Separating device and metering device for spherical particles

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating device (4) for spherical particles (1), in particular for freeze-dried beads, and to a metering device comprising a size separator (2), a shape separator (3) and such a separating device (4). The separating device (4) comprises a vacuum metering wheel (16) rotatably driven about an axis of rotation (33), a vacuum source (17) and a pressure control device (37). At least one suction opening (18) for the particles (1) is arranged in a lateral end face (38) of the vacuum metering wheel (16) at a radial distance from the axis of rotation (33). The connection of the vacuum source (17) to the suction opening (18) can be switched on and off by means of a pressure control device (37). A second positive pressure source (45) is provided, which can be connected downstream of the discharge opening (32) to the at least one suction opening (18) in order to blow out the suction opening (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation device for spherical particles, particularly for freeze-dried beads, and a dispensing device incorporating such a separation device. Background Technology

[0002] Especially in the pharmaceutical field, many active ingredients can only be preserved for a short time in aqueous solutions. Freeze-drying (lyophilization) is a method used to achieve storable formulations, particularly for heat-sensitive substances. Rapid freezing and dehydration under strong negative pressure forms pearl-shaped spherical particles, also known as freeze-dried beads. Freeze-drying preserves a roughly spherical porous framework composed of active and auxiliary ingredients, which has low density and a relatively large, highly hygroscopic surface area.

[0003] Its high dissolution rate makes lyophilized beads suitable for parenteral administration, such as vaccines. Due to their storage stability, they are also well-suited for novel diagnostic tools such as lab-on-a-chip systems. However, the brittle structure of the lyophilized beads requires careful handling. Specifically, the lyophilized beads, averaging 1.5 to 4.0 mm in size, are susceptible to mechanical abrasion and compaction, generate electrostatic charges, and must be further processed at low humidity. Furthermore, the lyophilized beads must be individually dispensed.

[0004] Undesirable dimensional and / or shape tolerances may occur in normally spherical freeze-dried beads during the manufacturing process. Therefore, freeze-dried beads with diameter variations, flat areas, or small protrusions must be sorted out as feasible before batching.

[0005] Another challenge lies in the structure of the freeze-dried beads and the resulting properties. Due to freeze-drying, a sponge-like skeleton with high porosity, similar to rigid foam, is retained. This rigid, foam-like product has low mechanical load-bearing capacity, particularly in terms of compressive strength, shear strength, and abrasion resistance. Simultaneously, its mass-to-volume ratio is very low. Due to electrostatic, adhesive, and / or other binding mechanisms, the freeze-dried beads tend to adhere to each other and also to other surfaces in contact with them. These adhesive forces counteract only very small mass forces, resulting in overall difficult pouring and flow behavior. Especially in the aforementioned cases, separation is difficult without damaging the freeze-dried beads. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of describing a separation device for spherical particles, particularly for freeze-dried beads, which enables the gentle separation of very light and, in this case, very sensitive samples.

[0007] This task is solved by a separation device for spherical particles, particularly for freeze-dried beads, wherein the separation device includes a vacuum dispensing wheel that can be rotated about a rotation axis, a vacuum source, and a pressure control device, wherein at least one suction opening for the particles is arranged radially away from the rotation axis in the lateral end face of the vacuum dispensing wheel, and wherein the connection between the vacuum source and the suction opening can be turned on and off by means of the pressure control device, wherein a second positive pressure source is provided, which can be connected to at least one suction opening downstream of the discharge port for blowing out the suction opening.

[0008] The present invention is further based on the following objective: to describe a dispensing device for spherical particles, especially for freeze-dried beads, which enables reliable sorting of samples with excessive size deviations and also shape deviations, and further enables careful individual dispensing.

[0009] This task is solved by a dispensing device for spherical particles, comprising a size sorter, a shape sorter, and a separation device. The size sorter has two sorting rollers rotatable about their longitudinal axis, positioned side-by-side such that a distance varying along the longitudinal axis and adapted to a predetermined target particle size is maintained between them. The shape sorter is constructed as a vibrating conveyor plate inclined relative to the horizontal direction, having an upper end, a lower end, and a particle-capturing device arranged in the lower end region for conveying to the separation device. The separation device includes a vacuum dispensing wheel rotatable about a rotation axis, a vacuum source, and a pressure control device. At least one suction opening for particles is arranged radially from the rotation axis in the lateral end face of the vacuum dispensing wheel. The connection between the vacuum source and the suction opening can be switched on and off by the pressure control device. A second positive pressure source is provided downstream of the discharge port and connected to the at least one suction opening for blowing out the suction opening.

