EP3172820B1 - Device for weighing a receptacle - Google Patents

Description

The invention is based on a device for weighing a container according to the type of the independent claim.

State of the art

From the WO 2011/138448 a system for transporting containers between different stations is already known, the containers being accommodated in container carriers. The system comprises a control unit which controls the transport of the container carriers, a transport surface which is divided into partial areas and on which the container carriers can be arranged in a movable manner, and drive means, the drive means being controlled by the control unit and a respective drive means being assigned to a respective partial surface , wherein a respective drive means is designed to apply a driving force to an associated container carrier. This system is characterized by a high degree of flexibility, as is required in particular for the transport of sample containers in a laboratory analysis system.

From the EP 2420450 A1 a filling device of a product into a container under aseptic conditions is already known. This device comprises a carrier which is set up to accommodate at least two containers. Conveyors move the containers along different workstations such as a feed station for feeding the containers, a weighing station for weighing the empty containers, a filling station for filling the containers with a product, a further weighing station for weighing the filled containers, a sleep-out station, a sealing station for sealing the Containers and an exit station to remove the containers again. The conveyor device is a magnetic conveyor device to enable wireless energy transmission via a magnetic field. The magnetic conveyor system comprises upright guide walls on the sides, the guide walls comprising a rail for guiding the containers. The conveyor is designed as a closed circle.

The object of the invention is to further optimize a weighing system. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim.

Advantages of the invention

In contrast, a device according to the invention with the features of the independent claim has the advantage that sequential process steps or fixed process steps are no longer necessary. The fact that at least one drive surface and at least one on the drive surface magnetically connectable movers are provided, and the movers on the drive surface can be displaced and / or rotated in at least two degrees of freedom and the receptacle receptacle is arranged on the movers, the containers of the weighing device can be fed and removed in a particularly flexible manner. In addition, this drive principle can be used to reduce particle emissions or abrasion by means of relative movements of rollers, sliding elements or drive means that are otherwise required, since the mover can now be moved relative to the drive surface without contact due to the magnetic coupling. This is particularly advantageous for pharmaceutical weighing devices. In addition, the cleanability of the system is improved, since only planar surfaces are necessary without the otherwise usual mechanical and difficult-to-clean connections between the drive and the moving container transport. Furthermore, the effort involved in setting up or assembling the processes for the weighing device is reduced, since the transport does not always have to provide the containers in a fixed position. Furthermore, the service life is increased by reducing wear parts. Furthermore, fixed, unchangeable mechanical routes can be avoided. Switch functions are no longer tied to a specific location, but can be defined at any point within the drive area by programming them accordingly. The flexible drive concept with superimposition of a rotary movement of the mover can have a direct influence on the sloshing behavior of a filled container by the mover generating a rotary movement which counteracts the sloshing of the filled product. Due to the high flexibility of the drive concept, the weighing control can be carried out with a higher percentage of containers or for all containers without reducing the output. This increases the accuracy and safety of the device. There is also the option to return if the weighing results are poor. According to the invention, the drive surface is designed in such a way that the mover, after weighing, moves the container receptacle with at least one filled container optionally at at least two stations. This allows the process sequences to be designed flexibly, as different stations can be approached depending on the condition of the container.

In an expedient embodiment it is provided that the drive surface is designed as a vertical plane. As a result, relative movements typical of weighing, such as transport below normally vertically oriented components of a weighing device, can be implemented particularly easily.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of movers which can be moved independently of one another are provided. This means that the process sequences can be designed flexibly, as other stations can be approached depending on the condition of the container.

It is particularly expedient that the mover moves the receptacle relative to the weighing device, so that at least one receptacle is free during weighing, in particular is not held by the receptacle. As a result, the container just desired is fed to the weighing device in a flexible manner without the usual further processing of the further containers which are moved by further movers being impaired thereby. This can further increase the system's output.

In an expedient development, it is provided that the weighing device comprises at least one weighing device for determining a gross weight of the container. The drive surface is particularly preferably designed such that the mover moves at least the container receptacle between a further weighing device for determining a tare weight and the weighing device for determining the gross weight. This allows the filling quantity of the filled container to be determined in a flexible manner.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that, in addition to a filling station, at least one closing station and / or at least one inspection device and / or one inlet and / or one outlet are provided and the drive surface is designed such that the mover at least the container receptacle for at least one of the aforementioned stations moved.

