clamped.
• the inner edges of the preferably slot-shaped recess come thereby from both sides in contact with the side walls of the containers 36. After twisting or positive contact of the container receptacle 38 with the containers 36, the mover 20 moves upwards and removes the rows now separated containers 36. Alternatively could also be lowered the nest 34.
• the removed container rows are transported by the movers 20 from the singling position 144 to a weighing device 54 in a weighing position 154.
• the mover 20 and thus also the container receptacle 38 keep the light tilted position in as indicated in Figure 3, so that the containers 36 are still securely clamped and held.
• This weighing device 54 weighs the empty containers 36, thus serving for tare weighing.
• the mover 20 could release the containers 36 to be weighed on the weighing device 54 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction.
• the cropping is done by an opposite tilting movement of the mover 20 and thus the container receptacle 38, so that the containers 36 are no longer clamped.
• conventional weighing devices 54, 56 can be used, which are usually designed for at least single-row weighing. This is possible at the usual nestwise processing at most with great effort, so that usually only a small percentage is weighed. The weighing could be done in rows or individually. After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154 transports the
• Container receptacle 38 so that the previously released containers 36 are held again by clamping.
• the filling station 48 has filling needles 72.
• the filling needles 72 are preferably arranged in a row, particularly preferably in a row perpendicular to the transport direction 31.
• the liquid to be filled may be, for example, pharmaceuticals.
• the filling needles 72 are moved toward one another relative to the containers 36. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lifted by the mover 20.
• the relative movement takes place solely by means of the mover 20 moving the containers 36.
• the mover 20 retains the rotation for clamping the containers 20 in a clamping manner. On the other hand, the mover moves
• the mover 20 lowers the container 36 downwards. This reduces annoying blistering during bottling.
• the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the conditions 36 away from each other. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lowered by the mover 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the mover 20 further lowers the containers 36 downwards parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72, so that subsequently a collision-free lateral movement becomes possible.
• the mover 20 transports the filled containers 36 into a further weighing position 156 in the detection area of a (further) weighing device 56.
• the transport can now take place such that a sloshing of the filled containers 36 by a suitable pivoting of the containers 36 about a horizontal Axis is prevented.
• a certain movement ungsprofil further tilting, wherein the clamping holding the containers 36 is maintained.
• the anti-slosh function will be further explained below in connection with FIG.
• the gross weighing takes place.
• settling and picking up of the filled containers 36 on and from the weighing device 56 or alternative filling quantity detection devices takes place.
• the following functions are to be implemented: holding by corresponding clamping of the containers 36, releasing the containers 36 by corresponding counter-rotating rotation of the container receptacle 38, so that the containers 36 are no longer held in a clamping manner for weighing, and subsequent clamping holding the container conditions 36 by a rotation of the mover 20th
• the mover 20 could eject the corresponding container 36 and / or eventually bring it into the filling position 148 for subsequent dosing.
• the weighed containers 36 brings the mover 20 into a closing position 150, which is located in the detection area of a closing station 50.
• the closing station 50 comprises at least one setting tube 64 and a plunger 62.
• Setting tubes 64 and plungers 62 are arranged in rows, in particular in a row. right to the transport direction 31, arranged.
• closures 37 such as plugs are fed by means of a supply 76 to the setting tubes 64 in order to close the filled container 36.
• the closure 37 reaches into the interior of the setting tube 64.
• the setting tube 64 is designed such that the closure 37 is somewhat compressed on the circumference, so that it then expands again in the container opening and thus closes it.
• the shutter 37 is brought into a suitable position above the container opening. Now there is a relative movement between the container 36 and closure 37, in that the plunger 62 dips into the setting tube 64 and presses the closure 37 into the container opening.
• the container could
• the sealed containers 36 are brought into a reset position 152 for resetting into the nest 34.
• the mover 20 brings the sealed containers 36 into the detection area for this purpose
• This handling device 52 may be, for example, a robot.
• the handling device 52 removes, for example, the empty nest 34 transported by a tub 32.
• the mover 20 places the isolated row of containers back into the nest 34.
• the containers 36 held in a clamped position are brought into the nest 34 in the reset position.
• Container receptacle 38 preferably in the horizontal clamping is canceled again. Subsequently, the mover 20 moves the container receptacle 38 without the containers 36.
• the handling device 52 sets by raising and lowering the container 36 filled with nest 34 back into the empty tub 34. This reset functionality can be with the help of the mover 20 and the handling device 52, for example
• the mover 20 moves from the reset position 152 back to the starting position 140.
• the filled tub 32 is provided at an outlet 58 which serves as an interface to a downstream machine.
• suspension inspection (front closure, container, needle, stopper seat, residual oxygen, filling level, residual air bubble), removal station, marking, product loss prevention.
