Viscous material filling method

Abstract

The invention discloses a viscous material filling method which comprises the following steps: a wire breaking stage: after filling is finished, a filling needle stays for a first set time T1, then an ejector pin descends to cut off an outlet of the filling needle, a sealing sleeve ascends to be separated from a container, and meanwhile, the filling needle and the ejector pin ascend to a set position below an inlet of the container and stays for a set time T2. The filling needle stays for the first set time, and the viscous material at the outlet of the filling needle can continuously flow into the container, so that the accuracy of the filling quantity is improved, and the wire drawing is reduced. The ejector pin descends to cut off an outlet of the filling needle, materials in the filling needle are cut off, the sealing sleeve ascends to damage the vacuum environment in the container, meanwhile, the filling needle and the ejector pin ascend, and the good wire breaking effect can be achieved through the combination of the three means that the ejector pin descends to cut off the outlet of the filling needle. The filling needle and the ejector pin ascend to set positions and stay for set duration, so that some very fine drawn wires can be automatically disconnected under the action of gravity, and the situation that laminar flow wind outside a container blows away the fine drawn wires and attaches the fine drawn wires to an inlet of the container, and consequently products are unqualified is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to pharmaceutical manufacturing methods, and more particularly to a method for filling viscous materials. Background Technology

[0002] With the rise of the medical aesthetics and biopharmaceutical industries, an increasing number of high-viscosity pharmaceutical solutions have emerged, especially some high-viscosity, stringy solutions with string lengths reaching approximately 0.5 meters. Because these extremely fine strings can adhere to containers such as pre-filled and sealed bottles, causing product defects, the filling process must be able to break the strings, while also requiring high filling accuracy (e.g., 0.525 ± 0.01 g) and a bubble-free filling process. Furthermore, maximizing production capacity while minimizing costs significantly increases the difficulty of filling high-viscosity, stringy pharmaceutical solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a viscous material filling method that is easy to operate and conducive to improving filling accuracy and fiber breaking effect.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A method for filling viscous materials includes a fiber-breaking stage: after filling is completed, the filling needle stays for a first set time T1, then the ejector pin descends to cut off the outlet of the filling needle, the sealing sleeve rises to separate from the container, and at the same time the filling needle and ejector pin rise to a set position below the container inlet and stay for a set time T2.

[0005] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the viscous material filling method includes the following steps: S1. The filling needle and sealing sleeve descend until the lower end of the filling needle reaches the set position of the container, and the lower end of the sealing sleeve is connected and sealed with the upper end of the container. S2. Evacuate the container through the sealing sleeve until the set vacuum level is reached inside the container; S3, Filling: The ejector pin rises to open the outlet of the filling needle, and the material inside the filling needle enters the container. The filling needle and ejector pin rise until the lower end of the filling needle reaches the target filling liquid level. S4, the wire breakage stage; S5, the filling needle, ejector pin, and sealing sleeve rise and reset.

[0006] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, step S3 specifically includes: S3.1 First stage filling: The ejector pin rises to open the outlet of the filling needle, and the material inside the filling needle enters the container until the liquid level reaches the bottom of the filling needle; S3.2 Second stage filling: The filling needle and ejector needle rise, and the material in the filling needle enters the container until the lower end of the filling needle reaches the target filling liquid level.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the speed at which the injection needle rises in step S3 is V1, the speed at which the injection needle rises in step S4 is V2, and the speed at which the injection needle rises in step S5 is V3, where both V1 and V3 are less than V2.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: V3 > V1.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the speed at which the injection needle descends in step S1 is V4, where V4 > V3.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: T1 < T2.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: This invention discloses a method for filling viscous materials. After filling, the filling needle remains stationary for a first set time, allowing the viscous material at the needle outlet to continue flowing into the container, which helps improve filling accuracy and reduce stringing. Then, the ejector pin descends to cut off the needle outlet, interrupting the material inside. Simultaneously, the sealing sleeve rises, disrupting the vacuum environment inside the container. The combined effect of these three methods—the filling needle and the ejector pin—achieves excellent string-breaking. Finally, the filling needle and ejector pin rise to a set position and remain stationary for a set time. This allows very fine strings to break automatically under gravity, further improving filling accuracy. Furthermore, the stationary position is below the container inlet, preventing laminar airflow outside the container from blowing away and adhering to the inlet, thus avoiding product defects. The method is convenient to operate and provides excellent string-breaking performance.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the viscous material filling method of the present invention, wherein (a) is the initial state, (b) is the vacuum state, (c) is the first stage filling state, (d) is the second stage filling state, (e) is the beginning of the filament breakage state, (f) is the end of the filament breakage state, and (g) is the reset state. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the injection needle stroke, container pressure, and time in this invention.