Further expedient further developments result from further dependent claims and from the description.

die Figur 1

sowohl eine passives Mover-Modul wie auch ein aktives Mover-Modul mit Spulenpaket zur Spannungsversorgung,

die Figur 2

eine Systemdarstellung der Vorrichtung,

die Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Maschinenkonzepts zum Befüllen nestgebundener pharmazeutischer Behältnisse,

die Figuren 4 und 5

perspektivische Darstellungen weiterer Maschinenkonzepte zum Befüllen von insbesondere pharmazeutischen Behältnissen,

die Figur 6

die Einlaufsituation mit einem Planarantrieb in neun unterschiedlichen Zuständen a bis i sowie

die Figur 7

Mover mit befüllten Behältnissen ohne und mit spezieller Ansteuerung, um ein Schwappen eines in dem Behältnis abgefüllten Produkts zu reduzieren.

Embodiments of the device are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail below. Show it:

the figure 1

both a passive mover module and an active mover module with coil package for power supply,

the figure 2

a system representation of the device,

the figure 3

1 shows a perspective illustration of a machine concept for filling nest-bound pharmaceutical containers,

Figures 4 and 5

perspective representations of further machine concepts for filling in particular pharmaceutical containers,

the figure 6

the run-in situation with a planar drive in nine different states a to i as well

the figure 7

Mover with filled containers without and with special control in order to reduce sloshing of a product filled in the container.

According to Figure 1 includes a base platform 10, a support plate 12 or a drive surface 13 on which at least one mover 20 is movably arranged. The mover 20 is a generally passive mover 20, which preferably comprises permanent magnets 19, which cooperate with coils on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 to produce a relative movement. Alternatively, however, the mover 20 could also be operated actively, in that the mover 20 comprises at least one coil package for the voltage supply, which interacts in a suitable manner with means generating magnetic fields (permanent magnets, coils) on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 in order to generate a relative movement. Figure 1 shows an example of the first carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, which is designed as a horizontal plane, and one further adjacent support plate 12 or drive surface 13, which is designed as a vertical plane. The two movers 20 arranged thereon are also flat and cooperate with the respective drive surfaces 13 such 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 and optionally a rotation about the Normal the drive surface 13 is possible.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2 two movers 20 are shown by way of example with different basic shapes, namely a substantially rectangular movers 20 or a round movers 20. An oval design would also be conceivable. The carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 consists of several individual parts or tiles 16. The tiles 16 are square or rectangular. The tiles 16 essentially have a planar surface and are built up in layers. The tile 16 is square or rectangular. The tile 16 thus comprises a coil level 18, a sensor level 22 and a power electronics level 24. Furthermore, a bus system 26 is provided which connects the tiles 16 to a central computer or processor (not shown). In addition, a voltage supply 28 is provided with associated connections, via which the power electronics level 24 or the coil level 18 and / or the sensor level 22 can be supplied with energy.

The base platform 10 describes the base element. This provides the necessary design options for the system in the room. The base platform 10 is understood to mean the system carrier or a machine frame. It must have the necessary rigidity. The base platform 10 can already accommodate control components and power electronics. Optionally, the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 could already be part of the base platform 10. The base platform 10 offers the basis or the element for arranging further functional units. The base platform 10 is also the basis or the element for arranging further transport systems. The base platform 10 should be compatible with other base platforms. On the surface of the base platform 10, the movers 20 which are movable relative thereto are arranged on the drive surface 13. For this purpose, the drive surface 13 or the carrier plate is produced 12 a driving force which acts on the mover 20 and sets it in the desired movement. The stationary drive surface 13 is preferably planar. The mover 20 is controlled in such a way that it can be displaced and / or rotated at least in two degrees of freedom. Different stations can thus be approached in a flexible manner, in particular as described below, if the drive surface 13 connects them to one another in a suitable manner.

The mover 20 describes the movable element of the device 8. On the one hand, the mover 20 serves to generate a relative movement with respect to the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. Furthermore, there is an interaction between the movers 20 or between the mover components. Furthermore, the mover 20 generates a force on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. For this purpose, the mover 20 comprises at least one means for generating a magnetic field, in particular a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet 19, which coils 18 of the carrier plate 12 or the drive surface 13 cooperates to generate motion. In this case, an air gap is formed between the carrier plate 12 or the drive surface 13 and the mover 20, so that the mover 20 can move in a contactless manner relative to the drive surface 13. Furthermore, the mover 20 can have means for recognizing a position.

