Delivery device for capsules and capsule filling machine with delivery device

Abstract

The invention relates to a delivery device (2) for a capsule filling machine for the transfer of at least one capsule (1) from a capsule receiving area (22) of a capsule section (21) to a subsequent process station, and to a capsule filling machine with such a delivery device. The delivery device comprises a transport section (3) with at least one transport receiving area (4) extending along a vertical longitudinal axis (5), wherein the transport receiving area (4) is configured with a clamping receiving area for a clamping element acting radially to the longitudinal axis (5) of the transport receiving area (4) for the capsule (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery device for a capsule filling machine for moving at least one capsule from a capsule receiving section of a capsule segment to a subsequent processing station, and to a capsule filling machine having such a delivery device. Background Technology

[0002] Pharmaceutical products, products from the dietary supplement field, or the like are often administered in unit doses, for example, in stekkapsels made of hard gelatin. Such stekkapsels are supplied empty and filled with the desired contents on a capsule filling machine. For this purpose, a capsule filling machine is used, which is widely constructed as a rotating section with a turntable. Capsule sections, correspondingly having multiple capsule receiving sections arranged in rows for one capsule each, are arranged on the turntable. The turntable can be moved progressively in a plane of rotation such that the capsule sections continuously pass through different processing stations. Typical steps performed at each processing station are: opening empty, initially sealed capsules; filling and sealing the capsules; inspecting and ejecting defective capsules; and finally ejecting capsules that have been classified as compliant.

[0003] In less demanding tasks, compliant capsules can be easily ejected and supplied in a disordered manner via chute or similar means to downstream process stations for packaging, such as in blister packs. In cases requiring higher process reliability (e.g., with 100% control), orderly delivery of capsules from a capsule rotation turntable to such downstream process stations may be necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a delivery device for a capsule filling machine for moving at least one capsule from a capsule receiving section of a capsule segment to a subsequent process station, which allows for better inspection of the capsule condition.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a delivery device for a capsule filling machine for moving at least one capsule from a capsule receiving section of a capsule segment to a subsequent process station. The delivery device includes a transport segment with at least one transport receiving section extending along a vertical longitudinal axis, wherein the transport receiving section is configured as a clamping receiving section with clamping elements for the capsule acting radially to the longitudinal axis of the transport receiving section.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to describe a capsule filling machine in which capsule inspection is feasible while retaining trajectory correlation.

[0007] This objective is achieved by a capsule filling machine comprising a turntable having capsule sections disposed thereon, wherein the capsule sections correspondingly have a plurality of capsule receiving portions for the capsules, wherein the turntable is capable of moving progressively about a rotation axis such that the capsule sections continuously pass through different processing stations, wherein one processing station is configured as an ejection station for ejecting the capsules from the capsule sections, and wherein a delivery device according to the invention is arranged in the region of the ejection station.

[0008] According to the present invention, a delivery device and a capsule filling machine having such a delivery device are provided, wherein the delivery device includes a transport section with at least one transport receiving section. The transport receiving section extends along a vertical longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the transport receiving section is configured as a clamping receiving section with clamping elements for the capsule acting radially to the longitudinal axis of the transport receiving section. The transport receiving section is generally rigid, while the clamping elements are elastically yielding. For this purpose, spring elements, foam, elastomers, or the like may be provided. Suitably, the clamping elements are configured in the form of a brush. The clamping force acts only in a frictional engagement transverse to the direction of movement of the capsule, thereby allowing the capsule to be received simply by overcoming the clamping force and to be ejected again. A cost-effective and functionally reliable device for delivering capsules to subsequent processing stations is provided, which is functionally reliable at high clock frequencies during use and whose structure can be easily adapted to installation conditions.

[0009] It may be suitable to equip the transport section with only one or a few transport receiving sections. In an advantageous improvement, the transport section has a number of transport receiving sections corresponding to the number of capsule receiving sections in the capsule section. Additionally, a corresponding number of ejection devices, particularly in the form of stoessels, are provided. Previously, as the capsules passed through the various stations around the turntable of the capsule filling machine, each capsule had an individually associated capsule receiving section in its corresponding capsule section, allowing it to move along its own individual trajectory. By utilizing a transport section constructed in a similar manner to achieve delivery from the capsules while retaining these trajectories, further processing of the capsule trajectory precision can be achieved. For example, irregularities at the capsules can be identified in subsequent inspection stations and associated with specific trajectories. In this way, it can be determined whether a systematic deviation or even a systematic error has occurred in a specific trajectory.

