DE102006039120A1 - Filling machine for filling of e.g. liquid, into e.g. syringes, has object retainers holding cavity provided with small containers, in order to center, fix and align cavity for filling medium e.g. liquid, in filling position - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine (1) has a rotary table (4) with two retaining devices (11, 12) to accommodate a transportation box, in which small containers e.g. syringes, are conveyed into a cavity. A pair of object retainers is arranged respectively in other two retaining devices (13, 14) of the table, where the object retainers are brought into a filling position (3) from the retaining devices (13, 14). The object retainers hold the cavity provided with the small containers, in order to center, fix and align the cavity for filling a medium e.g. liquid, in the filling position.

Description

State of the art

The The present invention relates to a filling machine for simultaneous bottling of liquids or powders in a variety of small containers, such as e.g. syringes, Tube, Test tubes or similar

Filling machines are known from the prior art in different embodiments. Such filling machines are used in particular in the pharmaceutical industry for small containers, such as syringes, vials, injection vials, infusion vials, tubes, test tubes, etc. Here, for example, so-called rotary machines are known in which the small containers are automatically fed into a rotating conveyor and in the filling machine with the desired drug or similar. be filled. Such a filling machine is for example from the DE 197 16 846 C1 known. Due to the high degree of automation, however, this known filling machine is very expensive.

Advantages of the invention

The filling machine according to the invention with the features of claim 1, in contrast, the Advantage on that it is very inexpensive to produce and a fast and safe loading or unloading of goods to be filled or filled small containers allows. In particular, according to the invention the changeover times are reduced because during the filling of the Small container in the filling machine already the next to be filled small containers for one filling can be prepared and simultaneously with a discharge of filled small containers new to be filled small containers be brought into a feed position in front of the filling machine can. This is inventively characterized reached that filling machine includes a turntable which is immediately in front of the filling machine is arranged. The turntable is in a vertical axis rotatably mounted. The turntable further comprises a total of four holding devices, wherein a first and a second holding device are provided, to each receive a transport box and wherein a third and a fourth holding device are provided, in each case an object holder receive. In the transport boxes are to be filled small containers fed into so-called nests or dissipated, being a variety of small containers is arranged in the nests. The object holder is used to hold the Small containers, the small containers together with the nests are placed on an object holder, which the small containers then keep in position. This can be done in the filling machine be assured that the variety of small containers each is arranged at a correct position, so that when filling the small containers filling devices, such as. Needles or similar not with the small containers come into contact, but a filling possible in a middle Area of small containers possible is. This is especially true in sterile applications, e.g. in the pharmaceutical Area, necessary.

The under claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Preferably are provided as object holders centering, which the small containers Center. The centering devices preferably have circular holes.

Preferably comprise the third and fourth holding means for receiving the Transport boxes each conveying elements. The conveyor elements for example Rolls or rollers or a sliding area. By means of the conveying elements can the object receptacles or centering devices in a simple manner pushed from the turntable into the filling machine be or be removed.

Further Preferably, the filling machine comprises a stop to limit the rotational movement of the turntable. The stopper is preferably designed as a detent to the rotational movement exactly to position.

Further Preferably, the turntable is designed such that it only can take two positions. Thus, the turntable is between a first position and a second position movable. Thereby the turntable can be made very simple and inexpensive because he can only take two positions.

According to one Another preferred embodiment of the invention are the first and the second holding device for receiving the transport boxes respectively as a recess in the turntable or protruding from the turntable Wall areas formed. This allows the transport box to safely open be positioned on the turntable, without this being an additional Anchoring or fixing the transport boxes is necessary. The Dimensions of the wells or the protruding walls are thereby formed according to the shape of the transport boxes. Also it is conceivable that on the turntable additionally anti-slip devices, such as. Rubber elements integrated in the turntable or a rubber mat or similar, arranged is.

To avoid contamination of the small container, especially in medical or pharmaceutical uses, includes Filling machine further preferably an insulation housing in which the turntable is arranged. Furthermore, a lock is arranged on the insulation housing in order to introduce empty small containers into the insulation housing or to transport filled small containers out of the insulation housing.

Around a simple and fast manual handling during loading and removal of small containers to enable the insulation housing further comprises at least one glove engagement, through which an employee can intervene from outside to necessary handling operations inside the insulation enclosure.

One especially small space requirement can be achieved if the turntable is preferably circular.

drawing

following become preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is:

1 FIG. 2 a schematic top view of a filling machine with a turntable according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG.