In a view of the Figure 2 the mover 20 is shown in perspective. An underside 17 of the mover 20 interacts with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. A plurality of permanent magnets 19 are arranged on the underside 17 of the mover 20. The magnetic fields of adjacent permanent magnets 19 differ. The underside 17 essentially consists of four fields, each with a plurality of permanent magnets 19. The central region of the underside 17 has no permanent magnets 19. WO 2013/059934 A1 indicates still further alternative configurations that 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 multi-layer component Figure 2 It has the following basic functionalities. On the one hand, it comprises means for generating a relative movement with respect to the Mover 20. A force is also generated that 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 recognizing positions as well as means for identifying energy transmission and means for transmitting information.

The mover 20 points in accordance with Figure 3 at least one container receptacle 38 for receiving at least one container 36 to be transported. The container receptacle 38 is preferably slit-shaped in such a way that a plurality of containers 36 can be arranged next to one another and these are held by the receptacle 38. However, a different configuration of the container receptacle 38 is also possible. Furthermore, the mover 20 could comprise means for moving the containers 36. The mover 20 is preferably cast in order to protect the internal magnets from environmental influences, such as, for example, from corrosion. A process mover 21 is technically identical or constructed similarly to the mover 20, but instead of the containers 36 moves 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.

Based Figure 3 the device 8 for processing, in particular, nest-bound containers 36 can be explained in more detail. Containers 36 located in a nest 34 are delivered in a tub 32, a trough-shaped container as shown. The nest 34 serves to hold the containers 36, in particular in the tub 32. A tub inlet 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown. The tubs 32 are moved in a transport direction 31 indicated by an arrow by a transport device 42. Various conventional transport solutions (belt, belt) can be used; a solution with transport belts as the transport device 42 is shown. In principle, it would be possible according to the illustration in FIG Figure 1 also in the horizontal plane the transport of the tubs 32 by means of a planar drive, that is to say using the mover 20, which is arranged and designed on the horizontally oriented support plate 12 or drive surface 13 for the transport of the tubs 32.

According to Figure 3 the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 move upward from a starting position 120 shown at the front left to a singling position 144. In the singling position 144 the movers 20 are within range of a removal means 46. The removal means 46 is designed, 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 capable of removing at least one row of containers arranged perpendicular to the direction of transport 31 and / or depositing in the container receptacle 38 of the mover 20 by an up-down movement . The containers 36 located in the nest 34 are thus removed in rows and thus separated. A row-by-row separation is understood to mean that a plurality of containers 36 are arranged essentially in one row perpendicular to the transport direction 31.

Optionally, the mover 20 can remove the containers 36 from the tub 32 provided by the removal means 46 by the mover 20 itself generating a corresponding removal movement relative to the removal means 46. For this purpose, the mover 20 moves the receptacle receptacle 38 through the openings of the receptacles 36 ready for removal in the removal position. 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 in the way that the recess can enclose the containers 36. The containers 36 enclosed by the container receptacle 38 are then held by the mover 20 rotating the container receptacle 38 such that the containers 36 are thereby clamped. As a result, the inner edges of the preferably slot-shaped recess come into contact with the side walls of the containers 36 from both sides. After the container receptacle 38 has been rotated or form-fittingly contacted with the containers 36, the mover 20 moves upward and removes the containers 36 now separated in rows. Alternatively the nest 34 could also be lowered.

The removed rows of containers are moved by the mover 20 from the separating position 144 to a weighing device 54 into a weighing position 154. Here, the mover 20 and thus also the container receptacle 38 easily keeps them tilted position at as in Figure 3 indicated so that the containers 36 continue to be securely clamped and held. This weighing device 54 weighs the empty containers 36, thus serves for tare weighing. For this purpose, the mover 20 could free the containers 36 to be weighed on the weighing device 54 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction. The release takes place by a counter-tilting movement of the mover 20 and thus the receptacle receptacle 38, so that the receptacles 36 are no longer held in a clamped manner. The particular advantage of row-by-row separation is particularly evident when weighing. Conventional weighing devices 54, 56 can thus be used, which are usually designed for at least one-row weighing. With the nesting processing that has been customary up to now, this is at best possible with great effort, so that usually only a small percentage is weighed. Weighing could be done in rows or individually.

After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154, the mover 20 transports the weighed empty containers 36 into a filling position 148, at which a filling station 48 is arranged. For this purpose, the mover 20 tilts the receptacle receptacle 38, so that the previously released receptacles 36 are held clamped again.

