Dry powder inhalant gravity filling equipment and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of dry powder inhaler filling, and discloses a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device and method which comprises a storage device feeding unit, a conveying unit, a filling station unit, a powder pretreatment unit, a filling unit, a sealing unit and a discharging unit. The material storage device feeding unit is used for rotating and positioning a material storage device placed at a feeding port, then the material storage device is conveyed to the filling station unit through the conveying unit, and the filling station unit rotates and changes the material storage device. Meanwhile, the powder pretreatment unit preagglomerates the powder into particles of 100-500 microns, the particles are conveyed into the filling unit through a pipeline, and the filling unit releases the powder through a servo motor. According to the dry powder inhaler filling device, the station rotating system controlled by the servo motor is adopted in the filling station, so that alternate filling of multiple filling positions is achieved, and the problem that when light and fluffy powder is treated through an existing dry powder inhaler filling technology, dosage deviation is likely to occur, and consequently precision is insufficient is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of dry powder inhaler filling, and in particular to a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device and method. Background Art

[0002] Filling of dry powder inhalers is a key process in the modern pharmaceutical industry. It mainly involves filling precisely measured dry powder drugs into a special inhalation device to ensure that patients can use the drug accurately. Before filling, the dry powder drugs need to be strictly quality tested and pretreated to ensure that their particle size, fluidity, etc. meet the requirements. The filling process is usually carried out in a highly clean and controlled environment. With the help of advanced automated filling equipment, the dry powder can be quickly and accurately loaded into the inhaler's chamber or capsule and other carriers according to the preset dose. The accuracy and stability of the equipment are crucial, which can effectively avoid dosage deviation and ensure the consistency of drug efficacy. In addition, in order to prevent the dry powder from being damp, agglomerated or contaminated during the filling process, the temperature, humidity, cleanliness and other parameters of the environment must be strictly controlled. After the filling is completed, subsequent processes such as sealing and packaging will be carried out to make the product easy to store, transport and use, and ultimately provide a safe, efficient and convenient dry powder inhalation treatment drug for patients with respiratory diseases.

[0003] Existing dry powder inhaler filling technology is prone to dosage deviation when dealing with light and fluffy powders, resulting in insufficient precision. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device and method, which solves the problem that the existing dry powder inhaler filling technology is prone to dosage deviation when processing light and fluffy powders, thereby causing insufficient precision.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions: a dry powder inhaler gravity filling equipment, including a storage device feeding unit, a conveying unit, a filling station unit, a powder pretreatment unit, a filling unit, a sealing unit, and a discharging unit, wherein the storage device feeding unit is used to rotate and position the storage device placed at the feed port, and then transmit it to the filling station unit through the conveying unit, the filling station unit rotates the storage device, and at the same time, the powder pretreatment unit pre-agglomerates the powder into particles of 100-500 microns and then transports it to the filling unit through a pipeline, the filling unit releases the powder into the storage device in the filling station unit through a servo motor, and after filling is completed, it is sent to the sealing unit through the conveying unit, the sealing unit fixes the packaging cap on the upper part of the storage device, and after packaging is completed, it is transported to the discharging unit through the conveying unit, and the storage device is unloaded through the discharging unit.

[0006] Preferably, the material storage device feeding unit comprises a camera and a rotating device, wherein the camera is used to identify the position and direction of the material storage device, and the rotating device is used to change the position and direction of the material storage device.

[0007] Preferably, the conveying unit comprises a conveyor belt and a clamp, wherein the conveyor belt is used to move the position of the storage device, and the clamp is used to fix the storage device.

[0008] Preferably, the filling station unit comprises a servo motor and a multi-station rotating device, wherein the servo motor is used to drive the multi-station rotating device to rotate, and the multi-station rotating device is used to change the angle and sequence of the material storage device.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing unit includes a vibrating loader, a material channel, a clamp and a cylinder, the vibrating loader is used to continuously provide packaging caps, the material channel is used to transport the packaging caps to the bottom of the clamp, the clamp is used to hold the packaging caps and move the packaging caps to the top of the storage tank at the same time, and the cylinder is used to press down the packaging caps.

[0010] Preferably, the discharging unit comprises a detection system and a discharging port, wherein the detection unit is used to check the sealing state and filling integrity of the storage device, and the discharging port is used to unload the storage device.