[0010] According to the present invention, a separation device for spherical particles, particularly for freeze-dried beads, is provided. The device includes a vacuum dispensing wheel, a vacuum source, and a pressure control device, all rotatable about a rotation axis. At least one suction opening for the particles is arranged radially from the rotation axis in the lateral end face of the vacuum dispensing wheel. Specifically, a plurality of suction openings distributed circumferentially are arranged in the lateral end face. The connection between the vacuum source and the suction openings can be switched on and off using the pressure control device.

[0011] In practice, it has been shown that the lateral guidance of sensitive freeze-dried beads to the end face of the vacuum dispensing wheel is particularly gentle. Only very small forces are required. There is virtually no risk of individual beads getting stuck, crushed, or ground up. The beads do not need to be forced through a complex transport path into some kind of receiving bag. Only a small suction force is needed for the beads to adhere to the edge of the suction opening. The freeze-dried beads can be released again using the same small force.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation of the vacuum dispensing wheel is horizontal, wherein the end face is constructed flat and orthogonal to the axis of rotation. This allows for precise suction or discharge using only negative or positive pressure, with gravity playing no significant role. Furthermore, it results in a slender, narrow structural form that, in conjunction with larger filling machines, enables multi-row separation at a single station.

[0013] In a suitable structural form, the pressure control device has a control plate parallel to the vacuum dispensing wheel and not rotated, wherein an arc-shaped control channel connected to the vacuum source is constructed in the control plate. The control channel is adapted to the surrounding track of at least one suction opening in its trajectory, wherein a first end of the control channel is located in the area for the storage container of the particles, and wherein a second end of the control channel is located in the area for the discharge port of the particles. At least one suction opening is connected to the control channel along its surrounding track in a manner that transmits negative pressure. This negative pressure control device achieves precise operation, even at high speeds, through simple mechanical means, eliminating the need for switching valves, etc.

[0014] In an advantageous improvement, a first positive pressure source is provided, which can be connected to at least one suction opening in the region of the discharge port for discharging particles. This eliminates any residual negative pressure that may exist after the vacuum is cut off, thereby supporting very light particles to fall precisely at the location of the discharge port.

[0015] According to the present invention, a second positive pressure source is provided, which can be connected to at least one suction opening downstream of the discharge port for blowing out the suction opening. This allows for cleaning after separation is completed by blowing out the corresponding suction opening.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, a gap is provided between the storage container and the vacuum dispensing wheel, at least in the lower section. Despite the entirely gentle handling of the particles, any debris or fragments that need to be collected in the storage container can still fall through the gap without interfering with the routine separation process.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, a dispensing device for spherical particles, particularly freeze-dried beads, is provided, comprising a size sorter, a shape sorter, and a particle separation device. The size sorter has two sorting rollers that are drivable to rotate about their longitudinal axis, and they are positioned side-by-side such that a distance varying along the longitudinal axis and adapted to a predetermined target size of the particles is maintained between them. The shape sorter is constructed as a vibrating conveyor plate inclined relative to the horizontal direction, having an upper end, a lower end, and a particle-capturing device arranged in the region of the lower end for conveying the particles to the separation device.

[0018] Accordingly, the dispensing device according to the invention generally consists of three components for satisfying, in particular, three tasks in sequence. In the first component, namely the size sorter, particles that are too small or too large are sorted out. In the second component, namely the shape sorter, particles with insufficiently accurate spherical shapes are sorted out. Finally, in the third component, namely the separation device, the individual dispensing of spherical particles that are considered to be of good size and shape is performed.

