Method and system for operating a mixing device of an installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a mixing device of an apparatus in which a powdered product is processed into a finished product, different powdered products are fed to the mixing device and the different products are mixed in the mixing device to form a mixed product before being processed into the finished product, the product inlet mass flow into the mixing device and the weight of the product in the mixing device are measured, the weight of the product in the mixing device and the product outlet mass flow out of the mixing device are predicted from the measured product inlet mass flow with the aid of a mathematical model, and the prediction of the product outlet mass flow created with the aid of the mathematical model is corrected as a function of the measured weight of the product in the mixing device. The invention further relates to a system for operating a mixing device of an apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a mixing device of a device in which a powdered product is processed into a finished product, to which different powdered products are fed and which are mixed in the mixing device to form a mixed product before being processed into the finished product. The invention also relates to a system for operating a mixing device of a device. Background Art

[0002] In such equipment, for example, a powdered product is processed into tablets or capsules. Accordingly, the equipment may include, for example, a tablet press or a capsule filling machine. Such equipment usually has a plurality of product inlets for the powdered product to be processed in the equipment. In addition, such equipment usually has a mixing device, in which the different products conveyed are mixed into the product to be processed. Then, the mixed product is conveyed from the mixing device to a production machine, such as a tablet press, such as a rotary tablet press, for processing into a finished product, in which the product mixture is processed, for example, pressed into tablets. The finished product is left by the discharge port. Such equipment can be configured as a continuous equipment, which is different from batch processing, in which the product continuously conveyed to the equipment is continuously processed, for example, processed into tablets or capsules. In addition, so-called closed equipment is known, which further prevents product dust from escaping into the surrounding environment by special sealing measures.

[0003] In particular, in continuous processing plants, there is a need to associate the product fed to the plant at the inlet with the finished product produced in the plant. This is necessary if, for example, the product is detected as defective by the sensors of the plant. In this case, the finished product, for example tablets or capsules, produced from this product must be sorted out, wherein, in order to avoid unnecessary sorting, only the finished product produced from the corresponding product batch should be sorted out as far as possible. Accordingly, there is a need to track the product in the plant and in the individual components, in particular the mixing device.

[0004] It is possible to measure the weight or mass of the product in the mixing device by means of a weight or mass sensor. With the information of how much product is present in the mixing device, the mixing behavior can be predicted for product tracking. However, for comprehensive product tracking, it is desirable to detect not only the weight of the product in the mixing device, but also the mass flow flowing into or out of the mixing device. In particular, it is currently impossible to directly measure the mass flow flowing out of the mixing device. In particular, the detection of the weight of the product in the mixing device by means of a weighing unit is subject to strong interference, especially in horizontally oriented mixing devices. Therefore, very slow filters are used in order to still be able to make reliable statements about the weight. However, due to the low dynamics of the filtered measurement signal, the product weight cannot be reliably detected when leaving the steady state of the system. It is precisely the transient state of the system of the mixing device that is of particular interest for product tracking. Summary of the invention

[0005] Starting from the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the mass flow into or out of a mixing device can be reliably detected. In addition, the object of the present invention is to enable reliable and simple product tracking even in a mixing device and even in transient conditions.

[0006] The present invention solves the above object by means of the technical solution of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] For a method of the type mentioned at the outset, the present invention achieves the object by measuring the product incoming mass flow rate into the mixing device and the weight or mass of the product in the mixing device, predicting the weight or mass of the product in the mixing device and the product outflow mass flow rate from the mixing device from the measured product incoming mass flow rate with the aid of a mathematical model, and correcting the prediction of the product outflow mass flow rate created with the aid of the mathematical model based on the measured weight or measured mass of the product in the mixing device.