• containers 36 in particular cartridges
• An inlet 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown.
• the container receptacle 38 according to FIG. 4 consists of two strips provided with coaxial, part-circular recesses which run along the surface of the mover 20.
• four containers 36 can be accommodated. However, another, suitable number would be possible.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20.
• the movers 20 moves upwards from a start position 120 shown on the left to an infeed position 140.
• the mover 20 is in Range of supplied
• Containers 36 In the infeed position 140, the supplied containers 36 are brought into the container receptacles 38 via handling devices or the like, which are not shown in greater detail.
• the recorded containers 36 are transported by the mover 20 from the inlet position 140 to a closing station 50, in particular for insertion of piston plugs than conventional closures 37, as for cartridges, glass tubes open at the top and bottom, typically in an insertion position 141 closed at the bottom by closures 37 (plugs).
• a closing station 50 in particular for insertion of piston plugs than conventional closures 37, as for cartridges, glass tubes open at the top and bottom, typically in an insertion position 141 closed at the bottom by closures 37 (plugs).
• Closing station 50 includes at least one hold-down 66 and a plunger 68.
• hold-down 66 and plunger 68 are arranged parallel to the transport direction 31 and the drive surface 13 in series according to the receiving geometry of the container receptacle 38.
• hold-down 66 and plunger 68 are arranged parallel to the transport direction 31 and the drive surface 13 in series according to the receiving geometry of the container receptacle 38.
• FIG. 4 shows a variant in which hold-down devices 66 and plungers 68 are each moved by process movers 21.
• Process movers 21 are understood to be those movers 20 which move certain process steps (closing eg piston setting, filling, etc.) with the associated components, but not the containers 36 directly.
• the closures 37 are set, the upper process movers 21 move the hold-down devices 66 to the upper side the container 36 provided by the movers 20.
• the lower process movers 21 moves the shutters 37 accommodated by the plunger 68 upwards and presses them into the underside of the containers 36.
• the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a ball insertion position 143.
• the containers 36 are under feeds 70 of a ball insertion station 43, via which one or more balls be brought into the interior of the container 36 as required for certain dosage forms of certain pharmaceuticals.
• the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a pre-filling position 147.
• a plurality of filling needles 72 of a pre-filling station 47 can be provided, under which the mover 20 brings the containers 36 to be pre-filled.
• the filling needles 72 are arranged for this purpose in series parallel to the direction of movement 31.
• prefilling points can be provided; in FIG. 4, three prefilling points, each with four filling needles 72, are provided by way of example.
• the mover 20 can be controlled so that it starts a free prefill.
• a corresponding sensor for evaluating the current mover positions is provided, which detects the presence of a mover 20 at a prefill point and activates the respective drive surfaces 13 via a higher-level control so that the mover 20 does not control an occupied prefill position.
• the filling needles 72 could be either rigid as shown in Figure 4 or arranged to be movable. In any case, there is preferably a relative movement between the filling needle 72 and the container 36. The filling preferably takes place depending on the product type above or below the filling level in order to support a foam-free filling. For this purpose, filling needle 72 and / or container 36 are moved.
• the filling needles 72 could by a servo drive or a mover 20 and
• Process movers 21 are moved.
• the containers 36 are moved relative to the filling needles 72 with the aid of the mover 20.
• the mover 20 removes the containers 36 parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72 from the filling needles 72 downward.
• An advantage of a rigid filling needle 72 is due to a motion-free filling process in reduced particle emissions in this particle-sensitive process area, as might otherwise occur, for example, by friction during movement of the leads or the like.
• a solid casing of the filling needles 72 can take place.
• the mover 20 could also slightly skew the containers 36 during the filling process to support a foam-free filling.
• the containers 36 could be lowered slightly inclined parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72 during the filling process.
• a residual filling station 49 includes a plurality of filling needles 72 arranged in series parallel to the transporting direction 31 and a corresponding sensor system via which the exact
• Residual filling can be controlled and monitored. As already in connection with the pre-filling station 47, a relative movement between containers 36 and filling needles 72 should be possible during filling.
• the filling needles 72 of the residual filling station 49 are now movably arranged on a process mover 21. Via the movement of the Process movers 21 can in turn achieve a filling above or below the filling level by the filling needles 72 during the filling process parallel to the axis of the containers 36 withdraw from these upwards.
• a closing station 50 comprises a container 74 in which the closures 37 are stored and provided in a suitable manner via a feed 76.
• the mover 20 moves the container 36 along the feed 76 with a preferably continuous drag movement, so that the closure 37 comes to lie on the container opening.
• the mover 20 moves the container 36 provided with a closure 37 into a closing position 150.
• the closure 37 and the container 36 are located in the detection area of a closing station 50.
• This can be, for example, a hemming station 53.
• the corresponding crimping rollers are not shown.