[0010] In an advantageous improvement to the aforementioned design, the transport receiving sections of the transport section are arranged at a greater distance from each other than the capsule receiving sections of the capsule section. For bridging, a corresponding number of delivery channels are positioned between the capsule receiving sections and the transport receiving sections at the ejection station. As the capsules pass through the delivery channels, the distance between the capsules is increased to a desired value, thereby facilitating subsequent process steps, such as inspection or measurement processes, with easier and better accessibility. The delivery channels also result in the transport section becoming relatively higher above the capsule section. The resulting height gain provides structural space for additional components (e.g., load cells).

[0011] To deliver the capsule from the capsule section through the delivery channel to the transport section, various devices are considered. Preferably, the relevant ejection device is configured as a push rod for ejecting the capsule from the capsule receiving section and has an integrated compressed air channel for blowing the capsule through the delivery channel into a corresponding transport receiving section in the transport section. The aforementioned ejection device thus performs a dual function. First, it ejects the capsule from its relatively secure position into the transport section, requiring only a small push rod stroke for this purpose. Then, due to the compressed air impact applied by the hollow push rod, a subsequent, larger transport distance through the delivery channel is achieved. The compressed air impact is also sufficient to guide the capsule conformally into the clamping receiving section according to the invention. This forms a simple and reliable drive for the larger delivery distance.

[0012] The transport receiving section is suitably configured as a channel extending through the transport section, open on both sides with a lower opening and a higher opening, wherein a first gap between these two openings is less than the length of the capsule. The open channel on both sides allows the capsule to be grasped from both sides, not only for testing and measurement purposes but also for subsequent ejection of the capsule. The smaller gap between the two openings ensures that the capsule extends beyond the contour of the transport section and is therefore optically detectable and / or probed for testing and measurement purposes.

[0013] In a preferred improvement, corresponding to the aforementioned ejector device, a stop element is positioned directly above the transport receiving section with a second gap relative to the upper opening. This second gap is adapted to the length of the capsule such that the capsule, while abutting the stop element, extends downward beyond the lower opening and upward beyond the upper opening. In other words, the stop element precisely axially positions the capsule within the transport section, causing it to protrude on both sides. The transport section can then be swung forward from the area of ​​action of the stop element, allowing the ends of the two capsules to freely approach each other.

[0014] Accordingly, the transport receiving unit, together with the capsule held therein, can be moved to an inspection station, in which an inspection device for inspecting the capsule held in the capsule receiving unit is arranged. Such an inspection device is particularly configured in the form of a measuring camera and / or a mechanical length measuring device and / or the like, and can detect appropriate parameters of the capsule based on the aforementioned capsule protrusion. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein: Figure 1 A schematic top view shows a capsule filling machine according to a design according to the invention, comprising a turntable, capsule segments on the turntable, and a delivery device for at least one capsule from one of the capsule segments to a subsequent processing station. Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view shows the situation of receiving a capsule from the capsule section according to... Figure 1 Delivery device, Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the increase in spacing between capsules during the transition from the capsule section to the transport section. Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a capsule held securely in the transport section under camera detection. Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a capsule clamped and held within a transport section during length detection. Figure 6 This shows the situation where the capsule is ejected in order to be delivered to the subsequent process station. Figure 2 The arrangement. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 A top view shows the method for filling capsule 1 with filler according to the present invention. Figure 2 The capsule filling machine 20 is located in the central part. The filler can be provided in the form of powder, granules, tablets, or the like. Here it can be a pharmaceutical preparation, dietary supplement, or the like. The capsule 1 consists of a lower capsule portion and an upper capsule portion inserted thereon, both of which are made of, for example, hard gelatin.

[0017] according to Figure 1The capsule filling machine 20 includes a turntable 21, which is rotatably driven about a vertical axis of rotation 24 according to arrow 25 in time-adjusting steps. A large number of capsule segments 22 are arranged at uniform angular intervals on the circumferential region of the turntable 21. In the shown embodiment, a total of ten capsule segments 22 are provided. However, other numbers may also be suitable. In the shown preferred embodiment, the capsule segments 22 include a large number of capsule receiving sections 23 for receiving capsules 1, which are correspondingly arranged in a linear, straight arrangement. Currently, each capsule segment 22 has five capsule receiving sections 23 arranged in a row, although a slightly off-center number may also be suitable.