[0011] A filling method of a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device comprises the following steps: S1. Feeding: Place the storage device at the feeding port, take pictures with a camera, identify its position and direction, and then use the rotating device to accurately position it; S2, conveying: After the storage device is clamped and positioned by a clamp, it is conveyed to the filling station by a conveyor belt; S3, filling: The filling station controls the rotation angle and station rotation of the multi-station rotating device according to the filling requirements to fill the storage device, and the powder is pre-agglomerated before filling; S4, Sealing: The filled storage device is transported to the sealing station by a conveyor belt, and the packaging cap is accurately sealed to the top of the storage device by a cylinder; S5, discharging: the sealed storage device is transferred to the discharging port and the sealing state and filling integrity are confirmed by the detection unit.

[0012] Preferably, the powder is pre-agglomerated. First, the powder needs to be configured with a solvent to form a solution with a mass fraction of 10%-30%, and then the solution is transported to a pressure atomizer through a peristaltic pump, and the peristaltic pump feed rate is controlled between 5-20L / h. At the same time, the spray pressure of the pressure atomizer is adjusted to 5-8MPa to start spraying, and the atomized solution is sprayed into a dryer. The hot air of the dryer is controlled to flow at a flow rate of 10-30m / s, the hot air inlet temperature is set between 150-250°C, and the outlet temperature is set between 70-100°C. The atomized solution is solidified by the dryer to form a pre-agglomerated powder, and the pre-agglomerated powder in the range of 100-500 microns is separated by a sieve and then collected.

[0013] Working principle: Place the storage device on the conveyor belt surface at the bottom of the feeding unit of the storage device, identify the position and direction of the storage device through the camera, and then adjust the position and direction of the storage device through the rotating device, and then clamp the storage device through the clamp, start the conveyor belt to transport the storage device to the filling station unit, place the storage device on the upper part of the multi-station rotating device, and use the servo motor to drive the multi-station rotating device to adjust the angle and sequence of the storage device, and then use the filling unit to fill the pre-agglomerated powder into the storage device, and then transport it to the sealing unit through the conveyor belt, and use the vibration feeder to continuously transport the packaging cap to the bottom of the clamp through the material channel, and move the packaging cap to the upper part of the storage device through the clamp, and then fix the packaging cap on the top of the storage device through the cylinder, and then transport the storage device to the discharge unit through the conveyor belt, and unload it through the discharge port after detection by the detection unit to complete the filling work.

[0014] The present invention provides a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device and method, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. In the present invention, a station rotation system controlled by a servo motor is adopted at the filling station to realize rotation filling of multiple filling positions. Compared with the traditional single-station filling method, this design allows filling at one station while other stations can complete preparation work, thereby improving the filling efficiency. At the same time, the servo-controlled precise rotation system can ensure the consistency of the filling amount at each station, making the filling process more efficient and accurate, thereby improving the existing dry powder inhaler filling technology, which is prone to dosage deviation when processing light and fluffy powders, resulting in insufficient precision.

[0015] 2. In the present invention, by introducing a camera and an image recognition algorithm, the position of the storage device is accurately positioned through image capture and analysis when the storage device enters the feed port. This positioning method based on image recognition, combined with a servo motor controlled by a PLC and a rotation device controlled by friction, enables the storage device to automatically rotate to the correct filling position, greatly improving the degree of automation and positioning accuracy of the feeding process.

[0016] 3. In the present invention, the powder is pre-agglomerated to form small spherical particles of several hundred microns, which greatly improves the fluidity and stability of the powder. This pretreatment method not only improves the filling accuracy, but also reduces the powder loss during the filling process, avoids dust pollution, and prevents the powder structure from being damaged during filling.

[0017] 4. In the present invention, the design of the sealing station combines the vibration feeder and the feeding module to ensure efficient feeding and accurate packaging operation of the packaging cap. The cylinder-driven sealing device accurately positions and seals the storage device after filling to ensure tight sealing and prevent powder leakage. The multi-level automatic sealing system improves the efficiency and sealing effect of the sealing operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram of the equipment of the present invention; Figure 2 The figure is a flow chart of the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Please see attached Figure 1The embodiment of the present invention provides a gravity filling device for dry powder inhaler, including a storage device feeding unit, a conveying unit, a filling station unit, a powder pretreatment unit, a filling unit, a sealing unit, and a discharging unit. The storage device feeding unit is used to rotate and position the storage device placed at the feeding port, and then transmit it to the filling station unit through the conveying unit. The filling station unit rotates and rotates the storage device. At the same time, the powder pretreatment unit pre-agglomerates the powder into particles of 100-500 microns and then transports it to the filling unit through a pipeline. The filling unit releases the powder into the storage device in the filling station unit through a servo motor, and after filling, it is sent to the sealing unit through the conveying unit. The sealing unit fixes the packaging cap on the upper part of the storage device, and after packaging, it is transported to the discharging unit through the conveying unit, and the storage device is unloaded through the discharging unit.