[0019] Here, all three components of the dispensing device utilize the desired spherical shape: particles are applied to the upper side of a pair of rotating sorting rollers, which are located in the region of the gap between the sorting rollers and move along the longitudinal axis of the sorting rollers. The varying distance between the sorting rollers, adapted to the preset target size of the particles, results in the following: in the region of smaller roller spacing, only particles that are too small will fall through between the rollers and be sorted out. In the region of roller spacing corresponding to the target size, particles with the desired diameter fall through and can be supplied for further processing, while particles that are too large cannot pass through the gap and are blocked. In the region of further increased roller spacing, then eventually, the remaining particles that are considered too large will also fall through between the rollers and are thus sorted out like particles that are too small. In particular, particles with the target size and spherical target shape can gently roll on the surface of the rotating sorting rollers, where they undergo gentle sorting.

[0020] The desired spherical shape can also be achieved on the vibrating conveyor plate of a shape sorting machine. Particles with a sufficiently accurate spherical shape roll along the lower end of the inclined vibrating conveyor plate. There is virtually no tangential force between the rolling spherical particles and the surface of the vibrating conveyor plate. The rolling process is almost frictionless and gentle, and particles identified to such a degree as sufficiently round can be supplied to the separator without damage. Due to the practical lack of transmission of tangential force, the vibrating conveyor plate cannot transport particles of the desired round shape upwards against their rolling direction, thus rendering it practically ineffective as a conveying device for these round particles. This appears different in the case of particles with a shape deviating from the ideal spherical shape. In the case of non-circular shapes or even fragments, the rolling motion is hindered or even infeasible. The vibrating conveyor plate can apply tangential or frictional forces and convey non-circular particles towards the upper edge, where they are then sorted.

[0021] Particles of this degree, identified given their appropriate size and sufficiently accurate spherical shape, can then be gently dispensed as individual particles in the aforementioned separation apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 A size sorter, which is part of the dispensing device according to the invention, is shown in a schematic side view, having sorting rollers inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic front view shows the situation according to... Figure 1 The size sorter has a pair of sorting rollers that rotate in opposite directions and outwards from their upper sides.

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic top view illustrates the implementation scheme based on the columnar shape. Figure 2 A pair of sorting rollers having longitudinal axes that are at an opening angle to each other to form varying distances.

[0026] Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 3 A variant of the roller pair, which has parallel sorting rollers and sorting rollers that are stepped in diameter to form varying distances,

[0027] Figure 5 A shape sorter, which is part of the dispensing device according to the invention, is shown in a schematic side view, having a vibrating conveyor plate inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0028] Figure 6A schematic side view shows a separating device as part of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention, which has an inclined, rotatably driven format disk (or specification disk, Formatscheibe) for receiving individual particles.

[0029] Figure 7 The end view shows the results according to Figure 6 The format disk has individual receiving holes for the particles.

[0030] Figure 8 An embodiment of the separation device according to the invention is shown, which includes a rotatably driven vacuum dispensing wheel, a vacuum source for suctioning individual particles, and a pressure control device.

[0031] Figure 9 The end view shows the results according to Figure 8 The vacuum dispensing wheel has a suction opening and a discharge port for the suctioned particles, and

[0032] Figure 10 The end view shows the results according to Figure 8 Pressure control equipment, used for controlled loading in sections with negative and positive pressure according to... Figure 9 The suction opening. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The dispensing device for spherical particles 1 according to the present invention comprises at least three components or functional groups, namely, exemplary according to Figures 1 to 4 Size sorter 2, exemplarily based on Figure 5 Shape sorter 3 and exemplary according to Figures 6 to 10 The separation device 4. For good visual clarity, all three components or functional groups are presented separately here, but in practice they can be combined into a spatially and functionally integrated device. “Spherical” particle 1 here means a particle with a spatially curved surface that can roll in different directions, thus including, in addition to a true sphere, ellipsoids, ovals, or shapes with irregular radius distributions given the rolling capability.

[0034] Figure 1 An embodiment of the size sorter 2 is shown in a schematic side view. Particles 1 are prepared as a bulk in container 20 for the purpose of separating samples from which samples are within defined diameter tolerances and have a sufficiently accurate spherical shape. Preferably, these spherical particles 1 are so-called freeze-dried beads obtained through a freeze-drying technique. Remaining samples that are too small, too large, or too non-spherical should be sorted out.