[0008] In this regard, as long as the measurement or prediction of the weight of the product is mentioned, it is understood that the measurement or prediction of the quality of the product in this regard is also possible. The mixing device is a part of the equipment. The equipment further includes a production machine (e.g., a tablet press, e.g., a rotary tablet press) or a capsule filling machine, in which the product delivered to the equipment or the product mixture manufactured in the mixing device is processed into a finished product, such as a tablet or a capsule. The finished product made can be, for example, an oral solid dosage form (OSD). The equipment includes a plurality of product inlets for the product to be processed in the equipment. The mixing device is used to mix the different products delivered to the equipment. The different products delivered to the mixing device can be, for example, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API, active pharmaceutical ingredients), carrier materials (excipients) and / or lubricants in pharmacy. Different products are particularly delivered to the equipment through separate product inlets, from which the products are delivered to the mixing device, where the products are mixed into the product mixture to be processed. The mixing device can, for example, include a mixing screw. Thus, products are delivered simultaneously during mixing. The mixing screw can be arranged, for example, so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the horizontal direction in a screw housing which is likewise arranged horizontally.

[0009] The product entry mass flow of the two products to be mixed into the mixing device and the weight of the products in the mixing device are measured by means of suitable measuring devices known per se. To this end, the mixing device can include corresponding weight measuring devices, weighing units. The product entry mass flow can be detected by a mass flow sensor arranged at the entrance of the mixing device. The mass flow sensor measures the mass of the product flowing into the mixing device per defined time unit. According to the present invention, the weight of the product in the mixing device and the product discharge mass flow of the mixed product flowing out of the mixing device are predicted by means of a mathematical model from the measured product entry mass flow. The prediction of the weight of the product in the mixing device is compared with the measured value of the weight measuring device. If the predicted value is equal to the measured value, it can be assumed that the predicted value also applies to the product discharge mass flow. On the other hand, if a deviation is determined between the predicted value and the measured value of the weight of the product in the mixing device, the predicted value of the product discharge mass flow is corrected according to the determined deviation.

[0010] The invention is also based on the idea of ​​verifying and, if necessary, correcting the predictions created on the basis of the mathematical model, in particular the predictions of unmeasurable values ​​of the product discharge mass flow rate, by measuring the predicted parameters, i.e. the product weight in the mixing device. In particular, the predicted values ​​are predicted and corrected by means of an analysis device based on an analysis algorithm.

[0011] In principle, the product discharge mass flow can be calculated with the help of the measured values ​​of the product inlet mass flow and the measured values ​​of the weight of the product in the mixing device, but this can only be reliable in the case of the steady state of the system and not in the case of the transient state of particular interest for the reasons mentioned above. This problem is solved according to the present invention by first predicting the product weight in the mixing device and the product discharge mass flow only based on the measured product inlet mass flow and correcting the predicted value only when there is a deviation between the predicted value of the weight of the product in the mixing device and the corresponding measured value. The most likely state of the mixing device is mapped with the help of a mathematical model. This state includes the weight of the product in the mixing device and the product discharge mass flow. Based on the model, the weight of the product in the mixing device is made available dynamically and with low interference. The outflowing product discharge mass flow is also available dynamically and with low interference, even if this value is not measured. Therefore, according to the present invention, the mixing behavior of the mixing device is accurately and dynamically detected not only in a stationary state (in the steady state of the system) but also in a transient state. This can also achieve robust and reliable product tracking at any time even in the mixing device.

[0012] The following equation can be used as a mathematical model equation for the method according to the invention:

[0013]

[0014] in:

[0015] m_m: mass of the product in the mixing unit

[0016] m_d: mass of product flowing into the mixing device

[0017] m_o: mass of the product flowing out of the mixing device

[0018] As a starting condition for mathematical modeling when the device is started, m_m, m_d and m_o can each be set to zero. When the device starts running, the measured product inlet mass flow into the mixing device is assumed to be positive, and the weight or mass of the product in the mixing device and the product outlet mass flow are predicted and corrected based on the determined measured values ​​of the product in the mixing device, for example by means of a Kalman filter method explained in more detail below. The predicted values ​​gradually converge to the actual values ​​accordingly.