[0021] Specifically, the storage device placed at the feed port can be rotated and positioned through the storage device feeding unit, and precise positioning can be achieved through the camera and the rotating device, laying the foundation for the subsequent filling process. The conveying unit can use the conveyor belt and the clamp to achieve stable movement of the storage device between the various stations of the equipment, ensuring that it can smoothly complete the entire process from feeding to filling, sealing and then to discharging. The filling station unit can drive the multi-station rotating device through a servo motor, and accurately control the rotation angle and station rotation sequence according to the position of the storage device and the filling volume requirements, so as to achieve efficient and accurate powder filling. The powder pretreatment unit can pre-agglomerate the powder into particles of 100-500 microns, thereby improving the fluidity and stability of the powder. , reduce loss and dust pollution, protect the fluffy structure of the powder, so as to facilitate subsequent filling operations. The filling unit can use a specially designed control system combined with the characteristics of powder pre-agglomeration, and precisely control the servo motor to gradually release the powder into the storage device to ensure accurate and stable filling volume and avoid dosage deviation. The sealing unit can use vibration feeders, clamps, cylinders and other components to achieve precise feeding, positioning and sealing operations of the packaging cap to ensure tight sealing, prevent powder leakage, and ensure product quality. The discharging unit can convey the sealed storage device to the discharging port through a conveyor belt, and use the detection system to confirm the sealing status and filling integrity to ensure product quality and complete the final link of the entire filling process.

[0022] The material storage device feeding unit comprises a camera and a rotating device, wherein the camera is used to identify the position and direction of the material storage device, and the rotating device is used to change the position and direction of the material storage device.

[0023] Specifically, the camera can capture the storage device placed at the feed port, and its position and direction can be analyzed through image recognition technology to provide a basis for the precise positioning of the subsequent rotating device. After the camera and algorithm module determine the position and direction of the storage device, the rotating device can be driven by a servo motor and adjusted to a suitable position by friction control to ensure that it enters the filling station in the correct orientation.

[0024] The conveying unit comprises a conveyor belt and a clamp, wherein the conveyor belt is used to move the position of the storage device, and the clamp is used to fix the storage device.

[0025] Specifically, the conveyor belt can run at a constant speed to achieve smooth movement of the storage device between different stations of the equipment, including the transmission process from the feed port to the filling station, from the filling station to the sealing station, and from the sealing station to the discharge port. The clamp can clamp and fix the storage device after it is positioned, ensuring that the storage device remains stable during the conveyor belt transmission process to avoid position deviation affecting subsequent filling, sealing and other operations.

[0026] The filling station unit comprises a servo motor and a multi-station rotating device. The servo motor is used to drive the multi-station rotating device to rotate, and the multi-station rotating device is used to change the angle and sequence of the storage device.

[0027] Specifically, the servo motor can accurately drive the multi-station rotating device to rotate in the filling station unit. According to the position of the storage device and the filling volume requirements, the rotation angle and the station rotation order can be accurately controlled to ensure the consistency of the filling volume of each station, thereby achieving efficient and high-precision filling operations. The multi-station rotating device can realize the rotation of multiple filling positions under the precise control of the servo motor in the filling station unit, so that when one station is filling, other stations can prepare for the next filling, greatly improving the filling efficiency and production rhythm, while ensuring the consistency of the filling volume of each station, improving the overall filling accuracy.

[0028] The sealing unit includes a vibrating loader, a material channel, a clamp and a cylinder. The vibrating loader is used to continuously provide packaging caps, the material channel is used to transport the packaging caps to the bottom of the clamp, the clamp is used to hold the packaging caps and move the packaging caps to the top of the storage tank at the same time, and the cylinder is used to press down the packaging caps.