2a to 2d different views of a centering device or a transport box of the first embodiment,

3a to 3y perspective views of the workflow of supplying empty small containers, filling and discharging of filled small containers, and

4 a schematic plan view of a filling machine according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Description of preferred Embodiments of invention

The following is with reference to the 1 to 3y a filling machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention as well as an inventive workflow of the filling machine described.

As in 1 can be seen, includes the filling machine 1 a filling device 2 in which, for example, a liquid drug in small container 5 , such as syringes, bottled. The reference number 3 indicates a filling position in the filling machine 1 , The small containers 5 are in particular from 2c can be seen, with a variety of small containers 5 in a hole recording 7 is placed next to each other. These with small containers 5 stocked hole pickup 7 is called a nest 6 designated. How out 2 B it can be seen, is in each case such a nest 6 in a transport box 8th arranged. 2d shows an empty transport box 8th with a boxy shape.

The filling machine 1 further comprises a turntable 4 which is about a vertical axis 9 is rotatably mounted. On the turntable 4 four holding devices are provided, which in this embodiment as on the turntable 4 trained recesses are. More specifically, the turntable includes 4 a first holding device 11 , a second holding device 12 , a third holding device 13 and a fourth holding device 14 , Here are the first holding device 11 and the second holding device 12 for receiving one transport box each 8th and the third holding device 13 and the fourth holding device 14 each serve to receive a centering device 15 , The centering device 15 is schematic in 2a shown. The centering device 15 also has a plurality of openings 15a on, which for centering the small container 5 serve. Furthermore, the centering device comprises 15 a handle 15b , with which the centering device 15 can be handled. As further out 1 can be seen, include the third holding device 13 and the fourth holding device 14 each a conveying element 16 in the form of a roller conveyor. With this roller conveyor 16 can the centering device 15 from the third and fourth holding means 13 . 14 be moved in a simple manner without much effort. How out 1 it can be seen, the centering device 15 especially in a filling position 3 in the filling machine 1 advanced or removed after filling. This is indicated by the double arrow P in 1 indicated.

It should be noted that instead of the roller conveyor 16 For example, slide rails or other conveying elements may be provided which a simple displacement of the centering device 15 with attached nest 6 in or out of the filling device 2 enable.

The following is the function of the filling machine according to the invention 1 with reference to the 3a to 3y described in detail. In the initial state, the first and second holding device 11 and 12 empty (not shown). The third and fourth holding device 13 and 14 each holding a centering device 15 respectively. 15 ' , In a first step, one becomes with a first nest 6 filled transport box 8th in the first holding device 11 arranged. The first transport box 8th becomes from a waiting position W adjacent to the turntable 4 on the first holding device 11 on the turntable 4 over lifted. The arrow A shows schematically the takeover of the first transport box 8th from the waiting position W in the first holding device 11 on the turntable 4 , To avoid contamination, the transport boxes 8th covered with a foil, not shown. This foil is then peeled off and in a first step the first nest 6 from the first transport box 8th taken and in the first centering device 15 in the first holding device 13 used. This is in 3a indicated by the arrow B.

In a next step, as in 3b shown the turntable 4 around the vertical axis 9 rotated by 180 °. Here, a detent, not shown, is provided which the rotation of the turntable 4 limited. The rotation through 180 ° is in 3b indicated by the arrow C. In 3b is also the empty transport box 8th in the first holding device 11 shown. The next step will be the nest 6 containing centering device 15 in the filling position 3 emotional. This is in 3c indicated by the arrow D. For this purpose, the centering device 15 manually via the roller conveyor 16 in the third holding device 13 in the filling position 3 emotional. Subsequently, a filling of the plurality of small containers takes place 5 of the nest 6 ,

During the filling process of the first nest 6 will, as in 3d shown in the meantime in the waiting position W brought second transport box 8th' in the second holding device 12 added. This is indicated by the arrow E in 3d shown. Subsequently, from the second transport box 8th' a second nest 6 ' taken and on the second centering device 15 ' used. This is in 3e represented by the arrow F. If now the filling of the first nest 6 in the filling device 2 is finished, becomes the first nest 6 from the filling device 2 taken manually and again on the roller conveyor 16 in the third holding device 13 transferred. This process is in 3f marked with the arrow G. The filled nest 6 just has to go from the filling position 3 be pulled over. In the in 3g shown position are on the turntable 4 thus a first empty transport box 8th , a second empty transport box 8th' , a first filled nest 6 and a second empty nest 6 ' available. In a next step is the turntable 4 again rotated 180 ° clockwise. This is in 3g indicated by the arrow H. This is the first nest 6 with the filled small containers 5 from the bottling facility 2 turned away and the second nest 6 ' with the empty small containers is the bottling device 2 facing. Subsequently, the second centering device 15 ' with the second nest 6 in the filling position 3 in the filling device 2 pushed, as indicated by the arrow I in 3h indicated. Subsequently, the filled first nest 6 from the first centering device 15 removed and back in the first transport box 8th inserted. This is in 3i indicated by the arrow J. It should be noted that the small containers 5 while in the filling device 2 were also closed by means of a suitable element, such as a plug or a syringe plunger.