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 can be, for example, pharmaceuticals. In the filling position 148, the filling needles 72 are moved towards 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 raised by the mover 20. In the in Figure 3 In the variant shown, the relative movement takes place solely through the mover 20 moving the containers 36. The mover 20, on the one hand, maintains the rotation for holding the containers 20 in a clamped manner. On the other hand, the mover 20 moves the containers 36 along the axis of the filling needles 49 during the filling process. This relative movement can change during the filling process. As the fill level in the container 36 increases, the mover 20 lowers the container 36 downward. This reduces annoying blistering during filling. After filling, the filling needles 72 become relative to the containers 36 moved 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 lowers the containers 36 further downward parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72, so that a collision-free lateral movement is subsequently possible.

After filling, 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 in such a way that the filled containers 36 slosh by a suitable pivoting of the containers 36 about a horizontal one Axis is prevented. For this purpose, a further tilting takes place after a certain movement profile, the clamping holding of the containers 36 being maintained. The anti-slosh function is discussed below in conjunction with Figure 7 explained in more detail.

The gross weighing takes place at the weighing device 56. Here, similar to the tare weighing position 154, the filled containers 36 are deposited and picked up on and from the weighing device 56 or alternative filling quantity detection devices. The following functions can be implemented in the weighing position 156: holding by appropriate clamping of the containers 36, freeing of the containers 36 by rotating the receptacle receptacle 38 in the opposite direction, so that the containers 36 are no longer held in a clamping manner for weighing, and then holding the containers 36 in a clamping manner by twisting the mover 20.

If the gross weighing in the weighing position 156 shows that an intolerable amount has been filled, the mover 20 could discharge the corresponding container 36 and / or possibly bring it into the filling position 148 for further dosing.

The mover 20 brings the weighed containers 36 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 one tappet 62. Setting tubes 64 and tappet 62 are vertical in rows, in particular in one row to the transport direction 31. Furthermore, closures 37, such as stoppers, are fed to the setting pipes 64 with the aid of a feed 76 in order to close the filled container 36. The closure 37 reaches the inside of the setting tube 64. The setting tube 64 is designed such that the closure 37 is slightly compressed on the circumference so that it then expands again in the container opening and closes it. The closure 37 is brought into a suitable position above the container opening. Now there is a relative movement between the container 36 and the closure 37, in that the plunger 62 dips into the setting tube 64 and presses the closure 37 into the container opening. Alternatively or additionally, the container 36 itself could also be moved towards the closure 37 by the mover 20. The container 36 is closed.

Subsequently, the closed containers 36 are brought into a reset position 152 for resetting into the nest 34. For this purpose, the mover 20 brings the closed containers 36 into the detection area of a handling device 52. This handling device 52 can be a robot, for example. 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. For this purpose, the containers 36 held in a clamped manner are brought into the nest 34 in the reset position. By clamping the mover 20 or the receptacle receptacle 38 in opposite directions, preferably horizontally, the clamping is released again. The mover 20 then moves the container receptacle 38 without the containers 36.

After all rows of the nest 34 have been equipped with containers 36, the handling device 52 puts the nest 34 filled with containers 36 back into the empty tube 34 by lifting and lowering. This reset functionality can be used, for example, with the aid of the mover 20 and the handling device 52 Realize robots or an external axis portal or similar.

The mover 20 then moves from the reset position 152 back to the starting position 140. This could take place, for example, in the case of a mover 20 designed as an active planar drive. Alternatively, one would be Planar drive with a static traveling field and / or an additional guide possible or a passive funding (such as a chain, belt, etc.).

The filled tub 32 is ready at an outlet 58 which serves as an interface to a downstream machine.

The following optional process steps can be integrated into the processing. This can be modular and application-specific: closing gassing, vacuum plug placement, pre-gassing, double chamber, syringe / cartridge, flanging, mixing ball use e.g. suspension, inspection (front closure, container, needle, plug seat, residual oxygen, filling height, residual air bubble), removal station, labeling, product loss prevention.

Based Figure 4 A device 8 for processing containers 36, in particular carpules, which is not according to the invention, can be explained in more detail. Containers 36 to be filled are delivered in a manner not shown. In particular, these can be containers 36 to be filled with liquid pharmaceuticals, such as syringes, ampoules, cartridges, vials or the like.