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic front view shows the situation according to... Figure 1 Size sorter 2. From Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overview shows that a pair of sorting rollers 5, 6 are arranged side-by-side below container 20. The sorting rollers 5, 6 each have longitudinal axes 7, 8, which are rotatably driven about these longitudinal axes 7, 8 by means of a drive unit (not shown) according to arrows 21, 22. Different possibilities are considered for the choice of the rotation direction of the sorting rollers 5, 6. In particular, according to... Figure 2 In a preferred embodiment, the opposite rotation direction is chosen such that the circumferential surfaces of the sorting rollers 5, 6 are separated from each other on their upper sides pointing upwards in the direction of gravity, i.e., there the circumferential surfaces move away from each other.

[0036] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 Furthermore, the overview reveals that the longitudinal axes 7 and 8 of the two sorting rollers 5 and 6 form a first inclination angle α > 0° with the horizontal direction x. This results in the upper side of the sorting rollers 5 and 6 being higher at one end than at the opposite end. The container 20 is arranged in the region of the higher end, thereby applying particles 1 in the region of that higher end onto the upper side of the sorting rollers 5 and 6. Figure 2 It was also found that the sorting rollers in this area are so closely arranged side by side that particle 1 cannot fall through between them. Instead, the two sorting rollers 5, 6 form a groove in this area, in which particle 1 is placed. The inclined position of the longitudinal axes 7, 8 at a first inclination angle α causes a propulsion action on particle 1 along the longitudinal direction of the sorting rollers 5, 6 from the higher end to the lower end. This propulsion, combined with the rotational motion of the sorting rollers 5, 6, causes the particle in the aforementioned groove to move along the direction of arrow 23 from the higher end with container 20 towards the lower end of the sorting rollers 5, 6.

[0037] Furthermore, the sorting rollers 5 and 6 are positioned side-by-side such that distances a, a1, a2, a3, varying along the longitudinal axis 7 and 8 and adapted to the preset target size of particle 1, are maintained between them. This creates a gap with a correspondingly non-constant width. Figure 3 A schematic top view shows the situation according to... Figure 2 A first embodiment of a pair of sorting rollers 5, 6. At least one sorting roller 6 is implemented in a cylindrical shape. Currently, both sorting rollers 5, 6 are implemented in the form of cylinders, having a constant diameter d along their respective longitudinal axes 7, 8. Furthermore, the longitudinal axes 7, 8 of the two sorting rollers 5, 6 form an opening angle γ > 0° relative to each other, measured in a horizontal plane, to generate a varying distance a. Here, the distance a varies along the longitudinal direction of the rollers such that it is minimum at the higher end of the sorting rollers 5, 6 in the region of the container 20, continuously increases from there toward the lower end, and is maximum in the region of the lower end.

[0038] Below the pair of sorting rollers 5, 6, in the region of the gap formed by the distance a, there are a first capture section 24, a second capture section 25, and a third capture section 26. These capture sections are not shown below the sorting rollers 5, 6 in the drawing for better visualization, but rather beside them. As mentioned above, particles 1 move along the sorting rollers 5, 6 in the gap region between them and in the direction of arrow 23, wherein initially, as many particles 1 as possible are located in or on the groove formed between the sorting rollers 5, 6 near the container 20. Along the direction of movement of particles 1 in the direction of arrow 23, the distance a increases to such an extent that smaller particles 1' first fall through the narrow gap between the sorting rollers 5, 6 with a smaller distance a and are collected in the first capture section 24. Larger particles 1,1” are stopped at this location by sorting rollers 5,6 on their upper side. In the further movement of these initially stopped particles 1,1”, medium-sized particles 1 fall through gaps within a range of medium distance a and are collected in the second capture section 25. Similarly, larger particles 1” are temporarily stopped by sorting rollers 5,6 in the region of the second capture section 25 so that they eventually fall through gaps with further increased distance a in a further movement in the direction of arrow 23 and are collected in the third capture section 26.

[0039] Here, the aforementioned varying distance 'a' is adapted to the target size of particle 1 preset by the operator, such that the sorting rollers in the intermediate region (here, in the region of the second capture section 25) allow those particles 1 with a size or diameter within a preset tolerance range to pass through and be captured, i.e., the particles are considered good in terms of standard "size". In the same process, the smaller particles 1' that fell through earlier and the larger particles 1" that fell through later are sorted as too small and too large, respectively.