[0019] The mathematical model can also be viewed in state space representation. Then, the state vector x is:

[0020]

[0021] in:

[0022] For the state vector x, the most probable state is ascertained based on the measured weight or the measured mass y=m_m of the product present in the mixing device.

[0023] So, for y, it applies:

[0024] y=Cx

[0025] in:

[0026] C=(1 0)

[0027] Then, the mathematical model equation in state space representation is:

[0028]

[0029] in:

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034] As a starting condition, zero values ​​are again assumed for m_m, m_d and m_o and therefore in particular for x and y. The mathematical model converges again to the actual values ​​during the startup of the device. In particular, as the device starts to operate, the measured product inlet mass flow into the mixing device is assumed to be positive and the weight or mass of the product in the mixing device and the product outlet mass flow are predicted and gradually corrected, for example, by means of a Kalman filter method explained in more detail below.

[0035] According to one embodiment, a prediction of the weight of the product in the mixing device and a prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate as well as a correction of the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate can be implemented. By predicting and correcting in real time with the aid of a mathematical model, it is possible to compensate the model using other sensor data of the device, thereby increasing the robustness and long-term stability of the model.

[0036] According to a particularly practical embodiment, the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate generated on the basis of the mathematical model can be corrected by means of a least squares method.

[0037] According to another preferred design, the weight of the product in the mixing device and the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate and the correction of the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate can be carried out by means of the Kalman filter method. Kalman filtering is a mathematical method known per se for iteratively estimating system parameters based on erroneous observations. With the help of the Kalman filter method, system parameters that cannot be measured directly can be estimated while optimally reducing measurement errors. It has been shown that particularly reliable results can be achieved using such a mathematical model.

[0038] As already explained, the different products can be delivered to the mixing device via a plurality of product inlets of the device. According to another design, the product inlets can each include at least one metering conveying device, in particular a loss-in-weight metering conveying device. Such a metering conveying device is used to convey products in a metered manner. A so-called loss-in-weight metering conveying device (LIW-Feeder) has a weighing device and meters the product to be conveyed by measuring the weight of the product in the metering conveying device.

[0039] As already explained, the device can be a device for producing tablets, wherein the mixed product from the mixing device is pressed into tablets in a tablet press. The tablet press can be a rotary tablet press in particular. The tablet press can be a containment press, i.e. a press in which the escape of product dust into the surroundings is further prevented by special sealing measures.

[0040] It is also possible for the device to be a device for producing capsules, wherein the mixed product from the mixing device is filled into capsules in a capsule filling machine.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the progress of the product in the mixing device and / or the device can be tracked based on the measured values ​​of the product inlet mass flow and the measured values ​​of the weight of the product in the mixing device and the corrected prediction of the product outlet mass flow. Thus, for example, a product batch identified as defective can be tracked during its subsequent progress through the mixing device or the device. As a result, finished products produced from defective product batches can be reliably identified and sorted out and waste can be minimized at the same time.

[0042] According to another design, in order to track the progress of the product, the product entering the mixing device can be divided into a plurality of mass units by means of the measured value of the product inlet mass flow, wherein the progress of each mass unit in the mixing device is tracked by means of the corrected prediction of the product discharge mass flow. Thus, the product flow is divided into successive mass units by means of the measured data of the product inlet mass flow, in particular in the analysis device of the device. By means of the values ​​of the product discharge mass flow provided by the method according to the invention, which may be corrected, the discharge of the respective mass units involved from the mixing device can be reliably tracked. Compared with time-based product tracking according to a residence time model, quality-based product tracking has, for example, a number of advantages. In particular, quality-based product tracking has a significantly smaller dependence on the corresponding operating point of the device, i.e., the corresponding operating parameters. Therefore, in particular in the case of a product change or a different deviation from the previously determined operating parameters, it is significantly simpler to parameterize the model for product tracking. At the same time, particularly reliable product tracking can be achieved, so that, for example, finished products made from defective product batches can be reliably and specifically identified and sorted out. Here, in the analysis unit, each mass unit moves through the device in a manner similar to a shift register model. Here, in order to track the progress of each mass unit in the mixing device, it can be considered that different mass units are mixed into new mass units in the mixing device. In order to consider the mixing, the mixing ratio achieved by the mixing device can be considered. Therefore, a new mass unit containing the mixed product is formed by each mass unit that reaches the mixing device. Here, the mixing ratio of the mixing device is related to the specifications of the mixing device and, if necessary, the conveying rate of each product. Therefore, the mixing ratio is known for the corresponding process and can be used accordingly to consider the mixing. If the mixing device evenly mixes two products in a ratio of 50% to 50%, for example, the new mass unit contains half of the first product and half of the second product. In the case of other mixing ratios achieved by the mixing device, the new mass unit is correspondingly distributed in other ways.