[0014] The labels in the diagram represent: 1. Filling needle; 2. Ejector pin; 3. Sealing sleeve; 4. Container; L1 is the pressure curve inside the container, and L2 is the injection needle action curve. Detailed Implementation

[0015] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0016] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0017] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "assembly," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0018] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] Figures 1 to 2 This invention illustrates an embodiment of a viscous material filling method, which includes a fiber-breaking stage: after filling is completed (specifically as follows...). Figure 1 As shown in part (d) of the diagram), the filling needle 1 remains in place for a first set time T1, then the ejector pin 2 descends to cut off the outlet of the filling needle 1, and the sealing sleeve 3 rises to separate from the container 4 (specifically as shown in part (d) of the diagram). Figure 1 As shown in part (e), simultaneously, the filling needle 1 and the ejector needle 2 rise, and after rising to a set position below the inlet of container 4, they remain there for a set time T2 (specifically as shown in part (e)). Figure 1 (as shown in part (f) of the document).

[0020] In this embodiment of the viscous material filling method, after filling, the filling needle 1 remains stationary for a first set time, allowing the viscous material at the outlet of the filling needle 1 to continue flowing into the container 4, which helps improve the accuracy of the filling amount and reduce stringing. Then, the ejector needle 2 descends to cut off the outlet of the filling needle 1, cutting off the material inside the filling needle 1. The sealing sleeve 3 rises, breaking the vacuum environment inside the container 4. Simultaneously, the filling needle 1 and ejector needle 2 rise, and the combination of these three methods can achieve a good string-breaking effect. Finally, the filling needle 1 and ejector needle 2 rise to a set position and remain stationary for a set time, which helps some very fine strings to break automatically under the action of gravity, further improving filling accuracy. Moreover, the stationary position is below the inlet of the container 4, which can prevent the laminar flow outside the container 4 from blowing away the fine strings and adhering them to the inlet of the container 4, resulting in product defects. The operation is convenient and the string-breaking effect is good.

[0021] In this embodiment, the viscous material filling method includes the following steps: S1. The filling needle 1 and sealing sleeve 3 descend (it is known that because the ejector pin 1 needs to keep the outlet of the filling needle 1 in a cut-off state, the ejector pin 1 and the filling needle 1 descend synchronously), until the lower end of the filling needle 1 reaches the set position of the container 4, and the lower end of the sealing sleeve 3 connects and seals with the upper end of the container 4, as detailed below. Figure 1 As shown in parts (a) and (b); Preferably, in this embodiment, the height of the lower end of the filling needle 1 when it is in the initial position is taken as the origin, the height of the inlet of the container 4 is -20 mm, the height of the lower end of the filling needle 1 when it stops for the second time during the wire breakage stage is -30 mm, the height of the target liquid level is -43 mm, and the height of the lower end of the filling needle 1 after it descends is -70 mm.

[0022] S2. Vacuum is drawn inside the container 4 through the sealing sleeve 3 until the set vacuum degree is reached inside the container 4. The vacuum inside the container 4 creates a negative pressure environment, which helps to prevent air bubbles from being generated during the subsequent filling process. At the same time, the pressure difference can also be used to improve the fluidity of viscous materials and speed up the entry of materials in the filling needle 1 into the container 4. S3, Filling: The ejector pin 2 rises to open the outlet of the filling needle 1, and the material in the filling needle 1 enters the container 4. The filling needle 1 and ejector pin 2 rise until the lower end of the filling needle 1 reaches the target filling liquid level. S4, the wire breakage stage; S5, filling needle 1, ejector needle 2 and sealing sleeve 3 rise and reset, preparing for the next filling process, and so on.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, step S3 specifically includes: S3.1, First stage filling: The ejector pin 2 rises, opening the outlet of the filling needle 1, allowing the material inside the filling needle 1 to enter the container 4 until the liquid level reaches the lower end of the filling needle 1, as detailed below. Figure 1 As shown in part (c); When filling the bottom of container 4, the filling needle 1 remains stationary, which is suitable for situations where the bottom of container 4 has an irregular shape and a small capacity.