[0029] Specifically, the vibrating loader can move the packaging cap in an orderly manner through continuous vibration in the sealing unit, thereby stably providing packaging caps for the sealing operation, ensuring the timeliness and continuity of the supply of packaging caps, and ensuring the efficient implementation of the sealing process. The material channel acts as a conveying channel in the sealing unit, which can accurately convey the packaging cap provided by the vibrating loader to the bottom of the clamp, ensuring that the clamp can smoothly grasp the packaging cap, thereby realizing the accurate transfer of the packaging cap in the sealing process. The clamp can accurately grasp the packaging cap conveyed by the material channel in the sealing unit and stably move it to the top of the storage tank, providing accurate positioning for the subsequent cylinder to press down the packaging cap to realize precise sealing operation, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the sealing. The cylinder can provide downward pressure in the sealing unit to drive the sealing device to press down the packaging cap with the clamp positioned on the top of the storage device, so that the packaging cap and the storage device fit tightly, completing the sealing operation, ensuring a tight seal, and preventing powder leakage.

[0030] The discharging unit includes a detection system and a discharging port. The detection unit is used to check the sealing state and filling integrity of the storage device. The discharging port is used to unload the storage device.

[0031] Specifically, the detection system can conduct a comprehensive inspection on the sealed storage device in the discharging unit, including checking whether its sealing state is tight and whether the filling integrity meets the standards, so as to ensure product quality and prevent the outflow of defective products. The discharging port can provide an unloading channel for the sealed and inspected storage device in the discharging unit, so that it can leave the equipment smoothly. At the same time, its design facilitates the equipment to automatically complete the unloading operation, realizing the last step of the entire filling process.

[0032] A gravity filling method for dry powder inhalation comprises the following steps: S1. Feeding: Place the storage device at the feeding port, take pictures with a camera, identify its position and direction, and then use the rotating device to accurately position it; S2, conveying: After the storage device is clamped and positioned by a clamp, it is conveyed to the filling station by a conveyor belt; S3, filling: The filling station controls the rotation angle and station rotation of the multi-station rotating device according to the filling requirements to fill the storage device, and the powder is pre-agglomerated before filling; S4, Sealing: The filled storage device is transported to the sealing station by a conveyor belt, and the packaging cap is accurately sealed to the top of the storage device by a cylinder; S5, discharging: the sealed storage device is transferred to the discharging port and the sealing state and filling integrity are confirmed by the detection unit.

[0033] The powder is pre-agglomerated. First, the powder needs to be mixed with the solvent to form a solution with a mass fraction of 10%-30%. Then the solution is transported to the pressure atomizer through a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump feed rate is controlled between 5-20L / h. At the same time, the spray pressure of the pressure atomizer is adjusted to 5-8MPa to start spraying. The atomized solution is sprayed into the dryer. The hot air of the dryer is controlled to flow at a flow rate of 10-30m / s. The hot air inlet temperature is set between 150-250℃, and the outlet temperature is set between 70-100℃. The atomized solution is solidified by the dryer to form pre-agglomerated powder. The pre-agglomerated powder in the range of 100-500 microns is separated by a sieve and then collected.