[0018] Depend on Figure 1 It becomes clear that each capsule segment 22 consists of a lower segment 28 securely fixed to the circumferential region of the turntable 21 and an upper segment 29 that is swayable relative to the lower segment. A plurality of stationary processing stations 31 to 40, which do not rotate with the turntable 21, are positioned around the turntable 21; these are shown only schematically and not in detail. The number of processing stations 31 to 40 corresponds to the number of capsule segments 22, such that each capsule segment 22, in each angular step rotational position of the turntable 21, is located within the gripping area of ​​one of the processing stations 31 to 40.

[0019] According to the preferred embodiment shown, starting from the first two processing stations 31, 32, empty capsules, temporarily inserted together and consisting of a lower capsule and a higher capsule, are first placed into the arrangement of the capsule receiving section 23, whereby the inserted upper capsule and lower capsule are separated during normal operation. The next processing station is the rejection station (or pick-out station, i.e., Ausscheideposition) 33. In the transition from the second insertion and separation station 32 to the rejection station 33, the upper section 29 with the upper capsule held therein is swung relative to the lower section 28 with the lower capsule held therein. Incorrect, unseparated empty capsules are rejected at the rejection station 33.

[0020] Here, after the removal station 33, there are a total of three filling stations 34, 35, and 36, in which the lower part of the capsule held in the lower part 28 is filled with the set filler. It may also be sufficient to set only one or two filling stations.

[0021] After the final filling station 36, the upper part 29 of the segment is placed back into a position flush with the lower part 28 of the segment at the placement station 37. At the next closing station 38, the capsule 1 is closed such that the previously removed or separated upper part of the capsule is pushed back onto the lower part of the filled capsule and locked. Following the closing station 38 is the control station 39. At the control station 39, any capsule 1 that has been inspected and found to be defective is ejected. In the subsequent final station, namely the ejection station 40, the remaining capsules 1 that have been found to be good are ejected by means of… Figure 2 The push rod 9 or other ejector device shown is ejected.

[0022] As capsule 1 passes through all process stations 31 to 40, it maintains its corresponding association with the individual capsule receiving section 23. This results in all capsules 1 in capsule section 22 following their own individual "tracks".

[0023] To transfer one or more capsules 1 from their respective capsule receiving sections 22 of the capsule section 21 to subsequent processing stations, a delivery device 2 is arranged in the area of ​​the ejection station 40 according to the present invention. The delivery device 2 includes a corresponding device for receiving capsules 1 (… Figure 2 The transport section 3 comprises at least one transport receiving unit 4 of the capsule section 21. In the preferred embodiment shown, the transport section 3 has a number of transport receiving units corresponding to the number of capsule receiving units 22 of the capsule section 21. Similar to the capsule section 22 exemplarily shown here, the transport section 3 thus has a total of five transport receiving units 4. The transport receiving units 4 are positioned in the transport section 3 such that they are in the starting position of the delivery device 2 according to... Figure 1 The capsule receiving section 23 is positioned directly above the capsule receiving section 22 in the ejection station 40 and is ready to receive one capsule 1 at a time. Due to the unique connection between each transport receiving section 4 and its respective capsule receiving section 23, capsule reception is achieved while maintaining a separate trajectory.

[0024] In addition, by Figure 1 It is also understood that the transport section 3 can be moved from the ejection station 40 to another process station. This can be achieved through linear motion. In the preferred embodiment shown, the delivery device 2 has a swing support by which the transport receiving section 4 can swing about the swing axis 15 according to arrow 16 in a timed step. Thus, exemplarily, three additional process stations (i.e., the first inspection station 41, the second inspection station 42, and the final transfer station 43) can be activated. Together with the already mentioned ejection station 40, this results in a total of four stations, which are activated cyclically in 90° steps. A different number of process stations may also be suitable. Further details regarding the delivery device 2 according to the invention are provided by Figures 2 to 6And from the related subsequent descriptions, we can conclude that: Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view shows the case where capsule 1 is received from capsule receiving section 23 of capsule section 22. Figure 1 The delivery device 2. Therefore, the delivery device 2 first occupies the position according to... Figure 1 The oscillating position, in which the transport section 3 is directly above the capsule section 22 in the area of ​​the ejection station. The capsules initially held in the lower part 28 and the upper part 29 of the section are then ejected from their capsule receiving parts 23 by the ejection device and transported to the associated transport receiving part 4 of the transport section 3. The ejection device here is configured as an ejector rod 9 with a coaxially integrated compressed air channel 10. The number of these ejector rods 9 corresponds to the number of capsule receiving parts 23 for each capsule section 22, so that in the illustrated embodiment, a total of five such ejector rods 9 are arranged below the capsule section 22 in the area of ​​the ejection station 40. This allows all capsules 1 in the capsule section 22 to be delivered to the transport section 3 simultaneously in a single process sequence.