An inlet 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown. The container receptacle 38 according to Figure 4 consists of two strips provided with coaxial, part-circular recesses which run along the surface of the mover 20. As an example, four containers 36 can be accommodated. However, a different, suitable number would also be possible.

According to Figure 4 the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 move upwards from a start position 120 shown at the front left to an entry position 140. In the entry position 140, the movers 20 are within reach of the supplied ones Containers 36. In the infeed position 140, the supplied containers 36 are brought into the container receptacles 38 via handling devices or the like (not shown).

The mover 20 transports the accommodated containers 36 from the inlet position 140 to a closing station 50, in particular for inserting piston plugs as closures 37 which are customary for this purpose, as is typical for carpules, glass tubes open at the top and bottom, into an insertion position 141 closed at the bottom by closures 37 (plugs). The closing station 50 comprises at least one hold-down device 66 and a plunger 68. A plurality of hold-down devices 66 and plunger 68 are arranged one behind the other parallel to the transport direction 31 or to the drive surface 13 in accordance with the receiving geometry of the container receptacle 38. Different variants are possible here, such as a relative movement between stoppers or Closures 37 and containers 36 is produced. In this way, the hold-down device 66 and / or the plunger 68 could be moved by a servo drive or also with the aid of a mover 20 or a process mover 21. In the Figure 4 A variant is shown in which hold-down device 66 and ram 68 are each moved by process movers 21. Process movers 21 are understood to be those movers 20 which move certain process steps (closing, for example piston setting, filling, etc.) with the associated components, but not directly the containers 36. When the closures 37 are set, the upper process movers 21 move the hold-down devices 66 to the top of the containers 36 provided by the mover 20. The lower process mover 21 moves the closures 37 received by the tappet 68 upwards and presses them into the underside of the containers 36.

After the containers 36 have been closed at the bottom in the insertion position 141 by the closures 37 (stopper), the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a ball insertion position 143. Here, the containers 36 are located under feeders 70 of a ball insertion station 43, over which one or more balls are brought into the interior of the container 36 as is required for certain dosage forms of certain pharmaceuticals.

After the ball has been inserted, the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a pre-filling position 147. There, 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. For this purpose, the filling needles 72 are arranged in a row parallel to the direction of movement 31. Several pre-filling points can be provided in Figure 4 As an example, three pre-filling points, each with four filling needles 72, are provided. The Mover 20 can be controlled so that it goes to a free pre-fill point. For this purpose, a corresponding sensor system for evaluating the current mover positions is to be provided, which detects the presence of a mover 20 at a pre-filling point and activates the respective drive surfaces 13 via a higher-level control so that the mover 20 does not control an occupied pre-filling point.

The filling needles 72 could either be rigid as in FIG Figure 4 shown 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 is preferably carried out above or below the filling level, depending on the product type, 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 be moved by a servo drive or a mover 20 or process mover 21. In the embodiment according to Figure 4 however, the containers 36 are moved relative to the filling needles 72 with the aid of the mover 20. During filling, the mover 20 removes the containers 36 from the filling needles 72 downward parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72. An advantage of a rigid filling needle 72, due to a movement-free filling process, is reduced particle emissions in this particle-sensitive process area, as might otherwise occur, for example, due to friction when the supply lines move or the like. In this variant, for example, the filling needles 72 can also be permanently piped. The mover 20 could also tilt the containers 36 slightly during the filling process to support foam-free filling. The containers 36 could be lowered slightly inclined parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72 during the filling process.

After the pre-filling has been completed, the mover 20 moves the pre-filled containers 36 from the pre-filling position 147 to a remaining filling position 149. There, a remaining filling station 49 comprises a plurality of filling needles 72 arranged in a row parallel to the transport direction 31 and a corresponding sensor system, via which the exact remaining filling can be controlled and monitored . As already in connection with the pre-filling station 47, a relative movement between the containers 36 and the filling needles 72 should be possible during the filling. In the embodiment according to Figure 4 the filling needles 72 of the remaining filling station 49 are now movably arranged on a process mover 21 Process movers 21 can in turn be filled above or below the filling level by the filling needles 72 withdrawing from the containers 36 parallel to the axis of the containers 36 during the filling process. Alternatively, it would be conceivable to set the filling needles 72 and / or the containers 36 at a slight angle during the filling in order to optimize the filling process. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to move the containers 36 in addition to the filling needles 72 during the filling process.