[0040] Alternatively, the same effect can be achieved using a pair of tapered sorting rollers 5,6, wherein the parallel orientation of the longitudinal axes 7,8 is suitable, but combinations with larger or smaller opening angles γ are also considered. The tapered shape can further be combined with... Figure 1 The first tilt angle α is used in combination. However, it may also make the tilt angle α redundant, where the propulsion force for the particles described above only produces the conical surface of the self-sorting rollers 5,6 tilted relative to the horizontal direction x.

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic top view shows the situation according to... Figure 3A variation of the arrangement is shown in which the two sorting rollers 5 and 6 are arranged with parallel axes, i.e., with parallel longitudinal axes 7 and 8. Despite their parallelism, the longitudinal axes 7 and 8 still form a first tilt angle α > 0° relative to the horizontal direction, as shown in the example. Figure 1 As presented in the text. For example... Figure 3 As in the previous example, the sorting roller 6 is cylindrically implemented with a constant diameter d within its operating range. In contrast, another dispensing roller 5 has different diameters d1, d2, d3 arranged in a stepped pattern along its longitudinal axis 7 to generate varying distances a1, a2, a3. In other words, there are multiple (here, three) cylindrical sub-segments of the sorting roller 5 with associated different diameters d1, d2, d3. The sub-segment with the largest diameter d1 results in the smallest distance a1, and is related to... Figure 3 The arrangement is similar, located near the higher end of container 20 and sorting rollers 5, 6. Further similar to... Figure 3 The implementation scheme then follows, in the direction of arrow 23, a second sub-segment with a medium-sized diameter d2 and a following medium-sized distance a2, where a third sub-segment with a minimum diameter d3 and a following maximum distance a3 is connected towards the lower end. The functional mode is as described in... Figure 3 In one embodiment, particles 1 of the desired size are allowed to pass through an intermediate sub-segment at a distance a2 of a medium size and are collected in a second capture segment 25 for further processing, while particles 1', 1" of too small or too large size are sorted out in an outer sub-segment with a smaller distance a1 or a larger distance a3.

[0042] Figure 4 The diagram shows a combination of stepped sorting rollers 5 and cylindrical sorting rollers 6. However, an embodiment with two sorting rollers 5, 6 (both having stepped diameters d1, d2, d3) is also suitable. Furthermore, despite the stepped diameters, it is still suitable to arrange the longitudinal axes 7, 8 with an opening angle α > 0°. The variations shown and / or described are consistent in the remaining features and reference numerals.

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic side view shows a shape sorter 3 for particles 1, wherein the shape sorter 3 is functionally connected downstream of the size sorter described above. Therefore, particles 1 are first sorted by size, wherein particles 1 deemed good in terms of size are then sorted according to their shape. However, the reverse order, i.e., sorting is performed first, especially according to… Figure 5 Shape sorting and then, especially according to Figures 1 to 4 Size sorting can also be appropriate.

[0044] according to Figure 5An embodiment of the shape sorter 3 includes a vibrating conveyor plate 9 inclined at a second tilt angle β > 0° relative to the horizontal direction x. Following this tilt, the vibrating conveyor plate 9 has an upper end 10 and an opposite lower end 11 relative to the direction of gravity. The vibrating conveyor plate 9 includes a plate body 36 flat on its upper side and a vibration actuator 35, which is only shown schematically here for simplicity, connected thereto. The vibration actuator 35 causes the plate body 36 to vibrate in a manner known per se according to arrow 28, such that an object placed on the upper surface of the plate body 36 is moved in a targeted and oriented manner. The vibrating conveyor plate 9 is currently designed such that the placed object moves in the direction of the upper end 10 due to the acting oscillating tangential force.

[0045] Approximately in the middle region of the vibrating conveyor plate 9, a particle feeder 27 is provided, by means of which particles 1, sorted by the size sorter 2 according to their size, are applied to the upper surface of the plate 36. Due to their inclined position and the force of gravity acting in the direction of the lower end 11, these sufficiently round, spherical samples of particles 1 roll on the surface of the plate 36. The plate 36 cannot exert sufficient tangential force on these rolling particles 1, so that the vibratingly driven plate 36, in operation, does not have sufficient conveying effect in the direction of the upper end 10. Therefore, despite the operation of the vibrating conveyor plate 9, the aforementioned sufficiently round, spherical particles 1 still roll to the lower end 11 and are captured by means of the capturing device 12 positioned there as particles 1 considered good according to the standard of "roundness".