[0043] According to another design, the product conveyed via the product inlet can be divided into a plurality of mass units by means of the measurement data of the inlet mass sensor arranged at the product inlet, and the progress of each mass unit in the device can be tracked by means of the measurement data of at least one other mass sensor of the device. Particularly suitable in this regard is the loss-in-weight metering conveying device described at the beginning. In the loss-in-weight metering conveying device, the weighing device that is already present can be used directly as the inlet mass sensor.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the progress of each mass unit in the device is tracked with the help of the measurement data of an additional mass sensor arranged at the tablet discharge outlet of the tablet press. The additional mass sensor can be, for example, a sensor with the help of which the number of tablets discharged from the tablet press is counted. For a predetermined course, the weight of the tablets is assumed to be known. Therefore, an indirect weight or mass determination can be made via the number of tablets. However, it is of course also possible that the additional mass sensor counts and weighs the discharged tablets. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the produced tablets are associated with the corresponding mass unit at the inlet and therefore with the corresponding product batch.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the progress of the individual mass units in the device is tracked based on the measurement data of an additional mass sensor arranged at the outlet of the capsule filling machine. The additional mass sensor can be, for example, a sensor with which the capsules output from the capsule filling machine are counted. For a predetermined course, the weight of the capsules can also be assumed to be known. Thus, an indirect weight or mass determination can again be made via the number of capsules. However, it is of course also possible for the additional mass sensor to count and weigh the output capsules.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the mass of each mass unit is the same. If all mass units have the same mass, this simplifies tracking, in particular, simplifies algorithms for product tracking.

[0047] The mass units should have a sufficiently low mass for reliable and precise product tracking while avoiding unnecessary waste. According to a design for this, the mass of each mass unit can be in the range of 1 g to 20 g, preferably in the range of 1 g to 10 g. In particular, all mass units can have the same mass, wherein the same mass for all mass units is a mass in the above-mentioned range.

[0048] The device can be a device for continuously processing powdered products into finished products, for example for continuous tablet manufacturing or capsule filling. As is known per se, in devices for continuous manufacturing, the product is continuously fed into the device, continuously mixed in a mixing device in the device, and continuously processed into finished products, unlike batch processes. Such a device can theoretically run endlessly, wherein only sufficient product must be supplied to the product inlet. As is known per se to those skilled in the art, there are many advantages in devices for continuous manufacturing relative to batch devices. It is in such devices for continuous manufacturing that precise and high-resolution product tracking, as ensured by the present invention, is of great significance.

[0049] Furthermore, the apparatus may be a so-called closed apparatus, which, due to special sealing measures, prevents product dust from escaping from the apparatus as much as possible. The degree of containment of the apparatus is determined, for example, according to the so-called SMEPAC test (Standardized Measurement of Equipment Particulate Airborne Concentration). The apparatus used in the method according to the invention may, for example, have a particle concentration according to the SMEPAC test of 10 to 100 μg / m 3 or less than 10 μg / m 3 The sealing level.