After the residual filling has taken place, the mover 20 brings the correctly filled containers 36 from the residual filling position 149 to a position 151 in which a closure 37 or a cap is fed to the container 36. A closing station 50 comprises a container 74, in which the closures 37 are stored and individually provided in a suitable manner via a feed 76. In this case, the mover 20 moves the container 36 along the feed 76 with a preferably continuous towing movement, so that the closure 37 comes to rest on the container opening.

The mover 20 then moves the container 36 provided with a closure 37 into a closing position 150. There, the closure 37 and the container 36 are located in the detection area of a closing station 50. This can be, for example, a flanging station 53. The corresponding flanging rollers are not shown. The mover 20 positions the containers 36 in the detection area of the flanging station 53, which carries out a positive connection of the closure 37, such as an aluminum cap, to the container 36. The containers 36 are then closed in the desired manner.

The mover 20 can then bring the closed containers 36 into an optionally possible inspection position 155, which is located in the detection area of an inspection station 55. This could be equipped with appropriate sensors to automatically record and evaluate the desired inspection criteria.

Subsequently, the closed containers 36 are brought into an outlet position 160 in the detection area of an outlet 60, which contains the containers 36 possibly leads to 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 an external axis portal or the like.

The empty mover 20 then moves from the outflow position 160 back to the starting position 140. This could be done, for example, with a mover 20 designed as an active planar drive. Alternatively, a planar drive with a static traveling field and / or an additional guide would be possible, or else a passive funding (such as a chain, belt, etc.).

Figure 5 shows a device 8 for processing containers 36, in particular ampoules or vials. Via a screw conveyor 39, the containers 36 to be filled are fed perpendicular to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. A deflection wheel 45 deflects the containers 36 by 90 ° parallel to the surface of the carrier plate 12 into an inlet position 140. There, the mover 20 takes over the containers 36 from the inlet 40 into the container receptacle 38. Suitable handling solutions can be provided for this purpose, which facilitate this transfer accomplish. For example, at least two movers 20 can be provided, which are brought directly adjacent to one another between the deflection 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 deflection wheel 45. A third mover 20 is already ready when all the container receptacles 38 of the first mover 20 are filled and this leaves the detection area of the deflection wheel 45. During this, the second mover 20 is filled at a synchronized speed with containers 36 supplied by the deflection wheel 45 and so on.

The different steps of receiving the containers fed via the deflection wheel 45 are shown Figure 6 . The deflection wheel 45 rotates about an axis parallel to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 as well as in FIG Figure 5 shown. The outer receptacle receptacles of the deflection wheel 45 are also arranged in the position closest to the drive surface 13 at a distance from the drive surface 13. This distance is selected such that between the drive surface 13 and the nearest outer container receptacle of the deflection wheel 45 the container receptacle 38 of the mover 20 can be arranged such that the container 36 to be transferred fits between the two receptacles.

In a first step ( Figure 6a ) there are first mover 20.1 and second mover 20.2 near the deflection wheel 45, but not yet in engagement. At the second step ( Figure 6b ), the first mover 20.1 brings the receptacle receptacle 38 to a level with the deflection wheel 45. The first mover 20.1 aligns the receptacle receptacle 38 parallel to the plane of the deflection wheel 45, for example horizontally as in FIG Figure 5 and 6 shown. The second mover 20.2 continues to approach the deflection wheel 45. In a third step ( Figure 6c ) the first mover 20.1 moves at the same speed as the rotational speed of the receptacle receptacle of the deflection wheel 45. The first mover 20.1 is synchronized. The receptacles of the deflection wheel 45 and the first mover 20.1 are also opposed in such a way that the container 36 in between can be safely transferred from the deflection wheel 45 to the first mover 20.1. The second mover 20.2 continues to approach, as does a third mover 20.3. In a fourth step ( Figure 6d ) the second Mover 20.2 is aligned appropriately. The first mover 20.1 moves in synchronism with the deflection wheel 45 to accommodate the containers 36. The third mover 20.3 continues to move towards the deflection wheel 45. In a fifth step ( Figure 6e ) the second mover 20.2 is synchronized and moves as at the same speed as the receptacles of the deflection wheel 45. The receptacle receptacle 38 connects directly to that of the first mover 20.1. The first mover 20.1 continues to move at a constant speed and receives the containers 36 fed from the deflection wheel 45. In a sixth step ( Figure 6f ), the first and second movers 20.1, 20.2 move further at the same speed in the detection range of the deflection wheel 45. The third movers 20.3 approaches further. In a seventh step ( Figure 6g ) the third mover 20.3 moves its container receptacle 38 to the same height as that of the deflection wheel 45. The first and second movers 20.1, 20.2 move on. The first mover 20.1 begins to leave the area of the deflection wheel 45. In the eighth step ( Figure 6h ), the first mover 20.1 is no longer in engagement with the deflection 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 move on at the same speed as the deflection wheel 45. A fourth Mover 20.4 is in the Brought near the deflection wheel 45. In a ninth step ( Figure 6i ) the container receptacle 38 of the fourth mover 20.4 is brought to the same height as the receptacles of the deflection wheel 45. Second and third movers 20.2, 20.3 move immediately one behind the other at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the receptacles of the deflection wheel 45. Then the steps are completed Figure 6g back to.