[0046] Fragments of particle 1 or other non-circular particles 1”' cannot exhibit such rolling motion on the plate. However, the vibrating conveyor plate 9 can apply a very sufficient tangential force during operation, so that the aforementioned objects are conveyed towards the upper end 10 against the rolling direction, collected by the capturing device 34 positioned there, and sorted out as their roundness is outside the tolerance. A tolerance range can be set by coordinating the vibration driver 35, the surface properties of the plate 36, and the selection of the second tilt angle β, within which good particles 1 roll towards the lower end 11, and outside this tolerance range, particles 1”' that are not round are conveyed towards the upper end 10 and sorted out.

[0047] Therefore, the particles 1 collected at the lower end 11 according to the above description are samples that are within the expected tolerance range not only in terms of standard "size" but also in terms of standard "roundness". These samples are then submitted to the separation device 4.

[0048] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The first embodiment of this separation device 4 is shown, wherein, in Figure 6 Its schematic side view is presented in the middle and in Figure 7A schematic top view is presented in the image. According to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 In one embodiment, the separating device 4 includes a storage container 15 having round particles 1 prepared therein, which are sequentially handled by a size sorter 2 and a shape sorter 3. The bottom of the storage container 15 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction x, wherein the particles 1 are collected in the lower region of the inclined bottom. An output opening 29 is provided at the bottom in the upper region above the particle level. Furthermore, the separating device includes a formatting disk 13 inclined relative to the horizontal direction x and approximately parallel to the bottom of the storage container 15, the formatting disk being rotatable about a rotation axis 30, and the formatting disk 13 being externally surrounded by the circumferential wall of the storage container 15. Figure 7 The format disk 13 is provided with receiving holes 14 distributed along its circumference, so that a particle 1 can be located in each of the receiving holes.

[0049] During operation, the format disk 13 sinks into the storage compartment of the particles 1 in the lower region, where a receiving hole 14 receives one particle 1 at a time. Due to the rotational movement of the format disk 13, these particles 1 are sequentially conveyed upwards. At the moment when the receiving hole 14 overlaps with the output opening 29, the corresponding particle 1 falls there, and as particles 1 dispensed in a separated manner are captured and supplied to the next method step, which is not further described here, such as packaging in a target container.

[0050] Another embodiment of the separating device 4, either as a separate structural form according to the invention or as part of the dispensing device according to the invention described herein, is... Figure 8 , 9 And 10 are shown as for Figure 6 , 7 The alternative to the separation device 4, wherein, in Figure 8 A schematic side view is presented in the middle and in Figure 9 A schematic top view is presented. According to... Figures 8 to 10 In one embodiment, the separation device 4 includes a storage container 31 containing round, spherical particles 1 prepared therein, which are sequentially handled by a size sorter 2 and a shape sorter 3. Furthermore, the separation device 4 includes a vacuum dispensing wheel 16, a vacuum source 17, and a pressure control device 37, all rotatable about a rotation axis 33.

[0051] The vacuum dispensing wheel 16 is constructed as a cylindrical section having a cylindrical circumferential surface and a flat end face 38 exposed towards the storage container 31. The storage container 31 itself is open towards the end face 38, so that the particles 1 stored there as bulk material rest against the end face 38. A gap 46 is provided between the storage container 31 and the vacuum dispensing wheel 16, at least in the lower section along the direction of gravity, through which fragments and any debris that may be present in the particles 1 can fall downwards.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment shown, the axis of rotation 33 is horizontal, i.e., parallel to the horizontal direction x. However, it may also be slightly tilted relative to the horizontal direction, wherein the tilt angle preferably should not exceed 30° and especially not exceed 15°. The end face 38 is constructed as a flat disk and is orthogonal to the axis of rotation 33. Correspondingly, it is parallel to the direction of gravity, but may have a slight tilt angle relative to the direction of gravity, similar to the axis of rotation.