[0050] The present invention further relates to a system for operating a mixing device of an apparatus, the system being capable of implementing a method according to the present invention, the apparatus being used to process a powdered product into a finished product, the apparatus being used to process a powdered product into a finished product, the mixing device being configured to mix different products into a mixed product before processing them into the finished product, and being characterized in that the system comprises: a measuring module for measuring a product entry mass flow rate into the mixing device and a weight of the product in the mixing device; a prediction module for predicting a weight of the product in the mixing device and a product discharge mass flow rate out of the mixing device based on the measured product entry mass flow rate with the aid of a mathematical model; and a correction module for correcting a prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate created with the aid of the mathematical model based on the measured weight of the product in the mixing device.

[0051] In one embodiment, the prediction module is configured to predict the weight of the product in the mixing device and the product discharge mass flow rate in real time, and the correction module is configured to correct the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate in real time.

[0052] In one specific embodiment, the correction module is designed to correct the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate generated according to the mathematical model by means of a least squares method.

[0053] In one embodiment, the prediction module is designed to predict the weight of the product in the mixing device and the product discharge mass flow rate by means of a Kalman filter method, and the correction module is designed to correct the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate by means of a Kalman filter method.

[0054] In one embodiment, the system includes a tracking module, which is used to track the progress of the product in the mixing device and / or the equipment based on the measurement of the product incoming mass flow rate and the measurement of the weight of the product in the mixing device and the corrected prediction of the product outgoing mass flow rate.

[0055] In one embodiment, the system includes a division module, which, in order to track the progress of the product, is configured to divide the product entering the mixing device into multiple mass units with the help of a measured value of the product's entering mass flow rate, and the tracking module is configured to track the progress of each mass unit in the mixing device with the help of a corrected prediction of the product's discharging mass flow rate.

[0056] In one embodiment, the division module is configured to divide the product conveyed through the product inlet into a plurality of mass units with the aid of measurement data of an inlet quality sensor arranged on the product inlet, and the tracking module is configured to track the progress of each mass unit in the device with the aid of measurement data of at least one other quality sensor of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the figures. In the figures:

[0058] Figure 1 A device for producing tablets with a tablet press used in the method according to the invention is shown with a developed view of the rotor, and

[0059] Figure 2 A diagram is shown to illustrate the method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals in the various figures denote the same objects.

[0061] exist Figure 1The device shown in is a device for manufacturing tablets, in which a powdered product is pressed into tablets. The device accordingly includes a rotary press, in particular a rotary tablet press, arranged in a housing 11, and the rotary press has a rotor driven by a rotary drive, and the rotor includes a die plate 10 with a plurality of receptacles 12. The receptacles 12 can be formed, for example, by holes in the die plate 10. In addition, the rotor includes a plurality of upper punches 14 and lower punches 16, which are synchronously surrounded with the die plate 10. The upper punch 14 is axially guided in the upper punch guide 18, and the lower punch 16 is axially guided in the lower punch guide 20. The axial movement of the upper punch 14 and the lower punch 16 during the rotation of the rotor is controlled by an upper control cam element 22 and a lower control cam element 24. The rotary press also includes a filling device 26, which has a filling storage 28 and a filling chamber 30, and the filling storage and the filling chamber are connected by a filling pipe 32. In this way, in the present exemplary embodiment, the powdered filling material passes under gravity from the filling reservoir 28 via the filling tube 32 into the filling chamber 30 and from there via the filling opening provided on the underside of the filling chamber 30 into the receptacle 12 of the mold plate 10 again under gravity.

[0062] The rotary press further comprises a pressure device 34. The pressure device 34 comprises a pre-pressing device with an upper pre-pressing roller 36 and a lower pre-pressing roller 38, and a main pressing device with an upper main pressing roller 40 and a lower main pressing roller 42. The rotary press further comprises a discharge device 44 and a scraping device 46 with a scraping element, which conveys the tablets 48 produced in the rotary press to a discharge device 50 for removal from the rotary press. The scraping device 46 can, for example, comprise a preferably sickle-shaped scraping element, which scrapes the tablets 48 conveyed to the upper side of the die plate 10 by the lower punch 16 from the die plate 10 in the region of the discharge device 44 and conveys them to the discharge device 50.