• the mover 20 positions the containers 36 in the detection area of the crimping station 53, which makes a positive connection of the closure 37, such as an aluminum cap, with the container 36. Thereafter, the containers 36 are closed in the desired manner.
• the mover 20 can bring the sealed containers 36 into an optionally possible inspection position 155, which is located in the detection area of an inspection station 55.
• the sealed containers 36 are brought into an outlet position 160 in the detection area of an outlet 60, which holds the containers 36 if necessary feeds further processing steps.
• the transfer can be realized with the aid of the mover 20 and / or a handling device 52, for example a robot or external axis gantry or the like.
• the empty mover 20 moves from the outlet position 160 back to the starting position 140. This could be done, for example, with a mover 20 configured as an active planar drive. Alternatively, a planar drive with a static traveling field and / or additional guidance would be possible or else a passive conveying means (such as chain, belt, etc.).
• FIG. 5 shows a device 8 for processing containers 36, in particular ampoules or vials.
• the containers 36 to be filled are supplied perpendicular to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13.
• a deflection wheel 45 takes over a deflection of the containers 36 by 90 ° parallel to the surface of the support plate 12 in an inlet position 140.
• the mover 20 takes over the containers 36 from the inlet 40 into the container receptacle 38.
• suitable handling solutions can be provided which facilitate this transfer accomplish.
• at least two movers 20 can be provided which are brought directly adjacent to one another between the deflecting wheel 45 and the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13.
• the movers 20 move at the same speed as the incoming containers 36 on the guide wheel 45.
• a third mover 20 is already ready when all container receptacles 38 of the first mover 20 are filled and this leaves the detection range of the guide wheel 45.
• the second mover 20 is filled with synchronized speed with containers 36 fed from the deflecting wheel 45, and so on.
• FIG. 6 shows the various steps of receiving the containers fed in via the deflection wheel 45.
• the deflection wheel 45 rotates about an axis parallel to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, as shown in FIG.
• the outer container receptacles of the deflecting wheel 45 are also spaced apart from one another in the position closest to the drive surface 13 to the drive surface 13. This distance is chosen so that between the drive surface 13 and the next outboard container receptacle of the deflection 45th the container receptacle 38 of the mover 20 can be arranged so that the container 36 to be transferred fits between both receptacles.
• first movers 20. 1 and second movers 20. 2 are in the vicinity of the deflecting wheel 45, but are not yet in engagement.
• the first mover 20. 1 brings the receptacle receptacle 38 up to a height with the deflecting wheel 45.
• Container receptacle 38 parallel to the plane of the guide wheel 45, for example horizontally as shown in Figure 5 and 6.
• the second mover 20.2 approaches the deflection wheel 45.
• a third step (FIG. 6c) the first moves
• the container receptacles of deflecting wheel 45 and first mover 20.1 are also opposite each other so that the intermediate container 36 can be reliably transferred from the deflecting wheel 45 to the first mover 20.1.
• the second mover 20.2 continues to approach just like a third mover 20.3.
• the second mover 20. 2 is suitably aligned.
• the first mover 20.1 moves to receive the containers 36 in synchronization with the guide wheel 45 on.
• the third mover 20.3 continues to move to the guide wheel 45.
• the second mover 20. 2 is synchronized, moves at the same speed as the receptacles of the deflecting wheel 45.
• the receptacle receptacle 38 directly adjoins that of the first mover 20.
• the first mover 20.1 continues to move at a constant speed and picks up the containers 36 fed by the deflecting wheel 45.
• a sixth step (FIG.
• first and second movers 20.1, 20.2 continue to move at the same speed in the detection range of deflecting wheel 45.
• Third movers 20.3 continue to approach.
• the third mover 20.3 moves its receptacle receptacle 38 to the same height as that of the deflecting wheel 45.
• First and second movers 20.1, 20.2 continue to move.
• the first mover 20.1 begins to leave the region of the deflection wheel 45.
• the eighth step (FIG. 6h)
• the first mover 20.1 is no longer in engagement with the deflecting wheel 45 and moves the container receptacle 38, which is now completely provided with containers 36, to the next process station.
• Second and third movers 20.2, 20.3 continue to move at the same speed as the guide wheel 45.
• a fourth movers 20.4 is in the Brought near the guide wheel 45.
• the receptacle receptacle 38 of the fourth mover 20.4 is brought to the same height as the receptacles of the deflecting wheel 45.
• Second and third movers 20.2, 20.3 move immediately one after the other at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the recordings of the deflection wheel 45. Then the steps follow again from FIG. 6g.
• the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20.
• the movers 20 moves upward from a start position 120 shown on the left in the front to the receiving position 140.
• the removed container rows transported by the mover 20 from the receiving position 140 to a weighing device 54 in a weighing position 154.