According to Figure 5 the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 move upward from a starting position 120 shown at the front left into the receiving position 140. In the receiving position 140, corresponding holding, gripping and Perform positioning functions. The removed rows of containers are transported by the mover 20 from the receiving position 140 to a weighing device 54 into a weighing position 154. The weighing device 54 comprises a plurality of load cells, not specified, which are arranged in a row parallel to the transport direction 31. 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 serves for tare weighing. For this purpose, the mover 20 can free the containers 36 to be weighed on the weighing device 54 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction. This could be done in rows or individually. The following functions of the mover 20 or container carrier 38 can be implemented in the weighing position 154: depositing and receiving the containers 36 on the weighing device 54.

After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154, the mover 20 transports the weighed empty containers 36 into 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. The liquid to be filled can be, for example, pharmaceuticals. In the filling position 148, 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 raised by the mover 20. In an alternative, not shown, the filling needles 72 could be similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Figure 4th are moved by a process mover 21 during the filling process. This relative movement can change during the filling process, as already in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS Figures 3 and 4th described in more detail. After filling, the filling needles 72 are moved away from 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 lowered by the mover 20.

After filling, 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 be carried out in such a way that the filled containers 36 are prevented from sloshing by suitably pivoting the containers 36 about a horizontal axis is indicated as by a corresponding arrow.

The gross weighing takes place at the weighing device 56. Here, similar to the tare weighing position 154, the filled containers 36 are deposited and picked up on and from the weighing device 56 or alternative filling quantity detection devices. In turn, the further weighing device 54 is also designed to be movable for receiving the containers 36 to be weighed. In the weighing position 156, the following functions of the mover 20 or container holder 38 are to be realized: depositing and receiving the containers 36 on the weighing device 56.

If the gross weighing in the weighing position 156 shows that an intolerable amount has been filled, the mover 20 can discharge the incorrectly filled container 36 or bring it into the filling position 148 for further dosing.

The mover 20 brings the weighed containers 36 into a closing position 150, which is located in the detection area of a closing station 50. The closing station 50 is designed, for example, as a plug placement station. It comprises at least one container 74 for the closures 37, which provides a feed 76 in a suitable manner. Now there is a relative movement between the container 36 and the closure 37. For this purpose, the mover 20 moves the open containers 36 upwards, so that the closures 37 can be inserted into the container openings.

The closed containers 36 are then brought into an outlet position 160 for transfer to an outlet 60. For this purpose, a deflection wheel 58 is provided which receives the supplied containers 36 and, after a 90 ° rotation, transfers them to the outlet 60 in the form of a screw conveyor. Here, the mover 20 is synchronized to the speed of the deflection wheel 58, so that it moves in the transfer position at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the conveyor wheel 58.

The mover 20 then moves from the run-out position 160 back to the start position 120. This could take place, for example, in the case of a mover 20 designed as an active planar drive. Alternatively, a planar drive with a static traveling field and an additional guide would be possible or a passive funding (such as a chain, belt, etc.).

The filled container 36 is ready in the outlet 60, which serves as an interface to a possibly downstream machine.

The following optional process steps can be integrated into the processing. This can be done in an application-specific and modular way: fumigation, rolling, bad / good discharge, inspection, removal station, screwing station, marking, storage, product loss prevention.

According to Figure 7 the mover 20 is provided with a receptacle receptacle 38 in which receptacles 36 are filled with a darkly indicated product 35. The fill 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 mover 20 cooperating with a drive surface 13, not shown, can be rotated about a pivot point 33.