[0053] from Figure 8 and Figure 9 From the overview, it can be seen that the vacuum dispensing wheel 16 has at least one suction opening for particles 1 on its end face 38 at a radial distance from the axis of rotation 33. Currently, a plurality of suction openings 18 are arranged in the lateral end face 38 and are positioned therein in a circumferential direction. The suction openings 18 can be loaded with vacuum or negative pressure by a vacuum source 17, wherein the connection between the vacuum source 17 and the suction openings 18 can be turned on or off by means of a pressure control device 37 in a manner described in more detail below.

[0054] The pressure control device 37 includes a control plate 40 that is parallel and coaxial with the vacuum metering wheel 16 and is pressure-sealed against it. The control plate 40 is fixedly mounted and therefore does not rotate with the vacuum metering wheel 16. Figure 10 The control panel 40 is shown in a schematic end view. From Figure 8 , 10 As can be seen from the overview, the control panel 40 has an arc-shaped control channel 41 connected to the vacuum source 17. The control channel 41 extends from a first end 42 to a second end 43. The first end 42 of the control channel 41 is located in the region of the storage container 31 for the particles 1. The second end 43 of the control channel 41 is located in the region of the discharge port 32 for the particles 1, which will be described in more detail below. More precisely, the second end 43 is located not far before the discharge port 32 in the direction of rotation of the vacuum dispensing wheel 16. Due to its radial distance from the axis of rotation 33, the suction opening 18 moves in operation on a circular track about the axis of rotation 33. The position and orientation of the control channel 41 are adapted to this circular track of the suction opening 18 such that the suction opening 18 enters and overlaps with the control channel 41 on its circular track, and here connects with the control channel 41 via the drilled hole 39 along the extension of the control channel 41 to transmit negative pressure.

[0055] Optional first channel segment 47 and optional second channel segment 48 are located in the control panel 40. Similar to the control channel 41, channel segments 47 and 48 may have longitudinal extensions in the circumferential direction. Currently, they are implemented as simple drilled holes. Channel segments 47 and 48, like the control channel 41, are adapted to the surrounding track of the suction opening 18, such that the suction opening 18 enters and overlaps with the first and second channel segments 47 and 48 in its surrounding track, and is then connected to them via corresponding drilled holes 39 in a positive pressure transmission connection. The first channel segment 47 is located directly at the discharge port 32 relative to the rotation direction of the vacuum metering wheel 16 and is connected to the optional first positive pressure source 44 in a pressure transmission connection. Downstream along the rotation direction of the vacuum metering wheel 16, i.e., after the discharge port 32, there is a second channel segment 48, which is connected to the optional second positive pressure source 45 in a pressure transmission connection.

[0056] During operation, the vacuum dispensing wheel 16 sinks into the storage compartment of the particles 1 in the lower region. Due to the rotational movement of the vacuum dispensing wheel 16, the first pressureless suction opening 18 reaches the first end 42 of the control channel 41 located in the region of the storage container 31, thereby connecting the vacuum source 17 to the aforementioned suction opening 18 at this location. Due to the negative pressure present here, individual particles are drawn in by the suction opening 18. This applies equally to each subsequent suction opening 18 due to the rotational movement. Downstream of the suction opening, for example between the vacuum dispensing wheel 16 and the control plate 40, unpresented filter material or the like can be arranged to avoid the unwanted suction of debris, fragments, etc. The suction opening 18 is smaller in diameter than the particle 1, so from the first end 42, a particle 1 abuts against the edge of each suction opening 18 and is held there by suction. Due to the rotational movement of the vacuum dispensing wheel 16, the suction opening 18 initially follows the direction of the control channel 41, thereby maintaining the negative pressure loading. Therefore, these particles 1 initially remain adhered to the suction opening 18 and are sequentially conveyed upwards. There, they reach the previously mentioned, schematically illustrated discharge port 32. The second end 43 of the control channel 41 is located in the area of ​​influence of the discharge port 32, more precisely, shortly before reaching the discharge port 32. Upon passing this second end 43, the suction opening 18 loses its connection to the control channel 41 and thus its connection to the vacuum source 17. In other words, the vacuum supply to the corresponding suction opening 18 or the connection between the vacuum source 17 and the suction opening 18 is respectively interrupted or severed. As a result, the corresponding particles 1 fall from the associated suction opening 18 in the area of ​​the discharge port 32. Directly in the discharge port 32, the corresponding suction opening overlaps with the first channel segment 47. This, in addition to the interruption of the vacuum, allows a small positive pressure impact to be applied to the suction opening 18 to eliminate any residual vacuum that may be present there and to support the separation of the particles 1 from the edges of the suction opening 18.