• the weighing device 54 includes a plurality of unspecified load cells in a row parallel to the transport direction
• the weighing device 54 can be moved up and down as indicated by arrows in order to come into contact with the containers 36 to be weighed.
• This weighing device 54 weighs the empty containers 36, thus serving for tare weighing.
• the mover 20 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction to be weighed
• Freeze containers 36 on the weighing device 54 This could be done in rows or individually.
• the following functions of the mover 20 or container carrier 38 are to be implemented: depositing and receiving the containers 36 on the weighing device 54.
• the mover 20 After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154, the mover 20 transports the weighed empty containers 36 to a filling position 148 at which a filling station 48 is arranged.
• the filling station 48 has filling needles 72, which are preferably arranged in a row which is oriented parallel to the transport direction 31. In the liquid to be filled, it can, for example
• the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the containers 36. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lifted by the mover 20.
• the filling needles 72 could in an alternative not shown similar to the embodiment of FIG 4 are moved by a process movers 21 during the filling process. This relative movement may change during the filling process as already described in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4.
• the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the containers 36 away from each other. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lowered by the mover 20.
• the mover 20 transports the filled containers 36 into a further weighing position 156 in the detection area of another weighing device 56.
• the transport can now be carried out in such a way that a sloshing of the filled containers 36 is prevented by a suitable pivoting of the containers 36 about a horizontal axis is indicated by a corresponding arrow.
• the gross weighing takes place.
• the further weighing device 54 is also movably configured for receiving the containers 36 to be weighed
• Weighing position 156 are the following functions
• the mover 20 or container receptacle 38 to realize: settling and picking up the containers 36 on the weighing device 56. If the gross weighing in the weighing position 156 revealed that a non-tolerable amount was filled, the mover 20 could not correctly filled Dispose of container 36 or possibly bring in the filling position 148 for replenishment. The weighed containers 36 brings the mover 20 into a closing position
• the closing station 50 is designed as a plug setting station by way of example. It comprises at least one container 74 for the closures 37, which provides a supply 76 in a suitable manner. Now, a relative movement takes place between the container 36 and the closure 37. For this purpose, the mover 20 moves the open container se 36 upwards, so that the closures 37 can be inserted into the container openings.
• the sealed containers 36 are brought into a discharge position 160 for transfer into an outlet 60.
• a deflection wheel 58 is provided, which receives the supplied containers 36 and transferred after a 90 ° rotation in the outlet 60 in the form of a screw conveyor.
• the mover 20 is synchronized to the speed of the guide wheel 58, so that it moves in the transfer position at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the feed wheel 58th
• the mover 20 moves from the exit position 160 back to the starting position 120. This could be done, for example, with a mover 20 designed as an active planar drive. Alternatively, it would be one
• Planar drive with a static traveling field and an additional guide possible or even a passive conveyor (such as chain, belt, etc.).
• the filled container 36 is in the outlet 60 ready, which serves as an interface to a possibly downstream machine.
• the mover 20 is provided with a receptacle receptacle 38 in which receptacles 36 filled with a darkly indicated product 35 are located.
• the filling level of the product 35 is oriented horizontally in a first state a. In this first state a, a ', the product 35 is at rest (acceleration and speed equal to zero).
• the cooperating with a drive surface 13, not shown mover 20 can be rotated about a pivot point 33. Shown in the top row of Figure 7 is a mover 20 with no anti-slosh control 35 control, and in the lower row there is shown a mover 20 with control to prevent sloshing of the product 35 in the respective states.
• a second state b, b ' the mover 20 accelerates the product with a constant positive acceleration a.
• the velocity v increases accordingly linearly.
• the product 35 above (state b) spills, the filling level of the product 35 is inclined relative to the horizontal or no longer oriented perpendicular to the container axis.
• the mover 20 rotates the receptacle receptacle 38 about the fulcrum 31 by an angle a.
• the angle ⁇ describes the rotation relative to the normal position or rest position.
• movers 20, 21, which cooperate in the form of a planar drive with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, open up flexible possibilities both of the container transport and the movement of components of process stations.
• the described process stations 38, 40, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, respectively, depending on the application can also be assembled in a different way in a device 8; Due to the flexible transport system, systems can also be set up very flexibly and modularly and, if necessary, changed. Due to the substantially contactless drive system, this is particularly suitable for use in filling and / or sealing and / or weighing devices in the pharmaceutical industry, since there the requirements in terms of
• Particle purity are particularly high.
• other fields of application are possible in principle.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-07-25 DE DE102014214693.3A patent/DE102014214693A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-06-15 WO PCT/EP2015/063303 patent/WO2016012158A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2015-06-15 CN CN201580041410.3A patent/CN106660649B/zh active Active
  • 2015-06-15 EP EP15730454.4A patent/EP3172820B1/de active Active

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