Then the first transport box 8th with the filled nest 6 from the first holding device 11 taken and it can again a new transport box with an empty nest in the first holding device 11 to be ordered. These steps are all performed while the 2 , nest 6 ' is still filled.

3i shows the removal of the filled first nest 6 and putting in the first transport box 8th , In 3y is the removal of the transport box 8th with the filled nest 6 indicated by the arrow K. Subsequently, a next transport box 8th'' first brought into the waiting position W and then into the now empty first holding device 11 be used.

By providing the turntable according to the invention 4 can thus significantly shorten the cycle times for filling a nest 6 be achieved. According to the invention, while a first nest 6 in the filling device 2 is filled, already a second nest 6 ' be prepared and rotated by 180 ° after removal of the filled nest 6 be brought into the correct feed position with a turn. While then the second nest in the bottling facility 2 The first filled nest from the turntable can be filled 4 be removed and a subsequent nest back on the turntable 4 be positioned. Although the implementation of the empty or filled nests or transport boxes is done manually, nevertheless, a significant reduction in time can be achieved. The waste machine according to the invention 1 is still very inexpensive to provide and also operable. A handling of the filling machine 1 is by providing the turntable 4 much easier.

The following is with reference to 4 a filling machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention described in detail. Identical or functionally identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the waste machine 1 of the second embodiment, additionally an insulation housing 20 on. The insulation enclosure 20 isolated the turntable 4 from the environment, leaving an operator 17 outside the insulation enclosure 20 stands. The insulation enclosure 20 further includes a lock 21 , where the lock is an area 21a for the introduction of transport boxes with empty nests and an area 21b for discharging transport boxes with filled nests. To handle the loading and removal of the filling device 2 are in the insulation housing 20 not shown gloves interventions provided with which the operator 17 can perform the necessary manipulations. It should be noted that the turntable 4 has a direction of rotation, which is clockwise, to avoid that the empty small container 5 be rotated under the gloves. As a result, contamination of the not yet filled small container can be avoided by, for example, falling particles from the glove operations. A rotation of the already filled small container 5 Under the gloves is possible without risk, since the small container 5 were sealed in the filling device. Thus, there is no longer a danger that the small containers could be contaminated.

Otherwise corresponds to this embodiment the first embodiment, so that reference can be made to the description given there.

Claims (9)

Waste machine for filling a medium, in particular a liquid or a powder, into a multiplicity of small containers ( 5 ), in particular syringes, comprising a turntable ( 4 ), which before a filling device ( 2 ) of the filling machine is arranged to the small container ( 5 ) into a filling position ( 3 ), and the turntable ( 4 ) rotatable about a vertical axis ( 9 ) is mounted, wherein the turntable ( 4 ) a first holding device ( 11 ) and a second holding device ( 12 ) to each have a transport box ( 8th ), in which the small containers to be filled ( 5 ) in a nest ( 6 ) are fed and discharged, and wherein the turntable ( 4 ) a third holding device ( 13 ) and a fourth holding device ( 14 ), wherein in the third and fourth holding means ( 13 . 14 ) each an object recording ( 15 . 15 ' ), which of the third and fourth holding devices ( 13 . 14 ) into the filling position ( 3 ), wherein the object holder ( 15 . 15 ' ) with the small containers ( 5 ) populated nest ( 6 ) picks up the nest ( 6 ) to center and fix and for the Befallen in the filling position ( 3 ). filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the object holder is a centering device. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third and fourth holding device ( 13 . 14 ) each a conveying element ( 16 ), in particular rollers or rollers, on which the centering device ( 15 ) from the turntable ( 4 ) into the filling position ( 3 ) is movable. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop to prevent a rotary movement of the turntable ( 4 ) to limit. Waste machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turntable ( 4 ) occupies only a first position or a second position, wherein the first position of the second position is opposed by 180 °. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second holding device ( 11 . 12 ) each as a depression in the turntable ( 4 ) is trained. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insulation housing ( 20 ) with a lock ( 21 ), where the turntable ( 4 ) in the insulation housing ( 20 ) is arranged. Filling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the insulation housing ( 20 ) To prevent manual handling in the insulation enclosure ( 20 ). Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turntable ( 4 ) is circular.