[0057] Regardless, the falling particles 1 are captured by the discharge port 32, ejected from the separation device 4, and distributed as particles 1 in a separated manner, as according to... Figure 6 , 7 In the embodiments, it is supplied to the next method step, which is not further described herein, such as packaging in the target container.

[0058] As the vacuum dispensing wheel 16 continues to rotate, each suction opening 18 eventually enters the working area of ​​the second channel section 48. By means of the connection with the second positive pressure source 45 established there, a positive pressure impact can be applied to the corresponding suction opening 18, for example, for cleaning purposes, so as to blow out, for example, debris or fragments of the particles 1.

Claims

1. A separation device (4) for spherical particles (1), particularly for freeze-dried beads, wherein, The separation device (4) includes a vacuum dispensing wheel (16) rotatable about a rotation axis (33), a vacuum source (17), and a pressure control device (37), wherein at least one suction opening (18) for the particles (1) is arranged in the lateral end face (38) of the vacuum dispensing wheel (16) at a radial distance from the rotation axis (33), and wherein the connection between the vacuum source (17) and the suction opening (18) can be switched on and off by means of the pressure control device (37). The feature is that a second positive pressure source (45) is provided, which can be connected to the at least one suction opening (18) downstream of the discharge port (32) for blowing out the suction opening (18).

2. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, Multiple suction openings (18) are arranged in the lateral end face (38) along the circumferential direction.

3. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, The rotation axis (33) of the vacuum dispensing wheel (16) is horizontal, wherein the end face (38) is constructed flat and orthogonal to the rotation axis (33).

4. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, The pressure control device (37) has a control plate (40) parallel to the vacuum dispensing wheel (16) and not rotating therein, wherein an arc-shaped control channel (41) is constructed in the control plate (40), which is adapted to the surrounding track of the at least one suction opening (18) and connected to the vacuum source (17) in its direction, wherein a first end (42) of the control channel (41) is located in the region of the storage container (31) for the particles (1), wherein a second end (43) of the control channel (41) is located in the region of the discharge port (32) for the particles (1), and wherein the at least one suction opening (18) is connected to the control channel (41) along the direction of the control channel (41) in a manner that transmits negative pressure.

5. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, A first positive pressure source (44) is provided, which is capable of being connected in the region of the discharge port (32) to at least one suction opening (18) for discharging the particles (1).

6. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, A gap (46) is provided between the storage container (31) and the vacuum dispensing wheel (16) at least in the lower section.

7. The separation device according to claim 1, Its features are, The spherical particles (1) are freeze-dried beads.

8. A dispensing device for spherical particles (1), comprising a size sorter (2), a shape sorter (3), and a separation device (4) for said particles (1), wherein, The size sorter (2) has two sorting rollers (5,6) that are rotatable about their longitudinal axes (7,8) and are positioned side-by-side such that they maintain a distance (a,a1,a2,a3) that varies along the longitudinal axes (7,8) and is adapted to the preset target size of the particles (1). The shape sorter (3) is constructed as a vibrating conveyor plate (9) inclined relative to the horizontal direction (x), having an upper end (10), a lower end (11), and a particle-capturing device (12) arranged in the region of the lower end (11) for conveying the particles (1) to the separation device (4). The device includes a vacuum dispensing wheel (16) that can be driven to rotate about a rotation axis (33), a vacuum source (17), and a pressure control device (37). At least one suction opening (18) for the particles (1) is arranged in the lateral end face (38) of the vacuum dispensing wheel (16) at a radial distance from the rotation axis (33). The connection between the vacuum source (17) and the suction opening (18) can be turned on and off by means of the pressure control device (37). A second positive pressure source (45) is provided, which can be connected to the at least one suction opening (18) downstream of the discharge port (32) for blowing out the suction opening (18).

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