[0025] Figure 3 A portion of capsule 1 is also shown schematically within capsule section 22, positioned with a certain lateral spacing between them. In the capsule section 3, indicated by 1', the capsules, however, have a larger lateral spacing compared to this, to facilitate subsequent processing activities. To widen the lateral spacing during transfer from capsule section 22 to transport section 3, according to... Figure 2 Each delivery channel 14 is positioned between each capsule receiving section 22 and each transport receiving section 4. Accordingly, capsule 1 is transported from capsule section 22 through the associated delivery channel 14 to the position indicated by 1' within transport section 3, with the lateral spacing between the capsules widening. This is based on... Figure 2 This occurs in two stages. In the first stage, capsule 1 is pushed upward from its capsule receiving section 23 by means of push rod 9. However, in this case, the area of ​​action of push rod 9 is limited to the area directly in front of capsule section 22. In order to allow subsequent transport movement of capsule 1 through delivery channel 14, compressed air impact is applied to capsule 1 from below through compressed air channel 10, thereby causing the capsule to be blown into its associated transport receiving section 4 through delivery channel 14.

[0026] according to Figure 2As can also be seen from the illustration, the transport receiving section 4 extends along the vertical longitudinal axis 5 and is correspondingly configured as a clamping receiving section with a clamping element for the capsule 1' acting radially toward the longitudinal axis 5. This clamping element is here configured in the form of a brush with radially oriented bristles. Other forms of clamping elements may, however, be suitable. In any case, the clamping element presses the capsule 1' into the prismatic forming portion of the otherwise rigid transport receiving section 4 in the radial direction (i.e., transverse to the longitudinal axis 5). Thus, the capsule 1' is secured in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis 5. For axial positioning, and corresponding to the ejector device or ejector rod 9, a stop element 11 is arranged directly above each transport receiving section 7. The stop element 11 is positioned above the transport section 3, more precisely, at a second distance a along the longitudinal axis 5, within the transport receiving section 4. Figure 4 Above the upper opening 8 shown. By means of the aforementioned compressed air impact, the capsule 1 is blown into its associated transport receiving section 4 and, in this case, abuts against the stop element 11. This ensures that the capsule 1' is precisely axially positioned relative to the protrusion above the transport section 3 at approximately a second distance a.

[0027] Figure 4 Further details regarding the design of the transport section 3 in the area of ​​its transport receiving section 4 are also shown. It is identifiable that the transport receiving section 4 is constructed as a passageway through the transport section 3, opening upwards and downwards on both sides, with a lower opening 7 and an upper opening 8. In the vertical direction, or in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5, these two openings 7, 8 are at a first distance d from each other. Furthermore, it is identifiable that the capsule 1, measured vertically in the same direction, has a length L, wherein the aforementioned first distance between the two openings 7, 8 is less than the aforementioned length L of the capsule 1. (See additional reference...) Figure 2 In this case, it should also be noted that the second distance a of the stop element 11 relative to the upper opening 8 is adapted to the length L of the capsule 1 such that the capsule 1 extends not only upward from the upper opening 8 at the second distance a, but also downward from the lower opening 7.

[0028] Immediately following the delivery and positioning of capsule 1' in its transport receiving section 4 as previously described, the transport section 3 is then swung from the ejection station 40 to the next process station (here to the first inspection station 41), as schematically shown. Figure 4As shown in the diagram, the upward and / or downward extension of capsule 1 beyond the previously described protrusion of the corresponding transport receiving section 4 allows for inspection of capsule 1 by an inspection device, even when capsule 1 is held within transport section 3. In the shown embodiment, the aforementioned inspection device at the first inspection station 41 is configured as a measuring camera 12. The measuring camera is capable of optically detecting the upward and downward extension of capsule 1 beyond the section 3. Shape inspection can be performed through image evaluation, which allows for the inference of potential capsule damage.