[0063] The housing 11 can be under an overpressure or underpressure relative to the surroundings of the housing 11. Furthermore, the housing 11 can be sealed relative to the surroundings. The rotary press can be a so-called closed press.

[0064] Clearly pointed out that Figure 1 The rotary press shown in the figure together with the properties of the rotary press described are merely exemplary. In principle, any other tablet press is also suitable for the present invention. In principle, any other type of production machine is also suitable for the present invention, in which a powdered product is processed into a finished product, such as a capsule filling machine, in which a powdered product is filled into capsules.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, the device further comprises two product inlets 52, 54 for feeding two different products, for example, pharmaceutically active ingredients on the one hand and excipients on the other hand, to the tablet press for compression into tablets 48. The product inlets 52, 54 can, for example, comprise metering conveying devices, in particular loss-in-weight metering conveying devices. The conveyed products arrive from the product inlets 52, 54 at a mixing device 56 of the device, in which the products are mixed into a product mixture to be compressed. The mixing device can, for example, comprise a mixing screw. In the embodiment shown, the mixing device 56 is oriented horizontally. In particular, the axis of rotation of the mixing screw of the mixing device 56 extends in the horizontal direction. The housing of the mixing device 56 is also oriented horizontally. The mixed product discharged from the mixing device 56 is conveyed to the filling storage 28 of the filling device 26 via a conveying line 58. The device further comprises an analysis and control device 60 for controlling the operation of the device and for implementing the method according to the present invention according to the analysis algorithm stored in the analysis and control device 60. The product inlet 52, 54, the filling device 26 and the tablet press, in particular the tablet discharge outlet of the tablet press, can each include at least one weight sensor, with which the weight of the product guided through the device or the tablet discharged from the device can be determined directly or indirectly. The mixing device 56 also has a mass flow sensor at its inlet, with which the product inlet mass flow of the product flowing from the product inlet 52, 54 into the mixing device 56 is measured. In addition, the mixing device 56 has a weighing unit, with which the weight of the product in the mixing device 56 is measured. The analysis and control device 60 is connected to the mass flow sensor for measuring the product inlet mass flow, to the weighing unit for measuring the weight of the product in the mixing device 56, and to the mass sensor and, if necessary, to other sensors of the device. In particular, the analysis and control device receives the measurement data of the sensors and uses the measurement data as the basis for control and analysis. For this purpose, the analysis and control device 60 can be connected to all components of the device via corresponding connecting lines.

[0066] With the help of Figure 2 The method according to the invention is to be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0067] exist Figure 2 In, use represents the product inlet mass flow from the product inlet 52, 54 measured by the mass sensor of the mixing device 56. This measured value acts on the analysis and control device 60, such as Figure 2 As shown by arrow 62. The analysis and control device 60 is based on the product entering the mass flow The measured value is used to calculate the predicted value of the weight of the product in the mixing device 56 with the help of a mathematical model. Figure 2 Medium In addition, the analysis and control device 60 is based on the measured product entering the mass flow The predicted value of the product discharge mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing device 56 is calculated. This value is used express.

[0068] As in Figure 2 As shown by arrow 64 in FIG. 1 , the predicted value of the weight of the product in the mixing device 56 is The comparison device 66 acts on the comparison device 66, which can also be part of the analysis and control device 60. On the other hand, as indicated by the arrow 68, the value of the weight of the product in the mixing device 56 measured by the weighing unit is present on the comparison device 66. This measured value is represented by m p If the comparison device 66 finds that the measured value m p With the predicted value The difference between the two is taken as the calculation error e p is provided to the analysis and control device 60, as indicated by arrow 70. The analysis and control device 60 calculates the error e p The predicted value of the product discharge mass flow calculated according to the mathematical model During operation of the mixing device or the apparatus, Figure 2 The method described can be run in the long term.