[0024] S3.2 Second stage filling: Filling needle 1 and ejector needle 2 rise, and the material in filling needle 1 enters container 4 until the lower end of filling needle 1 reaches the target filling liquid level, as detailed below. Figure 1 As shown in part (d) of the document.

[0025] After filling the bottom of container 4 is completed, the filling needle 1 rises while filling, which helps to prevent the material entering container 4 from contacting the lower end of the filling needle 1.

[0026] See details Figure 2 In this embodiment, the rising speed of the filling needle 1 in step S3 is V1, the rising speed of the filling needle 1 in step S4 is V2, and the rising speed of the filling needle 1 in step S5 is V3. Both V1 and V3 are less than V2. The rising speed of the filling needle 1 is the fastest during the filament breaking stage, which is beneficial to ensuring the filament breaking effect.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, V3 > V1. After the filament breakage stage ends, the filling needle 1 rises at a relatively fast speed, which allows the filling needle 1 to quickly reset, thus improving production efficiency and increasing capacity. During the filling stage, the filling needle 1 rises at a relatively slow speed, which can be adapted to the filling speed of viscous materials.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the descent speed of the filling needle 1 in step S1 is V4, where V4 > V3. The very rapid descent of the filling needle 1 before filling facilitates quick positioning, saves preparation time, and increases production capacity.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, T1 < T2. During the filament breakage stage, the first dwell time of filling needle 1 is relatively short, allowing the viscous material at the outlet of filling needle 1 to continue flowing into container 4, which is beneficial for improving the accuracy of filling volume while also taking into account production efficiency. The second dwell time of filling needle 1 is relatively long, which is beneficial for the very fine filaments to break automatically under the action of gravity.

[0030] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention, or modify them into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention, should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for filling viscous materials, characterized in that: Including the wire breakage stage: After filling is completed, the filling needle (1) stays for a first set time T1, then the ejector pin (2) descends to cut off the outlet of the filling needle (1), the sealing sleeve (3) rises and separates from the container (4), and at the same time the filling needle (1) and ejector pin (2) rise, and stay for a set time T2 after rising to a set position below the inlet of the container (4).

2. The viscous material filling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. The filling needle (1) and the sealing sleeve (3) descend until the lower end of the filling needle (1) reaches the set position of the container (4) and the lower end of the sealing sleeve (3) is connected and sealed with the upper end of the container (4). S2. Vacuum the container (4) through the sealing sleeve (3) until the container (4) reaches the set vacuum level; S3, Filling: The ejector pin (2) rises to open the outlet of the filling needle (1), and the material in the filling needle (1) enters the container (4). The filling needle (1) and ejector pin (2) rise until the lower end of the filling needle (1) reaches the target filling liquid surface. S4, the wire breakage stage; S5, the filling needle (1), the ejector pin (2) and the sealing sleeve (3) rise and reset.

3. The viscous material filling method according to claim 2, characterized in that: Step S3 specifically includes: S3.1 First stage filling: The ejector pin (2) rises to open the outlet of the filling needle (1), and the material in the filling needle (1) enters the container (4) until the liquid level reaches the lower end of the filling needle (1); S3.2 Second stage filling: The filling needle (1) and the ejector needle (2) rise, and the material in the filling needle (1) enters the container (4) until the lower end of the filling needle (1) reaches the target filling liquid surface.

4. The viscous material filling method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S3, the speed at which the injection needle (1) rises is V1; in step S4, the speed at which the injection needle (1) rises is V2; and in step S5, the speed at which the injection needle (1) rises is V3. Both V1 and V3 are less than V2.

5. The viscous material filling method according to claim 4, characterized in that: V3 > V1.

6. The viscous material filling method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step S1, the rate at which the injection needle (1) descends is V4, where V4 > V3.

7. The method for filling viscous materials according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: T1 < T2.

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