[0034] Specifically, by configuring the powder with a solvent to form a solution with a mass fraction of 10%-30%, the powder can be better subjected to subsequent atomization and pre-agglomeration treatment, improve its fluidity and stability, and facilitate the formation of uniform spherical particles to meet the needs of high-precision filling, while reducing losses and dust pollution during the filling process. By controlling the peristaltic pump feed rate between 5-20L / h, it can ensure that the solution enters the pressure atomizer at a stable and appropriate flow rate, making the atomization process uniform and controllable, which is conducive to the generation of pre-agglomerated powders with uniform particle size and stable quality, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of subsequent filling. By adjusting the spray pressure to 5-8MPa, sufficient energy can be provided for the atomization of the solution, so that the solution forms fine and uniform droplets in the pressure atomizer, thereby prompting the droplets to dry quickly in the drying tower and agglomerate into particles of 100-500 microns, ensuring the quality and particle size requirements of the pre-agglomerated powder to adapt to subsequent filling operations. By controlling the hot air to 10-3 The flow rate of 0m / s can quickly take away the moisture in the atomized solution, prompting the droplets to dry quickly, and at the same time, the dried powder particles are fully agglomerated into a suitable particle size (100-500 microns) under the action of the airflow, and ensure that the agglomerated particles have good fluidity and stability, which is beneficial to the subsequent filling process. By setting the inlet temperature between 150-250℃, it can provide sufficient heat for the atomized solution, so that the hot air can quickly evaporate the solvent in the solution, promote the droplets to dry into particles, and help maintain the temperature environment in the drying tower, ensuring that the formation process of the pre-agglomerated powder is stable and efficient, and ensuring that the quality and performance of the powder meet the subsequent filling requirements. By setting the outlet temperature between 70-100℃, it can ensure that the dried powder particles are fully dehydrated while avoiding powder deterioration or other adverse effects due to excessively high temperature, ensuring the quality of the pre-agglomerated powder is stable, so that it meets the requirements of the powder state and performance of subsequent filling processes.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler gravity filling device, comprising a storage device feeding unit, a conveying unit, a filling station unit, a powder pretreatment unit, a filling unit, a sealing unit, and a discharging unit, characterized in that: The storage device feeding unit is used to rotate and position the storage device placed at the feed port, and then transmit it to the filling station unit through the conveying unit. The filling station unit rotates and rotates the storage device. At the same time, the powder pretreatment unit pre-agglomerates the powder into particles of 100-500 microns and then transmits it to the filling unit through a pipeline. The filling unit releases the powder into the storage device in the filling station unit through a servo motor. After filling, it is sent to the sealing unit through the conveying unit. The sealing unit fixes the packaging cap on the upper part of the storage device. After packaging, it is transported to the discharging unit through the conveying unit, and the storage device is unloaded through the discharging unit.

2. A dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material storage device feeding unit comprises a camera and a rotating device, wherein the camera is used to identify the position and direction of the material storage device, and the rotating device is used to change the position and direction of the material storage device.

3. A dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying unit comprises a conveyor belt and a clamp, wherein the conveyor belt is used to move the position of the storage device, and the clamp is used to fix the storage device.

4. A dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filling station unit comprises a servo motor and a multi-station rotating device, wherein the servo motor is used to drive the multi-station rotating device to rotate, and the multi-station rotating device is used to change the angle and sequence of the material storage device.

5. The dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing unit includes a vibrating loader, a material channel, a clamp and a cylinder. The vibrating loader is used to continuously provide packaging caps, the material channel is used to transport the packaging caps to the bottom of the clamp, the clamp is used to hold the packaging caps and move the packaging caps to the top of the storage tank at the same time, and the cylinder is used to press down the packaging caps.

6. A dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharging unit comprises a detection system and a discharging port, wherein the detection unit is used to check the sealing state and filling integrity of the storage device, and the discharging port is used to unload the storage device.

7. A filling method of a dry powder inhaler gravity filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. Feeding: Place the storage device at the feeding port, take pictures with a camera, identify its position and direction, and then use the rotating device to accurately position it; S2, conveying: After the storage device is clamped and positioned by a clamp, it is conveyed to the filling station by a conveyor belt; S3, filling: The filling station controls the rotation angle and station rotation of the multi-station rotating device according to the filling requirements to fill the storage device, and the powder is pre-agglomerated before filling; S4, Sealing: The filled storage device is transported to the sealing station by a conveyor belt, and the packaging cap is accurately sealed to the top of the storage device by a cylinder; S5, discharging: the sealed storage device is transferred to the discharging port and the sealing state and filling integrity are confirmed by the detection unit.

8. A gravity filling method for dry powder inhalation according to claim 7, characterized in that: The powder is subjected to pre-agglomeration treatment. First, the powder needs to be configured with a solvent to form a solution with a mass fraction of 10%-30%, and then the solution is transported to a pressure atomizer through a peristaltic pump, and the peristaltic pump feed rate is controlled between 5-20L / h. At the same time, the spray pressure of the pressure atomizer is adjusted to 5-8MPa to start spraying, and the atomized solution is sprayed into a dryer. The hot air of the dryer is controlled to flow at a flow rate of 10-30m / s, the hot air inlet temperature is set between 150-250°C, and the outlet temperature is set between 70-100°C. The atomized solution is solidified by the dryer to form pre-agglomerated powder, and the pre-agglomerated powder in the range of 100-500 microns is separated by a sieve and then collected.

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