In the top row of the Figure 7 Shown is a mover 20 without control for preventing sloshing of the product 35, in the row below a mover 20 with control for preventing sloshing of the product 35 is shown in the corresponding states. In a second state b, b ', the mover 20 accelerates the product with constant positive acceleration a. The speed v increases accordingly linearly. The product 35 sloshes above (state b), the filling level of the product 35 is inclined with respect to the horizontal or no longer oriented perpendicular to the axis of the container. In the control of the mover (state b ') shown below to prevent sloshing, however, the mover 20 rotates the container receptacle 38 about the pivot point 31 by an angle a. The angle α depends on the respective acceleration a (tan α = a / g, where a is the acceleration of the mover 20, g is the acceleration due to gravity). The angle α describes the rotation compared to the normal position or rest position. By rotating the mover 20, sloshing is prevented in accordance with state b '. The filling level of the product 35 remains aligned perpendicular to the axis of the container.

After passing through the acceleration phase (states b, b '), a phase with constant speed follows (states c, c'). In this phase, the mover 20 is no longer rotated by an angle α (α = 0).

In a subsequent phase (states d, d ') the mover 20 is decelerated with a constant negative acceleration. Without anti-slosh control (state d), the level is no longer aligned perpendicular to the axis of the container. With anti-slosh control (state d '), on the other hand, the mover 20 rotates the container carrier 38 as shown by an angle α (tan α = a / g, where a is the (negative) acceleration of the mover 20, g is the acceleration due to gravity). As a result, the filling level remains oriented perpendicular to the axis of the container, thus preventing sloshing.

The use of movers 20, 21, which cooperate with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 in the form of a planar drive, open up flexible possibilities for both container transport and the movement of components of process stations. The process stations 38, 40, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56 described or provided depending on the application can also be put together in a different way in a device 8; Due to the flexible transport system, systems can also be constructed very flexibly and modularly and modified if necessary, but these do not fall under the scope of protection of the claims. Due to the essentially contactless drive system, this is particularly suitable for use in weighing devices in the pharmaceutical industry, since there the requirements regarding particle purity are particularly high. However, other areas of application are also possible in principle.

Claims (10)

1. Device for weighing a container, comprising at least one weighing installation (56) for weighing at least one container (36) that has been filled at a filling station (48), at least one container receptacle (38) for transporting the container (36) relative to the weighing installation (56), wherein at least one drive face (13) and at least one mover (20) which is capable of being magnetically coupled on the drive face (13) and by virtue of the magnetic coupling is movable in a non-contacting manner relative to the drive face (13) are provided, wherein the mover (20) is disposed on the drive face (13) so as to be displaceable and/or rotatable in at least two degrees of freedom, and the container receptacle (38) is connected to the mover (20), wherein the mover (20) is configured for transporting the container (36) to the weighing installation (56), characterized in that the drive face (13) is configured such that the mover (20), upon completion of the weighing by the weighing installation (56), is configured so as to be capable of moving the container (36) again to the filling station (48).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive face (13) is configured as a vertical plane.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of movers (20) that are repositionable in a mutually independent manner are provided.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mover (20) is configured so as to be capable of moving the container receptacle (38) relative to the weighing installation (54, 56) such that at least one container (36) is capable of being released during the weighing, in particular so as not to be held by the container receptacle (38).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing installation (56) comprises at least one weighing installation (56) for determining a gross weight of the filled container (36).
6. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the mover (20) by pivoting the container receptacle (38) is configured for releasing at least one container (36).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further weighing installation (54) is provided, and the drive face (13) is designed such that the mover (20) is configured for moving at least the container receptacle (38) between the two weighing installations (54, 56).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the filling station (48) at least one closure station (50) and/or at least one inspection installation (55) and/or an inlet (50) and/or an outlet (60) are/is provided, and in that the drive face (13) is designed - in addition to moving at least the container receptacle (38) by the mover (20) to the filling position (148) of the filling station (48) - to moving at least the container receptacle (38) by the mover (20) to at least one closure position (150) of the closure station (50) and/or an inspection position (155) of the inspection installation (55) and/or an inlet position (140) of the inlet (40) and/or an outlet position (160) of the outlet (60).
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the drive face (13) is designed such that the mover (20), upon completion of weighing, is configured so as to be capable of selectively moving the container receptacle (38) having at least one filled container (36) to at least two of the positions (150, 148, 155, 160), specifically the closure position (150), the filling position (148), the inspection position (155), or the outlet position (160).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mover (20) and/or the drive face (13) comprise/comprises at least one means that generates a magnetic field, in particular a coil (18) and/or a magnet.

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