[0069] The described prediction of the weight of the product in the mixing device and the described prediction of the product discharge mass flow out of the mixing device 56 and the correction of the prediction of the product discharge mass flow are preferably carried out with the aid of a Kalman filter method.

[0070] Due to the method according to the invention, product tracking in the system and in particular in the mixing device 56 can be performed in a reliable manner and even far from a stationary state, in particular in a transient state.

[0071] For product tracking, it is also possible to divide the product fed into the device via the product inlets 52, 54 into mass units of equal size using the measurement data of inlet mass sensors (e.g. mass or weight sensors of a loss-in-weight metering conveyor) arranged at the product inlets 52, 54. In the distribution zone formed by the mixing device 56, new mass units are then formed again in the evaluation and control device 60 from the mass units from the two product inlets 52, 54, in which the product ratio of the respective two mass units from the two product inlets 52, 54 is contained according to the known feed ratio into the mixing device 56. The mixing of the components of the mass units in the distribution zone formed by the mixing device 56 is taken into account according to the mixing ratio of the mixing device 56 which is also known, for example determined empirically. The mass units can be further tracked at the outlet of the mixing device 56 using the product discharge mass flow predicted and, if necessary, corrected by the method according to the invention. For example, these mass units can be tracked further during their passage through the device, in particular to the tablet press 62, using the measurement data of a mass sensor arranged in the filling device 26 of the tablet press. By means of a further mass sensor, for example, arranged at the discharge opening of the tablet press, which counts the discharged tablets and optionally also measures their weight, the discharged tablets 48 can be determined and associated with the mass units and thus the corresponding product batches previously fed into the device via the product inlet 52, 54. If, for example, one or more mass units are detected as faulty by the sensors of the device during their passage through the device, tablets produced from these mass units can be reliably identified in this way so that these tablets can be sorted out. This type of mass-based product tracking can be reliable in any case, especially even in transient conditions, according to the method according to the invention.

[0072] Each mass unit may have the same mass. The mass of each mass unit may preferably be less than 20 g, further preferably less than 10 g, for example approximately 1 g. The device is particularly a device for continuous tablet production. It may be a closed device.