[0029] Alternative or additional locations, in accordance with Figure 5 Another inspection station 42 may be equipped with an inspection device in the form of a mechanical length measuring device 13. Here, the capsule 1 is measured in relation to its actual finished length using a drawn vernier caliper element combined with a measuring scale. This allows for the identification of length deviations, for example, due to incomplete closure processes at the top and bottom of the capsule 1. Alternatively, other inspection devices, such as those in the form of a scale, may also be provided for determining the quality of the capsule 1.

[0030] The inspection stations 41 and 42, located in the adjacent area of ​​the transport receiving unit 4, are optional. Alternatively, it may be sufficient to install only one in... Figure 6 The transfer station 43 is shown in the diagram. This is based on the premise that subsequent process steps, such as cleaning, weighing, and / or packaging, can also be performed outside the area where delivery device 2 is located. In any case, Figure 6 The delivery device 2, with its transport section 3 swung to transfer station 43, is also shown. Here, capsule ejection for delivery to another subsequent process station is performed. For this purpose, capsule 1 is ejected downwards from its transport receiving section 4 of transport section 3 by a corresponding ejection device (here in the form of a push rod), while retaining its trajectory, i.e., retaining its connection with the corresponding transport receiving section 4 or capsule receiving section 23. Figure 1 In the case of separate association, capsule 1 is delivered to a subsequent processing station. The subsequent processing station can be an external processing station (cleaning, weighing, and / or packaging). However, within the scope of this invention, it is also contemplated to deliver capsule 1 from transport section 3 back to capsule filling machine 20. Figure 1 In the corresponding capsule section 22 of the turntable 21, the subsequent process steps at the corresponding process station are then carried out there.

Claims

1. A delivery device (2) for a capsule filling machine for conveying at least one capsule (1) from a capsule receiving section (23) of a capsule section (22) to a subsequent process station, comprising a transport section (3) having at least one transport receiving section (4) extending along a vertical longitudinal axis (5), wherein, The transport receiving section (4) is configured as a clamping receiving section with a clamping element that acts radially to the longitudinal axis (5) of the transport receiving section (4) for the capsule (1). The transport receiving section (4) is characterized by being a channel through the transport section (3) with an open lower opening (7) and an upper opening (8) on both sides, wherein a first distance (d) between the two openings (7,8) is less than the length (L) of the capsule (1), the delivery device (2) includes an ejector, and corresponding to the ejector, a stop element (11) is positioned directly above the transport receiving section (4) at a second distance (a) relative to the upper opening (8), wherein the second distance (a) is adapted to the length (L) of the capsule (1) such that the capsule (1) extends downward beyond the lower opening (7) and upward beyond the upper opening (8) while abutting against the stop element (11).

2. The delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping element is configured in the form of a brush (6).

3. The delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the ejector is in the form of a push rod (9) for ejecting the capsule (1) from the capsule receiving section (23) and for guiding the capsule (1) into the transport receiving section (4) of the transport section (3).

4. The delivery device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transport receiving unit (4) with the capsule (1) held therein can be moved to the inspection station (41, 42), and an inspection device for inspecting the capsule (1) held in the capsule receiving unit (23) is arranged in the area of ​​the inspection station (41, 42).

5. The delivery device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inspection device is configured to measure a camera (12) and / or a mechanical length measuring device (13).

6. A capsule filling machine (20) comprising a turntable (21) having a capsule section (22) disposed thereon, wherein, The capsule section (22) accordingly has a plurality of capsule receiving sections (23) for the capsule (1), wherein the turntable (21) is capable of moving gradually about the axis of rotation (24) such that the capsule section (22) passes through different processing stations in succession, wherein one processing station is configured as an ejection station (40) for ejecting the capsule (1) from the capsule section (22), and wherein a delivery device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is arranged in the region of the ejection station (40).

7. The capsule filling machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transport section (3) has a number of transport receiving sections (4) corresponding to the number of capsule receiving sections (23) of the capsule section (22), and is provided with an equal number of ejection devices.

8. The capsule filling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ejector device is in the form of an ejector rod (9).

9. The capsule filling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transport receiving sections (4) of the transport section (3) are arranged at a greater distance from each other than the capsule receiving sections (23) of the capsule section (22), and a delivery channel (14) is positioned between the capsule receiving section (23) and the transport receiving section (4) at the ejection station (40).

10. The capsule filling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ejection device is configured with a push rod (9) for ejecting the capsule (1) from the capsule receiving section (23) and has an integrated compressed air channel (10) for blowing the capsule (1) through the delivery channel (14) into a corresponding transport receiving section (4) of the transport section (3).

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