[0073] Reference numerals list

[0074] 10 Mold plate

[0075] 11 Housing

[0076] 12 Accommodation

[0077] 14 Upper punch

[0078] 16 Lower punch

[0079] 18 Upper punch guide

[0080] 20 Lower punch guide

[0081] 22 Upper control cam element

[0082] 24 Lower control cam element

[0083] 26 Filling device

[0084] 28 Filling Memory

[0085] 30 Filling chamber

[0086] 32 Filling tube

[0087] 34 Pressure device

[0088] 36 Upper pre-pressing roller

[0089] 38 Lower pre-pressing roller

[0090] 40 Upper main pressure roller

[0091] 42 Lower main pressure roller

[0092] 44 Discharging device

[0093] 46 Scraping device

[0094] 48 tablets

[0095] 50 Discharge device

[0096] 52 Product Entry

[0097] 54 Product Entry

[0098] 56 Mixing device

[0099] 58 Delivery pipeline

[0100] 60 Analysis and control devices

[0101] 62 Arrow

[0102] 64 Arrow

[0103] 66 Comparison device

[0104] 68 Arrow

[0105] 70 Arrow

Claims

1. A method for operating a mixing device (56) of a device in which a powdered product is processed into a finished product, wherein different powdered products are fed to the mixing device (56) and the different products are mixed in the mixing device (56) to form a mixed product before being processed into the finished product, characterized in that The product inlet mass flow rate flowing into the mixing device (56) and the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) are measured, the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the product discharge mass flow rate out of the mixing device (56) are predicted with the help of a mathematical model based on the measured product inlet mass flow rate, and the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate created based on the mathematical model is corrected based on the measured weight of the product in the mixing device (56).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The prediction of the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate as well as the correction of the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate are carried out in real time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate generated on the basis of the mathematical model is corrected using the method of least squares.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The prediction of the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the prediction of the product discharge mass flow as well as the correction of the prediction of the product discharge mass flow are carried out by means of a Kalman filter method.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The different products are fed to a mixing device (56) via a plurality of product inlets of the apparatus.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The product inlets each comprise at least one metering and conveying device.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is a device for producing tablets, wherein a mixed product from a mixing device (56) is pressed into tablets (48) in a tablet press of the device.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is a device for producing capsules, wherein a mixed product from a mixing device (56) is filled into capsules in a capsule filling machine.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The progress of the product in the mixing device (56) and / or the apparatus is tracked based on measurements of the product inlet mass flow and the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and a corrected prediction of the product outlet mass flow.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that In order to track the progress of the product, the product entering the mixing device (56) is divided into a plurality of mass units using a measured value of the product inlet mass flow, wherein the progress of each mass unit in the mixing device (56) is tracked using a corrected prediction of the product outlet mass flow.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The different products are conveyed to a mixing device (56) via a plurality of product inlets of the device, the products conveyed via the product inlets are divided into a plurality of mass units with the aid of measurement data from an inlet mass sensor arranged on the product inlet, and the progress of each mass unit in the device is tracked with the aid of measurement data from at least one other mass sensor of the device.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The device is a device for producing tablets, wherein a mixed product from a mixing device (56) is pressed into tablets (48) in a tablet press of the device, and the progress of each mass unit in the device is tracked with the help of measurement data of a further mass sensor arranged at the tablet discharge outlet of the tablet press.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The mass of each mass unit is the same.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The mass of each mass unit is in the range of 1 g to 20 g.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The equipment is used for continuously processing powdered products into finished products.

16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is a closed device.

17. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The metering and conveying device is a loss-in-weight metering and conveying device.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The mass of each mass unit is in the range of 1 g to 10 g.

19. A system for operating a mixing device (56) of a device, the system being capable of implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the device being used for processing a powdered product into a finished product, the mixing device (56) being designed for mixing different products into a mixed product before processing into the finished product, characterized in that: The system comprises: a measuring module for measuring the mass flow rate of product entering the mixing device (56) and the weight of the product in the mixing device (56); a prediction module for predicting the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the mass flow rate of product out of the mixing device (56) by means of a mathematical model based on the measured mass flow rate of product entering; and a correction module for correcting the prediction of the mass flow rate of product outflow created by means of the mathematical model according to the measured weight of the product in the mixing device (56).

20. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that The prediction module is configured to predict the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the product discharge mass flow rate in real time, and the correction module is configured to correct the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate in real time.

21. The system according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The correction module is designed to correct a prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate generated according to the mathematical model by means of a least squares method.

22. The system according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The prediction module is designed to predict the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and the product discharge mass flow rate by means of a Kalman filter method, and the correction module is designed to correct the prediction of the product discharge mass flow rate by means of a Kalman filter method.

23. The system according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The system includes a tracking module configured to track the progress of the product in the mixing device (56) and / or the apparatus based on a measurement of the product inlet mass flow rate and a measurement of the weight of the product in the mixing device (56) and a corrected prediction of the product outlet mass flow rate.

24. The system according to claim 23, characterized in that The system includes a partitioning module, which is configured to partition the product entering the mixing device (56) into a plurality of mass units by means of a measurement of the product's incoming mass flow rate in order to track the progress of the product, and the tracking module is configured to track the progress of each mass unit in the mixing device (56) by means of a corrected prediction of the product's outgoing mass flow rate.

25. The system according to claim 24, characterized in that The dividing module is configured to divide the product conveyed through the product inlet into a plurality of mass units with the aid of measurement data of an inlet mass sensor arranged on the product inlet, and the tracking module is configured to track the progress of each mass unit in the device with the aid of measurement data of at least one other mass sensor of the device.

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